Victoria blinked her eyes and shook her head. “No one. Why? What is the marking?” I stared at her, trying to see if she was lying. Yet she stared back at me without blinking. “Are you sure no one told you about the marking?” I reached to my neck. When I touched the spot where she bit and sucked it before, a jolt of electricity hit me. Then I stared at her neck and saw the mark too. I let out a long sigh. In the middle of lust and ecstasy, I marked Victoria too. What a mess! A mistress should not be marked! “What is the marking?” She repeated her question. “When you bit my neck and sucked it, that was the marking.” “So what is the special thing about the marking?” Victoria asked again. “You did it too.” “Yes. In the werewolf world, marking is a sign of claiming the other is our mate.” Victoria’s eyes immediately sparkled. “So it means we are officially a couple. Is that it?” I took a deep breath. “Yes, Victoria. We are.” Victoria hugged my neck and kissed my chest. “Oh, I’m s
~ Ethan ~ I finally reached the Peak Mountain. The fog was thick, and it was hard to walk farther. I needed to rest for a while before continuing my journey. So, I sat on a rock, drank the water I had brought, and ate bread. Strange, I didn’t think of Cathy anymore, but Helena. Maybe the hunger and guilt finally hit me hard, so I recalled the past repeatedly. Perhaps because I had spent intimate time with Helena or knew where I should go now, I hoped I could meet Ruby soon. Ruby Miranda, I sighed. I wondered what she would do when I met her. She might curse me more instead of revoking the curse if she still hated me. I couldn’t blame her. Cathy was her sister. No matter what, I should try to see her. I would beg if I had to be. Now, it was not only for me but also for Helena and my pack. I needed to have a pup to be my heir too. Otherwise, the pack’s stability was at stake. Who would have thought that my past could badly affect me, my mate, and others? Regret always comes later
I immediately went to Freya’s house. When I rang the bell, a woman opened the door. “Ethan! You’re back!” Then she threw herself at me. “Helena?” I didn’t recognize her at first. “Yes!” She giggled. “Didn’t recognize me? It’s me, Helena.” I blinked. Helena’s hair was straight now though it had some layers of different lengths. She looked more tempting than before. “Wow!” “Just wow?” She grinned, pulling my hand, so I followed her to the living room. “Do you like my new appearance?” I nodded. “Absolutely, yes, my darling.” I pulled her hand now, and she fell into my lap. “Is Freya at home?” Helena shook her head. “Why?” “I want to say hi, but also this.” I landed a soft kiss on Helena’s lips. “I miss you so much.” Helena smiled. Her eyes were shining. “I miss you too. I keep thinking of you.” I kissed her lips again. “So do I, darling. So do I.” “What do you think if we go to your villa instead?” “Oh? Do you miss Ernie or the cook’s meals?” Helena giggled. “Well, I miss E
~ Helena ~ To think I couldn’t give birth to my babies hurt me so much. I loved babies and was expecting to know what it felt like to experience being pregnant, enjoying watching their growth in my womb, and giving birth to them. Giving up the idea of having my children was devastating. However, I loved Ethan. If I stayed with him, I wouldn’t experience made love fully. I would wonder for the rest of my life about it. What did it feel like other women said and giggled about the fantastic feelings when their spouses made love to them? But then, I couldn’t lose Ethan. Yes, we had already done the outercourse, but not the intercourse (the mating/the having sex itself). Love was not only about having sex. It was not only about having children. My tears were down to my cheeks, and Ethan wiped them with his handkerchief. Despite my tears, I gave him a weak smile. “I have decided not to leave you.” I took a deep breath before continuing, “I can accept we won’t be mating for the rest of ou
Since Ethan had something to do in his community, he left first. He promised he would return after he had handled everything there. I called Ernie. “Luna, do you need me?” “Yes, Ernie.” I patted the seat next to me. “Please sit here.” After Ernie sat, I asked, “Is Red here?” Ernie nodded. “Do you want to meet him? I can call him for you.” “Later. Ernie, do you know any young and powerful witches?” Ernie wrinkled her forehead. “Witch? No. Why, Luna?” I bit my lower lip. “I wonder if it’s the best for me to leave your Alpha.” “What?!” Ernie suddenly grabbed my hand and held it. “Luna, please don’t do it! Is there something wrong with my service, so you call me? I can improve, Luna. I promise! Even if you are dissatisfied with my service, you can fire me and choose someone else as your maid, but please, don’t leave our Alpha.” I hugged Ernie. “You love Ethan as your Alpha so much, don’t you?” “Yes, Luna. My sister and I are orphans. We had nowhere to go, but Alpha Ethan took us
“Are you sure?” Red asked me. I nodded. “Yes. Please, don’t tell Ethan anything. Now, can you help me?” “Anything, Luna.” Red bent his head. “Please take me home and help make Ethan hate me.” Red let out a sigh. “What will you do?” “Maybe I will date Constantine a few times. Please let Ethan know when I go with him.” “Luna, don’t do it!” “I must!” I sniffed. “Otherwise, Ethan won’t believe I want to leave him. If we separate peacefully, we may find it harder to let go. If he hates me, he will forget me faster.” “I doubt it, Luna.” Red looked elsewhere. “Besides, both of you have marked each other. It creates a powerful bond. Our Alpha is not a fool. He may realize it sooner than you think.” “No, if I have Constantine by myself. He treated me sweetly. So I think Ethan will believe it in the end.” I stared at Red. “Help me, please. It’s my last request.” Red knelt, then kissed my feet. “I have never guessed we would be in this situation. It is 180 degrees from the last time. I
~ Helena ~ I was at home when Constantine called me. I didn’t know if it was a coincidence, but I wanted to finish it quickly. So I picked up the call. “Stan?” “Helena, are you free tonight?” “Hmm, yes. Why?” “I want to ask you to go out again. What do you think?” “Where are we going?” I asked. “It’s a secret, but I want you to wear a formal dress.” “Okay.” “So you will go?” he asked me again. I nodded. “Yes, Stan. I will go with you.” “Splendid! I will pick you up at 6 p.m. Dress well, my dear.” Then he hung up. I didn’t know where we would go, but I texted Red immediately. ‘Red, I’ll go with Constantine tonight around 6 p.m. I don’t know where he will take me. Please let Ethan know by nine. Thanks, Red. I owe you. Helena.’ Red replied quickly with only a word. ‘Okay.’ I took a nap afterward since I was emotionally tired. However, I woke up an hour later, still as exhausted as before I had slept. Emotional exhaustion was hard to get rid of, unlike physical fatigue. When
“I cannot say I am sorry.” Constantine stroked my hair and touched my lips. “You are too tempting.” “I-I can’t. I’m sorry.” I tried to calm my breath. Of course, it was unfair to Constantine since I just used him. But then, it was the fastest way to make Ethan hate me. “No, it is alright. I shouldn’t move too fast.” He smiled and kissed my forehead, then lifted my body and returned me to my seat. We didn’t talk anymore until we arrived at a five-star hotel. I blinked. What would we do here? “Relax. We will enjoy great meals and music tonight. The hotel has a prestigious chef of the 5-culinary star. Tonight, they also have a live orchestra.” I gaped. Only for dinner, we went to a luxurious hotel. It should cost a fortune to eat here. I bit my lower lip, feeling guilty of involving Constantine in my situation with Ethan. “What are you thinking? You bit your lower lip again.” “Nothing.” I shook my head. “It must cost you a lot for us to have dinner here.” “Why not? High quality
I woke up feeling weird since there was something unusual. I turned my body, but a firm hand wrapped around my stomach. It tickled my waist and then moved downward. I opened my eyes only to see Ethan grin. “Good morning, love. How are your feelings right now?” he asked. “Good morning, love. I feel weird.” “Weird?” He wrinkled his forehead. “Ache?” “A bit, but I don’t know. I feel something else.” He kissed my lips and whispered, “Maybe I can cure you by pouring my seeds again. What do you think?” I giggled and nodded. “Yes, sir. I love it when you poured your seeds. Give me more, please?” “Yes, madam, right away.” Ethan then, without warning, touched my womanhood. “You are already ready, darling.” He then pushed his manhood inside and touched until I moaned. “Don’t stop!” “Yes, ma’am.” He grinned, but then he concentrated on giving me pleasure by pounding hard into me. I tightened my legs around his waist and clenched my womanhood until it squeezed his shaft. He growle
We hugged and shook hands with everyone. Then my mom approached me and said, “Now, I will leave. Ethan, Helena, please visit me frequently.” She smiled but then burst into tears. “I’ve missed you already, sweetheart.” I kissed my mom’s cheek. “Mom, I promise to visit you often until you may be bored with me.” She laughed and shook her head. “No chance I will be bored of you, sweetie. I’ll love to see you around. Take care.” Ethan hugged my mom. “Mom, thank you for coming. Let Red send you home.” “Yes, Son. Thank you.” Later, Red came and nodded at Ethan and me. “Congratulations! Enjoy your wedding night. I’ll try to have everyone leave the villa soon.” Ethan and Red exchanged a knowing look and grin, then Ethan nodded. “Thanks, Red. I know I can always count on you.” “Always!” Then he nodded at my mom. “Mrs. Ross, shall we go now?” Then I hugged Stacy. “Thank you for coming and being my bride’s maid.” “I’m so happy for you.” Then she shook hands with Ethan too, but Ethan
Red drove the car to the villa. It was crowded, so it took time to get there. Then Red opened the door for my mother and me. When I stood to see the villa. It stunned me to see how beautiful the villa was. Colorful roses decorated the path to the door. The rose fragrance filled the air. Later, Stacy opened the door. She wore a white dress too. “Oh, Helena! Look at you! You are gorgeous!” she shouted. I smiled. “So are you! Did you buy it for my wedding?” She nodded. “Yes, because you know me. I can’t stand last-minute shopping. Now, I’m glad I bought it. How about you?” “It’s my mom’s doing.” I glanced at my mother. “She bought it for me as a wedding present. Who would guess it came at the perfect time? So I can wear it tonight.” “Oh, Freya, it’s a lovely dress indeed!” Stacy said. My mother smiled and hugged Stacy. “Thank you for coming tonight.” “I won’t miss Helena’s wedding. I’m her bride’s maid.” Then someone coughed. When we turned around, Ethan stood and then waited f
My mother pulled my hand, and we went to her room. She opened the cupboard and took two beautiful white dresses. “Please try these, sweetie. I hope you wear the dress for your wedding tonight if you find anything you like.” I burst into tears since both dresses were gorgeous. “Oh, Mom! How can you have such beautiful dresses?” “When I told you about the three months of waiting, I bought them. Since I thought maybe I could give them as a wedding present for you.” “It’s perfect! I can’t think of a better dress than these two.” I wept and laughed. My mom was amazing! How could she do this for me? “Don’t cry! We have no time to prepare you to be a breathtaking bride. So smile!” I giggled and wiped my tears. “Yes, Mom.” Then I tried the first dress that had laces and sparkles. The dress fitted my body well. Later, I showed it to my mom. She nodded. “Try the second one.” When I wore the second dress, I knew it was perfect. The dress was simple with a few ruffles on the short arms
Ethan stood and then held my hand. “Yes, I think the purpose of this meeting is fulfilled. Oh, okay, the explanation of Constantine and Victoria’s death. It was an accident. I had never intended to kill Constantine. No matter what, he was my half-brother.” I nodded and supported Ethan by telling what happened. “About the death of Victoria, she died because she tried to protect Constantine. It’s because of love.” I took a deep breath. “At that time, Constantine attacked Ethan when he had already said, ‘Time-out.’ Then I pushed Ethan and instinctively attacked Constantine with the fog. Victoria ran and shielded Constantine.” I bit my lower lip, recalling the moment Victoria died. “Then when Constantine tried to stab my back. Ethan protected me and stabbed Constantine in the process.” I looked around. “It’s a self-defense.” The Elders didn’t say anything afterward. “Soif you all are worried about revenge or attack from the Fire Shadow Pack or the vampires, please know we are not the o
~ Ethan ~ We walked outside the castle, and I teleported us back to my villa. I kissed Helena’s lips and said, “I am sorry.” “For what?” “I should protect you, but I wasn’t there for you.” She shook her head. “No, don’t blame yourself. I have many things I wanted to tell you.” “Oh?” But then, I remembered Freya. “You need to call your mother now. She must be worried.” “Yes, you are right.” But then, Helena glanced at me. “Oh, my phone is still at the castle.” I nodded. “I’ll ask Red to take it. Where is it?” “The last time the maid brought it to me.” “Okay.” Then I opened the mind link. ‘Red, are you still in the castle?’ ‘Yes, Alpha. Why?’ ‘Can you bring Helena’s phone back here—the villa?’ ‘Sure!’ ‘Thanks, Red.’ ‘Anytime, Alpha.’ Then I stroked Helena’s hair. “Red will bring your phone here. Use my phone to call your mother instead of waiting for Red. He may need a while. Freya was nearly hysterical when she called me.” She nodded. “Yes, please.” I picked up my ph
Meanwhile, Ethan could push Constantine to the corner. Constantine was bleeding all over. His movement was slower and slower. Unfortunately, Ethan was wounded too, but he was in much better condition than Constantine. But then Constantine shape-shifted back into the human form. “Time-out!” He gestured his hand, showing the T-shape. Then he walked to the side, wearing his clothes back. Ethan also changed himself back to human, gathered his clothes, and dressed up again. I ran to Ethan and hugged him. “Ethan! You came for me!” I cried and smiled simultaneously. “Of course, my love. Freya was worried so much about you.” He glanced at Constantine, who sat on the floor. “Let’s go home.” I nodded. Victoria approached Constantine. But then, he ignored her when she wanted to wipe his wound, even turning his body away from her. Victoria’s face was disappointed and gloomy. I could feel how hurt Victoria was right now. “Can we bring Victoria with us? Can she stay at your villa or in our pa
Constantine laughed out loud. “Consequence? As the descendant of the former Duke Firebury, I have the right to claim Helena.” Ethan frowned to hear that. “What do you mean?” “What a pity you don’t know the most important thing.” Constantine laughed again. “But then, the mighty duke may be too busy to know the tiny thing, though crucial.” “What are you talking about?” Meanwhile, Red entered the room. “Luna, let’s get out of here.” “Red, you are here too. My head hurts, and I can’t see clearly.” “Maybe Lord Constantine drugged you again.” I gasped. The water that the maid sent me was the only way how he drugged me. “The maid,” I said, shaking my head. Then I suddenly remembered my power. ‘Fog, heal me.’ In a second, the fog surrounded me, and then, in another second, my head was alright. My eyes finally could see clearly as before. “Do you want a duel until death?” Constantine asked. I shook my head. “He tricked me!” “What happened?” Victoria asked me as she patted my hand
I gasped as Constantine carried me to my bed and laid me there. “You may be more comfortable here. So we will sleep here tonight, my darling.” “Let me go!” I screamed. “Let me go! Don’t touch me!” “Helena, shh! I won’t hurt you. I will be gentle with you.” Then he kissed my forehead. “See? Nothing you need to be afraid of.” “You have already had Victoria. Please, let me go!” I pleaded with him. He shook his head and stroked my hair. “I only have you now. I have sent Victoria away.” “What?! Why?” “Because she is a hindrance for me. If I let her stay here, we can’t spend the time calmly.” He kissed my cheek. “Helena, now you are the only one for me. I promise I will marry you tomorrow. So stop fighting me! It won’t hurt if you let me have you.” I shook my head. “I’m not yours. I’m Ethan’s.” “Really? Then where is he right now?” He chuckled as he touched my hair. “Why are you here instead of on his bed?” Then Constantine touched my neck lightly. “I will treasure you, cherish you