*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*I stared around the room that had been my home for years. Then I walked over and threw the toiletries I had been holding into one of my packed bags.Declan was arrested, and this was all over. My life could go back to normal. All I had to do was get my stuff and move on with my life.But why did I feel so sad still?The answer to that question was to walk into my room just then. He took one look at the bag I was zipping up and his worry turned to anger as he glared at me in disbelief."You were going to leave without telling me?" Dominic asked. "Without telling any of us?"I turned back away from him and continued zipping up the suitcase, which proved hard to do since it was so full."I thought it would be for the best," I said quietly. "I thought that was what you would want.""Don't presume to know what I want, doll," he said, his eyes flashing. "It doesn't matter. You aren't going anywhere anyway?""And why not?" I asked, getting defensive and crossing my arms acr