My eyes were fixed on Paul's face as his eyes raked all over me like hot coals, setting me on fire once again without even needing to touch me in order to ignite my body from head to toe. I watched as he slowly dragged his gaze upwards, lingering for a few moments at my mid-thigh where the hem of the bath towel I had draped around myself lay, before finally coming to a stop at my face. I could sense his breathing hike before he quickly closed the distance that he himself had put between us, and hugged me. Circling his arms around my waist, he pulled me close to himself and softly brought his forehead to my level.In a very gentle voice, he said, "I'm gonna kiss you now, okay?"My mind had gone absolutely blank, and my lips were still buzzing from the last kiss. All I could do with my brain having partially melted in the heat of the moment, was to nod my head a little. And as soon as I did that, he reclaimed my lips with a ferocity that defied the gentleness of his tone.And the moment
Paul's POV:It was almost afternoon by the time I returned home the next day, and I wanted to see Lexie badly, regardless of what had happened last night between us. My beta, Jayson, had gone on a tour of the neighbouring packs to find out more about the rogue situation, but had ended up walking right in the middle of an ongoing skirmish. That was why he had sent me an urgent message last night, and now the situation was worsening by the minute.'I don't have time to act like a lovesick puppy right now…not when so many lives are at stake.'Thinking this, I parked my SUV in front of the gate and headed straight for my father's chambers.Knocking twice, I entered his room after announcing myself."Father? I need to discuss something urgent with you."He immediately sat up, and offered me a chair while saying, "Of course, son. What is the matter?""The Crescent pack has been attacked by a group of unknown rogues, as reported by my beta. They have sought our help to deal with the grave p
After my parents had left, I slowly got used to the new normal routine in the temporary absence of Paul, determined to show him a better version of myself.I continued to receive training from Jayson, who was slightly more strict than Paul when it came to training, but was also very thoughtful at the same time, explaining everything with lots of patience so that I wouldn't make mistakes again. But instead of training at the palace, we used to drive out to the fields a little farther away, so that I could get used to different surroundings and the unique challenges they presented. It was in one of these fields that I had collided with Jayson after Paul's party, and he had dragged me away to see the Alpha despite my protests. The memory made me laugh now, because I was certain that I would surely have been able to outrun him now, only, I didn't want to run anymore.While we had developed a good rapport, I could also feel my body growing significantly stronger. I could not just see it w
When Jayson brought the culprits to me in the throne room as per my wish, I was confronted with yet another surprise. At first, I was busy thinking about whether or not I might have encountered them during my stay in the pack, but as soon as I turned to see them, I found out that the three men were the same ones who were responsible for cornering me and beating me up at school a few weeks ago. However, on closer inspection, they seemed to be more like misguided adolescents than men, and outside of that framework where I had been the victim and they had been the perpetrators, they seemed to be significantly less intimidating. Nonetheless, renewed anger flowed through my veins when I remembered my helpless state and the pleas of help and mercy that they had ignored; they probably would have done the same thing to poor Kevin, had I not intervened. I finally opened my mouth after a few minutes of confusion persisted, during which they shared questioning glances as to why they had been
I was already quite pissed, after knowing the truth about Abby being the one behind all of this, but I was trying to keep my calm. Because first of all, I wanted to ask her about why she did whatever she had done with me.'But I have to wait for the perfect opportunity…'I had headed towards the school with this thought in mind. But perhaps it was a sign of everything falling into place around me and things taking my side, that I ran into Abby in the morning itself, at the time I entered school.I grabbed her by her wrist as I had already noticed her quickening her speed after seeing me, and dragged her to a corner so that I could have a good chat with her before the morning bell.She started to struggle in a dramatic way, but I refused to relent and instead directed my question at her, pulling a completely emotionless face and a stern tone."Abby, tell me one thing honestly. Are you the one behind my parents and Nate knowing about my whereabouts? Just accept that you are the one who
After Abby left , I was left alone with the old memories of childhood and the realization of reality about which I was supposed to have been aware about from the very beginning. I knew that Abby's mother was originally from the Apollo pack itself, and her father used to be the beta of the previous Alpha of the Celene pack, Nate's father.During one of the Alpha's visits to the Apollo pack, her father had encountered her mother, and realized that she was his mate when they both had been teenagers. They both had gotten married and came to the Celene pack together, and they had been living a happy life until her father's untimely demise after which Abby's mother had to live with her in the Celene pack even though their life was quite difficult.Abby's mother was very beautiful and as my mother had told me often, their wedding had become the talk of the entire pack after they had returned from the Apollo pack together. Everyone knew that her husband absolutely adored her, but after he d
The last sentence that had sprawled out of Jayson's mouth hit me like a truck, and I became so worried that I wanted to rush to Paul within no time. But then again, for that too, I needed to know the exact location of his whereabouts and the detailed route to go from there. So in order to find out the routes, and hoping that Beta Jayson would be telling me the correct directions, I asked him;"Jayson, please tell me how I can reach him!? Please!"And with this request, I was about to start walking in a random direction without even waiting for his reply, when he spoke up, stopping me from taking even a single step forward."I am sorry, but I can't tell you his exact location-""Then take me there with you!" I offered the only alternative that I could at that moment."Sorry, but I can't do that either-" "You can't tell me where he is, you can't take me to him either, then you know what? I will go and find him by myself, just step out of my way.""You can't leave the Apollo pack, I w
After his statement, I panicked and noticed that Katrine had probably not heard it completely or clearly, as she was standing a little farther away from us. As a plan began to form in my head, I spoke to him in a slightly louder voice. "Jonas, I think it has been very long since the two of us have talked alone, and had a chat with each other... don't you think?" He understood my indication and what I was gesturing to, and although his expression was slightly wary, he answered in support of my proposal. "Yes ,you are right. If your friend doesn't mind, can we have some time for the two of us, and relive the same sibling dynamic once again?" Katrine finally replied with a sweet smile, "Of course! You two go ahead, till then, I will be taking a tour of your chamber by myself." Breathing a sigh of relief, the two of us stepped outside towards Jonas's room. After we reached his room, he offered me a seat and sat on the chair opposite mine. Observing and meeting my brothe
1 month ago, Katrine’s POV:“Jonas, enough!" I lashed out, pouring all my anger and frustration into my voice. "I have warned you, don't use Lexie to weaken my resolve. You can't manipulate me with her. I trust her… with my heart, with my soul! She would never—" But my words died as I saw his expression. That arrogant tilt of his chin, the cruel amusement in his eyes; this wasn't just arrogance that came with confidence, but the look of someone who knew something I didn't. "Would you still stand so tall on your high horse if I showed you proof about Lexie?" The noose of dread tightened around my throat, but I forced my gaze to meet his, refusing to let him see how much his words rattled me. “What proof?” I demanded, my tone sharper than I felt.Jonas’s smirk widened as he pulled out his phone. I bit back a curse, watching his fingers swipe across the screen. My mind raced, thinking how much easier it would be to escape if I could just get my hands on that damn device. But all t
Paul's POV: The servant's hurried footsteps could be heard echoing inside the throne room moments before he burst in, eyes wide with panic. "Alpha! Alpha, the Luna has sent us for you. Her health… it’s worsening again! She–”That was all I was able to hear. The fear of something happening to her was enough to clench my heart tightly in its claws and hearing the full sentence about her not being well was something that I wasn't capable of doing in any circumstances.No matter how strong and brave I was, she has started to become my weakness the day I first saw her and now when she has full control of my heart completely wrapped around her fingers, then how can someone still assume that I still have left with the courage to hear about something happening to her, when she isn't even standing in front of me.But I can't blame anyone for it, because it was all my fault, when I was already feeling a little uneasy I should have listened to my heart and not left her alone.The fear was mak
Paul's POV:Jayson words sends a shiver down their ribs and the fear started to become more evident on their faces, blood started to rush off from their body, leaving them completely pale.The three wolves were still kneeling before me, quaking like leaves caught in a storm. Panic etched deep lines into their faces, eyes filled with tears and glistening with fear. These new words and the fear that now no matter what they are going to do, they won't be able to save themselves from the punishment that I have just given to them.And this was exactly what I wanted, as everything was going perfectly according to my plan and there was nothing that could stop me from achieving what I wanted.With satisfaction, I placed my gaze on the three of them.Their mouths fumbled over each other’s words, desperate to avoid their punishment anyhow.And one of them finally gathered the courage to plea;“Alpha! Please, Alpha! .We were wrong… we were foolish! We deserve punishment, but show us some mercy,
Paul's POV:I paced back and forth in the throne room– the spacious room was silent and cold, without the presence of a single soul apart from me. The room was completely silent, that was perfectly contradicting the voices inside my headEverything was looking so calm, but I knew the chaos this calm was hiding underneath.And I know this chaos wasn't going to stop till it cracked every bone of every single person who was behind this plotting that has hurt my Lexie… and my child.In fact I would have done that moment I came to know, if Lexie hadn't stopped me. And she wasn't completely wrong too, but the anger wasn't ready to take the decisions logically, but her love has somehow managed to bound me with that.I had ordered the courtiers to stay home for this because this was not a matter for spectators and didn't want any politically correct interference in my decision or the process by which I was planning to get my hands on the culprit.I had deliberately cleared out the presence
Paul's POV: Lexie's body trembled violently against mine, her fingers clutching at my shirt like she was drowning. I could feel her tears soaking through the fabric, each ragged sob tearing at my soul. And with every breath of mine, my determination of giving the punishment that Abby deserved was growing more and more.But right now, consoling Lexie was my first priority, Abby can still enjoy a few moments left in her life, before I actually send her to hell, where she really belongs."It's not your fault," I murmured into her hair, my voice rough with barely restrained fury. "None of this is your fault, darling." Her nails dug into my chest as she shook her head. "But the-they all think—" "I don't care what they think," I growled, cradling her closer. The scent of her pain - salt and sorrow and fear - made my wolf snarl beneath my skin. “I swear to you Lexie… I swear, Abby will regret ever putting her hands on you.”She pulled back slightly, her red-rimmed eyes searching min
1 month ago, Katrine's POV:I felt my rage boil in my veins, as if Jonas’s words had set me on fire. He couldn’t just declare I was his mate and expect me to accept it, as well as the condition for captivity that came with it… and then walk away like it meant nothing apart from a usual day's work. Mate…I had never given it much thought before, but the word "mate" was sacred. For us, the single word was spoken with the most amount of happiness, hope, reverence and tons of emotions attached with it… For those who had already found their mates, it was a title they would cherish for a lifetime– a bond tied by fate. And for those who were yet to find their destined mate… it was the symbol of their future People pinned their dreams, desires, and futures on that single word, believing it would complete their existence and bring purpose to their life. And I… I was no exception, no matter how much I wanted to deny it. Even when I had used it as my shield, I hadn't imagined for a single
Lexie’s POV:Paul's mouth pressed into a thin line as I agreed to the responsibility. “Maybe, I made the wrong decision…”The thought echoed in my mind, hollow and aching, as the first of the well-wishers filed into the room. Their smiles were too bright, their voices too loud… the first few congratulations came from the overly enthusiastic courtiers who saw this gathering as an opportunity to curry favor with the Alpha. Their bright smiles and gleaming eyes only deepened the ache inside me. How cruel that I was getting congratulated when my baby was already gone… taken from me before I even had the chance to know the flutter of life inside me. ‘I didn’t even get to feel you…’I felt robbed. Robbed of the joy, of the experience, of the pride of having my first child. I couldn't even mourn its loss properly…I couldn't even analyse the level of my grief properly when I had to take a new decision, new decision as the future Luna of the pack, not as a mother …and the happy faces of th
1 month ago, Jonas’ POV:The girl was looking at me with wide eyes, trying to anticipate my reaction. She was curious and a little nervous, but not scared… her heartbeat was mostly steady, and there was no flicker of recognition in her storm-gray eyes. “Actually, I told them I was your mate because I wanted to meet you. You are the only one who can tell me about Lexie–”"Smart move.”I shrugged, my voice colder than the steel of my dagger that I was tossing in my palm. “But a dangerous one." She lifted her chin. "Why? Because I dared to lie to the great leader of this rogue camp?" I stepped closer, my shadow swallowing her frame. The scent of her… like wildflowers, filled my lungs. “Because till now, I was treating you like any other trespasser. But now…" I murmured, "you have made it personal." Her breath hitched, just slightly. Good. I reached out, fingers brushing her jaw: not quite a caress, not quite a threat. “You want to play games, little wolf?" My thumb traced t
1 month ago, Katrine's POV:As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt a pin- drop silence spread out around myself. I risked a glance at the face of this guy Jonas, hoping to find the tiniest bit of shock etched on his smug features. His sharp features were as unreadable as ever, but I still wanted to notice at least a flicker of shock, as proof that I had cracked his mask too. 'Ha! He had dismissed me so easily, without heeding my words! Now I'll show him, if he believes me to be the leader's mate, then he might just tell me Lexie's whereabouts and I'll figure out a way to escape on my own-'Before I could take the time to observe his reaction, though, I heard the sharp cackle of one of the guards who was holding me back. I sensed his disgusting gaze linger upon my body, as if he was assessing whether or not I was telling the truth, and as if that was not enough to bring my blood to a boil, I heard his mocking laughter, at whose target was me! So he thinks whichever rascal runs th