Beta MarcusAn Hour Ago I curse the Elders, every last one of them. But most of all, I curse that fucking Alpha Magnus. Especially him. This was never supposed to happen. I had planned everything. I was meticulous. Alpha Magnus was supposed to lodge the complaint, stand before the Elders, and bear the weight of the accusations. He’s the Alpha. He’s supposed to face them, not me. My plan was foolproof. I’d accompany him, of course, but I wasn’t going to step foot inside that room. The moment the doors closed, I was going to disappear. I even had my excuse prepared, one so perfect it couldn’t possibly be questioned. “I’m terribly sorry, Elders, but I was urgently called away for pack business.” Polite. Respectful. Believable. And most importantly, it would have kept me far away from him. None of them—neither the Elders nor Magnus—understand what that thing is capable of. But I do. I’ve seen it. I know exactly what it can do. The sleepless nights I’ve endured since that day ar
Beta Marcus“And on that note…” It’s his voice. Smooth, calm, and deadly.I don’t have to look to know who he’s talking about.Slowly, reluctantly, I lift my gaze.He’s turned to face me.Those eyes—those fucking eyes. They pin me in place, cold and unrelenting, like the icy grip of death itself.My heart plummets to my stomach, and I feel the blood drain from my face.Oh, gods.My breath comes in short, shallow gasps, and my knees threaten to buckle. Every instinct in my body screams at me to run, but I can’t move. I’m trapped, paralyzed under his gaze.“You,” Dominicus says, his voice low and measured. His cold, piercing eyes lock onto me, and my stomach drops. “You hurt my mate. Hunted her down. Tried to take her away from me.”I freeze.Every muscle in my body locks up, refusing to respond. It feels like the temperature in the room has plummeted, an icy chill seeping into my bones. His words echo in my ears, each syllable cutting through me like a blade.I can’t move.I can’t bre
Diana The moment his voice cuts through the chamber, the energy in the room shifts. “And on that note…” I barely register the words before Dominicus turns, his cold, unrelenting gaze settling on Beta Marcus. My breath catches in my throat, and I feel a ripple of anticipation shiver down my spine. Marcus freezes. He looks like he’s staring into the jaws of death itself, his face pale and drenched in sweat. I’ve never seen him look so small. The satisfaction that bubbles up within me is dark and vindictive, but I don’t care. For years, this man has made me exactly the same way. He tormented me with his presence, degraded me into feeling like nothing but an empty female body to be used as wanted, made me feel powerless. He turned my life into a waking nightmare. He had been the monster in my nightmares, and now… now my mate is his. I watch as Dominicus takes a slow, measured step toward him, and Marcus stumbles back, his eyes wide and frantic. My heart pounds, but not with
Diana The sound of creaking hinges breaks the suffocating silence, and the main doors to the chamber swing open. I barely register the figure that steps inside until his voice cuts through the tension. “Diana.” Alpha Magnus. He says my name like it’s a prayer, his voice thick with emotion. But I don’t look at him. I can’t. My entire focus is on Dominicus, on the way he looks like he’s barely holding himself together. I take another step toward him, my heart pounding painfully in my chest. “Dom,” I call softly, my voice trembling. He doesn’t seem to hear me. Tears well up in my eyes, blurring my vision. I don’t care about Magnus. I don’t care about the Elders. All I care about is him. Why does it hurt so much to see him like this? Why does his pain feel so much worse than my own? I bite my lip, trying to steady myself. I was the one who went through it. I was the one who suffered. But watching Dominicus break because of me… it’s unbearable. It’s so much worse. “Dom?
Diana Dominicus, unsurprisingly, does not share Marcus' perspective. His snarl deepens, and with a single, deliberate step, he closes the distance between them. "No, no, no!" Marcus cries, scrambling frantically. "Stay away! Please, I'm sorry! I swear, I'll never-" Dominicus reaches him. And then, the bloodshed begins. It's brutal. It's relentless. And it's slow. Dominicus doesn't simply strike him down —he takes his time, ensuring every moment is filled with agony. His fist connects with Marcus' arm first, the sickening crunch of bone breaking echoing through the chamber. There’s a sickening squelch of flesh tearing as Dominicus’ elongated razor sharp nails tear through his flesh at the same time. Marcus screams, a sound so raw and guttural it sends shivers down my spine. But I can't look away. Logically, I should be horrified. On some level, I am. But more than that, l'm mesmerized. Each blow is calculated, deliberate. Dominicus methodically breaks every limb, which tear
Diana The instant his fangs pierce my neck, I feel everything. Dominicus’ teeth sink into my skin, and a heat floods through me that is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s intense, all-consuming—a primal connection that binds us together in a way words could never capture. The room breaths in shock. My hands grip his shoulders as he claims me, my head tilting further to offer him more, and a gasp escapes my lips. The intensity of the moment is overwhelming, and I feel utterly consumed by him. By us. But just as the world narrows to Dominicus and the mark he’s leaving on my skin- and my soul- a scream shatters the moment. “No!” Magnus’ voice rises, raw and agonized. “No, no, no! Stop it! Get away from her! Get away from her! No!” Dominicus doesn’t stop. Instead, he pulls me in even closer. He sinks his fangs deeper, completing the mark with an unhurried precision, and then his tongue flicks over the spot, sealing it. A shiver races down my spine at the sensation, a pri
Diana Time seems to stop. Shock ripples through the room. For a moment, the room is silent, and then the Elders’ expressions shift, their relief evaporating as horror takes its place. The Elders, who had just been breathing sighs of relief, now look as though they’re about to pass out. Rothgar grips the edge of the table as though it’s the only thing keeping him upright, and Fendel’s face blanches with horror. Even Billy looks stunned, his jaw slack and his wide eyes darting between Magnus and Dominicus. I know I have quite a bit of explaining to do later. And me? I stare at Magnus, unable to comprehend what I’ve just heard. My mouth opens, but no words come out. Too stunned at the audacity. Dominicus, however, is anything but speechless. His eyes narrow to deadly slits, his body going utterly still in a way that sends a chill down my spine. His hand tightens slightly around the back of my neck—not enough to hurt, but enough to remind me that he’s there. “What did you ju
Diana The moment his embrace closes around me, I feel an overwhelming flood of relief—so intense it nearly steals my breath. His arms are strong and solid, grounding me in a way I didn’t know I needed. It’s not just about the comfort of his presence; it’s the fact that he’s alive. That he’s here. After everything he’s been through—after everything I’ve put him through—he’s still standing. The guilt I’ve carried since the moment I learned of his capture crashes over me like a tidal wave. I squeeze my eyes shut, burying my face against his shoulder as fresh tears spill out. My hands clutch at the fabric of his shirt like it’s the only thing tethering me to reality. I can feel his warmth, hear the steady beat of his heart beneath my ear, and it only makes the guilt hit harder. I don’t deserve this—don’t deserve him. Not after all he’s endured because of me. He was tortured. Beaten. Left to suffer unspeakable pain, all because he chose to help me. Because he chose to protect me.
Diana The Elders exchange fearful glances before Elder Gideon takes a trembling step forward, his thin frame seeming to shrink even further. He swallows hard, rubbing his palms together. "Alpha Dominicus, perhaps we started off on the wrong foot. Why don't we—" Dom's eyes shift to him, and his voice dies in his throat. "Why don't we what?" Dom's voice is soft, carrying an undercurrent of menace that sends chills down everyone's spine. Elder Gideon quickly shuffles back, his brief moment of courage evaporating. I take a bite of my chocolate chip cookie, watching with interest. Dominicus sighs. “I am a fair man,” he says slowly. “If you have any reasonable explanation for everything you’ve done, now’s the time to speak.” The room falls deathly silent. The Elders visibly shudder at the thought of speaking, and Diana can see the sweat beading on their foreheads. The threat in Dom’s voice hangs like a dark cloud. They don’t dare lie. Something tells them that if they do, they
Diana Three days later, we pull up in front of the massive and imposing Council Headquarters building. This time, it’s Arran, the redhead warrior, who’s driving. With the pack construction in full swing, Brodik has been left behind. An Amadeus wolf opens the door for Dominicus, and he steps out, then turns to help me out. I look around at the place. The wolves I see roaming here are all Amadeus wolves, and I take in the sight with a quiet satisfaction. I turn my gaze up at the large platinum insignia glinting on the building, my heart hammering in my chest. Last time I was here, I was under trial by the Council Elders. But today… today, it’s the Council Elders who will be tried by us. Oh, how the tables have turned. “Clyde,” Dominicus calls out, and a blonde-haired, blue-eyed warrior steps forward. “Alpha,” he says respectfully. “Report,” Dom orders. Clyde doesn’t hesitate. “The Elders are all inside. They’ve been under 24-hour surveillance since their arrival.” Dom no
Diana I pace the room, nearly threading the carpet bare. I watched as Diana’s car disappeared around the corner, the tires kicking up dust as the car sped away. Minutes later, all the Council- no, Amadeus wolves, were gone too. My heart pounds in my chest, the panic gnawing at me. I had caught a glimpse of her just before she left. She didn’t see me, did she? I quickly ducked behind the building when I noticed her eyes scanning the area. The last thing I needed was for her to catch sight of me, especially after everything that happened. I shudder just thinking about it. The last time I saw Diana, I had been watching through the cracked door of Beta Marcus’s office, my breath caught in my throat as I saw him pin her down. She was crying, begging me to help her. Fury was the first thing I felt. How dare he do that to her? To my sister? But then, just as quickly, fear overtook me. I wasn’t strong enough to fight him. What would happen if I did try to intervene? The consequences
Diana My eyes sting with unshed tears. My throat chokes up, and I press my lips together and shake my head, trying to keep my emotions in check. Brodik glances at the door again. The house is silent. Not even the sound of movement comes from within. “And please,” he adds softly, “help us tell the Alpha thank you. Thank you for letting us come home. We promise we won’t let him down.” Then, as one, the warriors bow again. Not to me this time. To him. To their Alpha. A big smile spreads across my face, and I shake my head. “Don’t mention it, Brodik,” I say softly. “I’ve never truly had a pack in the true sense either, so I think I understand how you feel.” I glance at all of them, my smile widening. “I’m really happy that you’re here.” Then, clearing my throat, I raise my voice slightly, adding teasingly, “And don’t mind the grumpy Alpha. I’m sure he’s happy you’re here too.” A deep, unmistakable snort comes from inside the house. I bite back a laugh as mirth fills
Diana The moment the cars pull into the clearing, my eyes lock onto the figure standing on the porch, arms folded across his chest, watching us. A grin splits my lips, and before the car even comes to a full stop, I’m throwing the door open and launching myself out. A squeal escapes me as I practically fly across the grass, up the steps, and straight into his arms. Dominicus chuckles, his deep, rumbling laughter sending warmth through my entire body. He opens his arms just in time to catch me as I leap, wrapping his arms tightly around me and lifting me off the ground. My legs automatically wrap around his waist, and I press myself against him as tight as I can, burying my face in his neck, inhaling his scent. Mate. Home. He pulls back slightly, just enough to capture my lips with his. The kiss is fierce, filled with weeks of longing and unsaid words. I meet him with equal intensity, pouring every emotion into the way our lips move together. When we finally pull away,
Diana As the car pulls away from the pack house, movement catches my eye- a figure hastily darts away and disappears behind a building. I nonchalantly look away, my expression remaining unchanged. The car continues along the winding road, and as we cross the border of the pack territory, I silently promise myself to never set foot in this place again. This is the last time. Silence fills the car as they drive. Soon, the Zervos territory fades from view, becoming nothing more than a distant memory behind them. Billy clears his throat, breaking the heavy quiet. Billy is the first to break the silence. He clears his throat, his voice unsteady. “Kid… my mate, my Myra… she wouldn’t do that.” His fingers twitch against his knee. “She was no dark witch. She was a light witch.” I turn to look at him, watching the way his brows pinch together, the way his jaw tightens with something like desperation. “I know I said she was mysterious,” he continues, “and that I didn’t know much about her
Diana Everyone's eyes judge him silently. He desecrated the most sacred gift the Goddess gave us—desecrated the the most sacred bond. I don't move. Don't flinch. Just stay steady and cold. "And by the way," I continue, my voice eerily calm, "that's disregarding the fact that you knew I was your mate six years before I found out." I take a small, deliberate breath. "You didn't acknowledge me. You knew exactly what kind of life I was living, and you just turned a blind eye. A single word from you, a single order, could have changed everything for me. But you didn't because I wasn't worth the trouble. Why was that again?" I tilt my head slightly. "Right—because I was 'a walking burden.'" The silence stretches between us, thick enough to cut. I don't wait for him to find his voice. "I got assaulted inside the pack house, just steps away from your office, and you didn't even know." He sways on his feet, looking like he is about to faint. "Did you even try to stop it when Marc
Diana Billy rises from his seat. "We should go. There's nothing more we can learn here." Disappointment and frustration course through me, and I have to bite back a string of curses. Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I nod. "Okay. Let's get out of here." Billy's hand lands on my shoulder, warm and reassuring. "Don't worry, kid. We'll catch that bastard." His lips quirk up in a small smile. "They can't run forever." He's right. The Elders are already on their way back to the Council, where they'll be under house arrest until we arrive with Dominicus. There's nowhere for that person to hide. We leave the room without another word, Brodik holding the door open as we pass through. He and the other warrior fall into step behind us, our footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. None of us spare a backward glance at Magnus—he's not worth the effort. Outside, the scene is exactly as we left it. Both Amadeus and Zervos pack members stand in loose groups, tension thick in the air
Diana Magnus turns his glare to Billy again, his voice coming out heavy, “And how could it be a coincidence that a witch was living at the Zervos pack at the time? At the same time your mother was cursed to death- at the same time your wolf was also cursed?” I turn my head slowly, my eyes meeting Billy’s. His face has drained of color, his eyes wide with horror. He shakes his head in disbelief, and he sways slightly, as though the ground beneath him is no longer solid. He shakes again, even more vehemently now. “No… that...” “Diana…” Magnus says, “the reason you had such a horrible life. Why you lived life as an existence lower than an Omega, instead of having the high status of the Alpha you truly are, is all because of her. Everything that has happened to you wouldn’t have happened if you had your wolf. It’s all because of her. She destroyed your life.” he spits. I lower my head and look down at my hands in my lap- my face expressionless even as my thoughts race."Kid, I'm sure