The meeting dragged on like an endless river, and I, Dalton, sat at the head of the conference table, fully aware of my need to stay present, despite every part of me wishing to escape. The voices of the alphas around me droned on, rising and falling like the ebb and flow of an ocean, but my attention was distant. I sat, stoic and composed, my fingers idly twirling a paperweight as I listened to them—each one trying to outdo the other with their urgent reports.“King Dalton,” one of them began hesitantly, breaking the silence that had settled over the room, “the smaller packs are growing restless after the last rogue attack. The news has spread across the kingdom like wildfire.”I kept my gaze steady, detached. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard this, but it still piqued my interest. "And what, exactly, are they doing about it?" I asked, my voice as sharp as my focus.Another alpha, eager to get his point across, leaned forward. “Rumor has it the rogues are using threats to coerce the
I stood there, watching her without a sound, as Olivia hummed softly to herself, lost in her own world. She didn’t notice me, standing just a few feet away, studying her every move. Her focus was entirely on adjusting the towel on her head, wrapping it with an almost carefree grace. There was something about her, something undeniably alluring, even in her innocence. She looked so... unburdened, and I couldn’t help but admire her, despite myself.The way she moved, the way the towel clung to her figure, stirred something deep within me. My Lycan stirred restlessly, as if it too was drawn to her energy, to her warmth. A strange tension grew in my chest as I felt the pulse of desire, of something raw, something almost primal, rise within me. She was oblivious to my gaze, absorbed in the rhythm of her own thoughts, the hum of the song she had locked away in her memory.I watched as she moved closer to the mirror, her radiant presence almost glowing under the sunlight that filtered in from
I had just stepped out of the shower, feeling a sense of renewal I hadn’t experienced in far too long. The warm water had washed away the exhaustion that had weighed on me for months. I couldn’t remember the last time I had the luxury of truly feeling clean or refreshed, not since the time when I was just an omega in my own pack.As I danced around the room, humming a soft tune to myself, the music swirled in my head, and for the first time in ages, I felt free. It was rare for me to have a moment like this—one where I wasn’t burdened by fear, by expectations, or by the weight of my past. The rhythmic sway of my body felt natural, like a release. I had no one to answer to, no one watching me. Or so I thought.I froze the moment I caught sight of him. King Dalton stood just a few feet away, watching me. His gaze was intense, almost as if he was studying every movement I made. His golden eyes locked with mine, and in an instant, I could feel the heat of his stare searing into me.I had
I stared blankly at the door as it clicked shut behind Dalton. His footsteps echoed down the hall, growing quieter until they vanished completely. I sank back onto the bed, lost in thought, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. That conversation with him—if I could even call it a conversation—lingered in the air like a heavy fog. I couldn’t stop replaying it, the story he’d told, and the strange weight of his words. He had been so careful with his delivery, subtle yet powerful. It wasn’t just a story—it was a message, a warning wrapped in a tale of a cub in the woods. It made me wonder if there was more to it. He had caught me once, when I was weak, terrified, vulnerable—just like that cub he’d described. And just like the cub, maybe he had plans for me once I was healthy. Maybe he intended to fatten me up, make me comfortable, and when I was at my strongest, sacrifice me in some way. The thought made my stomach churn, a cold shiver running down my spine. But I couldn’t affor
I stood frozen, my heart sinking as I watched Cynthia cling to Dalton. Her hand held his with such familiarity, and every inch of their proximity seemed to burn with a painful intensity. It stung more than I cared to admit, the way her chest brushed against his and the way she gazed up at him with such clear expectation. My mind couldn’t help but imagine them together in ways I wasn’t ready to face—intimately involved. The memory of my coffee mishap earlier felt all too real in the wake of this moment.I tried to push those feelings down, tried to remind myself of who Dalton was—the Lycan King, still searching for his fated mate or chosen one. He was free to pursue whoever he wished, even if it crushed me to witness it.Finally, Dalton pulled his hand free from Cynthia’s grasp, his voice cool. “We will see, Cynthia. Now, I have a few more meetings to attend.”Cynthia pouted, though the expression quickly shifted into a bright, cheerful smile. “You work so much, Dalton. Don’t forget to
My heart raced, my nerves on edge as Dalton closed the door behind me. The soft click of the door shutting felt louder than it should, making me realize, in a rush, that it was just the two of us in the room.“Take a seat,” he said, his voice calm as he gestured to one of the chairs in the spacious office, walking toward his desk.I glanced around the room, trying to avoid his eyes for a moment. The space was massive, sleek, modern, and elegant, and I had no idea what I was doing here, especially alone with him. I spotted a notepad and a pen on the desk, and after a moment's hesitation, I asked, “May I?” He nodded slightly, giving me permission. I picked up the pen, clicking it open, needing something to occupy my hands. The nervous energy coursing through me was almost unbearable. I didn’t want to appear too fidgety, so I focused on the task at hand. “So, everybody tells me you don’t love parties or fun. What kind of event are you looking forward to, then?” I asked, hoping it would
I walked away from my office, frustration gnawing at me. The conversation with Olivia kept echoing in my mind, especially the way she’d looked at me when she claimed I could never love anyone. It was a simple statement, but something about it hit harder than expected. I’ve never been the type to care about what others think of me—especially not someone like her—but damn, her words kept lingering. Why did they affect me so much?I’ve been through enough rumors, whispers about me being the arrogant Lycan King who’s all command and no heart. They were right about one thing—I don’t let people close. I don’t need anyone. The curse hanging over me has kept me distant from everyone. Mates? I never understood them. Humans lived their lives without them—choosing partners based on preference, and if things didn’t work, they moved on. I wasn’t built for that. I never needed a mate. People only came near me because they wanted something—power, wealth, security.But Olivia... Olivia was different.
The days leading up to the ball passed in a haze of activity and confusion. I spent most of my time running around, overseeing the final preparations—arranging flowers, coordinating with the staff, making sure everything was just right. Maria had assigned a team of servants to assist me, but no matter how much help I had, my mind kept drifting back to the strange behavior of the Lycan King.Ever since that awkward conversation with Dalton, I noticed that he’d been avoiding me. The usually confident and commanding King seemed to retreat into his office, keeping to himself. I hardly saw him unless it was during the brief moments he emerged for a shower or when he needed to grab a bite to eat—if he ate at all. It felt… odd. I had hoped we could clear the air, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to even approach him. The tension that hung between us was suffocating.During meals, he was often absent, leaving me to sit at the table alone or with Maria, who was always busy with somet
The warmth of his lips vanished too soon, leaving my skin cold and aching in their absence. My heart hammered against my ribs, protesting the sudden loss. One second, I was lost in the heat of Dalton’s touch, melting under the pressure of his mouth. The next, he pulled away, his focus shifting elsewhere.I should have been used to his unpredictability by now. But stopping—in the middle of this—was a new level of frustrating.I had barely caught my breath when his hands seized my waist, lifting me effortlessly. A startled gasp left my lips as he pulled me up, settling me onto his lap with ease. My bare skin pressed against him, but he didn’t resume kissing me. He didn’t even move.I tried twisting to see what had caught his attention, but his palm came down lightly on my thigh—a silent order to stay put.A shiver ran down my spine. Obediently, I propped myself up on my elbows, my chest pressing against the damp ground, waiting.His thumb ghosted over the sensitive skin of my mark, send
For a split second, my heart stopped.Did he just say that?I felt my stomach twist, heat creeping up my neck. He knew.Of course, he did. He could smell it. My arousal.I had forgotten that was even a thing.But shouldn’t the water have masked it? Shouldn’t it have dulled the intensity?Panic clawed at my chest, urging me to run, to disappear into the shadows before I embarrassed myself even further. First, I had foolishly admitted my crush, and now my body was betraying me in the worst way.I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the way my thighs pressed together beneath the water. My dress clung to me, torn and ragged, the delicate sleeves hanging uselessly at my sides.I must look desperate. Hungry.Weak.I turned, intending to take a step back, to put some distance between us, but Dalton moved too fast.I froze.His presence was a force, surrounding me, owning the space between us. I dropped my gaze, unable to meet his piercing stare.“Zee.” His voice was softer than I expected, but
“I… I felt something,” I whispered, gripping Dalton’s wrist without realizing it. He let me, his body steady and unmoving as I nearly stumbled into his chest.His lips curved slightly. “That’s good. Close your eyes and try again. Focus on that feeling—let it guide you.”Encouraged by his words, I nodded and squeezed my eyes shut. My breath was slow and measured as I searched for that pull—the strange tug deep in my stomach, like an invisible thread connecting me to something unknown.But nothing happened.The sensation had vanished, leaving behind an empty void.Panic surged through me. My eyes flew open, desperation lacing my voice. “It’s gone. I can’t feel anything—I can’t—”A firm finger pressed against my lips, cutting off my anxious rambling.“Shh.” Dalton’s voice was calm, his touch light but commanding.A shudder ran down my spine. It wasn’t just his words; it was the way he looked at me, unwavering and composed, as if he truly believed I could do this.“It will come to you,” h
The ride to the lake felt agonizingly slow, stretched thin by the heavy silence between us. The small space of the car seemed to shrink, making it impossible to escape the tension that had taken root in the air.Dalton was focused on the road, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned pale. His sharp jaw was clenched, the veins in his throat subtly protruding as if he were restraining something—anger, frustration, or something else entirely.I fidgeted with my fingers, my mind still replaying my foolish confession from earlier. I had blurted out my fascination with him so thoughtlessly, without a drop of alcohol to blame for my lack of restraint. What had I been thinking?If he was merely toying with me, leading me to a dead end where my feelings would be left shattered and bleeding, I had nowhere else to turn.Would he do that?The question burned in my chest, but I forced myself to look away, my gaze drifting outside the car window. The night was deep
I had spent too long suppressing my emotions, tangled in my own confusion. But tonight, there was no running from the truth. No more pretending.The ache that had settled deep in my chest, gnawing at my very soul every time he wasn’t around, had become unbearable. I had tried to ignore it, push it aside, convince myself it was nothing. But the moment Dalton was near, my resolve shattered like fragile glass. The pull toward him was undeniable. My body craved his touch, my lips yearned for his kiss.And tonight, I would awaken my wolf. I could feel it in my bones, humming beneath my skin, restless and impatient.There was no one else I wanted by my side but him.Dalton had been my guide, my tormentor, my salvation—training me relentlessly, pushing me past my limits, never letting me give up even when I wanted to. He had never treated me as weak, never doubted my potential. And tonight, I wanted to thank him. In the most intimate way possible.I wanted his eyes on me, only me. Those gold
Oliver was going to be the death of me.Every time I tried to distance myself, something inside me rebelled. It wasn’t just my body—my heart ached for her in a way I couldn’t control.She was too pure, too naive, and too damn brave for her own good. The day I brought her home, I had only intended to make amends for my past sins, not entangle her in the darkness that surrounded me.But she stayed. Even when I was cold, even when I tried to shove her away, she never left. And I hated how much that relieved me.I could feel the weight of her gaze now, studying me, waiting—always waiting for something more. I should have ignored it. Should have walked away. Instead, words slipped past my lips before I could stop them.Oliver frowned. "What did you just say?"Damn it."Nothing," I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through my hair.She took a step forward, unrelenting. "No, you said something. Tell me."I should lie. I should say anything to make her drop it. But the way she was looking at m
A few minutes ago, I had been happy. Genuinely happy.Today was supposed to be one of the most important days of my life. The day everything changed.For over a month, I had trained relentlessly. I had followed every order Dalton had given me, endured every grueling challenge, and pushed my body beyond its limits. All of it was for this night—the night of the full moon, the night my wolf would awaken.For the first time in my life, I had dared to dream.I had even dressed up for the occasion.Sure, I had worn elegant gowns before—at the ball, at that party with Harry—but this was different. This wasn’t about impressing others. This was about me. About reclaiming my worth.I had imagined walking among the alphas with my head held high. No longer an outcast, no longer a weakling—just a strong, capable woman worthy of respect.But reality had a cruel way of reminding me who I was.I hadn’t even planned to attend this meeting. My only intention was to pray—to offer a silent plea to the Mo
The grand doors creaked open, and the room fell into an eerie silence. Every conversation, every whispered discussion about rogue attacks and war strategies came to an abrupt halt. And it was because of her.Oliver stepped inside with slow, deliberate steps, her head held high even as her hands clenched at her sides. The confidence she tried to portray didn’t fully mask the nervous energy radiating from her, but that didn’t matter—not when she looked like that.My breath stalled in my throat as my gaze traced her figure from head to toe.The dark blue gown she wore clung to her body like a second skin, accentuating every curve in a way that had my jaw tightening. A slit ran up one side, stopping just high enough to tempt, to make my fingers twitch with the desire to reach out and feel the warmth of her skin beneath my touch.I had seen Oliver in all sorts of clothing—loose dresses, gym wear, simple pajamas. The only time she had worn something even remotely revealing was that night by
Dread settled in my bones, growing heavier with every breath. The thought of finally meeting my wolf—of standing before all those powerful Alphas—sent a wave of anxiety crashing through me.What if my wolf never awakened?What if I stood there, waiting, only to be met with silence?I wouldn’t be able to show my face after that. It would be the ultimate humiliation. The whispers would start, the judgmental stares would follow, and the realization that I was nothing—just a girl without a wolf—would suffocate me.I would rather lock myself in my room forever than endure that shame.Drusilla sat across from me, watching me with an unreadable expression. I could tell she was hesitating, weighing her words before speaking. That only made me more nervous.Finally, she sighed. “I just hope your wolf awakens soon.”My heart clenched at her words.“I do too,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “But that’s not all you wanted to say, is it? You’re hiding something.”Drusilla pressed her