My body froze at his accusation, the words cutting through me like a sharp blade. How could he know about that? Panic surged within me, and I quickly pushed him away, distancing myself from his touch."I-I don't know what you're talking about," I stammered, my voice betraying the fear that gripped me. "You're mistaken, Theodore. There's nothing between Thaddeus and me."Shit... What must I do now? How did he find out? Theodore's lips curled into a smile, devoid of warmth yet filled with a knowingness that sent a shiver down my spine. "Keep denying, Kasumi. But I know the truth. Perhaps, you might need evidence for that."I remained calm, portraying that this might be a bluff. There was no way he would know. Thaddeus and I were being careful. All of our escapades were carefully planned out, even with Theodore's arrival."What makes you think that we are screwing?" My lips formed a wry smile, pretending that his accusation was absurd. Unless he provided evidence, I would keep denying i
Theodore brought me to his chamber while we were exchanging some fervor kisses, drowning in our desire and lust as the mate bond succumbed between us. My back lay on his bed before our kiss slowly parted.Panting, I looked at Theodore under the dim light of the moonlight that was coming in to serve adoration to the already half-naked body. His body was compacted with muscles from his vigorous training as the battle commander. It was mouthwatering that I found myself drooling over him only to meet his face, which was smirking.Shit!I hastily looked away, my cheeks were flushing in embarrassment. I cleared my throat before sitting up. As soon as I stood up, a gasp was released from my mouth when Theodore pushed me back to the bed.Then he started crawling to me like a wild predator preparing to eat his prey. As our faces became eye level, Theodore breathed out, intensifying the heat fuming from my body.In an instant, Theodore ripped my dress, making my eyes widen."W-Why did you do th
"Why?"As I awoke in the midst of dawn, ready to retreat to my chamber, Theodore posed a question that lingered in the air. Curiosity marked his inquiry, compelling me to contemplate the reason behind my abrupt awakening. However, my sneaking plan was immediately caught when Theodore was awake the whole time."Why what?" Maintaining composure, I gathered my garments, draping them over my left forearm, and cast a perplexed gaze towards him.Theodore gulped as his eyes raked my naked glory, but he cleared his throat and met my eyes. "Why are you not letting us mark you?"The fluttering in my stomach heightened. He highlighted 'us'. I assumed he was including Thaddeus here.His question slightly caught me off guard as I reached for the weak spot on my neck, massaging it. It was as if I was concealing it, so he did not have to pay attention to it."I am married to Severin, Theodore. I did not want to cause an issue to the House of de Rosa." My eyes roamed around, checking every inch of hi
"Uncle!" That was the first thing Severin said as he mounted down from the carriage while Thaddeus helped Madeline to go down. That sight was making me feel ill at ease.The three of them returned this afternoon coming back from the royal palace after three days. I wasn't certain if Thaddeus would fill me the details, but it was up to him if he would."Theodore. How's everything?" That was Thaddeus' question before his eyes laid bare on me, making my heart erratic when I saw his sapphire-blue eyes reflecting with emotions. 'I miss you, sunshine. Come to the study room later. There is something you need to see.'His mind-link made me hold my breath. My wolf was squirming, hearing the longing in his voice that made my heart keep hammering inside my chest. Not only that, he said that he had something he wanted me to see. I almost giggled since I knew that Thaddeus would never forget to bring me something.I averted my gaze before walking past him to tend to the carriage to see if they
"So, what happened, Diego?" Thaddeus asked in his firm tone while Diego, a pack doctor here, was checking the unconscious Madeline.Something stirred inside me when I saw her faint. There was a thought that kept submerging, but I tried to deflect it.Seeing Diego's stethoscope passing through Madeline's left chest and to her back before residing on her wrist to check the pulse made me want to storm out of Thaddeus' master bedchamber. I wanted to, but a part of me wanted to learn what was happening.If what I had on my mind was right, I did not know what I would do."Diego, what now?"Severin's voice cut through the air with an impatient tone, reaching my ears. My gaze immediately shifted to him, noticing the unease etched on his face.It was interesting that he had so much concern for Madeline. As for Thaddeus, I couldn't be certain since his expression was always neutral.I decided to leave their bedchamber as soon as Diego was done, leaving from there in stealth mode. But what I was
A few days passed, and I decided to avoid Thaddeus, even though he tried to attempt to talk to me, but it ended up to no avail. But I did not stop training under my mentors. I only avoided Thaddeus if I happened to learn that he was my mentor."Hey, you. You have a letter from your messed up clan."Locking myself in the chamber with a book buried to my face made me look up at Severin, who had just arrived. The unmistakable scent of salty sweat wafted into my nostrils, a clear indication that he had recently completed a rigorous training session.Severin tossed the letter to our bed. I sighed and smiled wryly, not believing that I received another precious letter from the clan I did not want to be with again. This was already the second time that they were communicating with me. Ever since they sold me off to the House of de Rosa, the Azai Clan had never communicated with me nor invited me to certain occasions, except the last one, where it was Auntie Haruhi's birthday.Reaching for i
My eyes widened, I couldn't believe what I was hearing right now. They were all childhood friends? How come I did not know about that?Immanuel chuckled. "Indeed." A sly smile rolled on his lips. "So, I think that is what I can think of. You are after for vengeance, right?" I nodded mindlessly. "Then, it's settled. You just have to bring either of these two, and they can inflict the punishment from the orchestrated bait." He pointed to Thaddeus and Theodore, making my mouth parched."I am going."I flinched when the two of them spoke in unison, making my eyes widen in horror as the atmosphere between them thickened. "What did you mean?" Thaddeus asked in his dangerous tone. "You are volunteering?" He arched his eyebrow, confusion registered on his handsome features.Theodore removed his hands from my shoulders. "Indeed. How about you? Why are you volunteering?" he asked meaningfully, making my insides somersault from his words.I cautiously glared in his direction. But Theodore did n
Our destination was the Dragonfly Mansion, situated at the base of the Adamantine Volcano towards the western side. This ancestral mansion, belonging to the Azai family, served as the venue for the much-anticipated annual event.And the members of the Azai Clan were going to be there to oversee this.It was a good thing that they wouldn't be here until tomorrow morning. So, I could relax for a bit in my chamber after Palmer, the caretaker of the Dragonfly Mansion, and the rest of the servants continued preparing for the event tomorrow.I decided to storm out from my bedchamber and went to the next room, on my left, where Thaddeus was residing. I needed to check on him since he remained silent the whole trip after learning the truth. I took the liberty of entering without waiting for an invitation, my gaze immediately drawn to his figure with his back turned towards me. He stood before the expansive window, offering a breathtaking view of the majestic Adamantine Volcano."Thaddeus..."
Returning to the barracks felt like I was brought back home. And I couldn't help wondering if things would end now that I had performed the ritual prayer. Not only that, I had to investigate something.It was about the man who had injured me. I could vividly remember a few of the features with that sharp jaw and the smirk. Just by thinking about him, it made my skin crawl out of nowhere."Azai, bring this flowerpot to the throne room."I snapped back as soon as my name was being called. I did as I told them before my eyes were on my fellow apprentices looking in my way. I just ignored it, even though this immensely bothered me at this moment since we were already doing some preparations, yet they still had time to use their eyes to judge me.How much more if they got to learn that I had three mates who came from the House of De Rosa?And it would soon be revealed that I was their mate. I wondered how it went with Thaddeus when he talked to Severin.I wanted to see Thaddeus. I didn't g
"I'll see you again once this casualties had been settled down, huntress. Alright?" That was Cretheus' words as soon as he pulled me outside and hide in the dark. Tomorrow was supposed to be our departure to help about the gathering of the arrival of the two monarchs from the Waevalon Kingdom. Biting my lower lip, I nodded my head and hugged him, my wolf was already missing him. Because we had strengthen our mate bond, and I was not wearing any incantation jewelry, my feelings for Cretheus intensified and so was he.Ever since that day we marked each other, I couldn't deny my feelings for him. It intensified and on par of what I felt for Thaddeus and Theodore."Yes, but I still hate you for removing me from being your apprentice." I couldn't help pinching his skin, making him irk.Cretheus cleared his throat softly. "I'm sorry. I was out of my mind, but I have been working on taking you back." His expression softened as he caressed my cheek while looking at me lovingly. "I will make
I knew my first instinct was to push Cretheus away as we would still know each other, but I couldn't find myself doing so. It felt like a magnetic pull between us, unable to be parted from each other. I also knew that he was here to console me because of the nightmare I had, but I was here now, unable to back out.And it was hard to deny our mate bond, especially how our bodies infused together. Not only that, but the sexual attraction between us had escalated quickly now that it was just the two of us here in the same room. I hated to admit that I could no longer keep myself away from him. Right now, all I wanted was to be with him. It was the same feeling whenever I was with Thaddeus and Theodore. And just by kissing Cretheus back with the same fervor, I had proven that I also wanted him.Cretheus' tongue kept fighting with mine, infusing and playing as if he wanted to dominate me, but I was not the person who would back down so easily, and I wanted to prove that I could do the s
"W-What?" I blinked and held my breath at his question. It was unexpected that I found myself speechless since this was not what I wanted to happen. But knowing what I witnessed from Cretheus' actions, he was really exhausted."Certainly." I was still hesitant, but I wanted to repay his kindness for helping me back then. Cretheus looked amused by my response but he just nodded and showed his back to me again. I cocked my head from side to side before cracking my fingers."I'm not a masseuse, but I will do my best," I said as I gently hopped on the bed and went to straddle Cretheus.He froze at my action before he cleared his throat. "Um... Of course, huntress. I don't mind."My wolf was thrilled that I was straddling Cretheus, which I hushed her, not wanting to be affected by my closeness with him. I tried to pretend that I wasn't affected by this, but as I began massaging him, I couldn't help but gulp as I felt how defined his muscles were. They were leaned, and something was play
I thought Theodore would stay with me since Thaddeus left to return to his pack, but there was an urgent hawk messenger that needed his presence, and he was being called back to the barracks.I expressed that I didn't want him to leave, and Theodore knew well that he didn't want to."Uncle is coming here now, moonshine. And I also want to be with you, but I was being summoned. I hope you understand." Theodore said softly while caressing my face, looking at me lovingly.Frowning, I hugged him so tight. "I want to be with all of you soon. I did not want to be apart from all of you..." I closed my eyes, sniffing his masculine scent.He smelled so heavenly, just like Thaddeus. I couldn't stop smelling their scents and memorizing them."Me, too, Kasumi." He sighed and began caressing my back. "I want to help you get your revenge soon. But this rogue attack should be settled as soon as possible."Biting my lower lip, I slowly heaved out a sigh and realized that those rogues distorting our k
I didn't know how long I was unconscious, but I found myself waking up in an inn and surrounded by Thaddeus and Theodore, who looked worried and didn't stop caring for me. I could not ask them why I was not in the camp as one of them was feeding me while the other was bestowing a sponge bath. I looked at the injuries I got in my ankles and saw that it was healed already. That made me sigh in relief as I looked at them in confusion."Why am I here?" I finally had the nerve to ask them. "Shouldn't I be resting in the camp?" I asked softly. "Uncle brought you here in this inn." My eyes widened at Thaddeus' reply. "He didn't want you to rest in the camp knowing what happened yesterday." I looked at him in disbelief while getting distracted by Theodore, who was gently massaging my legs, especially in the ankle area where I was injured. Smiling, I beckoned my hand, and he didn't waste any second before he kissed me with passion. And I was purring at his kiss that I felt Theodore smiling
"Rookie knights, evacuate the women and children! Right now!"I hadn't gotten to rest well in my tent, but a warning horn had resonated all over the camp. Royal knights had been running left and right as the captains were ordering them on what to do. What worried us more was the rogues were in their wolf forms and started attacking some of our colleagues and some of the outsiders we saved from their homes."Shit... Why all of a sudden they attacked?" I asked myself as I began my mission of protecting the children and women, blaming myself for being unable to perceive what could have happened next. "I'm the Goddess of Gallant and Retribution, and I did not even foresee this event...?" I couldn't help but be annoyed with myself at this moment.That was when I remembered that ever since I arrived here in this camp, I had never enchanted anything. Chills ran down my spine from the realization, and I suddenly blamed myself for not doing anything to protect Mother's subjects."Mother! Mothe
Theodore"Hell..." I finally spoke, smirking at how hilarious what I just heard. "You have the nerve to say that in front of us, uncle. No shame at all."It was a little unnerving to admit that he was my uncle. I couldn't believe that he would dare to say that in front of us. This was not the only time he would be vulgar. He had done this when he even asked Kasumi to marry him."What?" Uncle Cretheus looked at me with that innocent expression. "Do you think I'm too old not to even show that your uncle can still fuck a woman? Did you ever ask the women I have be..." he paused and didn't continue his words as soon as his gaze darted at Kasumi. That was when he cleared his throat. "Well, that was in the past, Kasumi. I never slept with any woman
ThaddeusThe whole tent was obscured with deafening silence while Theodore and I had Kasumi sit beside us while my uncle sat across from us. The tension kept rising every second we stayed here, and I respected Kasumi's feelings on what she felt today.I only suggested that she leave because I noticed that it never went well between them. Even though Kasumi knew that Theodore and I already accepted that Uncle Cretheus could be part of her life, it was still up to her if she wanted him to be with one of her mates.While I was on my mission, I was highly positive that Uncle Cretheus could take her heart just as my twin brother and I did. But arriving here and learning that there was still no progress between them made my heart sink.