DominicusI pace back and forth outside Diana's window, my eyes constantly darting up to check on her. My wolf is restless, pacing and growling within me, urging me to go to our mate. But I can't. Not now. Not when she's in so much pain and doesn’t want to see me.Someone had hurt her. Hurt her severely. The pieces I've managed to glean from her hysterical outburst paint a grim picture. She had a mate, and he rejected her. The thought makes my blood boil."How?" I mutter to myself, my voice rough with suppressed emotion. "How could anyone reject such a beautiful angel?"My fists clench at my sides, nails digging into my palms. The pain is a welcome distraction from the ache in my chest.How could anyone even entertain the thought of hurting her?But it's not just that. Her words echo in my mind: "We all want her to die." The implications of that simple phrase send a chill down my spine. It's not just her mate who hurt her. There's more to her story than what she's told me before.I re
Diana The world slowly comes into focus as I open my eyes, blinking against the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. For a moment, I feel as though I'm swimming through molasses, my brain foggy and disconnected. The off-white ceiling above me blurs and sharpens in alternating waves as I try to make sense of my surroundings. I shut my eyes tightly, counting to three before opening them again. The room stops spinning, but the heavy weight in my chest remains. As I attempt to sit up, a groan escapes my lips. Every muscle in my body screams in protest, and I realize with a start that I've spent the night on the hard wooden floor. Staggering to my feet, I shuffle towards the bathroom, my movements slow and uncoordinated. The face that greets me in the mirror is almost unrecognizable. Puffy, bloodshot eyes stare back at me, rimmed by dark circles that I thought had disappeared weeks ago. My skin is pale and drawn, making me look more like a ghost than a living person. As I
Diana The full weight of my actions last night crashes down on me. I had completely lost control, screaming accusations at Alpha Dominicus, attempting to harm myself... My cheeks burn with shame as I recall the things I said, the way I acted. And the bond – oh goddess, the mate bond. How could something that’s a blessing for everyone turn out to be a curse to me? Does it come as a bundle with the curse of being wolfless? And it is a curse isn’t it? Of course it is! He is going to reject me too. I’m sure of it… But what if he doesn’t? What if as he tried to say yesterday, he truly does want me as his mate? But with the way I reacted… My mind races, conjuring up worst-case scenarios. What if Alpha Dominicus decides I'm too unstable, too damaged to be his mate? What if he rejects me after all, not because of my lack of a wolf, but because of my emotional outburst? The thought sends a fresh wave of pain through my chest. And what about the pack? If word gets out about what happened, a
DianaAs I reach the bottom of the stairs, I hear movement near the kitchen door. Pierre, the cook, emerges with one foot already out the door, clearly in a rush."Oh Diana! Hey!" he exclaims, his round face lighting up with a smile. "I'm running right now. I noticed that you didn't come down to eat with us so I kept yours in the fridge!" His words tumble out in a rush, his French accent more pronounced in his haste. "Just pop it in the microwave and heat it up! Gotta go!"Before I can even process his words, he's gone, the door swinging shut behind him. A small part of me is relieved that he was too preoccupied to notice my disheveled state. I'm not sure I could have mustered the energy to speak or explain myself.I shuffle to the refrigerator, my movements slow and mechanical. Opening the door, I spot the plastic container Pierre mentioned. I pull it out without bothering to check its contents. Food is food, and I can't bring myself to care about what it might be.The microwave hums
Diana I clamp my hands over my ears, whimpering pitifully. "Stop... please stop," I beg, trying desperately to block out the voice. But it's fruitless. The voice is in my head, and there's no escaping it.It laughs in malicious glee, its cruelty seemingly knowing no bounds. The laughter echoes in my mind, growing louder and more insistent with each passing moment.And then, abruptly, the voice changes tack, its tone becoming conspiratorial: "But maybe you're right... maybe he does like you. Maybe he is willing to take you as you are..."My heart beats faster, a glimmer of hope starting to bloom despite my best efforts to squash it. But the voice isn't finished:"But why should you do that to him? Why should you punish this good man with a mate like you? You cannot contribute anything and will only be a burden to him and his pack. You cannot rule beside him."Each word feels like a truth I've always known but tried to deny. The voice presses on, relentless in its assault:"Why would yo
DominicusThe sun beats down mercilessly as I stand vigil outside Diana's diner, my senses attuned to every sound from her room above. My wolf paces restlessly beneath my skin, urging me to go to her, to comfort our mate. But I hold firm, remembering her anguished plea for me to leave last night."Not yet," I growl softly to my wolf. "We wait until she's ready."The mating bond, now recognized by both of us, pulses stronger than ever. My instincts are more attuned to her, making this self-imposed separation all the more challenging. But I must respect her wishes, her need for space. Even if it feels like I'm tearing myself apart in the process.Throughout the day, the sounds from her room remain muted, save for the occasional shuffling as she uses the bathroom or ventures downstairs for food. The relative quiet should be reassuring, but a nagging feeling gnaws at my gut. Something isn't right.The mall calls- they are ready to deliver the purchases I made yesterday and I have to force
DianaThe soft morning light filters through the curtains, gently rousing me from sleep. I blink languidly, my mind still hazy with sleep. As consciousness slowly creeps in, I become aware of the warmth cocooning me, my blanket wrapped snugly around my body. Unlike yesterday's unsettling awakening - the initial numbness, today, a true sense of calm washes over me, my emotions surprisingly steady.Memories of last night flood back, bringing a flutter to my heart. Dominicus had been here, his presence a balm to my fractured psyche. I can almost feel the phantom touch of his fingers running through my hair, his gentle scratches against my scalp. The memory of being held against his chest, enveloped in his comforting scent, brings a warmth to my cheeks.In the quiet moments before dawn, I vaguely recall the press of lips against my temple, the careful way I was tucked into bed. My eyes scan the empty room, a twinge of disappointment settling in my chest when I realize he's gone. But even
Diana That cruel voice in my head, the one I'd managed to keep at bay all day, begins to whisper again. Its words are harsh, merciless, tearing at the fragile peace I'd found earlier. I try to fight it, to hold onto the positive feelings from the day, but it's like trying to grasp smoke. That mental switch flips, and I'm helpless against the onslaught of negativity. As I feel myself sinking, drowning in the depths of my own mind, something abruptly changes. Warm, strong arms wrap around me, pulling me against a solid chest. In an instant, I'm enveloped in a cocoon of safety that can only belong to one person. Dominicus. The moment his arms encircle me, my heart blooms with an joy. Despite my best efforts to maintain emotional distance, I realize just how much I've missed him today. His familiar scent washes over me as he pulls me close, his voice a soothing rumble against my ear. "I just want to hold you," he murmurs, his words a gentle plea. "Please... let me." Just l
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