Keira POV The next morning, I woke up in Augustine's arms. I stared at his sleeping face and rubbed his obsidian-like hair away from his forehead to reveal the deep sockets of his eyes. I felt a little bad that I couldn't see his blue pupils. My fingers moved from his high nose to his thin lips, someone once said that a person with such lips was heartless. I approach closer to him, wondering if he is equally cruel, and then I smell the rum. I've been able to sense this odor ever since I met him. Is it rum? He never acknowledged his odor to me, even at the PARK cafe. He always veered off-topic anytime I brought up rum. This realization caused me to have an epiphanic moment. He didn't want me to notice his odor! But why? How warm his embrace was last night, how cold my heart is now. Maybe there was some reason he can't talk about it? Or does he just simply not want me to know what he smells like? I took a long breath as I took in the face and realized that it was not the right tim
Keira POV Augustine heard what I said, his eyes appeared to be condemning me for being vexatious, "We only knew each other as children, I won't try to keep anything from you." Nonsense, you don't want to tell me your smell. He took a long breath as he watched me blame him with the maintain-same expression, "You know I don't want to argue with you," Augustine approached me till our breaths were intertwined, at which point he softly kissed me and said, "I knew Rhoda from an early age. When I was 16, I lived in Kurt's house for some reason." "I assumed you didn't even know her. After all, you embarrassed her in public at hunting." I sneered while curving my mouth. "Enough!" Augustine said with narrowed eyes. He withdrew his hand from my waist and took his gentle gaze away from my face. It appeared as though this was the extent of his acting abilities. "You can't leave here until high tea, I need to talk with Kurt." "What do you mean? I can't leave this room?" The more emotional I be
Keira POV "Apologize to her." Augustine said to me with an expressionless face. "What?" "I don't want to repeat it." "I didn't push her! Why should I apologize!" I froze. He didn't even inquire more! This was unfair! "You mean Rhoda is lying? Why does she do that?" "I'm OK, Augustine... it's just a little cut." Rhoda said softly while holding her forehead. "You heard me, Keira!" Casting a glance at Rhoda's injuries, Augustine spoke to me more sternly. "She couldn't have lied, right? What about you?" I mocked. His determined expression only added insult to my injury. "You go treat the wound." Augustine said, giving Rhoda a glance. "Augustine..." "Now!" Rhoda stomped her foot and walked out of the room as her smug grin vanished. "And you know we can't let anyone else hear what we're about to talk about, don't you?" I stared at the door Rhoda had just slammed shut, unaware of the dangerous light in Augustine's eyes as he walked toward me. "Look at me," Augustine grabbed my c
Keira POV "She is carrying his smell on her hands." Griffin emerged from the tree's left side. "I know!" Augustine held up my hand and said, "Don't you know to break free from his hand!" with a hint of anger. "What if your cooperation is ruined?" When I saw Augustine, I couldn't help but start becoming more irritated. "What are you saying? What would you have done with him if I hadn't come?" He asked with narrowed eyes. "Jesus, I can't get free from his hold! Just like I can't get out of your grip right now." I shook my wrist. "You want to get out of my grip? But I am your mate, he is nothing!" He then leaned down and took hold of my waist, carrying me on his shoulders. "Ah, let go of me, I'm not going back with you!" "You had better call Kurt back, louder." I shut up, but Augustine's pace was moving at a tremendous rate, "Can't you move more slowly? I feel so woozy!" Augustine didn't say anything and just slowed down. I supposed even though I came out of the forest, I was ne
Keira POV Even a few times, he purposefully pressed my throbbing clit. Leaving deep scratches from my nails on the skin of his back, I admitted that I scratched him harder. "Mmmm," he grunted, "Sharp claws." After saying, he hit my core hard. I bit my lip to prevent myself from groaning as if we were competing to see who would concede defeat first. I could taste the rust, my lips must have bled. I shivered when the orgasmic wave crashed against my body, and he spurted inside of me. "You win. Next time, don't bite your lip." He said, resting his head on my neck as he gasped. Augustine eventually dressed me and opened the window. I cast a blank glance at the sunroof of the automobile. The sky was surrounded by the evening sun's distinctive pink halo while painting me blue. Although sex took me to heaven, it still felt like punishment. As he opened the window and dressed me, he even reluctantly released me from my chains, "Stay away from Kurt; he's not as kind as you think." He car
Keira POV I disregarded Augustine and followed Kurt to his car. "Have you thought this through?" Behind Augustine was the dark forest, and his blue eyes deepened. I turned to face him and whispered after hearing him say, "I can surprise you with much more than that." There was invisible smoke between us. I tried to clear it but just breathed in all. When a few crows swooped out of the woodland and brought back my unpleasant memories, I promptly went back and went on my way. Augustine remained silent and I could feel his gaze remaining fixed on me. "Looks like you caught the perfect moment, Miss Kitty?" Kurt asked me in a low voice as he buckled his seatbelt after I entered his car. "Yeah." I said as I stared into his gray-blue eyes. I didn't tell him more, thinking about his glasses hiding the emotions in his eyes. "You are welcome to take a nap if you are tired and we should arrive there in an hour." Kurt started the car. I gave a head nod. Third Person POV As Augustine watc
Third Person POV A black object jumped down, and it was Griffin. It looked straight at Kurt, "I've been waiting for you guys here for a long time." The far lights of the car made Griffin's ruby-red eyes shine like they never had before. Kurt shrugged and opened the car door, "Listen, I made a mistake. You were faster!" Then he raised his hands after stepping out of the car because Griffin assumed an attacking stance. "Griffin!" Knowing what would happen to the pack if Griffin did attack him, Keira hurriedly stepped out of the car to go in front of Kurt. Just as the atmosphere froze, a Black Bugatti came with a louder and higher-pitched engine sound, which attracted all their attention. When the automobile made a sharp curve and came to a stop next to us, it emitted a low, rumbling sound as though in the demonstration. Three seconds later, the engine eventually stopped down, and a towering male with a gaze that could freeze others exited the car. "Thank you for bringing her back; n
Keira POV I followed Rhoda and began to wonder when I saw that she continued attempting to avoid the busy path. "Come on, let's take the shortcut; Alpha is waiting for us." Rhoda gave me a quick, irritated glance. As we finally made it to the south side of the forest, I said, "Where is Augustine?" There was no trace of him when I looked about. I shook my head and kept up with her. "Let's go inside; he's over there." Rhoda shrugged, snapped off a tiny daisy, and moved deeper into the woods. I had to follow, even if I was a little confused. The worst that may occur is that she might deceive me. I reassured myself that Rhoda shouldn't act excessively. I exhaled with relief and carried on after her. "Are you aware of how long Augustine and I have known each other?" Rhoda walked in a straight path and asked me without turning around. "What?" She brought up the fact that Augustine had once told me, but I didn't understand why she brought it up. "He was taken home by my uncle when I
Augustine POV As I gazed at her peaceful sleeping face, a mixture of emotions overwhelmed me. I instinctively tightened my arms around her waist, feeling her breath on my face. I feared losing her once more, and perhaps, in reality, I already had. At this moment, I found comfort in this stolen embrace. She was mine, and that possessiveness startled me. I had always considered myself a composed and level-headed person, at least, the elders and others in my pack often remarked. Yet, when it came to her, I transformed into a lovesick teenager, abandoning reason and caution. I didn't know what she did to me, making me act like all the reckless acts of infatuation from everyone's younger days. Sneaking out of the backyard before an important exam just for the chance to meet sweetheart at a rock concert. Love has a way of making us vulnerable and breaking down the walls we build to protect ourselves. It can turn the calmest of individuals into passionate and impulsive beings. As I hel
Keira POVThe only sounds in the wooden cabin were from panting and lustful water as Augustine's fingers stroked my clit quite aggressively.How could he do this to me? What could he possibly gain from the approaching forced sex, I thought as I bit my bottom lip to keep from yelling.He touched my entrance, rubbed it a couple of times, stuck his fingers in, and put it in and out slowly."Hmm? Are you protesting me, puppy?" He said in a low voice that included a touch of dissatisfaction, "Are you that unwilling to give me sex?" My nearly bleeding lips caught his attention."I'll fuck you till you scream." He said. I heard his chuckle jarring in the air as his fingertips erotically stroked my teeth."Ugh...." I'm almost about to let out a groan. Augustine straight thrust his large, thick cock into me."So tight...." He mumbled. His hand locked mine and the craziness in Augustine's eyes informed me his rationality had been burned to ashes with lust, drifting in the air and causing me to
Keira POV The bite on my lip made it incredibly clear to me that Augustine was going crazy, but he had no business interrogating me. I opened my mouth to bite him on the lip hard as I considered what he had done. He stood there frozen, didn't think that I would bite him. And if he had to choose a culprit between us, he was perfect. "I'm no longer your mate! I've said it a thousand times!! Go to hell with you and your damn veto!" I never liked looking at him with my head held high. "No one will admit that," Augustine's chest puffed up and down as he appeared to be struggling to maintain control as he said, "Do you know how many females would like to be in your position?" "Should I then extend my gratitude for that? I'm not some pawn you try to manipulate by restraining me and then casting me aside when you become enraged. Let me reiterate, in case you haven't heard: I never wanted to be in your mate's position." For the first time, I thought that was good, to add salt to the wo
Keira POVAs the morning sun filtered through my window, the melodious symphony of local birds serenaded me, rousing me from my slumber. I groggily turned around, expecting to find Owain by my side, but to my dismay, he was nowhere to be seen. With a heavy heart, I buried my face in the familiar comfort of my pillow, contemplating the events of the previous night.The haze of the evening still clung to my mind. Perhaps Owain is a drink stronger than any alcohol I had tasted before and maybe I was having a dream without thinking about the consequences. He transported me into a realm that granted me the freedom to indulge in my every desire. In that fleeting moment, I yearned to break free from the shadows that had long enveloped me, to escape and find the train that would carry me back home.Confusion lingered as I struggled to discern which addiction held a stronger grip on my soul. Was it the allure of the unknown, or the enticing taste of liberation that intoxicated me? Amidst the t
Keira POVI stumbled into the cabin, her thoughts in disarray. I had always told MYself not to care about Augustine and forget everything I saw, but now it was all I could think about. As she closed the door to her room and collapsed onto the bed, the scene of Augustine and Rhoda together kept replaying in my mind. Was I jealous or just sad that he had cheated on her? I couldn't tell which of his words were lies, and I had no idea what he and Rhoda were doing now."Keira, are you okay?" Owain's voice came through the door, and he knocked softly. "Can I come in and see you?"Taking a deep breath, I wiped my tears and tried to compose myself. I didn't want Owain to see her like this. "I'm fine," I said, trying to sound steady, and hurriedly opened the door.Owain entered the room and gave me a hug, "It's okay, Keira, it's okay. I understand how you feel; it's okay to feel that way. Since you are his mate, it's okay to feel envious or angry at this point. Since ancient times, the moon an
Third Person POV As Keira and Owain make their way towards Augustine's cabin, the sun sets behind them, casting a warm orange glow on the road. Rhoda was still hanging to Augustine and enjoying the thrill of Keira's disguise. Rhoda was attempting to remove his pants while rubbing against his waist because she was aware that Augustine was enthralled by her. "Oh, Augustine!" Rhoda was so excited and screamed that she unintentionally touched the wine bottle that was resting on the sofa table as Augustine's big hand gently went down and grabbed the base of Rhoda's leg. Instantly, the whole room was filled with the sinful scent of alcohol. Keira and Owain, who had already arrived at the wooden cabin door, were startled by the sound of smashing glass. "What's wrong—" Owain lowered his hand that was trying to knock on the door and cast a suspicious glance at Keira. Keira motioned for him to stay quiet and lead him towards the window. What they saw shocked them both to the core
Keira POVI was strolling aimlessly down the street with my head down, lost in thought when a sudden realization hit me like a punch in the gut. Augustine didn't really love me, and he was using his power to keep me tied to him. How could I escape him?Lost in my thoughts, I didn't even notice Owain walking to me until he grabbed my shoulder, "Keira! I was worried about you. You didn't come back. Is everything okay?" He asked.I nodded. Maybe."Let me walk you back to the cabin," he said. "I need to talk to Augustine about something later.""What? With Augustine?" I asked incredulously."Yes. Indeed, all packs conduct business with one another, and our current contract is about to expire.""Okay, I'll go with you." Because of Augustine's temperament and nature, I couldn't help but feel a bit nervous that he might take his anger out on Owain. Those around a person who lacks good temper control would suffer as a result.Owain must have noticed my apprehension because he spoke softly to
Third Person POV After Silas Ruffini sent the elders back to the wood cabin, he returned to the meeting hall and walked into a conference room without even knocking. All three males in the room turned to look at him. "Where's Augustine?" The dark-haired guy asked, his brow furrowed. "Off to chase his little mate. Can you believe he's actually head-over-heels for someone?" Silas ran his fingers through his long blonde hair and shut the door, a wicked grin on his face. "But he's too merciful. You gotta fuck her until she falls in line, right Nash?" "You scared her last night," the dark-haired guy said, his eyes devoid of any kindness. "Even if she tried to escape." "But you gave her a chance to run, didn't you?" Silas lowered his head and removed the ruby brooch, running his thumb over it. "Tonight, it's your turn, Nash." None of the guys in the room found their conversation topic inappropriate. Suddenly, someone's phone rang, and Theo, sitting in the corner, answered it. His l
Keira POV"He's just crazy! Are you okay, Keira?" said Owain, looking at me worriedly."I'm fine." I forced a smile, Augustine was the math problem I would never be able to solve, that I would never be able to guess what he would do next. And there was only one way for me to get out of it all, and that was to let it go completely.If a good girl is at a disadvantage in a relationship, what should she do? Especially when he smiled like victor and looked down on you? She better jump off the scales, get off balance with each other and jump out of the relationship. How should I do that? I thought as I watched Augustine's back.A minute later, the lights around the podium came on. Everyone fell silent and I heard a male's voice next to me whisper, "It's about to start, I wonder who's the new guy that joined. He must be someone powerful."My eyes followed the lights to the podium, where an elder of the committee stepped forward and said, "We must acknowledge the dark periods of our shared h