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. 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.The next morning, sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, bathing the room in a soft golden glow.I stirred beneath the covers, momentarily disoriented. For a split second, I reached out instinctively to the other side of the bed, searching for warmth. But it was empty. Kaine was already gone.I sat up slowly, running a hand through my tangled hair. My body ached deliciously from the night before; sex had become an everyday thing for us. but a deeper ache pulsed in my chest—an ache that had nothing to do with touch and everything to do with the way he had clung to me, spoken to me, stayed with me through the night.I pulled on a simple white robe and padded barefoot downstairs. The house was still quiet, but this time, the scent of fresh coffee and bread lingered in the air. Somewhere beyond the kitchen, I heard movement—maids, maybe, bustling quietly, cleaning and resetting the world Kaine and I had unraveled in the night before.I paused by the window, watching t
Celine’s pov.The silk gown clung to my body like a second skin, its shimmering feel mocking the cold emptiness I felt inside. I barely moved as I stood stiffly at the grand party, the chatter of wolves ringing in my ears. I shivered, despite the warmth emanating from the fireplace. It felt cold, which was a contrast to the atmosphere. It’s a feeling I had grown accustomed to, one that haunts me in my dreams and remained long after I woke.The plush carpet under my feet provided a little bit of comfort, but that was only for a while…a while until I caught sight of my husband. His chiseled profile was lit up by the soft glow of the chandelier. He threw his head back in laughter, as his eyes crinkled at the corner. Lucien…my mate, my husband—these words felt dry, as dry as the bond we both shared. Who knew marriage could turn into a nightmare?I watched him closely, searching for something…anything that might explain how we got here. But deep down, I already knew. Everything changed t
Celine’s pov.My body reacted before my mind could catch up. I flinched, squeezing my eyes shut and bracing myself for the impact. But nothing came…There was heavy silence as I slowly opened my eyes. Lucien’s hand was still raised, but instead of striking me, his fingers twitched, curling into a fist before relaxing. Then, without warning, he grabbed my chin, forcing my face up to meet his gaze.His grip wasn’t bruising, but it was firm and possessive.“Look at me.” His low voice sounded controlled, but the storm in his eyes betrayed his restraint.I swallowed as my pulse quickened against my skin.“You humiliated me tonight.” He leaned in, his breath warm against my cheek. “I won’t tolerate it again.His thumb brushed over my jaw quite gently, before tilting my head higher. “Get a grip of yourself.” He murmured. “You see that room over there?” He said, pointing at the room we just walked out from. “I would be meeting important people in there, so don’t sabotage things for me.”He le
Celine’s pov.He took a step closer. Not rushed, not hesitant. I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a murmur only me could hear.“Did you hurt your wrist?”The question was soft and gentle, yet it sent a slow, searing heat curling through my veins.I didn’t know what unsettled me more—the quiet, possessive way he asked it… or the way my pulse betrayed me, hammering beneath my skin. His eyes flicked downward, his gaze sweeping over my wrist in a cold, assessing way. He wasn’t just looking—he was studying, as if searching for the slightest hint of damage.Something in me cracked. Like a dam bursting, every emotion I had fought to suppress…Lucien’s neglect, the humiliation of this evening, the drunk man’s grip, everything came rushing to the surface. And before I could stop it, a sob tore from my throat.Tears welled up, hot and uncontrollable. I turned away sharply, my back to him, mortified. Why was I crying? Was it exhaustion? Frustrat
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
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 next morning, sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, bathing the room in a soft golden glow.I stirred beneath the covers, momentarily disoriented. For a split second, I reached out instinctively to the other side of the bed, searching for warmth. But it was empty. Kaine was already gone.I sat up slowly, running a hand through my tangled hair. My body ached deliciously from the night before; sex had become an everyday thing for us. but a deeper ache pulsed in my chest—an ache that had nothing to do with touch and everything to do with the way he had clung to me, spoken to me, stayed with me through the night.I pulled on a simple white robe and padded barefoot downstairs. The house was still quiet, but this time, the scent of fresh coffee and bread lingered in the air. Somewhere beyond the kitchen, I heard movement—maids, maybe, bustling quietly, cleaning and resetting the world Kaine and I had unraveled in the night before.I paused by the window, watching t
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