Rune’s POVNight after night, I found myself pacing my room, the weight of my own thoughts pressing down on me like a suffocating shroud. Alora, so close yet maddeningly out of reach, haunted my every waking moment. The knowledge that she was in the dungeon, just beneath my feet, filled me with a twisted mix of rage and longing. I wanted to storm down there, drag her out of that cell, and fuck her into submission until she begged for mercy, until she remembered who she belonged to. But every time I considered it, another, darker part of me held back.She needed to be punished. She needed to understand that her actions had consequences. How dare she think she could run away from me? Who gave her the right? The very thought of her escaping my grasp, even for a moment, was intolerable. It was an affront, a blatant disrespect that I couldn’t ignore.But the punishment had to come first. I couldn’t let her think she could defy me, leave whenever she pleased, and expect to be welcomed ba
Rune’s POV As I approached the heavy iron door that separated the dungeon from the rest of the world, I caught it, her scent. Sweet honey and pure innocence, just as intoxicating as the first time I’d sensed it. It hit me like a wave, pulling me in, reminding me of everything I wanted to take from her, everything I had yet to corrupt. Perhaps that’s why she dared run away, because I hadn’t twisted her to my will as thoroughly as I should have. The thought made me smile. Oh, Alora. She would learn. I would make sure of that. The guards standing outside the door stiffened at my approach, their eyes widening with fear or respect, I wasn’t sure which. It didn’t matter. I was only here for her. The iron hinges groaned as the door swung open, and the scent intensified, filling my lungs, flooding my senses. I felt a dark satisfaction at the thought of what was to come. I had let her sit with her fear long enough. Now it was time to bring it all crashing down. As I stepped inside, my
Alora’s POV The moment Rune left the cell, the door slamming shut with a finality that echoed through the cold, damp space, I felt the tears I had been holding back start to spill over. I had been strong in front of him, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break, but now that he was gone, the weight of everything crashed down on me. I crumpled to the floor, the cold stone biting into my knees as I pressed my hands to my face, trying to stifle the sobs that tore from my throat. My whole body shook with the force of it, anger and fear and frustration all mixing together in a whirlwind of emotion that I could no longer control. How could he do this to me? How could he stand there and look at me with such coldness, such disdain, after everything we’d been through? Did he really hate me that much? Wasn’t he my brother? The one that loved me? The tears wouldn’t stop. No matter how much I tried to calm myself, to remind myself that I had to stay strong, they kept
Rune’s POV My hand gripped the glass tightly, the coolness of the liquor doing little to temper the heat of my rage. I tossed back another shot, the burn sliding down my throat, but it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t enough to drown the thoughts of her—Alora. One of the maids stood trembling by the bar inside my study, her hands shaking as she hurried to refill my glass the moment I emptied it. I didn’t have to look at her to know she was terrified, her fear radiating off her in waves. But I didn’t care. Alora. She hadn’t broken down. Despite everything, despite the dungeon, the cold, the humiliation… she was still defiant, still stubborn, still that infuriating little shit. My skin itches with the need to break her, to finally see her crumble before me.I was so lost in the imagery that I didn’t hear them enter at first. My father’s deep voice cut through the haze in my mind, pulling me back to the present.My father’s deep voice cut through the haze in my mind, pulling me back
Alora’s POV I forced down a piece of stale bread. Each bite felt like sawdust in my mouth, sticking to my throat. The water I used to wash it down was lukewarm and metallic-tasting, but I swallowed it anyway, forcing myself to eat for the strength I needed to survive another day in this hellhole. Every fiber of my being was on edge, my senses heightened to every sound, every shift in the air. I need to eat this meal to survive no matter what. I must survive. If not for myself, then for Sienna. It was quiet, save for the distant echo of dripping water and the soft, shallow breaths coming from Sienna, who was still asleep beside me. The door to the dungeon had creaked open earlier this morning, but nothing had come of it. No guards, no food, just the slow, torturous reminder that we were still prisoners, still at the mercy of Rune’s whims. But this time… something felt different. I paused mid-bite, the dry bread suddenly impossible to swallow as my stomach twisted in
Alora’s POV Rune's eyes shifted from me to Sienna, his expression softening into something almost pleasant. The shift was so sudden, so jarring, that it made my stomach churn. “Sienna, isn’t it?” Rune’s voice was smooth, disarmingly gentle as he addressed her. He crouched down to her level, his movements slow and deliberate, like he was trying not to startle a frightened animal. “I’m sorry you’ve had to go through this. You must be very confused right now.” Sienna, still shaken but visibly relieved by his seemingly kind demeanor, nodded slowly. Her eyes darted between Rune and me, searching for reassurance, for some kind of explanation that could make sense of the situation we were in. “I… I don’t understand why we’re here,” she said, her voice trembling. “Alora didn’t do anything wrong. We were just… we were just…” She trailed off, unsure how to finish, and Rune took the opportunity to soothe her further. “I understand,” he said softly, his tone almost fatherly. “It must have
Rune’s POV As I spoke to Sienna, I could feel Alora's gaze burning into me from across the dungeon, her glare sharp enough to cut through the thick tension that hung in the air. Without fully turning to face her, I caught her expression in my peripheral vision, a mixture of defiance and raw anger. The sight amused me more than it should have. Even in this grim setting, with her hair limp and her once-sweet scent tainted by days of captivity, she managed to look downright adorable in her fury."Stay away from my friend! You bastard." She yelled angrily. I almost had to admire her spirit, even as I found it infuriating. But for now, I kept my focus on Sienna, who sat before me, still shaken but slowly coming around to my supposed kindness. I continued to speak to her in the most soothing tone I could muster, like I was comforting a wounded animal. She was actually a nice girl, with a softness in her that contrasted sharply with Alora's fiery defiance. Maybe that's why th
Alora’s POV After Rune left the dungeon, I felt the fury rise within me like a storm I couldn’t control. My whole body trembled, shaking from the sheer force of my anger and frustration. How could he just leave like that? He came down here, teased me with his presence, made me believe he was going to end this nightmare once and for all (even though in cruel ways) and then he just walked away. The anticipation of the moment had wound me so tight that now, with him gone, it felt like my insides were going to snap. I wanted to do so many things but I am restrained. I can’t do shit. I wanted to scream, to lash out, but all I could do was sit there, my hands balled into fists, my nails digging into my palms until they drew blood. So much dirt beneath my nails I feel dirty myself. It hurt, but the pain was nothing compared to the anguish of being trapped here, at his mercy. This was why I wanted to escape. He has no mercy. He lacks simple humanity and I hate him. This wasn’t
Alora’s POVThe next morning I woke up to the scent of roasted meat that filled the cave. It was the fifth day in a row that food had mysteriously appeared, always placed at the edge of the cave far enough away that it seemed like whoever was delivering it didn’t want to intrude. It was always the same, roasted animal meat still warm, smelling so tempting that I couldn’t help but devour it the moment I woke up. It wasn’t elegant, it wasn’t pretty, but I ate like I hadn’t seen food in days because I hadn’t. For the first three days I’d survived on nothing but hope and desperation. The thought that Rune might come back had kept me going but now... now, I was just clinging to whatever kept my body strong enough to move. I need to feed my daughter with the little food I have in my tummy. The sixth day passed the same way food left at the entrance, hot and ready. I wondered if the woman from Rune’s pack was behind it, realizing Rune wasn’t coming back. It was a comfort to imagine that
Alora’s POVI woke up the next morning, the bed cold and empty beside me. Rune was gone. I blinked up at the dim cave ceiling, feeling the chill settle around me as I stretched my aching limbs. I smiled thinking about yesterday night and how Rune took what he wanted without reserve. My whole body was worn out sore in places I didn’t even know could ache. But it was a good kind of exhaustion, the kind that came after the best sleep I’ve had in forever. I hope we can do it again soon to forget all about our future problems. Pulling on my clothes I glanced at Nevaeh, still fast asleep in her crib. Relief hit me like a wave as I noticed her breathing was steady and calm, her tiny chest rising and falling like it should. She is alright. My eyes stung and I had to swallow back the emotion that swelled in my throat. I leaned over, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead feeling her soft warmth against my lips. I had almost given up almost thought I'd lose her, and now, here she was alive
Alora’s POV He has so much control this night. I don’t have it but he seem to have tons of it tonight. I tried to steady myself, hands pressing into the rough stone floor of the cave, but he reached out and gripped my wrists guiding them back to hold myself open for him. “Don’t let go,” he murmured, his voice low and commanding. The tone was laced with a hint of danger, one I’d grown both wary of and drawn to. Then, I felt the cool sensation of liquid against me. Is that his… saliva? My pulse quickened as he spread it over my most sensitive areas, each touch deliberate and torturously slow. Before I could even brace myself, Rune’s hands tightened on my hips, and in one swift, powerful thrust, he entered me. The force made me gasp, the shock of it going through me as his body claimed mine entirely. The sensation was overwhelming, his presence consuming, leaving me no room to breathe or think, only to feel. His breath was hot against my neck and his dark whisper sent a thri
Alora’s POVIn the dim light of the cave, the raw, primal need in Rune’s gaze felt like a live wire running through the air. He’d never looked at me like this before, with tensed lust, mixed with a fierce restraint that made the moment even more intoxicating. For me, every surge of arousal was fueled by my feelings for him. I wanted him more with each passing second, even as a flicker of nerves darted through me. “Turn around and walk to the bed,” he commanded, his voice gravelly.I turned slowly, letting my hips sway, feeling the weight of his gaze on me, heavy and searing. His need for control, for ownership, was almost palpable, and I knew he was savoring every inch of me.Nevaeh was in a crib by the fire to keep her warmer. I wonder how that strange woman knew but then I’m done questioning the reality I’m in now. “Get on your knees at the foot of it, face down, ass up” he said, voice low.I sucked in a breath, anticipation pooling in my core, and eased into the position, the ro
Alora’s POVHis tone held an edge that was unmistakable, and my pulse raced at the authority in his voice. This was different. This was the Rune that likes to play and doesn’t care we are in a cave right now with our daughter feet away. Rune had always been the one to reach for me first, to take charge by peeling away the layers himself, rough and impatient. But this... this felt like a test, like he wanted me to submit in every situation we were in. “Why…?” The word slipped out before I could stop it, but his expression hardened.“Don’t ask questions. When I tell you to strip, you strip. Now.” He said, his expression blank but heated. I flinched, my body reacting not out of fear but from the raw intensity in his voice. His gaze held me captive, and despite the ache of everything happening around us, the danger that loomed, this moment was our escape. My hands rose to the hem of my silk gown, trembling, anticipation curling in my stomach as I hesitated. The cave’s cool air prickl
Alora’s POVThe weight of everything we’d learned (the prophecies, the warnings, the strange woman with her cryptic knowledge) was too much. I felt like I was drowning under layers of secrets and mysteries, each one pulling me deeper. I couldn’t think straight, couldn’t focus. All I knew was that I needed relief, something to steady me, to quiet my mind and body. And I know where to get it. I know who would take away my worries and make me forget the last few weeks. I lay Nevaeh down gently on the plush bed, brushing a tender hand over her tiny arm, making sure she was safe and breathing steadily. But as I stepped back, my chest was tight, my nerves stretched so thin that I felt like I might snap. Yes, the cave has a little chamber with old stuff inside but very comfortable and warm. Like an old woman’s little haven. Turning, I found Rune’s gaze on me. His presence was a strange comfort in this overwhelming night. Without a word, I stepped toward him, closing the space between us
Alora’s POVHe tensed, a flicker of something crossing his eyes, worry, hesitation. His gaze drifted over to Nevaeh, then back to me. There was a weight to his expression, something more than the usual coldness.“I know what you’re thinking,” I said, my gaze softening at him. “If you’re worried about your pack, Rune, then go to them. I don’t need you to come with me. I just need my daughter safe. You can go back to them, to your responsibilities, if that’s what you want.”They also need him and I can’t keep dragging him down my problems. It seems like everything started with me not knowing my real parents then finding out they were the most powerful beings! He was silent, studying me, and for a moment, I saw the flicker of conflict behind his stoic exterior. But then, he shook his head, his resolve hardening. “I made a promise to you. And to her,” he murmured, reaching a hand out to brush his fingers across Nevaeh’s cheek. “I’ll see this through.”With a soft exhale, he drew me clos
Alora’s POV“The witches have been trying to stir war with the gods because their goddess was banished. They want revenge and they are coming for our mortal lineage.” “There’s more to this than you realize. My curse was not just for breaking a rule. It was to keep you hidden, safe. But I failed in that, and now they know.” “Your father… is a lycan. The last of its kind and that was what attracted me to him in the first place. The gods wanted him because he defied them to become a lycan. They know you carry his blood, a bloodline they thought was wiped out.” She paused, a moment of hesitation. “Your daughter’s life is in danger, but she also holds the key to a power they fear.” A cold dread settled over me. “What power?” She stepped closer, her form half in shadow. “The power to break the gods' own curses. She could free mortals from the chains the gods and will have more lycans in the mortal realm. She could shift the balance. They can’t afford to let that happen.” “So… they wo
Alora’s POVShortly after the Moon Goddess left, the hooded goddess entered. She moved with a quiet, steady grace over the floor. She approached silently, then held out two neatly folded sets of clothes.“Put these on,” she said, her voice soft but leaving no room for question.I exchanged a glance with Rune, and we both dressed quickly, the fabric strange but surprisingly comfortable. It felt odd, the simple act of wearing clothes again, and I sensed Rune’s protectiveness bristling under the surface. As soon as we finished, she gestured for us to follow her through the stone corridor, leading us to a dimly lit chamber. A table was set, two plates filled with food, and though my stomach was tight with tension, I realized how hungry I was. We sat down and ate, though Rune watched her carefully, his suspicion plain.Finally, she turned to him. “I need to speak to her alone.”Rune tensed, his hand drifting protectively toward mine. “If you think I’ll leave her here alone with you—”She