Alora’s POVI decided to leave the room the next morning, tired of being cooped up, tired of the weight pressing on my chest and the stillness that felt like it was suffocating me. The room smelled of Rune, of our shared tension, of something I couldn’t escape. I needed air, even if it meant facing the world outside of that suffocating space. Maybe some food would settle the churning in my stomach. I hadn’t eaten much since…well, everything. As I slipped into the hallway, I kept my eyes low, my body moving quietly, hoping to avoid anyone who might remind me of the mess I was in. But of course, fate had other plans. Just as I turned the corner near the dining hall, I bumped into someone. My heart dropped when I realized it was Mother.I froze, instinctively lowering my eyes. I couldn’t bear to look at her, not after everything. Her presence was like a reminder of the life I once had, the life I’d lost the moment the truth about my parentage was revealed. The moment I realized I was
Rune’s POVAs I walked back to my room, a sense of dread settled in the pit of my stomach. I had avoided her all day, finding excuses to stay away. The truth was, I didn’t trust myself around her right now. The thought of that child inside her… his child, made my blood boil. How could she have allowed another man to touch what was mine? How could she betray me like that?Opening the door, I stepped inside, and my gaze immediately landed on her. Alora was curled into a ball on the bed, fast asleep. Her face was peaceful, her breathing steady, and she looked so small, vulnerable even, despite everything. Her hair was splayed across the pillow like a dark halo, framing her delicate features. For a moment, she didn’t seem like the woman who had defied me, the woman who now carried another man’s child. She looked like the Alora from years ago, the one who had always been under my watchful eye.I stood there, just watching her, my mind racing. Despite everything, despite the betrayal I f
Rune’s POV I lay in bed, staring at Alora, unable to sleep. She was fast asleep, her breathing even and steady, her expression calm. But even in her sleep, there was a trace of something –pain, maybe, or fear. She was curled on her side, one hand resting near her face, the other cradling her belly protectively. I watched the slow rise and fall of her chest, and all I could think about was how wrong this all felt. Anger. Desire. Possession. And something else, a nagging sense of betrayal that I couldn’t shake. She was mine, and yet, she wasn’t. Not completely. Not with that child growing inside her. I clenched my jaw, trying to push the thoughts away, but they wouldn’t leave me alone. I wanted to reach out, to touch her, to claim her again and remind her who she belonged to. But I didn’t. I just watched, unable to do anything else. Suddenly, a sharp voice cut through my thoughts. Ethan’s voice, urgent and agitated, pierced through the quiet as he mindlinked me. "Rune," he
Alora’s POVI woke up breathless, the sheets tangled around my legs, and my body aching with a need I couldn’t control. My fingers were buried deep inside my wet heat, moving desperately as I tried to reach the climax that hovered just out of reach. My hips rolled, pushing against my hand, and every breath was a needy, broken gasp. I was too lost in the sensation to realize I wasn’t alone until I looked up and saw him… Rune, leaning against the doorframe with that wicked smirk, eyes dark and full of possessive hunger.My heart skipped a beat, and I froze, ripping my hand away from my core in mortification. My cheeks burned as Rune stepped forward, his gaze locked on mine, mocking and unrelenting.I tried to cover myself, but his strong hand caught my wrist, pulling it away from my body. He didn’t say a word, just watched me, the air between us thick with tension and something darker, more dangerous.He has seen me dreaming about him fucking me. I hated that he decided to cum on my b
Alora’s POVRune's eyes never leave mine as he gives his cock a slow, deliberate stroke, the slick glide of his hand making my breath hitch. I watch, mesmerized, as a bead of precum gathers at the tip, sliding down his length in a way that makes my mouth water. The sheer confidence, the unapologetic masculinity of his movements, has my pulse racing. I want to taste him, to feel that raw power on my tongue.Still gripping his cock, Rune reaches out and cups my jaw, his thumb brushing over the tears still wet on my cheeks. “I love it when you cry because your tiny body can’t handle the pleasure I give you,” he murmurs, voice thick with possession. “It makes me rock fucking hard to see those tears of yours. Tell me, did you cry during sex for other bastards?”I swallow, my throat dry as I manage to whisper, “No.” Somehow, the darkness of his words only heightens my arousal. I shouldn’t be turned on by this, but I am, so much it scares me.His gaze darkens, filled with a possessive hung
Rune’s POV I stare at her, utterly spent and beautiful in her vulnerability, her body still trembling in the aftermath of the intense pleasure I’d pulled from her. Alora lies there, chest heaving, her soft lips parted, and her lashes fluttering as if she’s caught in some half-dream state, still feeling echoes of her orgasm. I can’t help but be mesmerized by her. Her skin glistens with a sheen of sweat. I can’t leave her like this –messy, exposed, and marked by our sins. Carefully, I grab a wet cloth from the nightstand, the cool water soaking through the fabric, and kneel beside her. With a gentle touch, I press the cloth against her inner thighs, wiping away the remnants of our encounter. She stirs, a soft moan escaping her lips, her body instinctively arching as the cold cloth brushes against her still-sensitive flesh. I watch, captivated, as her back arches ever so slightly, the soft curve of her spine catching the dim light of the room. She looks ethereal, an untouchable go
Alora’s POV The morning light spills through the curtains.My body feels heavy, languid, and sated, like every muscle and nerve has been thoroughly unwound. I stretch, savoring the sensation of the sheets against my skin, and I can’t help but replay the events of last night in my mind. The way Rune’s touch lingered, the possessive heat of his hands, and the dark, twisted satisfaction that poured from him into me. It was wrong and consuming, but it was real. I’ve never felt more seen, more desired, than when I’m beneath him. And in the quiet aftermath of it all, I realize how much I crave that feeling, even if it terrifies me. Something is changing between us. The sex, the connevtion… everything. There’s a light knock on the door, and before I can even call out, the door opens slowly. I sit up, a faint flutter of anxiety gripping me, but it quickly fades when I see who steps inside. Luna. The maid who took care of me in that posh dungeon months ago, the only friendly face in
Rune’s POVI sat at the head of the dining table, hands folded, face calm, but my mind was swirling with everything I had learned last night. I hadn't told my parents or anyone else the full truth about the witches or Alora’s connection to them. Not yet. I kept my explanation simple, telling them that the witches had cast a spell that was slowly deteriorating our pack and that they wanted something from us, something they would only reveal when the time was right. I watched as my parents exchanged uneasy glances, clearly disturbed by the news but too seasoned to show much fear. They were Alphas after all, hardened by years of leading the pack through peace and conflict alike. But this was new territory, and the tension was thick.“I hope they say what they want before things get worse.” Mom muttered then silently prayed to the Moon Goddess. Before I could say anything more, Cielle and Dylan stormed into the dining room, their expressions sour, the air between them charged with ange
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