"What about Michael?" Kate's voice broke through my thoughts, her eyes sharp with curiosity. "How do you feel about him?"Her question instantly transported me back to the memory of Michael’s kiss from the previous night. It had been the first kiss of my life—an experience so intense, so overwhelming, that it felt as though it had altered something deep within me. The moment his lips met mine, every fiber of my being had responded to him, a primal desire igniting within me that I’d never felt before. It was as if I was no longer in control of myself, the intensity of the moment both thrilling and terrifying.But despite the passion of the kiss, a part of me had resisted. My body wanted him, craved him in a way that felt almost animalistic, but my mind wasn’t ready. The thought of losing control, of surrendering completely to these new feelings, frightened me."He's... not bad," I said, my voice deliberately vague."Not bad?" Kate echoed, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. "Come on, Ceci
After a while, our laughter died down, and we found ourselves sprawled across Kate's bed, the air between us heavy with unspoken thoughts. Kate blinked at me, her gaze softer now, as if she was seeing something in me that I couldn't quite grasp. I was still catching my breath when she said, "You know, Cecily, you look different."I turned to her, surprise evident on my face. "Different? How so? I haven't changed at all.""It's your aura," Kate mused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she examined me more closely. "You were always beautiful, but now… there's something almost regal about you. It’s like you’re starting to resemble the royal Lycans."Her words took me aback. I hadn't expected such a comment from her, and I certainly hadn't noticed any change in myself. "Maybe it's just Michael's aura rubbing off on me. Being around the royal Lycans, it's easy to absorb some of their presence. Maybe that’s what you’re sensing."Kate shook her head thoughtfully. "They are who they are, but you
Kate noticed the change in my expression and quickly waved her hand, trying to dispel the unease she had caused. "I don’t think the Lycan prince is that type of person. It’s just what I’ve heard in passing, you know how rumors are."I sighed, shaking my head. "Michael wouldn't play those kinds of games. If he wanted to deal with Robert, he’d probably just confront him directly, without any of the political maneuvering."Even though my interactions with Michael had been brief, I had a strong sense of his character. He struck me as someone who was direct and didn’t shy away from taking action. And with his status, if he decided to go after Robert, not even the Alpha could stand in his way.Kate laughed awkwardly and changed the subject. "So, are you going to class this afternoon?"I sat on the edge of the bed, reflecting on the stares I had endured that morning. The weight of their judgment still lingered, making me hesitant to face it again. After a moment, I shook my head. "I think I
From a distance, I could see my parents waiting for me at the door. It was funny—I never realized I had such good eyesight, but I was thrilled to see them. Yesterday, all I wanted was to run into their arms and find comfort, but Michael didn’t give me that chance. He whisked me away before I could even say a word to them.I picked up my pace, practically running toward them. My mother’s eyes lit up with joy when she saw me.After a quick change back into my human form, I slipped on some clothes and joined them in the kitchen. My mom had already set the table with pancakes, maple syrup, and sliced ham. The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, wrapping me in a warm, comforting blanket. I couldn’t help but hug them both tightly.“Cecily, my sweet girl, your father and I were so worried about you,” my mom said, hugging me back, and my dad joined in too, creating a cozy family huddle.When we finally broke apart, my mom guided me to the table and handed me a plate of pancakes. I
The door swung open, and there he was. Tall and commanding, Michael strode into the room like he owned the place, not even bothering with an invitation. He had this air about him, like everyone else was beneath him, and we all had better do as he said.I wasn’t expecting him to show up so soon.Quickly, I stepped in front of my parents, shielding them as best as I could. I forced myself to meet Michael’s gaze, though it felt like his eyes could burn right through me. His face was unreadable, but I could sense the anger simmering just below the surface.Standing there, face-to-face with him, made my insides twist. But I couldn’t back down. My parents were defenseless against someone like Michael. No matter how mad he was, I was his mate. He wouldn’t hurt me—at least, that’s what I hoped.“So, you’re just going to stand there, or are you going to invite me in?” Michael’s voice was calm, but I could hear the edge in it.He was being polite, but I wasn’t fooled. I knew he wasn’t here for
I made a little noise, and when I glanced up, I caught my parents giving me that look—the kind that says, "Seriously? Right now?" Being respectful and serious around the royal Lycans was kind of a big deal for most werewolves. And Michael wasn’t just any Lycan; he was a prince. So, what I just did probably looked a bit rude.With a deep sigh, I settled back down in my seat and looked away, doing my best to ignore Michael's possessive hand on my shoulder. He was still smirking like he found this whole thing entertaining, which only made me more uncomfortable.Michael’s hand slid down to my shoulder, pulling me closer into his side. I had no choice but to lean into him, even though every muscle in my body wanted to pull away. His grip wasn't forceful, but it had that silent command that screamed he expected obedience. And I was getting really tired of being treated like some trophy he’d just won.Since meeting Michael yesterday, I’d broken just about every rule of how you're supposed to
"You might not realize this, but I can give you more than you ever imagined," Michael said, glancing at the few boxes of cash. At his silent command, the men in black swiftly took the boxes away, as if it was no big deal."This is just a small token," he continued, his voice smooth. "If you don’t like it, that’s understandable. But remember, I’m the son of the current Lycan King. Sure, I won’t inherit the throne, but that means I’m free from all the messy power struggles that come with it."I’ll live a life of luxury, and I intend to give Cecily the same. And that extends to you two as well. I can offer you any life you desire. I’ve done my homework—I know you’re just doing basic work at the restaurant. I could buy the entire place for you. You wouldn’t have to answer to anyone ever again."Or if you’d rather not work at all, I’ve got plane tickets ready. You can travel the world, be treated like royalty wherever you go, and see all the best places. You could live it up for years."Mi
Michael's voice cut through the tension in the room. "Mr. and Mrs. Levine, I hope you realize that I haven't marked Cecily yet because I don't want her to get hurt again. I care about her just as much as you do. Everything I've said is both a promise and a reassurance. Why do you think I'm doing this?"Though his words were polite, there was an unmistakable chill in his tone.My parents were at a loss for words, confused by the contradiction in Michael's demeanor. He claimed to care for me, yet his actions felt more like a display of control. Their concern was evident in their exchanged glances, and I could see they were struggling to decide if they could trust him with me.The tension in the room was suffocating. Michael was clearly in a bad mood, and my parents' cautious approach seemed to irritate him even more. His eyes darkened, the golden hue in his brown pupils growing more intense. I shivered at the sight. He was holding me tightly, and despite my discomfort, he refused to let
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