ALPHA KING MIKAELSON’S POVI stormed into my room, shutting the door behind me with more force than necessary. My jaw was clenched, and every nerve in my body buzzed with frustration… and something else I didn’t dare name.I made my way to the window, staring out at the vast territory I ruled. The forests. The mountains. The endless horizon. A kingdom feared and respected by all.But none of that could silence the storm inside me.What the fuck is wrong with me?Ever since that night—that goddamn night in the kitchen—I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her.Her scent still lingers in my memory. Her skin, soft and warm against mine. The way she moaned my name like it belonged to her.The way her eyes met mine, not with fear, but with something dangerously close to desire.She is my son’s wife.MY SON’S FUCKING WIFE.I raked my hand through my hair, breathing heavily, trying to ground myself.But it was useless. My thoughts betrayed me, dragging me right back to her. To Amelia.A
Amelia’s povI had barely left the dining room, my mind still spinning from Klaus’s deadly stare and Clara’s mysterious presence, when it happened.One moment, I was walking down the hallway, clutching the fabric of my dress like it could shield me from the chaos of this cursed palace…The next, I was yanked.Pulled—no—claimed.A strong hand wrapped around my wrist like a vice, and before I could even gasp, I was inside the Alpha King’s room, the heavy door slamming shut behind me like the gates of hell.“What the—” I started, heart pounding like a war drum.He didn’t give me a second to think. His body pinned mine against the door with a caged heat that made the air vanish from my lungs. His eyes, those ancient, tormented eyes burned into mine like fire licking through my veins.He was so close.Too close.“You drive me insane,” he growled, his voice low and raw, almost inhuman. “I’ve tried to stay away from you, Amelia. I’ve tried to bury the thoughts, the memories, the feel of your
Amelia’s pov“I don’t want you to stop,” I breathed.That was all he needed.With a guttural sound from deep in his chest, he lifted me effortlessly and carried me across the room. My back met the softness of the royal bed, and he hovered above me, eyes storming with hunger and war.And then he kissed me again slower this time, deeper. Like he wasn’t just claiming my body…He was possessing my soul…His hand moved up, bold and sure, gripping my breast through the fabric with a hunger that made my breath hitch. My back arched instinctively, lips parted as he kissed me deeper—more desperate, more demanding.I spread my legs wider beneath him, not needing words to tell him what I wanted. What I craved.I wasn’t thinking about right or wrong anymore.Not about who he was.Not about what this meant.Just the way his touch set my skin on fire.Just the way his mouth claimed mine like I belonged to him.I pulled away from the kiss, breathless and trembling, and turned slightly, letting my fi
Clara’s pov Kai decided to show me around the palace, and let me tell you, this place was not built for peasants. It was massive. Like, “you’d-need-a-map-and-a-tour-guide-and-probably-a-snack-to-survive-it” kind of massive. Everything sparkled, from the marble floors that looked like they had never met a speck of dust in their entire luxurious lives, to the chandeliers that hung like royalty from the ceilings, dripping with crystals that could probably pay off my childhood debt… and a few future sins. “You like it?” Kai asked, glancing at me with a crooked smile as we walked through a golden-arched hallway lined with portraits of ancestors who all looked like they were born to rule or murder someone at a masquerade ball. I gave him a sweet smile. “It’s alright,” I said with a shrug. “You know, in a ‘this-could-be-a-castle-from-a-vampire and werewolf-romance-novel’ kinda way.” He chuckled softly. “That’s because it literally
Klaus’s pov I stormed into my chambers, slamming the door behind me so hard the walls trembled.Clara.That name alone burned on my tongue like fire. Who the hell does she think she is? Speaking back to me. Looking me in the eye like an equal. Embarrassing me in front of Amelia. In front of my brother.A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips, dark and dangerous.She has no idea who she’s dealing with.I paced like a caged beast, my rage simmering just beneath the surface. She’s bold. Too bold. And something about that… infuriates me. Excites me.She thinks she can play this little game, flutter her lashes and act all high and mighty? That because Kai’s sniffing around her like a loyal mutt, she’s untouchable?No.Clara will learn the hard way.She will bow.She will kneel.Not because I force her to…But because she’ll crave it.I will bring her down to her knees Because she won’t be able to help herself.I chuckled under my breath, a twisted grin spreading across my face as I leane
Amelia’s povI woke up to an empty bed, the sheets tangled around my legs like a memory refusing to let go.I used my eyes to scan the room,nothing. The King was gone.Just like that.No note. No goodbye. No trace, except for the ache between my legs and the ghost of his lips still burning on my skin.I checked the time. Almost dinner.“Shit,” I hissed under my breath. “I need to get out of here before anyone starts looking for me.”I scrambled out of bed and scooped my clothes off the floor in a panic, clutching them like stolen goods. I tiptoed into the bathroom, locked the door, and flicked on the light.Then I froze.Facing the mirror, I stared at the evidence.Hickeys.All over my neck.A constellation of the King’s possessive kisses—vivid, angry love bites that screamed someone had her.My mouth dropped open. “How the hell am I going to explain this?”I turned my neck to one side, then the other, as if changing the angle would magically erase them.“I can’t wear a scarf to dinne
Clara’s povAfter hours of the grand royal tour with Kai, the prince hybrid and unofficial palace GPS—I was this close to asking if the palace came with a personal scooter. My feet were throbbing like they had beef with me. These marble floors weren’t made for regular folks. Nope. They were meant for floating royals who probably never had to walk a day in their life.Just as I was about to throw myself dramatically onto one of the hallway benches like a Shakespearean heroine, a soft knock interrupted my thoughts.A maid stepped forward, bowing her head slightly. “My lady Clara, your room has been prepared.”I blinked at her with a smirk. “Finally. I thought I was going to die in the hallway and haunt this place as a tired ghost.”Kai chuckled beside me. “Don’t mind her. She’s always this dramatic.”“Excuse you, little hybrid. I am theatrically expressive,” I replied, tossing my hair like the queen I was clearly born to be.He rolled his eyes, smiling
Amelia’s povMy knees buckled the moment Klaus stormed out of the room. I didn’t even make it to the bed—I collapsed right there on the cold marble floor, my heart pounding like a war drum in my chest.I could still feel his fury lingering in the air, thick like smoke after a fire. The way his eyes bore into me, the venom in his voice. it left an invisible bruise that wrapped around my chest and made it hard to breathe.Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them back. No. He doesn’t get my tears. Not tonight.I wrapped my arms around myself, rocking slightly, as if trying to gather the shattered pieces of myself back together. The silence felt loud after the storm he brought, and all I wanted was to disappear, just vanish into the walls of this cursed palace and never be found again.But then…Knock. Knock.I froze.My entire body tensed. Was he back?I stared at the door, eyes wide, breath shallow.“Lady Amelia?” a soft, female voice called from the other side. “Dinner
Ethan’s POVI walked into the bathroom, shutting the door quietly behind me.The entire palace had gone silent, everyone had long since retired to their rooms, getting as much rest as they could before the grand event tomorrow.The masquerade ball.I sighed and rubbed my temples, trying to shove the thoughts gnawing at my mind away.But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t erase the memory of what happened earlier today—the way Alex had kissed me… and worse, the way I had kissed him back.My heart thudded painfully in my chest just remembering it.What the hell is wrong with me?I walked over to the shower and turned the faucet, letting the water run until it was scalding hot, hoping it would wash away the guilt clinging to my skin.Steam quickly filled the room, misting over the mirror and curling around my body.I stripped off my clothes and stepped under the punishing spray, hissing slightly at the heat before forcing myself to stand directly under it, arms braced against the col
Amelia’s POVI stood in front of the mirror, my fingers smoothing the soft fabric of the dress I was altering for tomorrow’s masquerade ball. The palace was buzzing with excitement for the event, but in my room, there was only silence—heavy, almost suffocating.A sharp knock broke the stillness.Before I could even call out, the door swung open, and Kai strode inside with a stormy expression. He didn’t ask for permission. He never did. His presence filled the room instantly, his energy tense, bristling with barely concealed anger.I barely had time to react before he spoke.“I saw my father coming out of your room this morning,” he said, his voice low but seething. His eyes—so much like Klaus’s—burned into mine. “Are you still sleeping with him?”I froze. My heart slammed painfully against my chest.“I… I am—” I began, desperate to explain, to say anything that could make him understand. But he didn’t let me finish.“You disgust me,” he snapped, stepping closer. His words lashed like
The King’s POVWe walked into the secret dungeon, my dungeon. Hidden beneath the palace, carved into the earth with spells and steel, this place was built by my own hands, forged in secrecy. No one else in the kingdom knew of its existence except for Joe, my most trusted beta. Not even my sons. Not even the Council.The thick iron door groaned as Joe unlocked it, the screech of metal slicing through the silence like a blade. The stench hit immediately—damp stone, rusted chains, and the bitter scent of decay. But I’d grown used to it. It smelled like betrayal.There she was.Queen Kate.Once regal, now reduced to nothing but a ghost of her former self. She sat curled in the corner, chains digging into her ankles and wrists, her once-glorious silver hair now a tangled mess. But the moment the door opened, her head snapped up. Her eyes—though sunken and weary—still held that desperate gleam.She crawled forward, dragging the chains with her.“Please… please, let me out,” she whispered, h
The King’s POVI walked beside Joe, my loyal Beta and oldest friend, the echo of our boots filling the long corridor leading to the war council chamber. The guards at the massive double doors bowed their heads and opened them without a word.Inside, the council members were already seated—elders, generals, and pack alphas from across the realm. The moment I entered, every single one of them rose to their feet and lowered their heads in unison.“All hail the Blood of the Moon, our Alpha King,” they chorused with practiced reverence.The title rang through the chamber, heavy with meaning. I nodded once, then strode across the room and sat on the black stone throne at the head of the table. Cold, unyielding, and carved with ancient runes—it suited me.With a wave of my hand, I signaled them to sit.“Proceed,” I said.One by one, they began to speak. Reports came in about rogue activity near the northern borders, the Crescent Pack’s delay in supplying warriors, and rumors of a brewing reb
Alex’s POVI walked into the sitting room, but my mind was miles away. My feet moved on autopilot while my thoughts spun in circles, clashing against each other like a storm with no end in sight.What the hell just happened?Ethan kissed me back.Not a hesitant brush of lips. Not a slip or a mistake. He kissed me like he wanted it, like he had been holding it in for years. His hands were firm, possessive. His body didn’t resist mine. For a moment, we were fire colliding with gasoline.And now, here I am… guilt gnawing at my chest like a parasite.How could I betray Elena like that?She’s been my best friend since we were kids. We grew up together, cried together, fought the world together. She’s the reason I was able to survive in a world where I had to hide who I was. And now… I did the one thing that could destroy her.I dropped into the couch, burying my face in my hands.“Damn it…”I wanted to blame the moment. The heat of it. The loneliness. The years of wanting Ethan in silence.
Ethan’s POVI couldn’t breathe.What the hell had just happened? My mind was racing as I stormed out of the shower, grabbing a towel to wrap around my waist. My hands shook, not from the cold water still trickling down my skin, but from the sudden rush of confusion and regret.Alex had kissed me. Kissed me. The force of it still lingered on my lips, and every inch of my body felt on fire, a blaze I couldn’t ignore. But I had to. I had to push him away.I couldn’t let this happen. Not like this. Not when I was married to Elena, his best friend friend. I loved her. I loved her with every ounce of my being. But what had just transpired…?I ran my hand through my wet hair, pacing the length of the room. My heart was still pounding, my chest constricted with guilt.Alex.He is my wife’s best friend, and now—what? Had I crossed a line I couldn’t take back? The way he’d kissed me, the way his body had reacted to mine, it all felt too real, too intense.But I was married to Elena. I loved her
Alex’s POVStep by step, I crossed the space between us, each footstep powered by something I couldn’t control anymore.And then without thinking I kissed him.Hard. Aggressive. Desperate.He pushed me off immediately, his eyes wide in shock.“What the fuck is wrong w—”I didn’t let him finish. I grabbed him again, crashing my lips into his, tighter this time, refusing to let go.As if my life depended on it.Just when I thought he would shove me off again—he didn’t.He kissed me back.Fiercely.Hungrily.As if something inside him had snapped and there was no turning back.His hands gripped my waist, dragging me closer, mouths colliding like we were starved for each other. His kiss wasn’t gentle—it was bruising, possessive… desperate. Like he had been fighting this too, like he hated how much he needed it but couldn’t help himself anymore.Our bodies were slick from the shower, wet skin sliding against wet skin. He spun me, slamming my back gently against the tiled wall, pressing his
Alex’s POVSeeing Ethan today… it did something to me. Something I thought I had buried long ago.He hadn’t changed much—still tall, broad-shouldered, effortlessly handsome with those piercing eyes that always seemed to see right through me. One polite smile, one quiet “good morning” from him, and it was like my heart forgot how to beat properly.I had always been in love with him.God, I tried not to be. I fought it with every fiber of my being. But feelings don’t listen to reason—especially not when they’ve taken root so deep, they’ve become part of who you are.But Ethan was straight. Is straight. His marriage to Elena, my best friend, was the nail in the coffin—if there was ever a coffin big enough to hold a heart this conflicted.Yes, I’m gay.And no one knows.Not Elena, even though she’s the closest person to me in the world. Not my father, the Beta of our pack, whose pride and legacy I was expected to uphold. Not anyone. I’ve worn this secret like armor for so long, it started
Amelia’s POV His breath was hot against my neck, his lips trailing a path that made my knees weak. My hands trembled as I clutched the robe tighter, but it was useless—he had already slipped it off, and now I stood there, vulnerable, trembling, and unable to form a single coherent thought. “You walk around dressed like that, moaning my name in your sleep,” he whispered, dragging his fingers slowly across my inner thigh. “Do you think I wouldn’t notice?” “I didn’t mean to—” I breathed, eyes fluttering shut as my body betrayed every logical thought in my head. His mouth found the hollow of my throat, kissing, tasting, claiming. “You belong to me, little wolf. I don’t care what anyone says… not even your husband.” My heart pounded in my chest, shame and desire clashing like fire and ice inside me. “I hate that I want you,” I whispered, barely able to speak. He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes. His were wild, stormy with desire. “Then hate me all you want,” he sai