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
I stood there, stunned, as Elijah ended the call and slipped his phone back into his pocket. My heart skipped a beat, not from excitement, but from a gnawing unease.The name he had mentioned—the one I’d barely caught—had my ears ringing. Had I misheard? Or had Elijah just spoken to someone I didn’t expect?“Did the King give you another scolding?” I asked, trying to mask the concern in my voice, pretending I hadn’t overheard anything.Elijah shrugged, his gaze shifting away, not meeting mine. “Oh, no, nothing like that. Callahan had to leave for some urgent matters. Cynthia just... doesn’t want anyone disturbing them right now.” His words were dismissive, but they didn’t ease the growing knot in my stomach. Cynthia... I couldn’t ignore the strange tension in my chest. The way his voice faltered when he mentioned her—there was something there. Something I didn’t understand.“Is she... part of the official meetings?” I asked, trying to sound casual, though my heart was beginning to ra
I was taken aback, staring at the phone screen in confusion as Elijah pointed out the contact list. “I do?” I repeated, unsure what I was seeing.Elijah grinned. “Yeah, see? It’s already saved. You’ve got Callahan’s number here, along with Matt’s, Drusilla’s, and a few other pack contacts.”I blinked at the screen, trying to process it. “I never really checked the phone much. I don’t get calls or messages... It was just something to carry around, you know?” I mumbled, my cheeks heating up.“Well, once you awaken your wolf, you won’t need the phone anyway.” Elijah’s voice was teasing, but there was an underlying hint of something else, like he was trying to reassure me without saying it directly. I felt embarrassed, but the thought of awakening my wolf—a part of me I didn’t even understand—made my chest tighten. “Yeah, I guess... Probably when Callahan took me to the shop, he added his number to it,” I said quietly, not fully sure why I was still talking about it.Elijah seemed unf
I kept walking, my footsteps heavy with frustration, not even glancing behind me to see if anyone was following. I didn’t need to. I could feel his presence before I even heard him."Hey, where are you going?" Elijah's voice called out, a bit out of breath, but determined.I quickened my pace, ignoring him, trying to outrun the emotions flooding through me. I didn’t want to talk. I didn’t want to deal with anyone right now. But before I knew it, Elijah was right in front of me, blocking my path, his gaze unwavering.I felt the frustration bubbling up again, a mix of anger and hurt, and I wiped my eyes, hoping the tears that had threatened to spill wouldn’t betray me further."I’ve been calling your name for the last five minutes, and you're running away like I’m some kind of ghost," Elijah grumbled, his voice softer than usual, but still sharp enough to cut through the tension. He took a deep breath, clearly trying to hide his annoyance, but it was impossible to ignore. I couldn’t he
Zenovia stood motionless at the edge of the pack’s territory, her heart pounding in her chest as the pack members gazed at her from all directions. Each pair of eyes seemed to pierce into her very soul. She swallowed hard, her throat dry, and took a hesitant step forward. Elijah’s hand gently rested on her back, urging her onward. “They’re not going to bite you. Just go ahead,” he whispered, his voice warm but carrying an undercurrent of nerves.She offered him a nervous smile, a poor attempt to mask the anxiety eating away at her insides. Elijah cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the silent crowd.“This is Zenovia Archer,” he announced, his voice carrying authority. “She’s now part of our pack. Please, give her a warm welcome.”The pack members exchanged wary glances, but not a single word was spoken. An oppressive silence filled the air, thick with uncertainty and suspicion. Zenovia felt the weight of their gaze bearing down on her, as if they were all waiting for her to
Zenovia stood motionless at the edge of the pack’s territory, her heart pounding in her chest as the pack members gazed at her from all directions. Each pair of eyes seemed to pierce into her very soul. She swallowed hard, her throat dry, and took a hesitant step forward. Elijah’s hand gently rested on her back, urging her onward. “They’re not going to bite you. Just go ahead,” he whispered, his voice warm but carrying an undercurrent of nerves.She offered him a nervous smile, a poor attempt to mask the anxiety eating away at her insides. Elijah cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the silent crowd.“This is Zenovia Archer,” he announced, his voice carrying authority. “She’s now part of our pack. Please, give her a warm welcome.”The pack members exchanged wary glances, but not a single word was spoken. An oppressive silence filled the air, thick with uncertainty and suspicion. Zenovia felt the weight of their gaze bearing down on her, as if they were all waiting for her to
The tension was palpable as I stood in the courtyard of the pack house, feeling the weight of curious eyes on me. Elijah, seemingly unaware of my growing discomfort, continued forward with ease, his steps confident as ever. I followed him, though my mind was a whirl of doubts and anxieties. What was I doing here? I wasn’t even sure if I was supposed to be here. I had never met these people, and yet here I was, in their territory, looking like an outsider in a too-tight training outfit."Is everything okay?" Elijah asked, glancing back at me as we walked.I bit my lip nervously, shifting from one foot to the other. "I’m just... not sure they’ll like me," I admitted, my voice quiet.He chuckled, a reassuring smile on his face. "Of course they will. You’re with me, aren’t you? Everyone here knows me. They’ll respect you."I wanted to believe him, but the voices in my head, full of doubts, kept whispering that I didn’t belong here. Not in this pack. Not in Callahan’s world.As we continue
The door clicked shut behind me, and for the first time in hours, I felt my body release the tension that had built up inside. I leaned against the cool wood for a moment, breathing deeply. It felt like I was finally alone, away from the storm of thoughts and emotions that had been swirling inside me. I stumbled over to the bed and collapsed, letting my body sink into the softness of the mattress. I closed my eyes, hoping sleep would claim me quickly. But my mind had other plans. Instead of drifting into peaceful oblivion, I was bombarded with flashes of memories—fragments of a past I could never seem to escape.I saw my father, distant and cold, brushing aside my concerns as if they were nothing. I remembered the cruel words he’d spoken, telling me I wasn’t his blood, that I was nothing more than a reminder of a life he never wanted. Sid’s face followed—his twisted desire, his claim that he wanted me, that he’d protect me. I shuddered.As my mind raced through these memories, the on
“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
**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