*Valeria*I need to convince His Majesty to help me one way or another, and I should probably begin that by apologizing to him myself. “The King. Do you know where he is right now?” Gia and Caleb exchanged a look while Zach moved close to them. “His Majesty’s currently preoccupied with ongoing meetings—the ones he had to stop when you arrived,” Caleb said, looking unsure what to say next. “That’s all I can tell you as his Beta.” “Do you think you can find a way for me to get to him before the day ends?” “Again?” Gia exclaimed. “That’s unlikely to happen. I’m not allowing it.” “Unless you are officially requesting to hold an audience with the King, he might consider it as he does with all of his subjects,” Caleb suggested. “Caleb! You’re not helping,” Gia commented angrily. “Don’t give her any more ideas to bother the King.” “Shoot your luck tomorrow, Valeria. You need to get some rest,” Caleb moved closer to where I was. “Gia will accompany you to your room, and we’l
*Valeria*I took a deep breath.This is what I had been waiting for; what I had been trying to do since he had walked out of the room yesterday.Was it really only yesterday? My life was turning into a blur…"Valeria," King Dominic said in that low voice that made goosebumps cover my skin. The sound of my name sounded so good on his lips…too good. "If you don't have something to say, then I can leave.""No!" I shouted as he started to stand up, standing up to intercept him."Sit," he practically growled, his eyes flashing."Only if you do," I said, crossing my arms to match his own.I swear the corner of his mouth twitched. Almost as if he wanted to smile."Fine," he said, sitting slowly.I followed suit, sitting as well. "Sorry, I still have something to say, my mind is just a little jumbled still.""You don't have to apologize for that," he said."No, but I need to apologize for something else." I dropped my hands onto my lap and looked at them so I didn't have to look at
*Valeria*My lips were nearing his again, and my heart was thumping in anticipation. Then, with a groan of effort, Dominic leaned back…away from me.A whine I had never heard before left my lips, causing Dominic to smile and my cheeks to flush in embarrassment. My cheeks had to be the shade of a lobster by now.It was too late to back down now.I grabbed his shirt and started pulling him towards me, but he gripped my hands and stopped us once more."Dominic," I whined. "Please."His eyes flashed black and his hands squeezed mine even harder…but not painful."I just wanted to emphasize again," his voice came out even more hoarse and deeper than normal, making my core tighten. "If we do this I will still not accept you as my Luna.""I know, I don't care," I said breathlessly, leaning once more.His finger pressed on my lips.Oh, come on! Really?!"And…" His eyes were now a swirl of black and blue. "...I will not be a tool for you to use to get revenge on your…mate."His tee
*Valeria*I was warm.Gosh, I couldn't even remember the last time I was this warm… content…and happy.No, no way.The thought was enough to bring me further out of my sleep, and more aware. I blinked my eyes a few times, trying to slowly adjust them to the light. I was warm…and there was a reason for that warmth. Because, despite being completely naked, I was lying on and intertwined with the large male body that still lay on my bed.The body that ran hot, just as all werewolves, or I guess Lycan's too, did.Shit!We had been up so late…for so many hours…at some point, we must have ended up falling asleep on each other. Regardless of how good it had felt, the sex and the sleeping, I knew that I couldn't do stuff like this if I wanted to protect myself.This would be just sex. It had to be…because he didn't want anything more, and neither did I.Right?I tried to slowly peel my skin from his, but as soon as I moved, his arms tightened around me, pulling me even closer. A flus
*Dominic*“What can you say about this, son?” I heard Mother ask in an expectant tone while Father remained silent on her side, his eyes lingering on Valeria for a while. “This whole Luna thing—it’s off the table,” I said sharply. Father gripped Mother’s shoulders as she opened her mouth to speak. I barely had a second to notice Valeria shrinking in her seat, her hands gripping a loose portion of her pants after what I’d said. “So long as I’m King of this realm, I’ve decided not to take a Luna for the rest of my term.”Mother stood the same time he did. “Son, you know you need one! A Luna is crucial when it comes to ruling a kingdom!”“I believe we’ve already ended this discussion a few seconds ago,” I never looked back as I motioned for Valeria to stand. “I won’t entertain any more questions about it.”And with that, I exited the room and walked silently into the dark hallway of the palace. Hearing the frail footsteps trailing from behind me, I couldn’t help but cast a glan
*Valeria*Dominic didn’t waste any more time. We were both in a hurry, consumed by the kind of lust that could never be stopped.My fingers roamed all over his chest, all the hard muscles and flesh relentlessly inviting me to him. Instinctively, my body gravitated toward him every time his skin brushed against mine. That’s it. I want more from him—I need to feel all of him or else, I won’t be able to survive this. I’d drown in my desire, and go insane for the night. “Come closer,” I pleaded in his ear. “Please, Dominic. I want you near me—I want you everywhere.” Dominic grunted in response, his body thrusting forward, the bulge between his legs hard and relenting. I have never wanted him more than I do now. God, I was desperate for him to reel me into madness, wherein the only thing I could think of was the way our bodies intertwined.His fingers continued their rhythm inside of me, stroking every nook and area that made me moan his name. He was gentle at first, but the
*Valeria*This is it. I’m finally freeing myself from Declan’s shackles. I can’t even begin to think of the things I’d do once I was already out of his sight. My heart raced in my chest as I watched Declan’s surprised reaction next to Dominic. He was silent the entire time, but something told me that he was proud of what I did. It was only natural for him to feel that way. After all, he had been wanting me to do this ever since we met. I smiled sweetly while Declan wobbled in his step. “You’re…that can’t be. No one’s rejecting anyone!” “Accept it, Declan. You need to accept my rejection now in front of His Majesty.” Declan glared at me despite the barriers between us. “I, Alpha of Sapphire Moon Pack, Declan, refuse to accept Valeria’s rejection!” “I’ve already spoken,” I hissed. I knew from the start that Declan was a tough cookie, but I had never imagined that he would be this stubborn once I rejected him. “The word of the initiator is absolute, and the only thing you
*Valeria*As soon as we entered our place, I choked back a sob as I pulled Rosie into my arms.She, however, was unable to hold back, and her face buried into my shoulder as the sobs racked her body. My throat felt tight, but I kept it together.I needed to be strong for her.I shooshed and soothed, patting her back and stroking her hair, letting her get it all out now that we were in a safe space. As soon as she had gotten the sobs under control, I pulled back at arm's length to observe her."You are sure you're okay?" I asked, my stomach nauseous at the marks I could see on her. "I can go find Helen, I'm sure I could convince her to help. You know she owes me one after the last time.""No, no, I'm fine," Rosie tried to smile through the tears. "Well, I'm not, but I will be, now that you saved me again.""Oh Rosie," I said, pulling her back in before whispering in her ear. "You saved me first."I saw the guys shifting behind us. Both Dominic and Caleb had been unwilling to lea
*Valeria*None of them could look me in the eye as each of the Alphas who had confessed to the crimes left the room that we were in. “This...It’s not fair at all!” One Alpha said at the back. He walks up to me and gets close to my face.I signaled the guards to stop arresting them. “Do you have anything to say?”“Y—You can’t treat me this way! You’re just a stupid, weak human! You should listen to the Alpha in this room and learn your place,” he snarled. “Even His Majesty would hesitate to punish those in the higher ranks. Do you think I would ever bow down to the likes of you?”I stared blankly at him for a while. “Is that right? Then why are you here? What makes you think I’ll let you leave?”“That’s—” I didn’t let him finish. Instead, I turned to Gamma Ian with a resolute look on my face. “Hand me over the document about the investigations of Omega trafficking cases that you guys conducted in this Alpha’s pack.”Ian was stunned, but he quickly recovered, reaching into his
*Valeria*Caleb and Ian followed me from behind. Before I closed the door to Dominic’s room, I glanced back at him, hoping to see his eyes finally open—but he was still in a state of slumber. My heart ached to see him this vulnerable.“The Alphas are waiting, Luna,” Caleb reminded me, his voice echoing in the hallway as I nodded faintly, the sound of the closing door echoing in the silence. I longed to be by his side, caring for him until he regained consciousness. But the situation is getting worse and worse. Time is of the essence, and I must act swiftly to bring an end to this chaotic state.I closed my eyes, and took several deep breaths to calm my nerves, before opening them and facing the Alphas in Dominic’s meeting room.“Luna,” they greeted in unison.My heart raced, my palms sweaty, and I felt nervousness creeping its way into my system. It was the same kind of emotion I felt whenever I faced the council members of my former pack. But, unlike those times, I knew I had n
*Valeria*"Well, it turns out that you have indeed been poisoned," the doctor said as he walked back into the small room with a small chart.My stomach dropped at his words."Is it serious?" I asked."I'm not sure," he said slowly. "I wish you would have let me examine you earlier!""Dominic was more important," I answered automatically, causing him to do a 'humph' sound that only the elderly ever nailed."His was more dire perhaps, but that doesn't mean that you aren't important as well, Luna," Doc said. "Especially since his majesty would kill me if anything happens to you.""So let's make sure it doesn't," I said, smiling past my exhaustion. "Now…about this poison?""Oh, yes," he said, looking back down at the chart. "The levels in your blood are fairly low. I am sure that you ingested minimal amounts in something like food or water, but it wasn't high enough for it to have been delivered straight into your bloodstream, as in by needle."Didn't do anything to me, my ass. No
*Valeria*"Okay, you can stop now," I said in irritation as all Felix continued to do was laugh. "What's so damn funny anyway?"Keep it together. You can't let him get under your skin yet, I thought to myself."It's all funny," Felix said with a shrug.His indifference was annoying, but not as annoying as his laughter, so I sucked it up and kept talking.I needed this man. My mate was sitting upstairs, possibly dying, and this man was my best chance of saving him. So as much as I was uncomfortable and annoyed, and even a little scared, I couldn't give up.Dominic had done everything for me, and now it was my turn."Nothing about this situation is funny," I said seriously. "Considering that you are in a jail cell, I would assume you knew that though. Or are you in shock or something?""No, that's the funny part though," Felix said, his smile not even faltering. "That you believe that just because I am down here all your problems are over. As if there is not another waiting to ta
*Valeria*He found me. He found me. Just as I knew he would.The door burst open and Dominic appeared before me, no longer a face in a screen, but the real man.His appearance was shocking with the blood so bright against his too pale skin, but I didn't care. All I cared about was him."Dominic!" I sobbed out, trying to jump from the bed.Before my feet had even made it to the floor I found myself wrapped in his arms. I clung on hard, crying into his shoulder as his hands rubbed up and down my back and head attempting to soothe…well, and probably, like me, scared that this wasn't real.But the tingles that danced over my skin proved that it was real: Dominic was here and he had saved me."I've got you doll," he choked back. "I've got you."The days, weeks, maybe even months that had passed of torture and pain, and uncertainty were overshadowed by the warmth that was flooding through my body at his embrace.I never wanted to leave it again.But then, he swayed slightly. Domini
*Dominic*My fists clenched as I thought of a way to get through this, but there was nothing. There’s no way around it, and I’m left with the inevitable choice but to end up hurting myself to save my Luna and unborn child. “Don’t do it, Dominic. I—I can’t lose you, and you know that!” I smiled weakly through the screen. “I think everyone knows that.” “Stop taking this as a joke!” Valeria cried. “I’m sorry,” I almost laughed. “I—I have to do this for you—for us and our baby.” I watched as Valeria supported her belly as she managed her breathing. “No, Dominic! Think of all the people you’ll leave! Please,” tears trickled down her face. “Think of me and our baby. You can’t do this to me—you can’t do this to us!” “I’m sorry, love.” I tore my gaze away from her and fixed it on Felix, who almost looked as if he would puke any moment now. “How dare you threaten me with the life of my child and Luna, you fucking bastard. I swear to the goddess that if something happens to either o
*Valeria*“Someone…anybody…please, I need your help,” I held onto my belly, the pain no longer bearable while I stayed in this secluded room. For the past hour that I’ve stayed here, I heard nothing except the sound of water dripping from the roof. “Anyone...” No matter how hard things would be from now on, I try my best to remain calm as the pain continues to intensify inside my belly while I struggle to breathe properly.I don’t even know what time it currently was anymore since there weren’t any signs that indicated how late or early it might get. Still, I continued my call for help, not stopping until I heard the creak of a door swinging open.“Please help! Help! I’m here, please, I beg you!”Two pairs of heavy footsteps approached and I looked up to see two figures walking my way. When they were in front of me, I realized that they were Alpha Felix’s men. “Help,” I pleaded weakly while my eyes stung as tears began rolling freely from them and down to my face like tiny stre
*Dominic*Time is ticking, and I mustn’t waste any second of it now that my baby and Valeria are at risk. “They’re close by,” Beta Caleb replied, his gaze steady on mine before I nodded fast. “Declan told us everything he knew about their whereabouts, and we managed to track them down within hours.” I made a curt reply and shifted to further scan the area.After a while of remembering every nook and corner of the place, I looked back at my men. We were in an isolated forest, and we found ourselves surrounded by a serene atmosphere. The moon illuminated the surroundings, casting a bright glow as the wind gently rustled the leaves. The air carried the refreshing scent of earth, yet there was an underlying tension that hung thickly. Everyone seemed on edge, but amidst this unease, a spark of hope ignited within me. I could still feel Valeria and the bond that connected me to her. She’s alive. But she isn’t here. “No one moves a damn muscle unless I say so,” I ordered, my e
*Dominic*I paced back and forth through our bedroom, a new favorite pastime of mine.It was the only thing that kept me from going insane while Valeria was missing. Standing around or sitting at a desk practically made me rip my hair out. So while pacing didn't get much accomplished either, it at least helped me take the worst edge of me and my wolf."Mate, mate, mate," he seemed to whine continuously in my head."You aren't helping," I snapped."Are you?" he asked, making my pacing stop.He had a point.Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and I rushed to open it. The only one who was brave enough to bother me lately was someone with good news.I opened the door to see my Beta standing there."What is it?" I demanded immediately, though he didn't need my question."The Alpha's are here."Caleb's news was good, but I still felt my heart tighten. Every time I saw anyone I hoped it was better news: news that they found her.But still, I would have to take what I could ge