The following day, I wake before the sun, driven by an urgency that won't allow me to linger in bed a moment longer. In my hotel room, I quickly ready myself to continue the search for Amelia. The previous night, a witch had managed to narrow her location to the surrounding area. We had searched relentlessly until the first rays of dawn forced us to take some rest. But a mere three hours later, I'm back on my feet, fueled by a resolve that leaves no room for sleep - not while I know she's out there, somewhere, in potential danger. Every fiber of my being rebels against complacency until she's safely recovered.
I shower and dress quickly, my movements sharp and efficient as I gather my phone and wallet. As I reach for the door, the knob turns beneath my hand, and instinct takes over. In a blur of motion, I have the intruder pinned against the wall, my arm pressing into their throat as my claws dig into their chest, ready to rip out their heart at a moment's notice.
"I m
NICKOLASWe leave the hotel, my steps heavy with a sense of urgency that has become my constant companion these past few days. The pre-dawn air is cool against my skin as we fan out, beginning our search of the areas the witch tracked her to before the trail went dead.I pause, closing my eyes and drawing in a deep breath through my nose, hoping against hope to catch even the faintest trace of Amelia's sweet, intoxicating scent on the breeze. The scent that never fails to soothe the turmoil in my soul, a balm against the ever-present worries that plague me.Unconsciously, my mind conjures her image so vividly that I can almost reach out and touch her. I see her standing before me in that pale yellow sundress that hugs her lithe form in all the right places, the soft fabric doing little to conceal the lush curves that have become my torment and my salvation. Her beautiful face is tilted up towards the sun, and those baby blue eyes I adore crinkle at
I stride through the castle's imposing doors, my footsteps ringing out against the stone floors with a sense of grim purpose. I don't slow my pace, don't pause to admire the grandeur of the vaulted halls and ornate tapestries adorning the walls. My only thought is to deal with this insurrection from the lords as swiftly and decisively as possible so I can return my focus to what truly matters - scouring every inch of the kingdom for Amelia until she is safely back in my arms.The guards flanking the throne room's entrance snap to attention as I approach, their movements crisp and precise as they pull the heavy wooden doors open in deference to my presence. As I cross the threshold, the low murmur of conversation dies away, an expectant hush falling over the assembled nobility like a shroud.I don't spare them more than a cursory glance as I make my way to the center of the throne room. Their faces are a blur of simpering obsequience as they rise as one and bow in greet
"Hmm, so this is what you all believe?" I muse, my gaze sweeping over the gathered nobility, taking in their expressions of barely concealed hostility and judgment."Yes, Your Majesty," they reply in unison, their voices ringing with a condemnation that sets my teeth on edge.I can feel a smile tugging at my lips, a mirthless thing that doesn't reach my eyes. They must truly think me weak to believe I would let such blatant slander against my rule go unanswered. That I would not have their heads for daring to question my motives, my authority.Rising slowly from my throne, I descend the dais steps with a deliberate, measured tread, the lords scrambling to their feet in response. I make my way towards Easterlin, holding his gaze with an intensity that has him shifting uncomfortably, his earlier bravado faltering in the face of my silent fury.He tries to maintain eye contact as I come to a stop before
I run, my lungs burning and my muscles screaming with every pounding step. The forest blurs around me, a kaleidoscope of muted greens and browns as I push myself harder, faster, desperate to put as much distance as possible between myself and the horrors I've left behind.I dare a glance over my shoulder, half-expecting to see Ember and her minions bearing down on me, their faces twisted with rage and bloodlust. But there's nothing, only the eerie stillness of the woods and the echo of my own ragged breaths.Still, I don't slow down. I can't. Not when every fiber of my being screams at me to keep moving, to find somewhere safe to rest and heal. The pain in my legs is a living thing now, a white-hot agony that lances through me with every jarring impact of my bare feet against the uneven ground. Black spots dance at the edges of my vision, and I can feel my strength waning with each passing second. I'm so tired.I stumble, nearly going to my knees as the world ti
I come awake slowly, the world filtering back in pieces. The musty scent of damp earth and stone. The distant drip of water echoing off cavernous walls. The chill of the air against my skin, a stark contrast to the memory of Nickolas's warmth.Nickolas.I sit bolt upright, my heart pounding as my eyes fly open and dart around the unfamiliar space. I'm in a cave; that much is clear. But how did I get here? And where is Nickolas?Ignoring the protest of my healing body, I stagger to my feet and make my way toward the entrance of the cave. The tattered remains of my dress hang off me in shreds, the fabric stiff with dried blood and caked with dirt. My feet are bare and scraped raw but clean as if someone has taken the time to tend to them while I slept.I stumble out into the night, the cool air hitting my face like a slap as I scan the surrounding area. There are other lycans milling about, their faces drawn and hag
In a flash, Nickolas closes the distance between us, backing me up against a nearby tree. The rough bark digs into my bare skin, a delicious contrast to the heat of his body pressing against mine. His lips find mine again in a searing kiss, stealing the thoughts from my head. All that exists is the taste of him, the feel of his hands roaming over my curves, igniting sparks wherever they touch. As his hands move to my upper body, they come to a stop once they reach my neck, where he wraps his hand around it."Are you sure, little one?" he asks, his eyes brimming with lust. I nod eagerly.Nickolas crushes his lips against mine, and in a swift motion, he lifts me up, wrapping my legs around his waist. He lowers us to the ground, the soft grass a cushion beneath my back. He pulls away just long enough to shed his shirt but leaves his vest on, revealing the glorious expanse of tanned skin and rippling biceps. My mouth goes dry at the sight, wetness pooling in my core.
I watch as Nickolas walks away into the surrounding woods, his broad back and powerful stride a stark contrast to the aching hollowness settling in my chest. I can scarcely believe what just transpired between us, what he said after we just had sex. I know we're not typical mates. That one night of passion doesn't automatically transform us into some fairytale couple. But that doesn't make his words any less like a bullet tearing through my heart.Tears sting at the backs of my eyes, but I blink them away furiously, refusing to let them fall. I won't cry over him over this. I wanted this, wanted him in a way that terrifies me. And I knew going into it that one passionate night could never be enough to change the fundamental truth of what we are to each other.Sniffling, I bend to retrieve my tattered dress from the forest floor, grimacing at the state of the once-lovely garment. As I make to pull it over my head, strong hands grip my wrists,
By the time I finally emerge from the tree line, I've managed to regain some semblance of composure. My eyes are still red-rimmed and swollen, my cheeks blotchy from the force of my anguished sobs. But I've pushed the worst of the hurt down, letting it settle into a dull, throbbing ache that I can just barely tolerate as I scan the small encampment.The first person I see is Nickolas, emerging from the mouth of the cave with his usual brooding intensity. But he's not alone - at his side is a figure I never thought I'd see again, one that has a wide smile splitting my face before I can stop it."Eric!" I call out, my steps quickening as I cross the distance between us. Before the burly lycan can so much as open his mouth, I've flung myself into his arms, burying my face in the comforting warmth of his chest as he chuckles."Hello, Princess," he rumbles, squeezing me tight for a brief moment before releasing me and holding
Ten Years Later“Aidan, please stop pulling your sister’s hair,” I plead, my voice strained as I descend the stairs. Aidan, my firstborn, attempts to rip raven locks from his twin sister Aliyah’s scalp.For nine-year-olds, Aidan’s death glare is already perfected as his black hair falls over his face and emerald eyes shoot daggers at Aliyah. “She called me ugly, Mummy!” he huffs. I turn my gaze to my daughter, pushing her dark hair behind her ears. “And why do you do that, Aliyah? You know better than to do that.” Her own green eyes narrow at her brother. “He called me fat!”“I did not—” Aidan begins to argue, and I close my eyes, rubbing my temples as a familiar headache threatens to take hold. I adore my children, but sometimes...The pattering of tiny feet makes my eyes shoot open. “Liam, Lily, be careful!” I rush after my second set of seven-year-old twins, who have inherited their father’s striking features just like their older siblings.“And you too,” a deep, British voice mur
AMELIA Ember's fist connects with my ribs in a blindsiding blow, the impact sending shockwaves of pain through my body as I crumple to the ground. Gritting my teeth, I force myself onto all fours, circling her warily, my wolf form bristling with fury."Pathetic. You couldn't even fight me in your real form," she spits, her words dripping with disdain, baiting me to shift back and risk further injury. I bare my fangs in a feral grin, lunging at her, my jaws snapping for her throat. She reacts instantly, grasping my muzzle in her hands, struggling to keep my razor-sharp teeth from her flesh. Seizing the opening, I rake my claws across her chest, shoving her to the ground with a powerful kick. Pinning her beneath me, I tear at her face, my claws seeking to blind her, to rob her of her sight, and leave her vulnerable.Ember's screams of agony pierce the air as I gouge at her eyes, blood welling beneath my claws. But before I can finish the job, an invisible force seizes my heart, squeez
NICKOLAS I take off sprinting in the direction I'm picking up Callum's scent, my heart pounding with a mixture of rage and anticipation. The bastard knew he stood no chance against me, so he fled, but there's nowhere for him to hide today. I will hunt him down and make him pay for everything he's done.I risk a glance over my shoulder at Amelia, my chest tightening as I watch her shift into her wolf form mid-leap, ready to face Ember in battle. Every instinct screams at me to turn back, to fight by her side and protect her, but I force myself to keep running. This is her fight, and as much as it tears me apart, I know she needs to do this on her own. She wouldn't want me to interfere, no matter how much I longed to keep her safe.Gritting my teeth, I push myself harder, Callum's scent growing stronger with each stride. Before, I wanted to kill the bastard for driving Amelia to the brink of suicide, but now, with the deaths of Uncle Leo and Ava weighing on my soul, my thirst for venge
We burst out of the castle, our suspicions confirmed as an arrow whizzes through the air, aimed directly at Nickolas. He snatches it out of the air before it can pierce his flesh, but the contact burns his skin, the telltale sign of Oak Tree venom. Lord Easterlin is really here, and the battle has begun.Nickolas tosses the arrow aside, his eyes flashing with rage as he moves toward the lycan who fired it, closing the distance in the blink of an eye. With a snarl, he plunges his hand into the attacker’s chest, ripping out his still-beating heart. Blood drips from Nickolas’s fingers as he watches the light fade from the lycan’s eyes, a grim smile playing on his lips. In an instant, he’s back at my side, his hand grasping mine tightly.“Let’s get you to safety,” he urges, his voice laced with concern.Despite allowing me to train, Nickolas is still reluctant to let me fight. I understand his worries, but he needs to realize that this battle is as much mine as it is his.“I want to fight
I rush downstairs, my heart pounding with anticipation, not just for breakfast but for the chance to see Nickolas. Being in the same house but sleeping in separate rooms has been torture, especially with Mom still not trusting him, even though a month has passed since our arrival. She also discovered my pregnancy, thanks to my growing bump and unexplainable morning sickness. Despite her reservations about Nickolas, she's thrilled to be a grandmother again and can't wait for the new addition to our family.The past month has been eerily quiet, with no word from Lord Easterlin, which troubles us all. But we've been using this time to prepare diligently for the impending war. Nickolas is adamant about me staying out of the fight, even though I've assured him I'm fit enough. His men have been training relentlessly alongside our werewolf warriors. Today, we plan to discuss taking the fight directly to Lord Easterlin.As I approach Nickolas' room, a smile spreads across my face the moment I
I tap my feet against the floor, my nerves fraying with each passing second as I wait for Dad to say something. We arrived back in the werewolf kingdom an hour ago. Nickolas just finished pouring his heart out to Dad, explaining everything that happened. He apologized profusely for nearly killing him on his birthday. He declared his unwavering love for me and his desire to build a life together. But Dad remains silent, his expression unreadable as he stares at Nickolas, who stands rigid with tension, his shoulders taut as he awaits Dad’s judgment.When Dad finally rises from the couch, Nickolas and I follow suit, the room so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I interlock my fingers with Nickolas’, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. “Everything is going to be alright,” I whisper into his mind. Since we have completed the mating process, we can send messages down our bond.“Welcome to the family, son,” Dad says, his voice warm as he pulls Nickolas in for a hug. Relief washes over me, a
“What the fuck did you just say?” A familiar voice booms from the bottom of the stairs, startling me. I spin around, my heart leaping into my throat, to find Caleb standing there, his eyes wide with shock. Oh, heavens above! How could I have forgotten about Caleb? He must have been worried sick about me. I wonder how he found me here, of all places.“King Nickolas!” Caleb adds, his brows furrowing in confusion as he takes in Nickolas standing by my side. Panic grips me, and I quickly move to stand before Nickolas, shielding him with my body. I can only imagine what Caleb must be thinking - that Nickolas survived somehow, and now he needs to finish the job.“He’s real?” Caleb asks incredulously, pointing at Nickolas after noticing my protective stance. “Yes, and before you try to do anything, please hear me out,” I plead, my voice trembling slightly.Caleb closes his eyes, shaking his head in disbelief before crossing his arms over his chest. “You have one minute,” he grits out, his j
The living room is as breathtakingly beautiful as the rest of the house, all plush fabrics and gleaming surfaces that speak of wealth and taste. I make my way to the nearest couch, ready to sink into its inviting cushions, but before I can even sit down, Nickolas sweeps me up into his arms and deposits me on his lap.“Whenever we’re together, this is where you sit,” he murmurs, adjusting me on his thighs, his arm wrapping securely around my waist, his hand splaying possessively over my belly.A soft smile tugs at my lips, warmth blooming in my chest at his casual display of affection. If someone had told me even a few short months ago that Nickolas would be this clingy, this openly demonstrative with his love, I would have laughed in their face. But now, feeling the solid strength of his body beneath me, the tender way he holds me close, I can’t imagine anything feeling more right.“Let’s hear it,” Eric prompts, settling into the armchair across from us, his eyes alight with curiosity
“Can I see them again?” I ask, my voice breathless with anticipation, a giddy smile stretching across my face as I wait for Nickolas to reveal his back once more, to show me the tattoo of my lips adorning his scars. Even now, the reality of it steals the air from my lungs, making my heart flutter wildly in my chest.His answering smile is soft and indulgent, his eyes glowing with warmth as he slowly turns, baring his back to me. I suck in a sharp breath at the sight, my fingers itching to trace the delicate lines of ink, to map the ridges and valleys of his scars. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to seeing this tangible proof of his love, this permanent declaration etched into his very skin.“Can I touch them?” I whisper, my voice hushed with reverence, knowing how sensitive he is about anyone laying hands on his scars, even me.Nickolas turns to face me, his gaze locking with mine, the intensity in his eyes stealing the bre