3rd person POVThe Alpha was pushing her, testing her. And with each passing moment, it became harder to ignore the truth that was slowly worming its way to the surface.He was right about one thing: her body did betray her.She clenched her jaw, resisting the heat that surged through her every time his hand brushed against her skin. He knew it, too. The bastard knew exactly what he was doing. And yet, she couldn’t stop the way her pulse quickened at the mere thought of him."Do you want to go ahead with the challenge or not?" Cade's voice was low, almost teasing, as if he had already won.Her defiance flared again, the need to fight him rising in her chest. Zara wasn't a woman who crumbled under pressure. She would not let this man, this Alpha, break her."I don't make bets with people like you," Zara finally bit out, her voice steady despite the internal chaos threatening to tear through her. "You think you can just force me to submit to you because of some stupid game?"Cade's lips
Zara's POVI glared at the man in front of me, my hands curling into fists at my sides. If looks could kill, Alpha Bradlyn would’ve been dead a thousand times over.“Seduce him. Steal the ring on his finger. And I’ll let your family go.” His words slithered through the air like a death sentence, laced with mockery.My stomach churned.“It’s not that hard, Zara.” He leaned back in his chair, his smirk widening. “You’re already on scent suppressants, so there’s no risk of complications. If anything, I’m being generous.”Generous? My blood boiled. This was the same man fate had cruelly tied me to as a mate, only for us to reject the bond without hesitation. We despised each other. But now, he held my family’s lives in his hands, using them to force me into this twisted plan.Seduce Alpha King Cade.The most ruthless werewolf to ever exist. The ageless, half-feral ghost of a king, a legend drenched in blood and whispered warnings. No one saw his face. No one lived to tell his secrets. And
Zara POVThe silk dress clung to my body as I stepped out of the changing room, my heart hammering so hard it echoed in my ears. The fabric was finer than anything I had ever worn before, smooth against my skin, but it felt like a shackle, a reminder of the mission I couldn’t escape.The grand hall of the pack house was alive with celebration. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their golden light casting a warm light over the crowded room. Laughter and chatter filled the space, the clinking of glasses mixing with the distant melody of music. Every high-ranking Alpha and Beta from the neighboring packs was present, their powerful scents thick in the air.I swallowed hard, my hands clenching into fists as I searched for him, Alpha King Cade.The most feared werewolf in existence. A man who never revealed his face, hidden behind that golden mask.A sudden hush spread through the room. The shift was almost like a blur, but I felt it, a ripple of tension passing through the crowd. And then
Zara POVI leaned against the cold stone wall, my breath coming fast. The sounds of the celebration inside the grand hall felt distant, muffled. My fingers trembled slightly as I clenched them into fists. I had failed.I had one job, to make the Alpha King notice me, but he had dismissed me like I was nothing.Bradlyn’s warning rang in my head. You have until the end of this night to make him notice you.The weight of my family’s lives crushed me. I had to do something. I couldn’t let this be the end. I straightened my dress, took a deep breath, and forced my legs to move. The ceremony was still in full swing. I had to try again. As I stepped back into the hall, I scanned the room, searching for him, Cade hadn’t left, He stood near the high table, speaking to another Alpha. His posture was relaxed, yet every inch of him radiated power.I couldn’t just walk up to him again. That would be reckless, I needed another way.My eyes landed on a group of she-wolves standing near the center of
Zara's POVThe weight of his gaze pressed against me, sharp as a blade. I could feel the shift in the air, the slow, dangerous interest forming in his mind, Cade was studying me, reading into every breath I took, every small flicker of movement.I had his attention, but that was the easy part.Keeping it was going to be much harder.Cade moved slightly, shifting just enough that the golden mask caught the candlelight, casting sharp shadows over the lower half of his face. His presence was suffocating, his scent—something dark, something wild, lingering beneath the effects of my suppressants.“You’re playing a game,” he murmured, his voice smooth but edged with something unreadable.I forced myself to smile. “Aren’t we all?”His lips curved, just slightly. Not a smile, not really. More like a flicker of amusement.“Tell me,” he said, tilting his head slightly, “do you have any idea who you’re dealing with?”A test. A trap. A warning.My pulse quickened, but I didn’t let it show. “I kno
Zara POV The door slammed shut behind Hannah, but the weight of her threat lingered in the air like a storm about to break. My hands curled into fists at my sides. I had known this wouldn't be easy. I had prepared myself for dangers far worse than an envious she-wolf. But the way she had looked at me like I was something she wanted to crush beneath her heel sent a shiver through me. I had made my first enemy at the Blackstone Pack. And I had no doubt she wouldn’t be my last. I exhaled, forcing my shoulders to relax. I didn’t have time to worry about Hannah. Right now, my focus had to be on Cade, He had noticed me. That was the first step, but if I wanted to get close enough to take his ring, I needed more than just his curiosity. I needed his trust. And trust wasn’t something a man like Cade gave easily. *_________* Waking up the next morning, I barely had time to gather my thoughts before a knock sounded at my door. My heart jumped as I hurried to open it, half-expecting
Zara’s POVThe moment I stepped out of Cade’s chambers, my breath left me in a quiet exhale. The air in there had been tight with tension and something else I couldn’t quite name.I had done it.I had manged to do it or perhaps it was luck. But it was only the beginning. If I wanted his ring, I needed to be patient. Calculated. I needed him to trust me and I knew he doesn't trust anyone.His golden eyes, sharp and piercing, had made that clear. Even as he extended his offer, I had felt the weight of his suspicion beneath the surface, the quiet warning that failure meant death.But none of that showed on my face as I walked down the hallway of the Blackstone Packhouse. My footsteps echoed softly, my mind still replaying every detail of our conversation. I would be his personal attendant. That meant I would be at his side. Watch his movements. Gain his trust. And then…I would take what I came for.A flicker of satisfaction curled in my chest. But it was short-lived.Because as I turned
Zara's POVA breath of relief slipped past my lips as I turned to walk away.It had been a long night. Between Cade’s unsettling gaze, Bradlyn’s unwelcome touch, and the weight of my own growing doubts, I needed a moment to breathe. To think.But fate, it seemed, had other plans. Because before I could even take a step further, sharp fingers yanked my hair from behind, and pain exploded across my scalp.I barely had time to react before my balance faltered, my knees buckling as I stumbled forward. My breath hitched, a gasp leaving my lips as I struggled to steady myself, but the grip on my hair only tightened, twisting cruelly.Laughter echoed around me. Cold and Familiar.I gritted my teeth. Hannah.“Look at this,” her voice dripped with mockery as she yanked harder, forcing my head back so I was staring up at her. “The little wolf-less whore who has two Alphas chasing after her.”I clenched my fists, forcing my face into a blank mask. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing m
3rd person POVThe Alpha was pushing her, testing her. And with each passing moment, it became harder to ignore the truth that was slowly worming its way to the surface.He was right about one thing: her body did betray her.She clenched her jaw, resisting the heat that surged through her every time his hand brushed against her skin. He knew it, too. The bastard knew exactly what he was doing. And yet, she couldn’t stop the way her pulse quickened at the mere thought of him."Do you want to go ahead with the challenge or not?" Cade's voice was low, almost teasing, as if he had already won.Her defiance flared again, the need to fight him rising in her chest. Zara wasn't a woman who crumbled under pressure. She would not let this man, this Alpha, break her."I don't make bets with people like you," Zara finally bit out, her voice steady despite the internal chaos threatening to tear through her. "You think you can just force me to submit to you because of some stupid game?"Cade's lips
Zara’s POVTension thickened between us, every breath I took laced with an intoxicating aura I couldn’t escape. Alpha Cade’s towering frame hovering over me, his dark gaze fixed with a mix of amusement and something far more deadly, possession.His fingers traced a slow path along my cheek, and despite my best efforts, I shivered beneath his touch. His grip wasn’t gentle; it wasn’t tender. It was commanding, a silent warning that I belonged to him now, whether I liked it or not.“You're wanting to disobey the rules Zara, aren't you?.” His voice was low, edged with something sharp, something final.I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “I—I don't know what—”A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “Don't know what I'm talking about?” He leaned in, his breath fanning against my skin. “You’re either a liar Zara, or you’re pretending to be reckless. Which is it?”I averted my gaze, my pulse hammering. I didn’t know what to say, didn’t know what answer would satisfy him.His fingers caug
Zara’s POV Everything was suddenly feeling, stifling, charged with something I didn’t want to name. I had never felt so exposed, so vulnerable, yet so incapable of moving. Before I could process what was happening further, his hand brushed over my chest. I stiffened, my breath catching in my throat as his rough palm moved deliberately, grazing against my bare skin, My breasts. I felt my entire body tighten, every nerve suddenly hypersensitive, burning under his touch. No. I didn’t want this. I couldn’t want this. But my body? The sheer Betrayal. A sharp, brutal betrayal. Alpha Cade’s fingers closed around my breast, squeezing roughly, testing my reaction. And my reaction? A moan, soft. Unwanted. Yet it slipped from my lips like a sinful confession. I clamped my mouth shut, my face heating up in humiliation. No, no, no. I refused to but then he leaned in. Too close. So close I could feel his breath, warm, teasing, brushing against my lips. And before I
Zara's POVThe tension in the room sat like a storm about to break.Alpha Cade moved towards me, his presence suffocatingly powerful, his amber eyes gleaming with something dangerous. Something undeniably primal. I forced myself to breathe, my pulse erratic as his gaze traveled over me, slow, like he was taking his time memorizing every reaction I gave him. And then a smirk appeared on his face. Not just any smirk. A smirk that curled his lips slightly, teasing, dangerous, and utterly infuriating. "You're awfully quiet, Zara." I clenched my jaw. "I have nothing to say, Alpha." His eyes sparkled with amusement. " I think that’s rare for someone who knows how to survive" I had the strongest urge to glare at him, to snarl, to remind him that I wasn’t here for his amusement. But before I could, his fingers—warm, rough, brushed against my cheek. I stiffened. The unexpected touch sent a shiver down my spine, my body betraying me in ways I did not want to acknowledge. "Do you k
Zara's POVShe turned and stalked out of the room, leaving behind an icy silence. I exhaled, my hands shaking slightly. Siriah watched me carefully. "You shouldn’t have provoked her," she muttered. I let out a bitter laugh. "She already wants me dead," I said. "What difference does it make?" Siriah sighed, turning back to her work. "Rest," she ordered. "You’ll need your strength for the day."Her words somehow held meaning I couldn't place well.For the day?I nodded, as I laid back down on the chair, my mind raced. I had a target on my back. And I was running out of time. I am supposed to work on getting Alpha Cade's ring and leave as soon as possible and not making enemies for myself. Instead, everything was happening in opposite of my plans. First it was meeting Angla, second it was looking like the Alpha King's wife and now Dezecca is my greatest reckoning.oH Goddess please help me just this once I plead. Soon, Siriah was done packing her kits and stepped out. "S
Zara’s POV The air still held the weight of Alpha Cade’s presence, his words echoing in my mind. "Make sure not even a single mark remains." Why? Why would he care about my wounds? The Alpha King was ruthless, known for his lack of mercy. He had barely acknowledged me beyond commands. So why—why did he sound so adamant about my healing? "Sit," Siriah’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned to see her gathering herbs and ointments, her eyes held no room for argument. I obeyed, slowly lowering myself onto the cushioned chair at the wall. The pain flared through my body, but I swallowed the discomfort. Siriah moved with practiced ease, crushing leaves into a thick paste. "What was that about?" I finally asked, watching her carefully. She didn’t glance up. "What do you mean?" I exhaled sharply. "The Alpha. Ordering you to heal me completely." I narrowed my eyes. "He sure doesn't seem like one to care about things like that" Siriah paused, just for a s
Zara's POV A thunderous voice sliced through the commotion, sending a wave of silence crashing over the courtyard. It was deep, commanding, and laced with an authority so absolute that it made the very air thrum with tension. "You have indirectly disobeyed me by punishing a girl who works as my personal attendant without my notice." Every muscle in my body stiffened. The voice— Alpha Cade. I turned, my chest heaving, and there he stood. At the edge of the courtyard, his presence was a storm brewing on the horizon. His icy gaze swept over the kneeling guards, and they visibly trembled under his stare. Even the crowd—the ones who had been watching the spectacle unfold—were silent now. The tension was dreadery. The guards dropped to their knees in terror, their heads bowed so low they were practically pressing into the dirt. "It was Mistress Dezecca, My Lord!" One of them burst out, his voice riddled with fear. "She gave the orders to punish the girl—" "But she
Zara's POV"Zara, stop!" Siriah’s voice barely registered in my ears as I pushed past her. My heart was hammering, my body screaming in pain, but I didn't care. Not when I saw Angla being dragged away like a criminal. My best friend—the only person who had truly cared for me—was about to suffer because of me. I wouldn’t let that happen. Ignoring the burning agony still searing my back, I bolted forward, my bare feet hitting the dirt as I ran toward the guards. “STOP!” I shouted. They didn’t even spare me a glance. Like I was a peasant. Like I didn’t exist. Rage surged through me. I wasn’t someone they could just ignore. With all the strength I had left, I shoved one of the guards. His step faltered. The movement was small, barely noticeable. But it was enough to make them pause. All eyes turned to me. Angla’s face filled with fear. The guards' filled with irritation. “Zara, go!” Angla pleaded, her voice desperate. “Please! Save yourself!” Save my
Zara's POV I reached out, my fingers trembling slightly as they brushed against the cool metal of the ring. The moment my fingertips made contact, it slipped from its place, tumbling from the small pile of trinkets. I sucked in a sharp breath as it clinked against the floor, the sound far louder than it should have been in the small, quiet room. I froze, my pulse quickening. Why was this ring here? It looked exactly like the one I had seen on Alpha Cade’s finger. A strange unease crawled up my spine as I stared at it, lying there so innocently, yet feeling so dangerous. I hesitated for only a second before slowly reaching down to pick it up. "What do you think you’re doing?" The sharp voice made me jolt. My head snapped up, and my stomach twisted as I saw the healer—Siriah—standing at the doorway, her eyes locked onto me like a predator who had caught its prey. She had returned without a sound, her expression unreadable, but there was something in her eyes...som