Hera’s POV I couldn’t help but stare at him, my mind reeling from his admission. Did he just accept me as his mate? There was an intensity in his eyes that I could not decipher. It made me feel exposed as if he could see through me. I didn’t want him to read me. His confession confused me. Why did his actions prove the opposite? If he considered me his mate, why didn’t he react to me? Why didn’t he kiss me? Why didn’t he mark me? Would I have to wait all my life for my mate’s loving touch? I felt disappointed in the Moon Goddess. All my life I had looked up to her, and prayed to her for a loving mate. I never imagined I would be tied to someone who would always hate me. I wanted to protest.“No, I’m just your enemy. I’m not your mate. You brought me here to punish me, to kill me. I know you hate me. Let me go, Felixe,” I screamed, feeling unwanted and unhappy. I tried hard to wrench myself free, but he just grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me towards him. Before I could real
Felixe’s POV I clasped her tightly to my body. It was strange how she molded perfectly into me as if we were the missing pieces of a jigsaw puzzle united at last. Maybe that was what a mate was! My better half! Now that I found my better half, I didn’t want to let go. A fierce need to protect her from my stepmother’s clutches started gnawing at me. I had to keep them at bay! I could feel her retreating and gripped her tightly, not willing to let her go. The kiss we had shared earlier had me shaken up to the core. I tried staying away from her, yet it didn’t work. Dan’s call to warn me of my stepmother’s presence in Yellowknife had me worried. I went to meet Dan and find out more about her. How would I know she was planning to attack Hera right at my apartment? My threats and the biological weapon I possessed scared them away, but for how long? I know they would be back again. My stepmom wanted the company and the money I earned through sheer hard work. She might have depleted my f
Hera’s POVFelixe stood leaning against the doorframe of his bedroom, watching me walk into mine. I had no idea why he completed the cleaning up in the blink of an eye! Now, when he was done, he just watched me like a hawk in silence. I knew he wasn’t happy that I didn’t sleep with him. How could I? We might be mates, but we weren’t exactly close. One heated kiss wasn’t enough to make me sleep with him! He was still my captor and I, his captive. “What if they return?” A shudder went down my spine, but I put up a brave face before him. “They won’t. Dan is there on guard.” He rolled his eyes at me. Maybe he thought I hadn’t overheard him talking to his bodyguard. “Are you sure you won’t be scared?” I nodded with a brief hesitation. Did he think I was a helpless young wolf who needed the protection of a male? I was a capable warrior who fought alongside my twin. I had royal blood coursing through my veins. “You underestimate me.” He shrugged, looking a little crestfallen as if he wa
Hera’s POV The feel of his warm tongue on my neck felt so good, I couldn’t stop the moan from escaping my lips. Now was the time to satisfy our burning needs for each other. For days we had been restraining ourselves, but not anymore. I knew this was the moment I had been waiting all my life when my fated mate would mark me! I would belong to someone for life! “Tell me what you want, Hera!” His voice was low, vibrating, close to my ear. It made the world stop moving around me. At that moment, all I could feel was the way his massive c*ck was pressed to my dripping-wet entrance. The thought of him marking me had me aroused. “You, Felixe! I’ve always wanted you.” A raw sound of need escaped his throat. He held my heated gaze with his fiery one. My heart skipped a beat, and I couldn’t look away. “And I’ve wanted you!” He dipped his head and claimed my lips in an earth-shattering kiss that made my head swoon. His tongue plunged inside my mouth and I tangled my fingers in his hair, alr
Felixe’s POV I stared at the beautiful creature the Moon Goddess had blessed me with. She was my life now. I never expected I would have a mate. All my life, I stayed away from females as they disgusted me. Not one of them had the guts to face my feral aura. But my Hera was so different. She had the guts to fight me even when I had abducted her, terrorized her, and kept her imprisoned. Her innocence bowled me over. She wasn’t much younger than me, yet she had saved herself for me, her mate! With her good looks, she could have chosen anyone, yet she didn’t. Her nature, her simplicity, and the purity of her soul floored me. The moment I was inside her, I knew I was home. I never felt so aroused in my life as I felt every time I was near her. Tonight my c*ck felt so painful, as if it was being ripped apart. After an excruciating sensation of pain, I started knotting her. It was the most exquisite moment for me.I knew she was mine to knot forever. I was addicted to her and the knot re
Felixe’s POV Reluctantly, I took Dan’s call, knowing I would have to leave Hera alone here and rush to the office right away. I couldn’t trust my stepmother at all. She could do anything. I had no idea what she had against me! A confrontation that had been simmering under the surface for so long would finally find a vent today. I had always avoided a one-to-one interaction with her in the past, but not anymore. Unless I met her, she wouldn’t stop tormenting us. “Yes, Dan.” “Ebony called me, Felixe. She wants to meet you urgently now or she’ll drop in at your apartment.” My heart filled up with dread. No, I wouldn’t want her here. If she could set her home on fire, she could do anything. “Call her and inform her I’ll meet her at my office in twenty minutes. In the meantime, tighten the security around here, Dan.” Dan grunted in frustration yet disconnected the call to do my bidding. With a helpless sigh, I served the breakfast I made and carried it to Hera, only to find her fast a
Felixe’s POV Everything fell into place. I found most of the answers to the questions that had been hounding me for the last thirty-two years of my life. But after hearing Ebony, new queries started flitting across my mind, driving me crazy.Ebony’s revelation was shocking! I hadn’t expected my life to be under such a serious threat. The Flame Hounds burned whoever crossed their paths. They were a force to be reckoned with while I was just an Alpha Shifter wolf! I hardly had any special powers to counterattack them. All I had with me was the biological weapon my only friend, Derrick Staten, had given me.“Can’t we negotiate a way out? What if I offer them extra money for my life?” Ebony scoffed and paced the floor. It didn’t seem she wanted me to be free. “You will have to pay the price of your mother’s misdeeds. There’s no way out, Felixe.” Darkness came down over my vision and clung to the side of my desk for support. “Then why are they after my mate?” She laughed, but there was
Felixe’s POV I drove over to my apartment with my heart and mind battling against one another for dominion. My heart wanted to be with Hera while my mind prodded me to relinquish my hold on her. I might have just met her, but the way my feral heart connected to hers within the brief time span, I knew I was into her for life. It wasn’t easy to sever all ties with her. The heartache would surely kill me. I parked my car and looked around for my guards. Where were Dan and his wolves? Didn’t I ask them to keep a constant vigil in my absence? My heart filled with dread and I rushed up to my apartment. Was my mate safe? I just hoped she was! At that point, my mind won over my heart and I knew the wisest thing would be to release Hera from this trauma. She would be safe with her brother in Lucania! I reached my apartment to see Dan missing and Joe lying in a pool of blood. His still body proved he was no more. I panicked and took out my keys to unlock the door. To my utter horror, the doo
Hera’s POV I closed my eyes and lay down in my bedroom, listening to everyone enjoying the outside. My birthday celebrations have been the most enjoyable ones so far. Felixe had made arrangements to celebrate Zephyrus’s birthday too, in the same grand style as mine. His cake differed from mine and so were his treats. In fact, he received more gifts than I did! After the cake cutting, I could hardly stand straight. The pain in my pelvic region spread all over my lower abdomen and they carried me to my bedroom. I tried hard to sleep, but the pain started getting worse. Felixe had gone out to get a doctor since mine wasn’t taking his call. “Try deep breathing, Hera! Felixe will bring the doctor over soon. I think you’ll deliver tonight,” said Ebony, stroking my hair off my face. Even Hazel sat with me, trying to relieve the pain with the compress. This time nothing was working! I felt like I was dying! “I’m scared, Ebony. Please, I don’t want to die!” Tears pricked at my eyes and st
Hera’s POV The next two days we all spent together, bonding and enjoying ourselves. Being with everyone made me forget my fear of delivery. Despite the chaos all around, it was Felixe who was always there to support me, to help me. He took a couple of days off from work to bond with all of us. I was indeed indebted to him. Finally, it was my birthday, and the wishes and gifts kept pouring in right from the morning. Lyra might have spoken to Felixe about her predicament since she accompanied him to the office last morning. I could feel Leandros going into a shell day by day. It was obvious he needed help, but it was his own battle. He had to seek help from Zeph or Felixe. I couldn’t interfere in his matters. “Hera, come on, let’s go for a stroll!” said Hazel, walking into my room. With the celebration scheduled in the evening, I was trying to save some energy for the event. “No, Hazel. I’m feeling a little pain in my pelvic area every time I walk. Maybe I should rest a little now
Hera’s POV Tears of happiness pooled in my eyes, and I looked around for my family. I had no idea Felixe had done so much for me while I was unnecessarily doubting him. The guests whom I heard upstairs were none other than my family. While I was sleeping, oblivious to their presence, my mate had arranged for my happiness. “Keep all negative thoughts out of your mind now, Hera. You shouldn’t stress so much about your delivery. It will have a harmful effect on your babies. You don’t want them to feel your stress, right? They’ll be stressed too.” I looked at Ebony and nodded. Yes, she was right. I had been worrying too much lately. I didn’t want it to have an adverse effect on my pups. “We’ve booked the most advanced multispecialty hospital for you, Hera. I’m sure if there’s any complication, the doctor can sort it out. There’s no need to worry so much. Felixe will be with you in the birthing room while we all will be there outside for you,” said Derrick. I wiped my tears and smiled
Hera’s POV As the days went by, my mobility became more and more hindered. If it weren’t for the therapy classes, I would have been bedridden. This wasn’t fun at all. Felixe, Ebony, and Stella took care of me every step of the way. My birthday was two days later, but I had no enthusiasm left in my body to look forward to it. I would just call my twin and wish him. It was strange that he hadn’t called me once in the last one month. What was he so busy with? After my delivery, I would definitely fight with him if I were alive. “Hera, what’s wrong? Felixe wanted you ready in the evening.” I gaped at Stella, having completely forgotten about it. He had asked me on a date before leaving for work. I had been so preoccupied with my condition, I completely forgot about it. “I can’t go out, Stella.” She smiled, sorting through my closet for the perfect dress. None of them were perfect. I hated my body now. The wish to dress up for my mate had gone forever. What was the use? I could never l
Hera’s POV The main door opened, and Stella rushed out to help unload the luggage. “It feels so good to see you, Hera! Oh my! When are you due?” she exclaimed at the sight of me. “Next month! Give me a hug now!” We hugged one another when Ebony came out. I hadn’t been introduced to her formally yet we knew one another. The few brief encounters we had before were enough. She smiled at me warmly. “Welcome home, Hera, Felixe! Finally, we’ll live together like a family.” “Thank you for joining us here on such short notice, Ebony!” I said, a little awkwardly. It was the first time I was interacting with her positively. “Don’t thank me at all. I’m happy to be here with you. There’s so much to do, I’m excited. Did you book your delivery at the hospital here?” I glanced at my clueless mate. “Oh! I’ll do it right away,” he said, and Ebony ushered me inside. “We can go tomorrow to the hospital nearby, Felixe.” He smiled at his stepmother, looking relieved. “We’ve got the nursery
Hera’s POV We spent our days and nights basking in our love for the next two days. Yet I couldn’t get enough of my mate. Each day, I discovered a new side to his nature. I longed to go home, but the doctor wanted to perform a few tests before he permitted me. So we waited patiently for the reports before announcing it to the family. “The house is now ready for us to move in. Do you want to see the pictures?” asked Felixe as he joined me on the terrace outside. The sun was about to set and we gazed at the spectacular view all around us. “Yes, please.” He showed me our home, making me gasp with longing. All I wanted was to go to our new home with him. I wanted my pups born there. “I can imagine us living there already! When will the reports arrive?” I was impatient to leave while Felixe seemed to be in no hurry. Although he had a business to look after, he showed no impatience for me. He managed everything expertly online. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll collect them and consult the doc
Felixe’s POV Hera’s kiss was the elixir I needed to get through the day. She kissed me so passionately that I could feel her selfless love reflected in her warm kiss. It made my heart swell with happiness. For the first time, I felt happy to be alive on my birthday. It was surprising indeed. For thirty-two years of my life, I had been considering myself the most unwanted and worthless wolf alive. I hated my birthday. I hid from the world every year on this day. It wasn’t a hard task since no one cared about me or wished me. However, this time, I battled with my inner self. Although I was used to disappearing, this time I couldn’t. The entire day I spent with her family, watching her closely. She looked so happy and I knew it was because of me. The way her eyes searched for me in everything she did made me stay around her. I didn’t feel unwanted anymore. I didn’t feel worthless at all. At least, someone in the world considered me her world. She would perish without me. It made me g
Hera’s POV We walked into our suite, hand-in-hand, looking forward to igniting the magic we shared. The last time we connected was in Lucania. It seemed a long time ago. I really missed him too much.The moment he closed the door, my heartbeats sped up in anticipation. He slowly turned around to face me and my breath hitched at seeing the fire in his eyes. I knew he was burning for me just as I was. Slowly, he approached me while I stood rooted to the spot, ready to surrender to him. He stopped inches from me, his gaze roaming over my features tenderly. “Let’s make memories, Hera! I want to resume where we left off. Will it hurt too much if we make love?” His fingers caressed my cheek, trailing down to my bottom lip. I nodded, closing my eyes at his touch. “I want you to make love to me, Felixe.” When I looked up to meet his eyes, I noticed the satisfaction reflected there. He looked blissfully happy! “I’ll be gentle!” Of course, I knew that. I trusted him even with my eyes close
Hera’s POV We strolled hand-in-hand on the terrace, enjoying each other’s company. I waited for him to answer my question. “You know it all, Hera! I’m not very articulate about my feelings, but I try to show you through my actions. When we met, I was a totally different wolf. I wanted to kill you that night, but your beauty, your innocence, and your sass drive me crazy. That night, I instantly knew you were my mate, and I was head over heels in love with you. I didn’t know it then because I never experienced love before. I lost my mother when I was quite young and my stepmother, Ebony, thought me too feral to live with them. She drove me away from home to a rehabilitation center for treatment. For years, I spent my life there, unwanted, unloved, and bitter. I met Derrick there, and he was all I had. As I grew, I became cold, and vengeful, until I lost my family in a fire. It was much later that I knew the truth. Ebony sent me away to protect me from the Flame Hounds.” I listened i