“Happy Birthday, my dearest Harold,” I whispered to myself, practicing the line I would say as I clutched the gift tighter. A luxury watch, engraved with my hubby’s name. Today was the birthday of my husband, Harold Gutcheri, the alpha of the Clawstone pack, a famous pack here in Nebraska. I remembered the time when I was told by my beta father that I would become the next Luna of the pack once Harold ascends the position of the Alpha.It was a quick wedding that took off between our families, and even our mating ceremony happened not before long. It was just that, every single time we make love, nothing passionate ever comes out of it. Harold always ends up reaching his climax quickly before I could even cum. There are moments when I question myself if I was even good enough for my husband, which was why right now, I want to try and persuade him to make love with me again after I give him his birthday gift.Elation came within me as I returned to our house with the small box in my
A day after I walked out of that house, leaving Harold and his bitch mistress in their elicit affair. The sting of Harold’s rejection still lingered within me, but the weight that had lifted from my chest was undeniable. I realized that I was finally free despite how the pain from his rejection still simmered just below the surface. And it was that kind of hurt that led me straight to my bestfriend’s place, Wella, with a bottle of vodka in my hand and I was all ready to drown my sorrows with the only person in the world who would certainly understand what I was going through.“He did fucking what?” Wella practically screeched as her eyes grew exaggeratingly wide. I could see the disbelief in her expression as I told her all about what I saw earlier. “I can’t believe that motherfucker was using you this whole time for his own gain?”I quickly nodded while I felt the burn of embarrassment crept up my cheek. "Yep, I was too naive to realize that earlier, Harold had just used me like a
As Wella went to take a morning shower, I was left at the living area having some headache on what I should do. My phone rested in my trembling hand, its screen black, as I paced the room while my heart kept pounding in my chest. The weight of Dominic’s last message hung over me like a dark cloud. ‘The lingerie looks good. Even more good if I show it to Alpha Harold.’My breath hitched at the memory of the message. I just made a terrible and most dumbest mistake—a drunken, foolish mistake to be exact—and now I was at the mercy of a beta who clearly knew how to exploit my fear with just one respond. Panic quickly clawed my throat, and the gnawing dread that my husband learn of what I did, of how I sent those pictures to Dominic by mistake made me scared to the bones. My thoughts raced, scrambling for a way out, but every option seemed to collapse under the weight of Dominic’s simple but dreadful threat.While I was deep in my thought, my phone suddenly rang, snapping me back to the r
The weight of the moment hung heavily in the air, as I was surprised to see him already standing before me when I turned around around.“I want an answer, Elisse. You can’t leave this room without agreeing with me.” Dominic replied.I tried to back away from him but he quickly curled his arms around my waist and blocking my attempt to keep some distance between us.“Why are you doing this? Huh? Why are you hitting on me, Dominic?” I pushed him away, feeling a mix of anger and confusion. “You know I’m Harold’s mate. Your alpha! What kind of loyalty is that?” I had to lie despite the fact that Harold had already rejected me.His lips twisted into a smirk, and I could see a challenge flicker in his eyes. “Loyalty? Is that what you call it? You think he deserves you?”I folded my arms, frustrated. “Harold has his flaws, but he’s still my mate.” I lied again.“Flaws? The Alpha’s a complete idiot to make you feel like you’re not wanted and compelled you to do such things,” Dominic shot back
DOMINIC’S POVOne day ago…The night wrapped around me like a comforting shroud as I retired to my room. The dim glow of the full moon spilled through the window, casting soft shadows across my bed. I sank into the cool sheets, ready to let the day’s exhaustion take over, damn that Alpha Harold had me taken care of meeting up with the elders again when it was supposed to be his business. And just as I was about to close my eyes, my phone buzzed incessantly on the bedside table.“What the hell could he want again?” I murmured, reaching for the device thinking it was Harold once more.The screen lit up, and my breath caught in my throat as I saw the flood of notifications. Suddenly, curiosity washed over me as most of the messages were from a person I least expect to message me—Luna Elisse.To my confusion, all of it were image attachment.And with a flick of my thumb, I opened the images. I was immediately met with a series of nude photos—of Elisse’s, my alpha’s mate, in nothing but s
The air between us felt thick with intensity as Dominic’s lips traced a line down my neck, igniting a rush of shivers that I couldn’t control. I wanted to protest, to push him away. Yet the warmth of his touch, the way his eyes captured mine with a fierce possession, scattered my thoughts, leaving only the thrill of his presence.His hand moved from my shoulder to cup my chin, lifting it until I had no choice but to meet his gaze. His eyes were a shade darker, feral but calculating, assessing. “You put yourself in danger back there, Elisse.” His voice was low, almost a growl. “Do you even realize what could have happened if I hadn’t arrived?”I fought for my voice, though I could still feel the weight of his touch, holding me captive. “I didn’t… think things would get out of hand,” I stammered, more to myself than to him. The truth was, it had started as an attempt to reclaim some sense of control, to rebel against the quiet neglect Harold left behind. But now, under Dominic’s gaze, I
The night was quiet as we drove farther away from the city, a stretch of road surrounded by thick trees and darkened hills. With every mile, we were sinking deeper into a place far from any familiar territory. The tension in the car felt tangible, and Dominic’s silence only heightened the unease curling in my chest. When he finally spoke, it was in a low, steady voice, almost as if he’d sensed the questions twisting inside me.“Do you regret this, Elisse?” he asked, his gaze fixed on the road. “Coming with me?”I hesitated, my eyes drawn to his profile as he drove. “Regret… isn’t the right word,” I murmured, unsure myself of what I meant. The emotions I felt were too complicated to untangle, a mess of desire, guilt, and a longing I didn’t want to admit to. “I don’t know what I feel.”Dominic’s jaw tightened, a muscle working as he absorbed my words. “I know what I feel,” he said, voice laced with quiet intensity. “I want you safe. Away from him. And I want you to feel what it’s like t
The days passed, but the mark Dominic had left on my neck refused to fade. I had taken to wearing high collars and scarves, but Dominic’s mark stayed, as if unwilling to let go of its claim on me. Life with my husband, Harold had continued as well, though it had become even more strained. There was an unspoken tension between us, an almost mocking civility, as if he was daring me to say something, to admit I knew the truth of his neglect and his contempt.Then, one morning, a summons arrived. Harold wanted to see me in his study. I knew what awaited me—after everything that had happened, after years of silence and resentment, there could only be one reason he’d called me there. For the Divorce.The thought of it should have brought relief, maybe even a sense of freedom. But as I walked down the long hallway toward his study, I could feel something else stirring inside me, a nervous anticipation that I hadn’t felt in a long time.I opened the door to Harold’s study, expecting to see
The creature surged forward, its skeletal frame ablaze with ghostly fire. Dominic raised his sword, its edge gleaming faintly in the dim light of the chamber. "Stay behind me," he said again, his voice a low growl, protective and unyielding. But I couldn't. I couldn't let him face this monstrosity alone. The shard in my hand pulsed weakly, as if echoing my fear. "No," I said, stepping up beside him. "We do this together." Dominic gave me a sharp glance, his lips twitching into a brief, wry smile. "Stubborn as ever." Before I could reply, the creature lunged again, its teeth swiping through the air. And it surely terrified me seeing that creature almost looking at me as though we were some kind of perfect preys in its eyes. Dominic met its blow with a fierce strike, his sword colliding with the claws in a spray of sparks. The force sent him sliding back, but he stood firm, his stance unwavering. I focused on the shard in my hand, trying to will it to life. It flickered we
The oppressive void of the Abyss seemed to pulse with life as I pressed forward. My footsteps echoed in the silence, and the faint glow of the shard in my hand was the only thing keeping the encroaching darkness at bay. The further I ventured, the heavier the air became, as though the Abyss itself were aware of my presence.But then, a sound—a quiet footfall—pierced the silence. I whirled around, my heart pounding. From the shadows emerged a figure I recognized instantly.“Dominic?” I gasped.He stood tall, his sword strapped across his back and his face set with determination. “You didn’t really think I’d let you go through this alone, did you?”I stared at him, disbelief and concern warring within me. “You can’t be here. This place—this realm—breaks the laws of nature for someone like you.”“I know,” he said simply. “But I also know I couldn’t live with myself if I stayed behind while you faced this alone. Whatever consequences there are for me being here, I’ll deal with them. Right
The inside of the hut was far larger than it appeared from the outside. Shadows danced along the walls, their movements synchronized with the flickering blue light emanating from a crystal orb on a pedestal at the center of the room. The figure who had welcomed us threw back her hood, revealing a strikingly pale woman with hair like silver threads and eyes that glowed faintly violet.“I am Seraphine,” she said, her voice like the hum of a distant storm. “You seek to breach the Abyss and recover what was taken. But beware—the Abyss does not give freely.”Her eyes scanned us, lingering on me. “You carry the weight of destruction and creation in your soul, Elise,” she said. “The orb you shattered was not just a prison; it was a tether. Its destruction set forces in motion that even Kieran does not fully comprehend.”Kaela crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. “That’s great and all, but we don’t need riddles. We need a way to stop Kieran and save Harold.”Seraphine’s lips curved int
The weight of Kieran's parting words lingered like a curse, wrapping tightly around my thoughts. Harold was gone, and the chilling reality of Kieran’s threat—turning Harold against us—felt like a death sentence waiting to unfold.Kaela paced the chamber, her boots scraping against the stone floor, her frustration bubbling to the surface. Dominic leaned heavily against the wall, his sword still drawn, his knuckles white as he gripped the hilt. For once, none of us had a plan, and the absence of action felt suffocating.“We can’t sit here,” Kaela snapped suddenly, her voice cutting through the silence. “He has a head start. Every second we waste is another second Harold gets dragged deeper into Kieran’s madness.”“I know,” Dominic said, his tone strained. “But we don’t even know where Kieran went. Forbidden sorcery doesn’t leave a trail.”Kaela turned on him, her eyes blazing. “So what? We just wait around while he completes whatever twisted plan he’s concocting? That’s not good enough.
The atmosphere around felt lie it was heavy with an eerie silence as I sat on the cold stone floor, catching my breath. My body trembled from the ordeal with the orb, its torment still fresh in my mind. My companions surrounded me, their faces painted with relief and pride. Dominic knelt beside me, his arm steadying my shoulders, his concern etched into his expression.“You did it, Elise,” Kaela said, her voice trembling with awe. “You destroyed its power.”I nodded weakly, the adrenaline waning as exhaustion set in. “It wasn’t just me,” I murmured, glancing at each of them. “I wouldn’t have made it this far without all of you.”Harold stood a few paces away, his gaze fixed on the shattered remnants of the orb. For weeks, his presence had been enigmatic, his loyalty wavering between us and the shadows that sought to consume him. I didn’t trust him entirely, but something in his demeanor suggested he was fighting against whatever had bound him to Kieran.But before I could say anything
“I’ll do it,” I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.Dominic’s reaction was immediate and fierce. “No, Elise. Absolutely not.”“Dominic, please,” I said, looking up at him. “You’ve protected me so much already. You’ve been my shield, my strength. But this...this is something I have to do. For all of us.”He shook his head, his jaw tightening. “I won’t let you.”“You can’t stop me,” I said gently, though the words broke my heart. “This is my choice. Please, don’t make it harder than it already is.”Kaela stepped closer, her silver eyes meeting mine. “If this is truly your decision, you must prepare yourself. The orb will test you—your will, your body, your very soul. You must not falter, no matter what it shows you.”“What do you mean?” I asked, my throat dry.“The orb feeds on fear, doubt, and pain,” Kaela explained. “It will draw out your worst memories, your deepest regrets, and amplify them. If you give in...it will consume you.”Dominic’s hand shot out, gripping Ka
The room fell into stunned silence. Kaela’s words echoed in the stone chamber, heavy with implications. Dominic’s hand tightened on the hilt of his sword, his eyes narrowing as he moved closer to her, keeping his body positioned protectively in front of me.“You cursed it?” Harold asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and anger. “Do you have any idea how many lives have been destroyed because of that thing?”Kaela turned to him, her expression filled with regret. “More than you could possibly imagine,” she said quietly. “And I have lived with the weight of that knowledge every day. That’s why I’m here. To fix what I’ve done.”“If you want to fix it,” Dominic said coldly, “then tell us how to destroy it.”Kaela’s silver eyes darkened, the faint glow dimming. “Destroying the orb is not as simple as the Lycan claims. The magic is ancient and deeply entwined with the essence of life itself. A life may stop its power temporarily, but true destruction requires something far greater.”“What do
The room fell silent, the weight of the Lycan’s words pressing down on us like a suffocating fog. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, and the tension in the air was thick enough to cut. Dominic’s jaw tightened, and I noticed Harold’s hand inching toward his sword, his fingers brushing the hilt in an almost unconscious gesture of readiness.“There has to be another way,” I said, my voice betraying the desperation I felt.The Lycan shook his head, his fiery red eyes glowing with an eerie intensity. “Magic like this always comes with a cost. The question is: who among you is willing to pay it?”Before I could even register the words fully, Dominic stepped forward, his posture rigid, his resolve clear. “If it comes to that, I’ll be the one to pay.”“No,” I protested immediately, my heart lurching in my chest. “You can’t.”Dominic turned to face me, and his gaze softened, though it held a deep, unyielding determination. “Elise, this is my responsibility. If anyone should bear the c
The glow of the Life Orb pulsed faintly in the dim light of the war room, its eerie hum filling the air like an unwelcome reminder of the weight pressing down on us. It lay on the table, its surface smooth and unyielding, as if daring us to break it, yet refusing to yield. Dominic was pacing again, his frustration apparent in the way he clenched and unclenched his fists. He was desperate to find a way, but nothing we had tried had worked.“It doesn’t matter how hard we try,” Dominic muttered, frustration lacing his voice. “It won’t break, burn, or even chip.”Harold stood with his arms crossed, looking as though he could stand there in silence for hours, his thoughts heavy but unspoken. “We need another plan. Something definitive.”I watched them, my heart sinking as the burden of this quest weighed on all of us. The orb was a constant reminder that we were running out of time. I hadn’t spoken yet, not wanting to add to the tension in the room, but I couldn’t ignore it anymore.Maelis