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 My stomach clenches as I get a bad premonition. His voice drops. “First, I figured it was the meds, right? They’re painkillers. They’re supposed to make ya drowsy. But then the doc came every damn day to take my blood. Said it was for ‘tests.’” A sick feeling coils in my gut. He lets out another bitter laugh. “Somethin’ felt off. I started refusin’ to take the meds, thinkin’ maybe they were poisonin’ me. But if I refused to take it, they’d just force me to.” I can feel my heartbeat in my ears. “So I got smart,” he continues, his tone grim. “Started hidin’ the meds under my tongue, pretendin’ to swallow ‘em, spittin’ ‘em out after they left. But guess what? I was still gettin’ sleepy.” I shake my head. “The water?” He nods. “Stopped drinkin’ that too. Didn’t matter. Still happened.” His next words send ice through my veins. “Finally, I figured it out. It was the food.” My breath catches. His eyes darken. “Marcus came in when I stopped eatin’. Told me straight up—they’
Diana "Well, I attacked a young Gamma as well as the Pack Beta. Publicly. Seemingly unprovoked too." He scoffs. "I might as well have gift-wrapped Marcus the excuse he needed to lock me up." My fists clench. "And guess what?" Billy barks out a dry laugh. "He made Apollo my guard." I stiffen. "Told 'im if he did a good job, maybe he'd get a promotion." Billy shakes his head. "And that idiot actually agreed." A storm brews inside me. “That bastard Marcus probably thought it some sick joking having Apollo guard me- his own twisted sense of poetic justice." Billy shakes his head, “it was meant as an insult, anyone with half-a brain coulda figured it out. But your brother didn’t. Or maybe he did, but just didn’t care. He saw it as an opportunity to climb the social ladder, and he took it.” Apollo, I grit my teeth, mentally chewing out the name in rising fury. Billy meets my eyes, and then seems to catch himself. His voice is softer as he says, "I'm sorry, kid." I shake
DianaThe breakfast is lively, the three of us falling into an easy rhythm. The kitchen feels warm, filled with the rich smells of bacon, eggs, and freshly brewed coffee-everything Billy used to love.The sound of his laughter fills the space, making it feel almost like things are back to normal, like everything is how it should be.We talk. We joke. It's light-hearted, like the weight of everything that's happened can be set aside just for a little while. I show him around the cabin, and he awes in amazement. Telling me how beautiful it all is. Dominicus is quiet as he follows us, his presence a gentle comfort.After, we come back down to the living room downstairs and settle in on the comfortable couches and start to catch up. The atmosphere is light, and for a while, we just talk-about everything and nothing. I tell him about life here, the people I've met, how different things are from the Zervos pack.But then, after we've caught up, after we've shared those little moments that f
Diana I step around him, my feet carrying me toward the moss-covered structure, but before I can get any closer, his voice stops me. “He doesn’t want you to see him like this.” Dominicus’s words are quiet but firm, heavy with something unspoken. “He begged me not to let you.” I freeze mid-step. Dominicus doesn’t move, doesn’t try to pull me back—he just stands there, his presence solid and unwavering. “You say he’s your dad,” he continues, his voice gentler now, “but he also sees you as his daughter. And right now, he’s just a father who doesn’t want his little girl to see him like this. To always feel hurt because of him.” His next words are barely above a whisper, but they cut straight through me. “Could you… could you please let him keep this bit of pride?” I inhale sharply, my breath catching as a sharp pain blooms in my chest. Damn him. Because he’s right. I know Billy. He has always hated for me to see him weak. Even when he was drowning in alcohol, he stil
DianaI glance past him, back to the dark structure, my heart pounding. My breath catches in my throat. “Why?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.He doesn’t answer. His lips are pressed into a thin line, his body standing rigid between me and the structure behind him.I search his eyes to see a clear panic in them, his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides. Anxiety practically rolls off of him in waves. “Dom?” I try again, my voice subconsciously growing softer this time, taking a cautious step forward. “What is this place?”Still, no response.His lips part but he seems unable to make out the words. He shifts his weight from one foot to the other. He licks his lips and looks down. I close my eyes and inhale deeply again, my lungs expanding from the air and holding it in for a few seconds. Yes, that’s definitely Billy’s scent.Billy is in there. I’m sure of it.“Dom?” Opening my eyes, I step closer, feeling the pressure beginning to build in my chest. “Why can I smell Billy he
DianaI sit cross-legged in the center of the clearing, my breath steady, my eyes closed, lost in the rhythm of meditation. Dominicus’s voice rings in my mind, reminding me of the importance of focus. ‘Clear your mind. Feel the world around you, with all of your senses. Be one with it’. It’s a mantra, one I’ve struggled with, but now, after weeks of practice, I can actually feel it. The steady hum of the earth beneath me, the cool breeze against my skin, the distant rustle of leaves. It’s all becoming clearer, more vivid.I exhale slowly, centering myself in the stillness.The wind stirs around me, rustling through the leaves, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine. I let the sounds of the forest settle in my mind—the whisper of grass bending under the breeze, the faint scurry of tiny paws burrowing into the soil. Every breath I take grounds me further, drawing me deeper into this heightened awareness that Dominicus has been drilling into me for weeks now.A faint scent stirs on th
Diana “Ch-chasing you?” I stutter, my voice pitched in disbelief. “Yes,” Dominicus says smoothly, his calm tone doing nothing to settle my nerves. “Chase drills. To build speed, reflexes, and stamina.” The way he says it makes it sound so simple, but I know better. Nothing about training with Dominicus is ever simple. I groan audibly, muttering under my breath as I shift back into my wolf form. My muscles ache from the earlier sparring session, and now he wants me to race after his ridiculously fast wolf? Fantastic. Truly. “Do I get a head start?” I ask, clinging to a sliver of hope. “No,” he replies, his massive black wolf shifting into the clearing. Even in the dim light of the setting sun, his fur gleams, every movement exuding power and grace. His glowing blue eyes lock onto me, filled with challenge and something almost playful. I huff. “Figures.” “But,” he adds, his deep voice echoing through the mind-link, “I’ll lower my speed-ordinary Alpha level.” A flicker of relief
Diana“Training shall continue at 6 p.m,” Dominicus says, and I can’t help but groan. He gives me that signature no-nonsense look, the one that brooks no argument, and reminds me why we’re doing this.“You should be able to fight at night,” he says. “To use the cover of darkness to your advantage.”It’s logical, of course, but it doesn’t make it any less dreadful. I flop onto my back in human form, sprawled out on the grass like a fish out of water. My entire body feels like it’s been run over by a truck.The sound of footsteps draws closer, and before I can even think about protesting, I’m scooped up into the air. A squeak of surprise escapes me as Dominicus cradles me in his arms in a perfect princess-carry. I glance up at him, ready to grumble, but the warmth of his chest and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat immediately calm me. His strong arms hold me securely, and for a moment, I let myself relax, resting my head against him.“You did so good, dulcis,” he murmurs, his deep voic
DianaShifting feels as natural as breathing now—just a seamless fusion of woman and wolf. My body responds instantly, power surging through me as bones shift and reshape. Within seconds, I'm standing on four paws, my coppery-red fur rippling in the cool morning breeze.Across the field, Dominicus transforms. Despite having seen it several times now, the sight still leaves me breathless. His wolf form really is magnificent. But it's not just his size that's intimidating. I've always known that despite his massive bulk, he moves like a shadow. Silent. Lethal. But now, having him train me and experiencing it first hand, I understand that he is even stronger than anyone can imagine. By the time you hear him, it's already too late.And yet still, despite it all, I feel no fear or intimidation toward my mate. Instead, I’m filled with a sense of awe and fascination, my wolf humming with delight in the back of my mind. She always seems to push me to get closer to him, urging me to rub myself