I hugged my knees, trying to find some warmth in this cold, desolate place. The chill seeped into my bones, and I could feel my energy draining away. I couldn't afford to let myself get sick; I had to stay strong. My lips were dry and stinging, and my throat begged for water. It had been almost four days since my last meal, and I was shivering uncontrollably, barely able to move. Since the day I confronted Nicholas, no one had visited me. I had no sense of time except for the faint ray of sunlight that occasionally found its way into this dungeon. The absence of light made me guess that it was already night. Darkness had become my only companion for the past three days. Despite my weakness from hunger, I didn't scream for help. This was nothing compared to what I had endured before. I closed my eyes and held onto my knees tightly, seeking some comfort in the darkness. A few minutes later, as I was about to drift off to sleep, I heard a woman's voice, unfamiliar to me. I hadn't heard
I glanced at the guards before turning my attention to Gayle, who nodded at them. The guards opened the door, and a gust of cold wind hit me as soon as it swung open. Gayle tugged me outside, and I felt the soft ground beneath my sandals, tempting me to take them off and feel the soil beneath my bare feet. But the sight of the sky-high castle quickly erased that thought. Nicholas had been living here all this time? In a castle? Well, what did I expect? A small house? I turned to Gayle, who was laughing at my reaction. "Your look was priceless. Everyone who sets foot in our pack for the first time has that kind of face." "Well, who wouldn't when you all live in a castle?" I couldn't help but exclaim. Gayle shook her head. "No, you're mistaken. We don't. Only the Alpha King does and few others." My hazel eyes widened in shock. "Really? He was wasting space." "The Alpha King gave us permission to live in that castle if we wanted to, but we all decided to make our own houses around o
"My father is Alpha Nicholas's cousin. Since my parents died due to a rogue attack a hundred years ago, the Alpha took care of me. That's why I am living here with him," I continued. I could see Layla's curiosity shining through, and being the curious person I am, I couldn't help but ask a question. "Just how old are you?" Layla grinned at me. "Me? I'm 105 years old already." "Woah, you're old," I replied, trying to lighten the mood. Layla's hearty laugh echoed in the room as I resumed eating. Her laughter was contagious, and it brought a small smile to my face. "I like you. You're unintentionally funny," she said, her smile lingering. A sad smile ghosted on my face. It seemed that a lot of people had liked me in the past, but circumstances had changed, and I wasn't the same person anymore. I focused on eating slowly, trying to avoid upsetting my stomach further. "I am sure Barbara was shocked every time she saw Nicholas there," Layla muttered to herself. "More like excited," I
I stepped outside the restroom, clad only in a white towel, and my skin flushed as I vigorously cleaned my body. I knew I had to take this chance because I had no idea when I would be able to bathe again. My mate's mind was unpredictable, and I never knew when he would throw me back into that dreadful dungeon. Layla stood before me, extending the clothes she was carrying. "Here are your clothes for now. I hope they fit you." "Thank you," I replied, taking the clothing and retreating back into the restroom to get dressed. I put on the long-sleeved lavender dress that turned out to be the perfect length, reaching below my knees. As I turned to face the mirror, I inhaled deeply. The bags under my eyes were prominent, and my pale lips remained moist from the shower. My dark blonde hair was still damp, and my hazel eyes appeared empty, devoid of warmth, only reflecting weariness. I raised my hand and touched my eyes, the same eyes as my mother's. I bit my lower lip to suppress the tear
I looked away. The fact that my mate was as powerful as him and didn't want me left a bitter feeling. It was like I was almost saved but not totally. Because no matter how powerful my mate was, if he didn't want me, what was the point? Nothing. Nothing will change in my life. I was stuck where I had been. And the only thing that can save me from all my problems was me. "What did you call me for?" I snapped, my hands clenching. My long nails dug into my palms. A sane part of my mind knew that if I tried to harm him, I would end up hurting myself badly and I wanted to avoid that. And in exchange, I resort to inflicting pain to stop myself from doing something harsh. Nicholas sat unperturbed in his chair. "Does staying for three days in the dungeon make you love it?" "Well, I prefer that place than seeing you actually" "Still stubborn, I see" I pursed my lips in a straight line to stop saying something. "Are you not going to say thank you for the clothing and food that I prov
Nicholas I smirked and faced Barbara, "You can leave now. Your job was done here" Isaac dragged Barbara out of the room who was too stunned to speak. Her eyes only focused on Florence. I meet the dazzling eyes of my little mate that holds nothing but fury. There was something in her stare, that coldness, and determination. When the door was slammed shut, the throne hall fell into erring silence. Florence looked away and focused her attention past my shoulder. To the large window on the left where she can see the radiant moon cast in the starless sky that was reflecting in her eyes. She was tense and her heart was beating so loudly. I wonder what she was thinking right this second. She takes a step back to create distance between us and that made me irritated for some reason. "Stop. Don't move" I snapped. She was instantly frozen on her spot. "Strip" I commanded nonchalantly. "W-what?" Florence asked, shocked. She stared at me. Now, I have her attention. "I said strip,
Florence I closed my eyes and bit my lips harder to stop myself from moaning. His breath and touch made my rational thoughts fly out the window. His enticing scent becomes more apparent the closer he gets. Intoxicating. As his tongue and lips caressed my skin, a shivering thrill ran down my spine, weakening my knees. My nipples hardened, and the tingle in my stomach pleasurably turned into a throbbing ache between my legs. His other hand firmly held my waist as he sucked my neck, keeping me in place. His grip on my waist became tighter as he inhaled deeply. He rasped as he dipped his head. "I can smell your arousal" I clenched my fist at the same moment I felt my clit throb from his blunt words. My cheeks were on fire, especially how I could feel the bulge of his cock that was undeniably hard on my stomach. I was breathing heavily as I spoke which turned into a moan, "S-stop" "I can't hear you" he whispered back while his hand was slowly going down close to my pussy. 'He do
Nicholas I took a deep inhale, relishing the sweet, flowery aroma of my mate, and then turned all of my attention to Clifford, my closest friend, and Beta. Clifford began his report as soon as the door was closed, "I just got a call from Julius, Alpha. He finally uncovered a trail of footsteps following the North Trail. He suspected it was a teen female based on the footstep." “Are they positive that it was a Swiftmane Pack member?” "Yes, Alpha. The trackers were also able to confirm." Satisfaction washed over me with the knowledge. The Swiftmane Pack's destruction rendered the survivor a rogue by default. However, her recognizable smell as a member of the Swiftmane pack would not quickly disappear. The memory of the terrible event when the Swiftmane Pack was exterminated was seared into my heart and mind. The sight of the women, children, and young ones caused me and my wolf the same anguish, despite having witnessed many deaths and enough fights and bloodshed in our life. Ang
Nicholas’s POV The air crackled with energy that buzzed right through me. It wasn't my own, though. Mine simmered low, a slow burn fueled by nervous excitement and a simmering pride. No, the nervous energy radiating like heat waves originated from the room itself, a collective held their breath as the music swelled and the double doors at the far end of the aisle creaked open. There she was. Lily. No, Florence. Not quite. Today, she was a vision in white, a goddess emerging from the sunlight streaming through the stained-glass windows. The years hadn't touched her, not a single cruel line etched onto that face that had haunted my dreams for so long. She is still that beautiful being in my eyes with her dark blonde hair and hazel eyes that were sparkling brightly at the moment. She was wearing a white gown and a white veil on her head while her hand was clasped on a bouquet made of Lily of the Valleys. I noticed a nervous tremor in the hand that gripped Percival's arm as his, a
The salty breeze ruffled the pages of my book as I leaned back in the wicker chair, the sun already hidden, painting the sky with a darkness filled with stars. A contented sigh escaped my lips. It’s already been six months since Nicholas and I started over again which means dating for real like a normal couple. Both of us pushed our work stuff and it was one of the best decisions I made. Six months of travel, dates, adventures, and laughter-filled days. We'd tried everything from visiting ancient ruins in Greece to white-water rafting in New Zealand. Right now, we are in one of Nicholas's owned islands, perched beside me on the balcony of his secluded beach house, absorbed in his own book, a glass of amber whiskey swirling in his hand. I set my book down with a soft thud, the sound breaking the comfortable silence. "So, Nicholas," I began, his blue eyes locking onto mine as he glanced up. I directly asked the question that popped into my head, "Why are we still mates?" Surpris
Soon after, the night had fallen, painting the sky a canvas of inky blue dotted with a million shimmering stars. Dressed in a stylish, midnight-hued dress that clung to my curves in all the right places, I emerged from the bathroom. A gasp escaped Charlotte's lips, and even Sara, usually so composed, let out a surprised whistle. "Wow, Lils," Charlotte breathed, her eyes wide with admiration. "You look incredible!" Sara, her phone clutched in her hand, held it up to my face. On the screen, a video call connected me to the familiar faces of Percival, Quinn, and his husband. "Hey guys!" I greeted them, my voice filled with a genuine smile. "There she is!” Quinn exclaimed, his booming laugh filling the room. “Hey, kiddo" boomed Percival's voice, "Our own famous artist" Quinn chimed in, "You look stunning, honey! We can't wait to see you smash this exhibition!" His husband, a kind-looking man with warm brown eyes, offered a shy smile and a wave. "Good luck," he mouthed si
6 years later….. My fingers traced the worn frame of the photograph hanging on the plain white wall. A simple black-and-white capture: a lone tree silhouetted against a fiery sunset, its branches reaching out like gnarled fingers. It evoked emotions that felt like a lifetime ago, not the picture itself. "Just making sure, Lily," a soft voice broke through my reverie. "Tomorrow's the big day, you know. Your fifth exhibition and your first appearance." I chuckled, glancing to my left. A beautiful woman stood beside me. Her closely cropped hair, a riot of ebony curls, framed a face that, though small, held a radiant warmth. Her skin, a rich, warm brown, seemed to glow with an inner light. "Tenth time this week, wouldn't you say?" I asked. She grinned, a flash of white against her warm brown skin. "Maybe. But this is different. People are buzzing about you, Lily. The mysterious artist finally makes an appearance after four years." My gaze swept across the gallery, taking in
Keith let out a cruel laugh. "I used all my strongest rogues to deal with the Lycans," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "And your dear Nicholas... Well, let's just say he put up a good fight. The man was a monster indeed. His regenerating ability was remarkable" My gaze fell upon the jacket he wore, a small device embedded in one of the pockets like a dark eye staring back at me. "Is that the button?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. My eyes seem lifeless. Keith raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. He nodded curtly. "The button for the chips in the rogues? Yes. One press, and they all die a quick, painless death. Useful to threaten them to do something" My face was cold and unreadable as I turned to him, watching him light his cigarette. “Want some?” he offered. I reached for the cigarette he offered, lighting it. As I inhaled, a single thought echoed in my mind: everything had to end. “You know you need to cooperate with t
Seizing the opportunity, I turned and ran, deeper into the dense darkness of the forest to the clearing. I can see it. I had made a choice, a terrible one that left me torn between self-preservation and the agonizing cost it had come at. But as I ran, I couldn't shake the image of Nicholas, wounded, facing the wrath of the rogues because of me. The burden of that decision would be a heavy one to bear, one that I knew I would bring to my death. Suddenly, a blur of fur shot out from my peripheral vision. I snapped my head around just in time to see another rogue, its red eyes zeroing in on me. I reached for the gun. But my hand met only empty air. “Huh, of course it is gone” I scoffed in annoyance. I flung myself aside, barely avoiding the snapping jaws of the beast. But the momentum of my dodge carried me off balance, sending me tumbling to the ground. As I lay there, sprawled, the rogue loomed above, its fetid breath washing over me. An instinct older than thought, deepe
A glance in the rearview mirror confirmed five wolves, their sleek fur gleaming in the daylight, chased after me, led by the imposing figure of the black wolf. He was larger and faster than the rest, impossibly so, but I couldn't stop. They were so fast that our distance was just so small. “What the f*ck?”I cursed. Suddenly, the walkie-talkie crackled inside the car came to life, a very familiar voice cutting through the sound of the engine. I know it belongs to Keith Caldwell. "Hurry! Meet me at the cliff. I've set the GPS coordinates. I know you can hear me Florence. Hurry, if you want to finally escape and save your pack. It's just right as you are their Luna” I gritted my teeth. I am not surprised he already knew that Nicholas and I were mates. Taking deep breaths to regulate my emotions, I glanced at the GPS, memorizing the route, then opened the glove compartment seeing a grenade and a tear gas grenade. Without hesitation, I grabbed the tear gas grenade. “We should
With a shriek of pain, my mother staggered back, releasing her hold. I gasped for air, collapsing onto the forest floor. As my vision cleared, I saw my mother clutching her face, a crimson stain blooming across her fingers. "How… How did you find me?" I rasped, my voice hoarse from lack of oxygen. "Olga," she spat, her voice laced with venom. "Keith and I made a deal. I’ll help him get the rogues in the borders in exchange for… getting rid of you." The revelation made my stomach churn. My mother had orchestrated my capture, colluding with the very threat she swore to protect the pack from. "I even gave her guard schedules," my mother continued, her voice dripping with vindictive satisfaction, "making sure the rogues wouldn't be stopped at the borders long enough… for you to be… eliminated. But I hate their plan. Keith wanted you alive but I wanted you gone so the attack was merely an excuse for me to kill you" My mind reeled. The woman who had birthed me, the woman who had
I was shaking in anger as I asked, “Why are you doing this?” Olga just shrugged and a sadistic gaze glowed in her black and gold eyes, “Simply because I wanted for the line of the Lycans to end. We are living too long” I hold myself back from killing her. I still need her to find the way out. No matter how I wanted to help up there, I could only be of help to them if I killed Keith and got out of their lives. After all, everything happened because of me. “Enough chit-chat. Let's move now” Olga said. The urgency tightened its grip on my heart. I followed her silently, my steps light and quick trying my hardest to ignore the loud footsteps above and screams. After countless turns and twists, the staircase ended in a narrow tunnel. Without hesitation, we crawled through the cramped passage, the damp earth brushing against my skin. I was a little frustrated since Olga moved a little slower and honestly I am more concerned with how she was short of breath. Finally, after what