It’s very funny how one minute, you are praying to the Selene for you to leave one hell hole and the next minute you are in a far more worse situation than you were before. The man before me was probably the devil’s younger brother. Elijah's gaze intensified, his eyes burning with a hunger that made my skin prickle. He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low, husky tone. "Astrid, you're different. I can smell it on you." His words sent shivers down my spine. I tried to edge away, but Elijah's hand shot out, grasping my wrist. His touch was like a brand, searing my skin. "Don't be afraid," he whispered, his breath caressing my ear. "I can show you what it means to be truly desired." My heart racing, I tried to pull free, but Elijah's grip tightened. His eyes seemed to darken, his pupils dilating. "No, please ," I protested, trying to keep my voice steady. Elijah's smile twisted. "Ah, but I'm not just any alpha. I'm the one who can give you what Kael can't." His lips brushe
The silver moonlight reflected off the water, the air thick with the scent of earth, blood, and adrenaline. The she-wolf who had joined the battle padded closer to us, her movements sharp and precise, the same predatory grace that Kael exhibited when he was in his wolf form. Her fur was a sleek shade of gray, almost silver in the moonlight, and her eyes were a piercing yellow that seemed to see straight through me. She glanced at Kael, a look of understanding passing between them before she turned to me. "We need to go," she said, her voice low and steady, tinged with a sense of urgency. "The rogues are just the beginning. If you stay here, it won't be long before others find out you're here. And Kael's enemies won't rest until they get what they want." I glanced up at Kael’s wolf, his eyes still burning with the same fierce intensity. He nodded to the she-wolf, then turned toward me, his body language demanding I follow. Without another word, I did. The night seemed to grow co
I silently walked down the hallway to the servant quarters, knowing fully well that my things has probably been moved from the room upstairs. My hair stuck to my face with sand and dirt, due to the lake we swarm through while running. I needed to shower, but it was late already, and I really didn’t know my way around the pack house yet. The halls of the pack house felt colder as I made my way to the servant quarters. Every shadow seemed to carry a whisper, every creak of the ancient stone floors a warning. Kael’s world was a labyrinth of power plays and silent battles, and I was now caught in the middle of it. As I pushed open the heavy wooden door to the servants' wing, a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks. "You’re far from where you should be." I turned sharply to see Dominique leaning against the stone wall, his arms crossed and an almost mocking smile playing on his lips. His resemblance to Kael was striking, but where Kael exuded unyielding dominance, Dominique carr
The early morning air was crisp and biting as I made my way to the training grounds. The first rays of dawn barely pierced through the dense forest that surrounded the pack house. My body ached from the events of the previous day, and from lying on the cold hard floor through the night. When I had hot in the beds were occupied and I wasn’t really familiar with anyone nor do they even like me to begin with. Using my small blanket I had with me from the time I spent with Robb up till now, I laid on the floor. Robb. How was he and his wife, Alice? I wondered till I finally fell asleep. I hadn’t slept much, as a kept waking up from nightmares, with sweets pouring down from face to my neck, my thoughts racing between finding Ruby and Aria, probably visiting my father and the place I once called home. But first I needed to be strong on my own, with fear, and determination heavy on my shoulders I pushed open the doors to the training arena. The Training Grounds The training groun
By the time training wrapped up, the sun had fully risen, casting a golden glow over the pack’s territory. My body ached in ways I didn’t think possible, but there was a strange satisfaction in the pain. I had survived the session with Maya and the others. More importantly, I had held my own. As the wolves began to disperse, I lingered on the edge of the training grounds, catching my breath. Dominique had kept a watchful eye on me throughout the morning, occasionally stepping in with sharp critiques but never offering praise. I could tell he was gauging how far I could be pushed. Maya approached, her usual confident stride intact. She handed me a canteen of water, her expression softer now that the sparring was over. "You did well for your first real session," she said, leaning against a nearby post. "But don’t get too comfortable. Tomorrow will be harder." I took a sip of the water, grateful for the reprieve. "Harder? Great. Just what I need." Maya chuckled. "You’ll thank me lat
The forest seemed quieter than usual as I made my way to the lake. The sun’s warmth filtered through the canopy, but it did little to ease the chill creeping up my spine. Every crack of a twig or rustle of leaves made me glance over my shoulder. After last night’s attack, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever feel safe in the woods again. But when the lake finally came into view, its calm surface reflecting the late-morning sun, a wave of relief washed over me. The water glistened, inviting and serene, and I couldn’t resist its pull. I stepped out of my shoes, peeling off my clothes with quick, efficient movements, and waded into the cool embrace of the lake. The water was heavenly against my sore muscles. I let myself sink beneath the surface, the world going silent for a moment. When I came up for air, I pushed my hair back from my face and allowed myself a rare moment of peace. My aches and frustrations seemed to dissolve into the gentle ripples around me. But my moment was short-lived.
I pulled myself out of the water for the second time that morning, skin now chilled despite the sun's warmth. My hands trembled slightly as I got dressed, gathering my damp hair into a loose braid and started the trek back to the pack house. The forest was eerily silent, my footsteps muffled by the soft moss underfoot. Every now and then, i caught herself glancing over her shoulder, half-expecting to see Kael’s dark figure looming in the distance. He was gone, of course. But his presence lingered. The pack house came into view sooner than she’d anticipated, its sprawling structure nestled against the edge of the woods. Smoke curled lazily from the chimney, and she could hear the faint murmur of voices drifting through the air. Astrid hesitated for a moment at the edge of the clearing, reluctant to step back into the chaos of pack life. But she had no choice. Straightening her shoulders, she crossed the open yard and slipped inside. The warmth of the house enveloped her, a stark co
Days blurred together, the steady hum of pack life offering little distraction from the ache I tried to ignore. Kael had been absent since that day at the lake, I heard from the ladies in the kitchen that, there have been another attack on the village. Kael went away, buried in patrol duties and strategy meetings. The rogue attacks had since the night of the attack, and the pack has on edge, every shadow in the forest treated as a potential threat. I told myself I didn’t care that I hadn’t seen him. In fact, I convinced myself it was a relief to have some space. But the silence where his presence used to be was deafening. Maya had tried to coax me into normalcy—dragging me to meals, pestering me with gossip—but my mind felt distant, like I was walking through a haze. It wasn’t until she burst into my room one morning, looking far too excited for the early hour, that something shifted. “You’re coming with me today,” she announced, tossing a bundle of clothes onto my bed. I blinked
The air grew heavier with each breath, the acrid sting of wolfsbane clinging to my senses. My legs felt like lead, every step a struggle as the poison worked its way into my system. Dominique staggered beside me, his wolf form flickering as his body fought to keep moving. "Dominique!" I reached out, gripping his arm to steady him. "I’m fine," he said, though his voice was strained. "Keep moving. We’re almost there." Ahead, the forest began to thin, the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the trees. But the scent of wolfsbane didn’t let up—it only grew stronger, mingled with the metallic tang of blood in the air. Dominique suddenly froze, his body tense as his ears twitched. "They’re close," he muttered, his eyes scanning the darkness. Before I could ask who, the snap of a branch to our left sent a jolt of fear through me. A low growl rumbled in the distance, and I knew we weren’t alone. "Run," Dominique said, his voice low but commanding. "I’m not leaving you!" I p
I stepped closer, resting a hand gently on Kael's chest. His heart was pounding under my palm, his muscles taut with restrained fury. "Kael," I said again, softer this time. His eyes flicked to mine, and I saw the storm raging inside him. "We can’t risk it. If what Lira says is true, then you can’t come with me. Not yet." His hands gripped my shoulders, his touch firm but trembling slightly. "Astrid, I’m not leaving you. Not now, not ever. If Alice’s wolves try to stop me, they’ll have to fight me for you." "You’re not thinking clearly," I whispered. "This isn’t just about us. It’s about keeping the baby safe. If Alice is our best chance, then we have to follow her rules." Kael’s expression hardened, his jaw clenching as he fought against his instincts. He was torn between protecting me and respecting my wishes, and it was killing him. Maya stepped forward cautiously, her face pale but determined. "Kael, maybe it’s best if you let Astrid go with Lira. Alice’s wolves are... p
The realization hit me like a cold wind. Kael's hands still rested on my stomach, reverent and protective, but the warmth of his touch couldn’t quiet the storm of thoughts swirling in my mind. He cared for me, yes. His instincts demanded it—he was my mate, after all. But care wasn’t love. Protection wasn’t love. Kael was bound to me because the universe had decreed it. He was drawn to my scent, to my body, to the bond that linked us like two halves of a whole. But what if that bond wasn’t enough? What if it was obligation that tethered him to me and not something deeper? I swallowed hard, trying to keep the tears from spilling over. *Don’t cry, Astrid. Not now. Not here.* Even as my heart ached, I couldn’t stop myself from staring at him. His face was set in determination, his eyes still blazing with that fierce promise of protection. But love? That soft, vulnerable thing I longed for? I couldn’t see it there. He hadn’t chosen me. Not really. And yet, I had fallen for him
As the warmth of Kael's body began to fade, I felt his fingers trailing along my arm, his touch gentle but purposeful. His chest rose and fell against my back as we lay tangled together under the canopy of stars. The lake shimmered in the distance, but Kael’s attention was wholly on me."You're different," he murmured, his voice low, almost as if he were speaking to himself. I stiffened slightly, turning my head to glance at him. "Different how?" He propped himself up on one elbow, his eyes scanning me with an intensity that made my heart race. "Your scent," he said. "It's changed. It’s sweeter, stronger... like honey and wildflowers after the rain." His fingers grazed my collarbone, his gray eyes narrowing. "And your arousal—it’s not just wolf. There’s something else in it. Something... primal." I swallowed hard, my throat tightening under his scrutiny. El stirred uneasily within me, caught between curiosity and fear. "I don't know what you're talking about," I said softly, t
In one swift movement, Kael plunged into my mouth, his cock hitting the back of my throat. I need air, I need to breath. My eyes Ayang with unshed tears, his hand gripped my hair tightly, helping in movement. “You are só fucking good, little mouse..” kael moaned, thrusting into my mouth with no care in the word. There was pure hunger and greed in his movement. My hands gripped his thighs to steady me from falling over. I hummed against his cock, wetting pooled between my legs, I knew he could smell it cuz I could too. “Oh! Fucckk!” His head flew back, eyes closed while his waist moved in a fluid manner. I could taste him in my mouth, little drops of pre-cum that coated the tip of his cock. It was heavenly, or maybe I was sick in my head. Kael, sipped his dick out of my mouth, he ducked down and grabbed my chin, pressing it. “You will be a good little mouse, and ducking swallow every bit of my seed that I spill.” He growled. Beads of sweat laid on his forehead, glimmeri
“I want you” I whispered rubbing myself on him, El squealed in excitement with the contact. The moonlight danced across the lake, the ripples casting soft silver patterns on the water. I saw him standing there, waiting—Kael. His back was to me, his broad shoulders tense, as if the weight of the world rested on him alone. For a moment, I hesitated, watching him, unsure if I had the strength for what was to come. But my wolf stirred, pulling me forward. *Go to him.* The bond between us hummed, undeniable and raw. “Kael,” I called softly, my voice carried on the breeze. He turned, and the sight of his face under the moonlight made my breath hitch. His eyes, intense and piercing, found mine, and I saw everything there—his pain, his longing, his love. The tension in his jaw relaxed as he closed the distance between us in just a few strides. I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could say a word, his hands cupped my face, and he kissed me. It wasn’t gentle or tentative. It wa
Lucian grinned, his expression twisting with cruel satisfaction. “Brave words,” he said, his golden eyes narrowing. “Let’s see if you can back them up.” The earth beneath him cracked as his men surged forward, weapons drawn and snarls ripping through the night. I felt the hum of magic deep in my core, powerful and untamed, begging to be unleashed. “Astrid, no!” Lira’s voice rang out, desperate. “You’re not ready!” But I couldn’t run anymore. Not now. Not while my friends were fighting for me, risking everything. I clenched my fists, the energy within me coiling tighter, hotter, until it burst free. The air around me shimmered, and the ground shook violently as I thrust my hands forward. Roots and vines exploded from the earth, twisting and curling like living serpents. They lashed out at Lucian’s men, ensnaring them before they could close the gap. Some screamed as the vines tightened, pinning them to the ground or flinging them away like ragdolls. Lucian barely flinched,
The peace of the moment shattered like glass. A thunderous crash erupted outside, followed by shouts and the unmistakable clang of steel. Maya’s hand was on her dagger in an instant, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the room. “They found us,” Elias growled, his voice taut with urgency. He moved to the doorway, his stance tense and ready. “How?” I whispered, my heart racing as dread coiled in my chest. Lira’s expression hardened, her calm demeanor replaced with the fierce resolve of someone who had been hunted before. “It doesn’t matter how. What matters is getting you out of here alive.” Another crash echoed through the air, and the sound of splintering wood followed. Lucian’s men were close. Maya stepped forward, her dagger glinting in the faint light. “We hold them off here. Astrid, you need to go.” “I’m not leaving you!” I protested, but Elias shot me a sharp look. “This isn’t a debate,” he said firmly. “You’re the one they want. If you stay, you’ll only make it easi
Lira’s words echoed in my mind long after the conversation ended, reverberating through the walls of the small cabin that had become our temporary refuge. I sat by the window, staring out into the dark forest, the weight of everything she had told me pressing heavily on my chest. *The last original witch.* It was impossible to wrap my mind around it. The anger I had held onto for so long wavered, replaced by confusion and a deep sense of responsibility I wasn’t sure I was ready for. My wolf, El, was unusually quiet, a reflection of the storm in my own mind. I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see Maya standing there, her arms crossed and a knowing look in her eyes. “You’ve been quiet all night,” she said softly, sitting beside me. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I don’t even know where to begin.” Maya tilted her head, her sharp gaze piercing. “She told you about your magic.” It wasn’t a question. I nodded, surprised but not entirely shocked that she knew.