Esme POVI stayed in my wolf form until daybreak. It kept me warm. I think I wandered near the border. It would be so easy to cross the line and run away into parts unknown there was so much out there for a girl to see. I would be branded a rogue the second I betrayed my Pack. I would live with the mark of a traitor for the rest of my life and there was the small matter of the mating run.“Esme!” Knox’s indistinguishable voice called. “There you are.”“Don’t come any closer. I’m covered in blood and cuts.”He stepped over logs and rocks to get to me. His black leather boots crushed sticks as he closed the distance between us. He knelt down to my level and reached out to touch my face.“Blood and mud sure but you don’t have a scratch on you. You’re still new to this being a wolf thing, huh?”He peeled off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders.“I know why you ran. I wish you hadn’t.”Was he kidding? I was outnumbered. When Leo came out to the river he was more than willing to let
Esme POVI stood and watched her limbs but they remained frozen in time. There wasn’t any blood but the air was thick and musty. How long had she been down here?I snapped back into reality and screamed.“Help!”I flew forward and landed in front of her. I smoothed her hair out of her face and sobbed.“Wake up, please wake up,” I begged.Her face was pale and cold. I jumped back. This can’t be true. My Mother was fine!“Someone help me!” I cried.She wore her nightgown from last night. She’s been here all night. Gosh, no.My bedroom door flew open.“What the hell is wrong, Esme?” Rhoda barked.Jasmine and Griselda lingered behind her. Rhoda’s eyes widened and colour drained from her face.“Jasmine, call a royal guard immediately.”Jasmine looked like she wouldn’t be able to make it up the stairs but she turned around and ran off anyway. Rhoda grabbed my shoulders and dragged me away from my Mother despite my protests. I still expected her to open her eyes and smile at me.“She has to
Esme POV“Wake up, Esme, it’s time to go to the King’s palace.”I know but I dreaded waking up to this day. My dreams were void but they carried bliss because my emotions were dormant the second my eyes opened everything came back to me.I spent the night at Kira’s house. I got my first dose of her Mom’s new boyfriend but I couldn’t focus on him.“Want me to go with you? I’m sure they’ll be lenient with me considering the circumstances,” Kira said.“Yeah, I guess you’re right. You know how to escape they decide to kick you out.”She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed.“Let’s get out of here,” I said, climbing out of bed.After getting changed quickly Kira and I walked to the castle silently. The second we arrived we were sucked into the chaos. There were people everywhere and locals camped outside the gates peeking into the property.“What’s going on here?” Kira asked.I shrugged. Then I saw the banners and the bonfires being built. The mating run, of course!“I didn’t know we we
Esme POV“Will you destroy the Pack for a slave?” Bruce barked.In the absence of the King, Beta Bruce seemed to take more authority than he was given. Alpha Leo sat on his throne, mindlessly watching everything happen. He knew the truth but his feeble mind couldn’t come up with a thing to say.Knox strolled behind me planted his hands on my shoulders and brushed his thumbs along my skin.“She’s more than a slave.” He brushed my dress down, revealing bare skin and the mark he branded me with.Another round of gasps.“She’s my fated mate. She’s the only good thing to come out of this Pack.”“H-How?” Monica mumbled.I pulled my sleeve up and swatted his hand away.“Yes, I’m his mate but that’s not the only reason I’m here. Queen Luna, my Mother was your slave. Will you really let what happened to her go unpunished? What about my justice?”The Queen lifted her chin as the rest of them stared at me in amusement and disgust.“What is the meaning of this?” a frail and raspy voice.I turned
Esme POV“You’re so wet for me,” Knox said, kissing my neck.I squeezed my legs around his hand as heat rushed to my cheeks. He chuckled.“Don’t be shy. This is normal. You’re so precious and beautiful.”“I’m just not used to it.”“I know and I’ll make sure you do. Right now,” he said, covering my lips with his, his tongue demanded and dominated me.I couldn’t express the distress my heart was under. He held me so passionately and possessively. I’ve read books where men simply stated a woman was his but Knox didn’t have to utter a word. His hands were imprinted on my skin. My body responded to him in a way it never did for anyone else.I could stop him if I wanted to but I didn’t want to.“Do you want to take me here?” I panted.“Yes… fuck… yes, I do. I’ve waited long enough. I’m tired of jacking off in the shower.”He did that?I imagined Knox all wet with his member in his hand, stroking himself just for relief.“You do that?” I whispered.He chuckled and kissed my jawline.“I overs
Knox POV“Are you going to join me or what?” She tilted her head to the right as her delicate finger toyed her erect nipple.If it weren’t for my jeans my dick would be standing. Why was I wearing them anyway?My mate lay on the king-size bed like a present waiting to be opened but I couldn’t move. What was wrong with me? I couldn’t get her out of my head but now I had cold feet.I meant what I said. I don’t want to hurt her. The other day I received a call from my sister Nyla telling me Bethany had another outburst and demanded me to come home. I didn’t want to turn Esme into that! Especially since Esme was my fated mate.She sat up, her confidence seemed to melt away replaced by uneasiness.“Do you want me to get dressed?”I snapped out of my insane thoughts. Nothing will happen to Esme. Not if I can help it.“Of course not.”I strolled to the bed and climbed between her thighs. The scent of her arousal drove my wolf wild. I wouldn’t last long before I devoured her. I stroked her in
Esme POV“Esmeray, where have you been?” My Mother blasted.I cringed. I couldn’t tell her I was hiding in the meadow reading my book. It would only make her madder.“I… I…uh—”“The Welcome ceremony is in a few hours and we’re busy.”“I lost track of time but I’m here now and I’m ready to cook,” I grinned and quickly grabbed an apron before Mom spoke, but she snatched the apron and glared at me.“Oh no, you’re not cooking. Rhoda’s cooking and you’re picking up the slack.”I mostly did the sewing and laundry and there was none of that to do right now. I’d only been an official servant or slave of the Highbridge Pack’s Pack house despite growing up in this house. I’d never been allowed to go upstairs or speak to the Alpha’s family. I’ve never seen the Alpha in person. Despite calling this place home it was also a mad torture house.“Oh crap.”Rhoda smirked and thrust a tray of alcohol and chicken wings into my chest.“The young betas ordered these hours ago. Take it upstairs,” her cruel
Esme POV“What?” I turned around.Leo stood in front of me, his face twisted with rage, his black shirt ruffled and opened at the top.“No, no, no!” he marched up to me and gripped my shoulders.“Get off me! What did you say?”“Why you? Why now? I’ve known you my whole fucking life and never felt anything like this.”“Leave me alone,” I shoved him.He glared at me. This had to be a joke. I glared at the crescent moon and mentally cursed the moon goddess. What was she thinking paring me up with Leo? He’s an asshole.“You can’t be my mate,” he mumbled.“Yes, because I’m a slave, I know!”“A wolfless slave!”Tears stung my eyes. I didn’t get my wolf. I’d be ridiculed for not having one for the rest of my life. I dusted myself off. I’ve been dealing with the pain for years I was strong I could handle this heartbreak too.“I’m leaving,” I said, I didn’t want him to see me in my weakest moment.Leo grabbed my arm and dragged me back to him. He snaked his right arm around my waist and held m
Knox POV“Are you going to join me or what?” She tilted her head to the right as her delicate finger toyed her erect nipple.If it weren’t for my jeans my dick would be standing. Why was I wearing them anyway?My mate lay on the king-size bed like a present waiting to be opened but I couldn’t move. What was wrong with me? I couldn’t get her out of my head but now I had cold feet.I meant what I said. I don’t want to hurt her. The other day I received a call from my sister Nyla telling me Bethany had another outburst and demanded me to come home. I didn’t want to turn Esme into that! Especially since Esme was my fated mate.She sat up, her confidence seemed to melt away replaced by uneasiness.“Do you want me to get dressed?”I snapped out of my insane thoughts. Nothing will happen to Esme. Not if I can help it.“Of course not.”I strolled to the bed and climbed between her thighs. The scent of her arousal drove my wolf wild. I wouldn’t last long before I devoured her. I stroked her in
Esme POV“You’re so wet for me,” Knox said, kissing my neck.I squeezed my legs around his hand as heat rushed to my cheeks. He chuckled.“Don’t be shy. This is normal. You’re so precious and beautiful.”“I’m just not used to it.”“I know and I’ll make sure you do. Right now,” he said, covering my lips with his, his tongue demanded and dominated me.I couldn’t express the distress my heart was under. He held me so passionately and possessively. I’ve read books where men simply stated a woman was his but Knox didn’t have to utter a word. His hands were imprinted on my skin. My body responded to him in a way it never did for anyone else.I could stop him if I wanted to but I didn’t want to.“Do you want to take me here?” I panted.“Yes… fuck… yes, I do. I’ve waited long enough. I’m tired of jacking off in the shower.”He did that?I imagined Knox all wet with his member in his hand, stroking himself just for relief.“You do that?” I whispered.He chuckled and kissed my jawline.“I overs
Esme POV“Will you destroy the Pack for a slave?” Bruce barked.In the absence of the King, Beta Bruce seemed to take more authority than he was given. Alpha Leo sat on his throne, mindlessly watching everything happen. He knew the truth but his feeble mind couldn’t come up with a thing to say.Knox strolled behind me planted his hands on my shoulders and brushed his thumbs along my skin.“She’s more than a slave.” He brushed my dress down, revealing bare skin and the mark he branded me with.Another round of gasps.“She’s my fated mate. She’s the only good thing to come out of this Pack.”“H-How?” Monica mumbled.I pulled my sleeve up and swatted his hand away.“Yes, I’m his mate but that’s not the only reason I’m here. Queen Luna, my Mother was your slave. Will you really let what happened to her go unpunished? What about my justice?”The Queen lifted her chin as the rest of them stared at me in amusement and disgust.“What is the meaning of this?” a frail and raspy voice.I turned
Esme POV“Wake up, Esme, it’s time to go to the King’s palace.”I know but I dreaded waking up to this day. My dreams were void but they carried bliss because my emotions were dormant the second my eyes opened everything came back to me.I spent the night at Kira’s house. I got my first dose of her Mom’s new boyfriend but I couldn’t focus on him.“Want me to go with you? I’m sure they’ll be lenient with me considering the circumstances,” Kira said.“Yeah, I guess you’re right. You know how to escape they decide to kick you out.”She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed.“Let’s get out of here,” I said, climbing out of bed.After getting changed quickly Kira and I walked to the castle silently. The second we arrived we were sucked into the chaos. There were people everywhere and locals camped outside the gates peeking into the property.“What’s going on here?” Kira asked.I shrugged. Then I saw the banners and the bonfires being built. The mating run, of course!“I didn’t know we we
Esme POVI stood and watched her limbs but they remained frozen in time. There wasn’t any blood but the air was thick and musty. How long had she been down here?I snapped back into reality and screamed.“Help!”I flew forward and landed in front of her. I smoothed her hair out of her face and sobbed.“Wake up, please wake up,” I begged.Her face was pale and cold. I jumped back. This can’t be true. My Mother was fine!“Someone help me!” I cried.She wore her nightgown from last night. She’s been here all night. Gosh, no.My bedroom door flew open.“What the hell is wrong, Esme?” Rhoda barked.Jasmine and Griselda lingered behind her. Rhoda’s eyes widened and colour drained from her face.“Jasmine, call a royal guard immediately.”Jasmine looked like she wouldn’t be able to make it up the stairs but she turned around and ran off anyway. Rhoda grabbed my shoulders and dragged me away from my Mother despite my protests. I still expected her to open her eyes and smile at me.“She has to
Esme POVI stayed in my wolf form until daybreak. It kept me warm. I think I wandered near the border. It would be so easy to cross the line and run away into parts unknown there was so much out there for a girl to see. I would be branded a rogue the second I betrayed my Pack. I would live with the mark of a traitor for the rest of my life and there was the small matter of the mating run.“Esme!” Knox’s indistinguishable voice called. “There you are.”“Don’t come any closer. I’m covered in blood and cuts.”He stepped over logs and rocks to get to me. His black leather boots crushed sticks as he closed the distance between us. He knelt down to my level and reached out to touch my face.“Blood and mud sure but you don’t have a scratch on you. You’re still new to this being a wolf thing, huh?”He peeled off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders.“I know why you ran. I wish you hadn’t.”Was he kidding? I was outnumbered. When Leo came out to the river he was more than willing to let
Knox POV“You’re getting too close to this girl, man.”“What do you expect she’s my fated mate?”“What are people going to say back home? You know the laws about taking women from other Packs. Your family enforced these laws.”I pointed at Jax. “I wasn’t part of that.”Jax rolled his eyes as he unwrapped the tape from his knuckles.“I’m just saying it’s not going to be rosy and sunshine when you take her back to the Pack.”It’s not sunshine now. I’m left sexually frustrated every night because I can’t have my mate with me. After all, she’s a slave. Despite that, I didn’t want to have sex with Esme right away, I didn’t want to risk anything.“I don’t know what you’re talking about my Grandmother’s going to be thrilled.”Jax glared at me. I knew where he came from but one problem at a time.“Can we survive the damn mating ritual first?”Jax nodded.“Have the representatives arrived for the first run?” I asked.“Yeah, two of them.”“Good. Have you got the sapphires for the sacrifice?”Ja
Esme POVKnox unbuttoned my dress and slipped it off my shoulders. He was like a master at work. He caught me staring and I smiled.“You’re not nervous are you?” he asked.“We’ve been like this before, Knox.”“I know I just want you to be comfortable.” I felt his hands tremble as they travelled down my shoulders.I chuckled. “It’s almost like you’re nervous but I’m the one who’s inexperienced.”“I don’t mind that babe. I just want to be the only man you’re naked in front of.” After we left the gym he took me to the river not far from the meadow I escaped to read. It was secluded and the weeds here were wild. This place was forgotten and abandoned which was one of the reasons I loved it so much.I stepped out of my faded green dress.“Ever bathed in a river before?” he asked.“No… there’s a perfect shower in the gym.”He grinned. “I’m old school. Very old school.”He bumped his nose against mine before brushing his lips on mine.He held my face and kissed me passionately. His erection
Esme POV“Close the door, Esme.” His voice sent a shiver down my spine. Not the good kind.“Now,” he demanded.My fingertips nudged the door closed. Once the door clicked shut I was alone in a cave with a hungry wolf. I saw the mixture of hunger and rage in his eyes. Could it be possible a part of our bond was still intact? It can’t be. I have a new mate.My wolf rebuffed Leo as well. She put up her walls so high that even I couldn’t reach her. I’d never heard of this behaviour. I knew wolves could reject a male’s advances when they showed interest but Leo’s wolf hadn’t done that yet.“What do you want?” I questioned.He slouched in his favourite leather seat, his eyes roaming my body. He sucked in his bottom lip and I recoiled.“I’m still your Alpha, I don’t owe you any explanations.”What kind of Alpha has to constantly remind someone of his title?“Is there something I can do, Alpha?” I kept eye contact.Leo raised to his feet.I jumped back into the door at the same time a wave of