Eve
A bland meal was before me, but my hunger was stronger, making me willing to eat. Picking up the fork, I poked at the potatoes and sliced through their mushy texture. Surprisingly, when I took a bite, it tasted better than it looked.
I was alone as Crystal had dashed back to our pack to manage the hospital. I could manage basic tasks, although with some difficulty, but I assured her I’d be fine, and she promised to return before my next round of medication.
My mind wandered back to our last conversation. She had been just as confused and worried as I was about my mate not acknowledging the bond.
“Are you going to confront him and demand answers?”
“What would I even say?” I replied wearily. “He killed my parents. I vowed on their graves to end his life. Nothing makes sense anymore.”
Her eyes softened, and she reached across the table to squeeze my hand. “You don’t have to have all the answers right now. Take it one day at a time.”
My lips twisted into a bitter smile. “Sure, let’s see how ‘one day at a time’ works for me. My parents and unborn brother were just a fraction of the loss. We lost important leaders, elders, and even High Priestess Olga. He ruined me, Crystal.”
Her face crumpled with sympathy as she hugged me. When I started crying, she rubbed my back.
“Eve, you're brave, strong, and wise beyond your years. Don’t let this break you.”
“I don’t know how much more I can take,” I sobbed against her shoulder. “First, my parents died. Then my husband tried to kill me. Now, my parents’ murderer is my mate, and he’s ignoring the bond. There’s a limit, Crystal.”
Crystal pulled away, cupping my chin. “As for that bastard Lance, he will pay for what he did. I’ll make him sign the divorce papers and expose him for the snake he is.”
Pulling myself out of my hopeless thoughts, I pushed the food aside. Thinking all day wasn’t going to solve my problems. I needed to act—and fast.
“The woods are calling us,” Maya yapped eagerly. “Let’s shift.”
I ignored her whining and dragged myself to the bed, pulling the duvet tightly around me.
---
Time dragged on, each day blending into a dull routine. My days were filled with eating, sleeping, and counting the hours until Crystal arrived.
On day five, I woke up with an unsettled sensation. It was as though I was anticipating seeing my mate. I sat unnaturally still, trying to suppress the excitement Maya was stirring within me. I needed to hate the Lycan King and get my priorities straight.
Despite myself, I made an effort to look presentable. I washed my hair, straightened it with my fingers as it dried, and stood before the mirror to examine my reflection. I had healed rapidly. My sickly complexion was gone, and my face had begun to fill out again. I looked almost unrecognizable compared to a week ago.
“Why are you hesitating? We’re healing because of our mate,” Maya hummed in my mind.
“He doesn’t want us,” I shot back. “And I don’t care anymore.”
But the truth burned like acid in my throat.
A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Crystal walked in with a bright smile, and her eyes widened in surprise as she breathed. She stared at me in wonder.
“Oh my goodness, Eve, you look incredible! I can’t believe this is the same person I left a few days ago.”
My lips cracked into a small smile. She grabbed my hand and hurriedly led me to the bed. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and I narrowed mine.
“Should I be worried?”
“I have a plan. Hear me out and trust the process.” She reached into her bag, pulled out a red dress, and held it up. “This, my Luna, will knock the king off his high horse.”
“I’m not wearing that,” I said flatly. “I’m supposed to be a patient.”
“Nope. You’re supposed to be a knockout. Red looks amazing on you—it always has. And with your eyes, you’ll look irresistible.”
“The bond doesn’t exonerate him from the punishment he deserves,” I reminded her.
“Of course not, but this is your chance for revenge. It's a chance to make him pay finally. The souls of your parents can rest knowing you’ve gotten your pound of flesh.”
“I won’t let you kill our mate,” Maya growled in my mind.
I ignored Maya’s protests and locked eyes with Crystal. Slowly, a smile crept onto my lips. “Maybe you’re right.”
Crystal clapped her hands, grinning like a child with a secret. 'When am I ever wrong?”
After Crystal dressed me up, she stepped back to admire her handiwork. Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
“Now, that's my Luna.”
I turned toward the mirror, taking in my reflection. The red dress hugged my figure perfectly. It was short and proudly flaunted my legs but didn’t cross into indecency. Crystal had straightened my bangs, and I looked more like the woman I used to be.
We left the room, and the short walk to the healing center felt longer than it should have. Crystal kept up a stream of light chatter, trying to distract me from my nerves. When we arrived, the matron at the desk did a double take, her eyes widening as she recognized me.
“This is the fastest recovery I’ve seen. Are you sure you were dying a few days ago?”
Crystal spoke for me. “Healing does wonders, doesn’t it?” she said simply as I walked to the waiting room and waited my turn. Crystal had stepped away, claiming she needed to visit the lab to "steal some ideas." The minutes dragged on, and so did my restlessness. Finally, my name was called. I rose to my feet and walked toward the treatment room.
I took a deep breath at the door, hoping I wouldn’t falter and that Maya wouldn’t make things worse for us. The door creaked open, revealing King Axel standing inside with another male, whom I guessed was his Beta. The two were deep in conversation, and the other male laughed heartily at something Axel had said.
He was tall and broad-shouldered like Axel but relaxed in a way Axel never was. His laughter cut off abruptly when he noticed me, and his mouth dropped open as he gave me an exaggerated once-over.
“Damn, an angel just dropped to earth.”
Axel's eyes met mine briefly, but it was so quick, leaving me wondering if I saw a flash of irritation or something more complex that he was deliberately hiding.
“What do you want?” he snapped.
I felt so degraded and worthless that it squeezed my ribs, but I closed off all thoughts of his rejection.
“Why don’t you check my file?”
He looked at me again with his permanent scowl and grabbed the file. His eyes narrowed further as he flipped through it, then he looked up at me, confused.
“This can’t be right. You’re not the same person I treated days ago.”
I shrugged. “Maybe your gift is better than you thought.”
Surprisingly, he smiled at me, revealing a dimple on his left cheek. My heart skipped. The following words he spoke wiped away whatever feeling I had.
“You’re not the first to show up here looking for attention, and you won’t be the last.”
The comment stung. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. His friend stepped forward and extended a hand toward me.
“Ignore the grumpy king. I’m Shahar, and unlike him, I can appreciate true beauty when I see it.”
I hesitated to take his hand, glancing at Axel to gauge his reaction. To my surprise and disappointment, he didn’t even seem interested.
“If she’s desperate enough to fake her sickness, imagine what else she’s capable of,” Axel mumbled.
“Tell him the truth!” Maya cried out in my mind. But I forced myself to remain calm, keeping my gaze on him. Shahar must have noticed me staring at Axel. His smile faltered, glancing between Axel and me.
Realizing what I was doing, I took Shahar’s hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Eve.”
“A sight for sore eyes,” he said with a grin, kissing my left hand.
If Axel wanted to dismiss me, I’d show him I wouldn't bow to his arrogance. Two could play this game.
Eve My heart pounded in an uncoordinated rhythm that refused to settle, as if it were trying to escape the cage of my ribs. Each thump sent shockwaves through my body, all thanks to this murderer's intoxicating scent that stirred something raw within me.No matter how much I tried to ignore it, his scent curled around my senses. I heard a roaring in my ears and I had to clamp my teeth shut to stop myself from crying out.I couldn't explain how I hated someone, yet my wolf grew restless with need. It was a whirlwind of feelings bubbling inside me, threatening to explode. Feeling a desire for him was dishonorable to my parents, who died unjustly. It was shameful.Across the room, Shahar leaned against the counter, watching me. He was just the opposite of Axel, with a warm smile and confidence that seemed to reach right out to me. It felt real, open, and maybe even a little comforting.I might have felt proud or curious that a good-looking male was paying attention to me in another lif
EveMy desire swelled with every passing second, making it impossible to focus on anything else. Just being in the same space as Axel, breathing the same air, caused every nerve in my body to be on high alert, desperate for something I knew I could never have.But beneath the desire was a shame that clawed at my chest. Then Axel looked at me. Not a passing glance, but truly looked at me. His gaze bore into mine, and for the first time, it felt like he was actually seeing me.My heart became a trembling mess inside my chest, and my body betrayed me with a shiver.Was this the moment he would acknowledge what we both felt? Would he stop pretending, stop fighting, stop acting like he was immune to the bond that had already consumed me whole.He leaned in, his face so close that I could feel the warmth of his breath ghosting over my skin. My heart pounded wildly, flooding an unexplainable pleasure through my veins.He was going to kiss me.Holy hell.My breath hitched in my throat and I g
Eve I hadn't been outside for more than a minute before irritation flared through me. The sun was relentless, glaring down as if punishing me. I was searching for Crystal, and when I finally found her hunched under a palm tree, furiously typing on her phone.Her head snapped up the moment she noticed me."What happened in there?" She narrowed her eyes. "Do I need to set that monster on fire?"Despite myself, I smiled. "It's not what he did. It's what he didn't do." I leaned against the rough bark, folding my arms as I exhaled sharply.Crystal waited."He makes it so hard," I muttered. "I want him, and at the same time, I hate him so much. It’s unnatural that he’s ignoring me. The way he looks at me—" I swallowed. "It makes me feel like I’m less than nothing."She sighed and reached out, brushing her fingers against my cheek. "He doesn’t deserve you, Eve. Mate bond or not, that pig has no right to make you feel like this.""It’s hard," I admitted, voice trembling. A humorless laugh bu
Eve The kitchen was wrapped in the comforting aroma of roasted vegetables and sauces. Axel and Shahar’s voices filtered through the hallway. Shahar was louder, his words carrying a carefreeness that came naturally to him. Axel, on the other hand, sounded distant. But when he laughed, it didn’t sound like it belonged to him. It was too smooth, too easy, too human for a monster.Curiosity got the best of me. I moved cautiously, pressing my ear against the surface of the wall, listening.“Nicolas and his goons are just a bunch of noisemakers,” Shahar said. “He’s been so busy flapping his mouth, he didn’t even realize his cabinet member was fucking his wife.”A low chuckle drifted from Axel. A chill slithered down my back, causing my breath to halt in my throat. Was this the same laugh he let out when my family was murdered? When my parents begged for their lives?My heart pounded faster.“The numbers aren’t looking good for him,” Shahar continued, enjoying their rival’s misfortune.Axel
AxelThe simplicity of a full stomach quieted the storm in my mind. Shahar sat across from me, leaning back in his chair with a contented sigh, his hand lazily rubbing his belly. “You look like a dog who just found a hidden feast,” I quipped, and he cracked one eye open, grinning“What can I say? Eve is a great cook. Admit it, you enjoyed the food.”I let out a low chuckle but didn't reply. The calm didn't last long. It never did. A familiar dark voice in my head reminded me not to get comfortable. Nothing good lasts for people like me, a cursed, unfortunate soul.“You're brooding again,” Shahar said, breaking through my thoughts. “Am I?” I asked dryly.My gaze wandered toward the open corridor beyond the living room, where his fling walked by. Her transformation was undeniable.A self-assured woman replaced the frail, sickly figure I’d glimpsed days ago. She drew attention as quickly as the sun drew flowers. The sway of her hips commanded attention.She was just a woman, like the c
Eve When I heard Axel mention he would marry someone to spite Shahar, my entire world came crashing down instantly. There was someone else in his life. He was willing to leave me, his fated mate, for her.He was discarding the bond as if it were nothing more than a minor inconvenience.I clenched my jaw, refusing to let the pain consume me. I needed to prove to him that I was strong. That I didn’t need him. That he was nothing.Shahar returned after seeing Axel off. When I heard the door close, I rushed to the kitchen, gathering the dishes and wiping down the countertop. He padded, trying to sneak up on me, but I had already noticed. I didn’t turn back—I wanted to see where his moral compass lay.Surprisingly, he didn’t do anything foolish.“Did you enjoy your meal?” I asked, keeping my tone light.“Hell yeah,” he said, dropping into a seat. “You’re excellent.”I wiped my hands with a towel. “I heard you mention a council meeting. Has he agreed for me to cook?”Shahar chuckled. “You
Eve The castle workers lived in a world different from what I had imagined. Comfort was a standard. They were well-dressed, well-fed, and, from what I could tell, highly content with their lives. But what shocked me the most was their pay.When my appointment letter was drafted and I caught sight of the salary and benefits listed under my name, my mouth nearly hit the floor. I was certain Shahar had pulled some strings, but he hadn’t.Not that I needed the money, but I couldn't ignore that the castle’s staff, mere servants in the grand scheme of things, earned better than some professionals in my pack. Even more shocking were the added benefits—medical coverage, housing allowances, and retirement bonuses. Retirement bonuses for a cook were insane.But it explained a lot.Like why Victoria hated me on sight.She was threatened and shot daggers at me from across the kitchen. If looks could kill, I’d be ashes by now.Axel made no sense.Everything about him was a contradiction. How coul
EveThe day of the cabinet meeting had finally arrived. It was a long and exhausting day for me and the other staff, but Victoria, as usual, strutted around like she was in charge, snapping out instructions and acting as if she had everything under control, when in reality, she was doing the bare minimum.I didn’t mind. If anything, I saw it as an opportunity to prove her wrong. She had gone on and on about how I was just some newcomer who didn’t belong in her kitchen. I poured every ounce of effort into my work, paying close attention to detail, making sure every dish was cooked to perfection.By midday, I was already exhausted. My apron was stained with the colors of spices, and my arms bore the marks of splattered oil from roasting the rib of the deer. But I refused to slow down.Victoria, ever the peacock, marched over to me. “You have to make sure the rib is roasted to a perfect golden brown crust on the outside and tender within,” she said in her usual snappish tone. “That’s how
My breath hitched as I pulled away from Axel’s kiss, and my lips tingled from its heat. I rolled off him, falling back onto the bed, and a flush of heat crept up my neck.My mind spun, replaying what had just happened.I could feel his warmth on my skin and his taste lingering in my mouth.My body screamed at me to close the distance again, to give in to the moment, to let him devour me all over again.But I forced myself to move away.This wasn’t right.His heated gaze was locked onto mine, roaming over my body in a way that made me feel both exposed and wanted. It was wild how much I wanted to feel his touch again, but I couldn’t.Not when he had already given himself to someone else.My hands balled into fists at the thought. I snapped my eyes away from him, swallowing hard."What the hell are we doing?" I whispered, my voice shaky, my chest rising and falling with the effort of trying to stay in control.He didn’t answer immediately.Then, a knowing chuckle rumbled from his chest,
EveI woke to Axel’s hands tracing slow, deliberate paths along my skin. His forehead rested against my shoulder blade, his lips hovering just above my collarbone.A smile tugged at my lips.His hands slid from my sides to my hips, pulling me closer. I sighed, leaning back against him, wondering why the universe had decided to punish me."What are you doing?" I asked, though I already knew."How does someone who looks like they lost a fight with a wild beast still crave a woman’s touch?"Axel, half-dead but still arrogant, cracked open one eye. "Survival instinct."I snorted. "Oh, is that what this is? So, what—you think if you hold onto me long enough, your wounds will magically heal?"His lips twitched, but exhaustion dulled his usual smirk. His arm tightened around my waist, his breath warm against my hair."Worth a shot."I moved closer, pressing against his bare chest. His scent filled my lungs, grounding me and calming me."You’re impossible."Axel exhaled, shifting slightly aga
EveThe priestess was about to step past the threshold of the kitchen when urgency gripped me. I rushed forward, nearly colliding with her back.The sudden movement made the older woman pause, her shoulders tilting slightly before she turned back to face me.I blocked her exit."What did you mean?"The priestess tilted her head, an amused glint dancing in her eyes."Now, whatever could you be referring to?" she mused.I narrowed my gaze."Don't play with me. You said something cryptic, and I don't like it. What are you implying?"Her smile widened like she was enjoying my discomfort."It was just a general statement, child. You seem rather reactive for someone who's simply cooking."The implication made my blood boil. I hated how she made me feel like I was examined under a microscope, as if she had already unraveled the secrets tangled in my mind before I could make sense of them myself."I was just making soup. That’s all I was doing, and then you come in here and drop little riddle
EveThe moment I stepped off the transport system and onto the streets of the Lycan Pack’s capital, I knew something was wrong.The air was too still. No moving vehicles. No industrial sounds.Nothing.The entire city seemed to have been drained of life.I adjusted the bag on my shoulder, taking slow steps forward. My eyes scanned the silent streets. Maybe it was a holiday? Or perhaps a royal decree for silence?If something like that had happened, I would have heard about it before I left. Shahar would have informed me.My heart pounded as I glanced around. No cars. No buses. Not even a single bicycle moving through the streets.This was very unusual.My instincts sharpened and my wolf stirred inside me.I passed by a storefront, catching the reflection of my face
AxelThe mid-year party was in full swing. Music played in the background, setting the mood for celebration, but to me, it was nothing more than noise—distant, irritating.Nothing beyond that.I had already done my duty—acknowledged the elders, exchanged empty pleasantries, and offered a few words of wisdom to the warriors who had recently risen in rank. But now, I was trapped.Surrounded by a cluster of noblewomen who reeked of desperation and expensive perfume.Ever since Nina had made our supposed engagement public, the women had taken it as a challenge—thinking they still had a chance.It was pathetic and exhausting."It's shocking, really," Beatrix purred, tilting her head, her sharp gaze laced with jealousy. "We thought you weren’t the type to settle down, yet Nina managed to—how should I say it?—
EveThe road stretched ahead of us, winding through the remnants of a once-thriving land. Nostalgia wrapped around me, suspending me between past and present.Everything felt different now.Even the air seemed thinner, lacking the same fullness it once had when I was a child, running barefoot through the Market Square, dodging merchants, stealing warm pastries with Crystal.The air smelled like rotten eggs now. Still, it was home.And I missed it.Beside me, Crystal linked her fingers with mine. She always seemed to know when my mind drifted too far, as if we shared some unseen bond."Remember when we were little? How we used to hold hands like this all the time?" She swung our hands between us, and a wistful smile played on her lips.I smiled. "Back then, we didn’t have to worry about politics. Or betrayals. Or
EveI woke up to a sharp, twisting pain in my stomach, dragging me out of my sleep like a cruel hand yanking me from a dream.Gasping, I pressed a hand to my abdomen, hoping it was just a cramp, some indigestion, anything but what I already suspected.I sat up and forced myself to stand. My body protested, the hot, uncomfortable sensation in my stomach making me feel like I was burning from the inside out.“No. No, no, no.”I shuffled toward the table where I had left a glass of water from the night before. I barely took a sip before a wave of nausea slammed into me.Stumbling backward, I choked on air. Then, the pain flared, hotter and sharper.Maya whimpered inside me.Or maybe she howled.Or maybe it was both.My fingers dug into the fabric of my nightgown
AxelThe corridors were quiet, save for the murmurs of servants beginning their day. I descended the staircase, following the scent of food wafting from the dining hall. Instead of the usual rich aroma that stirred my appetite, there was an unsettling, burnt scent that made my stomach turn.The moment I saw Nina standing by the dining table, adjusting the placement of cutlery, the answer was clear. Eve hadn’t cooked this.At the mere thought of Eve’s name, my stomach twisted. I had been avoiding her on purpose, trying to pull my mind out of the madness of wanting her. Again and again.Nina turned at the sound of my approach, and her eyes lit up with excitement."Good morning, my love," she purred, stepping aside as she gestured dramatically toward the meal before me.My stomach clenched. Warning bells rang in my mind.I lowered myself into the chair, removing the lid from the plates. Eggs, toast, and what looked like some kind of stew. It looked passable enough, but the scent was off.
EveStanding in the shadows of the corridor, I watched Axel seated at the head of the table, speaking to his advisors. The plate of snacks I had placed before him earlier sat untouched.He hadn’t spared me a glance.Was he avoiding me?Of course, he was. Since that unholy night.Maybe he was regretting it, realizing it was a mistake. Maybe I should care less.I stacked the dishes for cleaning. He wasn’t silent with others. He still spoke to them, brief conversations, acknowledgments with his guards, even some of the maids.He was busy, but not too busy to speak to others.Just me.I hated myself for feeling frustrated. I should be relieved—his attention was dangerous. I had seen what happened to women who got tangled in his world, and I was not here for that.I was here for revenge.I wasn’t supposed to care if he ignored me.I thought I had at least a few days of peace, but then Nina walked back into the castle like she was reclaiming a throne.The moment I spotted her entering the h