LOGINShare
160
Last Updated:
2025-01-18 07:25:46
Related chapters
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 161
Violetta"I don't understand. You accessed your magic in human form before, when your wolf forced you to use it. Do I need to fatally wound someone to let that happen?" Evalina snarled in frustration at my recent failure.Today's assignment? Offensive magic. All I had to do was move a stick.One lousy stick.Instead, I was covered in sweat, and the stick just sat in its original place in the grass, mocking me."I wouldn't risk it. I don't think me moving this stick is going to save anyone today," I panted and sat down in the grass. This was a better workout than any cardio. Muscles I didn't even know I had ached at the strain of trying to move that damn branch.I expected the Crone to force me up, but she just went unnaturally still, and her eyes grew vacant. Worried it was Maeve, I jumped to my feet, but she held out her hand. "It's Lunessa. They've made it to the compound. She and your mate are fine."Blowing out my breath, I relaxed. I knew Ferrara was fine. I could still feel him
Last Updated : 2025-01-18He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 162
ViolettaOne by one, I bonded with the others. Lucy, Raven, and Carla. I was desperate not to show it, but bonding the four women in quick succession drained me. Finn and Kenzi left to shower and rest, and Jenson escorted me back to my room."When was the last time you've eaten?" he asked in a low voice."I had a box of crackers on the way here," I claimed proudly. Okay, a box was stretching the truth. I'd had maybe five or six crackers."Rest. I'm going to have food sent up to you," he ordered.I was tired, but that didn't mean I was going to shirk my duties. "As soon as Finn and Kenzi have showered, I need to talk with them," I protested."They've been pushing themselves for days. They're going to need more than a shower. They're going to rest, and we can all have dinner together."He stopped at my bedroom, and I narrowed my eyes at him. "You are not supposed to order me around.""Uh-huh. I liked it better when you were a submissive," he sighed. "Rest. Eat. There will be plenty for
Last Updated : 2025-01-18He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 163
ViolettaAnother night without Ferrara. I wasn't sleeping well, and as I trudged up to my room after a late night dinner in the mess hall, I considered calling Jenson and asking some more questions about the operations that were not day-to-day. Pulling out my phone, I remembered that he was planning to spend the night with Irene. So far, Maeve had not made another appearance, but I knew Irene was scared.She needed Jenson more than I did.Pocketing my phone, I turned down the hall and stopped short. There were noises coming from my bedroom.Loud noises.Squealing?Laughter. It abated, and I opened the door cautiously. Amelia, Kenzi, Cindy, Janelle, and Ava had piled onto my bed. There was a huge spread of food on the table, and music playing from a speaker somewhere."Hi," I said dumbly. "What is happening here?""Girl's night!" Janelle called out. When I stared at her, she frowned. "You've never had a girl's night, have you?""Did Jenson put this together because he was tired of me c
Last Updated : 2025-01-18He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 164
FerraraI didn't relish sleeping in the bed with a woman who was not my mate. With cameras up, we couldn't risk anything looking suspicious, so when we slipped into bed together, I pulled the covers up to my chin to hide the fact that I'd created a little sheet barrier between us.There was discomfort for Lunessa as well. She held herself so stiff and still in the bed. I had a feeling she'd never shared her night with another man.London would be pleased.We slept fitfully, and by the time the sun rose, I was already awake and pacing in the small room. With a yawn, she sat up. "What's wrong?""Nothing. Just worried. How did you sleep?" I sat on the edge of the bed, my back to the camera, and let the pretense in my expression drop just a little."I wandered a little in my dreams. Everything is fine," she said carefully. Did that mean she'd made contact with Evalina and Violetta and the others were doing all right? While I knew there was no one else who could have taken my place here, I
Last Updated : 2025-01-26He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 165
FerraraThat wasn't the only guard I saw armed with a gun. Unease filled me as I looked around. I hadn't anticipated the weapons. Most wolves preferred to fight in their beast form. "Are you expecting trouble?" I asked when the tour ended. We stood in a glass room looking down at what seemed like a gymnasium. At least thirty people were below in a circle, passing a flame along the black candles they held and chanting something in a language I'd never heard of before."The weapons? Where there is information, there is always someone who wishes to steal it," Broderick said mildly as he looked down. "It's midday. When the sun is highest in the sky, we ask for her protection.""Not the moons?""We ask for hers as well, but we are the Protectors of the Land. We must see to the earth's nourishment as well as our own. It is our hope that the sun's magic can protect it against all invaders, including that of ancient spells. We perform this every day."I lifted my eyebrows. "Does it work?""We
Last Updated : 2025-01-26He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 166
FerraraLunessa's fury was so real that for a moment, I thought it was fueled by magic. When she'd shimmied out of her underwear in the shower, my eyes instantly closed.She turned off her recorder and laughed awkwardly. "What did you say?""What?"A beat, and then she shouted. "Are you fucking kidding me? You are such an asshole!" She stormed out of the shower, and I quickly shucked off my boxers."Baby, wait...""Don't you baby me! You called me Cindy! Are you not over her?""It was an accident...""Accident, my ass." Still soaking wet, she pulled on a dress and glared at me. "You talk a big game about this wolf mating, but I can't feel it, can I? How do I even know that it's me? Sounds a whole helluva lot like it was her. Were you with her the night they took me?""Shit, no, of course not! I...I mean, I was, but it wasn't like that!"Her scream pierced my ears, and she picked up the lamp and threw it at my head. Then, she wrenched open the door and stormed out.I heard the poor gua
Last Updated : 2025-01-26He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 167
ViolettaAt the sound of the crash, I dove out of the bathroom. After last night's slumber party, I was wary of whatever Jenson had planned for tonight, but it wasn't another ruse to keep my mind occupied."Saul," I bellowed, not thinking that he wouldn't be able to hear me. "Jenson. Kenzi. Help!"Blood was fucking everywhere. Ferrara groaned as he tried to sit up, but I pushed him back on the mattress and cradled his face in my hands. His eyes were open, and he appeared alert, although I could see the pain in his eyes. Jesus, was that a burn on his side?Lunessa wasn't conscious. I put a hand to her throat and prayed. There was a pulse. Just a flutter, but it was fading fast. Gritting my teeth, I pulled hard on the pack bonds. There was a loud grunt outside the door before it flew open. Saul fell through."Damn it, Violetta, give a warning before you do that. When you pull on the pack bonds it feels..." his voice trailed away when he looked at the bed, and he immediately snapped to a
Last Updated : 2025-01-26He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 168
ViolettaThe house was empty except for the submissive wolves. Families with children were streaming in to take cover while alarms blared all over the territory.And there were three of Finn's sisters. "Where's Lucy?" I asked, trying to remain calm. The tremble in my voice gave me away, but if the other sisters were suspicious, they didn't lead on."Finn asked for her help. She has some experience healing. He took her to the infirmary," Raven offered."You stay here. I don't care who comes to tell you to move. If it's not me or Ferrara, you don't fucking move. Do you understand me?""Is she here?" Raven whispered. "Maeve?""No, but you do not trust anyone. Not unless it's me or Ferrara." I paused. "Not even Finn. Stay here."Slamming the door shut, I took off after Finn, but once I reached outside the house, I looked around in fear. It was unlikely they'd go to the southern border, but that left three more borders. I didn't think Maeve could hold Finn long enough to actually force the
Last Updated : 2025-01-26
Latest chapter
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 205
ViolettaI did as much good at Indigo Peak as I could while I was there, but few of the wolves were happy to see me, so I spent most of my time in my room reviewing Maeve's books in an attempt to help Finn get organized. I ignored all the massive journals the crazed woman had collected. I was no longer the ternary, and they had nothing to do with me.Lunessa, Irene, and the other witches helped identify the small faction of witches who'd been working against Maeve. Most of them were imprisoned. Some were in the field when Lunessa stole their magic. And some were dead. There were enough that, in a few months, the land might be healed enough to start growing again, just in time for spring.At least, that was the hope.Leaving Finn was difficult. I didn't know where he was mentally, but I knew Indigo Peak needed his help, and he would provide it.And when Amelia returned with us, tears in her eyes, I tried not to get involved. Finn was making a mistake, but he would realize that. In due
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 204
ViolettaImmediately, I stepped inside the circle and felt the magic drain away. "I don't have magic anymore, but even if I did, none of this is for me. It was for a deranged woman to hold on to a memory of when she thought she was in control. She's dead now, and I don't need this place to know that I had a happy family once. And I don't need to bring any of that up. I have enough happiness in my immediate past."Finn stared at the home as the flowers started to wither and the wood started to break down. Its age was catching up to it. "I could burn it to the ground," he said darkly."I think you should. I love that you wanted to give me a choice, but this place doesn't mean anything to me, and it's a symbol of Indigo Peak's troubled past. Burn it and make way for the future. You're going to be an amazing alpha, and if you'll let me, I'll come visit often to check in on you. I'm going to miss you and Amelia.""You're more than welcome, Violetta. I'll demand your visits, seeing as how I
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 203
ViolettaI woke up alone. For a moment, I thought I was back in Maeve's grip, chained to the wall, listening to Finn's cries as they tormented him. Tears pricked my eyes until I heard a voice in the room."Violetta."The hoarse whisper calmed me, and I took a deep breath. I was not alone. Maeve was dead. I'd been certain that Ferrara had been in the room with me at one point, but he was gone now. Sitting up, I looked over at the other bed. Lunessa looked only marginally better than she did before as she smiled at me. "You did it."When she started to cough, I rolled out of bed and made my way to her. Snuggling up next to her, I grabbed her water and held it up to her. "So did you. Lunessa, the amount of magic you displayed was insane. How are you?""Depleted," she admitted as she sipped her water. "And scared that I might not bounce back.""How did you do it?"She sipped the water more and leaned against me. Less than a year ago, she was the Maiden, a witch who'd saved my life once, e
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 202
Ferrara"Ferrara," London said in a low voice. "You are growling at the kitchen staff."Immediately, I pulled myself back. A dozen wolves stared at us, frightened. "My apologies. My thoughts are elsewhere," I told Finn. "Please continue."The staff cleared their throats. "We have access to large herds here, and we used to use the witches to magic the land to provide for the wild game so we could eat fresh all year. With the magic repurposed," one wolf said carefully, "much of the game fell ill. We tried to preserve meat, but our previous alpha believed in eating fresh and shut us down."Finn frowned. "I believe in eating fresh but also storing when prepping for leaner months. I'll speak to the witches about healing the land once more, but I won't know how long that will take. Do you have the supplies to cure the meat?"One wolf nodded. Finn looked over at us. "Do I have your permission to use some of your soldiers for an immediately hunt before you leave?"We all nodded, and the staff
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 201
FerraraFinn's eyes were red, and his wolf's power still spilled out of him as he sat stock still in the chair at a large conference table. Food was spread over the table, but it didn't look like he'd eaten any of it. Blood was still dried on his skin, and his clothes barely fit him.Two submissive wolves hovered uncertainly at the table, and as soon as we walked in, he dismissed them. They'd scurried out of the room like they'd been shot, and the doors slammed shut behind us."I cannot be alpha," Finn growled. "Not of this pack."I met his gaze head on and lifted an eyebrow. "It's a little late for that. You killed the previous alpha and slaughtered anyone who challenged, which, from what I can tell, included her second, third, and at least ten of her top guards.""I didn't realize that they were challenging me," he said tightly. "Do I have to die to relinquish my new position?"London, Elonso, and I exchanged looks and pulled out chairs at the table. I sniffed at the food. "Doesn't
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 200
FerraraPulling free from our captors, London and I raced up the hill. He got to Lunessa and yanked her from the stone before I could reach Violetta. A large, mutated wolf pounced at Violetta, and I dove into him. Teeth and claws raked into the flesh of my human form, but I ignored it. There was only one truth. If I didn't get to Violetta, she would be torn limb from limb.Shifting faster than I'd ever shifted in my life, I turned and raced back to her. With a roar, I pulled her chains from the rocks with my paws and turned back to her."Ferrara," she whispered and sank into the ground. "I'm sorry. I don't think I can walk, let alone shift. Help Finn."Finn didn't need my help. He was ripping through wolves at an alarming rate. I wasn't even sure he knew what he was doing.Violetta flinched, and I turned as another wolf tried to pounce. Ripping my claws into their flank, we tumbled, but as soon as I found my footing, I returned to her side.If she couldn't shift, she would be vulnerab
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 199
ViolettaThe outer ring of rocks on the hill were etched with symbols and held offerings to the elements. Water from the largest river on the mountain. A feather willingly given from a bird. Earth enriched and blessed. And fire sparked from the kindling of the land.Words from the spell rose up in my head as I was marched through the circle. Below me, an enormous audience had gathered. Most of the wolves were grotesque and foaming at the mouth. It seemed to take all of their energy to be still. Those who weren't mutated seemed so small, but there was nothing innocent in their gaze as they watched.In the silence, I heard someone roar Lunessa's name and then mine. Turning my head, I watched in horror as Ferrara and London were hauled to the front of the audience and forced to their knees. My gaze locked on to his, but there was nothing either of us could do.My chains were attached to one of the inner rocks, and on the other side, Lunessa, also dressed in white, was chained to the same
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 198
ViolettaI hadn't seen Finn all night, not since they dragged me away. I was taken to a completely different part of the building, three floors up, and chained to a different wall with a bed.Cozy.Instead of resting for the ritual, I pulled myself as close to the window as I could possibly get and stared outside. It was the same side of the building, the same view of the ritual circle. No new information presented itself, but while I was trying to find an escape, I was also searching for Ferrara.I could feel through the bond that he was close. Alive. Getting stronger every hour that passed. Hope flared inside of me.When the sun rose, the door opened. Three wolves and three witches stood before me. "Time to prepare," one of them said, her voice laced with excitement. She put a white dress on the bed.I glanced at it and snorted. "If you're hoping this is some kind of virginal sacrifice, I have bad news for you. I have been well-loved and well-fucked.""Don't be ridiculous. The magic
He Hurt Me, But He Needs Me 197
FerraraThere were at least fifteen dead wolves at our feet. Adrenaline surged through me, but I was losing too much blood. London could barely stand. A familiar male werewolf loomed over us."Ferrara. London." He spoke with a harsh rasp that further identified him. Dolan. Maeve's second-in-command. We never interacted much because Dolan rarely left the territory. Normally, her third traveled with her, something most alphas practiced, but Dolan was a different breed of wolf. Apparently, he enjoyed disciplining. There were rumors that Maeve had wolves in confinement for lifetime prison sentences, and Dolan liked to make them bleed, wait for the heal, and then rip them open all over again."I see you left your whipping station," I said hoarsely as I stood. My legs shook so badly that I nearly fell over again. "Just how many wolves did you bring to take us?""I have twenty more rogues on their way here," he said in a bored tone. "My alpha has commanded me to give you a choice. Continue t
