ZEUS
Suddenly, his lips parted from mine. The absence of their warmth made me open my eyes. His gaze had shifted, becoming unfocused, and distant. He was in front of me, but something about him seemed… absent, as though his body remained while his soul was elsewhere.
My chest tightened with unease. What had happened?
Then it clicked. This was the same look Cade had worn that day, the one he’d explained was caused by a mind-link, a telepathic connection werewolves used to communicate. I’d thought he was messing with me at the time, but now? Seeing it happen again, I couldn’t deny the truth of it.
I got off his lap, staring at him with mixed feelings. What other things did
ZEUSHis? Did this guy just declare me, a man, as "HIS" in front of all of these people? Was he not worried about being judged or losing face? Or was he simply that shameless?“Alpha,” Cade’s voice shattered the heavy silence, drawing my attention to him.He had clearly rushed over, while his expression was a mix of disbelief and shock. His wide eyes darted between me and the Alpha’s tentacle-like arm curled around my waist. It was obvious what had brought Cade here…me.But it was not just Cade, all the other wolves were staring, their gazes laced with confusion, curiosity, and something else I couldn’t quite place. Their scrutiny hit me like an icy splash of water, the sudden realization sent a chill down my spine. I was still in his arms, really proving that I was his!I immediately pulled away from the Alpha, desperate to avoid giving them another reason to misread the situation. I stole a glance at the Alpha realising he was staring down at me.“Alpha,” Cade called out, drawing th
ZEUSWhen I returned to Cade, I discreetly slipped the key into my pocket, my body cold with disbelief. I stole from the Alpha. The thought echoed in my mind, each repetition sending a chill down my spine. I couldn’t believe I had done something so reckless. Worse, I knew it wouldn’t take him long to realize the key was missing. If not, when he figured it out, he would tear me apart.I had to escape. Quickly, but Cade was a problem.His gaze dropped to the thousand dollars in my hand, his expression twisted.“Follow me,” he muttered, turning sharply on his heel.I pressed my lips into a thin line, swallowing the urge to snap back, and followed, keeping my
ZEUSThe Alpha stepped behind me, his presence overwhelming as he spoke to the old alpha, “Every male born to your bloodline will celebrate his eighteenth birthday here, right before your eyes, and receive their gift at the end.”With those words, he pressed my hand to the handle of the knife, forcing it to hover over the young man’s throat.“What are you doing?” I gasped, panic seizing my voice.The old Alpha lost control, his cries turning frantic as he crawled closer. “No! Stop this! Let him go! Please, I’m begging you!”“Let go of my hand! Let go!!” I screamed when the knife was pressed against the boy’s throat.The Alpha tilted his head, his gaze locking onto mine. There was no warmth in his eyes,
ZEUS“What the actual fuck did I just do?” The words burst from my lips the moment I jolted awake, my hand flying up to clamp over my mouth. My eyes shot wide, the events of last night crashing down on me like a tidal wave.I kissed him.I kissed my kidnapper.A werewolf.“Ahhh, fuck!” I groaned, pulling my hand away in horror. My head spun with the sheer stupidity of it all. My plan was simple: get close enough to escape. Earn his trust, fake submission, and seize the right moment to run. Yet somewhere along the way, I’d thrown that script into the fire and kissed him like I was auditioning for a ro
ZEUS“You didn’t make one,” he replied matter-of-factly, as though this was entirely my fault.I stared at him in disbelief. “Okay, so why not eat at Cade’s or one of your loyal wolves’ houses? Aren’t you their Alpha? Their god? They’re practically throwing themselves at your feet for attention. I’ve seen it.”The tease slipped out before I could stop it, but I regretted it immediately. His expression darkened, a frown creasing his brow as his entire demeanor shifted.“Why are you pushing me toward others?” he asked, his tone sharper now, tinged with something I couldn’t quite place.I blinked, stunned by his sudden change
ZeusThe sudden lick of his tongue and the desire to bite me froze me in place, my heart spiraling out of control. I found myself drowning in his words, and the warmth of his tongue against my skin ignited reactions I couldn’t suppress.That’s when Cade suddenly entered. “Alpha, Lex is back. He wants…” He stopped mid-sentence, his gaze locking on the Alpha, whose face was buried in my neck.My eyes widened in shock, and I immediately pulled away. Cade looked between us, surprise flashing across his face before he quickly masked it.“What about Lex?” the Alpha asked, his tone cold as steel, his eyes sharp as he met Cade’s gaze.Cade cleared his throat and replied, “Lex has something important to inform you. He’s asking for an audience.”
ODINExiting the packhouse, I strode straight into the office where Lex waited with the letter. Though young and lacking strength in battle, Lex had a sharp mind. Perfect for strategy. I often used him as my proxy in meetings where brains mattered more than brawn.“What’s the matter?” I asked, taking my seat.Lex stepped forward, placing the letter on my desk. “Alpha, when I went to deliver the message to the Opal Moon Pack, Alpha Mario was there.”“Oh…” I leaned back, a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips. Mario, Alpha John’s nephew. It was his fortune to not have been John’s son; otherwise, he wouldn’t be breathing. “He could
ODIN“Hey, Mr. Alpha!” he called, jogging after me. “Wait for me!”I climbed the stairs without looking back, but he persisted. “Why are you so angry?”I myself did not know why I was so angry.‘Tell me,” he pressed.Pausing abruptly, I turned, and he bumped into my chest.“Who said you could leave the house?” I pinned him with a cold stare. “Do you think you’re on vacation? Wandering around my pack, befriending my people like a tourist? Do I need to remind you of your position?”
ZEUSBarbecue? Don’t tell me…My grip tightened around my phone as Odin’s words from that day echoed in my mind—the day he had asked if I was hiding something."If I find something unsavory, I will erase its very existence from this world. But you wouldn’t like the old Odin."A wave of panic surged through me. It turned out that Gary was the "unsavory thing" Odin had been referring to. And this barbecue—it wasn’t just a casual gathering. It was Gary.My pulse thundered in terror. Gary was in danger. I had to save him. I had to act fast.I glanced at the door, then o
ODINSitting on the cold floor of my bedroom, I gripped the disconnected phone in my hand, my gaze locked onto the documents Cade had placed before me.“Alpha,” he began hesitantly, “this is the police report from twelve years ago.”My eyes flickered to the file as he continued.“The man named Harris and his gang were convicted of kidnapping, child abuse, and pedophilia. That man, Harris… he was Zeus’ father.” Cade pointed at the grainy photo stapled to the document.I studied the image, my pulse drumming in my ears. The man looked nothing like Zeus—except for the eyes. Those damn eyes.Rage burned through my veins. My fingers curled, claws scrapin
ZEUS“The wound is completely healed,” the doctor announced, his voice carrying a note of relief.It wasn’t surprising. Every time he came to change my bandage over the past week, Victor loomed over him like a silent executioner, making it painfully clear that any mistake would not be tolerated. The poor man had been under so much pressure that today, when he turned to Victor, his smile was more nervous than pleased.“There will be no scar,” he assured, quickly adding, “but please continue applying this gel until its gone.”Victor accepted the tube without a word, and the doctor wasted no time in making his exit—ignoring the fresh coffee the maid had just served him.I picked up my own cup and glance
ZEUS“Mr. Damon, we’re here,” Victor announced as he opened the car door for me.I remained motionless in the back seat, just as I had been the entire ride. More like a corpse than a living man.“Was it Susan who called you?” I asked without looking at him.Victor was silent for a moment before responding, “Yes.”Of course, it had to be Susan. She would do anything to save herself—even sell her soul. She kicked Gary out, knowing I would come back for him, and then called Victor to cover her tracks.Without another word, I stepped out of the car and back into the world I was accustomed to. The penthouse.I stoo
ZEUSI just wanted to help him. I just wanted to give him food and shelter. I just…But when I rolled over in my sleep, I woke up to a nightmare.I froze. My body frozen, my mind refusing to process the horror unfolding before me. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move.For a long, paralyzing moment, all I could do was stare.Then something snapped inside me.I lunged forward, shoving my father away from Gary with all the strength I had.Gary had already passed out, his small body limp and motionless on the floor.I reached for him,
ZEUSMy fingers trembled at my sides. "Shut your mouth, Gary."He glanced at my shaking hand before his cold stare met mine once more. Then, his lips parted into a slow, wicked grin."So you really have found someone, huh? Someone that you think is more important than me?"Before I could react, he grabbed a brick from the ground and hurled it at me. "HOW DARE YOU!!!"I didn’t move.The brick struck my head, splitting my skin. Warm blood oozed down the side of my face, fast and thick. But the pain barely registered.Gary’s fury exploded as he screamed at me. "YOU FUCKING CRIMINAL! YOU MONSTER!
ZEUSThe day I came home from school and found my mother lying lifeless on the kitchen floor was still etched into my memory like a scar that never fades. My father, a drunk even then, barely acknowledged her death. From the funeral to the burial, he remained the same. A man drowning in alcohol and indifference. He already had a mistress outside our home, along with a daughter, so my mother’s death meant nothing to him. But for me, it changed everything. That was the day I became the new target of his abuse.By the age of thirteen, I had already grown accustomed to a life of servitude. Every day, I woke up early to cook, clean, and take care of the house before and after school. Every night, I braced myself for the beating that followed my father’s drunken return.That night was no different. I left the
ZEUSAfter Odin left, I spent some time playing with the baby until she drifted off to sleep again. Once she was settled under the caretaker’s watchful eye, I hurried straight to the kitchen.Hidden beneath a pile of neatly stacked dish towels was the smartphone I had stashed away. Jay’s phone.I couldn’t thank him enough for this favor. He never questioned why I needed it, simply handing it over and telling me I could return it whenever I wanted.Now was my chance.With Odin around, I hadn’t dared take the chance to use it. But now? Now I had to.I switched on the phone and immediately dialed a number, but not Gary’s.Hi
ZEUS"You would not like the old Odin."Odin’s words echoed in my mind all night, refusing to let me rest. The next day as I stood in the kitchen, stirring the pot, I barely noticed when the heat came close to searing me until the sting snapped me back to reality. I yelped, jerking my hand away just in time before I got burned.With a shaky breath, I turned off the stove and gripped the edge of the counter. What the hell had last night been about? Odin had looked at me like he was certain I was hiding something. Dead serious.He wasn’t wrong.When I returned to Odin that day, I had a plan. First, to prove to him