"Oh, Uncle. He's not to be trusted!" "Yes, he's lycan, but he's not a bad person, Keira," he replied. "Even if he is, being on our side benefits us greatly, I tell you." I didn't say anything further because I feared that Uncle Felix would sense something and figure out that we kissed. "Now I think you should take a quick shower before Elder Paula or Zoey comes near you. You don't want the latter spreading false rumors or the elder making a case out of nothing." I nodded as he walked off. Then I rushed to quickly wash off before returning to the party. Once I entered the grand hall again, Nox was gone. **** Sometime later, all the guests had left and the servant were cleaning up. I sat by the window of my bedchamber, feeling spent. Good thing the day was finally ending. Liam strode out of the walk-in closet with his eyes on me.We hadn't said a word to each other since my uncle interrupted us. Even though I was the relatively quiet type, one year of marriage must have taught h
Nox POVThe Pine was Keira Gray's wine company, which she inherited from her father. They were the only wine producers and suppliers in all of the Eastside. Not only do they cater to the needs of all the packs in the region, they also worked and traded with the humans in the surrounding towns. The three story building of the Pine sat by the edge of a hill with a large vineyard and factory behind it. I strolled towards the sliding glass doors, assessing the place with my senses to determine what was going on inside.It was a Monday, so too many people were coming and going. Humans and werewolves were all over the place. Keira may or may not be in there. From Theo's report, she minded the pack while the husband handled the company.Images of last time's kiss filled my mind. Eleven days had gone by since then. It felt like the kiss happened only yesterday even though my wolf was fussing like we hadn't seen her in a year. I still could wrap my head around the facts. Was she pretending n
Earlier that day, Keira POV The beast's lips were on mine. My palms laid flat on his firm, muscled chest. Rather than push him away like I meant to, my fingers moved ever so slightly, enjoying the feel of his muscles as his lips teased mine. This was wrong. He was not my husband nor Alpha. Yet I couldn't stop him. I had never been kissed like this before. His hand moved over my bare flesh, making me lose all of my will to resist. His lips began to trail my neck downwards. When he cupped my breast and kneaded it with his thumb, I jerked awake. It was Liam who laid close to me. He licked his lips while watching me with darkened eyes. Then he moved closer to my side of the bed. "Babe," he whispered. "You were dreaming about me, weren't you?" I began to sit up, feeling so ashamed. Did I moan in my sleep? Goddess, I hoped not. He reached out and wrapped his arms around me, dropping a kiss on my shoulder blade. His touch felt intrusive. I gently tried to get out of his embra
My first instinct was to tell him where I was. To get him to meet me at the library in the middle of town. I regained my senses quickly and asked instead, "What do we need to talk about? What do you want?" "Brunch," he replied. "That's all I want for now. Let's meet. I can you pick you up right away." "I'm busy, Alpha Nox. If you have something to say, you can say it over the phone." "We should talk in person." "I'm afraid I can't allow that." "I see. You think I'll try to kiss you again. Look, I'm sorry for my behaviour that day. It was wrong to harass you like that. I was..." he trailed off. My grip on the phone had gotten tighter. I wanted him to go on. Even talking over the phone was nearly as dangerous, I decided. All of my insides tingled at the mere sound of his voice. Maybe I should hang up. "I'm sorry to ambush you like that," he went on. "I shouldn't have kissed you. It was disrespectful. And inconsiderate." I was at a loss for words. He'd just done the resp
Keira POV The sight before me was strange at first. I couldn't immediately decipher it. The situation only became clear as the two muttered curses while fumbling with their clothes. So many things came to mind to say but all I could do was turn around. Liam was still struggling with his zipper as I walked back out and shut the door. Images of our entire one year of marriage began to replay before me. Beginning from the most recent incident on our wedding anniversary. The working late. The sneaking in at midnight and rushing straight to the bathroom for a shower. The texting and whispered phone calls. He'd been having an affair? With Belle Faust? I walked mindlessly, not sure where I was headed. Terry, his assistant, appeared. "Luna, good morning," he greeted. I didn't have the sense of mind to respond. Then I heard the office door open and soon felt Liam behind me. I glanced around and was amazed at how neat and straightlaced he appeared. His shirt and tie were set neatly now. L
Alpha Nox "I want every little detail you can lay hands on," I said to Theo. "About the Pine AND the entire pack. I want every tiny, insignificant piece of information about her. I mean... yeah, her!" "Are you talking about the Luna," Theo asked gently. I didn't care that he was watching me carefully. "Yes! The Luna," I said. Maybe I should invade the Spring Moon. Because how else could we resolve anything if Keira Gray refused to see or talk to me? Force was the only solution in my head at the moment. Maybe that was the only language understand she would respond to. "I'm already checking like you asked right after her anniversary," Theo informed. "Her pack is guarded. They're definitely hiding something. But I'm close to uncovering their secret. I have a source." "Who? Mrs Faust?" I asked. "We can't trust her. She wants a mate for her daughter. And didn't you say she's not cooperative?" "She was friendlier the last time we talked. I expect her to call anytime." I tried
Alpha NoxMrs Faust left soon after she spilled the secret of the Spring Moon. Theo and I sat wordlessly in the study for a long time before he asked, "What's the plan?" He looked ready for my orders. But I couldn't act on what I just learned yet. Not in the way he expected. I needed more information. Mrs Faust had revealed that something was allegedly wrong. She hadn't merely offered a lead on my background check."It'll be too easy and swift to take them," Theo said. "As easy as Silver lake pack. Remember those?""They're not a small pack like that, Theo. We can't be hasty."Also Mrs Faust was hiding something. I didn't trust her."I want you to get me all you can find on Zoey Faust.""Yes, Alpha.""I have to go to the Spring Moon for a friendly visit."Moments later, I set out to go to the Spring Moon to see Felix Gray. At least, he would be my excuse for this particular visit. Keira would undoubtedly be around. I would find a way to get alone to talk.I soon reached their lands,
Keira POV When I opened my eyes, I was on a hospital bed with Doctor Glass standing over me. The relief in her expression brought everything back. I'd argued with Liam and was about to attack when I passed out at the sight of my claws. "You're awake, Luna," the doctor said with a kind smile. I tried to sit up but she rushed to my side quickly. "Take it easy." "What the hell happened?" "Please, lie still," she said as she gently push me back down. "You passed out. According to Yara, you and Alpha Liam were talking when you suddenly screamed. She and Conan rushed to the chamber and found you lying on the floor." I recalled how Liam had denied cheating. A new wave of anger stirred inside me and I let my head fall back to calm down. He'd insisted that I saw wrong. How was that possible? I couldn't be losing my mind, could I? "Your clothes were shredded when they brought you in," said the doctor. "You tried to shift? Luna, we talked about this. I thought you understand how d
Apparently, Liam felt so much larger than life now. He failed to realize that I could make him suffer immensely in that nine hours when the full moon would be visible in the sky. This was proof that he thought me completely useless and weak. And totally at his mercy.After breakfast, I got my cellphone and turned it on, expecting to see missed calls from Alpha Nox. There was none. I guessed he got my message last time. He truly was keeping his distance until we met tonight. That was a good thing.However, I couldn't stop checking my cellphone and willing him to call. I wanted him to confirm our meeting, which was set for after dark. No call came. Male werewolves went crazy in the full moon. I had never seen a Lycan in the full moon, but I'd heard stories. They were ten times worse, according to the rumors. The day he'd dropped the bomb that we were fated, when I asked us to meet on the full moon, it was because a part of me believed him. Not only that. I wanted it to be true, too.
Keira POVIn the last two days, I had very little sleep because of Liam. It took hours, but he'd eventually discovered my hiding place the day after. Once he did, he'd banged on the door almost all night.While he was busy with that, I got a hold of Conan using the intercom in the chamber where I locked myself up. I had him sneak into my study to get the spare copies of my divorce papers and Liam's reassignment at the Pine. Conan had held on to it and waited till the coast was clear. As soon as Liam grew bored of sticking near the guest chamber, he'd brought the files to me. It was a few minutes before dawn. I was starting to nod off when his gentle knock, followed by a whisper, woke me up and slipped the papers into the room. Now, it was the morning of the full moon. I was positively sick of being confined to this room. But it was either this or get raped by the soon-to-be ex.I sat on the bed with copies of the documents that Conan had dropped off discreetly. I let the images from
Keira POVI had faith in my t-shirt and jeggings and believed they shield me from Liam's overly invasive touch. Ripping them off me would not be too easy if he tried. Thankfully, he didn't join me on the bed. At least, not immediately. I had laid down when he pulled a stool close and deposited himself in front of me. He took a long swig from his bottle of scotch while his eyes stayed fixed on me.Moments went by in silence while he watched me with a look that made him unrecognizable to me. It occurred to me that he'd barely felt recognizable since the day I walked in on him and Belle at the Pine. Then he finally spoke,"Elder Hill was right, you know. I have needs that you can't meet, Kiki. I need your wolf awake when I fück you! But you've never let me have that. Our wolves have never done what couples should do. I'd like to know why? How's that fair to me?" '''False peace false peace false peace.''' I kept singing these words in my head to avoid barking out what I truly wished
Keira POVLiam shut the door and rolled the luggage to the side. He watched me with half lidded eyes as his chest rose and fell. I wondered if he was on some kind of drugs. He seemed like a madman. I unintentionally sniffed and caught the faint smell of alcohol in the air. "What did the old male say to you?" "He wants us to make peace," I replied. "Fighting isn't good for... me. That's what he said." "He's a wise old wolf, Kiki," he approached in casual strides. "You should listen to him."I nodded and quickly turned around to head to the bathroom. "I need to wash up and change," I announced quickly.The thought of what he could do to me in this bedchamber was horrifying.The words, '''Make false peace,''' kept ringing in my head.Uncle and Conan were right, though. I needed to stall Liam's madness. To trick him somehow. But how did I trick him into keeping his hands off me?I regretted coming here to meet him this night. I should not have. What I should have done was avoid him un
"Babe, are you deaf?" Liam breathed against my ear. "I said I'm done with being patient! You're back in your room. Where you belong. We're back to living as male and WIFE. Now, you and I will do what couples do. We START MAKING BABIES NOW. Like we should!"He rubbed himself against me to emphasize his words.Fear, revulsion and horror nearly overcame as his hardness pressed against me. In our human forms, he was so much stronger than me. He could overpower me and take what he wanted. And I couldn't shift. Not for another two nights.A hesitant knock sounded, saving me from what he was about to do. "Alpha, I...i brought the Luna's things," Yara called softly.He twisted around to look at the door. I gave him a hard shove and got free but felt too weak from all the emotions. When I tried to rise up from the bed, I stumbled and fell back.Meanwhile, Liam stood up and stomped to the door to open it."Go get the rest of her things!" He barked at Yara. "Where's Noel?"Instead of getting ba
Keira POVThe brief encounter with Nox in the woods had my blood boiling. The feelings that he evoked in me were totally uncalled for. Fated or not, he was my enemy. It made me so angry with myself that I was fiercely attracted to him. It made physically sick of everything and everyone. The innocence and desperation that I saw in his eyes tugged at my heart and made me more furious. The guy was just like Liam. The latter had feigned innocence too when I caught him with another woman's g-string. I guessed all males were the same. They were all full of lies and deceit!I was so done with them. Both Nox and Liam. I marched into the building and straight to Morris Page's quarters. At that moment, I didn't care about my uncle's words to keep things low-key. The lawyer was shocked that I would come to him. He seemed rattled by my presence as he rushed inside to get what I'd come for."You've reprinted it, right? I want two extra copies, at least. Print more and hold on to them for now."
Nox POV Before I could stop myself, I snarled back at Conan, advancing to attack. He was ready for me when I pounced, but he was not quite as strong as me. 'Back inside, Luna,' he groaned. I pinned him to the ground with my claws. 'Please! Go back inside,' he begged his Luna. With his words and manner, it occured to me that he was protecting his Luna from me. He was protecting my mate? And willing to die for her, too. I hated and respected him deeply for this. I began to release him as Keira rushed towards us, barking, "You let him go this instant!" 'I mean no harm,' I linked her. The hate I felt for her Gamma was because she was MY mate. It was MY sole role to make sure no harm came near her. But she wouldn't let me near her, yet she accepted his protection? The fact that it was his job did not lessen my irritation one bit. 'Luna, get back!' He urged her while attempting another attack. I was swift. Before he knew it, I had his neck beneath my paws with cla
Nox POVWhen Keira's line beeped and the call went off, I hurled my cellphone across the room and drove my claws through the desk in front of me. I had come so close to getting her to trust me. One minute, she was asking us to meet on the full moon. The next, she was back to avoiding me. Something definitely happened. Maybe her uncle said something to her. Or was it her husband? How could she be on good terms with him after finding another female's underwear in his pocket?Now I was convinced that she'd given Conan the directive to always tell me that she's not around. Three whole days had gone by. Today was the first day she'd taken my call, only to tell me not to come near her? Why? Surely not because I invited her old doctor here for a little chat. Was it such a bad thing to learn about my own mate? A hesitant knock sounded on my door. I knew it was Theo. He didn't come in like he normally did when he knocked once. Instead, he waited to hear from me. When I remained silent, he op
Keira POVAn unpleasant heat surrounded Liam as he marched into my study. He was seething with anger. Holding out the papers in his hand, he asked, "What the fück is this?" We both knew what it was. Morris delivered the divorce papers to him like an hour ago. His reaction was a little confusing now because he already knew this was coming. He was there when I first gave Morris the instruction, wasn't he?"I'm busy, Liam," I said with a sigh. "I asked you a question!" "You know what it is. Just sign it so I can get things moving, okay." I had an equally big problem waiting for my attention. I got back to scrolling on my contact list when, without another word, he lifted the papers. With a dramatic show, he tore it in two, then four, and so forth, until the pieces scattered all over the floor. Then he called out, "Yara!" My maid replied from outside the hall, "Yes, Alpha." When she entered, he said with his eyes on me, "Clean this up." Yara quickly went away to get the broom a