Cerelia’s POV “Thank you for your help, Cerelia. You can go home now,” said my mate. I remembered the excruciating abdominal cramps I had been experiencing all evening ever since Xandrios left. Although it had reduced to a dull ache now, it was still there. “I need to see a doctor, Xandrios.” His eyes widened with worry. “What happened? Come up, I’ll check you.” “Abdominal cramps. I came down to search of Dr. Sylvia in your absence, but she was busy in the OT.” “Oh, let’s take you to her before she leaves for the day.” Xandrios led the way to Dr. Sylvia’s room. It was already late in the night and Dr. Sylvia had just returned from her regular rounds before leaving for the day. “Oh, hello, Cerelia. How are you?” she chirped.“She’s getting abdominal cramps. Can you check up on her?” Dr. Sylvia smiled at Xandrios and led me away to the examination table to check. “I’ll be right back.” Xandrios left and Dr. Sylvia felt my abdomen gently. “You’re going into heat, Cerelia. Will thi
Cerelia’s POV I wanted to say yes. I wanted to promise him that no matter what, I would stay with him forever. But those words failed me. I couldn’t give him a false promise. It wouldn’t be fair to him. He was the most amazing shifter I had ever met. With a heart of gold, he healed everyone unconditionally, even those who had no money like me. I was indebted to him for saving my life against all odds. If I was alive to avenge the death of my pack and father, it was only because of two Lucerians: Luna Lena and Dr. Vasiliou.I lowered my gaze and concentrated on my plate as tears blinded me. His scent comforted me yet made me want him even more tonight. At that moment, I wished I wasn’t a silver wolf. At least I would get my happily ever after with my mate! But wishes weren’t always fulfilled, right? I knew mine would never be. I would never get the one I wanted. “I’ve got my answer.” He released a shuddering breath. The air was tense between us. While unknown desires coursed throug
Alexandrios’s POV I wished I could prove her wrong and claim her. But she was just eighteen and in heat. I couldn’t get her pregnant with my pups at such a young age. It wouldn’t be fair to her. “Sleep.” Her scent drove me crazy, and the shower didn’t douse my need for her. She blinked in disbelief and then scowled at me. “I knew it. You were playing mind games with me, right?” I shook my head, looking away. “Then what is it? Why can’t you claim me? I am an adult now.”“The time isn’t right. Good night, Cerelia.” The disappointed look in her eyes shattered me. I knew I was breaking her heart by rejecting her, but I was helpless. I couldn’t take advantage of her. “I hate you, Xandrios.” Her frustrated whisper followed me out. Yet I battled against the urge to give in to her.I slipped out of her room, leaving her sitting on the edge of the bed in a dazed state. If only she knew how it sapped all my willpower to walk away from her. Of course, I didn’t give out useless threats. I pl
Cerelia’s POV I was too shocked for a second to think of a reply. How did Alpha Zephyrus not believe in my innocence? Were the Red Wolves pressurizing him to get to me? I had to find out. “Oh, I need to know about the situation at the borders, Xandrios. Are the Red Wolves still there? Maybe I’ll use another route to escape.” I looked up to see the grim look on Xandrios’s face. What was he thinking? He looked quite disappointed in me. I couldn’t help it. How could I tell him what was stopping me from staying back and accepting him as my mate? If the Lucerians found out who I was, my life would again be at risk. They would want to exploit my powers. Maybe Xandrios wouldn’t, but surely someone would. I couldn’t endanger myself knowingly.“We’ll think about it. Right now, let’s concentrate on strengthening you.” I smiled at him to make peace with him. With only a week left with him, I wanted to experience a lifetime of happiness with my mate. What if I never met him again? One thing w
Cerelia’s POV I blushed profusely at the thought of kissing him deeply so many times. Whatever it was, I would definitely kiss with tongue, just as Lia suggested. As for shopping, I needed a lot of stuff. So obviously, we would kiss a lot. My heart skipped a beat at the thought as we sped off towards an unknown destination. “So, dessert first or shopping first?” He grinned and glanced at me. “We’ll start with dessert and end with it, too.” I gave him a clueless look. “I refuse to get fattened up!” He chuckled instead of changing his plans. “Oh, the type of dessert I have in mind for later won’t make you fat.” I frowned suspicious of his motives when realization struck me. Was he hinting at the kisses I promised him? My cheeks flushed with embarrassment and I dropped the topic. “Do you realize now?” He chuckled more, embarrassing me further. “You definitely need a lot of training. Don’t worry, I’ll be your teacher and guide.” I glared at him, eager to puncture his bloated ego. “
Cerelia’s POV Xandrios seemed to be in a rush to get out of the diner. “We’ll pack up another pie for you to munch on. Let’s go shopping.” “Oh, why are we rushing?” I followed his line of vision to see a group enter the diner. It seemed Xandrios wanted to avoid them. He led me to the counter to collect a parcel from Aunt Syble without answering me. “Thanks for the treat, Aunt Syble.” He paid for the parcel, though. “Any time, my boy. See you soon.” She waved at me too and Xandrios steered me out of the place. Just as we got into his car, I noticed Carl and the other sentinels enter the diner. I now knew why Xandrios rushed out. He didn’t want a confrontation, and neither did I. Maybe the situation would change if I joined the pack, and Xandrios introduced me formally to all. I trusted him to clear my name. I watched him discreetly as he steered the car towards the shopping center.“You’re staring, Cerelia.” His husky voice made me blush and look away. “You can tell me what’s on y
Cerelia’s POV Xandrios reached out and swept a lock of hair from my face. My stomach clenched as I waited for his mouth to descend on mine. He cupped my jaw and neck as if I were fragile. My breath hitched as he tilted my head toward him. His fingers worked into my hair, making my body tingle with need. With every passing second, it intensified into a dull throbbing that reached my se*. My gaze dropped to his lower lip. They pulled me like a magnet and I closed my eyes, surrendering to him. Electricity surged through my body when he swept my hair off my neck and bent to kiss the sensitive spot below my ear. Would he mark me tonight? My breath hitched again, and I opened my eyes to see him run his tongue over the spot. “Mine to mark, mine!” He continued trailing his mouth over my heated skin, inching towards my face.“Xandrios, please..” I wanted him to stop teasing me and kiss me already. I wanted him to complete the kiss he had started earlier. “I love the way you respond to me,
Cerelia’s POV I opened my eyes to a soft, feathery touch on my cheek. It scalded me almost making me gasp. When I opened my eyes, I gasped at the sight of my mate hovering over me. His hot breath on my face played havoc with my senses. “Xandrios? What are you doing in my bed?” I gasped, looking down at myself. Thankfully, I was fully clothed. Then why was he here? He rolled away with a smile hovering on his lips. “Don’t you remember anything from last night, Cerelia?” He held my jaw-dropped gaze with amused eyes. I blinked in confusion. Last night? How could I not remember a thing after the kisses? I had gone off to sleep. Did he sneak into my room and claim me? Surely I would have known if he did that. “What did we do last night? Did we..?” My face paled as his smirk widened in response. “Hell, no. You had a nightmare. I heard you screaming. You were under a panic attack and I came in just in time to comfort you. Later, you stopped me from leaving. That’s it.” I watched the amu
Cerelia’s POV I froze, my heart sinking with apprehension. I was suddenly unsure of Zephyrus’s reaction towards me. After all, there was a time when he hated me. “Welcome back to Lucania, Cerelia. How are you now?” he asked in a good-natured way, releasing my mate. I searched his eyes and saw no judgemental look hidden there. Xandrios had truly cleared every ounce of doubt from Zephyrus’s mind. “I’m fine, Alpha. How’s your Luna?” I had always liked Lena more than him. She was kind and forgiving, like a mother should be. “She’s doing fine. You can meet her tomorrow when you officially join our pack. There is a meeting in the morning at around 10. Why don’t you come down to the packhouse with Alex? You can meet the entire pack and join us.” I glanced at my mate, not knowing what plans he might have. I couldn’t go to the packhouse on my own in this condition.“We’ll be there, Zeph.” Zephyrus nodded at my mate and smiled at me before joining Stavros at the bar for a drink. “Are you
Cerelia’s POV The cab sped down the familiar roads and entered Lucania at last. All tiredness and exhaustion vanished, and I gazed out of the windows. The memories came rushing into my mind. They weren’t happy memories. A strange restlessness gripped my heart. What if the pack members didn’t accept me? What if Zephyrus didn’t want me in his pack? That angle hadn’t occurred to me until now. I turned to look at my clueless mate. “Xandrios, what if they don’t want me?” He smiled at me, pulling me to his side. “You have nothing to fear, baby. I’ve cleared your name when I returned to Lucania. Now the whole pack knows your true identity. Why won’t they accept you?” His words relieved me. He hadn’t forgotten while it had totally escaped my mind. “Oh, you remembered? Thank you, Xandrios. What about Zephyrus? Did he change his notion about me?” “Yes. He apologized, and he has agreed to welcome you to the pack. Are you happy now, Cerelia? I sought help from Alpha Alexios to prove your tru
Cerelia’s POV My knees buckled at his heartfelt admission. The intensity of his feelings for me took me by surprise. I had expected anything, but not this. His muscular arms went around me to keep me upright. “Are you alright, Cerelia?” His voice was warm against my ear and I sagged into his chest, maybe to stop him from leaving. “How can I be alright when you’re leaving me, Xandrios?” I looked up to see the fleeting emotions of pain and longing in his eyes. “You know I don’t want to leave you. That’s the reason I was dreading meeting you. I knew I couldn’t go after meeting you once.” He held my face between his hands and drowned in my eyes. “I couldn’t leave without meeting you even.” “Then don’t leave without me.” His arms fell to his sides in defeat. “I have to, Cerelia, but I’ll be back next month.” He flashed a tight smile at me while my heart wanted to howl and protest. How could he leave me for a month? “I won’t survive that long without you, Xandrios. Take me with you,
Cerelia’s POV I watched my mate in awe. How did his speech melt the bitter hearts of two hundred silver wolves? I had no idea, and neither did Alpha Alexios. He smiled at my mate, embracing him for easing his task. It wasn’t easy to convince bloodthirsty wolves who had been agitating for the last two months. Yet my mate made it look like a child’s game. I was glad he could connect to them with his honesty and simplicity, the way he connected to me. “Beta Theodore, do you agree to the rules of the council and the new rules of the pack?” asked Uncle Alarik. “Yes. If no one has a problem, I don’t either.” I released a sigh of relief that all matters were resolved, and there would be peace now. “The meeting is dismissed. Let’s join hands and make Pieria a heaven on Earth for all silver wolves. There’s another good news for the pack members. As a token of appreciation, Dr. Vasiliou has agreed to set up a hospital for all of us in Pieria. We wouldn’t need to go to Thessaloniki for medi
Cerelia’s POV“Xandrios, what the hell are you saying? How can you accuse Nikos?” I faced my mate fiercely, shoving him backward. Nikos tried to protect me, knowing my delicate condition.Xandrios looked even more furious. What was wrong with him? “Why can’t I? How could you move on from me, Cerelia? How could you forget me and accept him in your life?”I gaped at him as realization struck me. Did he think Nikos was my rebound? Did he think I was carrying my brother’s pups?“Are you out of your mind? Nikos is my brother. Why will I move on with him? If you don’t want to accept me and your pups, why are you here? I’m fine. I’m alive. Go away, Xandrios. I don’t need you.”I left him frozen on the spot as tears stung in my eyes. “Bro, please, can you help me to my room? I’m feeling dizzy.” I didn’t look at Xandrios, my heart breaking at his lack of trust in me. Didn’t he feel my love for him? I had endured so much, hoping to unite with him one day. For months, I waited for him to rescue
Cerelia’s POV “Cerelia, how are you today? Aunt Sophia wants you in her clinic for a checkup. She has lots of patients today. She can’t take out time and come over,” said Nikos, coming into my room. It had been over two and a half months since my grandpa died. My pregnancy was progressing well, and I looked pregnant, too. Aunt Sophia still thought my condition was critical, although I wasn’t bedridden anymore. Yet I couldn’t leave the mansion and go to Lucania.We were all imprisoned inside. There was mayhem outside with Grandpa’s supporters demanding justice. They wanted Uncle Alarik to step down and Grandpa’s friend and counselor, Beta Theodore, to take over as Alpha of the Silvermane Warriors. With an impeccable track record of always following the rules of the pack, he was a strong contender. But our family refused to bend to their demands. As Grandpa’s true successors, Uncle Alarik and Uncle Viktor were the rightful leaders of the pack. Every day, their demands grew violent an
Alexandrios’s POV Annabeth frowned as she switched on the lights. I waited anxiously for her to explain. Cerelia’s face kept on flashing across my mind. Was she in pain? Did her grandpa start the purification process? Had she forgotten me? Had she mated with a Silver Wolf? Whose hand was she holding? I was at my wit’s end, with so many questions flitting across my mind. I needed answers. “The black smoke you saw denotes danger. It seems your mate is shrouded in danger. The painful expression on her face denotes health issues. Maybe she too was unconscious, like you, for a long time. It points at a curse, but the white cloud looks hopeful. The evil force controlling your mate is no more. The curse has vanished. She’s free now.” I watched her with confusion, my mind swirling already. I couldn’t understand her. “If Cerelia’s free, can I go to Pieria and rescue her?” Annabeth gave me an agitated look. “No, not until the black smoke reduces. You could lose your life, son.” My heart an
Alexandrios’s POV I opened my eyes and looked around the hospital room I was in. It was torture to be admitted to my hospital under a colleague’s care. I had no idea what happened to me. I suddenly lost consciousness when on my rounds. The tests produced no problem at all. Yet I was in a semi-conscious state for fifteen days, receiving intravenous treatment. I could hear and feel everyone’s concern, but couldn’t move an inch. I was at my wit’s end and so were my close friends and colleagues, Dr. Daniels and Dr. Bradley. They couldn’t pinpoint the cause of my illness from my reports. I could hear Zephyrus and Stavros discuss the possibility of a curse. “I have a hunch that even Cerelia is suffering the same. It’s a mated wolf’s curse, prevalent among the Silver Wolves as a punishment for disobedience. I had heard about it when in Aromania,” said Zephyrus. My heart sank with dread, and I forced myself to open my eyes. I saw the look of surprise on Zephyrus and Stavros’ faces. “Alex
Cerelia’s POVI stirred, but my body ached tremendously. It seemed like the last drop of energy was wrenched out of me. Was I dead? Did Grandpa’s deathly grip or the touch of his sword to my skin kill me?I could hear faint voices near me. It seemed I was far away, unable to open my eyes or move my body. A cold metal touched my chest, and I gasped, filling my lungs with a lot of oxygen. What was it? I tried to shout for help, but no sound came out of my lips.“She’s responding!” someone cried out close to my ears. I recognized that voice instantly. It was Nikos’s. So I wasn’t dead. I was still at the mansion and my brother was with me.“Nikos,” I croaked into the deafening silence. “Water.”There was a shuffle, and someone held water to my lips. I drank a sip and then another. It energized me, and I slowly opened my eyes. Everything was blurred and I could hardly focus on anyone. The room was full of my family members. Was my grandpa here too? Fear gripped my heart as I blinked to ref