Florence's POV I blinked, the moonlight cutting through the room. My surroundings felt unfamiliar, and it took a moment for my groggy brain to register that I was in Nicholas's bedroom. How did I end up here? ‘You fainted after your allergy attack, remember?’ Nasya replied inside my head. Right, just a few hours ago, my throat had constricted, and my lungs burned, during the tense meeting with the council. I started piecing together the fragments of my memory, grateful to Nicholas for ensuring I was still breathing. A glance confirmed my suspicions. This was Nicholas's bedroom, grand and masculine, with the faint scent of cedarwood and leather wafting through the air. A knock on the door drew my attention. It creaked open, revealing Layla with a tray laden with steaming cups and a bowl of porridge. Her sparkling dark green clothes made me frown. "Hi, you finally decided to join the land of the living!" Layla quipped, placing the tray on the bedside table. I couldn't help bu
We navigated through the crowd, and as we passed Samantha, I felt the intensity of her gaze burning into my back. Turning my attention back to Nicholas, who had excused himself from the council members and was now heading in my direction. The concern etched in his brow deepened, and I braced myself for his questions. As Layla and I approached Nicholas, a group of older council members blocked our path. Their grins were more unsettling than reassuring. "Ah, Florence! You look positively radiant tonight," one of them exclaimed, his voice dripping with exaggerated charm that set my teeth on edge. I mustered a polite smile, masking my discomfort. "Thank you, it's kind of you to say so." Layla, standing protectively by my side, shot them a warning glance. "Gentlemen, let's not keep the lady from her destination. She has a host to meet." However, they persisted, showering compliments and attempting to engage us in trivial conversation. Each word felt like a chore to endure.
We danced slowly, our movements synchronized with the beat of the song. His strong hands rested on my waist while mine found their place on his shoulder. He was so tall that I could only reach his chest. As we swayed to the slow music, Nicholas broke the silence with a question, "Is there anything you want, Florence? Perhaps a gift?" I looked up at him, surprised to find him already watching me. Holding his gaze, I smirked. "A gift for what?" He shrugged. "Um... for earlier." I nodded, holding back my smile, "Anything?" "Yeah, anything." "Alright..." I pondered for a moment, recalling past extravagant gifts that had remained unused. Wanting something different, I suggested, "How about a simple date? Just one day where we can enjoy each other's company." Nicholas appeared momentarily taken aback, his eyes reflecting surprise as he processed my request. Before he could respond, Samantha appeared out of nowhere, interrupting our dance. We both stopped, looking at her.
I downed the last of my drink in one gulp, the liquid fire providing a burst of determination. Leaving the balcony behind, I scanned the crowded hall for Layla's familiar figure, but she seemed to have vanished into the sea of faces. As I made my way to the hall's main door, I exchanged pleasantries with those who greeted me. Approaching the door, our eyes locked – Nicholas's and mine – until the moment was quickly interrupted by the council members vying for his attention. The guards on the door bowed at me and I just smiled at them as I walked down the hallway. Moving through the corridor, the echoes of the party faded into the distance until I reached a guest room. Standing in front of the guest room door, I hesitated, sensing an eerie stillness in the dimly lit corridor. Everything felt odd, confirming my suspicions of a trap. Closing my eyes for a moment, I utilized my shifter ability, focusing on sensing the faint presence of three people inside the room. Taking a stea
A few moments ago…… Nicholas's POV "I can't believe he would do that." "Alpha Jason looks to be a responsible leader. It is such a waste" someone murmured nearby, their words barely registering as I felt an insistent pull, an inexplicable urge to find Florence. My thoughts were consumed by the need to see her. Something felt amiss, and a growing concern for her gnawed at me, and at my beast—Berion. "Excuse me," I casually said, trying to hide the concern growing within me. "Is everything okay, Alpha King?" one of them asked. "Yes, I just need to do something," I replied, turning around and walking away from the group. Excusing myself, the council members exchanged curious glances. Navigating through the lively crowd, I searched for Florence, the tension in my nerves mounting with every passing moment. The sea of faces blurred, but there was no sign of her, and my worry deepened. Approaching Layla and Clifford, I didn't waste time asking, "Have any of you seen Flor
Nicholas POV I stormed into the dance hall, fury raging within me, with Clifford standing guard behind me. My suit jacket was gone, leaving only a white polo stained with scattered blood. In my clenched fist, I held the severed head of the man who had dared to lay a hand on Florence. The music abruptly halted, and a heavy silence descended as all eyes turned towards me. Some covered their mouths in shock at the gruesome sight. A voice dared to speak up, questioning, "Alpha, what's happening? Why—" I silenced them with a menacing growl, "Silence!" My gaze swept across the room, locking onto each individual with a piercing intensity. "This man, Mr. Agares—a member of the Werewolf Council," I raised the severed head for all to witness, "attempted to harm my woman. That is a crime against the pack, and I won't tolerate it." Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as the weight of the situation sank in. I continued, "He attempted to harm someone under my protecti
Nicholas nodded his thanks to Isaac and Layla. I opened the door wider for him. As soon as he entered, I shut it close and inspected him closely. He seemed unscathed but covered in dry blood. I held his wrist, "Let's get you cleaned—" Nicholas surprised me by pulling me into a tight embrace. He pressed his face into the crook of my neck, his arms tightening around my waist. "His scent was all over you," he gritted, and I felt the heat of anger rising in him, "I should've not killed him that easily and let him die slowly—" I cut him off by hugging him back and leaning my head on his, "It is done, and I am fine. Let's not talk about that filthy man." A few moments of silence permeated the air before he spoke again. "You're not leaving my sight again," he whispered like a promise to himself, "F*ck, I don't know what I will do next if that ever happens again. I might lose my mind or, worse, let my wolf take over and hunt every council member." I began rubbing his back in
I stood up from kneeling in front of him after I cleaned off his leg. The water was continuously streaming to us. While staring at his lust-filled eyes, I lowered my hands and gripped his length. He grabbed my hands as if to stop him, and groaned, “Florence, you don't need to do this” I know he might be thinking I am shocked or traumatized by what that filthy hag tried to do to me but that’s not the worst I have been through and honestly, spying and disguising myself as some slutty person, I met a few of those kinds of men. I am not shocked or overwhelmed at all. More so, I want Nicholas’s hands all over me to replace the touches of that filthy man. I want him and I will make his patience snap so he can drop the gentle and making-space agenda for me. I know that’s what he's trying to do, that's why he didn't bother asking me what happened. He might not want me to relive the scenario for tonight. “Of course, I do,” I whispered, “It still needs proper attention,” With that,