Celine’s pov.ripple of murmurs spread through the council, eyes narrowing with disapproval. I felt my breath hitch, my hands clenching into fists.“This is ridiculous!” I burst out, my voice shaking. “I never wrote that letter. This is a setup!”One of the elders looked at me sharply. “Are you calling your husband a liar?”I turned to Lucien. His expression was carefully blank, but his eyes… there was amusement there, hidden beneath a mask of disappointment. He was enjoying this.I swallowed hard. “I am saying that I am being framed.”Lucien sighed as if my words pained him. “Celine, lying won’t help you. The truth is right here in this letter. You committed adultery.”A fresh wave of murmurs swept through the gathered audience.“Who is he?” One of the elders demanded.My blood turned cold. Lucien’s lips curled ever so slightly. “A rogue from outside our borders. She has been meeting him in secret.”A rogue? So, he really had no idea about Kaine. He wasn’t punishing me for what truly
Celine’s pov.I winced as Kaine dragged me out of there, his grip firm but not painful. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions, confusion, fear, and frustration all tangled together. What the hell did he just do? He had just burned every bridge I had left, ensuring that I could never return to Emerald Forest. He had branded me a traitor.I suddenly yanked my hand from his grasp. The abruptness of it made him stop mid-step, his towering figure turning back to face me.His dark eyes narrowed. “What do you think you’re doing?”I sniffed, barely holding back the lump in my throat. “What did you do that for?” My voice cracked, and I hated how weak I sounded. “Did I tell you I needed your help?”Kaine let out a scoff, his head tilting slightly as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “What—”I didn’t let him finish. “Why?” I snapped, my voice shaking as hot tears pricked at my eyes. “Why did you save me? You said you were done with me! You said you got what you wanted! Then why? Why did
Celine’s pov.I lay still, staring at the ceiling, listening to the fire crackle softly in the corner of the room. The dim glow cast flickering shadows against the walls, the only movement in the otherwise still space.My body ached, every breath sending sharp, stabbing pains through my ribs. I was exhausted, but sleep wouldn’t come. The bed beneath me didn’t feel foreign, but the blankets were too heavy, the air too thick with the scent of burning wood and herbs.I was still waiting.Waiting for the healer to return with the broth. Waiting for the pain to dull. Waiting for something—anything—to make this feel less like a nightmare. But more than anything, I was waiting for him to leave.Kaine hadn’t moved from his spot near the door. He stood there, silent and still, watching me. I refused to look at him.The weight of his presence was suffocating. He had already taken so much from me—my freedom, my future, my very sense of self. And yet, he lingered, as if he had every right to stan
Kaine’s pov. I had never felt this much anger. The fury coursing through my veins was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. As I stood there, watching the guards prepare to drag Celine away, my hands clenched into fists, and my vision blurred with rage. The onlookers, including that goddamn ex-husband of hers, stood by, doing nothing. Their indifference was a betrayal I couldn’t forgive.But it wasn’t just anger that consumed me; it was the overwhelming sense of possession. I had let her return home, hoping my fears were unfounded. Yet, when Oscar brought news of her captivity, I lost control. The thought of her suffering, of being held against her will, ignited a fire within me that demanded action. I had to get her back. No matter the cost.The journey to her was a blur. Each step fueled by the burning need to see her safe. When I finally reached her, the sight of her bruised and battered form nearly brought me to my knees. But I couldn’t show weakness. Not now.“You’re mine, Celin
Celine’s pov. The morning sun crept through the large window panes, spilling light onto the polished hardwood floors. I sat by the edge of the bed, already dressed, my body still sore but manageable now. The pain had dulled into a distant throb—nothing compared to what it had been days ago. The healer had done a decent job, but it wasn’t just my ribs that felt bruised. Everything in me—my trust, my pride, my sense of belonging, it all felt broken in pieces.Kaine hadn’t said much since he told me we were leaving today.Bloodfang…I had known this day would come the moment he stood in that council ring and claimed me like I was his property. Not like someone he wanted, but someone he owned.He hadn’t asked me if I wanted to go. Because he knew the answer. And because I knew this was no longer about what I wanted. But despite the bitterness sitting on my tongue, I knew exactly why I was going. The politics, the reputation, the protection. But most of all—because of him. And that made m
Celine’s pov. As we continued to drive toward Bloodfang, the tension in the car was suffocating. Each moment echoed with unspoken conflicts, and I could feel Kaine's sharp gaze on me, assessing my every expression. I focused on the scenery outside, yet my mind waged its own battle, grappling with the emotions swirling within me.“What will happen when we reach Bloodfang?” I asked quietly, breaking the silence. I needed to know what awaited me at the end of this road.Kaine’s jaw tightened at my question. “You’ll be introduced as my… guest. You will remain under my protection.” “Guest?” I echoed incredulously. “Is that really how you see me? You may have taken me from my home, but that doesn’t grant you ownership over my title or feelings.”He glanced at me, a flicker of something I couldn’t quite place beneath his stoic facade. “This isn’t the time to test boundaries, Celine. My role is to keep you safe, and that is all I’ll guarantee until we arrive.”The words “keep you safe” stru
Celine’s pov. A part of me wanted to trust his words, but another part screamed of the dangers awaiting me. What if I couldn't fulfill the expectation? What if I failed?With Matthias watching us with curiosity, Kaine continued, “This is a chance for you to show everyone, yourself included, that you can hold your own. You’re not merely a guest here, Celine. You’re capable of so much more than you realize.”With that offer came the weight of my insecurities, creeping into my thoughts. The prospect of proving myself felt like an insurmountable task. Yet beneath that daunting thought was a flicker of defiance, a need to resist being seen as weak. For the first time since arriving, I felt the fire within me stir, mixing with the fear that trembled at the edges of my bravado. “Fine. If this is what it takes to earn my place, I’ll join the training.” Kaine’s expression morphed from doubt to something resembling pride. “You’ll adapt faster than you think, Celine. I have faith in you.” “Y
Celine’s pov. My first day of training with matthias was not as hard as I expected. And he was unexpectedly gentle. No unnecessary shouting or shifting like some people I’ve trained with. The training yard had emptied out as the sun dipped low behind the jagged mountains of Bloodfang. The air was thick with the scent of dust and sweat. I wiped the back of my hand across my brow, my breathing still ragged from the final set of drills Matthias had walked me through. He was brutal, sure, but he had a teacher’s patience. Unlike Kaine, who stood a few feet away now, arms crossed, jaw clenched, watching like a shadow ready to pounce. His eyes tracked every move, his disapproval practically radiating off him in waves.Matthias finally nodded, murmured a quick “We’ll pick up tomorrow,” and left, his footsteps fading into silence.I turned slowly, still catching my breath, and found Kaine exactly where he’d been the entire time—silent, unyielding, the Alpha King of his fortress, glaring as i
Celine’s pov. Yet, even as I fought against the dummy, Kaine's likeness haunted me. Had he been telling me the truth about his feelings, or were they simply flirtations used to coax intimacy? Whenever he said he couldn't stop thinking of me, was it just another one of his tricks? The way he looked at me, the inflections in his voice—were they real, or was it all merely a facade played out in front of me to cause desire?The answers eluded me like shadows slipping through my fingers. But there was a part of me that relished the thrill I felt around him. Giving him my body had become something enjoyable, intoxicating even, though I had never intended for it to lead me here, tangled in confusion.Breathless from my physical exertion, I finally leaned against the dummy, hoping to expel the doubts that clouded my judgement. Was there something real brewing beneath all the chaos? What Kaine said played back in my mind like an endless loop. Each word lingered, teasing me with what might be.
Celine’s pov. I ended up doing most of the work before dinner. Who the hell does Tess think she is? What gives her the right to act like she’s superior to me? And who is she to the Alpha king, anyway? It felt as though she had developed an unnecessary hatred for me, but I hadn’t done anything wrong. No, it certainly wasn’t my fault she barged in on me and Kaine like that, leaving me bewildered and embarrassed.Carrying the cutlery in my hands, I walked into the dining area. The solemnity of the moment was overwhelming. This was supposed to be my last task for the evening, yet as I entered, I paused, feeling the weight of the awkwardness in the air. Everyone was already seated, an unspoken tension palpable among them. Kaine sat at the head of the table, exuding authority, his posture regal and commanding. Opposite him sat a man I suspected was Tess's father, a figure of undeniable power who scrutinized the room with a penetrating gaze. Tess, on the other hand, was seated too close to
Celine’s pov. Kaine's cold demeanor snapped back into place as he shifted to a more defensive posture. “Tess! What are you doing here?” She blinked, regaining her composure with remarkable speed. “I came all the way to see you, Kaine. I didn’t mean to interrupt…” Her voice drifted off as she caught sight of me lying beside him, her expression morphing from surprise to annoyance in an instant. “Who’s this?” “Not your concern,” Kaine snapped, the sharpness in his tone leaving no room for negotiation.“Not my concern?” Tess countered, planting her hands on her hips. She was unyielding, the kind of girl who never shied away from confrontation. “I traveled here just to see you, and now you’re telling me to wait because of some girl?” “I’m not talking to you as Kaine,” he said, a steely glint in his eyes, “but as the lord sovereign. Leave us be.”Tess narrowed her eyes at him, incredulous. “You can’t be serious.” She turned to glare at me, as if assessing the threat I posed, and the int
Celine’s pov. What was happening to me? Why? I lay there, cocooned in the unfamiliar stillness of the room, my head resting on Kaine's chest. I could hear the steady thrum of his heartbeat, a rhythm that both calmed and confused me. This man—this enigma who had somehow tangled himself in the fabric of my being—had ignited a conflicting storm within me. I was certain I hated him. I had convinced myself I wanted nothing to do with him. Yet, here I was, aching with an inexplicable yearning.His skin was warm beneath my fingertips as I absentmindedly played with the dark hairs scattered across his chest, my mind racing with the lingering echoes of our earlier confrontation. The way he had touched me, the words he had whispered—were they true? Did they mean anything at all? Or were they just weapons he wielded skillfully, designed to ensnare and manipulate? I cast a sidelong glance at him, attempting to read the icy mask he wore. Kaine was always so composed, a façade meticulously const
Kaine’s pov. When I arrived, she was sitting alone on the edge of the training mat, towel around her neck, a bottle of water dangling loosely from her fingers. Her cheeks were flushed, but her eyes were distant. I didn’t like that look. That faraway look like she was drifting away from me. I stepped closer, and she glanced up. Her expression shifted, guarded now. But not afraid. “Back so soon?” she asked, voice dry. I didn’t answer immediately. I stood in front of her, fists clenched, heart pounding too hard. “I don’t like him training you,” I said simply. She scoffed, standing to face me. “Yeah, I figured. Care to explain why, or are you just going to stand there brooding and breaking furniture again?” I stared at her for a long time. Then… “Because I don’t trust him.” “Why?” she asked, stepping closer. “You invited him here.” “I didn’t invite him. He showed up. Like he always does.” Her eyes narrowed. “What does that mean?” “It means…” I dragged a hand down my f
Celine’s pov. My first day of training with matthias was not as hard as I expected. And he was unexpectedly gentle. No unnecessary shouting or shifting like some people I’ve trained with. The training yard had emptied out as the sun dipped low behind the jagged mountains of Bloodfang. The air was thick with the scent of dust and sweat. I wiped the back of my hand across my brow, my breathing still ragged from the final set of drills Matthias had walked me through. He was brutal, sure, but he had a teacher’s patience. Unlike Kaine, who stood a few feet away now, arms crossed, jaw clenched, watching like a shadow ready to pounce. His eyes tracked every move, his disapproval practically radiating off him in waves.Matthias finally nodded, murmured a quick “We’ll pick up tomorrow,” and left, his footsteps fading into silence.I turned slowly, still catching my breath, and found Kaine exactly where he’d been the entire time—silent, unyielding, the Alpha King of his fortress, glaring as i
Celine’s pov. A part of me wanted to trust his words, but another part screamed of the dangers awaiting me. What if I couldn't fulfill the expectation? What if I failed?With Matthias watching us with curiosity, Kaine continued, “This is a chance for you to show everyone, yourself included, that you can hold your own. You’re not merely a guest here, Celine. You’re capable of so much more than you realize.”With that offer came the weight of my insecurities, creeping into my thoughts. The prospect of proving myself felt like an insurmountable task. Yet beneath that daunting thought was a flicker of defiance, a need to resist being seen as weak. For the first time since arriving, I felt the fire within me stir, mixing with the fear that trembled at the edges of my bravado. “Fine. If this is what it takes to earn my place, I’ll join the training.” Kaine’s expression morphed from doubt to something resembling pride. “You’ll adapt faster than you think, Celine. I have faith in you.” “Y
Celine’s pov. As we continued to drive toward Bloodfang, the tension in the car was suffocating. Each moment echoed with unspoken conflicts, and I could feel Kaine's sharp gaze on me, assessing my every expression. I focused on the scenery outside, yet my mind waged its own battle, grappling with the emotions swirling within me.“What will happen when we reach Bloodfang?” I asked quietly, breaking the silence. I needed to know what awaited me at the end of this road.Kaine’s jaw tightened at my question. “You’ll be introduced as my… guest. You will remain under my protection.” “Guest?” I echoed incredulously. “Is that really how you see me? You may have taken me from my home, but that doesn’t grant you ownership over my title or feelings.”He glanced at me, a flicker of something I couldn’t quite place beneath his stoic facade. “This isn’t the time to test boundaries, Celine. My role is to keep you safe, and that is all I’ll guarantee until we arrive.”The words “keep you safe” stru
Celine’s pov. The morning sun crept through the large window panes, spilling light onto the polished hardwood floors. I sat by the edge of the bed, already dressed, my body still sore but manageable now. The pain had dulled into a distant throb—nothing compared to what it had been days ago. The healer had done a decent job, but it wasn’t just my ribs that felt bruised. Everything in me—my trust, my pride, my sense of belonging, it all felt broken in pieces.Kaine hadn’t said much since he told me we were leaving today.Bloodfang…I had known this day would come the moment he stood in that council ring and claimed me like I was his property. Not like someone he wanted, but someone he owned.He hadn’t asked me if I wanted to go. Because he knew the answer. And because I knew this was no longer about what I wanted. But despite the bitterness sitting on my tongue, I knew exactly why I was going. The politics, the reputation, the protection. But most of all—because of him. And that made m