MIKHAIL“Don't tell me you're actually going to send her on a hunt with Irene.” Landon’s voice echoed behind me. He walked right after me as we headed into the woods. Hadn't seen Ross in days, but her scent still lingered, even now like she was here. “It's a pack festival, what could go wrong.” I turned to stare at my brother, who was unusually worried about my breeder. Each time he was intensely worried, he'd furrow his brows and unconsciously clench his right fist. I stared downwards, tracing past his pants and fixed my gaze on his balled fist. “She has to hunt.” I glanced at my other brother, Xavier. He was so busy with his phone, I badly felt like punching him hard to reset his brain or something. “Xavier.” I hardened my voice and he paused, raising his calm eyes to stare at me. “Is something the matter?” “Put the fucking phone down.” Landon and I snapped at the same time, drawing a slight chuckle from my lips. Xavier slipped his phone into his pants and raised his hands in the
ROSANNE“I can't believe it.” I exhaled loudly, walking through the dense woods in my tank top and thick, skinny jeans. Tall trees rose out of the earth to brush the skies and sun dappled leaves created flickering shadows on the ground. I'd been walking for almost half an hour now, but I kept walking around in circles, bumping into the same mark I made on a tree several minutes ago. A small groan escaped my lips as I ran my fingers through my hair, messing it up. Mikhail wasn't just despicable and excessively naughty, he was such a pain in the ass. I heard the news of the hunt quite late, and when I figured he'd chosen me as well, I almost went berserk. I wasn't going to give in to him so easily. Caressing the rough bark of a tall tree, I inhaled sharply and willed myself to continue this journey. I had to find a rouge. I had to kill a rouge. “looking for something?” A familiar voice made a shudder run down my spine. I turned swiftly, meeting pale green eyes and fiery red hair—wh
MIKHAIL“There's a situation, Alpha Mikhail. It's been eight hours. Four men returned to the pack with a rogue each, six of them came empty handed, but we've not seen Irene and your breeder.” Since the pack warrior walked into my office, it was the first time I raised my head to stare at him. “What do you mean? Didn't you have CCTV camera’s stationed at some corners to ensure they were safe?” “All we heard was a loud growl before everything went dark. We lost the signal to the video as well.” Shit. I closed up the file I'd been staring at for a while and pushed my weight off the black leather chair. The pack warrior and I rushed outside my office, taking long strides towards the training field. If I had to find Irene and Ross, I'd need a few of my strongest men to get the job done.Almost immediately, as soon as I got there, a familiar red head collapsed on the ground with a dead rouge a few meters away from her. She got up again, dragged the rouge, but she had so many cuts and wo
ROSANNEA groan ripped out my lips as a splitting headache pinned me to a bed. Discomfort zapped down my spine, my chest tightening with every breath I took. My whole body ached like I'd been run down by a truck, and maybe I was. What the hell happened to me? The musky scent of blood mixed with the scent of sandalwood lingered in the air—almost like he was here. MIKHAIL. Slowly, I clutched the bedspread, trying to push myself up, then I saw it—the large bandage wrapped around my leg with slight blood stains on it. “What the—” then it started coming in—the memories. The rogue. Irene. That bitch. She'd taken advantage of the rouge, shot my legs with her crossbow and made a run out of the woods, leaving me all alone with the beast. The brown fur glistened under the sunlight—it was magnificent, but when it bared its teeth, I really thought that was the end. I didn't even want to think about what happened. I fought the beast and killed it myself, and Irene? She dragged it away, but I
MIKHAIL “It's got to be a joke!” Irene thundered, barging into my office like she always does, but this time, I sent a harsh glare her way, forcing her to quiet down immediately. Wrapped in a white, short tulip skirt and a grey bodycon top, she charged towards me, sharp heels brutally striking my tiles. “I heard something, Mikhail, and I'm here for some clarifications.”Placing my elbow on my desk, I leaned my head on my fist. “Is that why you've been throwing a tantrum?” She pressed her lips together and balled her hands into fists, pink nails sinking into her flesh. “It's important.” She gritted out, chest rising and falling, her red hair flowing down her shoulders. “I don't want to believe it, Mikhail.” Her voice became a desperate whine I didn't want to hear. “Tell me it's not true. Tell me you're not postponing the royal wedding.” “I am.” “No, No.” She took a few steps backwards, pinching the bridge of her nose as she found a balance. She clutched a leather chair before my
ROSANNEI overheard them. I overheard their entire conversation. Mikhail's voice still lingered in my ears, replaying like a bad song on repeat, and with how hard I tried to keep my tears at bay, I couldn't. He'd visited me almost everyday while I was still healing—silly me—and I'd thought he was finally changing towards me. I was beginning to see him in another light. I was beginning to understand him better. But now? I realized I was nothing but a breeder in his eyes. I wiped my tears harshly. I came to his office to tell him ‘thank you.’ It was a first, but really, he made sure to check up on me everyday. He made my heart race. Made shivers run down my spine. He made me laugh sincerely since the first time I stepped my foot into this hell, but right now, I figured he still wanted to use me. To fuck me. To ruin my whole life just so I could fill his whole house with pups. That was all he needed me for. Mikhail looked rather shocked to see me. It took a while for him to sh
MIKHAILThe annual banquet was in just a few days. For the rest of the week, I kept stamping invitations with my seal, handing them out to my Beta to make sure they were delivered to the Alphas of separate packs. Ross kept avoiding me like a plague. Her scent would linger in my nostrils for a brief second, but before I could step out of my room, it would turn faint—almost like she didn't just walk past my room. “How's the preparation for the banquet coming up?” Landon crossed his legs casually, his fingers loosely wrapped around a glass of scotch. The amber liquid glistened under the ray of the sun seeping through the windows, but that wasn't what caught my attention. It was Ross’s eyes. Amber. Just like the glass of scotch staring back at me. “Khail.” Landon snapped his fingers in front of me, a small smirk plastered on his lips. “You're not one to zone out in the middle of a conversation.” I groaned, running my hands through my hair. “Have you seen Ross?” I shouldn't be askin
ROSANNEThe fresh scent of sandalwood assaulted my nostrils. I woke up with a slight groan, my head banging, whole body hurting like I'd been smashed by a truck. I knew this place. With the soft, dim lightening, the lingering scent of sandalwood and this large space, I could tell it was Mikhail's room. Mikhail's room. The demon's room. I got up almost immediately, pushing the comforter off my legs, but as soon as I placed my legs on the ground, my vision doubled, legs swaying like they had no more strength in them. “What's happening?” I whispered, placing a palm over my forehead, but I pulled away quickly, stunned by how high my temperature was. “I wouldn't stand if I were you.” Mikhail strode into his room with a covered pink tray, looking as magnetic as ever in his black shirt and pants. His dark hair fell over his face, the dripping edges indicating that he'd just washed them. It explained the fresh scent of sandalwood and shampoo. Reluctantly, I sat back on the bed and kep
ROSANNEEarlier, a maid had brought me into a large and spacious room where Mikhail and I would be staying. I'd been here for a few hours, but Mikhail hadn't barged into the room to check on me.He didn't place some guards outside the door to keep me from walking around, and he also didn't bugg my phone with incessant texts to check how I was doing. As much as I felt uneasy here, I'd never felt so free in my whole life. The air was different, the room was different, the whole space was different. I stood before the sink and wiped my mouth with some water, inhaling a deep breath to calm myself. For some reason, I was glad I didn't have an episode when Mikhail was close to me. He'd probably realize I was pregnant and lock me up forever—which I definitely wasn't allowing to happen. My stomach was starting to budge. It was just a small raise, but my tummy wasn't completely flat anymore. I was starting to gain some fat as well. How long was I going to plan my escape? There was pract
MIKHAILI stepped out of the shower with a towel around my waist, eyes trailing over the woman packing up her things. Her hair was in a messy bun, her big tee making me want to pin her against the bed and fuck her hard. It'd been a few days since my encounter with Landon, he was out of my hair, out of the pack house, out of Rosanne's life. Rosanne stopped resisting. She managed to smile at me a few minutes ago, but it still seemed forced—like right now. She puffed out a breath and shoved her underwear into the traveling bag. “We're only spending three days there, right?” Alpha Zayne had invited me for his daughter's wedding week. He was a friend of my father before his death, an Alpha who indulged in women just like me. But strangely, after meeting Rosanne, I didn't want anyone else. I only wanted her. All of her. Alpha Zayne wanted me to show up at the wedding because his daughter and I were childhood friends. He wanted to surprise her, but I was only in on this deal because Ros
ROSANNEThe truth sank deeper like a knife twisting my insides. “Even death can't snatch you away from me.” I wiped my tears harshly, slamming the door on the statue like men guarding Mikhail's room. I sank into the plush couch and wept, scratching my polished nails on my own skin. Nothing would get me away from here. Even in death, Mikhail would definitely drag me back. He'd try his best to make sure I'm still alive and show me hell over and over again. I wiped my tears again, taking slow strides towards the balcony. From there, I could see Landon fighting without a shirt—as usual. He overpowered all the men there, his attacks sharp and brutal, but it wasn't to the point of causing damage. He even helped a warrior when he could barely stand. Landon was different. A different kind of different. He made my heart skip a beat effortlessly, something Mikhail achieved by enslaving me. I'd always wanted to sit and have a talk with him. A long conversation that'd settle everything, ou
MIKHAIL“You're going to love it.” I tilted my head slightly, one arm around the steering wheel as I gazed at her, “I promise.” Rosanne exhaled softly, tightening her grip on the seatbelt like I never fulfilled my promises—like she'd rather be in hell than go out with me—like I never gave her the chance to make a choice. “Okay.” She didn't argue, didn't refuse. She just nodded like an obedient cat desperate to survive the harsh weather.The streets bustled with life as usual. Loud horns kept blaring across the streets, the sidewalk was packed with pedestrians, and a few students kept staring at me through the windows with amusement in their eyes. Great. I turned to Rosanne—who looked like she had a rainy cloud hovering above her—and pressed my lips tightly, “You’ve never said a full sentence to me for the past week, Rosanne.” “Taking me out isn't going to change anything. You're keeping me caged—like an animal.” She gestured, placing a palm over her neck. “It's suffocating, I can
LANDONThe dimly lit bar was filled with the soft murmurs of conversations, clinking of glasses and loud music blasting through the speakers. It'd never been my kind of place, but I needed a distraction. Anything to get my mind off her.Rosanne.Staring down at my untouched whiskey in a transparent glass, a soft sigh escaped my lips. I should be anywhere but here. But at least here, I didn’t have to see her sitting between me and Mikhail, looking like she wanted to disappear.I brought the glass to my lips, letting the burn coat my throat. It didn’t help. Never did. "You look like you need a distraction ."I turned to my side, my gaze locking onto the woman who had slid onto the stool beside me. She was a blonde with pale blue eyes and soft curves. She smelled exotic, expensive, like someone who had always used her beauty to get everything she ever wanted. The opposite of her. I smirked, tilting my head, "And you look like someone who enjoys giving them."She leaned in slightly, th
ROSANNE‘I can't understand him anymore. Sometimes he's warm, other times he's utterly cold, it hurts my chest.’I knew he wasn't just doing this to keep me safe. He was toxic. And it was starting to suffocate me. He was too afraid I'd leave, get down with Landon instead, but he was only making it worse. The dining hall was eerily quiet, I literally heard my heartbeat in my own ears. The only sounds were the constant clinking of cutlery and the scraping of chairs against the ground. Sitting right in the middle of Mikhail and Landon made my skin prickle with unease, the urge to bury myself in this seat burning against my chest. Landon hadn't said a word since Mikhail invited him for dinner. I didn't say any either. But Mikhail was composed. Infact, his posture was so relaxed, you'd think we were a peaceful couple having a wonderful dinner—it was far from the truth. I hadn't touched my spoon for the past few minutes, but Mikhail kept placing small pieces of meatball on my plate
LANDONI walked into the war room for a normal meeting with the elders, but Rosanne was there, sitting quietly next to Mikhail. She wasn't staring around, not speaking, she was just there—like a piece of furniture. It was the first time Mikhail brought her to a meeting. What the hell was going on? The warriors and the elders were tense, each of them staring at the porcelain beauty sitting right next to him. It was probably because they were used to Rosanne being locked away, but now, she was here, just sitting. I settled into a leather chair and kept my eyes fixed on Rosanne. I'd tried not to react each time I saw her, but I couldn't control it. Mikhail started the meeting like nothing unusual was going on, but elders kept staring at him, the warriors included. And Rosanne? She began to scan the war room like she was searching for some sort of exit.I'd been away for only a few days and a lot had changed? “Rogues are starting to cross the line.” Mikhail began, his monotone voic
ROSANNEIt'd been a full week and Mikhail's new rule was starting to suffocate me. We slept together each day, but we spent most of the time arguing. He wanted me caged—his own way of keeping me safe—but I wanted freedom. And he didn't just want me safe, he wanted to own me, to make me understand the fact that I belonged to him alone. He wasn't in the room during this peaceful morning, but his scent still lingered in the air. On my skin. Everywhere. I was sure his guards were outside, eagerly waiting for me to try to come up with an excuse to leave again. Mikhail didn't just restrict me from going to the training field, he restricted me from going anywhere. Sitting in this same room for the past week was starting to drive me insane. Pushing the comforter aside, I hurried towards the door. As soon as I pressed down the doorknob, about four strong men filled my vision. The same men that'd been guarding me for the past week. I sank my nails into my flesh and tried to walk outside, bu
MIKHAILHer answer was NOI wiped the small dagger in my hands, eyes fixed on the sharp silver blade. “the truth is—I don't know if I regret it or not.” Her answer still echoed in my ears. It was haunting. I didn't know why the fuck I cared if she regretted being with me or not. It made me uneasy for quite a long time. “If you're going to kill me, it's better you get this over with.” The rouge I'd asked Matthias to take away sneered, his wounded lips dripping with blood. I'd been here for only half an hour, but I took my time to wipe my dagger. “I'll start with a simple question.” I finally stopped cleaning my dagger and faced him. His hair was wet due to the sweat coating his forehead, T-shirt and pants soaked with the liquid that's turned to a darker shade. Blood. “Who sent you here?” “No one.” He spat through gritted teeth, his eyes blazing with flames. He wriggled his chained wrists like he could get out the wooden chair, the screeching sound ripping through the air. “No fuck