Rune’s POV I leaned back in my chair, the leather creaking softly beneath me, as I fixed my gaze on the CCTV screen in front of me. The monitor displayed a live feed of Sienna, who was being escorted through the halls of our pack house. Her wide eyes darted around, taking in every detail of her surroundings, and I could almost see the wheels turning in her mind as she tried to process where she had been brought. The Arctic Canines pack house was a marvel, and I took no small amount of pride in it. Situated in the heart of the second most powerful pack in the entire werewolf world, it was more than just a residence, it was a telltale to our power and our wealth. The towering stone walls, intricately carved with ancient symbols of our lineage, reflected the history and strength of our pack. The vast corridors, lined with priceless artwork and rich tapestries, spoke of generations of prosperity and dominance. My father’s influence was evident in every corner of the pack house. He
Rune’s POV I watched as Sienna continued to eat, her pace slowing as she gradually satisfied her hunger. The room was quiet except for the soft clink of silverware against plates. I let her have a few more moments of peace before I spoke, knowing full well that what I was about to say would shatter any sense of comfort she might have found in this place. "As much as I would like to see to it that you are thoroughly washed and in better condition," I began, my voice slicing through the silence, "there's something we need to discuss first." She froze mid-bite, her eyes darting up to meet mine, the last remnants of bread clutched in her hand. I could see the flicker of uncertainty in her gaze. I enjoyed that moment, the second before everything changed, when she was still hopeful, still unaware of what was to come. I leaned forward slightly, resting my elbows on the desk as I regarded her. "I’m going to be upfront with you, Sienna. I’m using you as bait." Her fork clattered onto
Alora’s POV Rune allowed me to rot in that wretched dungeon for two more agonising days. Each passing hour felt like an eternity, every second of which fueled the fury burning within me. I’d always known he was a monster, but this—this was something else. This was cruelty of the most calculated kind, and with each tick of the clock, my hatred for him grew like a relentless storm, threatening to consume me whole. The thought of him made my blood boil. I imagined tearing him limb from limb, savouring the image of feeding him to the rogues that he so despised. It was the only thing that brought me any solace in that dark, suffocating cell. Sienna. Was she being treated kindly? Or was she experiencing Rune’s twisted version of kindness, the kind that felt like a knife in the gut when you least expected it? But there were no answers, only more questions. Something about Sienna is off. I can feel it. I should have felt it since that day. I was lying on the floor when I h
Alora’s POV I waited the next morning, fully expecting someone to come and drag me back to the palace. After all, I had submitted, hadn’t I? What more could he possibly want? The hours stretched on, and no one came. With every tick of the clock, my anger grew, bubbling up from a deep well of frustration. Why was he doing this? Hadn't he humiliated me enough? Maybe this was his way of further degrading me, making me wallow in the filth of the dungeon for just a bit longer, to break me even more. When the door finally creaked open, I tensed, ready for whatever fresh torment awaited me. But it wasn’t a guard or some cruel order. Instead, they brought me food, not the usual stale bread and water, but a real meal, a homemade meal. The smell alone made my mouth water, my stomach growling in response. It was the kind of food that reminded me of home, of times when things were simpler, before everything became a living nightmare. Without a second thought, I wolfed it down, shov
Rune’s POVWatching Alora through the screen as she moved around the room, I couldn’t help but smirk. Even now, she refused to completely submit. The defiance was still there, buried under layers of fear and exhaustion, but it was there nonetheless. She had removed the white lingerie the maid begged her to wear, opting instead for a simple sundress from the armchair. The act of defiance was almost laughable, she still thought she had a say in anything that happened here. She doesn’t but I don’t want to push her too far today. The room she was in wasn’t just any room in the dungeon. It was my secret, a place I had built years ago when I needed somewhere to retreat from everything and everyone. A small, hidden space where I could be alone, undisturbed. No one knew about it, not even my closest confidants. But now, Alora had been brought there, and the secret was out. It was no longer my private sanctuary; it was her new prison.With a deep breath, I rose from my chair, leaving the s
Rune’s POV I leaned in closer, my breath warm against her skin as I kissed up and down her ear, savouring the way she shuddered beneath my touch. Each kiss was slow, deliberate, meant to remind her of the connection that still pulsed between us, no matter how much she tried to deny it. Her breath hitched when I reached the sensitive spot just beneath her ear, where her pulse fluttered wildly. I let my lips linger there, feeling the rapid beat of her heart, savouring the mix of defiance and undeniable desire coursing through her. Slowly, I trailed my lips down the curve of her neck, taking my time, knowing exactly where to press to make her body respond despite herself. Her scent—sweet honey mixed with a hint of fear—intoxicated me, made me crave more. I imagined marking her there, claiming her once and for all. The thought sent a possessive thrill through me, one I knew I would act on eventually, but not just yet. There was still so much more of her to explore, to conquer. As
Alora’s POV The humiliation burned deep. The fact that Rune, of all people, was spanking me at my big age was beyond degrading. Even when we were younger, he never stooped to such levels. We fought, we argued, but he never crossed that line. And now, as an adult, with the strength and independence I had built over the years, he dared to do this? It was infuriating, and the sting on my skin was nothing compared to the sting of my pride. But what made it all worse, what twisted the knife he had plunged into my dignity, was the undeniable fact that I was wet. So wet that I could feel it dripping down, soaking through the thin fabric of my dress, and onto his trousers. It was as if my body was no longer my own, responding to his touch, his dominance, in ways I couldn't control. And then, as if to make it all worse, he slowly, deliberately, dipped his fingers into the wetness between my thighs, gathering it up before spreading it over my ass. The sensation was maddening, b
Rune’s POVI finally released Alora, allowing her to slide off my lap. Her eyes burned with defiance, and the flush across her cheeks betrayed her embarrassment. As I rose from the bed, I could feel her gaze burning into my back, no doubt trying to decipher my next move. I took a few steps toward the secret door, the one no one but I knew about until recently. Pausing, I turned back to face her.“If you think you have more control over your body than I do, then prove it. Don’t pleasure yourself behind my back,” I said, my tone a mix of challenge and warning.I watched her face flush an even deeper shade of red, clearly recalling the time I had caught her in the bathroom. It was a rare moment of vulnerability, one I knew she hadn’t allowed herself since.Her expression hardened, and with a tilt of her chin, she shot back, “I won’t. Don’t flatter yourself by thinking you have that much power over me.”I chuckled at her words, the sound low and taunting. Her defiance was both infuriatin
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