Rune’s POV Hazel lingered in the room, her eyes flickering with something that unsettled me. It wasn’t the usual coldness or disdain she wore when facing me; this time, there was sadness there, a weight I wasn’t used to seeing in her. “Rune,” she whispered, her voice wavering slightly. “I always liked you, you know?” I frowned, confused by her words. Liked me? Hazel had always been cold, distant, sometimes even harsh. There was no warmth between us. She had always made her disdain for me clear, especially when it came to my obsession with Alora. But now, as she stepped even closer, I saw something different in her eyes. Sadness, regret, maybe even longing. Her hands trembled as she reached out, her fingers brushing lightly against my bare chest. I stiffened at the touch, not expecting it. “Hazel,” I warned, my voice low, though I didn’t pull away. She shook her head, her lips pressing into a tight line. “You never noticed, did you?” she murmured, almost to herself. “You
Alora’s POV That night, sleep evaded me. Rune was down in the dungeon, shackled, powerless in ways I had never seen him before. The Rune I knew had always been invincible, larger than life, but now he was caged like an animal. A part of me felt satisfaction, but it was small, too small to drown out the restlessness gnawing at my chest. Just as I was spiraling deeper into my own head, a small, familiar sound broke through the haze. I heard Navaeh stirring. "Shit," I whispered under my breath, pushing myself up on my elbows. She had been asleep for hours now, but I knew what that meant, she was probably hungry and in need of a diaper change. As much as my mind was trapped in thoughts of Rune, my body moved automatically, falling into the role I’d come to cherish more than anything in this world.Being Navaeh’s mother was the best thing that had ever happened to me, something pure and beautiful amid the darkness that surrounded everything else. I reached over to the bassin
Rune’s POV Alora stood there, right in front of me, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, the iron grip that had been crushing my heart since the day she left finally began to ease. After everything I’d learned, everything that anonymous woman had revealed about the twisted plans they had for her, all I cared about was that she was okay. But that wasn’t all. No, far from it. As the relief settled, my desire for her hit me like a storm, crashing over me in wave after wave. She was standing there, bathed in the dim light of the dungeon, looking like a walking temptation, like sex and sin. A goddess. MY goddess. She hadn't changed much, but at the same time, she had. It was in her eyes, the way they blazed with this fierce, undeniable power. And gods help me, it made her even more irresistible. I let my gaze roam over her, unable to stop myself. Her sharp cheekbones, her red hair that cascaded down her waist like flames in the darkness… it was like she had
Alora’s POV Something twisted slid into my mind as I stood there, staring at Rune. His body (naked, vulnerable, yet undeniably powerful) was shackled in front of me, completely mine. Fucking mine. I don’t know why I even thought he was mine after everything he’s made me through. Really. I don’t know how I feel about Rune completely. He always makes me feel too much and I hate it. He overwhelms me. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him. His cock, already straining against the restraints of his jeans that hung low, made it clear he was mine in a way no other woman could ever claim him. Hell, I’d never even seen him with another woman, not once. But that didn’t mean he hadn’t been with them. I just haven’t met them even when he was my brother. Back in highschool he was the hot cake everyone wanted a piece of being the alphas son and the future alpha. But his attention was always on me. Making sure no one was making my life hell. I have always been an anomaly and knew
Rune’s POV My cock was rock hard, straining painfully against its limits, but there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it. Not a damn thing. I hate these fucking witches and will make them pay for restraining me. Her eyes, those sharp green eyes, glinted with a dangerous fire as she looked me over, and I knew. I fucking knew what she was going to do. And some part of me felt proud I brought out her depraved side. Every fibre of my being screamed for her, begged for her. But I couldn't touch her. Couldn't move. Couldn't do anything except watch. "You're dying for this, aren't you, Rune?" she whispered, her voice low, taunting. She was fucking enjoying this. She knew exactly what she was doing to me. Her lips curved into a slow, wicked smile as she let her hands slide down her body, starting at her breasts. Is that a trickle of milk? Fuck! My eyes followed the movement automatically, helplessly. The way her fingers grazed over her soft skin, teasing her nipples to stif
Alora’s POV As the last shudder of my release left my body, I caught my breath, feeling Rune’s gaze burn into me from where he was chained. His eyes were wild, desperate, the raw hunger in them so intense that I almost stayed. Almost. But I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing any more of me. I could feel the power I held over him, how he trembled with need, his erection straining painfully against his jeans, but that was his problem. Not mine. With a slow, deliberate motion, I bent down and picked up my nightdress from the cold floor. I slid it over my body, savoring the tension in the air, and refused to meet Rune’s eyes. As I turned and walked toward the exit, my bare feet padded softly against the dungeon’s stone floor. I didn’t look back. I didn’t need to. The sound of Rune’s heavy breathing followed me, filling the air with a tension that felt almost tangible, but I kept my head held high and my pace steady. With each step I took, my skin tingled with the rem
Alora’s POV The grand hall was buzzing with an energy I couldn't quite place. The air was thick with magic, and it almost made my skin tingle as I stepped inside with Nevaeh in my arms. Her tiny fingers gripped my dress as her wide eyes took in the scene, but I felt her calmness, my only anchor in this sea of uncertainty. She doesn’t know what is going on and I feel like I should have hide her. Morrigan and Eirlys flanked me on either side. Both of them exuded a power so natural, so effortless, that it made me feel even smaller. My mind was racing, but I did my best to keep my face composed. I was supposed to be their queen tonight. I was supposed to be in control. But deep down, all I felt was dread. The truth was, I didn’t know how to control the power they were all so curious about. I don’t even know what the hell is going on anymore. Are my hands shaking? Shit. I watched Morrigan and Eirlys move ahead, whispering something to each other before nodding in my direction. Th
Alora’s POVAs soon as I saw Rune, my body moved before my mind could catch up. Nevaeh clung tightly to me, her soft breath warm against my neck as I pushed through the chaotic crowd. Thank Goddess she wasn’t watching. The hall was a blur of violence, spells crackling in the air, wolves snarling, and witches hurling curses at one another. Every instinct I had screamed to run in the opposite direction, but I found myself drawn toward Rune, toward the only source of stability in this storm.But it wasn’t just instinct pulling me closer to him, it was something more. Something deeper. I didn’t dwell on it though. A sudden movement caught my eye, and I barely had time to react before two witches lunged toward me, their faces twisted in fury. My heart leapt in my throat. But before they could reach me, Rune was there, his claws slashing through the air with terrifying precision. The sound of flesh tearing open made me flinch, and I quickly turned Nevaeh's face into my shoulder, covering