EveThe sight of Lance made my rage bubble and sent a wave of nausea crashing over me.It was a sickening mix of anger and betrayal. He was here. He dared to come here. The bastard stood like he owned the place, wearing a relaxed grin.My gaze snapped to Axel. I didnât need a prophet to tell me that Axel had invited him. Who else had the power? The realization cut fresh wounds into my already battered heart. He had dragged a nightmare back into my life without blinking, handing my greatest enemy a front-row seat to watch me burn.He believed Lance. Of course, he did. He believed the man who had tried to kill me. The injustice of it all made me scream. Memories of how it all started, how I had found myself spiraling into bouts of sickness with no cure, filled my head. Yet Axel believed Lanceâs lies.I surged to my feet, and my furious scream tore through the silence of the night."You bastard! What have you come to do? You dare show your face after ruining my life? Have you come to fin
EveI couldn't stop crying.A raw grief tore through me, leaving me hollow and broken.The world was unfairâeverything was so unfair. No matter how I tried to wipe my face clean, the tears kept falling. It was the kind of crying that came from the soul, the kind you canât just reason through. The world had wrapped me in disappointment and squeezed. The more I thought about everything, the more I cried.I had been so blind, so naÃŊve, so foolish. And that bastard had turned my life into a nightmare. Axel had almost killed meâfor a lie. Such a joke. I couldn't even look at him. All I felt was the crushing weight of shame. I was lost, broken, and betrayed.Somewhere in the haze of my tear-blurred vision, I looked up and saw Axel standing before me. I hadnât even noticed the others leaving the room. The moment my eyes landed on him, the dam broke again. He extended his hand, and I reached for it, mine trembling as he helped me to my feet. I clung to it like it was the last lifeline I had.
EveAxel lay beside me, silent, his back partially turned. The room was dim, warm, quiet. I studied his profile, the tension in his jaw, the way he hadnât met my gaze in the past five minutes. It was time. I knew it. Not just because my body craved it, not just because we needed the bond sealed to survive what was comingâbut because I wanted it. For him. For me. For the baby we hadnât dared talk about since the council incident."Axel," I said, voice low, steady. "It's time."He didnât move at first. Then, slowly, he turned, his eyes heavy with thoughts he wouldn't say out loud.I didn't need him to speak. I could feel itâthe fear, the hesitation. What if the bond didn't take? What if it broke him? But I knew better. I knew him. I knew us.---The path to the Priestess Lake was quiet, save for the occasional crackle of dry leaves under our feet. The moon above was full, washing the trees in silver light. Cold air brushed past my skin, but I didnât shiver. Not tonight.Gaia was already
Bonus bookTitle: A doctor's touch I used to laugh at women who said heartbreak had pushed them close to madness. I thought they were stretching the truth, maybe being dramatic for attention.âDicks are like buses. Thereâs always another one coming,â I told my sister once, while she cried over a guy who had breakouts on every visible surface of his face.To me, love wasnât that serious. If a man didnât want me, Iâd accept it and move on. I believed in putting on my big girl pants and keeping them moving. No crying. No falling apart.But life has a strange way of humbling people. When my ex, Brad left me, it wasnât just painful. It was like someone ripped the ground from under me. My pride, my confidence, and even my sanity were shaken.The hurt didnât sit quietly. It screamed. It jabbed. It reminded me every hour that I was not different. I wasnât safe from the same kind of heartbreak I used to joke about.Brad never said we were over. He just disappeared. He moved out of his apartme
The nurses left without another glance, shoes tapping quickly against the tiled floor. They didnât close the door behind them. I was alone. My limbs were useless, my body stiff and sore, but somehow, my thoughts were not focused on the pain. They were locked on the man who had just entered. This doctor. His presence filled the room like heat from a working stove. I couldnât move, but I could feel everything, especially between my legs. That place had decided to wake up, even while the rest of me felt like a pile of broken bones.He stepped closer to me. I stopped breathing without meaning to. My chest tightened, and I wondered if he noticed. A strange part of my brain, the one I usually ignored, told me he might kiss me. Just like that. Like in one of those dreamy stories people laugh at but secretly believe in.Instead, he pulled out a flashlight. A small silver one. He clicked it on and pointed it into my eyes. The sudden brightness made me flinch.âSorry, just checking your pupils,
ChandlerGlad the day was finally over, I made my way to the parking lot of Helen Joseph Hospital. My body ached from the physical demands of the job, a deep yawn escaped my lips, and my eyes burned from the fatigue of the long shift.It had been a day like any other in the hospital, filled with the usual challenges - the endless stream of patients, the high-stakes decision-making, the emotional toll of dealing with life and death. All I could think about was soaking in a hot bath, feeling the warm water envelop my weary muscles, and letting out a deep sigh of relief. But despite the exhaustion and stress, I couldn't deny that I loved my job. I loved the rush of adrenaline when a critical patient came in, the satisfaction when a treatment plan came together, and the quiet moments of connection with my patients.So many of my colleagues were eager to leave the country for better opportunities. I understood the allure - better pay, better working conditions, a better quality of life.
AlexaThat afternoon, I was transferred out of the accident and emergency ward to the orthopedic ward. The ride on the stretcher on a larger-than-life elevator made me dizzy to the point that I had to shut my eyes. I opened them when we arrived in a massive ward with several wings branching off in different directions. The noise, sterile walls, smell of antiseptic, caused the general feeling of being trapped. They wheeled me into the outer wing, near a large window, and I realized we were probably on the fourth or fifth floor. My new bed was positioned near the window, which I supposed was a small blessing. At least I would have something to look at during the long hours ahead. There was a small table next to my bed, a chair in the corner, and a thin curtain that could be drawn for privacy, though it didnât seem like it would do much to block out the noise.I took in my new surroundings. The ward was semi-private, with only a few beds in each section. Some patients wore hospital gow
AlexaTwo days blurred together as I underwent more and more tests. The doctors wanted to be sure there were no internal injuries, and I was poked and prodded by machines and needles.One of the scans revealed a bone dangerously close to my bladder. It was a good thing I couldnât move, and that my body had essentially shut down any urge to pass out waste except urine; otherwise, things could have been much worse.I was doing my best not to let Dr. Chandlerâs presence get to me. Every time he walked into the room, I felt a ridiculous flutter in my chest. The doctorâs sex appeal was blinding, and it annoyed me to no end.To make matters worse, I was still hurting from Brad's heartbreak. I sent him a text, calling him wicked and heartless. I told him how hurtful it was that he had moved on so quickly, as if I had meant nothing to him at all. With tears blurring my vision, I hit send, not expecting a reply but needing to get the words out of my system.After I sent the message, my mind dr
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 couldnât belong to anyone but me.She took another shaky step down. Her knees wobbled like a newborn pupâs.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.Vanessaâs lips parted. She staggered. Her scent punched
Vanessaâs 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 sheâd 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. âWhat are you up to?â I cried out, exasperated.Nina looked around and whispered, âWalls have ears. You don't want Isabella and Maya to hear this.âShe smoothed her skirt and turned back to the stairs. Without glancing back, she said, âFollow me.âRage crawled up my neck. I stood there with clenched fists, before forcing my legs to move.We didnât 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?Iâd 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, "Youâve 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 Olgaâs wolfsbane. She wasnât 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 wouldnât 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 servantsâ 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 youâve lost your damn mind, just say it out loud so I can send for the psychiatrist."I didnât 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 shouldâve gotten her the moment the bond snapped into place. You think you can hide her? This isnât about your feelingsâitâs about what the Kingdom sees.""Stop it," I said flatly. "Youâre beginning to sound like a broken record. I have a mind of my own.""Then use it," he snapped. "Youâre showing weakness: This is not like you. Iâll keep reminding you every fucking minute if it keeps you from wrecking your life."I shot him a sharp look. "I hope you havenât 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 hadnât 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 thatâs 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 fiancÃĐe, Maya, clung to his arm like a jewel. I was glad that he saw me."Iâm 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 everyoneâs expectations had crushed the part of me that used to feel alive.I pressed my back to the wall, breathing like Iâd just come out of a fight. The goddess hadnât 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. "Sheâs 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 didnât leave."Shut the fuck up," I bellowed at my wolf, who was starved for our mateâs 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 familyâs 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.âShe thinks scrubbing harder will clean her filthy bloodline,â one of them sneered. Her broom handle knocked over the bucket beside me, spilling soapy water across the floor and into my lap.âPlease stop,â I said, keeping my head down.âI hope Alpha Alec throws you into the dungeon so we donât have to look at your evil eyes anymore.âThey had no idea how dark my mind was. I played the meek servant, took all the abu