STRIKER‘ It can be our child. ’ Beast snarled. ‘ Why are you not even considering that possibility? ’My head was about to split into two. I wanted to bash it in because of the constant headache. Beast was causing this by trying to fight for my control over him.‘ Ask her. Talk to her once. Maybe, she found out about it and came back to you. ’ He hissed when I didn’t answer.I didn’t even want to think about it. I didn’t want to hope that I made her pregnant, that she was carrying my child yet she loved another man. And what if it was not mine? What if was really Dustin’s child? That was going to break my heart all over again. I was not ready for this. I was never ready for anything, any emotion she ripped out of my chest and claimed as her own.And here she was, doing everything all over again without lifting a single finger.“ The message was sent, Your Highness. ” One of the guards informed me from the doorway of the throne room.I tore my gaze from the carpet and glared at him i
STRIKERThe doors to my study cracked open, and Dustin strolled inside. There was no hesitation in the way he walked, or stared ahead. He was the same—the usual calculative Dustin everyone knew him to be.“ Why? ” The absurdity of the question irked me.“ You know why, Striker. ” Dustin didn’t wonder what I was asking about. He knew what it was about.“ I believed you will never lie to people you care about, Dustin. To friends and family. ” I gripped the edge of the desk, staring at him keenly.I would have expected this from everyone else—even Tyson at some point but never Dustin. We were together since we figured out how to pronounce each other’s names. He was always like this, to everyone else, but not to me or to Tyson.“ Are you not going to say you didn’t want to do it or how it must have hurt you to lie to my fucking face? ” I narrowed my eyes into slits, as the calmness stirred and a fiery sense of betrayal overcame my senses.He needed to say the right words. He always did.
NORA“ I can’t believe he lied to me about something so…something so…” I gobbled down the banana, trying to come up with a perfect word.Granny and Amanah sat on both sides of me to hand me one banana after another. After storming away from that Butt who beat Dustin until he didn’t look like Dustin and finding out that we were kind of…fated mates, I stumbled upon my evil best friends and told them about the whole mate thing.Imagine my surprise! They already knew. If this was not enough, Amanah told me about how he had lied that the mark over his neck was Beatrice’s mark.How could he lie about it? I was tempted to go smack him again now.“ Technically, my Grandson didn’t lie. He just didn’t tell you. ” Granny defended him as she handed me another banana.I peeled it before shoving it down my throat irritatingly. “ It’s the same thing. ”“ What about your lies? ” Amanah grinned.“ That’s not what we are talking about! ” I whined.Thinking we were some kind of even now, I refused to
NORA“ What—What are you doing? ” I stammered, trying to close my legs.“ I am apologizing. ” He breathed against my sensitive inner thighs.His lips landed on my right thigh, so close to the wet spot yearning for attention yet so far from it. He opened his mouth and licked my feverish skin. My hands found his hands keeping my legs parted as I struggled to free myself, and failed every time.I was not even trying, it seemed.“ St—Striker…” I squirmed and unconsciously pushed my body closer to his.“ I am so sorry. ” He kissed my other inner thigh.My back arched off the bed as I sucked in a sharp breath. “ not—not working at all. ”“ It will work. ” He chuckled, sending waves of hot energy down my back.Hooking his finger in my underwear, he tugged it away, exposing my most sensitive and dripping part to him.When his lips pressed against my core, I moaned out loud. His hot breaths and warm lips on the intimate part of my body were something out of this world. And if I thought pleas
NORA“ How did you get Grans to agree to this stupidity? ” Striker groaned and shifted back to let me settle down in front of him comfortably.“ It’s simple. ” I grinned, glancing at his grumpy face from over my shoulder.“ How simple? ” Striker placed his hand over my stomach, keeping me steady as the horse moved forward.“ I didn’t tell her. ” My grin widened.“ She is going to order your house arrest when we return. And I won’t object. ” He chuckled, shaking his head.“ Getting forgiveness is easier than getting permission from Granny. She wouldn’t even let me climb the stairs without Amanah hot on my tail so it was not possible to make her understand that I needed to accompany you for moral support. ” I pouted, trying to reason with him.“ No, my little lamb. ” He stroked my stomach unconsciously. “ It’s not about moral support. It’s about keeping an eye on me. ”“ In my absence, you did become…smart. ” I snickered, looking ahead to see the familiar forest around us.“ You are imp
NORA“ Whatever business you have with her can not be conducted in my territory. ” Striker hissed through his gritted teeth.“ The business involves everyone so it needs to be conducted in your territory. ” He shrugged his shoulders before a cold smile touched his lips.Striker stepped forth. My hand shot out to hold his elbow and stop him.Dustin’s gaze dropped to my hand, then rose to my face. The cold smile faltered, getting replaced with a soft frown.“ I am not here to fight with you, Striker. It’s important. ” He looked away.“ What can I help you wi-with, Your—Your Highness? ” Beatrice stuttered.“ Coffee? ” Dustin blinked. “ You can serve the coffee first. We will talk later. ”I glanced at Beatrice from over my shoulder. Her face was turning pale as if she had seen a ghost. I frowned, not understanding what had her so terrified, and timid.Did Dustin do something to her?“ Oh-Okay. Sure. ” She stepped back quickly before disappearing out of the living room door.“ What is it
NORA“ Dustin. ” Striker yelled and pushed me aside.I gasped as I stumbled and finally turned around to face him. The metallic scent of blood was now clouding the air alongside the bitter wolfsbane smell that burned my nostrils.What awaited me was even more horrible.Dustin pushed Beatrice back. She fell on her butt and instantly got to her feet to lunge for me again but Striker was quick to get to her side. He grabbed her nape and forced her to her knees as his wide eyes settled on Dustin who stood with his back towards me.My heart was thumping so hard in all my organs and veins that I wondered how I even remained standing on my feet which had long gone cold and weak.Slowly, my gaze lowered to the floor. The noise of small droplets of blood hitting the floor was loud enough to sound like a frustrating screech in my ears. And seeing the blood was making it more real.I didn’t want to hear it.And I didn’t want to see blood pooling on the floor—Dustin’s blood. “ Ahhh! I am going
NORA“ You know…I think my wolfsbane wound…is kind of healing? That’s weird. ” Dustin said.I faced him. My gaze dropped to the hole in his shirt that was drenched in crimson blood. Through the hole, I could see his skin slowly closing the distance and becoming smooth again—smooth and as good as new or maybe as old as it could be.“ How is this possible? ” Striker voiced out my thoughts and approached Dustin before poking his side.Dustin stared at the flat spot like the two of us. He looked equally shocked by the bizarre occurrence.In a trance, I made my way to him and pushed my hand forward to poke his side like my mate. I had to see for myself. I couldn’t really believe my eyes.Before my finger could make contact with his skin, Dustin gripped my hand in his. A cold sensation enveloped the whole length of my hand, sending small sparks up my arm. Those were not the usual electric sparks that I felt when Striker touched. The sparks Dustin’s touch evoked…burned as if alcohol was drop
Hey Sweet Readers! So, after some eight months (that's really a lot. I didn't know so much time had passed honestly), the story is complete. Nora and Striker's story was different from all the stories I ever wrote before. I didn't know what overcame me when I started writing this story and decided to make Nora a crackhead from the beginning *evil laugh*, but I guess, I wanted to try something unique for the first time. I was tired of the usual All Dark Romances with the FL getting tortured and the ML being an a-hole. It was really an experiment. I was nervous about it in the beginning because I doubted anyone would want to read this book, but you all my sweet readers proved me wrong. I can't thank you enough for the support you always show me and I will never stop saying it ❤️ Like all the books before, I unconsciously delayed writing the end of this story because I was too attached to the characters but I am glad I was able to finish it. Now what's next? I am sure you all are wo
NORA “ I went to look for him before any of you did. ” He whispered and pushed himself away from the railing. “ I always will. ” I was left speechless once again. He walked away from me and left his words hanging in the air. ‘ He fucked everything up. ’ Striker groaned down our link. ‘ Make sure Ryder doesn’t see any of it. ’ I sighed and decided to follow the rest of the crowd to see what was being done. People stepped aside to give me way when they noticed my aura and me. I exited the grand hall and approached the throne room. Everyone followed me closely, eager to witness the King of the East and his new shenanigan. I came to a slow halt as I noticed blood painting the floor outside the golden double doors of the throne room. I picked up my head and stared at the man in the distance. Tyson was sitting on the grey concrete seat that had golden engravings. He was only wearing his jeans, and the upper half of his body was bare. His legs were spread apart as he rested back on
NORA Tyson couldn’t stay with us for long. He fulfilled his promise to me, gave Jack back to Striker, and then departed for the East. The little time he spent with me was enough for me to know something had changed in him. Maybe, everything had changed. His voice was no longer gentle. His eyes didn’t shine. He lost his genuine smile that used to touch the hearts. I wanted to know if it was because he was part vampire now. But, I didn’t get the chance as Striker was attached to his side first and then, it was Ryder who refused to leave him alone. Surprisingly, Ryder was able to pull the old Tyson out of him for a little while. When he smiled at him, it was real. And even for a small amount of time, Tyson’s eyes shone bright again. It was enough for me to sit back and just watch the first interaction between my son and my brother. There was still hope for Tyson. He was not all lost. And after two weeks of his return, I was proved right. I was sent an invitation from the East
NORA It was unexpected but people got used to the absence of the wall pretty fast. Levian could be credited for this perhaps. Because he didn’t attack us after the day he promised me the things he did. Vampires and humans were rarely seen. That was the case with Tyson too. He didn’t return even after two years passed. Dad went back to being the King in Tyson’s place while the three Kingdoms waited for the return of the King of the East. That’s what I liked to believe before I visited the East and realized the harsh truth. The people of the East were ecstatic that they didn’t have to deal with a rapist King anymore. They flourished during the reign of my Dad. I didn’t want to, but I felt bitter towards those people. Striker told me at that time. Tyson has to do a lot of work to make people believe in him again. But, I didn’t agree with him. People treated him harshly due to an accusation that was not even trialed or proven. They didn’t care what it made him feel or put him
STRIKER When I didn’t find her sleeping beside me earlier, I felt the worse fear of my life. Panic and anger became one, consuming my every thought, and hijacking my every move. I searched for her like a madman. In the castle. In my mind. And when I realized where she must be, all logic evaded me. I ran to save her, desperate to get to her before she ended up in danger. I was not terrified for one but two lives. My whole world, my family, my love was at risk…and there was nothing I wanted more than to have it all back. Nora made me go through all this. I could understand her desperation to find her brother but she didn’t need to do this to me. I would have gone to find Tyson anyway. I would have done everything to bring him back. For a moment, I was angry that she didn’t trust me, didn’t believe in me…and this thought drove me crazy. But it didn’t mean this anger would push me away from her. On the contrary, I found myself becoming more possessive. After what happened to
NORA“ It’s Lenora Skoldofr now. ” My voice echoed in the silent hall. “ I am the mate of Alpha King of the West. Do I need other reasons? ” “ Women are not…” Another started again but closed his mouth when I looked at him.Or maybe, because Striker looked at him at the same time.A little part of me found it infuriating but if I needed Striker’s shadow to get things done, I wouldn’t mind. I would never fight with him over this.“ I know you all were discussing the vampire threat. ” I started.All eyes were on me, judging and rejecting. Women were not supposed to take part in such activities.“ I want to be useful and suggest something to the Alpha King. ” If I needed to rely on him, so be it.“ What suggestion? ” Striker wondered, craning his neck to look at me.Instead of getting up and towering over me, he let me remain the taller one. Turning to me, and staying in this position didn’t affect him in front of all these people.“ We have a small army. ” I stated, as a matter of fact
NORAStriker didn’t ask me about Tyson again. We had come to a silent agreement that until his return, we wouldn’t discuss him. I was relieved. But, I couldn’t get Tyson out of my mind.When we came back, Granny was waiting for me. Instead of scolding me as she had done once before, she embraced me. I was given clothes to wear, and Striker was taken to the throne room by a warrior.Apparently, my adorable, violent mate had summoned the whole Kingdom and all the Alphas for any possible war. Now, he needed to send everyone back. Granny didn’t let me follow him when I tried to go. She pulled me to the sitting area, her hold firm on my wrist.She was scared.Everyone was scared.Except Amanah. She was scared and hurt.Right after she saw me sit in the sitting area, she turned and left me with Granny. My heart drowned, but then it went back inside my chest when I realized I could always talk to her.Amanah would never hate me, or remain angry at me forever.“ I was not expecting such an
NORA Levian was not a liar. When he said he wouldn’t fight, he stayed true to his words. He made all his people stand back. All I had to do was to go to my fuming Striker after that. He was still spitting fire, that burned the ground he walked on. When he saw me coming, his wolf stopped glowing like a stove and calmed down. His head dipped a little low, letting me step closer. ‘ We are not fighting today, Striker. ’ I whispered down the mind link. ‘ What makes you think I will leave him alone when I have him just in front of me? ’ He snarled. He was angry and barely holding that flaring fire back. It was clear that this was all now directed at me because I ran away from home. ‘ We will not provoke him like our ancestors, Striker. I—We need to do things differently. Repeating the same mistakes won’t make us win. ’ I sighed. ‘ And retreating like cowards will? ’ His wolf stepped forth, almost brushing against my shoulders. The heat of his body warmed my skin. I expected his fire
NORAI didn’t think it would be this easy to convince Levian to talk to me alone, and to let Striker really let me go. But, they both didn’t protest. I was stunned for a moment but then my gaze fell on Tyson who had turned his back to us. The surprise vanished. Worry took its place.What was he going through? There was no way of finding out. He wouldn’t tell anyone. He was the kind who liked to suffer alone.Sighing, I walked towards Levian. The crack in the ground still baffled me, but it was not as surprising as it was supposed to be. The ability felt natural and didn’t make me uncomfortable.Levian turned around when he saw me approaching. He led me towards the trees in the distance.‘ Careful. ’ Striker murmured in my head furiously.‘ Nothing will happen. You are right behind me. ’ I huffed.He grumbled but didn’t say anything.Levian stopped close to a tree and turned around all of a sudden. I paused, my brows lifting to my forehead.He raised his hand and waved it in the air.