Kaine’s pov.
“My lord,”
Oscar, my beta’s voice cut through my sinful thoughts. I didn’t acknowledge him immediately. Instead, I let the moment stretch, my fingers tapping lazily against the polished wood of my desk. Finally, I raised a brow, silently urging him to speak.
“I also found this about Lucien Greythorne.” He said, stepping forward and placing a folded sheet of paper in front of me.
I frowned, picking it up with slow fingers. “And why didn’t you hand me this earlier?” My voice was calm, but there was sharpness beneath it.
Oscar hesitated before clearing his throat. “I was… letting you savor the first discovery before dropping another.”
I exhaled through my nose, shaking my head slightly. He had a habit of thinking he’s clever. It amused me sometimes, tonight, it simply made me impatient. But I let it slide. My gaze dropped to the paper as I unfolded it, scanning the words before me. And then, slowly, a smile curled at the corner of my lips. Interesting!
A low chuckle rumbled in my chest as I leaned back in my chair, fingers brushing over my lower lip. There was a lot going on. Far more than I’d expected.
Lucien Greythorne. The future Alpha of Emerald Forest Pack. A man with a polished name, a privileged title, and an ego that towered over all else. I had known he was reckless and arrogant. But this? This was something else entirely.
I could ruin Lucien with this alone, completely destroy him. But I had no interest in doing so, at least not yet.
No, this wasn’t about politics. It wasn’t about leverage. This was about entertainment, about testing lengths, watching them squirm. Seeing how far a man would go when he had something to lose.
“How valuable do you think a man’s pride is, Oscar?” I mused, still staring at the paper.
My beta shifted slightly, unsure if the question was rhetorical. “Depends on the man,” he answered cautiously.
I hummed in agreement. “And what do you think Lucien would trade to keep this hidden?” I tilted my head, my smile deepening as I traced a single finger over the ink on the page.
Oscar hesitated, then exhaled as a slight smirk played on his face. “Something big, I’d say.”
My fingers resumed their slow, rhythmic tapping against the desk. There was no rush. No need for haste. This was a delicate game, one that required patience.
And I would enjoy every second of it.
***
Celine’s pov.
I needed air.
That was the excuse I gave myself as I stepped into the shopping mall, my fingers curled tightly around the straps of my handbag. The truth? I needed to get away. From the suffocating silence of that house. From Lucien’s cold, dismissive words. I’d wanted I come here alone, but he still insisted on driving me, never giving me a time to myself.
Chatter filled the air, the scent of coffee and perfume mingling as people moved around me, smiling, laughing, living. Couples walked hand in hand, as they whispered intimately to each other. A man reached for his lover’s waist, pulling her closer as he kissed her temple. Another pressed his lips against his woman’s knuckles before twirling her playfully, making her giggle.
A lump formed in my throat. I used to crave love like that. The kind that made you feel seen and cherished. But instead, I was just someone’s wife.
I wandered into a boutique, letting my fingers brush against the smooth fabrics. Silk, satin, lace—delicate things meant to be treasured. I wondered what it would feel like to be treasured.
And then all of a sudden…the bag I had been holding slipped from my grasp, the delicate perfume bottles inside shattering as they hit the polished floor. The scent of roses and vanilla filled the air, strong and overwhelming.
Shocked murmurs rippled around me as sales attendants rushed forward, but their voices barely registered. I bent down, my fingers trembling slightly as I began picking up the broken pieces.
‘How did this fucking bag slip from my hand?’
I kept my head bowed as I reached for the scattered mess. The shattered bottle of perfume had seeped into the floor, releasing a thick, overwhelming scent that only worsened the situation.
Then, suddenly, a pair of shoes stepped into my line of sight—polished black leather. The kind of shoes that belonged to a man who never had to kneel for anything. And yet, he did. I felt him crouch beside me, slow and unhurried, like he had all the time in the world. The air shifted, turning heavier, darker, intoxicating. A scent brushed against my senses…not the artificial fragrance of the shattered bottle, but something deeper, richer…smoke and cedar. Something untamed, dangerous and masculine.
I forced myself to look up, and then I saw him. A sharp inhale came out of my throat. Him? The man from that night?
Celine’s pov.Even under the harsh mall lights, he looked stunning. His thick black hair was messy yet stylish. His olive-toned skin complemented his sharp cheekbones and straight nose. But it was his eyes that really caught my attention. They were a deep, hypnotic green that seemed to hold me in place.I felt it again. That pull. That eerie stillness in my veins. What was the Alpha king of bloodfang pack doing here?He didn’t even look at me. He simply continued picking up the scattered mess, his long fingers brushing over the ruined items with an almost infuriating lack of urgency.Before I could fully process it, another person rushed forward—a young employee, eyes wide and a panic filled face. Perhaps it was fear, but they didn’t dare let a man like him kneel on their floor picking up shattered glass. They took over the task immediately.I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to stand. I didn’t know if this was a coincidence or something else entirely, but the idea of running into him
Celine’s pov.The car ride was suffocating. I sat rigidly in my seat, hands clenched in my lap as I stared blankly out the window. The city lights blurred past, but I barely saw them. My mind was still stuck in the mall, in that moment when Lucien raised his hand, in the way the Alpha King had stopped him so effortlessly. Lucien had almost hit me...in public.I swallowed hard, gripping my dress tighter. He had never been affectionate, never the kind of husband to hold my hand or whisper sweet words, but he had never been outright violent either. Until tonight.But that wasn’t the only thing that unsettled me, it was his silence. I had expected him to lash out the moment we got in the car, to yell at me for embarrassing him, for drawing attention. But he didn’t. He didn’t even look at me. Instead, his grip on the steering wheel was tight, and his knuckles went white. His jaw was clenched, his entire body stiff as though he was battling something inside him.I stole a glance at him, my h
Celine’s pov.I sat on the terrace, cradling a warm cup of tea between my hands, letting the morning breeze caress my skin. The rich aroma of herbs curled in the air, filling my lungs as I took a slow sip, savoring the warmth that spread through me. The soft chirping of birds and the distant rustling of leaves made for a peaceful morning, one I wished could last forever. For a moment, I let myself believe it would.The events of last night had completely escaped my mind. Perhaps it was exhaustion or the way I had trained myself to forget things that only weighed me down. Either way, I didn’t want to think about Lucien’s cold silence, the terrifying moment when he had almost hit me, or the Alpha King’s unsettling presence. I didn’t want to think at all.The sky stretched endlessly, soft clouds drifting lazily over the treetops. This was what I longed for—peace, simplicity, a life where I wasn’t constantly questioning my worth. But peace never lasted.Lucien’s footsteps broke through th
Celine’s pov.I stood before the mirror, adjusting the hem of my dress as I examined my reflection. The deep emerald fabric draped elegantly over my figure, its smooth texture a contrast to the unease settling in my stomach. The color had been a deliberate choice—regal, commanding, a silent reminder of my place as the future Luna of Emerald Forest.Yet, for some reason, I didn’t feel like one.I smoothed my hands down my sides, pressing out imaginary wrinkles as if that could get rid of my nervous energy. Today was important. My first official role as an ambassador. A role Lucien had thrust upon me without warning, but one I had accepted without hesitation. It was my chance to prove myself, to show that I wasn’t just a decorative piece in our marriage. Still, a question burned at the back of my mind. Why now?Lucien had never allowed me to take on responsibilities beyond what was expected of a Luna. And yet, overnight, he had changed his mind. The sudden shift unsettled me. I inhaled d
Celine’s pov.The moment I stepped out of the car, the doors behind me shut with a finality that made my stomach twist. The air was cold, but the tension that surrounded the estate was suffocating.The guards who had escorted me here had barely spoken a word, and now, they simply gestured for me to move forward. My footsteps echoed against the floor as I hesitantly followed with a nagging feeling creeping up my spine…I turned slightly, glancing at the stern, faceless warriors stationed along the corridors. Their armor gleamed under the dim light as they watched, but they did not speak.I wasn’t sure what to expect inside, but as soon as the heavy doors swung open, I realized this place was far more than a simple administrative outpost. The interior was cold and imposing, the walls made of dark stone, the floors polished to perfection. Dim lighting made long shadows across the corridors as I was guided through them. I saw no banners or symbols of Bloodfang’s crest, but there was no dou
Celine’s pov.The moment the meeting ended, chairs scraped against the floor as people of power rose from their seats. The room that had once been filled with tension, quiet authority, and murmured agreements was now shifting into motion as the attendees went out. Conversations were brief, eyes sharp with unspoken words, but the moment the doors opened, the alphas, lycan kings, and council members departed without hesitation.I moved to stand as well, preparing to leave with them, but a voice cut through the noise.“Stay.”I froze.The command was deep, firm, and left no room for argument. My grip on the table tightened as I looked up, my breath hitching when I met the eyes of the Alpha King. He hadn’t moved from his position, still standing at the head of the room like he owned not just this space, but every single person who had sat in it, including me.The murmurs around us faded, and though the others continued their exit, I could feel some lingering glances. But no one questioned
Kaine’s pov.I watched her eyes closely as I deliberately stepped closer, reaching out to touch her face. I wasn’t expecting much, maybe a startled flinch, a sharp intake of breath, or even a look of disgust as she pushed my hand away. But she did none of that.She just stood there, unmoving, staring up at me like she was trying to make sense of what was happening. Like she was trying to memorize me. Interesting!A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips. I liked that. I liked the way she held my gaze, uncertain yet unwilling to step back. Most women I touched reacted immediately—gasping, trembling, blushing. But she? She was still.How Intriguing.My fingers grazed her cheek, lingering just long enough to feel the warmth of her skin. She didn’t shy away, but she wasn’t leaning in either. It was as if she was caught between two instincts—one telling her to move away and another telling her to stay.A slow amusement curled in my chest. Was she afraid? Or was she curious? I tilted my head
Kaine’s pov.she snapped, pushing against my chest. I let her, stepping back slightly, though not because she had any real strength against me—no, it was because I enjoyed seeing her fire.She straightened. “I don’t care if you’re the Alpha King of bloodfang pack,” she said through gritted teeth. “I will not tolerate you talking about my husband like I’m some insect you can crush beneath your boot.”My smirk faded. Ah…There it was…that rebellion. That sharp tongue. A dangerous thing to wield in my presence. I let the silence go on between us, watching the rise and fall of her chest, the way her breath was coming faster now. She was angry. And perhaps…a little afraid.Good!“You don’t get to decide what you tolerate, little wolf,” I said smoothly. “Not here.”Her eyes darkened. “Are you trying to keep me here against my will?”I smiled. “You’re asking the wrong question.”“Then what’s the right question?” She asked sharply.I leaned in, my lips almost brushing against her ear. “Why ar
Celine’s pov. The walk back to the villa was longer than usual. Not in distance—but in weight.The words Matthias had thrown at me echoed louder with every step. I told myself I didn’t care. That I’d heard worse. That nothing could rattle me after everything I’d done to hold Bloodfang together. But somehow, his voice still lingered.“You don’t ask for loyalty. You demand it.”The wind bit at my jaw as I turned the final corner leading to the private gates. The guards stood straight, stiff as statues as I passed. They didn’t dare speak—not to me. Not now.I slammed the villa door shut behind me and leaned against it for a breath. The house was silent again, spotless, polished. Whatever traces of last night were left had been wiped clean by the staff. As if it never happened.Except… I could still smell her. Still feel her. Her laughter. Her voice gasping my name. The way her body had curled into mine after.I looked up toward the stairs, toward where I’d left her this morning. I shoul
Celine’s pov. One of the women paused to collect a tray near the entryway, and I instinctively stepped back, half-hiding behind one of the stone columns that lined the corridor. She glanced in my direction briefly, her face carefully neutral, but I saw the flicker in her eyes.Recognition. My heart sank.I took a shaky breath and finally forced myself to keep moving. I needed answers. Or at the very least, I needed to find Kaine and yell at him for not warning me about the twenty people apparently living inside this house.The kitchen was empty, save for the smell of fresh coffee and something baking. Kaine was nowhere in sight. Neither was Matthias or anyone else familiar.Where the hell did he go? And why didn’t he tell me this place wasn’t as private as he made it seem?I leaned against the counter, chewing my lip, trying to ignore the echo of last night still rippling through my bones. The way he held me. The way his voice broke when I called his name. The way he kissed me after
Celine’s pov.He cleaned me gently, his brow furrowed like he was concentrating on something fragile. His fingertips grazed my skin like he was afraid of hurting me now, as if his roughness from earlier had been stored away, tucked into the shadows.When he was done, he reached for the water, lifting it to my lips. “Drink.”I didn’t argue. My throat was dry, and I needed something to ground me. I drank slowly, his hand steady at the back of my neck. When I was finished, he set the glass aside and slid into the bed beside me, pulling me into his chest with no hesitation.Just… holding me.I rested my head against his bare chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. His fingers traced slow circles over my back, and the warmth of his body bled into mine until I stopped shaking. Until I felt safe.“Kaine…” I whispered.He didn’t answer at first. His hand came to rest at the back of my head, holding me there, like he needed me close just as much as I needed him.“I’m here,” he said f
Celine’s pov. The words wrecked me.He leaned back just enough to pull the shirt over my head, eyes darkening as he took in the sight of me. His hands followed his gaze, gliding over my chest, fingers teasing the edge of my bra before tugging the straps down. I arched up toward him, unable to help it.“Tell me you want this,” he said, voice suddenly low, tight, like he was holding himself back with every ounce of strength he had.“I do,” I breathed, and it wasn’t just lust behind the words. It was surrender. Full, raw, terrifying surrender.And that was all it took. The tension between us shattered.Kaine kissed me again, but this time there was no restraint. His mouth was hot and hungry, his hands everywhere—cupping, gripping, dragging me deeper into the moment. His shirt came off in seconds, and the feel of his bare skin against mine made me gasp into his mouth.He moved down, mouth trailing over my collarbone, down my chest, teeth grazing just enough to make me writhe. My fingers
Celine’s pov. He set the glass down on the small table beside the hearth with a soft clink. Then, slowly, deliberately, he reached for my waist and pulled me to him—not roughly, not like the wild, volatile Kaine I’d grown used to, but with a kind of reverence that unnerved me more than any snarl ever could.I didn’t resist.My body betrayed me the moment his fingers touched the small of my back. The air left my lungs in a shaky exhale, and I tilted my head back just slightly, instinctively, like my body knew what was coming.“I want you to stop pretending,” he murmured, voice low, rich, and fraying at the edges. “Like you don’t lie awake thinking about the way I touch you. Like your body doesn’t burn when I’m near.”His thumb brushed the skin just beneath the hem of my shirt. Barely there. But it was enough to make my knees soften.“I don’t—” I started, but the words were weak. Hollow.“Liar,” he whispered, and his mouth descended on mine.It wasn’t gentle.It wasn’t asking.It was c
Celine’s pov. The words seemed magic in their simplicity and weight. What would life be like once I stepped over the threshold of that luxurious villa? Would I still feel like an outsider, or would I find my place beside him? Shaking my head to dispel the lingering thoughts, I started moving around the room. I stuffed clothes into a suitcase, my mind racing as I tried to make sense of my emotions. Why did this matter to me so much? Perhaps it was the possibility that I could find solace more than anything else. I had a chance to carve out my own space, to navigate this world with Kaine as my unlikely companion. The thought filled me with both dread and excitement, a dangerous cocktail that burned in my chest. It wouldn’t be easy, but what in life ever was? I owed it to myself to find out what lay on the other side of that door—what could be formed if I let my walls come down, at least for a moment. After what felt like eternity, I zipped up the suitcase decisively, determination w
Celine’s pov. I lay on the bed, the fabric cool and smooth against my skin, but it did little to soothe the storm brewing in my heart. What an eventful evening it had been. Did Kaine really get mad because Tess called me a maid? A part of me wanted to laugh, but the other was too caught up in the whirlwind of confusion that surrounded my emotions. My mind raced. What exactly was happening to me? I had sworn I hated Kaine, ever since the fateful moment he traded me for a secret, ripping away any semblance of control I had over my own life. He had taken me hostage, thrown me into a world I never wished to be a part of, with the weight of his title hanging over me like a dark cloud. Every encounter with him felt like a battle between my instincts and my desires. But now? Now, perhaps somewhere deep inside, that venomous hatred began to fade, blurring into something alarmingly akin to yearning. I hated the realization, hated the way it twisted my stomach into knots. Was I really starti
Kaine’s pov. I studied her, searching for any sign of the girl I once knew. All I saw was someone fighting to hold onto a memory that was better left in the past. “I have let go, Tess! You’re the one clinging on. You’re not a victim here.” My words were harsh, but I felt them deep inside as though they were laced with the truth.The confusion and pain on her face melted my resolve, but I couldn’t back down. I wouldn’t. “You need to accept it. I’m not your Kaine anymore. You need to stop trying to make me feel guilty for moving on.”“Stop!” she shouted, her voice cutting through the air. “You really don’t think I wanted this to happen? That I would throw everything away for some silly rivalry?” Her eyes burned with frustration, and I felt an ache of regret crawling up my spine. “This isn’t just about us. This is about the future, about making decisions that matter.”“What future?” she snapped. “Your future without me?”“I’m trying to have a future without the ghost of what we used to
Kaine’s pov. I stormed into my quarters, my heart pounding with a chaotic mixture of anger and betrayal. I knew Tess would follow me, and sure enough, as I stepped through the threshold and the door swung open behind me, I could already hear her footsteps echoing through the corridor. “Kaine!” Her voice pierced through the silence of the room, a sharp reminder of the tension that had filled the air just moments earlier. “Why did you walk out like that? My father was there!” Tess exclaimed, her tone a blend of disbelief and anger. She crossed her arms, a defensive posture I had seen far too many times. The rage I had bottled up since the beginning of the dinner suddenly erupted like a volcano, blinding me to everything but the girl before me—the girl I had once loved. I didn’t want to hurt her, but I was too furious to think clearly. Before I could process my actions, I found my hands wrapping around her neck, pushing her against the cold, hard wall.“Oww!” she cried out, the surpr