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
HANNAH’S POV“I’m Xavier’s mate,” I repeated, my voice firm.She raised an eyebrow. “You? A weak werewolf like you? I don’t think so. Xavier is a powerful Lycan, and he would never choose someone like you as his mistress, let alone his mate.”I felt a surge of anger at her demeaning words but kept my cool. “I assure you, I am his mate, whether you believe me or not.”The female Lycan’s lips curled into a mocking sneer, her eyes narrowing with contempt. "Even if that were true, which I highly doubt, there is no claim mark on you. Xavier would never leave his mate unmarked. You’re just a pathetic little werewolf trying to claim a connection to someone far superior to you.”My heart sank, realizing that she was right. I did not bear Xavier’s mark as he had yet to mark me, but that still didn’t give her the right to talk down to me. I stood as tall as I could, meeting her gaze with all the strength I could muster.My voice was steady, though inside, I was trembling. "I don’t need to prove
XAVIER’S POVAt Hannah's request, I allowed my features to settle into a more serious expression, my gaze locking onto hers. Her eyes, usually so full of light, now reflected a deep concern that sent a jolt of worry through me. The subtle lines of worry etched into her forehead told me something was off—something that had been gnawing at her in my absence."What’s wrong? Did something happen while I was away?" My voice softened, dropping to a gentle tone as I tried to coax the truth from her.Hannah hesitated, her breath catching as if she were weighing each word carefully. Finally, she took a deep breath, the rise and fall of her chest mirroring the tension between us. "I—I went out of your room," she started, her voice faltering. But before she could continue, my instincts flared, and I interrupted, unable to suppress the panic rising within me."You did what?" My voice was sharper than I intended, the fear I felt twisting my words. "Hannah, I thought I told you to stay here until I
ANDREW’S POV The heavy dungeon door creaked open, and Beatrice stepped inside, her boots echoing against the cold stone floor. She carried a plate of food, her grip tight, knuckles whitening. Her eyes flicked to me, and for a split second, I saw it—hesitation, a flicker of doubt. But it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by a hard, angry glare. She was trying to convince herself as much as me. My heart hammered in my chest, but I kept my face calm. This was my chance—my only chance to break free. “Beatrice,” I said, my voice low but steady. “You don’t have to do this. Let me go. I’ll make sure Xavier knows you were just following orders. You don’t have to go down with Elijah. He’s just using you.” She stopped short, her lips curling into a sneer. “Save your breath, Andrew,” she spat, her voice sharp but with a tiny crack in it—a fracture. “You’re going to die soon anyway. Why don’t you just shut up?” She dropped the plate in front of me. The bowl clattered, soup slos
HANNAH’S POV Elijah’s footsteps faded down the hallway, and I finally let out the breath I’d been holding. My chest felt tight, my heart hammering so hard I thought it might burst. I turned to Lily, my hands trembling as I reached for her. Her face was pale, her chest rising and falling in shallow, mechanical breaths. I leaned closer, my fingers brushing her wrist to check for a pulse. It was there—faint but steady. Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived. The image of Elijah hovering over her, his cold gaze lingering, sent a chill through me. He hadn’t come to check on her. He’d come to finish what he had already started. “Lily,” I whispered, my voice breaking. I took her hand, squeezing it gently as if I could will some of my strength into her. “Please, wake up. You have to fight. We need you.” My throat tightened, and I swallowed hard, blinking back tears. “You’re not alone, okay? I’m here. Xavier’s here. We won’t let him hurt you again.” Her hand twitched—just the sl
ELIJAH’S POV The heavy dungeon door groaned as it swung shut behind me, its iron hinges screaming in protest. My boots scraped against the uneven floor, each step a deliberate act of defiance as Andrew’s muffled groans faded into the oppressive darkness. My chest tightened, a volatile mix of anger and satisfaction coiling deep within me. He deserved this. Every agonizing second of it. Beatrice caught up with me, her face a mask of worry. “We need to kill him before Xavier returns and finds out. If we’re caught, it’ll be over for both of us.” I glanced at her, slightly irritated. “Not yet, Beatrice. I want him to suffer more before I end him. He stays alive for now, and that’s final.” She sighed, shaking her head. “You’re making a mistake. Keeping Andrew alive is too dangerous, especially with Xavier sniffing around. It’s not about Andrew himself—it’s about what happens if Xavier returns with more guards to search for him.” I considered her words for a moment, the scenario
ANDREW’S POV The cold was the first thing I felt—sharp, biting, like teeth sinking into my skin. It wasn’t just the chill of the dungeon; it was alive, slithering through the air, wrapping around me until I could barely breathe. My head throbbed, each pulse a cruel reminder of the blow that had knocked me out. My body ached, every muscle screaming as I shifted slightly. Then came the sound—a sharp, metallic clink. Chains. My wrists were shackled, the cuffs digging into my flesh, and my ankles were anchored to the floor with heavy iron. I was trapped. I blinked, my vision swimming as it adjusted to the dim, flickering light. The walls were slick with moisture, the stones jagged and uneven, as if they’d been carved to inflict suffering. The air reeked of mildew and decay, a nauseating stench that clawed at my throat. This wasn’t just a cell; it was a tomb, a place designed to crush hope. And then I saw him. Elijah stood a few feet away, his silhouette sharp against the gloom.
XAVIER’S POV I stormed out of the hospital, my mind racing as I headed straight for Elijah’s compound. Andrew’s impulsive decision to confront Elijah alone was reckless, and I knew it could only end in disaster. Elijah wasn’t the kind of man you confronted without a plan, and Andrew’s grief and rage had clouded his judgment. I had to stop him before it was too late. When I arrived at Elijah’s house, the guards at the gate immediately tensed, their hands hovering near their weapons as they recognized me. I didn’t have time for their games. “I need to speak to Elijah,” I said, my voice sharp and commanding. “Now.” The guards exchanged uneasy glances but eventually stepped aside, allowing me to pass. I strode through the compound, my senses on high alert. The place reeked of arrogance and deceit, and I hated every second I had to spend there. Elijah was waiting for me in the main hall, his expression calm but his eyes sharp. “Xavier,” he said, his voice smooth and mocking. “To wh
ANDREW’S POV The night air was cold, biting at my skin as I stormed through the streets. My mind was a whirlwind of anger, grief, and desperation. Every step I took felt fueled by the fire burning in my chest—a fire that had been ignited the moment I saw Lily lying there, broken and bleeding. The image was seared into my mind, playing on repeat like a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from. And now, the doctor’s words echoed in my ears: “She’s hanging on by a thread.” Elijah did this. He hurt her. He took the one person who meant everything to me and tried to destroy her. I didn’t care if it was a calculated move or some twisted message to the pack. All I cared about was making him pay. He was going to regret ever laying a hand on her. My fists clenched at my sides as I picked up speed, my feet carrying me toward Elijah’s territory. I didn’t have a plan, and I didn’t care about the consequences. All I knew was that I couldn’t sit there and wait while Lily fought for her life. I had
HANNAH’S POV Andrew’s sobs tore through me, raw and unrelenting, as he clung to my shoulder. His body shook against mine, each cry a knife twisting deeper into my chest. I held him tighter, my fingers digging into the fabric of his shirt as if I could somehow anchor him to this moment—to me. The sterile smell of the hospital burned my nose, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my heart. Lily—sweet, fierce Lily—was just beyond those doors, fighting for her life. And Andrew… he was breaking in my arms. “Why?” he choked out, his voice muffled against my shoulder. “Why her? Why today?” His words were ragged, each one laced with a pain so deep it felt endless. I didn’t have an answer. There was no answer. The world was cruel, and it had chosen them—two of the kindest souls I knew—to bear its cruelty. I pulled back just enough to cup his face, my thumbs brushing away the tears that wouldn’t stop falling. His eyes were bloodshot, his cheeks streaked with grief. “Andrew,” I whis
XAVIER’S POV The sterile, fluorescent lights of the hospital hallway buzzed faintly, casting a cold, unfeeling glow over everything. Each second stretched into an eternity, the silence broken only by the rhythmic tapping of Andrew’s frantic footsteps. He paced like a caged animal, his hands clenched into fists, his face pale and drawn. His eyes—bloodshot and hollow—darted toward the surgery doors every few seconds, as if willing them to open. The air felt heavy, suffocating, and I could barely breathe under the weight of it all. I wanted to say something, anything, to ease his torment. But what words could possibly matter now? My throat tightened, and I swallowed hard, forcing down the helplessness clawing at my chest. Then, the sharp echo of hurried footsteps cut through the tension. I turned, my heart sinking as I saw Hannah and Kas rounding the corner. My stomach twisted. What are they doing here? I had told Kas to take them home, to keep them safe. “Kas,” I said, my voic
XAVIER’S POVThe moment I saw the blood, my stomach dropped. It wasn’t just a trickle—it was a pool, dark and glistening, spreading beneath Lily like a cruel stain. My heart hammered in my chest, but I shoved the panic down. Focus. Move.“Get the car ready—now!” I mind-linked the nearest guard, my voice sharp, urgent. The response came instantly, but it wasn’t fast enough. Nothing felt fast enough.I shot another message to Kas: Take Hannah and Jackson home. I don’t want them around for this.Back in the hall, chaos had erupted. The air was thick with gasps, cries, the sharp tang of fear. Lily lay limp in Andrew’s arms, her dress soaked in crimson, her face ghostly pale. Andrew’s expression was a mask of raw terror, his arms trembling as he held her close.Someone in the crowd fainted—her mother, I think—but I didn’t stop to check. There was no time.“Out of the way!” I barked, shoving through the crowd. Andrew followed, his steps unsteady but determined, his grip on Lily never loosen