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70: The cost of failure
Last Updated:
2025-02-19 00:42:51
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THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 71: Regret
ATTICUSI was pacing the length and breath of my study, restlessness clawed at my chest, refusing to let me breathe properly. The room felt too small, the air too thick. Hera’s words replayed in my mind like a cursed melody I couldn’t stop from ringing.. “I’ll reject you once we’ve fulfilled our agreement.” The thought of her rejecting me—rejecting us—was unbearable. My wolf stirred, restless and agitated, his presence crackling under my skin like a storm waiting to break. I looked at the mirror and my eyes glowed bright gold, revealing my wolf.“You’re quiet,” I muttered internally, looking right at him. My hands clenched and unclenched as I tried to focus on anything but the hollow ache spreading through me. “Quiet? I’ve been screaming since the day you let her walk away,” my wolf snarled, his voice sharp and laced with disgust. “And now you’re surprised she wants to reject us? Pathetic.”“I know I messed up,” I pinched the bridge of my nose, groaning. “I don’t need you rubbi
Last Updated : 2025-02-28THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 72: Unyielding
HERAI lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to will away the heaviness that seemed to press down on me since the coronation. I had avoided everyone today, especially him. Atticus had been relentless these past few days, constantly showing up and trying to win me over with apologies, soft words, and a gaze so intense it made my chest ache.He was always there, trying—too much, too often.It was infuriating.A knock at the door pulled me out of my thoughts, soft but insistent. I didn’t need to ask who it was. I already knew. My wolf stirred and my eyes glowed.I shook my head to clear the haze. Not today again!“Go away, Atticus.”The door opened anyway, and he stepped in. His expression was soft, concerned, as if I was some fragile thing he needed to protect. It only made me angrier.“What part of ‘go away’ did you not understand?” I snapped, sitting up and crossing my arms. He ignored my tone, closing the door behind him and stepping closer. “Are you alright? You’ve been
Last Updated : 2025-02-28THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 73: Right Intentions, Wrong Approach
ATTICUS“Kai, not there! Put the desserts on the left table, closer to the entrance,” I said, pointing towards the far corner of the banquet hall. Kai rolled his eyes, but did as I asked, signalling the guards to shift the heavy tray of goodies and confectionaries yet again.“You’re really going all out for this, aren’t you?” Kai muttered as he approached me, brushing nonexistent dust from his sleeves. “If this doesn’t work, you’re out of ideas.”I sighed heavily, running a hand through my hair. “Don’t remind me,” I murmured. “This has to work, Kai. It has to.”The truth was, I didn’t have any other plans. Hera had been avoiding me like I carried the plague, brushing off every effort I made to get close to her. She shut me out so thoroughly that even my wolf was beginning to grow restless.“She hates me,” I muttered under my breath, watching as the guards arranged plates of intricately prepared meals. “I can’t even blame her.”Kai stopped beside me, crossing his arms. “I told you t
Last Updated : 2025-02-28THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 74: Tension
HERAThe corridors were quieter than usual, the faint hum of distant conversations and the shuffle of maids barely audible as I made my way through the palace, uncertainty gnawing at my insides. It had been days—weeks, even—since I’d last seen Ben. I didn’t realise just how much his absence bothered me till now because I was mostly by myself. He was usually always by my side. Since the coronation and the declaration that Atticus and I were fated mates, everything between us had shifted. He has always been a constant in my life: my friend, my confidant, my tether when things felt like they were spinning out of control.But now? Now, it felt like he was slipping away.I bit my bottom lip as I turned another corner, my heart heavy with a mix of guilt and worry. Things have been strained between us ever since the truth about Atticus and me had come to light.Of course, I couldn’t blame him. I wasn’t blind. I’d seen the way he looked at me, even if he’d never said the words aloud. I mea
Last Updated : 2025-02-28THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 75: The Elders Of Shadow Claw
HERAGuilt clawed at me as I paced the room. The memory of my words to Ben kept replaying in my head, how I spelled it out sharply that he doesn’t have a fated mate and I can never be his fated mate. I didn’t mean to hurt him, but I know I did. I just made everything between us more complicated, more strained.With a sigh, I sank onto the edge of the bed, running my fingers through my hair. Why can’t things just be simple?A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced up, frowning, wondering who could be disturbing me.“Come in.”The door creaked open, and Anisha stepped inside, her head bowed. She was always timid, even when she got rather comfortable with me, but since I became Luna, she seems to have gone back into her shell a bit. “Forgive the interruption, Lady Hera,” she said softly, her hands clasped in front of her.“It’s fine,” I replied, sitting up straighter. “What is it?” I asked, urging her to speak. She hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering nervousl
Last Updated : 2025-02-28THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 76: A Hint of Thaw
ATTICUSI stormed after Hera, the heavy wooden doors of the receiving room slamming shut behind me. My mind was reeling, and my chest tightened as I followed after her retreating form. Her pace was brisk, like she didn’t want me to meet up with her, but I wasn’t about to let this go.“You’re not seriously considering what they asked,” I said, my voice tinged with disbelief. It wasn’t a question—it was a statement, one I was hoping she’d deny.She slowed down and turned to me, raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. Then she shrugged. “I told them I’d think about it.” She simply said, but that wasn’t good enough. “Think about it?” I asked incredulously, running a hand through my hair and exhaling sharply. “Hera, they left you to die in the woods. They didn’t care about you then, and they only care about you now because they need something. You’re not seriously thinking about going back there, are you?” I asked her. “I haven’t made a decision yet, Atticus.” Her eyes narrowed,
Last Updated : 2025-02-28THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 77: Going to Shadow Claw
HERAI watched the palace staff load my bags into the car, already having second thoughts. This wasn’t just a trip to Shadow Claw; it felt like I was stepping back into a nightmare I thought I had escaped. But if I could help them, if I could stop the suffering of innocent people, I had to try. Still, there was one loose end I needed to tie up before I left. I turned and headed towards Ben’s room. I hesitated at his door, considering whether I should just leave without saying anything, but I pushed the thought aside and knocked. “Come in,” his voice called, curt and indifferent, as though he already knew it was me. I stepped inside to find him lounging in a chair, a book in his hands. His expression was unreadable, a mask I have become too familiar with. “I’m leaving for Shadow Claw” I said, keeping my tone steady. He glanced at me briefly before setting the book down on the table beside him. “I heard,” he simply responded.There was no warmth in his voice, no sign of co
Last Updated : 2025-02-28THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 78: Breaking The Vow
ATTICUSI paced the length of my study, my thoughts restless. Five days. Five agonizing days since Hera had gone to Shadow Claw, and the only word I’d received from her was a short message letting me know she’d arrived safely. And then, nothing. The silence was eating me alive. My mind was swirling through endless scenarios, each one worse than the last. Was she safe? Was the plague worse than she’d expected? Were the Elders even treating her with the respect she deserved? My wolf growled low, restless, mirroring the storm raging inside me. I haven’t been able to focus on anything. Meetings had become background noise, papers sat unsigned on my desk, and every knock at the door made my heart leap. The only reason I hadn’t stormed into Shadow Claw myself with every guard at my disposal was because of her. Respect her wishes. I reminded myself over and over, gripping the edge of my desk. She didn’t want me interfering, and I couldn’t risk pushing her further away. But fu
Last Updated : 2025-02-28
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THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 99: Unannounced
ATTICUSIt was evening, the setting sun sipping into the grand dinning room where I was having my dinner.More or less.My plate was untouched, the food growing colder by the minute. It wasn’t that I wasn’t hungry—I simply didn’t have an appetite, not without her.Hera hadn’t joined me for dinner. Again.I swirled the wine in my glass.She was still upset, and I couldn’t blame her. All I needed was to fix things between us. I couldn’t bare this silent treatment for long.Kai burst through the doors, interrupting my thoughts.“My Alpha,” he said, barely catching his breath, “the Alphas are here.”What? I frowned, confused. “The Alphas?”“Yes,” he said, his tone tight. “Logan, Vance, and Draven. They are in the council chambers as we speak with Elder Rowan and Malik.”I stood, my chair scraping against the floor. “Did I call for a meeting?”Kai shook his head. “No, My Alpha.”My jaw tightened. I hadn’t summoned them, which meant their arrival was likely calculated. Whatever their re
THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 98: Torn
ATTICUS“Hera, wait,” I called as I strode down the hall, her sharp footsteps echoing in front of me.“Why?” she snapped, turning around swiftly, I feared she might fall. “So you can dismiss me again? Like you did in there?”I stopped at the door to my chambers, turning to face her. Her eyes were blazing, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She looked every bit the fierce woman I knew her to be, but beneath the anger, I could see the hurt. It twisted something inside me to think I might have caused that.“Hera, it wasn’t about dismissing you,” I said, my voice calm but still firm. “I was trying to avoid further conflict. The council is already divided, and Rowan—”“Rowan!” she cut me off, stepping closer. “That man’s ideas are a disaster waiting to happen, and you know it,” she jabbed a finger into my face and I veered back. “But instead of standing by me, you sided with him. You made me look like a fool in front of everyone.”I opened the door to my room and gestured for her t
THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 97: Conspiracies
HERA"My Lady," Anisha gasped out as she burst into my room, bowing slightly before straightening up. I was lounging on the chair, dropping the book in my hand on my lap as I looked up at her. Her cheeks were flushed, and her wide eyes betrayed her panic. "Forgive my intrusion, but I need to speak with you immediately." "What is it, Anisha?” I asked, sitting up. “What’s happened?" She hesitated for a moment, glancing around as if to ensure we were alone. My brows quirked in confusion."I was in town earlier, running errands,” she began, taking a deep breath to catch her breath. “and I… I saw Elder Rowan and Elder Malik together. They were talking—loud enough for me to hear part of it." I straightened at the mention of Elder Rowan’s name. Ever since our last council meeting, I have been very wary of that man. “Go on,” I urged. Her hands twisted nervously in front of her as she continued. "They were speaking about the Alpha, about how he’s become weak and… and about restoring
THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 96: Bitter Ben
HERAThe door shut softly behind me, sealing me inside Ben’s secret room. It was just as eerily quiet as I remembered, save for the steady ticking of a small clock on the desk. Ben was sitting on the edge of the bed, his hands clasped together, staring at the floor like it held all the answers.“Ben,” I said carefully, stepping further into the room.He didn’t look up, didn’t acknowledge me. I sighed. “Ben, I—”“Go,” he said flatly, his voice low but sharp.I froze for a moment, swallowing my frustration. “I’m not going anywhere. We need to talk.”“Talk about what, Hera?” He finally looked up, his eyes emotionless. “How you stood there and let him strip me of my powers? How you didn’t say a word while he took the only thing I had left?”“It’s not like that,” I said softly, taking a cautious step closer. “That and this is only temporary, Ben. You know that.”“Temporary?” He laughed bitterly, shaking his head. “You think that makes it better? You think that makes me feel less humilia
THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 95: The Council
ATTICUSI entered the council chamber with Hera by my side, feeling the tension in the room thicken. The elders were seated, their eyes on us, some curious, others wary. Elder Aaron, the oldest and wisest elders of all, and my father’s oldest friend, gave me a small nod of acknowledgment, but Elder Rowan leaned back in his seat with his usual air of superiority, his lips curling into a faint smirk.This is going to be an interesting meeting with what I’ve got planned. Hers and I sat down, and the curiosity in their eyes doubled. They have never seen a Luna in the private council chamber before during a meeting, so I get it.All that is about to change. I took a steadying breath before addressing the room. “Thank you all for coming on such short notice,” I began. “As you’re aware, we’ve suffered a grave loss. Elder Ayo’s death at the hands of my brother, Ben, is not just a personal tragedy—it’s a loss to the entire kingdom.”“Yes,” Elder Zahrah added softly. “But Alpha, how do you
THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 94: Back to Feral Blood
ATTICUSSoon, we were back to Feral Blood.When the car came to a stop, I got out first, moving quickly to Hera’s side to open her door.“Hmmmn, how chivalrous,” she teased as she took my stretched hand. I chuckled, threading my fingers through hers.“Only for you, my Luna,” I responded with a smirk as we started up the stairs together.The front doors swung open before we even reached them, and Kai strode out to meet us. His expression was serious, almost grim, and I knew before he opened his mouth that something was wrong.“Welcome back, Alpha,” he bowed to greet me, then did the same for Hera. “Luna,” he smiled faintly and she smiled back in response. “What is it?” I asked, my voice sharp and direct. There wasn’t time for pleasantries—not after the tension I could see in his posture.Kai hesitated, glancing at Hera briefly before focusing back on me. “Before you go in, I just want to let you know that we have some sort of… eh, situation.” He said and I frowned, my grip on Hera’s
THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 93: A Good Morning
ATTICUSIn the haze of sleep, my body stirred before my mind caught up.At first, I thought it was just a dream—one of those vivid ones where everything feels heightened. But then I felt it. A soft, deliberate stroke along my length, the sensation sending a jolt straight through me. My breathing grew heavier, the pressure building with every teasing glide of what I swore were fingers. I groaned low in my throat, thrusting my hips instinctively into the sensation. It felt so good—too good to be a dream.Then came the wet heat, soft and slick and entirely too real. My groan deepened, the sound raw and guttural. My hips jerked involuntarily, and my hand fisted in the sheets beneath me.What the hell—?Forcing my heavy eyelids open, my gaze trailed down my bare body. The sight that greeted me made my heart slam against my ribs. Hera.She was kneeling between my legs, completely naked, her beautiful and lush hair spilling over her shoulders as her mouth worked over me. Slowly. Torturou
THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 92: You're Mine
HERA“Look at me,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.I locked eyes with him, helpless to look away, and when he buried himself fully inside me, a strangled groan tore from his throat. The sound reverberated through me, raw and primal. My nails dug into his shoulders as I adjusted to the fullness of him.Fuck.“You feel incredible… always so tight!” he rasped, his lips brushing against my jaw as he began to move. “So do you,” I forced out breathlessly and he smiled slightly. His hips rolled, slow and deliberate, each thrust sending ripples through the water and waves of pleasure through me. He filled me to the hilt, his pace unhurried yet intense.I moaned softly, letting my hands roam his back, feeling the muscles flex beneath my touch. As his thrusts grew deeper, I tilted my hips to meet him, taking him harder and earning a guttural groan from him. The sound sent a thrill coursing through me.“Take what you want,” he growled, his hands sliding to my hips to guide me.And
THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE 90: Last Night in the Valley
HERAThe night air was cool against my skin, but it did nothing to calm the heat coursing through me as I watched Atticus from the entrance of the tent inside the river a distance away. It was dark and I wouldn’t be seeing him if not for the moonlight.The moonlight kissed every ripple of his muscled body, water cascading down his chest as he tilted his head back, running his hands through his wet hair.I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Fuck! He is beautiful.The way his body moved, so strong and commanding, was hypnotizing. He was raw power and unshakable control—my mate, my Alpha.My husband. And right now, all I could think about was tearing that control away from him.I had tried to stay put in the tent, I really had. But this was our last night in the valley, and I couldn’t let it slip away without making it memorable. These past days had been different for us—no sex, just the two of us connecting in ways I hadn’t thought possible. It made me realize just how much I loved him.
