JadeI looked into Darius' intense, burning eyes; my heart swelled with emotion. I’d always been drawn to them—that deep, captivating gaze that seemed to see right through me. Now, knowing he’s loved me for so long, his sincerity is almost overwhelming in its purity.It was time to sever any bond or oath I had left with Rowan for good, just as Althea had warned. I could take that risk now, and with the two of us alone at my house, this was my chance. It was now or never."I want you, Darius," I whispered. "Not just now, but for always. We've wasted so much time, and I don't want to delay our bond any further."His brow furrowed, a look of anxious concern flickering across his face. “Jade, are you sure? I know learning about my feelings has been sudden... and after everything with Rowan, I don’t want you to feel pressured or obligated.”I tilted my head, clenching my fists at my sides. “Don’t you understand, Darius? There’s no confusion. I’ve wanted you for a long time; I just didn’t r
JadeI stirred from sleep, feeling a warmth settle over me, like a soft glow pulsing at the edge of my consciousness. Slowly, I blinked away the remnants of sleep, my eyes adjusting to the morning light, and there he was—Darius, his gaze burning into me with such intensity it stole my breath. The depth in his eyes was something I’d never seen before—an unguarded tenderness and love so fierce that it tightened something in my chest. I realised, with a thrill, that I could feel him now—his emotions mingling with mine in the bond we’d created, a vivid, unmistakable presence in my heart.“Good morning, beautiful,” he murmured, his voice low, barely breaking the stillness.Unable to hold back a smile, I snuggled closer, pressing my face into his chest and letting myself breathe him in. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer, his touch gentle but steady. I felt… safe. Truly safe.I had just begun to relax again when my mother’s voice rang up from downstairs. “Jade! Come down for b
Jade"Darius, please," I whispered, though I knew he could hear the tension trembling in my voice—it was impossible to hide my anxiety. "Tell me... what kind of woman is Lilian? No—better yet, who exactly is her father?"Darius looked up from the documents, pausing mid-turn of the page, his brows knitting together as he studied me. “Why the sudden interest in my ex-mate?”I pressed my lips together, clenching my fists, frustration and anxiety mixing uncomfortably in my chest. I knew I should let it go, and I also didn't want to tell him how much Lilian’s words had haunted me since our run-in, the way they clung like thorns. “Urgh!” I huffed, throwing up my hands, my pulse a drumming I could feel everywhere. “Can’t I be curious? Why are you acting so defensive?”He sighed, setting the papers down as his eyes softened. “It’s not about that. It’s just…” He hesitated, his gaze searching, as though the right words were somewhere hidden between us. “I don’t feel comfortable talking about he
Darius The air in the interrogation room was thick with tension, and the sharp scent of blood clung to everything. I studied the two captives before me, both battered, bruised, and visibly shaken. Their faces were pale, and their bodies trembled, every twitch betraying the fear simmering beneath their defiance.They’d seen what I was capable of; they knew this was far from a game.I leaned against the wall, letting the silence stretch uncomfortably, intensifying their fear. The taller of the two men shifted, glancing nervously at his partner before muttering."Please... spare our lives. We don’t want to die.” he stammered.I allowed a cold smirk to spread across my face. “Oh, now you care about your lives?” I muttered with cold amusement, twirling a blade between my fingers. Its edge glinted under the dim light, catching their wide, terrified eyes every time it spun. “If that’s true, all you need to do is talk. Doesn’t sound too hard, does it?”They said nothing; they just sat there s
Jade After the unexpected attack on the pack, Darius and I wasted no time organising meetings with scientists. Now, five days later, we found ourselves in a secret laboratory that seemed more like a fortress than a workplace.The lab was bathed in cold, sterile white light, the kind that left everything sharp and cold. It stretched wide, with rows of polished metal counters lined with vials, wires, and gleaming weapon prototypes that looked as deadly as they were sophisticated. Scientists in pristine lab coats moved around like ghosts, focused and determined, their heads bent over blueprints or screens flickering with code, adjusting equipment that hummed quietly with raw power. This place was a fortress of secrets, a weapon lab hidden from the world—a sanctuary of destruction waiting to be unleashed. Darius and I had sworn the scientists protection, wealth, and land in return for their work, promises that would be fulfilled once we won the war. Darius was right—we didn’t know what
JadeI barely had time to glance over my shoulder before Althea opened her door, her eyes lighting up as she took me in.“You’re glowing, Jade,” she said warmly yet laced with curiosity.Her greying hair framed her face, and the faint lines around her eyes deepened as she smiled. Althea always had a way of seeing right through me, even when I tried to hide things.I blushed, my hand flying up instinctively to touch my face. “Thank you,” I murmured, stepping inside quickly as I scanned the street behind me for any signs of unwanted eyes.Althea shut the door behind me with a click. “You’re acting like you’ve done something illegal,” she teased, raising an eyebrow. "Relax; no one followed you.”I smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of my neck. “Force of habit.”She led me to the sitting room, where her research books and notes were strewn across the table. The faint scent of lavender and parchment filled the air, a comforting mix that always seemed to settle my nerves.“So,” she began,
JadeThe glass felt cold in my hand as I stared at the small, unassuming pill resting on my palm. It was ridiculous, really—how something so tiny could carry the weight of my hope, my fear, my desperation. I closed my eyes, whispered a silent prayer, and swallowed it down with a long gulp of water.The clink of the glass hitting the counter was louder than I intended, and I froze, heart racing as I heard the soft creak of footsteps behind me.“Jade? What are you doing?”My mother’s voice was curious but laced with concern. I spun around too quickly, nearly knocking the glass over. Her sharp green eyes were on me, flicking from the empty glass to my face.“Nothing,” I said, too fast, too defensive.She raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching in that way they did when she was about to pry. “You sure? You look like a kid caught stealing cookies.”I forced a laugh, waving her off. “It’s nothing, Mum. Just thirsty.”Her gaze lingered on me, searching for cracks in my story, but I changed the
Jade“We’re here, baby," Darius murmured softly, his voice rich with tenderness.My heart stuttered at the sound, but I forced myself to focus. The walk through the woods had been peaceful, yet my nerves were taut. This house was supposed to be our sanctuary—a place where I could put my plan into motion without distractions.I reached for the doorknob, turning it slowly. As the door creaked open, I braced myself for the stale air and dust that should have greeted us. Instead, the faint scent of lavender wafted through the air.The interior was spotless, sunlight streaming through clean windows and bouncing off polished wooden floors. The living room was cosy but elegant, with plush cream-coloured sofas, a stone fireplace, and a massive painting of a serene forest above the mantel. Soft beige curtains framed the windows, and a vase of fresh wildflowers sat on the center table.“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” I whispered, stepping inside and taking it all in.“Yes,” Darius replied.When I t
Five Months Later Darius Watching your mate give life to your child is supposed to be one of the most beautiful experiences in the world.But at this moment? I’m scared out of my damn mind.Jade's screams pierced the room, each one stabbing me straight in the heart. Her hand gripped mine so tightly I thought she might break it, but I didn't care. She could crush my bones into dust if it made this easier for her."You're doing amazing, Jade," I murmured, leaning closer, brushing sweat-soaked strands of hair from her face. My voice trembled, betraying my fear even though I tried to sound strong.Her glare snapped to me, fierce enough to stop my heart. "Amazing? Amazing?" she hissed through clenched teeth. "Darius, if you ever touch me again, I swear I'll—""Understood," I cut in quickly, nodding as if my life depended on it. "No more babies. Two is plenty. Perfect number. We're done."Her eyes narrowed, and even through her exhaustion, her expression was nothing short of murderous. "O
Jade“I’m so sorry, Jade,” he murmured, his voice thick with guilt. “This is all my fault.”I stared at him, stunned. “Your fault? Darius, this happened because I was foolish enough to fall for Rowon’s trap. If anything, it’s mine.”His jaw tightened. “If I had killed Rowon when I had the chance, this never would’ve happened.”I hesitated, then whispered, “What about the baby?”“The warriors are watching over him,” he said softly. “As for Kassandra, she escaped. It seems Rowon paid her handsomely to lure you into the woods.”I sighed, exhaustion washing over me. “Let’s go home,” I whispered, leaning into his warmth."No, let's go to the doctor and make sure you are okay."I clung to Darius’s shirt as he carried me into the pack hospital, his arms steady but his jaw clenched with tension. My body felt heavy, the remnants of the ritual leaving me drained and light-headed. I could hear the murmur of nurses as we entered, their whispers fading the moment they recognised who we were.“Wher
JadeI swallowed the lump in my throat, though fear gripped me like an iron vice. Rowon’s smirk twisted cruelly as his hand lingered on my stomach. Disgust curled in my gut, and my wolf growled low in the back of my mind, furious and restless.“You’re a coward,” I spat, forcing the tremor in my voice to sound like rage instead of fear. “You’ll never be an Alpha—not even in death.”For a flicker of a second, his smirk faltered, but it returned, sharper and more dangerous. He leaned in close, his breath hot against my ear. “We’ll see about that,” he murmured darkly before stepping back. “Start the ritual.”The witches’ chanting rose, their guttural words filling the room. The air thickened with the scent of burning herbs, and smoke swirled around us, clawing at my lungs. My wrists strained against the restraints as I thrashed, desperate to get free. I could feel the pulse of the ritual building—a suffocating energy crawling under my skin.“Darius,” I screamed in my mind, the bond betwee
JadeTrue to his word, Darius barely left my side. At three months pregnant, I was under what felt like constant surveillance—his. He’d even started sleeping lighter than usual, as if waiting for me to sneak off on some other reckless mission. Not that I could, even if I wanted to. The doctor had already warned me: the stress I’d put my body through during the Jericho ordeal had made the baby delicate. Luckily, Darius’s blood in my veins worked overtime, protecting both me and the little life growing inside me.The pack had practically erupted with praise when the news spread about how I’d taken down Jericho and his warriors. They called me a hero, the "Alpha Woman," the "Greatest Luna," among a dozen other titles that left me simultaneously embarrassed and amused. Strangers travelled from all corners of the werewolf world to join our pack, swelling our numbers and expanding our land. My name was on everyone’s lips, from council meetings to campfires. And the male admirers? Don’t get
JadeThe world around me was a haze of muffled voices and distant sounds, like I was underwater. My eyelids felt impossibly heavy, but the low growl of a voice cut through the fog, sharp and furious.“You said she’d be fine after the blood transfusion!” Darius’s voice, deep and vibrating with restrained rage, yanked me from the void.I forced my eyes open, my vision swimming before it landed on the scene before me. Darius had the doctor pinned against the wall, his hand gripping the man’s throat. The doctor clawed at Darius’s wrist, his face turning an alarming shade of red.“Darius…” My voice was a croak, barely audible, but it was enough. His head snapped toward me, the fire in his eyes instantly replaced by something softer—relief. He let the doctor go, and the man crumpled to the floor, gasping and clutching his neck.Darius was at my side in an instant, his hands cradling my face as if I were made of glass. His stormy eyes searched mine, desperate and worried. “Jade… you’re awake
The heavy wooden table in the council room felt like a prison wall keeping me trapped. My nails tapped against its surface in a rhythm that matched the ticking clock. Every second stretched too long, every minute a reminder that Jade wasn’t here.The emotions festering in my chest weren’t mine—or at least they didn’t feel like mine. Anger, disgust, annoyance—they twisted together like a venomous knot, suffocating me. I couldn’t tell if it was my wolf or something else clawing at me from within. My mind kept replaying our argument bitterly, like an open wound. If only I hadn’t gotten angry with her. Maybe then she wouldn’t have left without me. Maybe I could have been there to ensure her safety. But no—I had been furious when she told me she was going alone. Furious that she wouldn’t let me tag along. Furious at the walls she always seemed to put up. And now, that anger made everything worse, twisting the knife of regret deeper into my chest.She’d claimed she was visiting her aunt, b
JadeThe hall was silent for what felt like an eternity, and I swore for a moment my heart stopped. Then Jericho barked a laugh. “Fine! A toast it is. Someone bring the wine!”The crowd cheered as the bottles I’d cleaned—and poisoned—were brought forward. My pulse pounded in my ears as cups were filled and passed around.Jericho lifted his glass high, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. “To power! To victory! And to my new wife!”The crowd echoed his words, raising their glasses with fervor. The hall buzzed with anticipation as Jericho brought his glass to his lips. I watched breathlessly the poison-laced wine gleaming under the flickering light of the chandeliers.My pulse thundered in my ears as I stared at him, willing him to drink. For the first time that night, true fear gripped me. Would it work? Would anyone notice? My wolf’s growl was a steady hum in my mind as I waited for the first sip…But just as the rim of the glass touched his lips, he froze, a sly smirk creepin
JadeMy hands were raw from scrubbing those godforsaken plates last night. Every joint in my body screamed with exhaustion, but that wicked woman, whose name I’d overheard was madam Amara, wasn’t about to let me rest. She had loomed over me the entire time, barking orders and making snide remarks. She would be the second person I kill after I’m done with Jericho.I had stolen a few precious hours of sleep, but it wasn’t enough. My wolf kept me on edge, her instincts sharpening my awareness. Any moment now, I knew Amara would come banging on my door again.The knock came as expected, sharp and impatient.“Up, girl!” Amara’s voice grated against my nerves as I opened the door, still in my maid’s uniform. “Don’t think today’s your wedding, so you can lounge around like some entitled princess.”I blinked at her, a flash of anger heating my blood. “It is my wedding day,” I muttered, just loud enough for her to hear.Her thin lips curled into a mocking smile. “Wrong. Today’s a celebration f
JadeThe woman’s nails dug into my arm as she hauled me through the narrow corridors of the packhouse. The heavy air in the kitchen hit me first—a stifling mix of spices, sweat, and smoke that clung to my throat. My gaze swept across the room, taking in the sight of workers hunched over cutting boards and boiling pots, their movements sharp and mechanical, their faces blank. They looked like shadows of people, beaten down by the weight of servitude.For a moment, guilt stirred in my chest. These weren’t the monsters I’d imagined. They were people, trapped like me. Innocent. My wolf stirred uneasily. Are we any better than him if we kill them all?I shoved the thought aside. I wasn’t here for them. I was here for revenge.“This is where every wife and concubine of Alpha Jericho trains,” the woman snapped, her voice like the crack of a whip. “You’ll learn obedience here. You’ll learn to cook, to clean, and to serve. And once you prove yourself worthy, you’ll cook for Alpha Jericho perso