Axel
My eyes lazily opened, and my body felt heavy with the satisfaction of deep sleep. The rain pelted down against the roof, and I remained in a tranquil haze. It had been raining constantly these days, my favorite time of the year, but nothing compared to waking up beside Eve.
My senses sharpened instantly, drawn to the warmth radiating from her body next to me. She was still asleep, her hair tangled on the pillow, looking like a delicate doll. She slept peacefully. It was strange how she stayed in one position all night.
Her presence was a magnet, pulling me out of the fog of sleep into a heightened state of awareness. My fingers found her soft tresses, caressing them gently, not wanting to wake her. But the more I touched her, the more pleasure stirred within me.
Desire coiled inside me, demanding immediate satisfaction. It was an irresistible compulsion—to taste her, to feel her res
ShaharI watched absently as Priestess Gaia draped amulets around Axel’s neck, muttering in hushed tones. The trinkets clinked against his bare skin. She rubbed a pungent mixture of oil along his legs, and her fingers glided over every scar and knot as if trying to rub away centuries of inherited pain.Axel sat motionless, but I knew him well enough to sense the pain coiled inside him. This wasn’t the first ritual, nor would it be the last. How often had we stood here, watching mystics attempt to cleanse him? How many battles had he fought, sacrifices he had made, all in the name of breaking a curse that refused to loosen its grip?He had endured years of offerings—blood spilled, relics destroyed, temples burned to appease a wrathful spirit. He had stood in deserts and at the feet of mountains, letting shamans carve symbols into his back.He had walked through fire, let himself be s
CrystalThe moment Shahar’s eyes darkened at the mention of the Blackwood Pack, my stomach twisted with dread. I had nearly exposed myself and Eve without thinking.This was confirmation. Axel and the Lycans had a direct connection to our pack, a connection deep enough to justify the massacre that had left us orphaned. It had never been a coincidence.I swallowed the lump in my throat, remembering the day I had found out my dad was dead. The crushing weight of grief, the suffocating silence of a home that would never be the same. I had been just a teenager, left to navigate a world that had chewed up and spat out my entire bloodline.Standing here, I felt the same creeping rage settle into my bones.But unlike Eve, I had no intention of ever accepting this bond.I would rather rip out my own heart and serve it on a platter than submit to whatever
EveWith the absence of rain came the scorching sun. Fortunately, there was a beach in the pack, and I needed to clear my head.Nina, the queen of obnoxiousness, breezed into the castle only to disappear again a few days later. It was a pattern at this point—she came, occupied space, irritated everyone, and left before anyone could breathe easy. It was a relief whenever she was gone, and I planned to take full advantage of her latest departure. I needed to leave and return before dinner.I pulled a sundress over my bikini, packed a few snacks, a blanket, and sunscreen into a bag. Crystal had gotten me my journal, the one I had kept while I was married to that gold digger. I planned to read, reminisce, and fortify my hatred for Lance.The beach was perfect. The sand, the heat, the waves, and the lack of rules made it the perfect escape. I spread my blanket, lay on the sand, and simply obse
Eve The Festival of Increase was in full swing, so I decided to go with Crystal. It was almost illegal how often I remained in my human form rather than shifting into my wolf.Most werewolves embraced their other side, running freely every evening, but I had spent too much time resisting it.When this opportunity presented itself, I took it. Partly to let Maya, who had been restless and irritable from being cooped up for too long, stretch her legs. She hated how I kept her locked away. And partly because I wanted to see Axel in his full form.It was strange. He was the King, the ruler of this entire territory, yet I had never seen him shift. He didn’t lead morning runs or participate in the frontlines of hunts.Lycans had an effortless way of shifting, something werewolves didn’t. It was like breathing, a mere thought commanding the transformation for them. For us, it took more effort and a conscious surrender to the primal part of ourselves. The clearing was alive with movement. Ly
EveI woke earlier than the maids to prepare cassoulet, a slow-cooked bean and meat stew with eggs. The beans alone took several hours to soften, so I had to start early. Crystal’s train left at nine am, and I needed to take her to the station.As I stirred my stew, my fingers brushed against the pocket of my apron, where the poison Crystal had given me was hidden. The package was small, a white powder sealed inside a transparent pouch. Innocent-looking, yet lethal.The mere thought of carrying it made my skin crawl like I was wearing my crime on my sleeve. I could already hear the accusations. Murderer. Traitor. Weakling."You know I can't kill him," I had told Crystal. "If I could, I would have. I've had many opportunities to do it, but the bond won’t let me."“I know you can't, because you love him, and—”"Love?" I scoffed, nearly choking on my saliva. "I don’t love him."Crystal smirked. "Oh, yes, you do. No matter how much you try to deny it. You wouldn’t waste so much time avoi
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
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