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Caged Hearts

Author: Zee Wesley
last update Huling Na-update: 2025-03-19 00:21:43

CALANTHA

“‘You think my distance is cruelty? No, my love. It is mercy. To love me is to walk willingly into the dark, and you... you were made for the light.’”

“Pain bloomed in her eyes. Pain he put there. She didn’t believe him, not yet. But she would. He would make sure of it. Because loving her meant letting her go before she realized that monsters like him didn’t get happy endings.”

With those final words, our literature professor closed the book in his hands and looked up at us.

"So, let’s talk about the protagonist of The Caged Heart," he said, setting the book aside. "Was he right to push the heroine away? Was he protecting her, or was he just being selfish?"

"He was absolutely being selfish." I blurted before I could stop myself.

A few heads turned in my direction, and from the corner of my eye, I saw Kaiden glance my way too.

I forced myself not to look at him, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves. Maybe I had answered too impulsively. But something about the book felt to
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  • Stealing the Heart of the Lycan King   His to Take

    CALANTHA “… And do you know what she said after that?” Lysandra recounted her ordeal. Tate, Eloise, and Nyx leaned in, listening intently as we sat at our usual table in the cafeteria where Lysandra and Tate joined us. “She claimed I was too fragile and feminine to be a cheerleader. Can you believe that?”“Ugh, Isadora and her minions are just jealous.” Eloise scoffed, rolling her eyes.Lysandra was telling us how she made the cheer squad despite Isadora’s efforts to sabotage her during the auditions. But while my friends were fully engaged in the conversation, only half of my attention was on them.The other half was locked onto Kaiden.He was sitting with his teammates and their girlfriends at a table across the room, where everyone seemed lost in chatter. Everyone except him. Because his gaze was on me.I had caught him staring more than once, his eyes never straying. Every time I stole a glance in his direction, he was still watching. Unwavering. And sometimes, his stare was on T

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-19
  • Stealing the Heart of the Lycan King   The Waiting Game

    CALANTHA7:00pmI sat cross-legged on my bed, staring at the wall clock.One hour until the time Kaiden said we would go on that dinner date.Even though I knew he was a man of his word, and that he always did exactly what he said he would, part of me still had doubts. Maybe because I never imagined he would want to take me out on a date.I wondered why. Was he starting to like me too?I shook my head, forcing the thought away. I couldn’t afford to get my hopes up. If I let myself believe in something that wasn’t real, I would only end up hurt. Again.Needing a distraction, I climbed off my bed and walked to my desk, grabbing a pen and opening my notebook. Maybe if I focused on my assignment, I could push him out of my mind.But it didn’t take long before I found myself glancing at the clock again.7:20pm.Was he serious about this, or was he just messing with me?But Kaiden never lied. He had hurt me, more times than I could count, but he never made empty promises. The only reason I

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-20
  • Stealing the Heart of the Lycan King   A Ruined Night

    CALANTHA I took a shaky step back, my fingers slipping from the doorknob as a quiet, broken gasp left my lips. My chest tightened, like all the air had been sucked out of my lungs. Tears blurred my vision as I stared at the scene before me. A single tear slipped down my cheek, but neither Kaiden nor Lysandra noticed me. They were too caught up in their kiss, with Lysandra’s hand trailing lower on his body. Unable to watch anymore, I swallowed the lump in my throat and slowly shut the door. Wiping my tear away, I forced myself to keep it together despite the sharp, unbearable ache in my chest. I turned and walked away, my lips trembling and my eyes burning with unshed tears. A deep, seething rage boiled inside me. Kaiden. That bastard. He had stood me up, left me waiting for hours, just so he could be with her! I should have known better. I should’ve seen this coming from miles away. How could I be so stupid and blind? Grinding my teeth, I grabbed the necklace around my neck, y

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-20
  • Stealing the Heart of the Lycan King   Two-sides of the Devil

    CALANTHA Trigger Warning: This chapter contains scenes of attempted assault and may be distressing for some readers. Please proceed with caution. —- “Welcome to my place.” Tate said as we stepped inside his penthouse. I glanced around, taking in the polished, minimalist design. The furniture was perfectly matched to the walls, and expensive artwork hung in just the right spots. Everything looked effortlessly luxurious. “You have a nice place.” I said, genuinely impressed. “Thanks.” Tate smiled as we reached the spacious living room. He gestured toward the plush couch. “Have a seat. My parents are successful merchants in the pack. They migrated here years ago, and even though they weren’t originally from this pack, they managed to build a name for themselves.” “That’s really impressive.” I said, settling onto the soft cushions. During the drive here, Tate had kept the conversation flowing, talking about movies, his favorite artists, and his hobbies. I knew he was doing it to dis

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-21
  • Stealing the Heart of the Lycan King   Guilt and Innocence

    KAIDEN “That’s enough, Lys. Stop.” I murmured against Lysandra’s lips, but she ignored me, her hands trailing down my torso toward my belt again as she continued to kiss me. I caught her wrist, stopping her before she could take it further. This time, I pushed her away —maybe a little rougher than I intended. Lysandra’s face fell with disappointment, but I didn’t care. I was already getting up from the bed, my head spinning slightly from the alcohol in my system. Blinking hard, I tried to steady my vision. I grabbed the clock on the bedside table, and the moment I saw the time, a sharp curse escaped my lips. “Shit.” It was already 11 PM. A sinking feeling clenched my chest as my thoughts immediately went to Calantha. She was going to be furious. Hell, she had every right to be. And it was my fault. I never intended for any of this to happen. At first, I had been caught up in an urgent council meeting which had started at 8 PM sharp, the exact time I was supposed to meet her. It

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-22
  • Stealing the Heart of the Lycan King   A Lycan‘s Rage

    KAIDENI was able to trace Calantha’s bond, just like I had the night she was kidnapped. The pull led me to a sleek penthouse. My heart pounded harder as confusion crept into me.A luxury car was parked outside, and somehow, it looked familiar. I had seen it before. I was sure of it. But where? And why the hell was Calantha here?I clenched my jaw, scanning my surroundings. Calantha did not have friends from the alpha ranks, besides Eloise and Nyx, and neither of them lived in a damn penthouse. Did I trace her wrong?A part of me considered turning back. Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe she was back at the packhouse, sleeping peacefully.But I just couldn’t do that even though that was the most logical thing to do right now.That lingering pull in my chest and the unmistakable bond was still there. It was weaker than before, but still present and still calling to me.I was certain that she was here. Or at least, she had been.Setting my jaw, I strode toward the entrance, only to be m

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-22
  • Stealing the Heart of the Lycan King   Castaway

    RYKERI pulled up in front of the towering, gothic mansion hidden deep in the woods. The night had settled in, just as I had calculated. I had wanted my visit to go unnoticed.Stepping out of the car, I let my gaze linger on the dark, ominous structure ahead. A deep breath steadied me before I took my first step forward. But just as I moved, the rustling of leaves and branches snapped my focus. My instincts flared, sensing danger before I even saw it.Right on cue, several wolves emerged from the shadows, surrounding me in a tight, hostile circle. Their bared fangs glistened under the moonlight as their bloodthirsty eyes locked on me. I clenched my jaw but couldn’t stop the smirk that curled on my lips.Of course, he had this place heavily guarded.Rolling up my sleeves, I braced myself. I had just bought this designer outfit last week, and now I would have to fight in it. Shifting would ruin my clothes completely, so I had no choice but to handle this in human form.Before I could dw

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-24
  • Stealing the Heart of the Lycan King   Stalker Lycan

    KAIDENCalantha was avoiding me. And I had no idea why.It had been a week since the incident with that brown-haired bastard, and ever since that night, she had kept her distance. She never brought it up, never spoke a word about what happened. It was as if she wanted to erase it from her mind. And I respected that. Everyone dealt with trauma in their own way. If ignoring it helped her cope, then I wouldn’t force her to relive it.But that didn’t mean I wasn’t worried about her.As for the bastard who laid his hands on her —Tate Ferguson— I had him locked in the dungeon the very night it happened. No food, no water. Just darkness and silence while I decided how best to make him suffer.I could have dragged him before the council, but that would have meant exposing what happened to Calantha. I wanted to protect her honor, to keep her name out of the gossip that would inevitably follow. So, instead, I did what I did best. I found dirt on his family.And there was plenty of it.His pare

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-24

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  • Stealing the Heart of the Lycan King   Sabotage

    CALANTHA“Oh my God, El! Where have you been? We’ve been looking everywhere for you!” Nyx rushed toward Eloise the second we spotted her back at the party.The ball was back in full swing, and Kaiden had already ordered Cross to leave, but the uneasy feeling from earlier still clung to me. No matter how much I tried to shake it off, it wouldn’t go away.As for Kaiden, he was beyond pissed. I could see him at the bar, drowning himself in drink after drink, his back turned to us as he threw back another shot. At this rate, he would be completely wasted by the time the night was over.“Why? Did something happen?” Eloise asked, concern flashing across her face as she looked between Nyx and me, waiting for an answer.I couldn’t even bring myself to speak. Instead, my gaze drifted back to Kaiden, watching as he gripped his glass tightly. This was all my fault, and the guilt was eating me alive.“You bet something happened.” Nyx finally broke the silence, lowering her voice like she was afra

  • Stealing the Heart of the Lycan King   Stranger

    ELOISEI took a deep breath and took another sip straight from the wine bottle in my hand. Standing by the balcony, I stared into space.I had come with Nyx, but that traitor had ditched me the second Jameson asked her for a dance. I was happy for her, I really was. But I wouldn’t lie, I felt alone.It reminded me of my father’s words, ones he had repeated far too often:“Eloise, if you don’t find someone to like or a potential mate soon, it’ll be hard for you to secure a reputable match later on. And if that happens, I’ll have no choice but to send you to your mother’s in Elvira!”I flinched at the thought. Elvira was one of the poorest packs in the realm, my mother’s homeland and the place my mother had returned to after the divorce. She couldn’t stay here because of her heartbreak after the divorce. Maybe that was why I had never fallen for anyone before. Not even a simple crush. Maybe I was afraid of ending up like her; alone, abandoned, and carrying the weight of a broken bond.

  • Stealing the Heart of the Lycan King   Lunar Masked Ball

    CALANTHAMoments later, Kaiden and I arrived at the ball, where two grand thrones awaited us at the center of the hall. As he held my hand and guided me toward my seat, my breath caught in my throat. This was the first time a throne had been prepared for me, and the sight of it sent a jolt of reality through me. I was no longer just an outsider trying to fit in. I was stepping fully into my role as Luna. As Queen.The moment we sat down, the crowd began to form a line, each person waiting their turn to bow before Kaiden. And before me.The hall was breathtaking, glittering under the golden chandeliers. Every guest was dressed in extravagant gowns and finely tailored suits. I was relieved that my own dress held its ground among the sea of elegance. Good to know I hadn’t miscalculated my choice. Yet, despite my outward confidence, something in me still felt... off.No matter how beautifully I was dressed, how gracefully I held myself, deep down, I felt like an imposter. Like I didn’t

  • Stealing the Heart of the Lycan King   The Devil’s Touches

    CALANTHAThe Lunar Mask Ball was finally here.I stood before the full-length mirror in my room, as the maids fastened the final clasps of my dress. The gown was a masterpiece. Deep crimson and sculpted from silk that clung to every curve of my body. The plunging neckline left little to the imagination, teasing a generous view of my cleavage, while intricate beading cascaded down the bodice. The slit ran dangerously high, promising stolen glimpses of skin. It was bold and sinful. Perfect for a night like this.My auburn hair was styled into an elegant updo, with soft curls framing my face while the rest was twisted into a voluminous, intricate braid that fell over one shoulder. Delicate golden pins, shaped like crescent moons, gleamed within the strands, adding a touch of celestial charm. My makeup was just as daring. Smokey eyeshadow that made my olive green eyes stand out even more. A hint of blush on my high cheekbones. And lips painted a sultry shade of blood red. Since becomi

  • Stealing the Heart of the Lycan King   Open and Broken

    BRADLEYI took a step back, scanning the room with a satisfied nod. The bed was neatly made, scattered with soft rose petals, and the air smelled warm and inviting from the diffuser I had lit. On a small tray near the bed, I had set out two empty wine flutes alongside a bottle of red wine.Everything was perfect.Hana was finally coming home.After weeks of guarding the borders with her squad, Kaiden had finally granted her a well-deserved break— the one we had both been waiting for all year. As Gamma of the pack, she was hardly ever around. She spent most of her time overseeing security, training warriors, or preparing for battles we hadn’t faced in years. It was rare to have her here, and now that she was back, I wasn’t about to waste a second.Just as I was admiring my work, a soft knock echoed at my door and I already knew who it was.In excitement and anticipation, I rushed to open it, and the moment I saw Hana standing there, I pulled her into a tight hug. She laughed, trying t

  • Stealing the Heart of the Lycan King   Flooded

    CALANTHA THREE DAYS LATER Pinkie Boutique and Elite Club’s grand launch day had finally arrived. Under normal circumstances, I might have been overwhelmed by the sheer number of women flooding into the store. But today? I already knew exactly whose handiwork this was, and honestly, I could barely contain my excitement. I had never truly expected Kaiden to go through with my outrageous demand, but the packed boutique was undeniable proof that he had. It made me wonder just how he had managed to coerce the council elders into making all the women in their households shop here. The thought of it almost made me laugh. Eloise and Nyx were helping me handle the endless stream of customers, their hands full as they dashed from one rack to another. At one point, Eloise, looking completely drained, walked up to me for a breather. Seeing her so exhausted amused me because, as an elite Alpha’s daughter, she wasn’t exactly used to this kind of work. Yet she and Nyx had still offered to hel

  • Stealing the Heart of the Lycan King   Second Hand Embarrassment

    KAIDEN As the elders of my council took their seats, a low murmur spread across the room. Some of them leaned toward each other, whispering in confusion. “What’s going on? Why would the Lycan King call an urgent council meeting at this hour?” “Do you think the pack is under attack?” I remained seated on my throne, watching them in silence as their concerns grew. Beside me, Bradley looked just as puzzled, although he kept quiet. After a moment, I raised a single finger, and the room fell into complete silence. I took a deep breath, steadying myself for what I was about to say. The gods knew I would have done anything to avoid being in this position. “Our pack’s Lunar Masked Ball is only a week away.” My voice echoed through the chamber, and the elders nodded, waiting for the real reason behind this sudden meeting. “I have a message for you to deliver to your wives and daughters.” Immediately, their postures stiffened. Some exchanged glances and their concern deepened. Clenchin

  • Stealing the Heart of the Lycan King   Pier 29 Bistro

    KAIDEN In a few minutes, we arrived at Pier 29 Bistro restaurant and settled at a table. The place was lively, filled with the aroma of rich spices, wooden tables packed with people, some laughing loudly, others quietly enjoying their meals. Thankfully, no one paid me any attention. My disguise was simple —just a black leather jacket and trousers, with my hair falling over my face— but if anyone looked closely, they would know that it was me. Not that they would. No one expected the Lycan King to dine at a place like this. Truth be told, I had never eaten at a restaurant like this before. The only reason I had suggested it to Calantha twice was because it was on my personal bucket list. To eat something different in a place far from the formal dining halls of my packhouse. “Good day, Mr. and Miss.” A woman, clearly the owner, hurried over to us. Her kind smile deepened the wrinkles on her old face. “What can I get you?” I turned to Calantha, waiting for her to order since she was

  • Stealing the Heart of the Lycan King   Stalker Lycan

    KAIDENCalantha was avoiding me. And I had no idea why.It had been a week since the incident with that brown-haired bastard, and ever since that night, she had kept her distance. She never brought it up, never spoke a word about what happened. It was as if she wanted to erase it from her mind. And I respected that. Everyone dealt with trauma in their own way. If ignoring it helped her cope, then I wouldn’t force her to relive it.But that didn’t mean I wasn’t worried about her.As for the bastard who laid his hands on her —Tate Ferguson— I had him locked in the dungeon the very night it happened. No food, no water. Just darkness and silence while I decided how best to make him suffer.I could have dragged him before the council, but that would have meant exposing what happened to Calantha. I wanted to protect her honor, to keep her name out of the gossip that would inevitably follow. So, instead, I did what I did best. I found dirt on his family.And there was plenty of it.His pare

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