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52: Frozen Walls
Last Updated:
2025-01-31 07:04:50
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THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 53: Ben's Return
HERAThe palace was buzzing with energy as I made my way down the corridors, Anisha trailing just a step behind, taking note of every correction I had to make concerning the wedding and coronation preparations. Everything had to be perfect, and it was my duty to make sure it was—even if my mind was somewhere else entirely.We stopped in the main hall, where a small group of caterers waited with plates of cake slices lined up on the table for tasting. They straightened as soon as they saw me walk in. I walked up to the table, looking at all the cakes. “Which flavour would you like, my lady?” one of the servers asked, gesturing to the neat line of miniature cakes on the tray.I glanced over the selection, catching sight of chocolate. The rich, dark swirls called to me and I leaned closer, picking up a piece of the chocolate cake. The taste was rich and decadent, melting on my tongue, and for a fleeting second, I felt a flicker of happiness. “Chocolate,” I murmured, savouring it.My
Last Updated : 2025-01-31THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 54: Fire and Ice
ATTICUSThe scene outside my window felt like a thorn in my flesh, one I couldn’t seem to ignore. I have been watching Hera out in the garden from the window of my study for more than twenty minutes, watching the way she shot arrows at the target, a deep scroll crossed over her forehead. But it had changed.Hera was now wearing that beautiful smile of hers that I hardly see, and there, right by her side, was Ben. The way she’d rushed to him, her arms slipping around his shoulders, the ease with which he held her in return—it dug under my skin like ice.Why the hell was he back? He should’ve been halfway across the mountains by now. The time he went was strategically planned for weeks, and nothing short of a blizzard would’ve delayed it. I turned from the window, jaw tight, just as Kai stepped into the study.“Why are you back?” I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended. Kai paused, sensing the edge in my tone.“A snowstorm,” he said, steady as always. “Hit out of nowhere, block
Last Updated : 2025-02-01THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 55: Sneaky Little Bitch
HERAThe grand hall where the reception for the coronation and wedding will be held was buzzing with activity as decorators hung drapes of deep crimson and gold. I watched them closely, nodding here and there, making slight adjustments to placements. The scent of fresh flowers lingered in the air, adding a softness to the atmosphere that did little to calm my nerves after the last few days.I was acting like the perfect trophy Luna even though I was anything but. It was beginning to get exhausting to play this part. I just can’t wait for the wedding and coronation to come and go, so that I can go back to my life.That’s if I even survive it. Just as I was about to oversee the floral arrangements, a commotion near the doorway caught my attention. Lilith had arrived, her presence commanding as always, chin held high and eyes flashing with annoyance. The guards moved immediately to block her path, crossing their arms and positioning themselves like an unmovable wall.“Out of my way,”
Last Updated : 2025-02-01THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 56: Green Eyed Atticus
ATTICUSThe fresh air hit me as I stepped into the garden, but it did nothing to dispel the tension coiling tight in my chest. Just up ahead, Hera and Ben strolled along the path, Hera laughing at something he must have said. Her laughter was soft, light, that carefree sound that I’d only heard a handful of times… and never directed at me. It was like hearing something forbidden, something meant for someone else—and that only made it worse.But then she noticed me. Her laughter faded, replaced by an uneasy look as her gaze met mine, and for a split second, her mood shifted entirely. She seemed… conscious, guarded, the brightness in her eyes dimming. The swift change hit me like a punch to the gut. I forced my gaze to remain steady, though the twist in my stomach tightened. Her smile faded because of me.I ignored Ben’s raised eyebrow, as he looked me over with that easy, unfazed expression. It made my irritation increase even more.“Hera,” I said, my voice low and clipped. “We ne
Last Updated : 2025-02-01THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 57: Turmoil
HERA“Can you believe him?” I threw my hands up in the air. “He tells me to stay away from you like I’m some child he can control. One minute, he’s distant and cold, and the next, he wants to pull me in like nothing’s changed. It’s… it’s infuriating.”Ben and I were in my chamber, sitting by the fireplace, Ben simply watching me as I vented, that smile of his plastered on his face.“What?” I frowned at him, crossing my arms. “Why are you smiling?”He didn’t look fazed at all, his grin only growing. “Because it’s kind of endearing, how passionate you get about things. Even when you’re pissed off, you look…” He hesitated, as if searching for the right word. “…beautiful.”I blinked at him, caught off guard. Then a small, nervous laugh bubbled up from deep within my chest, surprising even me. “You’re ridiculous,” I muttered, shaking my head, though I couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at the corner of my lips. Ben chuckled, his eyes twinkling. “I’m glad I could make you laugh, especia
Last Updated : 2025-02-01THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 1: The Fall of Hera
HERAI woke up with a smile on my face.I never wake up with smiles on my face. With the kind of life I was born into, the kind of family I was born into, I've had to be rigid and stiff. I've had to train and fit myself into boxes that are befitting of the role of a future Head Witch of The Shadow Claw Coven.Then Mother died when I was just 17 and I had to become the Head Witch, the youngest one ever. It was too huge a shoe to fit in. I had so many responsibilities, and so many things to oversee. It made me even more rigid. To cement my throne, I had to be sterner, I had to be cutthroat. I never had a moment to breathe, to relax, to be me. Until him. Aiden changed everything for me. He taught me love, he wore my defenses down, and he taught me that there's more to living than just being the head witch. Before him, men were scared to approach me. They were afraid of my powers. They were afraid of my person. Aiden was the first and even though I shunned him at first, he kept coming
Last Updated : 2025-01-03THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 2: A CONTRACT BETWEEN ENEMIES
ATTICUS"While we understand your pain, Alpha Atticus, rules are rules and our rules are sacred. We can't just break them. Failure to find your second chance mate before your 30th birthday, you'll be removed from the Alpha King line."The remembrance of those words, said to me during the last council meeting made my blood boil hotter than anything, it pushed my wolf to run faster in the forest. I was howling, tearing through bushes and trees."You have just six months left, Alpha Atticus. Six months to say goodbye to the palace if you fail to produce your second chance mate."I ran faster, my anger increasing. I wasn't angry at the elders for demanding that rules must be upheld. It was up to them. The rules are sacred and there'd be severe consequences for breaking them. I was angry at life, at fate, at death that snatched away my first mate, the love of my life, and our unborn child. I was angry at the people who killed it. Who tortured and tortured her till she died. I ran faster,
Last Updated : 2025-01-03THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 3: She's My Mate
HERAThe powers shimmer from my fingertips, white flames lapping upwards. I closed my eyes and chanted. It was yet another forbidden spell; faking a mate bond. With great personal repercussions. But I had to do it. I have to do anything to survive. This arrangement with Atticus is evidence of how desperate I am to survive. In the whole of the Red Valley, no one hated me more than he did. I could see the glee in his eyes, the wheels turning in his head as I signed my life away to him. He must be thinking of how much he was going to take from me, how much he was going to make my life a living hell. I knew he'd do anything to ensure that. Yet, I wasn't going to stop.I needed to stay alive to fulfil my promise to Wanni.My chants increased. The white flame on my fingertips burnt brighter. I grabbed his free hand without opening my eyes and merged our souls with my spells. The flame broke out on his fingertips too. I pressed my palm to his chest. I pressed him to mine. We both winced in
Last Updated : 2025-01-03
Latest chapter
THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 57: Turmoil
HERA“Can you believe him?” I threw my hands up in the air. “He tells me to stay away from you like I’m some child he can control. One minute, he’s distant and cold, and the next, he wants to pull me in like nothing’s changed. It’s… it’s infuriating.”Ben and I were in my chamber, sitting by the fireplace, Ben simply watching me as I vented, that smile of his plastered on his face.“What?” I frowned at him, crossing my arms. “Why are you smiling?”He didn’t look fazed at all, his grin only growing. “Because it’s kind of endearing, how passionate you get about things. Even when you’re pissed off, you look…” He hesitated, as if searching for the right word. “…beautiful.”I blinked at him, caught off guard. Then a small, nervous laugh bubbled up from deep within my chest, surprising even me. “You’re ridiculous,” I muttered, shaking my head, though I couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at the corner of my lips. Ben chuckled, his eyes twinkling. “I’m glad I could make you laugh, especia
THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 56: Green Eyed Atticus
ATTICUSThe fresh air hit me as I stepped into the garden, but it did nothing to dispel the tension coiling tight in my chest. Just up ahead, Hera and Ben strolled along the path, Hera laughing at something he must have said. Her laughter was soft, light, that carefree sound that I’d only heard a handful of times… and never directed at me. It was like hearing something forbidden, something meant for someone else—and that only made it worse.But then she noticed me. Her laughter faded, replaced by an uneasy look as her gaze met mine, and for a split second, her mood shifted entirely. She seemed… conscious, guarded, the brightness in her eyes dimming. The swift change hit me like a punch to the gut. I forced my gaze to remain steady, though the twist in my stomach tightened. Her smile faded because of me.I ignored Ben’s raised eyebrow, as he looked me over with that easy, unfazed expression. It made my irritation increase even more.“Hera,” I said, my voice low and clipped. “We ne
THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 55: Sneaky Little Bitch
HERAThe grand hall where the reception for the coronation and wedding will be held was buzzing with activity as decorators hung drapes of deep crimson and gold. I watched them closely, nodding here and there, making slight adjustments to placements. The scent of fresh flowers lingered in the air, adding a softness to the atmosphere that did little to calm my nerves after the last few days.I was acting like the perfect trophy Luna even though I was anything but. It was beginning to get exhausting to play this part. I just can’t wait for the wedding and coronation to come and go, so that I can go back to my life.That’s if I even survive it. Just as I was about to oversee the floral arrangements, a commotion near the doorway caught my attention. Lilith had arrived, her presence commanding as always, chin held high and eyes flashing with annoyance. The guards moved immediately to block her path, crossing their arms and positioning themselves like an unmovable wall.“Out of my way,”
THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 54: Fire and Ice
ATTICUSThe scene outside my window felt like a thorn in my flesh, one I couldn’t seem to ignore. I have been watching Hera out in the garden from the window of my study for more than twenty minutes, watching the way she shot arrows at the target, a deep scroll crossed over her forehead. But it had changed.Hera was now wearing that beautiful smile of hers that I hardly see, and there, right by her side, was Ben. The way she’d rushed to him, her arms slipping around his shoulders, the ease with which he held her in return—it dug under my skin like ice.Why the hell was he back? He should’ve been halfway across the mountains by now. The time he went was strategically planned for weeks, and nothing short of a blizzard would’ve delayed it. I turned from the window, jaw tight, just as Kai stepped into the study.“Why are you back?” I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended. Kai paused, sensing the edge in my tone.“A snowstorm,” he said, steady as always. “Hit out of nowhere, block
THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 53: Ben's Return
HERAThe palace was buzzing with energy as I made my way down the corridors, Anisha trailing just a step behind, taking note of every correction I had to make concerning the wedding and coronation preparations. Everything had to be perfect, and it was my duty to make sure it was—even if my mind was somewhere else entirely.We stopped in the main hall, where a small group of caterers waited with plates of cake slices lined up on the table for tasting. They straightened as soon as they saw me walk in. I walked up to the table, looking at all the cakes. “Which flavour would you like, my lady?” one of the servers asked, gesturing to the neat line of miniature cakes on the tray.I glanced over the selection, catching sight of chocolate. The rich, dark swirls called to me and I leaned closer, picking up a piece of the chocolate cake. The taste was rich and decadent, melting on my tongue, and for a fleeting second, I felt a flicker of happiness. “Chocolate,” I murmured, savouring it.My
THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 52: Frozen Walls
ATTICUSMy pen scratched across the invitation cards as I signed, the strokes quick and sharp, every word looking more detached than the last. My eyes scanned the reports from the other packs, but I barely saw them. My thoughts kept drifting, like a current I couldn’t swim against, always leading back to her. Hera. She was in my head, thoughts of her raging like a storm I couldn’t silence, even though I’d promised myself she wouldn’t matter.And that was the truth, she shouldn’t matter. I gritted my teeth, setting the pen down for a moment. Rachael had been the only woman I thought I’d ever feel anything for, but Hera—she was something else. She wasn’t supposed to affect me this way, shouldn’t have been able to claw her way under my skin. She was supposed to be a means to an end, nothing more, and even she knew that.We were supposed to just use each other to get what we want. Me, the throne, and her, revenge on the people that conspired against her and had her kicked out of Shad
THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 51: Garden Walk
HERABen strolled in, his presence filling the room effortlessly. His gaze settled on me, a charming grin spreading across his face as if he only walked in just to brighten my day."Lady Hera," he greeted, his voice warm, almost mischievous. He hardly spared a glance in Anisha’s direction, his attention fixed entirely on me. Anisha took the cue and slipped quietly out of the room, offering a polite curtsy before she closed the door behind her. Ben stepped in further, his eyes holding that familiar spark as they settled on me.“Lady Hera?” I repeated, my eyebrow raised slightly in surprise. “You’ve never called me that before.” I smirked. He shrugged, an easy grin forming. “Well, you’ll soon be the First Lady and Luna, won’t you?” He folded his hand across his chest, leaning against the wall beside my vanity. “Figured it’s time I start calling you properly.” I let out a small scoff, sensing the light tease behind his words. “Properly?” I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “I’m not su
THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 50: The Mate Bond
HERAThe morning light spilled softly across my vanity, catching in the strands of my hair as Anisha carefully pulled the comb through it. But my mind was somewhere else—still back in that room with Atticus, still pressed against that wall as he plummeted into me with hunger. My folds began to moisten but not in the same way my heart fluttered despite myself, an unwelcome reminder of feelings I’d sworn to keep buried. I knew he felt something too, a pull neither of us seemed able to control, though he tried with everything in him to resist. And I understood why. To him, I was still the villain of his story, a constant reminder that he lost his wife. Despite everything I’d done—every effort I’d made to prove myself as anything but the villain in his story—he still couldn’t see me any other way.And yet, I was as much a victim as he was, manipulated just as he also was, a pawn, like him, in someone else’s game. If only he could see that. If only he’d see me.I barely registered when
THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 49: Losing Control
ATTICUSAs I stood there, my heart pounded in my chest, and every nerve in my body ignited with an overwhelming hunger.The gown fell away, cascading to the floor in a pool, revealing her naked back—smooth and flawless. My breath hitched as she turned to face me, her eyes a mixture of lust and challenge. The curve of her hips drew my gaze downward, the soft contours of her body, the hairless valley between her flawless legs igniting a fire inside me that I have been fighting so hard to contain for the past two weeks.I couldn’t help but take in every detail of her body that begged to be touched; the way her waist tapered into an enticing curve, the gentle swell of her breasts and obvious hardness of her nipples, the delicate line of her collarbone. I was mesmerised by the sight before me, the way her body seemed to beckon me closer, daring me to give in to the primal desire that coursed through my veins.Hold yourself back, Atticus. Don’t fall for this again. I chided myself.“Attic
