She looked different. Glowy even, my eyes traveled down to her stomach that was sticking out under the red satin material that she wore. She was pregnant. Something shifted inside me at the realization. “Astrid.” She called again, walking up to me. “Don’t move.” Kael commanding voice reached my ears. I snapped my head back to head, with a look of defiance in my eyes “What do you mean?” I argued. “Don’t move little mouse.” He said againMy heart hammered in my chest as Kael’s voice coiled around me like a chain, unyielding and absolute. His commanding presence bore into me, but i refused to yield, in as much as I didn’t want to break the contact between ours bodies, I had to meet Aria. Turning back to him, her eyes flared with defiance. “Kael, she’s my friend,” i said, her tone firm as i gestured toward Aria. “I haven’t seen her since the day of selection,You can’t just order me around like some puppet.”Kael’s nostrils flared, his crimson gaze darkening. His possessiveness tig
Kael dragged me across the empty field and through a back door. Adrenaline pumped through my veins, both of fear and excitement. Kael’s grip was unyielding as he led me through the shadowy corridors behind the estate. The distant hum of the celebration seemed a world away, muffled by the heavy walls around us. My pulse thrummed in my ears, and despite my frustration, an undeniable heat coiled low in my belly. “Where are we going?” I demanded, my voice laced with defiance but betraying a flicker of curiosity. Kael didn’t answer immediately, his stride purposeful and unwavering. His hand remained firm around mine, not giving me a chance to pull away even if I wanted to. Finally, he stopped in front of a heavy oak door, the edges worn from years of use. With a flick of his wrist, he pushed it open, revealing a dimly lit room. The air inside was warm, scented faintly with cedarwood and something richer—something unmistakably *him.* The space was intimate, the walls lined with da
I stumbled on my feet, whining and reaching out to him. His hands wiped around my waist, spinning me around, my back hitting his hard chest. “You smell so good….like honey to a bee.” He drawled close to my right ear. A wave of heat rolls off my body. I stopped struggling, my head falls back on his chest, as I angled my hips upwards to meets his huge length. Large hands gripped my waist “Little mouse,” he growled. “So many ropes…..” his left hand worked its way around the ropes that tightened the gown to my body making it into a more fitted bodice. “His body goes rigid for one beat, two, and then he spins us impossibly fast, putting my back against the door, jostling the frame. Whoa. He captures my wrists in one hand and holds them prisoner above my head. “Little mouse” kael groans against my ear. The plea in his tone floods my veins with a whole different form of power. Knowing he’s just as affected by our attraction as I am is a in heat. “This isn’t what you want?”“This….th
Then we start moving, his boots scraped the floor in loud thuds as he works across what seem to be like an annoying long room. Then my back hits something hard, his mouth was still on me, torturing, tormenting, bringing out the most reckless and unearthly sound from me. My gown still hung loosely on my hips, leaving a trail of blue sea as we walked across the room tied together. The floor stopped ticking. Everywhere went silent. “Kael,” I murmured, looking down. He is on his knees in front of me. “Little mouse,” he says against a sensitive part of my abdomen. Fuck, that feels so good. Seeing him kneel before me ignited another spark of something in me. Kael was on his knees for me! My wetness pooled out, at this point I was a dripping mess. Every touch of his mouth on my skin is like set my whole body on fire over and over again.. I suck in a sharp breath as he lingers on the part were my gown hung low. His fingers slowly come up on both sides of my hip, tugging th
I shove the fabric down the length of his leg, freeing his thick length, it sprang up to in life, little bit of white substance coating the tip Kael's gaze darkened, his lips curling into a predatory smile as he watched me. His eyes burned with unrestrained desire, yet there was a glint of amusement in them, as if he was reveling in my need. “You’re so impatient, little mouse,” he murmured, his deep voice vibrating through the charged air between us. His hand reached up, brushing my cheek before moving to my neck, tilting my head so our eyes met. “But who am I to deny you?” His fingers tightened slightly, just enough to send a shiver down my spine. His dominance was intoxicating, and I couldn’t look away, even as my heart thundered in my chest. He leaned in, brushing his lips against mine, teasing me, until I couldn’t take it anymore. I grabbed the back of his neck, pulling him into a fierce kiss. Kael growled against my lips, a sound that reverberated through my entire body.
As the haze of passion began to clear, a strange sensation coursed through my body. My limbs tingled, and a deep heat spread from my core outward. Before I could process it, a sharp pain ripped through me, and I cried out, clutching at Kael’s shoulders. “Astrid?” Kael’s voice was steady but laced with concern as he held me, his gaze searching mine. The pain intensified, my muscles contracting and my bones feeling like they were stretching, breaking, and reforming all at once. “Kael…” I whimpered, my voice trembling. “What’s happening to me?” His eyes widened in realization, the dark blue deepening into crimson red. “Astrid,” he said softly, almost reverently. “You’re shifting.” “Shifting?” I gasped, my breath coming in short, labored bursts as I clung to him. Another crack sounded—my spine this time—and I screamed, the sound morphing into something raw and feral. Kael gently lowered me to the floor, his hands firm yet comforting as he knelt beside me. “Breathe, little mo
The run back to the estate was exhilarating, the adrenaline still coursing through my veins. My body felt alive in a way it never had before, and the bond between Kael and me pulsed with an intensity that was both comforting and overwhelming. As we neared the grand hall, the glow of torches and the faint hum of voices reached my sharpened ears. Kael shifted back effortlessly, his human form emerging from the black wolf as though it was second nature. I followed suit, the shift back into my human body less painful but still jarring. I clutched the cloak Kael handed me, wrapping it tightly around my now-exposed skin. "Stay close to me," he instructed, his tone firm but protective. I nodded, sensing the tension in his body. Something was wrong. The air carried a strange scent—familiar but tainted with malice. As we entered the hall, the murmur of the crowd quieted, and all eyes turned toward us. The party that had once been lively was now subdued, an air of unease hanging over th
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. I was back in my room, no longer in the servant quarters. My body felt heavy with exhaustion from the chaos of the night before. The memories of Kael’s cousin’s arrival and the tension that followed still lingered in my mind. I shifted under the blankets, trying to make sense of everything. The Veronica I spoke with the night I arrived wasn’t the same I met yesterday. Just as I began to drift back into the haze of half-sleep, the door to my room creaked open. Instinctively, I tensed, expecting Kael—or worse, someone with bad intentions. Instead, it was Maya. Her petite frame stood in the doorway, her eyes wide with concern as she hesitated before stepping inside. "Good morning," she greeted softly, closing the door behind her. I sat up slowly, brushing my hair back from my face. "Maya? What are you doing here?" She crossed the room, carrying a tray with breakfast—steaming soup,
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.