I took a deep breath, trying to process the information. I hadn’t expected this outcome, but perhaps Michael's mercy was the best I could hope for. I couldn’t imagine him being kind enough to send Robert back after what had happened.Robert had come to me alone, without any connections in the Ancient Woods Pack. To them, he was just someone who had dared to offend the Lycan Prince. Michael's wrath had been intense, nearly consuming the entire forest. No one in their right mind would risk Michael's anger by trying to save Robert."And then?" I asked, eager to hear more.The corners of Kate's lips curled into a faint smile as she continued, "Robert hasn’t been seen on campus since the incident. Your escape has been the talk of the week. Everyone’s speculating about what happened. The most popular theory is that Robert offended the Lycan Prince because of you and was killed for it."I studied Kate’s expression, knowing there was more to the story. "What do you know? Don’t keep me in susp
I leaned in closer, not wanting to miss a single word of what Kate was saying.Kate began, "Aside from Robert’s absence, Alpha John has only been seen once or twice in recent days. He looks exhausted, much older than before. Without his mark, Robert will never be able to succeed as our pack’s Alpha. Alpha John was supposed to hand over all the power."I nodded in agreement. "If that’s the case, it’s understandable why Alpha John is in such a bad state."Kate shook her head. "It’s more than that. Alpha John wasn’t exactly thrilled about Robert becoming his heir. Remember what happened at the succession ceremony? Alpha John should’ve been prepared for the possibility that Robert might not be able to take over. But now, it seems like he’s taken an unexpectedly hard hit.""Is it because of Robert’s injury?" I asked slowly.Having a werewolf's mark forcibly removed was one of the worst things that could happen to a werewolf, second only to death. No matter how much Alpha John might have re
Since the Lycans joined forces with the werewolves, they’ve added a bunch of rules that mainly seem to protect their royal family. One rule says that if anyone harms a member of the Royal Lycan Family, they can be dragged straight to the werewolf court. Honestly, it feels a bit unfair, but it’s not like that rule gets used much. Most werewolves would never even think about messing with a Lycan. I mean, who’d be that reckless, right? Lycans are just too powerful.I sat there, thinking it over for a bit before turning to Kate. “I need to talk to Michael about this. Robert can’t go to the werewolf court.”Kate’s face scrunched up, and I could see the confusion and frustration in her eyes. “What’s gotten into you? You’re the last person who should feel sorry for that jerk. Don’t tell me you’re still hung up on Robert now that you’ve got the Lycan Prince in your life.”I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “I rejected him myself, Kate.”“Yeah, but who knows what he said to you that day to make
After Kate left, I couldn’t stop thinking about the whole mess with Robert. Her words had stirred something inside me, and now I was stuck with this uneasy feeling gnawing at my mind. I had this deep urge to stop Michael from taking things too far with Robert, but I had no idea how to do it.Whenever Michael was around, I felt like I was just going along with whatever he wanted. He had this way of controlling everything, even the smallest details of my life. When we first met, he didn’t even let me go to school unless he gave the okay. I had to check in with him about everything, even simple things like going out.I glanced at the clock, feeling a knot in my stomach. There wasn’t much time left before Michael would be back, like he always was, right on time.What was I supposed to do? If I told him about Robert, or worse, if I tried to stick up for Robert, I just knew Michael would lose it. And then Kate? She’d probably get caught up in it too. Michael might even forbid us from seeing
At this point, I knew there was no turning back. I had to commit to what I’d started, no matter how much it made my face flush with embarrassment.I placed one hand on my chest, squeezing gently to emphasize the curve of my breast, making sure Michael noticed. With my other hand, I lifted the already short skirt, slowly trailing my fingers along the inside of my thigh, teasing him with a glimpse of what lay beneath.I felt like I was crossing a line, seducing Michael in a way that made me feel both powerful and deeply ashamed. The idea that I was using my body to get what I wanted from him made my head spin with a mix of emotions—part excitement, part guilt.A small part of me wanted to stop everything, to run to the bathroom and lock the door behind me. But another part, a more daring part, refused to back down. I wanted to conquer Michael, to make him lose control because of me, to make him see me as irresistible. This time, I was going to be the one in control.I could see it in hi
Michael’s grip on my legs was firm, and I had no choice but to lean back into the chair as he held me there. Our bodies were so close that I could feel the heat radiating from him, seeping through the thin fabric of my outfit. It was like being near a live fire, the warmth and intensity of his presence igniting something primal within me. My senses were overwhelmed by his scent, the heady mix of power and desire swirling around us.His words cut through the air, laced with both teasing and command. “Whose little servant dares to enter the master’s bedroom without permission?”Even as he spoke, his hands didn’t hesitate. His knee nudged forward, pushing my skirt up higher until it revealed everything. I felt a rush of cool air against my exposed skin, a stark contrast to the heat coming from Michael. His eyes locked onto my most intimate parts, and I could feel my body responding, a flush of embarrassment coloring my cheeks as a small, involuntary tremor coursed through me.I couldn’t
Michael’s fingers explored my most intimate places, sending waves of pleasure crashing through me. The warmth and wetness between my legs intensified with each movement, and I felt my body tightening around his finger, clinging to it as if afraid to let go. The sensation was overwhelming, a mix of cold and heat that left me breathless, my heart pounding in my chest.I watched as Michael’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his eyes darkening with desire. His fingers moved with a deliberate slowness, teasing me as they pressed against my inner walls, sliding in and out with a rhythm that drove me wild. I couldn’t help the gasp that escaped my lips, my free leg curling up instinctively as if to shield myself from the intensity of the sensations.Michael’s touch became firmer, more insistent, as he focused on the place where my labia met my inner folds. I realized what he was about to do, and a thrill of both fear and anticipation shot through me. My eyes widened, my breath catching in my throat as I
Michael’s gaze bore down on me, intense and unwavering, as he studied my reaction. I was utterly spent, my body still trembling from the lingering waves of pleasure. My legs were splayed open, unable to close, and my breath came in ragged gasps. I could feel the remnants of my release slowly trickling down, adding to the wetness between my thighs.It was as if I had been drained of all strength, my mind clouded by the sheer intensity of what had just happened. My vision blurred, and for a moment, everything felt distant, almost unreal. When I finally regained some sense of awareness, I found myself being lifted from the chair, Michael’s strong arms carrying me to the bed.A thin sheen of sweat covered his forehead, and his eyes were dark with restrained desire. The look he gave me was enough to send another shiver down my spine. I glanced down, and there it was—his arousal, unmistakably evident, straining against the fabric of his suit pants. The sight made my breath hitch, and I coul
During that time, Joanna was always off somewhere, traveling by herself. No one knew where she went. She would leave for long stretches, sometimes disappearing for years, and didn’t bother checking in with anyone. Naturally, her parents freaked out, not knowing if she was safe or if something bad had happened to her.As I sat there by the water, Sasha handed me a drink. It was this weird, green liquid that I wasn’t sure about at first, but after a sip, I realized it was lemon tea, with a hint of mint. Not bad at all, really refreshing."And then?" I asked, curious about what happened next with Joanna.Sasha sighed, shaking her head like she regretted it a little. “Well, her parents eventually went to Michael's dad for help. Since Michael was good at handling this kind of stuff, his dad put him in charge of finding Joanna.”I sipped my drink again, enjoying the way the mint cooled me down from the inside. "So, Michael went after her?"Sasha looked at me with a mix of guilt and understa
Joanna might be an amazing actress, but honestly? She's not fooling me. It's like she's playing a role, trying to be someone she's not—probably because she can't stand that Michael and I are together. I could feel her trying to mess with us, but I wasn’t about to let her win. If she wanted to act, well, I could act too.The sunlight felt warm on my skin as I stood there watching her. I smiled confidently, letting Joanna see me looking totally unbothered. She dove into the water with all the grace of a fish. I had to admit, she did have an incredible body—she was rocking a white bikini that had these thin straps crisscrossing over her chest and waist, making her look like some kind of living sculpture. Even the lower half of her bikini had those same crisscrossing straps under her belly button. Honestly, it was a look.Meanwhile, Sasha was already in the water, her swimsuit much louder and flashier than Joanna's. She was wearing this fluorescent green bikini with stripes and a skirt th
Joanna’s POV“So, I’m not the kind of girl who lets a man push her around. After all that happened, I left anyway. But no matter how long I stayed away, I’d always get messages from Michael. Some of them were about family stuff, other times he’d talk about finding his mate or being engaged or something. Honestly, it was pretty confusing for me during that time.”Despite saying she was troubled, a small smile crept onto Joanna's face as if remembering something amusing.“Eventually, I figured out that all of those excuses were just Michael’s way of trying to get me to come back. There was never a fiancée or mate. It was all just a big story. So, I was a little surprised when I heard this morning that you two were mates. But, hey, you’re mates arranged by the Moon Goddess, so everything should be fine, right?”Joanna finished her little story with a bright smile, clearly satisfied with herself. But me? I was furious. My fists were clenched so tightly, I could feel my nails digging into
It wasn't until Michael had completely disappeared from view that I became aware of the unsettling stare from behind. I could feel Joanna’s eyes boring into me, but I refused to acknowledge her directly. Instead, I turned and made my way toward my room, hoping to escape the tension she brought with her presence.But, of course, Joanna just happened to be standing in my path.She wore that same infuriating smile, the one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Your relationship with Michael seems... strong. You’re quite adorable when you're with him, Cecily."Her words dripped with something—sarcasm? Malice? It was hard to tell. I wasn’t sure what she was getting at, but I didn’t care to find out. I wasn’t in the mood to engage with her."I'm heading back to my room," I said, keeping my tone as neutral as possible."I know I upset you yesterday, and for that, I’m truly sorry," Joanna replied, taking a step closer as if that would make her words more sincere. "I didn’t mean to offend you. Le
Joanna's giggle echoed through the room, its beauty contrasting with the venomous intent behind it. Her voice was as sweet as a siren’s, but I could feel the malicious undertones. "Former friends, Sasha? That's not quite accurate. Michael and I were more than friends."I knew Joanna was up to no good. I had seen it in her eyes the moment I met her. Whatever her goal was—whether to make me jealous, provoke anger, or worse—I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of seeing me unravel.She turned her gaze toward Michael, who remained focused on his coffee cup, now almost empty. He hadn’t acknowledged her presence, which gave me some comfort, but Joanna wasn’t finished. "If you two are truly mates," she said, her voice dripping with false innocence, "may I ask, was it the Moon Goddess who arranged this, or did Michael choose you?"Her question cut deep, even though it was wrapped in a seemingly casual tone. I clenched my fists under the table, my wolf surging with rage. Joanna was impl
"Would you like to come downstairs for breakfast, or should I bring it up to you?" Michael asked, his voice soft and tender. As he spoke, he reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair away from my face. His touch sent a warm shiver down my spine, the closeness between us undeniable.I found myself smiling at Michael, wondering how I hadn’t fully appreciated this side of him before. I had always been so caught up in our arguments, his domineering ways, and the battles for control that I had somehow missed these moments where he could be... sweet. The realization washed over me—there was more to him than the arrogance and possessiveness I had been focusing on. If I allowed myself to let go of the tension between us, there was an undeniable pleasure in being with him.“I’d like to go downstairs to eat,” I replied with a soft smile, feeling more at ease than I had in a while.We walked down the stairs together, and I found myself momentarily at peace. But as we descended, my mind wande
The night had ended in a comfortable silence, with both of us content in each other's presence. By the time I had finished my tasks, Michael was still seated at his desk, absorbed in a pile of paperwork. His brow furrowed in concentration, and I didn’t have the heart to disturb him, nor did I want to leave his side. So, I watched him, feeling the steady calm he radiated.Before I knew it, I had dozed off in the warm cocoon of the study, lulled by the scent of Michael that filled the room. It wasn’t long before I felt someone gently lift me. I knew it was Michael, and feeling safe in his arms, I allowed myself to drift deeper into sleep.When I finally woke up, the morning light was already creeping in through the curtains. My body felt well-rested and refreshed. At some point during the night, I had been changed into my pajamas, and I couldn’t help but wonder if Michael had been the one to wash and dress me while I slept. A small smile tugged at my lips at the thought.I glanced to my
"Oh god, absolutely not," Michael exclaimed, his voice laced with frustration. "Yes, we had a relationship in the past, but we broke up a long time ago. Joanna came by a few times after that, but it wasn’t for me. She had business with Samuel and others. I was too busy to even notice when she came or left. But I swear, Cecily, nothing happened between us after we ended things."I turned to face him, my mind clouded with uncertainty. Should I believe him? Jealousy burned inside me, poisoning my thoughts. The mere idea of him being intimate with Joanna made my skin crawl."My little wolf," Michael's voice softened as he lifted my chin gently. His expression was tinged with regret. "If you want me to apologize for my past, I can. But remember, I’ve lived a long life, Cecily. I’m not a saint—I’ve had relationships, felt emotions, just like anyone else. But if you're blaming me for something more than that, it's unfair. I’ve never been in two relationships at the same time. When I met you,
"I can't just pretend nothing happened, especially after my wolf reacted the way it did." I shrugged, trying to stay calm. "I need to know, Michael. I'd rather hear it from you than find out through Sasha."Michael hesitated, his brown eyes locked on mine as if weighing his options. I held his gaze, determined to get the truth. If he wanted honesty between us, he needed to practice it too."Okay," he muttered, running his hand through his hair, clearly uncomfortable. "She's... a friend."A friend? Joanna's behavior toward Michael was far from friendly. It was passionate, intense—nothing like the casual interactions between Sasha and him. I took a deep breath and asked the question I had been avoiding but couldn't ignore any longer."An ex-girlfriend?"Michael's expression stiffened. He didn’t nod, but he didn’t shake his head either. Silence hung between us, thick and heavy. I knew the truth was coming, but it didn’t make the waiting any easier. If Michael wanted me to be honest with