ELIANA I clenched my fists, biting back a retort as Victoria's venomous words hung in the air. I knew that responding to her jabs would only lead to punishment from my father, so I forced myself to remain silent, swallowing my anger and resentment. The effort left me seething, but I kept my emotions in check, refusing to give Victoria the satisfaction of getting under my skin.I trailed behind Victoria, my curiosity piqued, and entered the sitting room. But it was my father's expression that truly caught me off guard.Was I seeing things? It looked almost like a smile on my father's face, but that couldn't be right.I rubbed my eyes, wondering if I was hallucinating. No, it was definitely a smile - a small, subtle one, but a smile nonetheless. I was taken aback; my father didn't smile often, especially not at me.I approached my father, and to my surprise, the smile remained. For a moment, I felt a spark of happiness, which was strange, given our complicated relationship. I couldn't
ELIANA The next word I heard sealed my fate. “Herold, here is your new mate,” my father said. The sentence was hanging in the air like a challenge. It wasn't a revelation; I had suspected it all along. This man hated me, and now it seemed he was determined to ruin my life forever."But, Father..." I trailed off, my words lost on him. He didn't even flinch; he just pinned me with a gaze that was both unyielding and absolute. The finality in his eyes was unmistakable - there would be no argument, no negotiation, no escape. It was clear: his decision was made, and I was bound to it.I summoned a courage I hadn't felt in ages and blurted out: "Beta Harold, I...he's not my mate." I wouldn't normally speak to my father that way but desperation had taken over. I was grasping at anything, no matter how reckless, to alter the course of events that seemed inevitable.Beta Harold's face contorted into a deep frown. "Young lady, you should be grateful I'm willing to make you my chosen mate, nobo
ELIANA "I made dinner, let's go eat," Victoria announced, her piercing gaze settled on me, her eyes flashing with malice. I braced myself for the inevitable insult, and it came with biting precision: "This meal is for the fertile, but I suppose the barren can join us too." Vivian's annoying giggle echoed through the room, and I felt a sting from Victoria's venomous words.The sting I felt wasn't from Victoria's insult - I knew the truth about myself - but from the painful realization that the only family I had derived so much joy in seeing me hurt. Vivian's giggles and Victoria's venomous words hung in the air, a harsh reminder of the toxic dynamics that had become all too familiar.My father's words cut deep, a familiar sting that never seemed to lose its potency. “I wouldn't normally let you eat at the same table as me and my family,” he said, each word a reminder of my perpetual outsider status. I gulped dry air, the pain of years of maltreatment and rejection still fresh, still r
ELIANA Vivian's voice dripped with malice as she said, "Congratulations on finding a new mate." Her words hung in the air like a challenge, and I knew she was mocking me. I chose to ignore the jab, my silence a deliberate refusal to rise to her bait. Beta Harold's gaze narrowed, his eyes fixed on Victoria as she served him. "Is she barren?" he asked gruffly, his voice like a slap. "That wouldn't be good because I would want her to bear me children,” he added. The savory aroma of roasted meat wafted through the air, but I felt a chill run down my spine as I waited for Victoria's response. My heart sank, heavy with the weight of Beta Harold's words. Bear him children? The thought was suffocating. I felt a desperate longing to escape, to flee back to the infuriating yet captivating Axel. His chiseled features and piercing gaze flashed in my mind, a tantalizing reminder. Victoria's eyes darted nervously between me and my father, her discomfort palpable. But before the silence could
AXELI had blown the plan. I wasn't supposed to mention Laura's name. It was a critical mistake, one I couldn't afford to make. She couldn't know my true identity, not now, not ever.The most agonizing part was that her memory still haunted me. The scent of her smooth cologne lingered, refusing to fade away.‘Oh, Moon Goddess, please, take this torment from me.’ No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the thought of her from my mind. It was as if I couldn't escape the memories that haunted me.Her slender legs and silky skin were etched in my mind, refusing to be forgotten. But I knew I had to try and shake off the image - it wasn't the right time, and seeing her again wasn't a necessity… not now. Yet, my emotions seemed to have a mind of their own, and they were getting the better of me.‘I need you in my study,’ I mind linked my beta, Tom.His response was instantaneous: ‘On my way, Alpha.’Within minutes, Tom appeared in my study. I couldn't help but appreciate his efficiency;
ELIANA I stood there, the sound of my ragged breathing filled my ears, a harsh reminder of the suffocating discomfort that gripped me. My life, my situation, everything seemed to be closing in on me. He came closer - a man old enough to be my father, shamelessly trying to make out with a girl young enough to be his daughter. The garden, once a beautiful sight, now seemed to be mocking me with its beauty.My throat was dry, and tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. I bit back the emotion, refusing to let it consume me. But the harder I tried the more vulnerable I felt.He leaned in, his nose grazing my skin as he sniffed along my shoulder. “You know, your skin is like buttermilk,” he said, a foolish grin spreading across his face. The words were meant as a compliment, but they only deepened the crease of disgust on my face.“You should be grateful I'm here with you," he sneered, his hand sliding up my arm as his gaze locked onto mine. "Nobody else wants you and I don't think anybod
ELIANA As I spun around, my eyes met his, and my heart stumbled. It was a face I'd tried to forget yet somehow couldn't shake from my memory: AXEL.He looked breathtaking as always; his presence sent a shiver down my spine. "Calm down, Miss," he said, his voice low and smooth, flashing his hazel eyes at me with a hint of mischief on his emotionless face.I retracted, stopping myself from shifting, but it was too late. The force of the motion had torn the fabric of my shirt, leaving a gaping hole that exposed more than half of my left boobs. Axel's gaze flickered downward, his eyes lingering on the torn fabric; there was a slight shift in his emotionless face, a flicker of something that vanished before I could grasp it. This man was a fortress, his thoughts locked away behind walls of steel. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking, and that secrecy only made him more intriguing."You didn't have to startle me like that," I said, wincing as I felt the crease on my forehead deep
AXEL She was proving stubborn, refusing to open up to me. Just like her father, secretive and tight-lipped. But that wasn't an issue, not for someone like me. A simple mind link would reveal what was bothering her. I was certain she hadn't sought out this spot just to breathe in some fresh air. I was sure she was just making up stories; it was so obvious she was terrible at lying for her not to want to spill it. It might be something that will facilitate my work here so I can return to the pressing issues.My people needed me.Something was off about her; I could sense it, feel it. Her unease was palpable, and yet, I couldn't help but notice the small smile that played on my lips within a few minutes I spent with her. It was a rare sight, one that I reserved for a few occasions. My father's words echoed in my mind: "We enjoy the prey a little before making them suffer.”I couldn't concentrate fully on my gaze, staring at secret glances at her naked chest. I desperately wanted to tear
ELIANA I locked gazes with my father, my eyes wide with terror, my heart was beating so fast, I knew he was capable of doing the most unthinkable thing.My father's eyes blazed with a fierce and unholy anger, the irises burning with an inner fire that seemed to sear my very soul. I trembled at the thought of his wrath.Here's a rephrased version that maintains I could see the rage in his eyes, and I wouldn't be surprised if he'd feed my blood to the vampires."How dare you, Eliana?" my father thundered, his voice exploding through the room like a crack of lightning, making me recoil in fear.As was her custom, Victoria, his stunning yet sinister wife, stood poised in the shadows, a devilish smile spreading across her face like a dark stain, her eyes glinting with malice.An unmistakable smile played on her lips, a twisted gleam in her eyes, for she reveled in my misery, feeding off the venomous hatred my father spewed towards me, her presence a constant reminder of the toxic dynamics
AXEL I slammed my fist onto the table, the sound echoing through the room as I let out a low, menacing growl.My eyes blazed with fury as the truth hit me like a punch to the gut - she had lied to me, and I couldn't believe I'd been so blind.I'd known that deception ran deep in her family's bloodlines, but I'd foolishly believed she was the exception, that she was different.I'd been taken in by the guileless sparkle in her blue eyes, convinced that it was a reflection of her true nature. But now I knew the truth - I'd been damn wrong.I'd been taken in by the guileless sparkle in her blue eyes, convinced that it was a reflection of her true nature. But now I knew the truth - I'd been damn wrong.I slammed my fist onto the table once more, the force of the blow making the plate jump, its delicate edges teetering on the brink of shattering."Alpha, is there a problem?" Tom asked, his voice trembling slightly as he looked at me, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and caution.A low, men
ELIANA "I'm the Lycan king," Axel stated, his voice low and even. "It wouldn't be good to harbor you here. You belong in your father's home, with him." His hazel eyes locked onto mine, staring daringly.Axel's words cut through me like a knife, shattering my heart into a million pieces. The way he said it, his tone firm and unyielding, sent a shiver down my spine. I couldn't quite decipher the emotion behind his words - was it anger, frustration, or something else entirely? Whatever it was, it left me feeling vulnerable and exposed.Each word felt like a dagger, piercing my heart and soul with cruelty. The pain was palpable, a physical ache that threatened to consume me whole. Axel's words were laced with a detached indifference, making them feel all the more brutal and unforgiving.I gulped in a lungful of dry air, my throat constricting with emotion. "Okay," I whispered, the word barely audible. I felt a sense of resignation wash over me, a sense of inevitability. "I'll just cha
ELIANAMy heart racing accelerated, my pulse quickening to a frantic pace. A single, terrifying question echoed through my mind: Had Axel finally uncovered the truth - that I had been deceiving him all along?There was no way I could confess the truth about my father with Cannis standing there, listening in. The risk was too great, and I knew I had to protect my secret, at least for now.I was terrified that I might let something slip, and Axel wouldn't believe me. If that happened, Cannis would undoubtedly report back to my father, and my punishment would be severe. The thought sent a chill down my spine.I couldn't help but notice a subtle shift in Axel's demeanor. He had never been warm or friendly, always maintaining a stoic exterior. But today, I sensed something underlying, a hint of emotion simmering just beneath the surface, making me wonder what could be driving this unexpected change.It might simply be one of his characteristic mood swings, or perhaps there was something mo
ELIANA "Alessia whispered 'Cannis' and I could sense the fear trembling in her voice. I was equally terrified. What was he doing here? I thought, my heart racing with every passing second. I took a cautious step forward, my senses on high alert.”I made my way towards Axel, attempting to brush off the unsettling feeling of Cannis's stare. Axel sat in the dining room, dressed in all-black attire, exuding an air of authority from his imposing chair.I had never seen this dining room before. Its opulent decor and antique furnishings transported me to 19th-century London. The atmosphere was shrouded in mystery as if the room held secrets of the past.I approached Axel, feeling tiny beside his massive chair. "You sent for me?" I said, my voice barely above a whisper, threatening to tremble. I hoped he wouldn't detect the fear lurking beneath my words.A lavish spread of food adorned the table, which only added to my confusion.The mansion seemed to hold even more secrets, as I stumbled up
ELIANA"Alessia, what's gotten into you?" I scolded, my voice laced with concern. Few days ago, she had been the one cautioning me about Axel's intentions, warning me to keep my distance. Now, it seemed like she'd done a complete 180, her obsession with him bordering on alarming. It was as if she'd been brainwashed, her eyes taking on a glassy, far-off quality whenever she mentioned his name. I was starting to worry about her, and I didn't know how to snap her out of it.Just as I was trying to make sense of Alessia's sudden obsession, a knock at the door broke the tension. I hesitated for a moment, expecting it to be Axel on the other side. But to my surprise, it was Tom, Axel's beta, who stood in the doorway, his eyes scanning the room with a mixture of curiosity and caution.My eyebrows furrowed into a deep frown as I recalled our last encounter, the tension between us still palpable. "Hello," I said curtly, my tone neutral. Tom's expression remained impassive, but I detected a fli
ELIANA It's been three days since Axel came to make me feel better by rubbing an ointment but I ended up asking a question that made me go through a series of deep thoughts. I hadn't uttered a word, but somehow, it seemed like an unspoken understanding had passed between us. Suddenly, Axel's expression had changed, and he hastily excused himself, leaving as abruptly as if an invisible force had summoned him away. The past three days had been uneventful, with nothing out of the ordinary occurring. Axel had left without even getting my response, it seemed like he was connected in a mind link with someone. He had left in a hurry; I tried to get an expression but as usual. I couldn't. I couldn't help but wonder why Axel had departed so hastily, leaving me with more questions than answers. What had prompted his sudden exit, and why hadn't he bothered to explain? But despite my uneventful days, my nights had been plagued by the same haunting nightmares. And Valkyrie's words cont
ELIANAHis piercing gaze held mine, refusing to yield, as he replied, "You heard me right, pixie. I don't repeat myself." The intensity of his stare amplified the flutter in my chest. His words were laced with a quiet confidence, leaving me breathless.Was he kidding me? Pulling my leg? Why would he, of all people, be interested in... me? Eliana, the very same person the pack deemed worthless? The thought stung, and I couldn't help but wonder if this was some cruel joke.The fleeting spark of hope was quickly extinguished as Vivian's venomous words echoed in my mind. The memory of her scornful tone made my mood plummet. "You're not worthy to be loved by him," she'd sneered. "You might only be fortunate enough to be part of his harem." The words stung, and I felt a familiar pang of insecurity.A nagging voice in my head whispered that maybe Vivian was right. Maybe he was just trying to add me to his collection, a trophy to be won and discarded at his whim. I felt a stinging sense of re
ELIANA His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled at me, clearly pleased with himself as he took in my stunned expression.I held my breath, hoping he wouldn't catch the scent of my arousal. It was mortifying to admit, but his touch had awakened something deep within me, a spark that felt almost... spiritual. I prayed he wouldn't notice, wouldn't realize the effect he had on me. But as his eyes locked onto mine, I wondered if I could keep my secret hidden.I couldn't help but melt into his gentle touch, the soft strokes of his tongue against my skin sending shivers down my spine. I really liked it, and for a moment, I wished he wasn't just doing it to make me feel better. I wished it was genuine that he truly desired me and not just trying to soothe the pain from my injuries.I laughed at myself inwardly, It was stupid of me to think he would desire me; it was AXEL DRACONIS I was thinking about. Think properly Eliana, think realistically.But his next words caught me off guard, se