(Hilda)As I walked back to the pack house, the weight of the ancient book in my hands, I felt a gnawing uncertainty. Soren’s words echoed in my mind, yet a part of me resisted believing them. Could Arlo really be as monstrous as he seemed? Or was Soren's story driven by his own agenda? The duality of the situation left me in turmoil.Arriving back, I was greeted by one of Arlo’s sentinels. “Alpha King Arlo has requested your presence in the garden,” he said, his voice betraying no emotion. I nodded, hiding my apprehension.The garden was breathtaking, a serene haven filled with fragrant blossoms and soft, ambient lighting. Arlo stood at the center, a table set for two beside a small, sparkling fountain. As I approached, his face lit up with a warm smile."Hilda," he said, extending his hand. "I’ve planned something special for us tonight."The gesture was romantic, almost too perfect. My heart ached with confusion. Could someone capable of such evil also show such tenderness? I force
(Soren)The night was thick with tension over our camp. The fire crackled softly, casting long shadows and flickering light on the determined faces of those gathered around. Cerelia and Damon were there, their expressions mirroring the resolve we all felt, but the weight of uncertainty pressed heavily upon us. We sat in silence, the forest around us whispering its secrets, when a scout arrived, breathless and urgent, handing me a letter. It was from Maelor. “Soren,” the letter began, the handwriting unmistakably his, “I wish I could have delivered this message in person, but the dangers I face have made that impossible. What I’m about to tell you changes everything we thought we knew.” I read the words aloud to the group, my voice steady despite the unease growing in my chest. “It seems King Arlo might not be the mastermind behind the rituals. There are indications that he was being manipulated by someone within the coven.” “What?” Damon interrupted, his voice edged with disbe
(Hilda)I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart as I looked up at Arlo. The night around us was quiet, the stars above twinkling as if they were watching our exchange. Arlo stood before me, his presence both comforting and unsettling, his openness seemingly genuine, yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that something lay beneath the surface, something I needed to uncover.“Alright,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady despite the turmoil inside me. “I want to know everything. I need to understand what’s really happening with the pack. And I need to know why you’ve been so… secretive.”Arlo’s expression softened, but I noticed a flicker of something in his eyes… a hesitation, perhaps? He took a step closer, his gaze never leaving mine. “Hilda, I’ve never intended to keep anything from you. The truth is, there are matters of the pack that are complex and difficult. I’ve been trying to protect you from unnecessary worry.” “Protect me?” I echoed, my voice edged with s
(Hilda)That night, the tension between Arlo and me seemed to dissolve into the stillness of the air, yet the turmoil within me only grew stronger. My thoughts twisted and turned, caught between the loyalty I felt for Soren and the undeniable pull I felt toward Arlo. But as the night stretched on, I allowed myself to be enveloped in the warmth of Arlo's presence, feeling my resolve weaken. The forest around us was serene, the stars above shimmering as silent witnesses to our conversation. Arlo's words echoed in my mind, laced with sincerity and a promise of something more. I couldn’t deny the magnetic attraction that drew me closer to him, even as I fought the conflicting emotions raging inside me. Arlo stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "Thank you, Hilda," he murmured, his voice full of relief and sincerity. "I promise you won't regret this." A rush of emotions flooded through me. Hope, fear, and an undeniable attraction that I could no longer ignore. The connection b
(Soren)I paced back and forth in the clearing. Every passing minute felt like an eternity, my heart hammering in my chest as I waited, praying that Hilda would show up. It had been days with no sign of her, but I kept my promise. I showed up every night. I waited for her. I needed to warn her. But more than that, I needed her help to get to Lilith. I had no chance without her, without King Arlo. And then I would expose King Arlo’s deceit and protect the pack. I had been so sure that she would see reason, that she would stand by my side against King Arlo’s tyranny. But doubt gnawed at the edges of my confidence, its claws digging deeper with every second that ticked by. I glanced at the trees, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze. The sun filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The serenity of the forest was at odds with the turmoil inside me. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. This had to work. Hilda had to understand. When she fi
(Arlo)I loved her. I loved everything about her. From the moment I found her in the woods, bleeding and whimpering like a fawn, I loved her. The mate bond was nothing compared to the love I felt for her. I needed her. I needed to hear her voice, to feel her touch. Every time I saw her, I felt happier than I’d ever been before. Every time I heard her voice, it was like nothing I’d ever heard. She changed my world with her presence. But I couldn’t get too close to her. I hated that. I hated the lies, the control. I didn’t have a choice. "Arlo," my mother’s voice slithered into my consciousness, her tone dripping with malevolence. "Bring her to me. It is time."I stiffened, my hands involuntarily clenching into fists. "No," I muttered, more to myself than to her. "Not this time."Her laughter echoed in my head, cold and cruel, sending shivers down my spine. "You do not have a choice, my son. You never did. Hilda is essential for the ritual. Bring her to me, or face the consequences."
(Arlo)The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over Hilda's peaceful face. I watched her sleep, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. She looked so serene, so content, and I felt a swell of tenderness for her. I hadn’t been there last night. I would have to explain that. I would have to tell her about my mother. That was a heavy burden that I wished to bear alone, to save her from. But I could only avoid her questions for so long. She would need to know the truth. But maybe not today. Determined to make this day special for her, I quietly headed to the kitchen. I wanted to surprise her with breakfast in bed, something sweet and thoughtful to start her day. As I moved around the kitchen, I couldn't help but smile at the memory of her laughter, her moans, and the way she had clung to me. I wanted to give her more moments like that, to show her how much she meant to me.I prepared a tray with freshly made pancakes, a bowl of strawberries, and a
(Hilda)The morning sun gently woke me from a dreamless sleep. As my eyes fluttered open, they settled on Arlo standing beside the bed. His smile was soft, his eyes radiating a possessive love so deep it seemed to reach into my very soul. “Good morning, love,” he whispered, his voice a soothing melody that made my heart flutter. I returned his smile, a warmth spreading through my chest that had nothing to do with the sunlight. “Good morning, Arlo,” I replied, sitting up slowly. Arlo extended his hand to me. “Come with me,” he said, his voice a soft invitation. We walked together out past the pack to the riverbank. He was quiet as we walked, but his hand gripped mine tightly. When we reached the river he stopped, his face etched with a pain I had never seen before. “Hilda,” Arlo began, his voice low. “There’s something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you a long time ago.” “Arlo…” I said, looking up into his eyes. “What is it?” But the sound of rustling leav
ArloI wake up with Hilda’s mouth firmly suctioned around my cock. She slaps my hands away when I try and drag her up, not stopping until she’d joyfully swallowed every drop of semen I had stored in my balls.I kiss her deeply, keen to return the favour, but she stops me when my mouth moves toward her breast.“Baby wait. There’s something I have to tell you and if you move any closer to my nipples I won’t be able to stop you.” I see absolutely no problem with not being stopped, but this has to be serious.“What’s wrong?” I ask, my finger tracing a circle around her areola. Her eyes do that stormy thing and I’m dying for this conversation to be over so I can get back to more important matters.“Don’t freak out,” she says, putting her hand on mine to stop my ardent caress. “That’s never a good way to start a conversation,” I say, sitting up slowly.“Ash is here,” she informs me, explaining how our daughter had apparently forced the former demon to visit, because she ‘needs him’ to do
ArloThe moment my lips meet hers, I lose myself. Every second away from her, every hour spent in darkness and pain, melts away in the heat of her mouth, in the press of her body against mine.Her fingers tangle in my hair, her grip tight, almost painful. I know she needs this just as much as I do. She needs to feel me, real and solid, so she can be sure I haven’t slipped away again.Bathwater sloshes over the edge of the tub as I shift, angling her beneath me. Droplets cling to her skin, her dark hair plastered against her shoulders. She’s watching me, her chest rising and falling in shallow, uneven breaths. Her incomparable breasts appearing and disappearing under the water. Her tight nipples begging to be suckled.Those blue eyes, storm-dark, filled with a hunger that makes my blood burn, lock onto mine. “You have no idea,” she murmurs, her fingers trailing down my jaw, over my throat, down my chest, “How much I missed you.”Her hand is on my stomach when I catch her wrist, pre
HildaThe moment we cross the border into our territory, I feel the tight coil of tension in my chest loosen just a little. Arlo is home. Safe. And though I can feel how weak he still is, his body already healing faster just from being near me, it’s not enough. It won’t be enough until he’s fully whole again.There’s an entire welcoming committee waiting to meet us. The scent of fresh bread, roasted meat and cherry pie fills the air. They’ve obviously been preparing for our return.Gratitude fills me as the pack gathers, murmuring in relief as they see him. Some reach out, clasping his shoulder, murmuring words of welcome. He nods, his usual sharpness dulled by exhaustion, but his lips twitch into a faint smile when Cerelia steps forward.“You look like hell,” she says, but her voice is warm. She reaches for him, magic flickering in her hands as she presses them to his chest. Arlo stiffens, then exhales sharply as the worst of his cuts close. The damage is lessened but it’s taken
HildaThe scent of blood and gunpowder thickens the air as we charge through the compound’s outer defences.My wolves move as one, a force of fangs and fury tearing through Malcolm’s men before they can react.Gunfire erupts, the sharp cracks echoing in the night, but it’s already too late for them. They are human. Fragile. Weak. Slow. And they thought iron bars and bullets would be enough to keep us out.Idiots.I weave through the chaos, claws tearing through the throat of a man who tries to take aim at me. He gurgles, choking on his own blood, before he drops. I don’t stop to watch him die.There are more ahead. All of my warriors are locked in their own battles, cutting down anything that stands in our way.We take hits, wounds that would kill humans. It takes us time to heal and some of my wolves stay down, but I know they’ll rise again after a period of rest. We’re not invincible, or immune to injury, but we’re vastly more formidable than humans can comprehend.I trust my warrio
HildaThe map Percy drew is spread across the table, its edges curling from being rolled and unrolled too many times. Every mark, every note, every calculation has been pored over again and again. There’s no room for mistakes.I press my hands against the wood, leaning forward, feeling the weight of every decision settle into my bones. He’s been gone for a week and each second feels like an eternity. Now it’s time to move and I’m terrified of failing Arlo.“We have to leave soon, Hilda,” Nixie says quietly, pulling me out of the vortex of indecision I’m drowning in. “I know.” My voice is rough, frayed at the edges.I haven’t slept much, and when I try, it’s filled with Arlo. His pain, his anger, the sheer willpower keeping him alive. I feel it all through our bond, and it’s like an iron chain around my ribs, pulling tighter with every passing hour.Soren’s fingers tap against the hilt of his knife. “We have enough warriors. We’ve gone over every possible way in and out. You’ve made a
ArloPain is a funny thing. At some point, your body gets so used to it that it fades into the background. Becoming just a dull, constant throb that you learn to live with.The cold metal of the cage bites into my skin and the bars are slick with my blood. My wrists are raw from the chains, but I barely feel it anymore.I would sell my soul to be in bed next to Hilda’s luscious, warm body right now, listening to Scarlett’s deep breathing from the other room. For a moment I allow myself to believe I’m there, but the presence of pure evil is too distracting.Malcolm leans against the wall across from me, arms crossed, looking as smug as ever. I despise the way he stares at me like I’m an animal in a zoo. Some rarity who’s already dead and he’s just waiting for my body to catch up.“I thought you’d be easier to break. Most men don’t last this long,” he comments quietly. I smile, bloody and sharp. “Most men aren’t me.”Malcolm chuckles, “So you’ve finally decided to speak. I’m honoured. S
MalcolmArlo won’t break. Or die. I’ve tried everything. Shooting him in the head. Riddling his entire body with silver bullets. An axe thrown straight into his heart. Nothing sticks. He regenerates time and again.I’m very keen to cut his head off, but nobody wants to get in the cage with him, not even when he’s unconscious. I killed two men for disobeying a direct order, before I decided it was futile.They’re less afraid of my bullets than his fangs. None of them have dared to point out that I haven’t dared enter the cage myself. He’s developing a tolerance for the tranquilizer darts. It takes 6 to bring him down now and he wakes up faster every time.I’m not risking my own life. These darts bring down elephants. They’re the strongest thing on the market. Are they all this strong, or is he special? I thought we’d take them out without any trouble. Wasted a fortune on having silver fucking bullets cast and they do nothing!It should have been easy. It was easy with Milo. A
TaraScarlett is a menace. An adorable, sharp-witted, completely unstoppable menace and Ash has no clue what he’s up against.I lean against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching Ash lose yet another argument to the tiny tyrant. He doesn’t stand a chance, and I think deep down, he knows it. Even if he isn’t quite ready to admit defeat yet.“You can’t just order me around like some lackey,” he protests, running a hand through his already-messy dark hair. Scarlett tilts her head, considering. “Yes, I can. What’s a lackey?”Ash exhales through his nose, a muscle in his jaw twitching. “You’re two. And a lackey is a servant.”“I’m almost three,” she corrects primly. “And you already swore loyalty to Mr. Tibbles, which means you have to listen to me.”I press a hand to my mouth to stifle my laughter. It doesn’t help. Ash glares at me. “You think this is funny?” I shrug. “A little. Did you really bend the knee to Mr. Tibbles? I’m afraid she has you dead to rights then. She’s he’s envoy.”
HildaI knew Percy and Nixie would come through for me, but they really outdid themselves. Maps. Schedules. Weaknesses. Everything I need to get Arlo back is spread across the heavy oak table in front of me.Of course I’ve always known that they’re efficient and reliable, but what they’ve gotten me goes above and beyond.When they arrived, Nixie’s face was flushed from the cold, her red hair wild in the wind, but there was triumph in her green eyes and I knew things were finally looking up.Percy quietly handed me the bundle of documents. I’m sure he’s better than a human CIA agent it was all so thoroughly set out. Now it’s up to me to take the information and find the best way to get my mate back.I’m only interested in quick results right now. Finesse means nothing in the face of Arlo’s suffering. I won’t allow anyone from outside the compound to be hurt, but those within the walls where Arlo is being tortured, will not be spared.Malcolm is feared but not liked. That much is cle