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 FiftyFaelen’s POV I had bolted out of Hunter’s office with my face burning with humiliation and my chest tight with shame.Caleb had been standing right there by the door, but I couldn’t even look at him. I kept my gaze fixed on the floor, focusing on the sound of my own footsteps echoing down the corridor.I felt like I was suffocating under the weight of his silent judgment. How had I been so stupid? So reckless?Now outside the estate, I rounded a corner and didn’t stop until I was well out of sight, pressing myself against the cold stone wall.My breaths came in harsh gasps, and I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting the tears that wanted to spill out.But it was no use. The embarrassment of what had just happened, the shame of being caught like that by Caleb was too overwhelming.I sank to the floor, curling myself as the sobs came in wave over my body.What must Caleb think of me now? He’d always been so kind, so and… different from the others. He had looked at me like I wa
Chapter Fifty-one Hunter’s POV The moment Caleb left my office, the silence that settled in the room was suffocating. I stood there, staring blankly at the door for what felt like forever.My mind spun with thoughts and emotions I could hardly make sense of. There was still the faint scent of Faelen lingering in the air, a maddening reminder of what had just happened.No. What I’d let happen.“Damn it,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair and tugging at it in frustration.This wasn’t how things were supposed to be. None of it. I was supposed to be in control… of myself, of my feelings and the whole situation.Yet, every time I was around Faelen, it was like I lost my grip on everything. And now Caleb… my best friend and my Beta, had seen me with her. Her, of all people. A servant. Someone I should have no business getting involved with, yet here I was.Guilt, anger, confusion… all clashed inside me, fighting for dominance. And beneath it all, the relentless tug of my emotion
Chapter Seventy-nineFaelen’s POVThe days after the victory seemed to blend together in a whirlwind of activity and emotion. It was as if the world had shifted, and everything I had known, everything I had feared, had been replaced by something entirely new… a future I had never dared imagine.I woke up next to Hunter every morning, and with each passing day, it felt more and more like a dream.I could hardly believe that I, Faelen… the girl who had once been a slave, a spy, a tool for manipulation… was now beside him.I hadn’t expected any of it. I thought, perhaps, that I would remain on the fringes of his world, a pawn in the game, but Hunter had changed that.He had proven his loyalty to me, time and again, and I had returned it with all my heart. We were one with each other, in a way that felt right.We were connected… living side by side, laughing together, even sharing those quiet moments that spoke a lot without a single word.Since the night of the celebration of victory, I
Chapter Seventy-eightHunter’s POV The battle was finally over. Belladonna had fallen, and as the dust settled, the tension that had gripped the air for so long began to lift.I watched as my men moved across the battlefield, taking stock of the damage, collecting the fallen, and securing the area.The victory was ours, but It was Faelen’s plan, her intelligence, that had truly turned the tide. Without her, we wouldn’t have been in the position to strike when we did.It didn’t take long for the survivors to come to us… the harmless members of the pack, who had also suffered from Zodd’s cruelty no doubt.Raid, Faelen’s friend was among them. I had promised Faelen the chance to reunite with her best friend earlier, and now I had.I knew it would be an emotional moment for both of them, I couldn’t help but watch closely, watching Faelen walk towards Raid, a soft smile on her face as they locked eyes.There was an exchange, too quiet for me to hear, but I didn’t need to know the words.
Chapter Seventy-sevenHunter’s POV Finally, the day had come.We were ready. Faelen and I stood at the head of the army as we prepared for the surprise attack on Belladonna.The air was thick with anticipation, but there was something more that made me feel confident in the plan we’d set in motion.Faelen had laid it out so carefully, and her insights had changed everything. For once, I felt sure that we would strike the right blow at the right time.I had always been a leader who trusted in my warriors, but there was something different about this attack.It wasn’t just my warriors who we depended on to make the difference. It was Faelen. Her knowledge of Zodd, his tactics, his weaknesses… it had made this possible.I trusted her more than anyone, and though we had never fully spoken of it, I could feel the bond between us growing stronger. Not just as leaders, but as something more.The moon hung low in the sky, the light spilling across the darkened trees. The forest was quiet, li
Chapter Seventy-sixHunter’s POV After the breakfast, we barely made it to the office when I sent a message for Caleb to join us soon.But now, as I watched Faelen move slowly around the room, her gaze resting on the framed photographs on the walls, my mind shifted completely from any strategy session.There was something about the way she stood there, her fingers grazing the edges of a picture, her expression lost in thought, that stirred something deep in me.If I’d known she’d come looking for me last night, I’d have returned the second I finished at the stables.The thought of her waiting, wondering where I was, brought a flash of desire that caught me off guard.My chest tightened, and before I knew it, I was crossing the room, unable to resist the pull any longer.Sliding my arms around her waist, I pulled her to me, and she spun in my hold, her wide eyes meeting mine.Before she could say a word, I pressed my lips to hers, pouring everything I felt into the kiss. She stiffene
Chapter Seventy-fiveFaelen’s POV The morning sun streamed through my window, pulling me from the light, restless sleep I’d managed to catch after a night filled with endless thoughts.My mind picked up exactly where it had left off, circling around Hunter’s absence, the plan I wanted to share, and, undeniably, the burning question of where he’d been.I knew he was more than capable of taking care of himself, but a strange feeling had clawed at me through the night.And worse… some jealous part of my mind whispered that maybe he’d spent the night with someone else.Hunter was, after all, a powerful and desirable Alpha. Every woman in the pack seemed to orbit around him, from the noble daughters of allied families to the giggling servants.As much as I tried to shrug it off, the thought stuck. I wasn’t exactly one of his official “consorts,” and though we shared something far deeper than just passion, there had never been talk of loyalty or commitment.But the idea of him with someone
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