TWO YEARS AGO Ember’s POV I held my brother tightly against my chest, his fifteen year old frame trembling against my eighteen year old one. “I’m so cold, Ember,” Caden said, his teeth chattering violently. “I know,” I whispered, though my voice trembled more than I wanted it to. “Mum will be back soon, okay? Just hold on.” I ruffled his hair and rubbed his back, hoping the small gestures would bring him comfort, or at least distract him. The truth was, I was worried. Mum had left us to hunt hours ago, long before the rain started pouring. She had no hat, no umbrella, nothing to shield her from this storm. My eyes kept darting to the tent’s entrance, half-expecting her to appear, drenched but safe. The tent flapped wildly in the wind, its thin fabric offering little protection. Every so often, the entrance slit would fly open, letting in cold rain and streaks of mud. I had tried to secure it, but the pin was too weak against the force of the wind. Caden’s arms tightened aroun
Ember’s POV It’s been two years since I last saw my mother and brother. After the attack, I woke up in what resembled a concentration camp. Humans and werewolves from different raided places were crammed together in horrible conditions, their faces painted with despair. Fortunately, I didn’t stay there long. The very next day, I was dragged out of the camp and shoved into a filthy old van. From snippets of conversation among the traffickers, I learned that a hundred of us had been sold to Alpha Thorne, the most feared and revered Alpha in the plains. “They say he’s so cruel and evil, no other Alpha dares to challenge him,” whispered Kaya, a wiry human girl I’d met at the camp. Her fiery red hair was so long it nearly dragged on the ground. I’d braided it into one thick plait to keep it out of the way. “I’d kill him if I had the chance,” I muttered in a flat tone, glaring at the men outside. “Shhh! Keep your voice down,” Kaya hissed, glancing around nervously. “You don’t want tha
Thorne’s POV Being Alpha sure has its perks, but to ensure my longevity, I’ve had to master the art of restraint. Sometimes, that means ignoring sweet temptations that dangle just within my reach. My latest temptation? Luna Serene, mate to Alpha Matteo, my business rival. Matteo hated me. It wasn’t personal, not at first, anyway. He despised how I kept expanding my businesses, swallowing territories, and, unintentionally, his aspirations. The man was ambitious but clueless when it came to strategy. His wife, however, was the real mastermind. Serene’s sharp mind and sharp tongue often compensated for Matteo’s shortcomings, which was why he had begun sending her to negotiate with me instead of showing up himself. I wasn’t fooled. Matteo might be the Alpha of his pack, but Serene ran the show. The first time Serene walked into my office, she was all poise and professionalism. Her dark hair was pinned back in a tight bun, her business suit crisp and modest. By the third meeting, th
Ember’s POV Living in Alpha Thorne’s territory had its advantages. It was so vast that I rarely had to worry about crossing paths with him, and I intended to keep it that way. The last thing I needed was for him to discover I was the daughter of his old rival. If he ever figured that out, I had no doubt my days would end in misery, or worse. My duties here were simple: cleaning the servants’ quarters and tending to the decorative flowers and trees scattered across the estate. The gardens were beautiful, a stark contrast to the harsh reality of life in this place. They reminded me of home, though that memory was fading faster than I cared to admit. Kaya, of course, never left my side. I suspected her loyalty wasn’t entirely selfless. As a human among wolves, she counted on me for protection. The other werewolves in the servants’ camp could be brutal, and my presence seemed to keep them at bay. Not that I minded, having someone to talk to kept the loneliness from swallowing me whole
Thorne’s POV My interrogation room was more like a bar, a well-furnished one with just enough dangerous weapons hanging above the polished counter to make a statement. The stark lighting overhead was the only thing that illuminated the dark space, focusing solely on the woman sitting across from me. Selene, her long legs crossed, exuded an aura of confidence, but I could see the subtle tremor in her jaw, the slight dart of her eyes as she carefully maintained her composure. She was good at pretending, but I could see through the act. The silence between us stretched on. I could tell she was trying to gauge me just as I was assessing her. When you deal with people like Matteo’s wife, the game was never straightforward. It was always about pushing, testing limits. “I’m going to ask you this once,” I said, my voice low, the words deliberate. I swirled the wine in my glass, watching the red liquid spin as if the motion could help me focus. “Why are your husband’s wolves stalking my te
Embers POV I crouched low, pressing my belly against the forest floor. The undergrowth scratched at my fur, but I didn’t move, not yet. The woods were alive with sounds, crickets, rustling leaves. but beneath that, I could sense something foreign. The air carried an unfamiliar scent, sharp and invasive, cutting through the familiar musk of Thorne’s clan. It wasn’t just one smell either. There were several, overlapping and distinct, all screaming the same thing, outsiders. The young wolf at my feet lay still, his breaths shallow but steady. I nudged him with my nose, taking in his scent. He wasn’t from the outsiders, at least. That much I was sure of. His fur was warm, soft, and smelled faintly of the earth, like he’d been hiding in the woods for hours. I bit down gently on the scruff of his neck, trying to lift him, but he was heavier than I expected. Too heavy for me to carry far. With no other choice, I began dragging him. My jaws ached from the effort, but I refused to let go.
Thorne’s POV As I ran through the woods by the northern border of my estate, the cold wind slicing through the trees, my thoughts raced faster than my paws. Matteo’s sudden interest in the borders of my land made little sense. Why now? And what role did Serene play in his schemes? She was cunning, far too cunning to be reduced to Matteo’s pawn, but her loyalties were as slippery as a rogue’s.Darius was close behind me, his gait steady despite the uneven terrain. I knew he had questions, he always did. But before I could focus on his unspoken concerns, something hit me, a scent so potent it froze me mid stride.I slowed, coming to an abrupt stop, my chest heaving. Darius caught up, looking confused. ‘What is it?’ he asked, but I barely heard him.The scent wrapped itself around me like a command, primal and impossible to ignore. My wolf surged forward, clawing at my restraint, driving me toward it. Electricity prickled under my skin, and before I knew it, I bolted, leaving Darius w
Mature Content Warning:This chapter contains mature themes, including explicit language, and scenes intended for adult audiences. Reader discretion is advised.Third person pov Thorne staggered back into the mansion, the wound on his side still raw, the pain sharp enough to make him hiss with each step. His body was healing, but exhaustion slowed the process. His wolf was strong, but even he had limits, and tonight had pushed him close to breaking. He grabbed a coat near the entrance, throwing it over himself as he shifted back to human form, his movements stiff from the lingering pain.Darius followed closely behind, his expression grim as he took in Thorne’s state. “Alpha, let me summon the healers. You’re…”“No.” Thorne’s voice was sharp, cutting off any argument. “I’ll handle it. Leave me.”“But, Alpha…”“I don’t need to repeat myself, Darius,” Thorne growled, his tone leaving no room for argument. He pressed a hand to his side, feeling the sticky warmth of blood against his
In the chill dark of the night, the servants lit spaced, controlled fires and sat around them in cliques, speaking in hushed tones.Kaya, Raphael, and Ember sat around a small fire of their own.Ember stared off into the night, deep in thought, conflicted about the turn of events. Finding a mate had once been the least of her worries, now it was at the forefront. And of all people, it had to be Alpha Thorne, a ruthless, evil man. She knew little about his connection to her family, only that her father had died by his hands during an altercation over pack territory.Her mother never spoke much about it, but the resentment she harbored for Thorne ran deep. She had planned her revenge through her children, Caden and Ember. Except Ember didn’t care for revenge, she just wanted to live far away from all the politics and power plays. Caden had been too young, but she saw how their mother groomed him, feeding him stories to stoke and increase his hatred for Thorne. What would she think no
The hard point of her nipple in his mouth stiffened him, sending sparks of desire from his groin all over his body. The weight of her whole breast pressed against his face, blocking his nose and forcing him to attempt to breathe with his mouth, which was filled with saliva. Serene threw her head back and moaned as Thorne sucked and bit into her nipple viciously, grinding her hips in taunting motions on his growing member. His eyes burned red with excitement as he grunted and grabbed her hair with his left hand, pulling her closer to him, he couldn’t have enough. Her sweet coy scent invaded his brain, and he grabbed her soft ass and met her grinding with his own upward thrusts. He was naked under the coat, and he swiftly pushed it to the side, exposing his cock. Serene gasped as he pushed upwards and into her roughly, encountering no resistance as her pussy was already soaking wet from anticipation. His hot pulsing cock invaded her insides, making her exclaim;“Mmhmmh! Oh my go
Mature Content Warning:This chapter contains mature themes, including explicit language, and scenes intended for adult audiences. Reader discretion is advised.Third person pov Thorne staggered back into the mansion, the wound on his side still raw, the pain sharp enough to make him hiss with each step. His body was healing, but exhaustion slowed the process. His wolf was strong, but even he had limits, and tonight had pushed him close to breaking. He grabbed a coat near the entrance, throwing it over himself as he shifted back to human form, his movements stiff from the lingering pain.Darius followed closely behind, his expression grim as he took in Thorne’s state. “Alpha, let me summon the healers. You’re…”“No.” Thorne’s voice was sharp, cutting off any argument. “I’ll handle it. Leave me.”“But, Alpha…”“I don’t need to repeat myself, Darius,” Thorne growled, his tone leaving no room for argument. He pressed a hand to his side, feeling the sticky warmth of blood against his
Thorne’s POV As I ran through the woods by the northern border of my estate, the cold wind slicing through the trees, my thoughts raced faster than my paws. Matteo’s sudden interest in the borders of my land made little sense. Why now? And what role did Serene play in his schemes? She was cunning, far too cunning to be reduced to Matteo’s pawn, but her loyalties were as slippery as a rogue’s.Darius was close behind me, his gait steady despite the uneven terrain. I knew he had questions, he always did. But before I could focus on his unspoken concerns, something hit me, a scent so potent it froze me mid stride.I slowed, coming to an abrupt stop, my chest heaving. Darius caught up, looking confused. ‘What is it?’ he asked, but I barely heard him.The scent wrapped itself around me like a command, primal and impossible to ignore. My wolf surged forward, clawing at my restraint, driving me toward it. Electricity prickled under my skin, and before I knew it, I bolted, leaving Darius w
Embers POV I crouched low, pressing my belly against the forest floor. The undergrowth scratched at my fur, but I didn’t move, not yet. The woods were alive with sounds, crickets, rustling leaves. but beneath that, I could sense something foreign. The air carried an unfamiliar scent, sharp and invasive, cutting through the familiar musk of Thorne’s clan. It wasn’t just one smell either. There were several, overlapping and distinct, all screaming the same thing, outsiders. The young wolf at my feet lay still, his breaths shallow but steady. I nudged him with my nose, taking in his scent. He wasn’t from the outsiders, at least. That much I was sure of. His fur was warm, soft, and smelled faintly of the earth, like he’d been hiding in the woods for hours. I bit down gently on the scruff of his neck, trying to lift him, but he was heavier than I expected. Too heavy for me to carry far. With no other choice, I began dragging him. My jaws ached from the effort, but I refused to let go.
Thorne’s POV My interrogation room was more like a bar, a well-furnished one with just enough dangerous weapons hanging above the polished counter to make a statement. The stark lighting overhead was the only thing that illuminated the dark space, focusing solely on the woman sitting across from me. Selene, her long legs crossed, exuded an aura of confidence, but I could see the subtle tremor in her jaw, the slight dart of her eyes as she carefully maintained her composure. She was good at pretending, but I could see through the act. The silence between us stretched on. I could tell she was trying to gauge me just as I was assessing her. When you deal with people like Matteo’s wife, the game was never straightforward. It was always about pushing, testing limits. “I’m going to ask you this once,” I said, my voice low, the words deliberate. I swirled the wine in my glass, watching the red liquid spin as if the motion could help me focus. “Why are your husband’s wolves stalking my te
Ember’s POV Living in Alpha Thorne’s territory had its advantages. It was so vast that I rarely had to worry about crossing paths with him, and I intended to keep it that way. The last thing I needed was for him to discover I was the daughter of his old rival. If he ever figured that out, I had no doubt my days would end in misery, or worse. My duties here were simple: cleaning the servants’ quarters and tending to the decorative flowers and trees scattered across the estate. The gardens were beautiful, a stark contrast to the harsh reality of life in this place. They reminded me of home, though that memory was fading faster than I cared to admit. Kaya, of course, never left my side. I suspected her loyalty wasn’t entirely selfless. As a human among wolves, she counted on me for protection. The other werewolves in the servants’ camp could be brutal, and my presence seemed to keep them at bay. Not that I minded, having someone to talk to kept the loneliness from swallowing me whole
Thorne’s POV Being Alpha sure has its perks, but to ensure my longevity, I’ve had to master the art of restraint. Sometimes, that means ignoring sweet temptations that dangle just within my reach. My latest temptation? Luna Serene, mate to Alpha Matteo, my business rival. Matteo hated me. It wasn’t personal, not at first, anyway. He despised how I kept expanding my businesses, swallowing territories, and, unintentionally, his aspirations. The man was ambitious but clueless when it came to strategy. His wife, however, was the real mastermind. Serene’s sharp mind and sharp tongue often compensated for Matteo’s shortcomings, which was why he had begun sending her to negotiate with me instead of showing up himself. I wasn’t fooled. Matteo might be the Alpha of his pack, but Serene ran the show. The first time Serene walked into my office, she was all poise and professionalism. Her dark hair was pinned back in a tight bun, her business suit crisp and modest. By the third meeting, th
Ember’s POV It’s been two years since I last saw my mother and brother. After the attack, I woke up in what resembled a concentration camp. Humans and werewolves from different raided places were crammed together in horrible conditions, their faces painted with despair. Fortunately, I didn’t stay there long. The very next day, I was dragged out of the camp and shoved into a filthy old van. From snippets of conversation among the traffickers, I learned that a hundred of us had been sold to Alpha Thorne, the most feared and revered Alpha in the plains. “They say he’s so cruel and evil, no other Alpha dares to challenge him,” whispered Kaya, a wiry human girl I’d met at the camp. Her fiery red hair was so long it nearly dragged on the ground. I’d braided it into one thick plait to keep it out of the way. “I’d kill him if I had the chance,” I muttered in a flat tone, glaring at the men outside. “Shhh! Keep your voice down,” Kaya hissed, glancing around nervously. “You don’t want tha