Asher It was getting harder and harder to pretend that I wasn’t utterly consumed by my wife. Every time she walked into a room, it was like my senses betrayed me, honing in on her scent, smile, and how she tilted her head when she laughed. Day by day, I drowned in feelings I couldn’t fully explain or control. It was beyond desire.Standing on the terrace, I stared at the horizon as a gentle breeze teased through the trees. I told myself I was here for the fresh air, to clear my head, but it wasn’t working. All I could think about was Lila—the wise queen she had become. I exhaled heavily and leaned against the railing, trying to get a grip on myself.The sound of soft footsteps pulled me from my thoughts. She walked toward me, holding a glass of mango juice. The setting sun's light played on her skin, making her look ethereal. She handed me the glass with a smile.“Thought you could use this,” she teased.I smiled and took the glass, but instead of drinking, I set it on the small
Diana Jaden's panicked shout cut through the quiet afternoon like a knife. My heart sank as I dropped the basket of clean laundry and rushed toward the sound. My mind raced, imagining the worst, as I found him sprawled on the ground near the garden wall. His face was scrunched up in pain, and his hands clutched his knee, now grazed and bleeding."Jaden!" I exclaimed, kneeling beside him. "What did I tell you about climbing this surface? I warned you, didn't I?"His lips quivered, but he managed to pout. "I thought I was strong enough, Mommy."I sighed, scooping him into my arms despite his protests that he could walk. "Strength isn’t just about climbing walls or being reckless, young man. It's also about listening and staying safe."I carried him back inside; he sniffled, tears smudging my shoulder. His childlike pride broke my heart, but I couldn’t let him get away with thinking bravery was the same as recklessness.Once inside, I set him gently on the couch. "Now, let's take a look
Diana Waking up to Asher's morning wood spooning me made me immensely turned on. He was asleep, and his chest rose with each deep breath.There was just something about him that drove my heart rate higher and my thighs wetter than any orgasm I could ever recall in my long life.He was gorgeous. I felt like a total slut for wanting him so badly. Having the upper hand, I reached out for him without waking him up. His hardness was rugged against me again, and I was anxious to taste him, to take him into my mouth, or maybe even further. I ran my hands along his chest, and he made a slight sound and shifted in his sleep.I'd been fantasizing about his touch, scent, lips on my skin, and finally, here we were. He was mine. I wanted him to take me.Dipping down, I gripped his shaft. He was rock-hard and beautiful. My fingers circled his erection, feeling its urgent heat. I took him into my mouth, worshipping at his altar and taking him in with devout desire. But then his eyes fluttered open
Asher The day began as usual. I decided to invite Eddie to join us for lunch, but a part of him hesitated. Lila’s relationship with Eddie wasn’t what it used to be, and I wasn’t sure if she would be comfortable. Still, I figured it was worth asking.I found her in the kitchen, tying an apron around her waist. The sight of her preparing food always warmed my heart. Her hands moved deftly, cutting vegetables with a precision that was oddly satisfying to watch.I leaned against the counter and spoke. “I was thinking of inviting Eddie for lunch.”Pausing, her knife hovered mid-air. I thought she would refuse for a moment, but then she surprised me.“That’s fine. I'll make something nice.”I raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? I mean—”She waved a hand dismissively. “It’s okay, darling. Really.”Her agreement put me at ease. “Alright, then. We’ll come after the morning court.”She nodded and got back to chopping.When Eddie and I entered the dining room after court, Lila greeted us warmly.
Diana My legs jittered uncontrollably beneath the table. The suffocating silence of the room pressed against me like a noose, tightening with every passing second. Stupid. That’s what I was—so stupid to think I could dodge every activity and obligation and hide here. My chest felt tight, and my fingers trembled as I dragged them through my hair.What the hell had I gotten myself into?The ritual made my stomach churn. This wasn’t some casual tea party I could gracefully bow out of. This was a deeply rooted tradition, sacred to the women of the pack. And now, I was back in a corner with no way out.I began to pace. It wasn’t just about showing up. It was about my wolf.Groaning, I gripped the edge of the chair for balance. Lila’s wolf and mine weren’t the same. Not even close. Lila’s wolf was grey, like most of the higher-ranked women in this pack. Mine was white. Pure, glaringly white. Anyone with a working pair of eyes would notice the difference immediately.“Oh God,” I muttered, f
Diana The room grew more chaotic. Five women, including Tatiana, were seated around me. Their voices blended into one endless symphony of arguments. One was debating the food menu for the Women's Ritual, while another squabbled about the ceremonial outfits. Tatiana had to have the loudest opinion, insisting on something extravagant.I sat there, nodding absently, like a zombie in the middle of a tragedy I couldn’t escape. My head throbbed, not from any real ailment, but from the stupidity of the conversations. They argued about the shade of fabric, the size of the banquet hall, even the sequence of events. Meanwhile, I calculated how long I could last before making up an emergency to escape this misery.“Lila, are you even listening?” Tatiana’s voice pierced through the fog of my thoughts.I plastered on a smile. “Oh, yes, of course. But I think you all have this under control.”Tatiana squinted at me but turned back to the others, and I exhaled softly. Moon Goddess help me, this is
Asher The car glided out of the airport, and the faint chatter of Eddie beside me filled the silence. Leaning back, I watched the city lights blur as we approached the five-star hotel where we’d be staying. The beauty of the place didn’t faze me anymore; I’d seen enough in my life. Still, I nodded in approval as we checked in and made our way to our rooms.Once inside my room, I dropped my bags on the polished floor and stretched. The mattress looked tempting, but we had no time to rest. I freshened up, checking my reflection in the mirror. My thoughts strayed to Lila, and I felt a pang of longing. I missed her.I grabbed my phone as we got back into the car to head to the center, The first call went unanswered, and I smiled knowingly. She was probably buried under the preparations for the women’s festival. I tried again, and this time, she picked up on the second ring.“Oh, honey!” her voice came through, breathless and warm. “I’m so glad to hear from you.”“You sound like I’ve been
Diana To smooth things over and avoid any suspicion from Asher after skipping the women’s ritual, I would give him what he wanted most.Sex.I knew how much he’d been yearning for us to fully seal our bond, and this would keep him basking in the euphoria of finally being with his wife.I walked to Lila’s wardrobe, feeling a pang of annoyance at the variety of lingerie she owned. How many did she need? I pushed through silk and lace until my fingers brushed against a stunning red set. It was bold, designed to tease without giving away everything. The straps were thin, crisscrossing at the back, and the material flowed like a second skin. I paired it with diamond drop earrings and an anklet, giving the outfit a sensual elegance. After some thought, I added a black robe that tied loosely at the waist, just enough to hint at what lay beneath.Satisfied, I stood before the mirror, adjusting the straps and letting my hair fall in loose waves over my shoulders. I dabbed on a nude lip color
Diana Asher and I watched Lila storm off in a rage to the other wing of the house. I sighed and turned to face Asher. He pulled me closer to himself, and I sniffed his breath."Have you been drinking?"He shrugged. Our eyes locked, and I wondered why he was so calm about everything. I knew it was his way of handling situations, but after seeing the state of things outside, it was hard to believe he wasn't affected. I trusted Asher, knowing that he understood the weight of this crisis. I just wanted it all to be over."Are you okay?" he asked, rubbing my belly before pressing a kiss to my neck, right where he had marked me. A shiver ran through me, but pleasure was the last thing on my mind when everything around us was falling apart."Are you okay?" I asked him back, watching his face carefully. He smiled, took my hand, and led me to the balcony."I'm on house arrest," he said, as if it was some kind of joke."It's not funny," I muttered, pulling away slightly when he tried to hold m
Asher Darkness clung to me like a living thing, wrapping around my chest like an iron vice. My heart burned with hatred at the injustice of it all.Some of these foolish packmates—people I had protected and fought for—were now standing in the streets, cheering for the coup. They had claimed to be dissatisfied with my government, even though it had been the most peaceful reign in over a century.Eddie and his vagabond uncle had introduced crime, lawlessness, and corruption. They had brought gangs into the kingdom, allowing them to run wild, unchecked, turning my lands into their personal playground of chaos.And yet—the people cheered for them.The same people who had benefited from my leadership. The ones who had walked my streets in peace. The ones whose children had been safe under my rule.It made me sick.I mobilized military units, armed vehicles, and trusted men, making sure every key location was secured. But the opposition was growing. They had spent years planting their seed
Diana Vera drove in silence. She wasn’t the type to shy away from speaking her mind, but I could tell she felt guilty about what she had said earlier. Maybe she thought she had been too harsh and direct in telling me that I was a source of danger to her family. But in retrospect, there was nothing wrong with what she had said—she was right.I was about to become a mother. I loved Jaden and Josh as if they were my own, and the last thing I would ever want was to put them in harm’s way. I knew that the moment Eddie set his sights on me, he would kill me without a second thought.“Getting worked up over what you said is funny, you know,” I said lightly, smiling as I turned to look at her. The car bounced slightly as we navigated the dirt road, heading toward the highway.Vera exhaled a sigh, her eyes locked on the road ahead. “You don’t deserve this. To think you’re even pregnant… What if you hadn’t gotten through to anyone? You could have lost the baby. I don’t like that you’re all alo
DianaI paced around the house, bored and restless. I had cleaned the kitchen and rearranged the cushions on the couch, but none of it filled the emptiness that lingered inside me. The house felt like a beautiful cage.My fingers trailed along the edge of the windowsill at the front window, and I gazed out, hoping for some distraction. All I could see was the tall iron gate standing like a wall between me and the world outside. I sighed deeply, my breath fogging up the glass. I just wished Asher could come today. I missed him more than I could put into words. I missed the boys as well. Thinking about them gave me a bittersweet sensation.I wandered into the kitchen, opening the fridge door and staring at the shelves. Then I grabbed a glass of water to drink. The house felt too quiet. I wondered what was happening at the castle right now. Were the elders rallying behind Asher? Were there whispers in the halls about the coup and the traitors? I closed my eyes, picturing it all. Asher wo
Asher I stepped into the house feeling several pounds lighter, which was the effect of being with Diana. She had such a beautiful name, and even though Lila’s name was beautiful as well, perhaps it was their personalities that made Diana’s more radiant. In a good mood, I whistled quietly and ascended the stairs. The house was quiet, and I thought the kids were asleep until I heard the unmistakable sound of sobbing. My good mood evaporated instantly, and I quickened my pace toward the children’s corner.The nanny was trying to comfort Josh, who was clutching his stuffed toy with tears streaming down his face. When Josh spotted me, he ran to me, and I scooped him up. He buried his face in my chest, his sobs intensifying.“What’s wrong, son? Why are you crying?”His cries were muffled against my chest, leaving me to turn my gaze toward the nanny.“What happened?” I asked her.She hesitated, wringing her hands nervously. “The queen scolded him, Your Majesty.”“Scolded him? Why?”She shif
The metallic scrape of keys turning in my cell door revealed the female guard. She stepped inside without a word and pulled out a dark, hooded cloak, handing it to me. Her face remained indifferent."Turn around," she ordered.I obeyed and faced the wall as she helped me put on the cloak. She gave me gloves and ensured I was properly disguised."Follow my lead," she instructed, guiding me out of the cell.The dungeon was quiet, as most of its occupants were asleep. When we reached the exit, the guard signaled to someone outside. I heard the sound of a van’s engine idling, and soon the van door slid open. The female guard held me steady as I stepped up into the vehicle. My heart folded in my chest, and I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. The cloak draped over my shoulders felt suffocating, trapping the heat of my anxiety against my skin.I couldn’t trust anyone. Eddie had his followers everywhere. The guard driving must have noticed how I trembled because he assured me,"We’re on the k
Diana My heart pounded in my chest. I had seen Asher standing before me. I didn't even need to see who it was to feel the pull of the bond. My breathing grew shallow, and I rushed to my feet.He stood outside the cell for about a minute, watching me. His presence filled the space, and yet I couldn’t read his expression. His tall frame loomed in the light, his gaze locked onto mine. He was too composed—and that frightened me even more.When the gate swung open, he stepped inside.I couldn't move. My trembling hands fell to my sides as I waited for him to speak, to act, to do something. But he remained silent.I knew that, as a king, Asher would want to please his packmates and do the right thing by getting rid of me. I had been branded an enemy, and the laws were clear—traitors were not spared. But there was something else, something deeper in his stance, in the way he hesitated, in the way his eyes flickered with an emotion I couldn’t quite place.Was he battling with himself?Slowl
Asher I paced my bedroom, allowing my thoughts consume me. The tension in the back of my neck was a dull ache, and my hands occasionally brushed over it, lingering on the spot where Diana had marked me. It was crazy how I had to adjust to her name. I paused by the large window overlooking the courtyard, staring into the expanse outside.Ever since I threw her into the dungeon, I couldn't stop thinking about her. She was pregnant. My fingers curled into fists as I leaned against the windowsill. She was pregnant, but then, was it really my child?This question cut through me, and the doubt felt like a betrayal—to myself and the bond we shared as fated mates. The truth should have been enough to silence the whispers of suspicion in my mind.That child was mine. If Lila, who didn't love me, could have my babies, how much more my fated mate?I crossed the room to a side table where a decanter of whiskey and a glass sat. I poured myself a generous amount and downed it in one gulp.The burn
DianaThey shoved me into a musty dungeon, and I stumbled forward as the heavy iron door slammed shut behind me. My wrists, raw and sore from the guards' grip, throbbed as I struggled to regain my balance.My chest tightened, and my breaths came in sharp gasps as I tried to adjust to the darkness surrounding me. The air reeked of decay and rusted metal, thick and almost choking. I scanned the space desperately, taking in the bars that caged me and the narrow window high on the wall that offered only a faint reminder of the outside world.In the silence, faint sounds reached my ears—a low murmur, a harsh cough from another cell. These were the sounds of the condemned, and now I was one of them.My legs gave way, and I sank to the cold ground, pressing my back against the wall as fear clawed at me. My mind raced, but I forced myself to focus on Asher. He had a plan. He alw