“The last digit,” he explained, his tone amused. “I design the sequence myself. For men, the number always ends in even digits; for women, odd. And this?” He held the paper closer. “This ends in two.”He tilted his head, his silver eyes gleaming with amusement.“You can fool my Beta, but not me, little mouse. You’re a liar. And a very interesting one at that.”My eyes widened.Damn it. This is spiraling out of control. At this rate, I might not even leave here alive. Is this why he sent John away?My tongue felt useless, frozen in my mouth, as my body stiffened. The sound of his steps echoed ominously.Thud.Thud.Thud.I saw his shoes before I felt his presence—towering, overwhelming, and far too close.“I had… no choice,” I muttered, my gaze dropping to the floor.“Everyone has a choice, rogue.”“I didn’t. I had to survive.”“And you’re doing a pathetic job of it.”Tears stung my eyes. How dare he? How dare he look at me like that, with such cold disdain?He didn’t know what I’d bee
“ There are ones who enjoy making others suffer, sadist as we call them.And then there are those.The ones who just watch you burn, doing nothing to help. And once you have given up?They come to collect the ashes. The demon.That's what they call him.” ….The air was suffocating, thick with invisible chains that seemed to pull me back with every step. My lungs screamed in protest as I sprinted through the grand, endless halls of the castle. My footing faltered, my heart lurching as I glanced down.Damn it!The sole of my shoe had split, flapping uselessly against the cold marble. I kicked them off, abandoning them in my desperation, and continued to run. My bare feet slapped against the unforgiving floor, every step echoing in the vast emptiness around me.Helpless, I skidded to a halt at a dead end, my breath ragged as I slammed my fists against the wall.What the hell is this place? A goddamn maze?My frantic eyes darted around, searching for
Killain’s POVI walk, following the trail of crimson streaks staining my pristine Italian marble floor, the contrast as sharp as the predator lurking within me. It leads me to her.The little wounded mouse.She lay at my feet, barely clinging to life, her existence as fragile as the fraying threads of the tattered shawl draped over her bony frame.Pathetic.Her hair, wild and unruly, spilled across the floor, and her clothes clung to her like a second skin—worthless, like the life she was struggling to preserve.I don’t waste my time on women. Not a glance, not a second. But this one? This one wasn’t just any woman.She was useful.The Moon Goddess herself had delivered her to me—a broken, insignificant little thing that fit perfectly into my plans. And I, a lion, had found her in my den. How poetic.At first, I mistook her for one of the desperate maids who dared to slip into my chambers, hoping for more than their station allowed. Perhaps I’d been harsher than necessary. If I tore t
I groaned, my body heavy and unresponsive, as if I were waking from a dream that clung to my bones like tar. My fingers twitched, brushing against something impossibly soft—velvet, silk, something luxurious and cold. My brows furrowed as I forced my eyes open, blinking against the dim light. Above me, the ceiling stretched high, adorned with intricate carvings of angels. Their stone eyes seemed to follow me, their wings frozen mid-beat, as if they had been caught in a moment of divine judgment.Am I dead?The thought flitted through my mind, but the sharp ache in my body told me otherwise. Dead people don’t feel pain. Dead people don’t feel fear.And then, like a blade slicing through the haze, sunlight poured into the room as the curtains were ripped open. I flinched, throwing up a hand to shield my eyes, the sudden brightness burning into my retinas. My vision blurred, and when it cleared, I saw my hand—bandaged, pale, trembling.Wait… what?The memories came crashing back, a tida
Lub. Dub. Lub. My heart hammered in my chest, each beat a deafening echo in the silence that stretched between us. I didn’t understand this man. Why was he so fixated on me? What could he possibly want from someone like me? Taking a deep, shaky breath, I tried, my voice trembling but firm as I clenched my fists to look at him. “See, Your Highness, if you’re doing this just to… to fuck me? I promise you, thousands of other high class beautiful women would be more than willing to worship you. I bet they will be a better sight to look at and can offer you a much better experience than me.You don’t have to waste your time on someone like me—” He throws his head back to chuckle and I look at the corded veins trailing up his long strong neck. My mouth suddenly went dry. Why is he laughing? I didn't jest. Raking his fingers through his jet black hair, those silvery grey eyes looked down at me from under those beautifully curled eyelashes. And I see his lips molding into a thi
Time had become irrelevant. Minutes, hours—they all blurred into one endless stretch of waiting. Sitting there, I couldn’t tell how long had passed. I was trapped in the prison of my own thoughts, each one clawing at my sanity.Twenty-four hours.Could he really find her in twenty-four hours?Doubt was a heavy stone in my chest, pressing against my lungs. What if he didn’t? What if he went back on his word?But no. He was the Werewolf King. His word wasn’t just law—it was ironclad. If there was one thing I knew about him, it was that he didn’t make empty promises. Whether his word brought salvation or destruction, it was always delivered.The sound of footsteps startled me out of my spiraling thoughts. My head snapped up as the door creaked open, and a group of five women entered. They were dressed in crisp maid uniforms, their hair neatly pinned back. Everything about them was polished and orderly, a sharp contrast to the chaos I felt inside.“Good evening, ma’am,” one of them said
“This way, ma’am,” one of the maids said, leading me down the hall.My footsteps echoed against the marble floor, each step heavier than the last.These were the very halls I ran through last night.The very walls that heard me beg for help.But none came.Everyone was loyal to him here. Even the air that I breathe.When we arrived at the Alpha King’s office, the massive double doors swung open with an ominous creak, the sound slicing through the suffocating silence of the hallway.He was there, seated behind a massive mahogany desk, his dark head bent over a stack of papers. The glow of the firelight bathed the room in amber hues, but the warmth it offered didn’t reach me. It couldn’t. The air itself felt bitterly cold—an icy chill that seemed to emanate from him, wrapping itself around my chest like a vice.The maids voice broke the silence. “Your Highness. She is here.”He didn’t even glance up.I lingered in the doorway, the weight of his presence pressing down on me like a physic
Tick. Tick. The sound of the clock reverberated in the suffocating silence, each second a hammer against my chest. My eyes flitted to Killian. He sat, motionless yet terrifying, his broad shoulders tense, his jaw clenched so tightly I thought it might crack. The pen in his hand groaned in protest, his fingers a vice around it. His patience was unraveling. “Get down,” he said, his voice low, guttural—almost a growl. It wasn’t a request. It was an order. I hesitated, my gaze darting to Bane. The massive beast stood there, muscles taut, his black eyes gleaming like liquid night. “But he—” “I said get your ass down, little mouse. Now.” The words cut through me, sharp and final. My stomach twisted, and I swallowed hard. Okay. I can do this. One step at a time. I slid off the desk hesitantly, my bare feet brushing against the cold floor. Bane’s growl deepened, a rumble that vibrated through the room. His eyes never left me, the predator locked on its prey. I flinched as my dress
Eve’s POVThe party is in full swing. I watch from the window, the glow of lanterns and flickering torches illuminating the figures below.Music pulses through the air, mingling with the scent of liquor and sweat.Countless Alphas, walk around , drinking, laughing, indulging in whatever pleasures the night offers. However all I could look at, was him. Standing in a corner with a glass in his hands, his aura and stature was easily distinguishable . Alphas try to grab his attention, flocking around him, for favours and prestige, while he barely spoke even a word to anyone.His lips stay pressed in a line as he stares at the liquid in his hands.Barely humming to them in reply.I couldn’t help but look at him.And for a second it looked like the entire world has vanished in front of him.His shoulders were broad, taut in that tuxedo. The top button of his shirt was open, giving a glimpse of those corded veins running up his thick neck. His jet black hair was perfectly combed back, sho
I swallow thickly, my throat tightening as I watch him pull his plate toward me. A silent command. An unyielding demand. He expects me to eat.I sigh, knowing it’s useless to argue with this man.“Fine. Leave me at least.”His grip doesn’t loosen.“You lost that privilege when I asked you the first time like a gentleman,” he murmurs, voice smooth but edged with warning. “This is exactly where you eat now.”My fists clench beneath the table.This controlling brute.I reach for my fork, determined to reclaim even the smallest sliver of control, but before I can grasp it, he snatches it from my fingers and hurls it aside. It clatters against the floor with a sharp metallic ring.“What the hell—”Before I can finish, he presses his own fork into my fingers—the same fork he ate with.“You eat with this.”What twisted game is he playing now? Why does it have to be his fork? His presence coils around me like smoke, suffocating and inescapable. I bite back my protests, unwilling to give him t
Eve’s POVI hate him.I hate this man with everything inside me.How dare he… But then, was it really his fault? Was it his fault that I was… that my body was so unappealing? God, what am I thinking? He should have known. He should have realized it when he signed that contract. It was his fault for expecting better.Couldn’t he see? Couldn’t he tell that I wasn’t like those princesses with full curves and soft, delicate beauty?I was thin—too thin, maybe. With my bones protruding and my skin stretched over them like parchment.Damn him.Let him rot in hell.At least I was alive. At least I was surviving. After the life I’d had, beauty was a luxury, and curves? A privilege. When you struggle to fill your stomach, you don’t get to worry about filling out a dress.I curled into myself, pressing my cheek into my palm. The other arm wrapped around my torso as if I could hold myself together. My throat was dry, my limbs cold despite the blanket I had pulled tightly around me. His abs
Eve’s POVForeign.That’s how I felt in my own body.This sensation. This unbearable heat pooling in my stomach, the twisting knots of anticipation and dread. No one had ever made me feel like this before. No one had ever made me this aware of myself—of my body—like a caged animal, both yearning and terrified of release.I thrashed, instinct and fear warring inside me, but his hands were unyielding. Massive palms gripped my thighs and wrenched them apart, pinning me open like I was his possession to inspect. To claim.Hot breath ghosted over my core, and panic struck like a whip, slicing through the haze of my confusion.“No, wait—!”The apple he’d stuffed between my lips muffled my plea, juices spilling onto my tongue, trickling down my chin like some perverse offering.I spat it out, breath heaving, desperation clawing at my throat. “Stop!”His head snapped up, irritation flashing in those ruthless, steel-colored eyes. “What now, little mouse?”Time. I needed time. But how did I ask
I bite my lip and fumble through the clothes in my wardrobe, my fingers trailing over the brilliant colors and luxurious fabrics. Red, pink, blue. Silk, satin.What did he mean by accessible?I have no idea.What do women usually wear on their first night?Not that I would know. My entire life had been spent in the same tattered clothes, one of which was my favorite shawl. I pull out a pink pajama set, soft satin with delicate lace hemming.This looks decent. It’ll cover most of my skin…Agh! What am I thinking? He’s going to rip them off anyway. How else would he take me?Now that he’s fulfilled his part of the deal—bringing Lilly back—I have to keep mine.My cheeks flare just imagining it, and I pat my palms against my face. No need to make a big deal out of this. It’s just sex, right? Women do it all the time, some just for pleasure. It doesn’t have to mean anything.Lilly told me about one-night stands.One night. That’s all this would be.My thoughts wander to her, picturing her
Eve’s POV I paced outside John’s door, nerves frayed, patience thin. Damn him. So what if he’s her mate? That didn’t mean he could shut me out. I just needed to see her. Just once. Left with no other option, I pressed my eye against the small crack in the wooden door. Nothing. I adjusted, trying harder— Damn it! I could see nothing. Considering how feral and angry Beta John looked, what if… what if he hurt her? No. I needed to think of something else. My gaze flicked to the window outside, directly above me. The Beta’s room was on the second floor. Think, think, think. That’s when I saw it—the pipe running up the stone wall. Perfect! I sneaked out of the castle , evading through the guards and without another thought, I grabbed onto the pipe and hauled myself up, my muscles burned as I pushed my body higher. The rough metal dug into my palms, but I ignored it, determination pushing me forward. One last pull, and I reached the window’s edge. My breath came in short burst
Eve’s POVSilence.A deadly, suffocating silence.No one dared to speak. No one even breathed as all eyes locked on the figure cradled in Beta John’s arms.My heart lurched, my gaze trailing over the woman wrapped in his jacket. She trembled violently, her small frame curled into him, face buried against his chest as if the world itself was too much to bear.Lilly.A cold dread coiled in my stomach.Lilly…I rushed forward, my hands reaching for her, desperate to see her face. “Lilly, it’s me! Look at me!”She flinched.Not just flinched. She clung tighter to John, her fingers gripping his shirt like it was the only thing keeping her together.Pain stabbed through my chest. Why wouldn’t she look at me?What’s wrong with her?Did those men…Before I could touch her, a deep, warning growl rumbled through the room.John.I froze.His stance was rigid, his body wound like a predator protecting its prey. His darkened eyes locked onto mine, flashing with an unspoken threat.“Step back.”I b
The stone hall echoed with each step as the maids led me through the towering corridors. Their whispers were hushed, their gazes cautious, but I paid them no mind. My thoughts swirled like a tempest, thick with last night’s storm—the cold seeping into my bones, the wind clawing at my skin. My body was still adjusting to the warmth inside.I clenched my fists, shaking off the damp chill that still lingered. The grand doors of the courtroom loomed ahead, two guards stepping aside as they pulled them open.A sea of faces turned toward me. The nobles, the warriors, the council. And in the center, stood two familiar figures—Charlote and Helen.I stopped short.The very same women who had sneered at me, mocked me, disrespected me… and yet they were here, bound by silence, awaiting judgment.I should have expected this. Yet, I was not prepared for the sheer weight of it.My lips parted to speak, to remind them I would not—would never—apologize, but then… I felt it.A presence.He sat on the
White.Plain. Simple. The most unremarkable thing I’ve ever seen.And yet the scent on them—My fingers tighten around the fabric. My jaw clenches. My mind blurs.Mine.The word slams into me with a force that shouldn’t be possible. My wolf hits on my walls.What the fuck am I doing?I look like a pervert.I drop them like they’ve burned me, raking a hand through my hair. A growl curls in my throat, low and guttural. Shoving the thoughts aside, I strip down and step into the shower, letting the scalding water bite into my skin.By the time I step out, the haze has dulled, but the irritation lingers.I pull on a pair of boxers and return to the bedroom.She’s still where I left her. Small. Vulnerable. Sleeping soundly in my bed.I lay on my side and suddenly remember why she is doing this. I mindlink John.“Beta. Any news?”Silence.“John?”His voice finally comes through, strained. “Y-yes, Alpha. I got her. I…”Something’s wrong.My fingers twitch. “What happened?”More silence. Then,