The door crashed open with an earth-shaking force, the hinges screeching in protest as the wooden frame splintered and crumpled to the ground. A dark figure loomed in the doorway, backlit by the dim red glow of the emergency lights in the corridor. The air seemed to shift, thickening with an aura of power that made every hair on my body stand on end.“Nope, she is mine.”That voice. Deep, commanding, and unmistakable.My heart stuttered in my chest as I blinked, the silhouette stepping forward, revealing his chiseled face, sharp eyes like molten gold, and an expression that radiated danger.Dalton.My Lycan King.Relief surged through me like a tidal wave, and my knees nearly gave out as I realized he had come. He had come to save me.Sid froze, his wild eyes darting between Dalton and me. The syringe in his hand trembled slightly, but he quickly concealed it behind his back, his confidence faltering.“Bouncers! Security!” Sid’s voice cracked as he shouted, desperation bleeding throug
The door burst open with a thunderous crash, splintering wood echoing through the room. In the wreckage of the frame stood a figure cloaked in shadow, tall and imposing. The broken door lay in fragments at his feet, its hinges groaning as they hung askew. “No,” the voice said, low and unyielding, cutting through the air like a blade. “She belongs to me.” That voice. I froze, my breath caught in my throat. Even in the chaos, even in the darkest moments, I would know that voice anywhere. It was him. My Lycan King. Relief surged through me, almost overwhelming. He had come. He had found me. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I allowed myself to believe I might be safe. My trembling hands fell to my sides as I let out a shaky exhale. Sid, on the other hand, wasn’t so composed. His head whipped around, panic etched into every line of his face. “Security!” he barked, his voice cracking. “Where the hell are the bouncers?” No one answered. Callahan didn’t move
Callahan carried me down the stairs, his arms steady and secure despite the chaos of the night. I couldn’t explain it, but the moment he held me, the crushing weight of anxiety that had been suffocating me all evening began to lift. Exhaustion washed over me, heavy and inescapable. His footsteps were measured, quiet against the carpeted steps, but each one seemed to echo in my ears. I buried my face against his chest, letting the steady rhythm of his heartbeat anchor me. His scent, warm and woodsy, was oddly comforting. The party below carried on as if nothing had happened, laughter and music spilling through the air. No one had a clue about what had transpired upstairs. Callahan, with his controlled demeanor, seemed determined to keep it that way. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Sid sprawled on the floor, his body twitching, his eyes wide and lifeless with fear. His gaze followed me as Callahan descended the stairs, but I couldn’t bear to look at him any long
**My heart was racing, my breath catching in my throat.** His face was impossibly close, his golden eyes locked on mine, their intensity enough to unravel me. I froze, every muscle taut as if waiting for a command I couldn’t hear. Then his lips brushed my ear—just the faintest whisper of contact, soft and fleeting. The sensation sent a shiver coursing down my spine, stealing the breath from my lungs. I gasped before I could stop myself, heat blooming where his breath tickled my skin. What was this? I wasn’t even in heat, yet his proximity was unraveling every shred of my composure. Callahan didn’t move away. If anything, he leaned closer, crowding me until his presence was all I could feel. His lips, so maddeningly near, could be mine with the smallest shift. Just one turn of my head, one bold move… But no. His words echoed in my mind: *“Seduce me.”* The audacity of his challenge struck a raw nerve. Did he think I was Cynthia? Someone who played cheap games to gain his a
**My breath hitched in my throat as my heart began to race.** I couldn’t focus on anything except the proximity of Callahan. His face was so close now—barely an inch away—and I could feel his breath against my ear. The warmth of it sent a shiver down my spine, and my body went stiff in response. Then his lips brushed against my earlobe. It was just a whisper of a touch, but it was enough to make my pulse spike. My entire body seemed to react, to crave more, even though nothing was stirring inside me. Not in the way it used to. His presence consumed me, but he didn’t back away. No, he stayed right there, impossibly close. All I had to do was turn my head, lean just a little bit to the left—and I would be kissing him. But I wasn’t Cynthia. I wasn’t someone who could play games to make a man want me. His subtle challenge, that dangerous dare to seduce him, made my stomach churn. I refused to fall into that trap. I took a breath, but my hands still shook. I clenched them into
**Zenovia** I stared at him, trying to make sense of what he had just said. “You bought every single one of those dresses? In my wardrobe?” Callahan’s lips curled into a slow smile, his eyes glowing with something I couldn’t quite identify. “Every one of them, Zee. I know your measurements perfectly.” His words sent a chill down my spine, and my heart skipped a beat. His gaze lingered, but not on my eyes—no, it was lower. My dress had slipped down just a little during our heated kiss, revealing more of my skin. I could feel his gaze tracing the line of my exposed cleavage. I almost wanted to cover myself, but his eyes were too intense, too consuming. Then, I heard it—a low, almost animalistic growl. He immediately forced himself to look back up at my face, his expression darkening. “I want to see my mark on you.” A heat bloomed in my chest at his words, and before I could stop myself, I blurted, “Only if you kiss me.” Why had I said that? What was happening to me? Was
**Zenovia** His fingers traced the mark on my skin—slow, deliberate, sending shivers of sensation through me. Each soft touch felt impossibly intimate, a combination of tenderness and power that made me ache in ways I didn’t understand. I gasped when I felt the heat of his hand land on my backside, the sting sharp but followed by the warmth of his touch as he rubbed the spot. “Do you remember running away from me?” he asked, his voice a low growl that sent a thrill down my spine. “Ahh,” I whimpered as another slap followed the first, sharp and intoxicating. “Worrying me like that, Zee,” he continued, his tone stern. His hand fell again, the sting and warmth blending together in a way I couldn’t explain. I hated how much I craved it. The sharp pain spread through my skin, but then, just as quickly, his hand soothed the spot with gentle strokes, almost as though he was healing me from the inside out. I shouldn’t want this. It didn’t make sense. But every part of me lo
“What? No... please don’t leave me like this!” I pleaded, but Callahan didn’t even glance back at me. His movements were slow and methodical, as if unaffected by the tension hanging between us. He finished rolling his sleeves down, buttoned his shirt, and then, without another word, walked toward the driver’s seat.I was left standing there, a storm of frustration and confusion swirling inside me. Why had he left me hanging like this? The memory of his touch—the way his lips had kissed me, how he’d devoured me—still clung to my skin, leaving me feeling electric, alive, yet unfulfilled.The raw, intense feelings he’d sparked in me moments ago were still buzzing, but now they were abruptly snuffed out. I could still feel his hands on me, his mouth exploring my body. Every nerve in me ached for more. And yet, here I was—alone, watching him walk away as though nothing had happened. He didn’t even seem to care that I was burning with desire. It wasn’t just the physical frustration—it was
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