Jasmine I sit across from Ramon, the soft glow of candlelight illuminating our quiet dinner. The warmth and comfort of the evening are a balm to my soul, a reminder of the peace I've found with Ramon.But without warning, a searing pain rips through my chest, threatening to tear me apart. I feel Ryker's betrayal, his violation of our mate bond. It's as if he's reached inside me and twisted my heart into knots.I let out a bloodcurdling scream, my body contorting in agony. I fall to the floor, one hand clutching my chest, the other clawing at my abdomen. Ramon's face is a blur as he rushes to my side.He scoops me up, cradling me in his arms as he carries me to his master bedroom. His lips brush against mine, gentle and soothing, but tonight, it's not enough. The pain is too intense, too overwhelming.Ramon knows that if this continues, my weak wolf might not survive. He also knows that the only way to soothe my pain is to complete our mate bond. But he's been waiting for me to heal,
Ryker's POV I stand before the pack, my eyes scanning the gathered hunters as I address them. But my mind is elsewhere, still reeling from the heated session with Carly that left me unfulfilled. Just as I'm about to conclude the meeting, a wave of excruciating pain crashes over me. I feel like I've been punched in the gut, my breath knocked out of me. I don't need to think deeply to know what's happening. Jasmine. She's betraying our mate bond. I can feel it, sense the violation of our connection. My eyes narrow, my mind racing with anger and possessiveness. I know she hasn't gone all the way, that it's just kisses and touching. But that's enough. She's mine, and she'll pay for her disobedience. The pack meeting fades into the background as I focus on the pain, on the sense of betrayal that's consuming me. I'll make her pay, I vow to myself. I'll make her regret ever crossing me. My relief is short-lived, as a burning pain grips my lower abdomen and groin. I let out a terrif
Author's POV Ryker's eyes locked onto Carly, the pack's resident seductress, as she sauntered towards him. He could smell the desire wafting off her, and his body responded instinctively. But as he pulled her into a fierce kiss, he couldn't shake off the nagging sense of discomfort.It had been weeks since Jasmine's betrayal, and Ryker had thrown himself into a whirlwind of sexual escapades. Carly, the tavern whores, anyone who would have him. But no matter how many bodies he used to try and fill the void, the pain persisted.It was a dull ache, a constant reminder that his mate bond with Jasmine was still intact. And every time he slept with someone else, he felt like he was betraying that bond all over again.But he couldn't stop. He was addicted to the fleeting highs, the momentary distractions from the agony that threatened to consume him.Meanwhile, Jasmine was experiencing a different kind of pain. Every time Ryker slept with someone else, she felt a pang of discomfort, a remin
Jasmine's POVI sit on the balcony of Ramon's mansion, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The air is crisp, carrying the faint scent of blooming roses from the garden below. It should feel peaceful, but tonight, unease wraps around me like a suffocating cloak.The mate bond is quieter now, dulled by the love I’ve found in Ramon, yet its remnants still linger. There’s a faint ache, like a phantom limb reminding me of its existence. I feel Ryker’s anger simmering in the distance, a constant undercurrent that threatens to pull me under if I let it. But I won’t. Not anymore.Ramon steps out onto the balcony, his presence grounding me. He doesn’t say anything at first, just places a glass of honey-colored wine in front of me before sitting down in the chair across from mine.“You’ve been quiet today,” he says, his voice low and soothing, like the hum of a cello. I shrug, tracing the rim of the glass with my finger. “Just thinking.” “About him?” he asks, though there’s no jealousy in h
Ramon’s POVJasmine sits across from me, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. The moonlight filters through the wide bay window, illuminating the golden strands in her hair and casting her in an otherworldly glow. Her expression is a storm of confusion and anger, tinged with fear."I don't know how much more of this I can take," Jasmine said, her voice barely above a whisper. We sat together on the couch, the dim lighting of the room casting long shadows across her face."What are you talking about, mi amor?" I asked, taking her hand in mine."The bond," she replied, her eyes clouding over. "Ryker will never miss a chance to use it against me. And you... you have your clan to lead, and the Supreme Council matters to attend to. You can't always be here to protect me."I squeezed her hand gently. "I'll always be here for you, Jasmine. You're my mate, my priority."But she shook her head. "You can't take me with you everywhere you go. I'm not ready to face the world, Ramon. And even if
Jasmine I sit in the dimly lit library, surrounded by dusty tomes and flickering candles. Ramon has given me an ancient book, bound in worn leather and adorned with strange symbols. He's told me it contains the laws of the werewolves, and that I should read it to understand the world I'm now a part of.As I open the book, the musty scent of aged paper wafts up, carrying with it whispers of the past. I begin to read, my eyes scanning the yellowed pages as I delve into the history of the werewolves.The laws are strict and unforgiving, governing every aspect of werewolf life. I read about the importance of territorial respect, the consequences of revealing their existence to humans, and the sacred bonds of matehood.As I turn the pages, I come across a section that makes my heart skip a beat. It's about the Law of Dual Mates, and the consequences of ignoring it. I feel a shiver run down my spine as I read about the Fight to the Death, and the severing ritual that follows.I can't help
RamonI feel her distress long before I see her. The mate bond hums with her emotions. An undercurrent of fear, confusion, and something else I can’t quite place. Guilt, perhaps? I linger outside her door, my hand poised to knock. A faint light seeps through the crack at the bottom, and I can hear her pacing. The rhythmic thud of her steps pauses occasionally, replaced by the rustle of pages. She’s reading.I knew the ancient book would weigh on her, but she needed to see it for herself. She needed to understand the laws that govern our lives, no matter how cruel or archaic they might be. Taking a breath, I rap my knuckles against the wood. “Jasmine? May I come in?” The pacing stops. There’s a beat of silence before her soft voice replies, “It’s open.”I step inside to find her standing by the window, the book of laws clutched tightly in her hands. The moonlight casts a silver glow over her, illuminating the furrow in her brow and the tension in her shoulders. She doesn’t turn to face
JasmineI wake to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the curtains. For a moment, I feel weightless, cocooned in warmth and the steady rhythm of Ramon’s breathing beside me. His arm is draped over my waist, holding me close even in sleep. The mate bond thrums between us, stronger than ever, a gentle reminder of the connection we share.Last night feels like a dream, but the lingering warmth in my chest and the delicious ache in my body assure me it was real. I glance over my shoulder to find Ramon watching me, his dark eyes soft yet intense, as if I’m the only thing in his world.“Good morning,” he murmurs, his voice like velvet, deep and comforting. “Morning,” I whisper back, my cheeks heating under his gaze.For a while, we simply lie there, tangled in each other, neither of us willing to break the fragile stillness. But the weight of the ancient laws, the reality of our situation, creeps back into my mind like a shadow. I shift slightly, my fingers tracing the edge of
Jasmine’s POVI wake to the soft glow of sunlight streaming through the sheer curtains. For a moment, I forget where I am. The warmth of the silk sheets, the faint scent of cedar and spice that clings to them, it’s all so far removed from the cold, empty nights I’d spent before.Then I feel the strong arm draped across my waist, the steady rise and fall of Ramon’s chest behind me, and reality sinks in. I’m safe. I’m with him. My only friend, my mate, the one I love, my confidante, my saviour and my protector, Ramon Kovah Vampire Lord of the Crimson Clan.Turning carefully so as not to wake him, I study his face. His sharp features are softened in sleep, the lines of centuries of burdens momentarily eased. He looks so… human. It’s hard to reconcile this serene man with the ruthless vampire lord the world fears.But I know better. Beneath the tenderness he shows me lies a predator. A protector who would tear the world apart for me. And that just feels so good. I know this makes me sound
RykerThe witches’ murmurs fade into the background as I pace the clearing. The scent of her lingers, a cruel reminder of what I’ve lost, or rather, what’s been stolen from me. My wolf, Red, prowls beneath my skin, snapping and snarling, his fury mirroring my own.She was mine. She is mine. No vampire lord, nor ancient bond, will change that. The witches’ leader dares to step closer, her calculating eyes meeting mine. “Alpha, your fury is justified, but rage alone won’t reclaim her. You need strategy and allies.”My lips curl into a mocking smile. “Allies?” I turn on her, my tone laced with venom. “You think I need your pitiful spells to take what’s mine?”She flinches but recovers quickly, her expression hardening. “We offer more than spells. We offer an opportunity to strike where the Vampire Lord is weakest. But only if you’re willing to do what is necessary.”I step closer, towering over her. “And what, exactly, do you think I’m unwilling to do?” The witch’s smile returns, sly and
Ryker’s POVThe scent hits me like a thunderclap. That unmistakable, maddeningly sweet scent that has haunted my darkest dreams. My muscles tense as my wolf surges forward, growling with primal need and rage. Jasmine.I stand in the clearing, surrounded by witches cloaked in dark robes, their murmured incantations barely registering over the pounding of my blood. The air is heavy with magic, but it does nothing to mask the scent of her. I haven’t smelled it in months, yet it still ignites a twisted combination of longing and fury deep within me.My lips curl into a snarl, but I quickly suppress it, keeping my expression neutral. No one here can know the chaos that scent has unleashed within me. My pride won’t allow it.“Alpha Ryker?” Malachai’s voice is cautious, his brow furrowed as he approaches me. “The wards are too strong. We cannot see past them. The vampire lord has shrouded the location entirely.” I wave him off impatiently, my mind racing. So this is where she’s been hiding.
Unknown POV The forest is quiet, save for the hurried whispers of the witches fleeing the wrath of the Vampire Lord. Their breaths come in shallow gasps as they dart through the shadowed woods, their dark cloaks snagging on branches. Fear hangs heavy in the air, a palpable weight pressing down on their every step. They know what they left behind, an ancient predator, seething with fury and power. But fate is a strange and twisted thing.Malachai watches them from the shadows, his sharp eyes gleaming with interest. The mage had been wandering these woods in search of components for his darker rituals when he caught sight of the witches. Their hasty retreat and panicked expressions pique his curiosity.“Fleeing, are we?” Malachai’s voice slithers through the silence, smooth and mocking. He steps into the moonlight, his tall frame cloaked in a robe adorned with strange symbols. His presence stops the witches in their tracks, their wide eyes darting to him with a mix of caution and reco
Ramon’s POVThe wind is heavy tonight, carrying a sense of foreboding that sets my every instinct on edge. I stand on the balcony of my private mansion, the sprawling forest below illuminated by the silvery light of the full moon. Jasmine is safe inside, her aura still masked by the ancient wards I reinforced this morning. But something about the night feels… wrong.It’s not the first time I’ve felt this unease since the witches began sniffing around my territory. The first coven came, trembling before me, and fled. The second dared to challenge me but learned why the Vampire Lord of the Crimson Clan is not a creature to provoke. Yet the whispers persist, spreading like wildfire through the supernatural underworld; an Ailuranthrope has awakened.Jasmine, my sweet Jasmine. I clench the railing, my grip denting the wrought iron. She’s the reason for this growing chaos. Not that she’s to blame, it’s the power she unknowingly wields, the untapped strength that sings to every supernatural
Ryker’s POVI sit in my private inner office, the heavy oak desk between me and Malachi, the mage who reeks of burnt herbs and decay. The flickering candles around the room cast long shadows on his gaunt face. He shifts nervously in his chair, bony fingers fidgeting with the hem of his robe.“You didn’t summon me here to waste my time, Malachai,” I growl, my patience dangerously thin. “Speak.”Malachai flinches but quickly composes himself. “Yes, Alpha. I bring news, news that could shift the balance of power entirely in your favor.” I lean back, feigning disinterest, though my pulse quickens. “Then stop stalling and get to the point.”He clears his throat, voice trembling with excitement. “There are whispers among the covens, Alpha. Rumors of a being thought to exist only in legends. An Ailuranthrope.”I narrow my eyes at the word, the weight of it hanging in the air like a thundercloud. “An Ailuranthrope?” I repeat slowly. “Those haven’t been seen in centuries. You’re telling me one
Ramon’s POVThe moment I step out of the library and into the dimly lit corridor, I sense it. A whisper of unease rippling through the wards around the mansion. The protective magic I wove into this place centuries ago is strong, but even the oldest spells are not invincible. The damned witches will not relent!As I descend the stairs, my thoughts drift to Jasmine. Her quiet strength surprises me daily, but I know the weight she carries. She hides it well, masking her fears behind determined eyes. Even now, she pushes herself to learn, to grow, to become the warrior she believes she must be. But time is against us.The mansion feels colder tonight, the shadows deeper. I move through the hallways with the ease of familiarity, my steps silent on the polished floors. In the great hall, the chandeliers cast a soft golden glow, but the air carries the scent of encroaching danger.The wards shudder again, and I stop abruptly. Someone, no, something, is testing them. I press my palm against
Ramon’s POVThe dawn breaks with an uneasy stillness. The forest surrounding the mansion seems quieter than usual, as though it, too, knows the storm that looms. Jasmine stands in the middle of the training courtyard, her posture stiff but determined. She looks at me with an intensity that reminds me of how fiercely she fought to convince me to train her.I study her for a moment. There’s no doubt she’s strong, her resilience, her heart, and her spirit all prove that. But strength of will is only half the battle. If she’s to survive what’s coming, she’ll need to learn discipline, strategy, and precision.“Before we start,” I say, breaking the silence, “you need to understand one thing. This isn’t about brute force or blind courage. It’s about control. If you let your emotions take over, you’ll lose.” Jasmine nods, her eyes blazing. “I’m ready.”I gesture for her to follow me. We begin with the basics, simple movements to assess her reflexes and coordination. I toss a small wooden staf
Jasmine’s POVThe mansion is quiet. Too quiet. Ramon left nearly an hour ago, his departure marked by a single command: “Stay inside.”But how am I supposed to stay calm when the air is heavy with tension, the kind that feels like the universe holding its breath? I pace the length of my room, my feet bare against the cool floor. The fire in the hearth does little to chase away the chill creeping into my bones.My mind races as I replay the conversation we had before he left, his words etched into my memory like stone. “This is something worse,” he had said. Worse than witches, worse than the dark magic Ryker used to manipulate me.I close my eyes, willing myself to find calm, to reach for the strength Ramon believes I have. But instead of stillness, a restless energy courses through me, making my skin prickle and my pulse quicken.I glance at the window, drawn to the moonlight spilling through the glass. The forest beyond the mansion is shrouded in shadows, the trees swaying gently in