Lying on this pristine bed, I can still feel the lingering sensation of her touch on my chest. It’s like a ghost, something I can’t shake, no matter how hard I try. My body is heavy with exhaustion, my muscles aching from the fight against the chains, but that’s not what’s bothering me. It’s her. It’s always her.Katya.I grit my teeth, staring up at the ceiling, trying to focus on anything else, but my mind keeps circling back to her. To the way her hand pressed against my skin, to the calm that followed. That damned bond. Every time I try to resist it, every time I try to fight it, it just tightens its grip, reminding me that I’m trapped. And worse than that, it’s making me weak.The moment I felt her panic earlier, something in me snapped. I didn’t care that I was chained up like an animal. I didn’t care that she’s the one who put me here, who’s keeping me alive just to figure out how to break this cursed bond. All I cared about was finding her, calming her, making sure she was ok
The bond has a strange way of keeping me up at night. It hums under my skin, a constant reminder that no matter how much distance I try to put between myself and Ruslan, it’ll never be enough. Even now, lying in my bed, I can feel it pulling at me, tugging me in his direction.I try to ignore it, forcing myself to close my eyes and shut out the world, but it’s no use. His presence is too strong, too consuming. And tonight, something’s different. The bond is louder, more insistent, and I can feel his emotions crashing over me in waves. The anger, the frustration—those are familiar, but there’s something else now. Something darker. Hotter.I feel it, deep in my chest, a tug that’s more insistent than the usual pull of the bond. It’s not panic or anger this time. It’s something more primal, more urgent. And it’s coming from him. I can feel his desire, hot and raw, pushing through the bond, wrapping around me like a heated coil. My breath catches, and I sit up in bed, my heart pounding.
The council chamber feels colder than usual, the heavy stone walls closing in around me. I sit in the centre of the room, the long table filled with the elders who’ve governed the pack for years. Tomas sits beside me, his presence solid and reassuring, but even he can’t calm the storm brewing inside me. My heart pounds in my chest, a mixture of anxiety and anger, and I already know this meeting won’t end well.The council has been quiet, studying me with their sharp, calculating eyes. Finally, one of them—Elder Garin, an old man with a weathered face and more power than most—clears his throat.“Luna Katya,” he begins, his voice slow and deliberate, “how are you feeling lately?”I frown, taken aback by the question. It’s not what I expected. They didn’t call me here to talk about feelings. But I know better than to lie. I take a breath, my hands gripping the edge of the chair. “I’m... managing,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “It’s been difficult, with everything that’s happe
The shackles bite into my wrists and ankles, the chains rattling with every forced step. They drag me out of the cell without a word, like I’m nothing more than an animal. The light outside is blinding, the first real sunlight I’ve seen in weeks.My eyes burn, and I have to squint just to see. The guards don’t slow down, don’t give me time to adjust. They shove me forward, arms locked in place, legs barely able to move in the tight restraints. I stumble, but catch myself before I hit the dirt. No one says a damn word to me.I’m not stupid. I know what this is. They’re taking me to my execution. I expected this day to come. Maybe not this soon, but I knew it was inevitable. A small part of me thought they might let me rot in the cell, but no. Katya must have found some loophole. Maybe the council pushed her harder than I expected.I breathe out, a strange sense of relief flooding through me. I’ve been waiting for this, waiting for the end. It’s better than being chained up, better than
The hot water hits my skin, and for a moment, I just stand there, letting it cascade over me, washing away the grime, blood and sweat that’s been clinging to me for God knows how long. It feels... strange. To be in a shower. To be clean again. After weeks of being chained up in that cell, it’s almost surreal. The steam rises around me, filling the small bathroom with warmth, and I can feel my muscles slowly start to relax.I lean my head back, closing my eyes, letting the water run down my face. My body aches, every part of me stiff from being confined for so long, but the heat is helping. I can feel the tension melting away, bit by bit, the tightness in my chest easing. It’s the first time I’ve felt anything close to comfort in what feels like forever.But even as I try to relax, there’s this nagging feeling in the back of my mind. I’m not really free. Not yet. I might be out of the cell, but I’m still a prisoner. The barrier around the cabin makes sure of that. No running. No esca
I wake up feeling off, my stomach churning the second I open my eyes, a wave of nausea hitting me hard. I try to ignore it, to push through the uncomfortable sensation as I roll out of bed and head to the kitchen. It’s just morning sickness. It’ll pass.The cabin is quiet, and for a moment, I relish the stillness. It’s the only thing that feels normal anymore. I grab a pan and start making breakfast, eggs sizzling as the scent of food fills the air. But as soon as the smell hits my nose, my stomach lurches violently. I barely make it to the sink before I’m bent over, heaving, my body betraying me.I hear footsteps behind me, and I know it’s him. Ruslan. I can feel his presence before he even says anything, the bond thrumming with his concern. I don’t look at him, still bent over the sink, trying to get the nausea under control.“What’s wrong with you?” His voice is rough, almost accusing, but there’s a layer of something else beneath it. Worry.I wipe my mouth with the back of my han
She’s pregnant. My mate is pregnant, and not with my child.This is a fucking joke. The Goddess must be laughing at me, watching as she keeps twisting the knife. It’s like I can’t catch a break, like the universe is hell-bent on making me suffer, on rubbing salt into every open wound.I can barely think straight, the anger is so strong. It fills every part of me, claws at my insides, until all I can feel is the injustice of it all. I didn’t ask to be tied to her, to be bound to the woman who is carrying the child of the man who destroyed everything that mattered to me.And now his child grows inside my mate. As much as I loathe this bond, as much as I hate everything about what it’s done to me, there’s a part of me that’s... angry that the child isn’t mine.I grit my teeth; the thought disgusting me, but it’s there. It’s like a sickness spreading through me, twisting my thoughts, making me want things I have no right to want.Why isn’t it my child? Why am I the one cursed with this b
I wake up feeling… different. Better, maybe. It’s a strange sensation, waking up without the anger or tension pressing down on me. Last night’s conversation with Ruslan still lingers in my mind, and though it wasn’t easy, it was civil. We talked. For once, we weren’t at each other’s throats, and the bond seems almost... satisfied. It’s still there, of course, but quieter now, less oppressive.I stretch, my muscles still stiff from sleep, and pull on my robe before padding out to the kitchen. The house is quiet, the morning sun just beginning to filter through the windows, casting a soft light across the room. Coffee first. I need the caffeine, the warmth. I fill the kettle, set it on the stove, and lean against the counter as it heats up. It’s quiet, peaceful even, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I can breathe.Once the coffee’s made, I wrap my robe a little tighter around myself and take my cup out onto the porch. The cool morning air greets me, crisp and refresh
The drive to the pack lands feels like a blur. My mind is still caught somewhere between the memories of our little cabin and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Leaving it behind wasn’t easy, but I know it was the right choice. For me, for the baby, for us. Ruslan’s hand rests on mine as he drives, a steady presence that calms my nerves, but I can feel the tension in him too. This is a big change, for both of us.As we pull into the main driveway leading to the pack house, I take a deep breath, trying to steel myself. The place is huge, much larger than anything I’ve ever known. The sprawling pack lands seem endless, with thick forests surrounding the area and a large, imposing house sitting at the heart of it all. There’s something both intimidating and comforting about it.Ruslan parks the SUV, and as we step out, I spot Anatoly standing in front of the house, waiting for us with a broad grin on his face. He’s flanked by three men, all of them tall and built like warriors. His Gam
Katya arches her back from the bed as I work my tongue around her sensitive clit and curling two fingers inside of her. She’s panting; her grip tightening in my hair as I devour her pussy and needing her to come for me again.Our last night in our piece of heaven, and I need to make it count. She gasps. “Ruslan… I don’t think I can—”“You can and you will, Malyshka,” I growl and flick my tongue faster. Her moans climbing the closer she gets to her orgasm, and when she finally breaks, it’s fucking beautiful.Before she can catch her breath, I slam inside of her and start thrusting. Gods, I can still feel the slivers of her orgasm clenching around my cock and I can’t help but groan at the feel of it.I slip my hand behind her head and she opens her eyes to look at me. Holding her gaze, I move slowly against her; savouring everything I’m feeling at this moment. Her eyes soften as she looks at me, and my heart does this annoying squeeze it always does.“I love you, Katya,” I murmur and I
Sitting on the porch, the cool night air brushing against my skin, I feel the weight of everything pressing down on me. Anatoly’s offer echoes in my mind, repeating over and over. Beta. Joining a pack again. Becoming part of something bigger than just me and Katya.I stare out at the darkened tree line, the quiet hum of the night surrounding me. It’s tempting, I won’t lie. Being in a pack again means protection, stability, a sense of belonging I haven’t had in years. I was an Alpha once, before everything was taken from me. Before Andrei. The pull of pack life, the need to lead, to protect—it’s still in my blood. It’s something I can’t just shake off, no matter how far I’ve run.But the other side of it... It’s not so simple.Katya and I have carved out a fragile peace here in the mountains, away from everything and everyone. No pack politics, no eyes watching our every move, no expectations to meet or traditions to uphold. We’ve been left to figure things out on our own, and someho
The wind carries the scent of pine and earth as I stand on the porch and watch Ruslan and Anatoly move through the clearing, their heads bent close together as they talk in low, serious voices. They’ve been at it for hours, scouring the area for any sign of the bounty hunters, and inspecting the bodies of the bounty hunters that Ruslan took down last night, trying to figure out who they were working for. Anatoly brought a small army with him—at least a dozen warriors, all loyal to his pack and all on high alert. I’m grateful, but there’s a part of me that’s still uneasy.Watching Ruslan move with such ease, taking command alongside Anatoly, reminds me of what he was before all of this. Before he became a rogue. He was an Alpha. He was strong, a leader, and despite everything, I can still see that in him now.I lean against the porch railing, watching as they talk quietly, their movements efficient, trained. Anatoly gestures for Ruslan to come over to him. I can’t hear what they’re s
Katya moves quickly, her hands shaking as she packs up our things, and I can feel the fear radiating off her in waves. It cuts through me like a knife, but I can’t let it slow us down. We don’t have time; whoever sent those bounty hunters won’t stop. This isn’t the kind of job you can just walk away from.I grab what little we have, throwing the bags into the back of the SUV. Katya’s hands tremble as she climbs into the passenger seat, her face pale and her breaths uneven. I hate seeing her like this—scared, uncertain. I reach out and squeeze her hand as I start the engine, the rumble of the SUV breaking the tense silence between us.“It’ll be okay,” I murmur, trying to keep my voice calm, even though the tension is coiling tight in my chest. “We’ll figure this out.”She nods, but I can see the doubt in her eyes. She’s not just scared—she’s exhausted. Her body has been through so much, and now with the baby... I can’t let this go on. She needs rest. She needs safety. And right now, I’
The second I step outside, the cold air hits my face, and I smell them. Wolves. Not just any wolves—trained killers. My muscles tense, my body going on autopilot as I scan the darkness. They think they’re being quiet, that they’re sneaking up on me, but I know better.I slip through the shadows, my senses sharp, my wolf just beneath the surface. I’ve been in enough of these situations to know what’s coming. These men, whoever sent them, came here to take something from me. They’re going to regret that.The first one lunges from the shadows, teeth bared, aiming straight for my throat. I dodge quickly, spinning to the side and bringing my elbow down on the back of his neck with a sickening crunch. He drops like a rock, barely making a sound as he hits the ground.One down.There’s no time to think—another one charges at me from the left, but I’m ready. I grab him by the throat, slamming him into the nearest tree. His claws tear at my arm, but I ignore the pain. I’ve dealt with worse. He
The early morning air is crisp as Ruslan and I drive into town. We’re heading there to stock up on supplies for the week and to get a few things for the nursery. It’s a routine we’ve fallen into since we came to this cottage—one that’s become surprisingly comfortable. I glance at him as he drives, his strong hands gripping the steering wheel, his eyes focused on the road ahead. Usually, he’s calm on these drives, the tension from his rogue days slipping away as we spend more time in this quiet little town. But today, something feels off.His jaw is clenched, and the way his eyes dart around, scanning every inch of the road, makes my stomach twist with unease. I know Ruslan. He doesn’t get rattled easily, and for him to look like this? It’s enough to put me on edge.I don’t say anything at first, not wanting to disturb whatever thoughts are running through his head. Instead, I lean back in my seat and try to enjoy the ride, but the longer we drive, the more I can’t shake the feeling
I wake up to the warmth of Katya’s body pressed against mine, her soft breath fanning out across my chest. For a moment, I don’t move. I just lie there, letting the reality of last night settle in. She’s here, in my arms, tangled up in the sheets with me, and everything we’ve been fighting against for so long ... it’s all fallen away.I still can’t believe Katya feels the same about me. She’s not running, not pushing me away. Last night, she let it all go, let us be, and for the first time, I felt like we were on the same page. That we weren’t just bound by the bond, but by something real, something we chose.I let out a quiet sigh, brushing a few strands of her tousled hair away from her face. Her lips are slightly parted, her body relaxed, and I can’t help but smile. She stirs in my arms, and I feel the weight of her body shift against mine. Her hair is a mess, falling in wild waves across her shoulders, and when she presses back into me, I feel her pregnant belly pushing against
The words hang in the air, and for a moment, I think he’s going to pull away, that he’s going to tell me to go back inside and forget this ever happened. But then his lips crash against mine, and everything else fades away.The kiss is desperate, raw, like we’ve both been holding back for too long, and now there’s no stopping it. His hands tighten in my hair, pulling me closer as his body pressed against mine, and I feel the bond between us explode, igniting everything inside me.He picks me up like I weigh nothing and grinds against my core. I wrap my legs around his waist and link my arms around his neck. He growls against my lips when he feels my wet centre against his cock, then he breaks off the kiss.It feels like he can see right through me, and his eyes never leave mine. He lowers me to the ground, all mention of the cold air forgotten, then he rips the silk dress from my body and throws the ruined fabric to the side.“Mine,” he growls as his gaze roves over my body and he dra