I took a deep breath and entered the beast's den. My heart raced as I walked in, aware that I might not make it out alive. Darius Augustus was sitting by the window, his back turned to me. I couldn't tell what he was thinking as he stared outside.Zixin stood in the corner, giving me a cold glare. I wondered what he wanted, but before I could do anything, he motioned for me to kneel. I refused, and he shoved me down to my knees. I knew I couldn't stand up until they allowed me to, and so I remained on the floor, helpless and vulnerable.Darius turned around, smiling as he saw me kneeling in front of him. I felt a surge of anger and hatred but knew there was nothing I could do.The door opened behind me, and someone entered the room. His presence was overwhelming. I could feel his eyes on me, but I couldn't bring myself to look away from Darius. His eyes had shifted from mine, and it was then that I felt a cold shiver run down my spine.I wanted to turn around and see who this stranger
As the hand tightened its grip around my neck, I struggled to breathe. I had never felt so helpless before. The pressure on my airways was intense, and with each passing moment, I felt my consciousness slipping away.Darius stood before me, a cruel smile on his lips as he enjoyed the power he held over me. Zixin and Alex looked on, not daring to intervene. Living under an Alpha meant living in fear, and no one dared to question their leader's actions.Suddenly, he pulled me up to my feet, lifting me off the ground. I kicked my legs helplessly, seeking a solid footing that was just out of reach. If he didn't release me soon, I knew I would die.With a sudden movement, he slammed me against the wall, and a sharp cry escaped my lips. My neck was already sore from Zixin's earlier attack in the forest, and now I couldn't feel any more pain. My body went numb as I stopped struggling against his hold.Darius leaned in towards my ear, and in a cruel whisper, he said, "Take a good look at your
AMARYLLIS POV:I was in excruciating pain. My neck throbbed, and Darius had attacked it without hesitation. I couldn't help feeling frustrated, knowing he was my mate. It had been nearly thirty minutes since I last saw Alex. I had hoped he would bring me my bag after hearing my made-up story about my illness, but now I realized how foolish I had been to rely on him. I had only one hour left before Darius discovered my secret. The thought of him ending my life without remorse sent shivers down my spine.As I leaned against the wall, my eyelids grew heavy, and my body went numb. The coldness enveloped me as I thought about the time I ran away from home. "What if I had not run away?" I whispered to myself. My chest heaved with each painful breath, and I could feel the agony increasing.The memories flooded back, and I was lost in thought. I remembered the day I left home and how it had changed the course of my life. If only I had made different choices, perhaps I wouldn't be in this situ
As I slowly opened my eyes, a loud groan escaped my stomach. I felt the pain of the cold ground seeping through every inch of my body. My hunger pangs intensified, and I heard my wolf's voice echoing in my mind, "We need food, Amaryllis."Before I could make sense of my surroundings, the cell door creaked open with a thud. My heart sank as Alex, with an annoyed expression, stepped inside. "Move. We need to take you to Alpha."I wanted to scream so loud as I realized I was being taken to meet the Alpha - the one person I despised the most. Just the mention of his name made my skin crawl with revulsion.My body wouldn't budge, and my limbs felt like lead weights. "I can't move. There's no energy in my body," I protested, though I knew it was futile. He glared at me for a moment before delivering a cutting retort. "Amaryllis, don't waste our time. You know as well as I do that nothing you say will matter. In the end, we'll do what I say." I knew he was right, but I clung to the last bit
I could feel the heat emanating from his body, the fury inside him almost palpable. His once calm demeanour was replaced by a raging storm, his voice now rough and his eyes filled with an intense fire that left me trembling. It was like staring at a different person altogether, his anger consuming him entirely.My heart was pounding so hard that it felt like it was about to burst out of my chest. The air in the room had turned heavy, and the silence was deafening. Suddenly, he started walking towards me, and I braced myself for what was coming next. I shut my eyes tightly, trying to prepare myself for the impact of his fist on my cheek.I could feel his hand grab my arm, and his grip was so tight that it was causing me pain. I stood up, not daring to defy him in any way. As he held me, I could feel the power he possessed, and I knew that I needed to be careful. One wrong move, and he would unleash his wrath on me.The tension in the room was suffocating, and I could barely breathe. I
DARIUS POV:As I stood in the dimly lit room, my eyes fixed on Amaryllis's motionless form, I felt a sense of relief mingled with apprehension. Allister's words resonated in my head, a reminder of how perilously close we had come to losing her.Allister offered me a small smile, but his exhausted eyes revealed the gravity of the situation. "We nearly lost her, but she's stable now. The anaesthesia will help her rest and recover."I nodded in understanding, my attention drawn back to Amaryllis's ghostly complexion. It was hard to believe that only a few hours ago, she had been valiantly fighting for her life.As I watched her chest rise and fall in a steady rhythm, Alex and Zixin entered the room, their presence pulling me out of my thoughts. I could see the concern etched on their faces as they approached Amaryllis's bedside."What will you do to her now?" Alex asked, his voice laced with urgency.I paused for a moment, considering my next move. Amaryllis had proven her worth, but I c
AMARYLLIS POV:I slowly opened my eyes, feeling groggy and disoriented. It took me a few moments to adjust my sight to my surroundings. As I lay there, I realized something amazing - I felt truly good for the first time in what seemed like years. I wasn't sleeping on the ground or some makeshift bed. Instead, I was lying in a comfortable hospital bed.Looking around, I could tell that I was in a hospital room. But even this sterile environment was more comfortable than any place I had slept in recent memory. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my neck, causing me to wince. Memories of the previous day flooded my mind, and I cursed Darius for the situation I found myself in.If it weren't for him, I would be living my life freely without any worries. But deep down, I knew that it wasn't entirely his fault. My fate had brought me into his territory in the first place because I was his mate.I tried to communicate with my wolf, but she was resting, too weak to respond. I let
Allister's words echoed through my mind, causing my hands to become slick with sweat. I couldn't comprehend how he had learned about my scent-controlling pills. Did he divulge my secret to Daruis? No, he didn't; otherwise, Daruis would have punished me already. Allister locked his gaze on me, waiting for my response. He asked if I had told Daruis, implying that he hadn't revealed my secret. I was on the brink of a panic attack. I wasn't mentally or physically prepared to end Allister's life or to silence him permanently. I froze, realizing that this could be the end for me. Daruis wouldn't forgive me for deceiving him, let alone choosing me, a lone wolf, as his mate.I tried to steady my breathing and gather my thoughts, but my mind was in turmoil.Allister's scrutinizing stare made me feel exposed and vulnerable. I wished I could disappear into thin air and escape this nightmare. I longed to be back in the comfort of my own territory, where I could control my surroundings and be safe
An entire hour had slipped away, yet the veil of silence from within remained unbroken. The passage of time seemed to elongate, each minute stretching into an eternity as I stood there, my ears straining to catch any shred of information that might pierce the enigmatic shroud. The only faint trace of the tumultuous events transpiring inside the building was the distant echo of heated conflict, a symphony of clashing wills reverberating through the stillness.Amidst this suspense-laden atmosphere, the figure of Darius emerged as a central force, his charisma and leadership casting a magnetic pull upon those around him. It was a daring gambit, a call to arms that resonated with the hearts of his loyal followers. With unwavering determination, he rallied his men, summoning them to join him in the battle that raged behind closed doors.The evening sun cast long shadows across the scene, a visual metaphor for the uncertainty that had draped itself over the situation. Time and circumstance
In that instant, the room seemed to hold its breath, as if the universe itself were awaiting your response. But it wasn't just a query that I posed; it was an exploration of the intricate layers of my affection. My mother, with her unwavering support and boundless care, had molded me into the person I had become. Yet, you, my love, had carved out a niche within me that was uniquely yours, painting the canvas of my life with hues of passion and understanding.The notion that my concern could be compartmentalized, limited to just one person, felt foreign to the very essence of who I was. You see, dear love, my heart was a vast expanse, capable of accommodating the most profound adoration for both my mother and you. It was as if the tendrils of my affection had intertwined, creating a delicate dance between the woman who had given me life and the person who had breathed new meaning into it.So, as I stood there, the words hung delicately in the air, an invitation to delve into the depths
In that very moment, a palpable sense of concern radiated from him towards me, an unwavering testament to the depth of his worry that persisted even to the present instant. It was as though his thoughts had formed an unbreakable connection with my well-being, transcending time and circumstance. The sight before me, the ascending trail that we embarked upon, seemed to mirror the journey of our camaraderie. As each step led us higher, so too did it elevate the emotions that bound us together.Gazing upon the majestic expanse around us, a cascade of emotions surged within me, threatening to spill over as tears welled up in my eyes. The vista that unfolded was not merely a panorama of nature's grandeur, but a reflection of the intricate tapestry of our relationships. The towering peaks echoed with the laughter we had shared, and the sprawling valleys whispered secrets we had entrusted to one another.As the sun cast its golden rays upon the landscape, illuminating even the crevices hidden
In the midst of the swirling maelstrom of emotions, I found myself standing at a crossroads of choices that held the weight of destiny itself. The very air seemed charged with the gravity of the decision I was about to make, a decision that could alter the course of not just my own life, but the lives of those I held dear.As I locked eyes with him, a tumultuous array of thoughts cascaded through my mind like a torrential rain, each droplet representing a fear, a doubt, a whisper of uncertainty. The words hovered on the tip of my tongue, begging to be spoken, yet bound by the shackles of consequence. For I knew that if I were to utter those words, if I were to admit that I wasn't ready, he would reach out with open arms, ready to pull me back into the fold of safety.But the tendrils of apprehension extended beyond the scope of my own well-being. A shadow loomed menacingly in the periphery of my thoughts – the looming peril that threatened to engulf not just me, but also the one who h
The sun began to paint the sky with hues of golden pink as a new day unfurled its possibilities. With our morning rituals completed, Darius and I embarked on a journey, our footsteps tracing a path towards a rendezvous that had been long overdue. The anticipation that swelled within me was akin to a symphony of butterflies, each delicate wingbeat a testament to the fluttering nervousness that accompanied this long-awaited meeting.As we drive, I couldn't help but let my mind drift back across the expanse of time, traversing the years that had stretched between the present moment and the last time I had laid eyes upon my mother. The chasm that had formed during that span was not merely physical but emotional, the bridges of connection having been worn thin by the relentless currents of circumstance. Yet, despite the passage of time and the erosion of familiarity, the pull to reunite remained an irresistible force, drawing me inexorably toward her.The streets we drove were lined with m
Each word he spoke was a brushstroke on the canvas of my understanding, painting a picture of his journey of self-discovery. His voice, a melodic cadence, carried the weight of profound realizations, "Life isn't a mere passage of time, a mechanical rhythm of inhales and exhales. It's a symphony of emotions, a journey of embracing desires and aspirations that are etched into the very fibers of our hearts."His eyes, shimmering like pools of contemplation, held mine captive as he continued to weave his narrative, "I've chosen to break free from the chains of monotony, to unshackle myself from the constraints of convention. With you as my guiding star, I've learned to embrace the unpredictable cadence of existence, to dance to the rhythm of my heart's desires."In that intimate moment, beneath the canopy of stars that seemed to shimmer in approval, his words carried a resonance that resonated within the recesses of my being. His declaration wasn't just a mere confession; it was an invoca
"I'm here, eager to lend a hand," I said, my voice tinged with sincerity and concern. The question hung in the air, pregnant with possibilities. Whatever task lay ahead, whatever challenge needed to be conquered, I was resolved to tackle it head-on. There was an unbreakable determination within me, fueled by the desire to ensure the safety and well-being of both him and the woman who had been a pillar of strength in my life – my mother.The gravity of the moment was not lost on me; the air was charged with a sense of responsibility that I willingly embraced. His gaze met mine, and in that fleeting exchange, an unspoken understanding passed between us. It was a pact, silently formed, that united us in a common purpose.As the seconds ticked away, I felt a surge of emotions welling up within me – a mixture of apprehension and resolve. I knew that the road ahead might be arduous, fraught with challenges we couldn't yet foresee. But that didn't deter me. It was the commitment to safeguard
The room seemed to close in around me as I absorbed the gravity of his words. The path ahead had grown treacherous, fraught with uncertainty and the looming presence of an enigmatic figure whose desires danced on the edge of my understanding. As the world outside continued with its oblivious rhythms, I found myself at the crossroads of a destiny intertwined with Fenrir's hunt for the tanzanite stone, and the looming threat of my mother being used as a pawn in this intricate game of shadows.In a tale that unfolds with intrigue and emotion, the central figure in this extraordinary incident was none other than my own dear mother. The air crackled with tension as she found herself locked in a harrowing confrontation with Darius, a clash that would leave an indelible mark on their lives.In the heart of this tumultuous moment, an unusual twist emerged. Despite the aggression that seemed to hang heavy in the air, Darius made a conscious choice, a choice that set him apart. Rather than resp
The profound hush that enveloped the room spoke volumes, unraveling a truth more poignant than words could ever convey. In the weighty quietude, I found my answer—his reticence was an admission in itself. The secrets he harbored lay buried beneath the shroud of unspoken sentences.It was a revelation that left me grappling with a maelstrom of emotions. The one responsible for inflicting those painful injuries upon her delicate form was none other than my own mother. The realization, though shocking, stirred not just a storm of anger and disbelief within me, but also a gnawing curiosity.Yet, amidst the turmoil of this revelation, a veil of confusion lingered. My mother, a woman of compassion and reason, was an enigma in this narrative of pain. She wasn't the sort to embark upon such a ruthless course without a purpose—her actions were usually underpinned by a rationale that others might fail to perceive. Thus, the question that tugged at the edges of my consciousness was simple but pr