MasukShare
213. Who's to Blame?
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2024-10-29 19:42:56~ JESSE ~
I sat in my chambers for hours, miserable and waiting, the weight of it all bearing down harder and harder as I thought about all the ins and outs of this—and Rake either affirmed my fears, or added even more to the picture.
At one point there was a shocking wave of Cazz’s power that terrified me—was he fighting for his life like Rake had said? Everyone in the palace had to have felt that if I could.
I leaped out of my chair, but Rake caught me and made me stay in place.
“What are you going to do, Jesse? For real—think it through. If he’s having to fight, you’re only going to distract him, or create more complication. Just sit down and wait. He’ll tell us when he can focus.
But even Rake looked nervous and kept glancing towards the door. And there was… nothing. Nothing from Cazz. No new surge of power.
My chest felt like iron bands were constricting
Bab terkait
Slave to the Wolf King 214. Hidden Away
~ JESSE ~When I got to the closet I was fighting tears, my eyes welling and blurring as I searched through the drawers for sweats, a bralette, and a tank top, because I felt warm, but I really needed to be comfortable.When I finally got the whole dress off and hung up, then stepped back to look at it, I had to bite my lip to stop myself from crying, because in my mind I heard Cazz growling in my ear about how he was going to mess me properly tonight when the Selection was done.That’s the night I wanted. That was what I’d been aiming for. I’d tried to help Reeca, to show the wolves that I was a Queen who was decisive and different, but compassionate and instead… instead I’d put my husband in danger and created an uproar.It overwhelmed me then. I backed away from the carefully hung dress until my back hit the wall, then I slid down it, trying desperately to cry silently, but so sad, and so frustrated a
Slave to the Wolf King 215. Jump Before You're Pushed
~ JESSE ~“Why weren’t you in the Selection tonight? You’ve got power right? I mean, you’re old enough to have taken a mate by now. And it’s obvious the females like you. Is it part of your vow? Do you have to stay single because of… the church?”It wasn’t part of my faith, but I knew some people chose it anyway. Choosing to give their devotion wholly to God so they were free to serve.Rake looked distinctly uncomfortable as we sat down on the couch in front of the cold fireplace.“No, it’s not. I don’
Slave to the Wolf King 216. The World in My Eyes
~ CASIMIR ~“Speak to me like an adult, or don’t speak to me at all, Cazz,” she snarled and it was such an unexpected reaction from her I drew up short, gaping at her. She was standing behind the couch in nothing but sweats and a tank top, but then she was in motion, marching around the furniture towards me, her eyes narrowed and hands clenched, and ranting at me.“I misjudged that, and I know it, and I told you I was sorry—and I am. Rake explained how that felt for you and them and… and I would do anything to go back and handle this differently. But don’t you dare come growling in here like you took some kind of interest and I hid it from you. You threw me at Rake, you threw me at Maya, and you didn’t think I was capable of… anything! This was supposed to be me showing you—and them—that I’m more than just a fucking womb. And I guess I did at least achieve that, so
Slave to the Wolf King 217. Give
~ CASIMIR ~There was a hush in her voice that made the bond clang so dissonantly that the words I’d had prepared just died on my tongue. Something in my chest shifted, and even though I was still furious, something muzzled me.Warning shrilled in the bond. I felt it shiver between us and I snapped my mouth closed, clenching my hands to fists and trying desperately to leash myself, because I needed to think. But having her standing there, staring at me like I’d betrayed her…It made my heart crack. And made me rail inside.“Jesse… this isn’t about us.”“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Cazz. Of course it is.”For a moment I didn’t move, didn’t say anything, made myself breathe and think and focus.You call this love?The implied accusation stung, because I did love her. And every wolf in the pac
Slave to the Wolf King 218. Perspective
~ JESSE ~I woke up the next morning on the couch with a crick in my neck and a heart hammering in my chest.It took a second to remember what had happened, and why I felt like a pit was opening in my stomach. But when I did…I sat up, pushing my hair back and looking around. The chamber was empty and even though there was no sunlight here, somehow I could tell that I had overslept.Or rather, that I had slept late.I’d sat on that couch for at least an hour after Cazz walked out, just in case he changed his mind and came back. But I refused to ask him to. And even though he didn’t shut off the bond—which kept me sane—he also didn’t use it.
Slave to the Wolf King 219. Old Bat
~ JESSE ~I gaped at Maya, stunned, but also with laughter bubbling into my throat, though I was pretty sure it was more hysterical than amused.“You’re laughing?” I asked, breathlessly.“That was the funniest and most dangerous thing I’ve seen anyone do for generations,” Maya cackled, leaning back in her chair and wiping her eyes. “Cazz’s face… I don’t think I’ve ever seen my nephew so obviously taken by surprise before.” She giggled again, then sighed and straightened herself up, smoothing out her skirts, and wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes. “Of course, it was quite a serious misstep—and Cazz’s meeting with the elders was… well, there’s nothing to laugh about there,” she said, widening her eyes. &l
Slave to the Wolf King 220. Gifted – Part 1
~ JESSE ~When I left Maya, Sven was waiting to walk me back, which was sweet since I hadn’t even thought about asking him to.I was deep in thought, so we walked in silence for a minute, while I got frustrated because I was too far away to link with Cazz—not that I was sure what I’d say, since he hadn’t spoken this morning—and I couldn’t reach any of the others either.Then it hit me… I had been so consumed with Cazz I hadn’t even checked in on Reeca!Shit.“Sven… are you able to link with the packmind and see where Reeca is right now and if she’s free to speak with me when I get back?”“Sure.
Slave to the Wolf King 221. Gifted – Part 2
~ JESSE ~Reeca nodded quickly, but her expression was wary. “I mean… I knew that you would choose me and there would be disruption. I knew it was right to… to just follow this path. I didn’t know… I couldn’t see how it would all come together. And I had no sight on what the males’ reactions would be. I was just waiting to see…”“You’re a prophetess?” I said breathlessly. “Rake told me. I had no idea… That’s why the others listen when you talk, right? Why didn’t you tell me?”Her face kind of pinched as she winced. “I’m sorry about that. Truly. At first I was just nervous. I’m still learning—I can still misread situations or… or just see nothing. But even once I knew that you shared my
Bab terbaru
Slave to the Wolf King EPILOGUE - Part 4
~ CASIMIR ~I was pretty sure if I didn’t get inside her, I was going to eat her alive.Scooting with her in my lap, still straddling me, I got her so both my knees and her back were flat against the wall. Then I flipped open the wide, leather cuffs that had been secured directly to the wall and first lifted one of her hands, to strap it in so her hand was levered above her shoulder, but with her arm comfortably bent so she could relax. Then I did the same with her other hand on the other side.So I straddled the banana-seat, while she straddled me and her hands were secured to the wall behind her.Her breasts rose and fell with her heavy breathing, and her eyes were bright with desire.Overwhelmed again with how much thought she’d put into this, for a moment I just took her face in my hands and kissed her. But that drew us together—my cock pressing against her, and I couldn’t resist rolling my hips, teasing
Slave to the Wolf King EPILOGUE – Part 3
~ CASIMIR ~“I made a new Den,” Jesse whispered, her hands over her mouth, staring up at me—those beautiful eyes wide, but also a little fearful. “I know it’s not the same, but I got Ghere to help me because he remembered what things you’d had before and… I hope you like it.”Like it? Was she serious?My heart was slamming against my ribs, and I was having trouble breathing.The room seemed smaller than I remembered because the walls were painted a dull black. But the tighter space than what I’d had down next to the Den just made it feel more intimate.There were two lamps, one on each end, and a chandelier high above. Candles everywhere, though she hadn’t lit mo
Slave to the Wolf King EPILOGUE – Part 2
~ JESSE ~It was Cazz’s turn to plan the monthly date. But I was humming about this one. Things were finally ready, and impossibly, Ghere had helped me successfully pull off the surprise. But I still had to figure out how to get Cazz there without ruining it.He’d taken me out to the meadow again—my favorite date. Though we’d enjoyed several others now too—and we’d just finished eating. He was leaning back against the cab of the truck, looking out at the city lights, his brows a little heavy.“What are you thinking about?” I asked him, though I had a hunch.He had his arm around me and I was leaning on his shoulder. His hand trailed up and
Slave to the Wolf King EPILOGUE (1 Year Later) Part 1
~ CASIMIR ~I came out of the bathing room after a long bath rubbing my hair with a towel, to find my mate standing in the middle of the chamber with her arms folded and looking sternly at my daughter, who sat on the floor in nothing but a diaper, with her chubby legs straight out. She, too, had her arms folded and her lips pursed in the perfect reflection of her mother.The two glared at each other and half my heart went cold, while the other half wanted to splutter with laughter.“Abigail, I have told you—”“No!”Our daughter could only get her tongue around a few words so far, but
Slave to the Wolf King 398. See Me
~ JESSE (a few weeks later) ~I had just finished nursing Abigail and was holding her on my lap while Reeca sat with me on the couch.Her eyes were bright and she was beginning to smile, so I was tickling her cheeks to see if I could get her to do it. But she was sleepy because she’d just eaten and only yawned and cooed.“She’s a very calm baby,” Reeca commented from the other end of the couch, smiling. She loved babies, and had been so helpful when I was tired—and just for reassurance for me.She was a calm presence in any room, and with Abigail, she showed a lot of delight and joy that she seemed to stifle in other areas of her life.“Reeca,” I said carefully, because I’d b
Slave to the Wolf King 397. Peace at Last – Part 2
~ JESSE ~I was too tired to do more than lift my hands to his neck, so I just curled my face into his chest and let him settle us into the chair, cradled in his arms with my ass in his lap.When he’d sat, I had my head resting on his shoulder and my body curled in his arms.“Do you hurt?” he asked quickly.“No, just tired, like I said.”I felt him relax a little then and another chill started in my blood.“Cazz… what’s happened?” I asked quietly.He turned his head to meet my eyes and lifted his hand to comb hair back from my face. His throat bobbed, but his touch was g
Slave to the Wolf King 396. Peace at Last – Part 1
~ JESSE (Hours later) ~My dreams were disturbing—my body in pain, screams of terror, darkness, the floor shaking, the mountain falling, humans fleeing and wolves…I tried to break free, tried desperately to open my eyes and to speak, because I knew I was asleep. But all I did was fade… in and out. The nightmares, or nothing.And through it all, his voice.“Heal… live.”My heart ached. My body hurt. My chest didn’t want to expand. It was as if my flesh fought his words, and I didn’t understand.But finally, the dreams faded and I could hear a heartbeat. Little, and quick. And feel warm flesh. And the breath of my m
Slave to the Wolf King 395. Still Here
~ CASIMIR ~I felt the moment the power went out of Jesse. The entire mountain felt it.I howled with triumph and shifted, sprinting towards the room, ecstatic when there was no sense of Maya gripping my mind or stealing anything from me. But of course, there was no power left for her to steal.I prayed and pleaded and ran, Rory and the others coming in my wake. And the moment I broke through that door in my wolf—the only power left to me anymore—everything slowed. Though my body whipped and my mind was singularly focused, it was as if everything happened in slow motion.I caught a bare glimpse of Jesse on the bed, and at first my heart leaped. She was moving, awake, aware,
Slave to the Wolf King 394. The Arrival
~ JESSE ~Maya had me sitting up in the bed, curled forward, gripping my knees. Reeca on one side, helping prop me up, a guard on the other.My body was nothing but a conduit for pain. Wave after wave, my entire lower body condensing, contracting, pushing to get this baby out. I could barely think.Cazz was there, so quiet, so distant, but there, calling his encouragement and pushing love at me through the bond.There was a moment when I thought I wouldn’t make it, when I thought my body would give and I would just drift away.But then I caught Maya smiling. Leaning forward between my legs, reaching, grasping, for
