Chapter NineteenCaleb’s POVAs I stepped out into the courtyard, a commotion caught my attention. Two of Hunter’s guards were dragging someone roughly toward the estate, and it took me a moment to realize who it was… Faelen.Her tear-soaked face was overwhelmed with fear and pain, and my heart raced at the sight. What in the name of the moon had Hunter done now?I rushed over, my pulse quickening. “What the hell are you doing?” I barked at the guards as I reached them. “Why are you dragging this girl like that?”The guards barely looked at me, their faces hard and indifferent. “Alpha’s orders,” one of them grunted. “He commanded us to bring her to his chambers.”I felt a rush of anger at their casual response. “Why?” I demanded, trying to keep the anger out of my voice, though it was almost impossible.The other guard shrugged, his grip on Faelen not tightening even harder. “We don’t know. We’re just following orders, sir.”I clenched my fists, my frustration mounting quickly. It wa
Chapter TwentyHunter’s POVAs the door slammed shut behind Caleb, I stood there, fists clenched, struggling to maintain my anger.His defiance irritated me, but there was something else that ate at me… a feeling I refused to acknowledge.He had no right to interfere, especially not when it came to my business. And yet, I couldn’t shake off the anger that continued to boil inside me, not just at him, but at myself.I turned my gaze back to Faelen, who was standing there, trembling slightly, the handkerchief clutched tightly in her hand.Her long red hair covered most of her face, and those gorgeous wide eyes of hers… always so full of fear, always making me feel… something I didn’t want to feel.Her presence there weakened me, more than I cared to admit. “Why do you have to make things so difficult, huh?” I muttered under my breath, more to myself than to her.My words came out louder than I intended, but I didn’t care. I needed to regain control, to stamp back my dominance and remind
Chapter Twenty-oneFaelen’s POVAs I finished the last bite of bread, I felt a strange mix of relief and confusion. Hunter had been watching me the whole time, his expression unreadable, but now, he seemed to have lost interest.He turned away, his eyes distant, as if I wasn’t even there anymore. “Take the plates with you and leave,” he ordered, his voice cold and distant.I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to make of the sudden change in his demeanor. But then I bowed lightly, as I had been taught to do, and gathered the plates.My hands were still shaking, and I had to force myself to focus, to not drop anything. As I made my way to the door, my mind was racing, trying to understand what the hell had just happened.Why had Hunter suddenly changed his mind? Why hadn’t he hurt me like he had last time?I could still remember the cruelty in his eyes, the way he had taken pleasure in my humiliation. But today, he had been different. Distant, yes, but not cruel.Not in the way I ha
Chapter Twenty-twoFaelen’s POVI left the kitchen with Caleb’s words still echoing in my mind. I knew he was right… I couldn’t trust Hunter. Not after everything he’d done.But something about the way he had acted today… it had shaken me. I had expected cruelty, and instead, I got confusion. It made no sense, and it made me uneasy.As I walked back to the servants’ quarters, I couldn’t help but replay the events of the day in my head. Hunter had dragged me to his room, and I was certain I was about to endure more humiliations.Today he had done nothing but offer me food and then sent me away. Why? What was he playing at? What was even more troubling was the stupid attraction I felt towards him.It was stronger now, and no matter how much I wanted to deny it, it terrified me. I couldn’t afford to be attracted to him. I couldn’t allow whatever childish imaginations of a connection forming between us.When I finally reached my small room, I collapsed on the bed, staring up at the ceilin
Chapter, Twenty-threeFaelen’s POVAs I stood trembling before Hunter, he gazed at me with those pretty, but menacing eyes that cut through me more than anything.I knew I had to think fast, but my mind was blank with fear and the shock of unexpectedly bumping into him. “I said… what are you doing here?!” His voice rang through the empty hallway, not minding if he woke others in the estate.There was also an anger in his voice that sent chills down my spine. He wasn’t going to let me leave until I answered him, he already made that clear. Even though I was scared to death of him, I knew there was no way I could tell him the truth. I’d be as good as dead if I dared open my mouth about the truth of it.But then, I could see that he was ready to drag the truth out of me by force if necessary, so I thought hard for a suitable lie. “I-I couldn’t sleep,” I stammered, trying to steady my voice to sound convincing. “So I thought I’d get some chores done, to make myself… useful.”Hunter’s e
Chapter Twenty-fourHunter’s POVAs the sun illuminated the sky the next morning, I turned in my sheets, but then stood up and walked straight into the bathroom.I didn’t know how to shake the uneasy thoughts that had plagued me all night. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my jaw clenched so tightly I could hear my teeth grinding together. The image staring back at me was a mess, a man who had spent the entire night tossing and turning, unable to get a moment’s rest.Dark circles revealed beneath my eyes, and my hair was disheveled from running my hands through it over and over again. I could still feel the ghost of Faelen’s lips on mine, the memory burning itself into my mind. No matter how much I tried to shake it off, it wouldn’t leave me.I hated it… hated her for making me feel this way, for dragging me into this mess feelings. But more than anything, I hated myself. How had I let it get this far? I should have put her in her place the moment she leaned in. I should hav
Chapter Twenty-fiveFaelen’s POVAs I rose from the bed that morning, I could still feel the weight of what had happened last night pressing down on me.My body ached with exhaustion, but it wasn’t just physical… it was emotional, too. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Hunter’s face, his fury, and the kiss that had sparked it all.Why had I done it? Why had I let myself get so close to him? I had been so careful, so focused on my mission, but in that moment, all of that had fallen away.It was like something had taken over me, a pull that I couldn’t resist, a force stronger than anything I had ever felt before. And it had led me to a place I knew I shouldn’t have gone.I paced the small room, my mind racing with thoughts I couldn’t control. Hunter was the Alpha, powerful, dangerous, and I was just a servant, an outsider here with a mission I couldn’t afford to fail.But none of that had mattered in that instant when our lips had touched. The memory of his kiss lingered on my lips, wa
Chapter Twenty-sixFaelen’s POVAs I sat there in the safety of the quarters, the panic began to subside, slowly replaced by a deep sadness.My heart still pounded in my chest, and my hands trembled uncontrollably, but my thoughts slowly started to come together.I replayed the scene over and over in my head… Hunter’s face, twisted in anger, the shattering of the tea set, and his voice, thundering through the office like a storm.How had it come to this? Just a day ago, I was a simple servant, blending into the background of the estate, doing my best to stay out of sight and fulfill my mission.But now… now I was marked. I felt. Hunter’s anger was like a brand of hot metal burning into my flesh, and I knew I would never escape it.I could still feel the sting of his eyes on me, a reminder that I had crossed a line that should never have been crossed.I tried to steady my breathing, but every time I closed my eyes, I saw him. I had kissed him, yes, but he had kissed me back. No matter
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