CHAPTER 17 - AUTHOR POV.Davina's fingers trailed lightly over the map sprawled out on the table, her brow furrowed in concentration. "So the Humans Firsters have been spotted here, and here," she said, tapping two locations on the map. "And you said there were more of them than expected?"Klaus nodded grimly. "Nathaniel reported that the numbers were greater than we anticipated. They're clearly gearing up for a full-scale assault."Cael let out a low growl. "Those bastards. They have no idea what they're up against."Nathaniel, who was standing beside Cael, placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Easy. Getting worked up won't help us now. We need to focus on strategy."Klaus appreciated Nathaniel's level-headed approach. As much as he wanted to tear the Humans Firsters apart with his bare hands, he knew that keeping a cool head would be crucial in the battles to come."Nathaniel's right," Klaus said, his gaze sweeping across the faces of his most trusted advisors. "We need to be tact
As Davina sat in her room, poring over the maps and books she had collected from the library, her mind raced with the possibilities of escape. She knew she had to act fast if she wanted to leave the castle before the General and his followers discovered her absence. The stakes were high, and she couldn't afford to make any mistakes.She studied the maps intently, committing the layout of the castle to memory. Every corridor, every room, every possible exit was etched into her mind, a mental blueprint for her escape. But as she plotted her route, doubts crept in. Would she be able to navigate the maze-like halls without getting caught? Could she really outsmart the werewolves who guarded the castle?A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts, causing her heart to skip a beat. It was Lucas, her ever-watchful guard, his expression neutral as he entered the room. Davina forced a smile, feigning interest in the books she had borrowed. "Lucas, do you mind if I ask you a question about wer
Klaus couldn’t wait to get to Davina, but his people threw one obstacle after another into his path. He’d hoped to eat dinner with her, but now dinner was long past. That wouldn’t stop him, though. As he strode toward her room, finally done with all the distractions, he called Ivy to have champagne and strawberries delivered and to have someone come and start a fire in Davina’s fireplace. He wanted everything to be perfect.He couldn’t guarantee they’d make love tonight. If she didn’t want to, then they wouldn’t. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t try to seduce her and at least pave the way for making her completely his in the near future. And maybe, if he played his cards right, he could make her his tonight.His stomach flip-flopped as he nodded at Heath and knocked on Davina’s door. Their relationship so far had been contentious. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. And even though he’d now accepted that he would never give her up, she knew nothing of his visit to the Elders or the ch
Klaus brushed his fingertips along the top edges of her bra. “Very pretty. Are all your bras like this?”She paused a second, just long enough for him to remember that this was the only bra she had with her, then said, “I like pretty lingerie. It makes me feel good and no one can see it. Not too lacey, though. Lace scratches my skin.”He’d buy her dressers full of lingerie, pretty things that only the two of them would ever see. And maybe some naughty items, too.His fingers stroked her, moving over her bra and finding the hard nub of her nipple underneath. “It would be a sin to scratch skin as soft as yours.” He ran his fingernail over her nipple, just a light flick.“That feels good.” Her voice sounded a little breathless.“I’ll remember that.” He wanted to know everything that made her feel good, that made her squirm and want him. And he didn’t know if it would be more fun to discover each touch and lick that turned her on or to know them and play her like an instrument, one orgasm
What had started out as a seduction had become so much more. Davina could barely remember her goal of leaving; she could think of nothing but Klaus. Kissing him, holding him–she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so completely safe, so loved.And there was the problem, of course. How could she knowingly hurt a man like Klaus? He wasn’t some ruthless captor. She genuinely liked him. But when she left him, she’d hurt him deeply.She wanted to stay.But she couldn’t. Too many people would die. If she left, she had the chance of stopping this war before it got started.Klaus broke their kiss, changing it into a series of small nips and pecks. His hand gripped her hip and pinned her to the floor. “Now stop, little minx. I want to see you.” He reared up on his elbow and gazed at her, starting at her face and moving slowly down her body. It almost felt like he touched her as he went along, yet his hand stayed firm on her hip, holding her in place.Davina shivered.“Cold?”“No.” Her v
Klaus couldn’t wait to get to Davina, but his people threw one obstacle after another into his path. He’d hoped to eat dinner with her, but now dinner was long past. That wouldn’t stop him, though. As he strode toward her room, finally done with all the distractions, he called Ivy to have champagne and strawberries delivered and to have someone come and start a fire in Davina’s fireplace. He wanted everything to be perfect.He couldn’t guarantee they’d make love tonight. If she didn’t want to, then they wouldn’t. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t try to seduce her and at least pave the way for making her completely his in the near future. And maybe, if he played his cards right, he could make her his tonight.His stomach flip-flopped as he nodded at Heath and knocked on Davina’s door. Their relationship so far had been contentious. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. And even though he’d now accepted that he would never give her up, she knew nothing of his visit to the Elders or the ch
Aislinn lay beside Darius, fighting the urge to sleep. He hadn’t been kidding about staying up. But finally, his breathing evened into a regular rhythm telling her he’d fallen asleep.After everything they’d done that night, she felt guilty leaving him, as though she were betraying him. She didn’t know how bad he’d hurt if his mate left him but it must be bad. At the same time, she couldn’t stay. There were too many things stacked against them.She slowly sat up, disentangling herself from him. He lay on his side and had had his arms and one leg wrapped around her. As she shifted, he rolled onto his back, one arm flung wide while the other rested on his bare abs.How could she leave him? She didn’t know how this was supposed to work for humans who were werewolves’ mates. Was it normal for her to feel so attached to him? Was he right about the magic that bound him to her—did it also bind her to him? Because even though she knew she had to go, she couldn’t make herself leave the bed.Sh
Klaus floated in a haze of bliss. He had his mate in his arms, his mark on her shoulder, and everything was right with the world.Soon, he’d push himself to full consciousness and wake his little woman for another round. If she thought they were done for the night, she’d better think again. But for now, he’d content himself with a light nap while he gathered his strength.He’d drifted for a while, how long he didn’t know, when Davina stirred. She sat up and gazed at him. Not quite ready to start making love again, he rolled to his back and let her look her fill. He concentrated on keeping his breathing slow and steady, wondering what she’d do. Try to seduce him? If she looked much longer, his cock would rise to the occasion sooner than he’d planned.Then she got out of bed. He cracked his eyes to see her dressing. Where did she think she was going?Out, apparently. He feigned sleep while she opened the door and slipped into the hallway. The pain that stabbed through his heart nearly s