Chapter Forty-twoFaelen’s POVI thought we were finished, but it turned out there was more. Raven’s smirk faded as she glanced around, her eyes narrowing.She turned to face me and spoke in a low whisper. “Alpha Zodd has allies in Steeprock. They helped me sneak here.” She paused, looking at me up and down before she continued. “But you already suspected that, didn’t you?”I didn’t respond, my throat tightening as the reality of the situation became clearer to me every second.Steeprock’s presence here wasn’t a coincidence. They had a plan, and I was part of it, whether I liked it or not.“What have you learned?” Raven asked, her voice sharp and expectant.I hesitated. My heart raced as my mind flashed back to everything I had discovered since my arrival.But should I trust her with it? I had no choice. For now, she was my only link back to my pack, to completing the mission I had started months ago. I took a deep breath and began.“Howle Wulf is probably on the verge of war,” I whi
Chapter Forty-threeFaelen’s POVSunlight pierced through the kitchen windows as I busied myself with my daily tasks the next morning.But my mind was far from the duties of cleaning and cooking. It was beyond even the present.The meeting with Raven last night had stirred something inside me. At first, seeing her had filled me with unease.Her sudden appearance made me seriously question my own position. Was she here to replace me? Or worse, expose me?But after she left, those fears had faded, replaced by a strange sense of purpose. If her story was to be believed, then Alpha Zodd hadn’t forgotten me after all.He still needed me. And that meant something.I scrubbed the kitchen countertop harder, my hands working automatically as my thoughts circled on Alpha Zodd.It was almost amusing to think of him as the person who had my loyalty. He wasn’t the kindest, or the most compassionate of persons. To the world, he was a power-hungry and ruthless Alpha. I’d seen the way he treated his
Chapter Forty-fourFaelen’s POV The sun blazed high in the sky, its heat beating down on me relentlessly as I tried to lift a bag of soil.It was heavier than I’d expected, and I struggled to keep my grip.Sweat trickled down my neck, soaking through the back of my uniform and making the fabric stick uncomfortably to my skin.My arms trembled with the effort as I tried to maneuver the bag to the side of the flower bed. The gardener, a stout man in his late fifties, stood nearby pruning the hedges, offering no help or even a glance my way.The head maid’s orders had been clear… “help out in the garden”…but I knew what it really meant. Punishment.A reminder that I wasn’t anything special. She hadn’t even looked me in the eye when she’d said it, her tone cold.I could hear the sneers and barely concealed giggles of the other maids behind me.I adjusted my grip on the bag, lifting it higher and then almost losing my balance.My foot slipped on a loose stone, and I lurched forward, bare
Chapter Forty-five Caleb’s POV As soon as we were far enough from the garden, Hunter’s pace slowed down, but I could tell from the stiffness in his shoulders that he was tense.He hadn’t said a word since we left the garden, and I wasn’t sure what was running through his mind.The silence stretched between us, until I couldn’t take it anymore. “Hunter?” I asked cautiously. “Are you alright?”He stopped abruptly and turned to face me, his eyes dark and unreadable.For a moment, I thought he was going to dismiss my question or brush it off like he usually did when something bothered him.But instead, he glared at me, his jaw clenched so tight that I thought he might crack a tooth.“What were you doing back there, Caleb?” he demanded.I frowned, confused. “What do you mean?”“You know exactly what I mean,” he shot back, his eyes narrowing. “Helping her. Talking to her like that.” He took a step closer, his gaze piercing into mine. “What the hell are you playing at?”I blinked, taken ab
Chapter Forty-sixCaleb’s POV A few days later, Hunter’s control slipped again, this time in front of the council members during a formal dinner.Faelen and the other maids were serving, moving silently around the table as the men discussed various matters.I noticed Faelen out of the corner of my eye, carrying a tray of wine glasses.She was about to serve one to Alex, one of the older councilmen, when he leaned forward slightly, his voice low and teasing. “You’re new, aren’t you? What’s your name?”Faelen hesitated, glancing at him in an uncertain manner. “Faelen, sir.” She answered.“Faelen, huh?” Alex repeated, giving her a friendly smile. “A pretty name for a pretty girl.”I saw it happen in slow motion… Hunter’s hand tightening around his wine glass, his gaze turning cold as he watched the interaction.For a moment, I thought he was going to shatter the glass in his grip. But then he spoke, his voice surprisingly calm, but with a sharp edge.“Faelen,” he said, drawing everyone’
Chapter Forty-sevenFaelen’s POV It had been days since Hunter and I had slept together in his private chambers, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of anticipation that hung over me.I had expected him to summon me, to call me back into his world, but nothing had happened. The only connection we seemed to have now was through brief glances across the estate, moments that felt electric but ended in silence as he turned his face away.It was as if I was a ghost to him, someone he couldn’t quite face after our shared secret.Every time I caught his eye, my heart raced with hope, only for it to sink when he shifted his gaze. He seemed angry, and I didn’t know how to reach out to him.He was the Alpha, after all, unless he summoned me or needed something, I wouldn’t dare approach him.I kept praying for him to call on me though, not only because I wanted to see him, but also because I needed to gather something useful to share with Raven upon her return.It was getting harder to reconcile
Chapter Forty-eightHunter’s POV I had my face buried deep between Faelen’s shaky thighs, my tongue doing wonders to her clit and entire womanhood.I’d gone out to fetch something from the library, and returning, I’d found her in my office. She seemed to be looking for something on my desk, but the sight of her both surprised and excited me that I didn’t bother why.When asked why she was here though, she’d lied about it. I’d known immediately that she was using the excuse of bringing me wine to see me, and somehow, that had made my heart leap with joy.Faelen let out soft moans as I ate her out, then gasps which came with heavy breaths… and mentally, I added those to the list of my favorite sounds in the world.Her hand was placed on top of my head as I worked my magic… one hand at first, then with both hands, she grabbed handfuls of my hair as I upped my tempo.Her whole body vibrated and convulsed with excitement as I went on, her head tilted backwards, completely lost in ecstasy.
Chapter Forty-nineHunter’s POV As soon as I heard the door open and saw Caleb’s figure standing there, every muscle in my body tensed.The heat and passion from just moments ago vanished in a wave of shock and embarrassment.I looked at Faelen, her cheeks flushed, lips parted in surprise. My mind raced as the reality of what had just happened settled over us.The look of horror was plastered on Caleb’s face as he registered the scene he had just witnessed.“Shit…” I muttered under my breath.Caleb’s eyes shifted between us before he quickly turned away silently. He took a step back, the door swinging shut behind him.I could still feel his presence on the other side, no doubt rooted to the spot, waiting for… something.Faelen scrambled to cover herself, her hands trembling as she reached for her scattered clothes.She looked so vulnerable that moment, and all I wanted to do was pull her back to me, and protect her from the mess we’d just gotten ourselves into. But I hesitated, torn
Chapter Seventy-fourFaelen’s POV That night, I lay in bed, turning over every possibility in my mind, knowing Alpha Zodd wouldn’t let his recent defeat here go unanswered.I couldn’t shake the thought that he’d already heard of my defection. Someone must have informed him by now, and I knew the rage he’d feel.I could even almost picture it… Zodd’s eyes blazing, his infamous rage twisting his face as he unleashed his anger on anyone nearby.I used to stay far from his wrath, feeling an instinctive survival need to avoid setting him off, yet now, the very idea of him made me feel only disgust.I wondered how I had spent so much of my life under him, convincing myself I could tolerate it, or that it was simply the way things were.And now, lying in the safety of the Howle Wulf pack, I felt something I’d barely dared to hope for back in Belladonna… a fierce gladness that I’d escaped.I knew I might have stayed in Zodd’s shadow forever, accepting his cruelty, believing I had no choice.
Chapter Seventy-threeHunter’s POVSeated alone in my office that morning, I tried to focus on the endless papers spread across my desk, yet all my mind seemed capable of doing was going back to last night with Faelen.A faint smile tugged at my lips as I recalled every detail… the way her hair fell in waves across the pillow, her soft laughs, the warmth of her body against mine.I’d left her early, quietly slipping out to keep up appearances and make it to the office without drawing attention. But the memory lingered, a welcome distraction from my usual routine.The door creaked open, and I looked up to see Caleb stepping inside, his expression serious. My smile faded as I straightened, noting the urgency in his eyes.“What’s going on, Caleb?” I asked, gesturing for him to come in.He closed the door behind him and stepped forward. “I have news from the scouts and spies,” he began, his voice low and wary. “The Belladonna Pack… They’re regrouping for another attack.“What?” I asked, r
Chapter Seventy-twoHunter’s POV Waking up in Faelen’s bed, I lay still for a moment, letting the early morning sun which pierced through the window settle over us. The warmth of Faelen’s body beside me was a reminder of the steamy night we’d shared, every detail printed into my mind.Her bare shoulder peeked out from under the sheets, her red hair spilling around her face like fire against her pillow.Laying there, she looked almost unreal, soft and breathtaking… like an angel… in her sleep.My fingers itched to reach out to her again, but I held back, not wanting to disturb the rare peace that she had in this moment.Slowly, I shifted, slipping out of the bed with a careful, measured silence. I gathered my clothes and moved away slightly.I glanced over at her every few seconds, as if to check that she was still there, that last night hadn’t been some hazy dream.As I pulled my shirt over my shoulders, I couldn’t help but recall the warmth of her touch against my skin, or the swee
Chapter Seventy-one Faelen’s POV When Hunter shared his decision to make me a full member of the pack, my first instinct was disbelief.I couldn’t quite grasp that he meant it, that he was willing to trust me so deeply despite everything I’d done.All I managed was a quiet, breathless thank you, hoping he could see just how much his faith in me mattered.As he watched me, the warmth in his eyes gave me something I hadn’t felt in years…hope. For the first time, I felt like maybe I could be more than a pawn in someone else’s game.The days that followed were filled with new routines for me as I tried to settle into my place among the pack.Hunter, of course, was never far. I would find him stopping by while I helped the pack with library work, hauling supplies, or tending to small tasks around the offices.His face held that half smile of his, and sometimes he’d shake his head at me, urging me to take a break.But I couldn’t. It wasn’t about proving anything to the others… it was abou
Chapter SeventyHunter’s POV The next few days, I set everything in motion to reinstate Faelen officially into the pack. I’d made the decision, and I’d stand by it, though I knew there were bound to be a few raised eyebrows.There’d been a lot of gossip circulating since the dinner, but I didn’t care. They came to respect her, but I knew they still didn’t see her as one of us, which I hoped to change.What mattered to me was ensuring Faelen knew her place here was solid… that she could trust us as much as I hoped to make everyone trust her as I did.Early the following morning, I gathered the pack elders and high ranking officers in the palace hall, where I intended to reveal my decision.The sun had barely set over the estate grounds when I had Caleb call the meeting, and the early morning light pierced through the window touching everyone who walked in there.My chest tightened nervously when I saw them all seated by the long table, shifting on my feet. I could see they were all ea
Chapter Sixty-nineHunter’s POV As I exited the restroom, I had one last look at myself to make sure I looked presentable. Satisfied, I then headed down the hallway.On my way, I passed a group of women going the opposite way. They looked at me strangely, but I wasn’t surprised why, seeing I’d just come out of the female restroom.Briefly smiling at them, I walked past and headed towards the dining hall. I couldn’t shake the rush within from what had just happened between Faelen and me.I had always been in control, always certain of myself, but not with her. The moment I saw her tonight, everything had shifted.Faelen had taken my breath away, standing there looking both fierce and vulnerable, like she belonged to some heavenly realm but had graced us with her presence.The memory of her lips, her touch… it all felt raw and tattooed into my mind.Raising my head high and squaring my shoulders, I forced myself to adopt the relaxed expression I knew everyone expected from me. Caleb c
Chapter Sixty-eightFaelen’s POV It was over in minutes, and as we adjusted our clothes, the weight of what we’d just done settled over me.My fingers paused on the loosened neckline of my dress, feeling a warmth still there from Hunter’s touch.When I glanced up, I saw him tucking his shirt back in, his eyes catching mine with a mischievous look.The reality of the moment hit us both… sneaking off in the middle of the dinner he’d arranged for me to fuck… and we couldn’t help but share a smile.He stepped closer, his breath brushing warm against my cheek, still heavy from our time together.Reaching up, he gently pushed a strand of hair from my face, his fingers lingering as they brushed my cheek. “That was amazing,” he murmured, voice low and satisfied.A laugh escaped me, soft and a little shy. I lowered my gaze, adjusting the fabric of my dress to buy a moment to collect myself, though my heart was still racing.“It was… amazing,” I admitted, feeling a blush creep over my cheeks.
Chapter Sixty-sevenFaelen’s POV As the laughter and chatter from the dinner filled the air, I couldn’t shake off the discomfort of the dress hugging my body.It was beautiful, a deep shade of blue that seemed to complement my hair, but every time I moved, I felt it tighten around me, making it hard to breathe.I needed a moment away from the table, a chance to gather myself and take a breath. Excusing myself from the lively conversation, I slipped out of the dining hall.Just as I turned to head towards the nearby restroom, I bumped into Caleb. He was leaning casually against the wall, a soft smile on his lips.“Faelen,” he said, his eyes brightening as they went over me. “You look absolutely stunning in that dress.”“Thank you, but I can barely breathe in it,” I admitted, giving a small laugh, hoping to mask my discomfort.Caleb chuckled. “You’ll get used to it. Besides, you’re supposed to look like a princess tonight. That’s the point.”I smiled back, but inside I felt strange. I
Chapter Sixty-sixHunter’s POV I stood in front of the huge mirror by my closet, giving myself one last look before leaving for the dinner.The reflection staring back at me was a complete difference to my usual rugged demeanor.My hair was neatly combed, my shirt crisp, the dark fabric complementing my tall frame. A sense of discomfort suddenly ran through me as I adjusted the collar.It was an unfamiliar feeling settling in my chest. I’d never felt the need to present myself this way for anyone before.Yet here I was, preparing for a dinner where Faelen would be the guest of honor, and somehow, it felt awkward.What the hell is wrong with me? I thought, running a hand over my face.I usually appeared anywhere with authority and confidence. But this was different… this felt personal.I shook my head, pushing the nerves aside, and stepped out of my chambers. I sighed as I closed the door behind me and walked.The dark corridor and stairs led me toward the dining hall, where I could a