The sheets beneath us were soaked with the aftermath of our passion, a mingling of both Michael’s and my fluids. I could hardly believe his suggestive words, teasing me with the idea of “drinking” from such a source. Shocked by the lewdness of his remark, I stared at him, my eyes wide with disbelief.Michael’s initial soft chuckles soon turned into a full-bodied laugh, the sound echoing around the room. Only then did I realize that he was toying with me, playing on my naivety. My face burned with embarrassment, and I quickly averted my gaze, unable to meet his teasing eyes."Don't worry," Michael said, his voice laced with amusement. "I like it when you treat me like this." He winked, his playful demeanor making it hard to stay mad at him.I tried to maintain a stern expression, but my gaze inevitably drifted to his chest, where the buttons of his shirt hung open, revealing the strong contours of his muscles. Michael was undeniably sexy, even when he was being infuriatingly smug. Desp
Michael was a complex man—my lover, full of passion and raw emotion one moment, and the next, he seemed like an ancient being, wise and distant, as if he had seen and experienced far more than I could ever imagine. He carried an aura of authority, a divine presence that made it hard to forget who he was. But there was also a tenderness in him, a fierce protectiveness that reassured me even as it overwhelmed me."I won't let anyone hurt you—no one in the past or future. No one can take you away from me," Michael declared in a deep, resonant voice. It wasn’t just a statement; it felt like a solemn vow, an oath bound by something far stronger than mere words.Long before I fully accepted our relationship, Michael had already made his choice. He chose me with absolute certainty while I was still wrestling with my doubts, uncertain about accepting him as my mate. When Robert had come after me, it was Michael who saved my life, proving his devotion in the most direct way possible.And now,
Evelyn’s POV:"We first suspected the werewolf hunters," Michael said, his voice heavy with frustration. "They’ve always been a thorn in the side of the royal Lycan family. These mercenaries, hired to kill or do illegal work, are well-trained and never leave obvious traces behind. They're more than capable of carrying out these attacks."Werewolf hunters. I knew a little about them—just enough to be afraid.They were a group that operated in a strange grey area between good and evil. On the one hand, they claimed to stand for justice, refusing to kill the elderly, women, or children, and they focused on punishing werewolves who broke the rules. But on the other hand, they could be hired for a price, taking out targets their employers wanted dead, with no concern for the law. They didn't care about the moral boundaries others lived by; they had their own code, their own rules."We found one of their marks at the crime scene," Michael continued, rubbing his forehead as if the weight of
I was stunned after hearing Michael explain the situation. For a while, I couldn’t even react. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine something this horrible could be happening so close to me. I had always lived in such a simple, innocent world—never really exposed to the darker side of society.But Michael, he had lived for over a century longer than I had. He had undoubtedly seen so much more of this evil than I ever would. And if even he found this situation difficult, it meant the consequences were far more serious than I could comprehend.While the status of women has improved dramatically over the last century, it doesn’t change the fact that in certain situations, we are still more vulnerable than men. Especially when it comes to matters of sex. If a she-wolf faced off against a male werewolf, she was at a distinct disadvantage.Our mate bonds—unique to werewolves—do bring stability and security to our relationships, but they also carry the potential for something dark.Once
I felt warm and content in Michael’s arms. My body relaxed, and I breathed in his intoxicating scent. This softer side of Michael was different from what I had seen before. He seemed gentle and caring now, which I found far more comfortable than the possessive and controlling manner he’d shown in the past.Michael hadn’t been cruel before, but anyone could feel the strain of his intense presence. I realized now that he was a prince, accustomed to giving orders and speaking with authority. But I preferred this side of him—the one that wasn’t wrapped up in the weight of leadership.I placed my hand on his strong arm, and for a while, we just enjoyed the moment together. My plan seemed to be working. Instead of resisting him, I had found a way to connect with him, and it was making a difference. Michael wasn’t as guarded as he used to be. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying the time we spent together. More than that, I could sense his relief. Our bond was strengthening in a way it hadn’t b
"This is the easiest way, not the only way," Michael said, narrowing his eyes. "There’s a more peaceful way, but it’s a lot more complicated. That’s why most royal Lycans prefer to end it quickly with a duel, killing the other party.""For a royal Lycan, killing an ordinary werewolf in battle seems... too easy," I pointed out. "It feels unfair. You kill their mate and then expect that person to just accept it and become yours?"Michael shrugged, his expression indifferent. "I didn’t make these rules. This is just how things are. It’s a natural outcome, a natural choice. We’re only following what others have done before us."He paused for a moment, then added, "Cecily, you have to understand, it’s already rare for Lycans to find their fated mates. When we do find them, we can't just let them go because they’re already bonded to someone else. That’s not how we’re built. It goes against our nature.""But have you ever thought about how the other person feels?" I asked, my voice soft but
"Kate says I’m too soft, but I don’t see it that way," I said quietly. "I’m doing this for me. I can be weak sometimes, and if Robert goes to werewolf court because of me and they find him guilty, I’ll feel responsible. The guilt will eat at me. I know I won’t be able to shake it off, and I just can’t change that about myself. So please, Michael, can you help me—for my sake?"Michael turned to face me again, his eyes locking onto mine. "He almost destroyed you," he said, his voice strained with anger. "I let him go once because you asked me to. And now you want me to plead for him? For a bastard who nearly took my mate away from me? Every part of me wants to kill him right now!""I know," I replied, feeling a pang of frustration. "I don’t act like a typical werewolf. But you never knew me before college. Back then, I was just a regular, unknown girl. I didn’t want to hurt anyone."Our eyes met, and I could see myself reflected in his pupils. He was studying me closely, as if trying to
I had noticed it a few days ago—I felt more connected to Michael, not just physically but emotionally. At the time, I assumed it was because we’d been spending so much time together. But now, as Michael spoke, it was clear that he meant something more than just our closeness. There was a deeper meaning behind his words, especially when he mentioned the Lycans and marking.Michael smirked, pretending to complain, "You’re so full of passion these days. You’re practically wearing me out. I didn’t realize you had such a wild side!"I shot him an irritated look, not appreciating how he twisted the situation. "Just explain what you meant," I said, cutting through his playful tone.Michael’s smile faded, and his expression grew serious. "I’ve kept you close for the past few days. Have you felt trapped? Do you still think I’m just some unreasonable tyrant?"I didn’t dare to say what I was thinking—Aren’t you? Instead, I just gave him a sideways glance.Michael let out a long sigh. "I’m not a