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
Jade Nightshade My life was perfect. No, really, it was. I could feel it in every fiber of my being, and anyone with eyes could see it too. Being the Alpha’s daughter had its perks—respect, admiration, power. It gave me a confidence that other girls could only dream of. And sure, I hadn’t yet found my mate, but I was still a few weeks shy of eighteen. It didn’t bother me because I was confident I already knew who it would be.Rowan.He and Darius, who was two years older and had been away training to become a warrior for the past five years, had been my best friends for as long as I could remember. But Rowan and I were closer, practically inseparable since birth, being the same age. He was set to be the next Beta, and if things worked out perfectly, he might one day be Alpha by my side. It made perfect sense. I mean, what more could I ask for?"Jade!"? My mother's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, pulling me back from the pleasant daydreams of my future with Rowan. "Stop daydream
Jade Nightshade Rowan pulled back slightly, his eyes locked onto mine. Instead of kissing me again, he tilted his head toward the sky, his hands resting lightly on my waist. “Look at the moon,” he murmured softly.I followed his gaze, glancing up. The moon was enormous, hanging low in the sky and casting an ethereal light over everything. There was something... different about it tonight. It was almost like it was calling to us.“It’s beautiful,” he whispered, his fingers brushing my cheek, sending a warm flush through me. “Just like you.”I smiled, a little embarrassed, but then Rowan's face shifted, becoming more serious. “I did some research,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “I spent hours in my father’s library. Tonight’s moon is special. It’s said to bond souls—two people in love. Forever.”I frowned, the words both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. "Bond souls?" I repeated, my heart suddenly pounding faster. "Rowan, that sounds... dangerous. What if... what if we ar
Jade Nightshade The soft murmur of voices reached me through the haze of my fever as I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. My mother's voice was unmistakable—firm yet laced with worry. She was talking to the pack doctor, no doubt trying to figure out why I’d been sick for over a week now."How could she just fall sick like this?" I heard her ask; her frustration barely masked. "She was fine the night before. This doesn’t make any sense.""We’ve run all the tests we can." The doctor’s voice was calm but uncertain. " There's nothing physically wrong with her that we can pinpoint. It's... strange. I’ve never seen a case like this."I closed my eyes, my body aching with a fatigue that was more than just physical. I knew why I was sick, even if they didn’t. It wasn’t a typical illness. It was the bond. The oath Rowan and I had taken... I could feel it tightening its grip on me, like an invisible chain pulling me deeper into this state. But how could I explain that? They’d never understan
Jade Nightshade I stumbled back into the house, my vision blurred by tears that clung stubbornly to the corners of my eyes. As my world spinned, I saw my mother waiting by the entrance, her face lighting up with concern the moment she saw me."Oh dear, what's wrong? Why are you back already? Is the party over?" Her voice was laced with confusion, her eyes scanning me like she was trying to find an answer on my face.I felt my chest tighten at her question. The image of Rowan, his hands on *her*, flooded my mind again. I could still see the way his eyes glowed when he looked at that redhead, just like he used to look at me. A sob built in my throat, but I swallowed it down, clenching my fists.“Jade? Where’s Rowan? Isn’t he supposed to be with you?” Her voice softened, almost hesitant. “He’s your mate, isn’t he?”That was it. The final straw. The dam broke, and I snapped.“I *never* want to see that bastard’s face again!” I yelled, my voice hoarse and trembling as it echoed. I didn’t
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
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"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
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
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
JadeAs we walked away, I clutched Darius's hand tightly, my mind spinning in a thousand directions. The image of Liliana lingered—she was effortlessly beautiful, the kind of woman any man would dream of. Even I, a woman, could see it. And yet… Darius had rejected her. He’d turned down that perfect, goddess-like creature—for me?Crazy.The silence between us was heavy, but I couldn't bring myself to break it. A knot formed in my stomach as anger bubbled up, not because of Liliana’s beauty but because Darius had kept her existence a secret. Why didn’t he tell me? He knows how much I hated secrets and couldn't stand them. And now with Rowan lurking, circling like a vulture waiting for any chance to tear us apart... to pounce on any weakness... he let Rowan get under my skin by handing him this opportunity on a silver platter.I didn’t even know where I was leading him, only that I needed to be somewhere private, somewhere I could yell at him without an audience. When we reached my house
Darius If someone had told me Jade would one day look at me with that spark in her eyes and say she was beginning to feel something for me... God, I wouldn’t have believed it. Hell, I would’ve laughed in their faces. But hearing those words... knowing she’s finally falling for me... nothing in this world could compare. The sound of her voice, the softness in her gaze—all I could think was how lucky I was. She said she cared deeply for me, and those words made me feel like the happiest man alive.Funny how my mother’s madness ended up bringing out this side of Jade, forcing her to reveal her loyalty and her feelings. And now, hearing her say she feels something for me... I’d give her the world. No—I already promised myself. I’d rather break every bone in my body than break her heart. I’d fight for her, for us, with everything in me.I wanted to hold her, protect her, and make her laugh for the rest of our lives. But of course, my happiness barely had a chance to settle before that sm
JadeMy gaze was locked on Darius’s mother, and for a second, she looked shocked, as if I’d slapped her across the face, and then anger simmered to the surface. Her hand slammed down on the table with such force that all the dishes rattled, some even lifting briefly before settling back down. I felt the jolt through my whole body, but I held my ground, refusing to look away.“Don’t you ever call me ‘mother-in-law,’” she spat, her eyes narrowing with venom. “I would never want someone like you for my son. You might be his mate, but that means nothing to me. You’ve hurt him, and you’re risking his life. If you had an ounce of decency, you’d end this relationship before it drags him down any further.”Heat crept up my neck, and I clenched my fists at my sides. I wanted to snap and fire back, but I took a deep breath, knowing that lashing out would only feed and fuel her disdain. Still, I couldn’t stop the small, mocking smile tugging at my lips as I raised an eyebrow.“Then, I suppose it
JadeWe gathered around the breakfast table, and I could feel the tension hanging in the air—so thick I could almost taste it, and it made my skin prickle. Everyone was seated, but no one spoke, and the silence pressed down on me. I was acutely aware of Darius’s hand brushing against mine under the table, his touch a small comfort in this unnerving atmosphere. I sat beside him, holding onto that small touch, drawing strength from it as his family’s unreadable faces seemed to study my every move, especially his mother’s. She sat at the head of the table with a regal authority that made my stomach twist.Stanley, his brother, was the first to break the silence. "Mom," he said, forcing a smile, “your food is delicious."“Yes, Mom, it’s really amazing,” his sister chimed in, nodding enthusiastically.Their words seemed to hang in the air, and for a fleeting moment, it felt as though everyone was holding their breath, unsure what to say next. The silence that followed felt even more loade