MARCELLUS’ POV.A knock settled on the door, drawing my gaze away from Fiona, who cuddled closer to a pillow, letting out light snores as I stood to my feet. I pulled her duvet around her body and tied the robe firmly around mine and opened the door.“Good morning, Alpha Marcellus,” my beta Raymond had greeted. I arch my eyebrows, staring down at him; it was barely morning. Why on earth was he knocking around my door so early?“It's the council; they've called a meeting,” Raymond retorted, a wide smirk settled on My lips, oh, they were getting all antsy about the competition.“What is this about?” I asked Raymond, who looked just as confused.“I'm not certain; I don't know much, but I'm sure it has a thing or two to do with the Luna tournament coming up in a month,” Raymond responded; I nodded in acknowledgement; it seemed like their faith in Lena wasn't as strong as I expected.“Tell them to leave,” I ordered, turning away from the door.“Your Highness, they are here and waiting...
FIONA'S POV.It was not of any use anymore; I couldn't fool an alpha with all supernatural abilities and stuff, yet I couldn't give in either, probably because my face was burning red from embarrassment.How could I be so foolish, swooned! I had kept an act yesterday, claiming I wanted to leave with Raphael, yet here I was, in Marcellus's embrace. Why does it feel like I was two-timing? I could vividly picture Raphael's face now, and I wondered how disgusted he would feel once he found out I'd been having sex with Marcellus.“You really want to find out what I'm capable of, cupcake?” Marcellus asked, nibbling against my earlobe. I had let out a light moan, foolishly letting down my guard. He pulled me over, whisking me above him while he remained plaid in.My palms rested against his chest, and my eyes were locked into his.“Good morning”, I whispered, careful enough not to stammer. For a moment he remained still, eyes locked into mine, leaving me with the thought of what could possib
MARCELLUS’ POV,The frown on her face made my cock twitch, the look of defiance, she was pissed, even for a human she loomed dangerously. And yes.. sexy.I wanted to fuck her all over again.My sex drive had returned in full force. I wanted her—badly. I wanted to fuck all my depression away. I wanted to get lost in the moment with her. When she and I were together, I didn’t think about anything else but her slick pussy, the sound she made with her mouth when she came, and the way she said my name as she screamed.When she looked up at me, she knew exactly why I was staring. She smirked and met my gaze, looking just as sexy as she used to. Perhaps our last conversation had hardened her spine and made her realize she didn’t have it so bad—not as bad as I did.I kneeled in front of her and grabbed her by the hips, dragging her forward until her chest was pressed to mine. I wanted to take her rough and hard. I wanted to make her scream from both the pain and the pleasure.I pushed my han
MARCELLUS’ POV“Yes,” she responded standing tall with her shoulders high.“Yes, what?” I inquired. She didn’t answer, her pride was one thing I'd learn to deal with.“Yes, master.” I’d never gotten her to say those words before. I’d never gotten her to admit she was mine.She’d given me her body, but her mind would always belong to her. The fact that I couldn’t break her made me want to do it even more.“You’ll never be my master.” she snapped, of course, she wouldn't acknowledge it that fast, Lena had loved the name… I brought her here once or twice before she had brokenI whipped her hard across her back, spanning from her shoulder to the opposite hip.She winced at the bite. Her body moved with the momentum, swinging slightly.“What did you say?” I asked, enjoying the pain and pleasure that she felt at the moment. Tears weren’t in her eyes, not yet.“You aren’t my master.” I struck her again. This time, she didn’t wince. She didn’t react in the slightest.My obsession increased te
MARCELLU'S POV. She tossed around, pushing my eyes open, a faint yawn eased across her lips while she stretched slowly, only for me to freeze midway,“Stop moving,” I groaned, a sharp wince eased across her lips as she pulled herself away from me.We were no longer in the playroom; her body was badly scarred from whatever fetish fantasies we'd gone on, and was she surprised I was actually helping her apply ointment?She glanced around; the layout was different. We went back into my room. I carried her out of the playroom earlier and cleaned her up again while she was foolishly asleep.“Come on, let's apply more. I don't want it to leave bruises, "I complained, stretching my arm to pull her in. Not maintaining eye contact, she jabbed her arms off my grasp“Avoiding me now?” she asked as I raised my eyes to meet hers finally, but she probably could see a glint of regret in them.“Why would I?” I resumed trying to call off the bluff; she sulked anew, as though I was no different fro
FIONA'S POV.He looked curious, antsy, and on edge, and I preferred that; perhaps seducing him wasn't as hard, or it might be just as Raphael had said: he'll get bored of me soon and take in a new mistress.Not that I believed a single thing that eased across his lips anyway; he lied to me; he knew I was poisoned and did nothing; then of course two could play the game just as well.Starting off from the basics, I needed to be his favorite, and gain as much power as I could; perhaps it wouldn't be as easy as I expected it to be, but not that I had anything else to do.It was either this or I'd end up dead one way or another, so I'd prefer trying than waiting for Lena or Darla to make a feast of my head.“Why do you glare at me like that, Fiona? You are scaring the fuck out of me, you know? He asked with a giggle, but he could tell something about me had changed; I snapped it was his fault after all.I grumbled in low tones, pulling myself away from his grasp.“Tonight, nine… be by my d
FIONA'S POV“I didn't do it!” I screamed, thrashing my arms away from them, kicking, pulling, and screaming as loud as I could, yet no one had listened to me. I'm dragged out by both arms, my feet scratching against the floor. I wasn't scared. But I didn't want people to get wind of the news either,“My lady,” Maya screamed, rushing towards me; I could see sincere worry in her eyes.“I'll get Lady Darla for you now," she screamed as I was dragged away from her sight. Lena was a bitch, but doing this, hurting herself to pin her blame on me, was one of the wildest ideas anyone could ever have.I'm tossed into a dimly lit cell, the coldness of the tiles harshly biting my skin as I fall. Colliding with the floor with a heavy impact, a light wince coursed through my lips as I tried to get off the floor.“Don't beg for help. Don't ask for food. Eat what is given, and if you need to go. There's a bucket in there,” the guard snapped before marching away from me. I jolted backward, seeing a li
MARCELLUS’’ POV.A groan escaped my lips as I reached out for my phone, highlighting from the car with Raymond by my side. It was a good day to go golfing. My best friend and I are against the world.“I need rest; I'll head on to my room now,” Raymond complained, stretching his back.“Rest? All you did was lose,” I teased my daughter.“and all you did was cheat.” He snapped right back, and we both burst into laughter. I made a mental reminder to go on a trip like this twice at least every month; we bonded over the golf, and small talks here and there; he even got himself a lover. One of the neighboring betas daughters, and I had no idea,Although I was no fool, I could tell her relationship had suffered due to his inability to spend time with her; I couldn't roll around in bed with all nine of my mistresses… ten, including Fiona, while he stood guard and did all my jobs. One of these days, after I've gotten rid of the council and their chastises, I would finally be able to give him a
MARCELLUS’ POV.The world around me was chaotic. I held Fiona in my arms, her body limp and lifeless. Blood soaked my hands, her shirt, and the floor. My mind screamed at me to do something, to fix this, but for the first time in my life, I felt utterly powerless. “Get the car ready!” I barked at the couple, my voice trembling with urgency. The woman, pale and shaking, nodded and ran outside while her husband brought towels. “Press this against the wound!” he shouted, handing me a bundle of fabric. I did as he said, applying pressure to her side. Fiona’s blood seeped through the towel almost instantly. My chest tightened as I looked at her face. She was so pale, her breathing shallow. “Stay with me,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Don’t you dare leave me, Fiona. Don’t you dare.” The minutes felt like hours, but finally, the car screeched to a stop outside the house. I carried her out, cradling her as if she might shatter, and laid her gently in the back seat. “Drive!”
FIONA'S POV.The sun poured through the window, bathing the room in golden light. I stretched my arms above my head and smiled to myself. The past few days had been peaceful, almost like a dream. The couple who had taken me in were kind, their warm smiles and gentle voices making me feel safe. For the first time in a long while, I felt free. I busied myself organizing the small space they’d given me. The bed was neatly made, and my clothes were folded into the old wooden dresser by the corner. I glanced around the room, feeling a sense of accomplishment. Everything looked perfect. On the bedside table, a vase held a single sunflower. I had picked it from the garden that morning, and its bright yellow petals seemed to brighten the entire room. I hummed a tune as I moved about, wiping down surfaces and arranging the few belongings I had. My heart felt light, and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so content. As I placed a book on the small shelf by the window, a sudden n
MARCELLUS’ POV.The early morning sun barely lit up the study when I slammed the report onto my desk. My head was pounding, my patience stretched thin. Days of searching and still no sign of Fiona. It was unacceptable. Made me feel more miserable.I barely slept a wink, it had begun taking its toll on me, I felt miserable, I was the alpha and yet I couldn't even find my mate, just one thing that finally belonged to me, one person with whom I shared my soul with was never to be foundMy incompetence mocked me, Raphael had searched around the mountains, and the woods, and extended his armies yet nothing had been found, and now it was draining me,I rubbed my temples, trying to make sense of the scattered leads my men had brought in. Each report felt like a dead end, a cruel reminder that she was slipping further out of my grasp. The thought of her out there alone, unprotected, drove me mad. A knock on the door broke my thoughts. “Enter,” I barked, my tone harsher than I intended. T
MARCELLUS POV. The warm sunlight brushed against my face, nudging me awake. My eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, I felt disoriented. The soft, unfamiliar bed beneath me, the faint smell of lavender in the air—it was nothing like the cold, suffocating walls of the pack house I had known. Slowly, the events of the past day pieced themselves together in my mind. I had run away. I had been found. I sat up, the cozy quilt slipping off my shoulders. The room around me was simple but inviting, with wooden furniture and a vase of fresh flowers by the window. It felt strange to wake up in a place that didn’t carry the weight of judgment or whispers behind closed doors. A part of me wanted to sink back into the bed and never leave. Voices from downstairs caught my attention, and I climbed out of bed, stretching my stiff limbs. My borrowed dress hung neatly over the chair, a soft blue fabric that smelled like detergent and warmth. As I slipped it on, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker
MARCELLUS’ POV The search continued, not seeming to end soon. Every passing hour without a single lead on Fiona's whereabouts chipped away at my mental stability. Reports came in regularly—territories checked, patrols doubled—but they all said the same thing: no trace of her. My frustration was increasing, not at the effort of my men, but at myself. I had failed her. Sitting in my study, the air felt heavy with the weight of my decisions. I stared at the phone in my hand, my thumb hovering over Raphael’s contact. I had already called him earlier, several times, but there had been no answer. I couldn’t wait any longer. Swallowing my pride, I dialed his number again, pacing the length of the room as it rang. One ring. Two. Five. Still nothing. My hand clenched around the phone, and I nearly hurled it across the room. But then I stopped myself, letting out a frustrated sigh. I couldn’t afford to lose control now. Not when Fiona was still out there, alone and possibly in danger.
MARCELLUS’ POV The study was dim, lit only by the soft, flickering glow of the fire. Shadows danced on the walls as I stared at the mountain of paperwork in front of me. Documents about rogue sightings, territorial disputes, and pack finances lay scattered across the desk. They demanded my attention, yet my mind refused to focus. I leaned back in my chair, pinching the bridge of my nose. The weight of my responsibilities pressed down on me like an iron chain. Every decision felt heavier these days, and no matter how hard I worked, the burdens only seemed to grow. And then there was Fiona. Her face, her voice, her very existence haunted me. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her. But I had no right to think of her, no right to care—not after what I’d done to her. The sharp rap of knuckles against the door startled me from my thoughts. I frowned, irritation rising. “Who is it?” I barked. Before I could receive an answer, the door burst open, and Darla stormed in. Her urgency wa
DARLA’S POV. The journey back to the pack house was filled with mixed emotions. Leaving my parents behind was never easy, especially when my mother was still recovering. But I’d done everything I could for her, ensuring she had the medicine and care she needed before I left. As I approached the pack grounds, the familiar sights and sounds of home greeted me. The towering trees, the scattered houses, the faint rustle of the wind—it was all comforting yet tinged with a sense of unease. Something felt off, though I couldn’t quite place what. After handing my bags to a nearby omega to take to my quarters, I made my way inside the pack house. The grand halls were quiet, the air thick with tension. It wasn’t unusual, given the recent events—the Luna ceremony, Raphael’s departure, and the ever-present whispers of unrest. I headed straight for my room, hoping to freshen up and settle in before checking on Fiona. The thought of her brought a small smile to my face. Fiona had always been
FIONA'S POV.The city lights blurred in the distance as I trudged down the road, my legs feeling like they would give out any moment. The cold bit at my skin through my thin sweater, and my stomach growled angrily, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten since the night before. I kept moving, though every step felt heavier than the last. The sound of passing cars in the distance grew faint as I stumbled further into what seemed like a quiet neighborhood. The towering buildings gave way to smaller homes, their windows glowing warmly against the night. But I didn’t belong here. I didn’t belong anywhere. A sharp pain shot through my foot, and I winced, realizing I’d stepped on a jagged rock. I leaned against a nearby tree, my vision blurring as exhaustion finally caught up to me. The last thing I remembered was the world tilting and the ground rushing up to meet me. --- When I opened my eyes, I was no longer outside. Instead, I found myself in a small, cozy room. The walls were pain
FIONA’S POV I woke up to the sound of Maya’s hesitant knock on my door. My body felt heavy, as if I’d been carrying a weight too big for me to bear. The moment I opened my eyes, the room felt colder and emptier. Something was wrong, but I didn’t know what.“Come in,” I croaked, my voice hoarse from last night’s tears.Maya stepped in, her eyes darting nervously. She was wringing her hands, and the look on her face sent a chill down my spine.“Miss Fiona,” she started, her voice trembling, “I… I thought you should know. Raphael… he’s gone. He left early this morning. I overheard the guards talking. He’s not coming back to the pack.”Her words hit me like a punch to the stomach. My heart sank, and my vision blurred with tears I hadn’t realized were forming. “He’s gone?” I whispered, my voice shaking.Maya nodded, her expression full of pity. “Yes, miss. He left for his own pack. He didn’t tell anyone goodbye.”I sat there, frozen, as the reality of her words sank in. Raphael had left w