AxelMy kingdom was having a friendly takeover of another kingdom, and to me, that meant more money, workforce, and land. I should have felt pity for them, but they seemed to be crumbling on their own. It’s not like I waged war to take over their kingdom, so there was no guilt.Every member of the council and those directly working with me were present, lounging around like overfed cats, watching our new acquisition. Their king, who had no choice but to step down, looked weakened, with slumped shoulders, tucked down chin, avoiding all eye contact with me."This doesn’t have to last forever," I told him. "Maybe take some leadership classes on how not to mismanage your kingdom’s funds, and who knows? I could be generous enough to hand your pack back to you."He nodded, still not looking at me. Obviously, my joke didn’t lighten the mood.Another person who didn’t seem as excited as I’d hoped was Shahar. His smile was too forced, and he seemed to be holding in his anger for something he w
Axel The degree of happiness I felt after Shahar told me that Crystal was his fated mate was damn near illegal. Joy settled deep in my bones, warming me from the inside out. My body felt lighter, as if a massive weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I leaned back in my chair, tapping my fingers against the armrest. The relief was intoxicating. No more guilt. No more pretending I wasn’t betraying my closest friend. No more watching Eve force herself into a marriage neither of us wanted.I pressed my lips together, trying to suppress the ridiculous grin threatening to stretch across my face. Every fiber of my being wanted to throw my head back and laugh, to find Eve, kiss her senseless and and blurt out the truth just to see the look on her face. But it wasn’t my place to say anything yet. As much as I wanted to claim this victory, it was Shahar’s battle to fight.It was damn near impossible to keep it in, especially as I imagined Eve’s reaction when she found out that her dear b
Eve I stepped closer, my eyes locking with Axel's, with a silent challenge in my gaze. I knew the effect I had on him. His breath hitched, and his body tensed in anticipation. With a deliberate move, I pressed my lips to his, claiming his mouth with a boldness that left him momentarily stunned. But I wasn't one to be denied; tonight, I wanted to take the reins.“Fuck me,” I whispered in his ear.I heard a delighted chuckle seconds before our lips met. His mouth softened, yielding to my command. I could feel the raw desire that coursed through him. His body was a live wire, buzzing with pent-up energy, and at its center, a throbbing hardness that pressed insistently against my belly.My hand slid down, seeking out the source of his passion. I found him hot and rigid, the blunt head of his erection straining against his pants. “I'm all yours,” his breath caressed my neck as he spoke, causing a trickle of wetness to slide between my legs. He was ready.He led the kiss, pulling away fr
EveI was in heat for the next three days. It was messy. The worst kind. The kind that had me clawing at Axel like some insatiable animal, unable to get enough. I climbed him every chance I got. He didn’t complain, of course. He enjoyed it—loved it even. He loved that, for once, I was the one reaching for him, dragging him into me, kissing him first, begging to be ravished, instead of the other way around.It felt like a live wire was buzzing in my body, demanding more. I couldn’t stop. We did it everywhere—the garden at night, his study, the kitchen storage, the garage, his car, but mostly in my room, night after night, until I was sore, but still needing more.It had never been like this with Lance. Not even when we were good. Not even in the first year of our marriage when we were trying. The difference was so painfully obvious that I almost felt stupid for ever believing I had loved Lance. With Axel, my body responded before my brain even had the chance to argue. With Lance,
EveMy heart dropped into my stomach the moment I saw Shahar. He had caught Axel and me kissing.I had never felt such dread in my life. I had seen Shahar angry before, but this was different—he looked pierced, betrayed in a way that sent me running behind Axel like a coward.I broke into a sweat, silently begging the Moon Goddess that he wouldn’t cause a scene. People were moving back and forth through the hallway, and the last thing I needed was for the entire kingdom to witness its king tangled in a scandal with his best friend’s fiancée. If Shahar lost control, this could turn into a disgraceful mess, one that no amount of damage control could fix.Shahar’s voice was low but filled with restrained fury. "What the hell is this?"He wasn’t looking at me—his burning gaze was fixed on Axel, demanding an answer, demanding an explanation that would make this not what it seemed.Axel didn’t speak.His silence only made it worse. Shahar took a step closer, his fists clenched, his entire f
AxelNina could not take a hint. I didn’t want to talk to her. I didn’t want to sit beside her. I didn’t even want to be near her. But that didn’t stop her from shoving herself into my space like an overeager puppy, pretending not to notice how stiff my posture was or how my answers had been reduced to noncommittal grunts.My annoyance grew with every word she spewed. I wished she would just go away.It wasn’t just that I wasn’t interested—I had gone out of my way to introduce her to several nobles, making it painfully obvious that I was trying to push her toward someone else. But she played dumb, batting her lashes and pretending the entire room couldn’t see exactly what I was trying to do.I couldn’t wait for the night to be over.Eve was still furious with me, and I had no doubt she planned to bear this grudge forever. That pleased Shahar—he looked downright smug every time our eyes met. And a small, irritated part of me wondered if it was worth it in the end.But knowing Shahar ha
Eve I paced around Axel's chamber like a lunatic, a hot mess of emotions with no idea what I was even feeling.Angry. Sad. Relieved. All of the above. I was a walking emotional roller coaster, spiraling without a safety bar.Axel had exposed our intimacy to Shahar—just like that. No warning, no consideration, nothing. And yet, this same Axel had stood up for me, had my back, and sent Nina away without a second thought. It was distracting. I should have been focused on how unbelievably annoyed I was at him. I needed to get it together.Calm down, Eve. Pacing around the room like a caged animal isn't going to change anything.I shot him a glare. "Oh, so now you're a therapist? Mind telling me how I should feel—especially since you are the cause of all this?"Axel grinned, thoroughly amused. "Me?" He placed a hand on his chest in mock innocence. "I'm innocent. I just think you might get dizzy and make an anger track in my carpet."I narrowed my eyes. "This isn't funny.""It isn’t," he a
EveAxel had long since fallen asleep, but I lay wide awake, my thoughts running in circles.I hadn't even spoken when he told me he loved me and wanted to marry me. I couldn't. If I had, I might have cried,or worse, let the weight of it all crush me.So instead, I kissed him.I let my body speak for me.It was slow, deep, intense—the most passionate we had ever been. Maybe because, for the first time, my body recognized that Axel truly loved me. And despite everything, despite him not being perfect—despite me not being perfect, despite the secrets we both hid that could destroy us—there was something comforting about knowing that his love was for me and not just the mate bond.A small victory.Slowly, I sat up, careful not to disturb his peaceful slumber. The sheets slipped down, exposing my bare skin to the moonlight.I turned my gaze to Axel, watching the gentle rise and fall of his chest. The lines on his forehead softened in sleep—creases that deepened when he smiled or frowned.
Alec I caught her scent before I saw her.Sweet, primal and alive.It hit me as I rounded the corner of the second-floor stairs.My heart slammed hard enough that I felt it in my throat. The bond snapped awake between us, yanking tight across my ribs.And there she was.Vanessa stood a few steps above me, gripping the railing, breathing like she had just run a mile. Her skin glowed under the lights, damp from a heat that hadn't touched anyone else. Her wolf was awake, I could feel it reaching for mine.Every muscle in my body locked.I wanted to take the last few steps and grab her.Bury my face against her neck.Mark her until she couldn’t belong to anyone but me.She took another shaky step down. Her knees wobbled like a newborn pup’s.I stayed rooted where I was.Her eyes found mine, like she'd been caught in the middle of a nightmare.Something primal shoved against my control.My wolf surged, howling for her.Take her. Now.Vanessa’s lips parted. She staggered. Her scent punched
Vanessa’s POVI couldn't let Nina's words slide without knowing what she was up to. I pushed through the servants, ignoring the stupid whispers.Nina was halfway up the stairs leading to the third floor, acting like she had no idea she’d just thrown a torch into dry wood. I ran up the stairs and caught up with her. She turned, calm as still water with a smile on her lips. “What are you up to?” I cried out, exasperated.Nina looked around and whispered, “Walls have ears. You don't want Isabella and Maya to hear this.”She smoothed her skirt and turned back to the stairs. Without glancing back, she said, “Follow me.”Rage crawled up my neck. I stood there with clenched fists, before forcing my legs to move.We didn’t speak as we climbed. When I stepped inside her quarters, my eyes widened.It was nothing short of beautiful and eccentric. The walls were painted deep blue, like the sky right before it surrendered to the stars. A colorful rug sprawled across the floor, alive with shapes
Vanessa The stench of blood hit me before I even reached the laundry hall. The metallic smell clung to my nose and throat, making every breath taste like iron.We were waiting, heads down, buckets lined along the wall. When the hunters dumped the bloodied clothes in front of us, the pile steamed in the cold air."Move," barked one of the guards.We dropped to our knees and started sorting. Thick leather cloaks soaked through, ripped and dark with blood. Some had claw marks. Others, deep slashes. My hands found a warm shirt. My stomach clenched. I bit the inside of my cheek and shoved it into the basin.The head servant, Marga, stormed past. "You're slower than a pack of drunk pups. Hurry up!"My fingers worked fast, scrubbing, rinsing and wringing. The water turned red instantly. A film of blood coated the surface. Every time I dipped the cloth back in, it felt like bathing in ghosts.The memory slipped in before I could fight it.I was thirteen years old, and my dad had just given
AlecThe morning after Olga's prophecy was awful.I woke up with a pounding headache, like my skull was about to split open. But as memories of last night came flooding back, the headache was nothing compared to the deep ache in my chest.My mate.The one person destined to be my perfect match was Valen Hunter's daughter. Entirely unsuitable for me.The thought of being bonded to an enemy felt like punishment. I rubbed my forehead, trying to shake off the fog, but my mind kept circling back to the impossibility of it all.How could the goddess be so cruel?I’d always thought I was blessed and destined for power. Life had spoiled me with luxury, and now I was crowned alpha of one of the most powerful packs on the south coast. People envied me. But now, luck had turned its back on me.It felt like the moon goddess herself had said, "You’ve had enough blessings. Time for a change."And she had changed everything.A bond with Vanessa was unthinkable. Packmates would revolt and use it agai
Vanessa The bruises had faded, but the ache remained. It was so deep nothing could touch it. My wolf was still weak from Olga’s wolfsbane. She wasn’t silent, but her voice and cries were faint.I felt sorry for poisoning her in the first place. But if I had to do this over and over to suppress this bond, I wouldn't hesitate.The memory from last night rushed in. Lucas had tried to kill me, and Alec had stopped him, saved me, carried me... then stood over me and said I was a threat.He kept sending mixed signals, confusing me. He needed to pick a side already.Picking a side wouldn’t change the fact that he killed my father. I got dressed and headed out. The morning gong had rung earlier to wake the servants, but no one had woken me. They had all witnessed the horrifying event last night.No high-ranking wolf ever came down to the servants’ quarters.That changed yesterday because of me. Because of me, the Alpha punched his trusted Beta.As I stepped out, everyone stared at me like
AlecLucas slammed the door without knocking."If you’ve lost your damn mind, just say it out loud so I can send for the psychiatrist."I didn’t look up from the blade I was sharpening."Get out.""No. Not until we explain what the hell that was last night."He paced around the room like a rabid dog, chest out, pride bruised."You punched me in front of that servant girl!"My jaw tightened. "Stop whining, Luc. I warned you not to kill her.""And why should I listen to you? She's a traitor's spawn. We should’ve gotten her the moment the bond snapped into place. You think you can hide her? This isn’t about your feelings—it’s about what the Kingdom sees.""Stop it," I said flatly. "You’re beginning to sound like a broken record. I have a mind of my own.""Then use it," he snapped. "You’re showing weakness: This is not like you. I’ll keep reminding you every fucking minute if it keeps you from wrecking your life."I shot him a sharp look. "I hope you haven’t told your loudmouth wife anyth
Vanessa The pack house was riddled with immorality.The sounds of sex echoed off the marbled walls. Every corner reeked of wine and sex.Usually, I found my escape. It was a miracle I hadn’t lost my virginity while living in this immoral pack for eight years.Except for that one time when one of the servant boys, Zachary, tried to lure me into his bed. I always counted myself wise and lucky. My being in the main court was on purpose. I wanted to see Alec's reaction to someone manhandling me. "On your knees, traitor bitch," a drunken gamma slurred as he grabbed a goblet of wine, spilling it down my breasts. "Were you not trained to please?"I smiled, because that’s what servants do, and because I had caught Alec watching.Across the hall, he watched me. He stood at the throne, surrounded by well-wishers. His fiancée, Maya, clung to his arm like a jewel. I was glad that he saw me."I’m sorry, sir," I said softly, taking my time to unzip the drunken gamma.My heart fell. Alec's reactio
AlecShe was gone, but her scent was everywhere.Vanilla, honey, and pure heat underneath.I could smell her need. That scent of a bonded female aching to be claimed. And fuck, my wolf wanted to chase.Before she revealed her name, my heart leapt with excitement. It reminded me of easier times, before the weight of everyone’s expectations had crushed the part of me that used to feel alive.I pressed my back to the wall, breathing like I’d just come out of a fight. The goddess hadn’t given me a mate. She'd shackled me to the daughter of a traitor. Pain twisted in my chest. My wolf was restless, howling for her. I was one second away from losing control."Go to her," he cried. "She’s ours."I ripped the ceremonial robe and tossed it into the flames. Then I began punching the wall repeatedly. I punched until my knuckles bled. Still, the feeling didn’t leave."Shut the fuck up," I bellowed at my wolf, who was starved for our mate’s touch. "Do you even realize what you're asking me to do
Laughter echoed through the halls as they crowned Alpha Alec.He was the heir to a throne built on my family’s grave.I used to walk these halls in silk. Now I scrub their floors with raw hands and silent tears.Alec had been away for six years, training with Northern warriors. He was so ruthless that his bites could break bones. In his years of absence, I had plotted my revenge."You're wasting soap, rat."I flinched as cold water splashed against the side of my face. Laughter followed. Two maids, always eager to bully me whenever the head maid was busy, were at it again.“She thinks scrubbing harder will clean her filthy bloodline,” one of them sneered. Her broom handle knocked over the bucket beside me, spilling soapy water across the floor and into my lap.“Please stop,” I said, keeping my head down.“I hope Alpha Alec throws you into the dungeon so we don’t have to look at your evil eyes anymore.”They had no idea how dark my mind was. I played the meek servant, took all the abu