XAVIER’S POVIt was late into the night, and the house was quiet except for the sound of my footsteps as I slipped out of bed, threw on my clothes, and walked away from the room, leaving Eva behind. I had just closed the door on her—the red-haired female Lycan who had become my go-to when I needed a quick release.For me, it was always just sex, nothing more. No strings attached, no emotions to complicate things. That’s how I wanted it—just two horny Lycans fulfilling each other's needs.Eva knew the deal from the start; she knew I wasn't a man to get attached to. Yet, she kept coming back, willing and eager. Every time, I felt the same disgust churning inside me as I did now—a sour taste in the back of my throat.I clenched my jaw as I strolled down the hallway, trying to shake off the lingering feeling of revulsion crawling under my skin. My mind wandered, but I couldn’t find any solace in the empty corridors. I needed air, space, something to clear my head.As I made my way toward
HANNAH’S POVI woke up with a sharp gasp, my heart pounding in my chest, momentarily confused. The white ceiling above me was anything but familiar. I clenched my eyes shut, the memory of my escape and that Lycan’s claw squeezing at the back of my neck flashing through my mind.My hand shot up to my neck, fingers trembling as they brushed against my skin, half-expecting a jolt of pain where that brutal strike had landed. But instead of the searing agony I anticipated, there was only a dull soreness."Savage bastard," I muttered under my breath, the words tinged with anger and fear. But beneath the anger was a surprising wave of relief. I was alive. Not dead, not rotting away in some cold, dark dungeon. I exhaled a shaky breath, trying to calm the frantic beating of my heart. I needed to focus, to figure out where I was.The bed beneath me was soft—too soft—like sinking into a cloud. A king-sized bed, I noted, with silken sheets that brushed against my skin with a delicate, almost too-
Hannah’s POVThe worry etched on his face softened as he offered me a gentle smile, one that reached his deep blue eyes, making them sparkle with warmth. His expression was so sincere that it momentarily melted the tension between us.“Hannah,” Xavier began, almost as if lost in thought, murmuring my name softly, like a chant. There was something mesmerizing about the way his deep voice wrapped around each syllable, making my name sound almost sacred.I hated to admit it, but there was a fluttering in my stomach—a knowing sensation I hadn't felt in a long time—just from hearing him say my name over and over again.He turned toward me, his eyes still holding that warm glint, and introduced himself. "I’m King Xavier Bonnet. But you can call me Xavier."The title hung in the air, heavy and imposing, but I didn’t react the way he seemed to expect. His smile faltered, his brow furrowing as a shadow of doubt crossed his face.He must have assumed I’d already heard the rumors about him—dark,
XAVIER’S POVPregnant? The word echoed in my head, a cruel, harsh reality that twisted my gut with disbelief. My breath hitched, and for a moment, I felt the world tilt around me.Pregnant. Hannah said she was pregnant. I struggled to process it, to believe that she could possibly be telling a lie. She was pregnant? It didn’t make sense.I knew my mate didn’t want me, but lying about being pregnant just to push me away? That seemed too cruel, even for her. A mix of confusion and anger bubbled up within me, threatening to spill over.“Pregnant?” My voice was barely above a whisper, laced with an incredulity even I could hear. I grabbed her arm before I could stop myself, pulling her closer.My eyes searched hers, desperate to find some glimmer of deceit in those wide, frightened depths. “What do you mean, pregnant?” My voice dropped, deadly low, as I tightened my grip.The tremor in her breath didn’t escape me as she swallowed, clearly trying to muster the strength to respond. “Let me
HANNAH’S POVMy body trembled as I crouched in the cold, damp corner of Xavier's bathroom, knees pulled tightly to my chest. The tiles beneath me were icy, soaking through my clothes, but I barely noticed. All I could think about was the way Xavier's eyes had blazed with anger, his voice like a whip cracking through the air. I had expected him to be upset, but not like this—not this raw, consuming fury.I wiped at the tears streaming down my face, my hands trembling. “What have I done?” The thought of him forcing me to abort the baby clawed at my insides. I pressed my hand to my stomach, as if I could somehow protect the tiny life growing inside me. The very idea of losing this child—my child, no matter who the father was—was unbearable.“Maybe I should have kept it a secret,” I thought, biting down on my lower lip to stop it from trembling. “Maybe I should have waited longer... until I was sure.” But it was too late now. The truth was out, and I was at Xavier’s mercy. I could only ho
HANNAH’S POVAs Xavier gently guided me back to the bedroom, emotions stormed inside me. His touch was soft, full of care—each movement speaking of concern. But beneath that tenderness, I sensed something more—a possessiveness that made my skin prickle with unease.I was grateful for his care, but the intensity he carried left me wary. When he tucked me into bed, his hand brushed mine, and a shock of electricity ran through me, leaving a flutter in my chest that I couldn't quite place.Was it fear? Attraction? The confusion fogged my mind, making it hard to think clearly. Before I could untangle the mess of emotions, Xavier's voice broke the silence."Sleep," he commanded, his eyes locking onto mine with fierce protectiveness. "Don't be afraid. I'll be watching over you, sweetheart."I nodded, my throat too tight to speak. Unease curled in my stomach, but exhaustion weighed heavy on my eyelids. I didn't know what to make of Xavier's silent watch as he walked over and positioned himsel
Xavier’s POVI watched as Hannah’s eyes filled with tears, each one threatening to spill over. Her voice trembled, quivering with the weight of emotions she could barely contain. I could see the pain etched in every line of her face, and it twisted something deep inside me, making my chest ache for her.My protective instincts roared to life—fierce and unyielding. How could anyone hurt her like this? I couldn’t fathom the depth of what she had endured—betrayal, rejection, a fight for survival that left scars not just on her body but on her very soul.As Hannah spoke, her words halting and heavy, I felt an overwhelming connection to her. There was something so raw, so incredibly brave about the way she faced her past, even as it tore her apart.I admired her strength, her resilience, the way she didn’t break despite everything. I wanted to reach out, to wrap her in my arms and hold her close, to tell her that she and her unborn child would be safe with me—that nothing would ever hurt h
Hannah’s POVAs I pulled back from Xavier's embrace, a sense of calm washed over me. His words, his touch, had soothed my frazzled nerves, and for the first time in a long while, I felt truly safe.I looked up at him, his deep blue eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. I saw the sincerity there, the promise to protect me, and I knew I could trust him.Xavier's fingers brushed against my cheek, sending shivers down my spine. "I'll always be here for you," he whispered, his voice low and husky.I nodded, offering him a smile. The rest of the day drifted by in a haze. My thoughts were scattered—a jumble of memories and half-formed plans. When I finally crawled into bed, exhaustion pulled me under almost immediately, but when I awoke the next morning, I found myself alone.The bed, vast and cold, felt emptier than it should have. My eyes swept across the room and toward the couch, searching for Xavier’s familiar presence, but it was empty.Disappointment