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 Dominicus's words hang in the air between us, his admission that he wants me to like him even without the mating bond sending a flutter through my chest. Before I can fully process this, he continues, his voice taking on a more somber tone. "I'm not a good man, Diana," he says, his fingers gently tracing along my jaw. "My reputation precedes me." A wry chuckle escapes him as he adds, "But you don't know that, do you?" I stare at him, wide-eyed and confused. What does he mean? "You don't know who I am, do you, Diana?" he presses. "What I am?" My mind races, trying to decipher his cryptic words. "You're an Alpha," I answer, immediately feeling foolish for stating the obvious. Dominicus throws his head back and laughs, the vibrations of his mirth traveling through his body and into mine. The warmth of his laughter makes my face flush. "Well, you're right about that," he chuckles, his eyes twinkling with amusement. Then, with a sigh that doesn't quite erase his grin, he
Diana "You don't have to answer that now," I say, my voice laced with remorse as I shrink into myself. Another thought occurs to me, and I ask, barely above a whisper, "You were watching me the entire time today weren’t you?” it comes out as a question but somehow I’m certain. He doesn’t answer immediately and just looks at me calmly. “Since when have you been watching over me? Throughout today?” I pause, and my heart clenches painfully, “Since yesterday?” I take a shuddering breath, the image of him just watching me in worry for hours on end, without pause, without rest, physically hurts me. “When… when was the last time you slept?” Dominicus blinks, his eyes filled with a gentleness that makes my heart melt. "That's not important," he says, shaking his head. "Don't worry about it." His dismissal only intensifies my guilt. “To answer your earlier questions-“ I cut him off, "You don't have to answer now." I tug shyly at his shirt, suddenly aware of how self-centered my
Beta MarcusI pace the length of my office, my footsteps echoing off the walls like the ticking of a time bomb. My blood boils with each passing second, the rage within me threatening to erupt like a volcano. The last report I received plays over and over in my mind, taunting me with its insufficiency.Unable to find Diana. The words mock me, fueling my anger to new heights."Incompetent fools!" I roar, sweeping my arm across my desk. Papers and trinkets crash to the floor, the sound doing little to satisfy the fury coursing through my veins.For weeks, I've had that little bitch running like a hunted animal. The bounty I placed on her head should have been more than enough incentive for every lowlife and scoundrel to turn her in. I had been so close, the net slowly closing around her. I could almost taste my revenge, imagining the exquisite pain I would inflict upon her.But now? Nothing. She's vanished like smoke in the wind.My fist connects with the wall, leaving a sizable dent in
Diana When I wake up the next morning, I am alone in bed. I stretch languidly and curl up in satisfaction. The events of last night begin to replay in my mind and a grin splits my face. I have another mate! Better than the other one too! And he actually wants me. He LIKES me! I cover my mouth and giggle out loud. He says that not even the gods can make him let me go. I squeal and roll in bed, making a mess out of my hair and tangling myself in the sheets, but I’m too giddy to care. He had held me so tenderly too, his words of unwavering devotion echoing in my heart. The memory of his fierce declaration - that he would never reject me, that I was his and his alone - sends a delightful shiver down my spine. He’s so handsome… and strong… and dominant… a dreamy sigh escapes me and I’m glad that I’m alone because I can imagine how silly I must look right now. When I finally force myself to calm down. I sigh again… but this time in disappointment… I miss him already… I look
DianaMy heart racing, I turn towards the voice. A young man stands at the entrance, holding a box that immediately draws gasps and whispers from the patrons. The air in the diner seems to thicken with curiosity and anticipation.Carefully, I make my way to the counter, trying to maintain a calm, collected facade despite the butterflies fluttering in my stomach and my hands shaking. Each step feels deliberate, as if I'm walking through a dream."I... I'm Diana," I stammer, my voice barely above a whisper, betraying my nervousness.The delivery man's eyes light up, a friendly smile spreading across his face. "Great! These are for you." He hands me a medium-sized box, wrapped in simple brown paper. The package itself is unassuming, but it's what sits atop it that catches my eye - a single flower, its delicate petals a stark contrast to the plain wrapping.This time, it's a white flower that sort of reminds me of a rose. However, it has smaller petals, more rounded and layered, creating
DianaFootsteps come closer, and a figure appears. "Everyone's whispering about how you received a gift. I had to come see it for myself," Ellen's voice rings out, curiosity and excitement evident in her tone.I flush as I look up to see her grinning face. Her eyes land on the flower in my hand, and they round before she clasps her hands in front of her chest."Oh my! A white camellia," she gushes, her excitement infectious. "That's so cute!" She giggles, and I feel a mixture of embarrassment and pride swelling within me.She then looks at me with an excited glimmer in her eyes. "You know what a white camellia means in the language of flowers, right?"I shake my head in a daze, my mind struggling to keep up with this new information. Flowers have a language?"It means that the person who sent them thinks you're adorable," Ellen explains, sighing dreamily. "Young love," she murmurs before walking away, leaving me to process this new revelation.I look at the flower, this time with new e
DianaSometimes, when I go out, I'm stopped by random strangers with a gift, "from Dominicus." I'd go for a walk, and when I pass a bakery, the owner would rush out with a smile and hand me a box of freshly baked macarons or artisanal chocolates.When I go to the markets for groceries, they never take my money. Always, it's a knowing look with a, "It's been paid for, Miss Diana," and I find myself at a loss for words.Once, I was walking by a park when I was stopped by the most adorable little boy with missing teeth. With the most serious face he could muster, he said he was given a job to pass a message to Miss Diana. He handed me a beautifully crafted wooden puzzle box. With it came a note in a handwriting I would recognize anywhere now: "Use this to amuse yourself. Don't only be focused on working all the time."That day, I broke down in the park and sobbed my heart out. Not from sadness, but from a deep, overwhelming joy. I have never been so touched in my life.I've received the m
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
Diana“And you’re improving,” he counters, holding out a hand to help me up.I hesitate, tempted to refuse out of sheer stubbornness. But my legs feel like they’re about to give out, so I begrudgingly take his hand. He pulls me to my feet with ease, and for a moment, his hand lingers in mine.“You’re doing well,” he says quietly, his voice softer now. “Better than I expected.”I blink at him, momentarily thrown. “Really?”“Really,” he confirms, releasing my hand. “But don’t let it go to your head. You still have a long way to go.”And just like that, the moment is gone. He steps back, his commanding demeanor snapping back into place. “Now, we’re moving on to climbing.”“Climbing?” I echo, my brows furrowing in confusion. “What are we climbing?”He gestures toward the edge of the field, where an enormous tree towers over the landscape. Its thick trunk is weathered with age, the bark gnarled and rough, and its branches stretch high into the sky. I stare at it, my stomach twisting with a
Diana The morning sun is merciless. It beats down on the field, and I’m already drenched in sweat. My tank top clings uncomfortably to my skin, and the loose cargo pants I’m wearing are starting to feel heavier with every step. I glance at Dominicus, who stands a few paces ahead, looking completely unaffected by the heat. Of course. Because why would my overpowered mate ever look anything less than perfect? “Again,” he commands, his deep voice steady and authoritative as his golden eyes watch my every move. I groan, bending over with my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath. My legs feel like jelly, and my heart is pounding so hard it might burst out of my chest. “You say ‘again’ like I didn’t just sprint halfway across the field and dodge every obstacle you threw at me.” “You didn’t dodge,” he says flatly, raising an eyebrow. “You tripped over the last hurdle and face-planted into the grass.” I glare at him, brushing a smear of dirt from my knee. “You know, a good tr
Alpha Magnus I had just opened the car door when the pain struck. Not physical—something deeper, something primal that splintered through my very soul. The tiny link between Diana and me, that fragile thread that had stubbornly persisted despite my rejection, suddenly snapped. My wolf's agonized howl tore through my mind as we both felt it—the exact moment they completed the mate bond. The sound was raw, feral, a haunting cry of loss that echoed through every fiber of my being. He knew. We both knew. Dominicus was claiming what should have been ours. I didn't even make it into the car. My legs gave out and I collapsed by the roadside, curling into myself as wave after wave of soul-crushing pain washed over me. I couldn't scream. Couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. All I could do was lie there, trembling like a broken thing as the reality of what was happening tore me apart. "No," The word barely made it past my lips, a hoarse whisper of denial. "No! How could you?!" It felt like so
Alpha MagnusThe room is silent except for my ragged breathing. Shards of wood and splintered furniture litter the floor, a testament to yet another fit of rage I couldn’t contain. My office, once the picture of authority and control, looks like the aftermath of a hurricane. Papers lie scattered, walls bear the scars of thrown objects, and the desk I’ve destroyed for the fifth time is a heap of splinters.The anger and frustration gnaw at me, unrelenting, a beast I can’t cage. Ever since the Council hearing… no, ever since she walked away with him, I’ve been like this. Unstable. Volatile. A shadow of the Alpha I once was.The pack feels it, of course. They’re on edge, walking on eggshells around me. The silence in the halls is deafening, broken only by hurried whispers and the occasional sound of someone fleeing my vicinity. I’ve heard it in their voices, seen it in their eyes—they’re afraid of what I’ve become. The mighty Alpha Magnus, reduced to this.The plan was simple: deal with
DianaI adjust the loose clothes Dominicus had me wear—perfect for movement, he’d said—and glance at him.He stands a few paces ahead, his eyes locked on mine, the seriousness in his gaze making my stomach tighten. There’s no teasing smirk or gentle humor in his expression today. This is all business.“Previously, you mastered how to control your strength,” he begins, his deep voice steady, filling the quiet field. “You’ve learned how to hold back so you don’t hurt yourself or others. That was step one.” He pauses, his gaze unwavering. “But now it’s time to move on.”I nod, swallowing hard. This is what I’ve been waiting for—what I need.Taking a slow step toward me, he continues,“you need to learn how to use your strength. Restraint is important, but strength without direction is useless. It can make you a liability—to yourself and others. Even an Alpha, no matter how strong, can be brought down by a weaker opponent if they have training and you don’t.”His words settle heavily in my
DominicusThe torch flickers again, casting long shadows across the cell. I turn my head slightly, my lips curling into a snarl.Marcus died too quickly. Too easily. I should have slowed it down, tortured him some more- I should have prolonged his suffering. I fucking went too easy on him!Rage wells up inside me, my eyes tinging blue as my wolf stirs, threatening to surface. My fists clench, and I force myself to breathe deeply, steadying the storm within.I lean back against the cells behind me. And wait.It isn’t until a full hour later that Billy’s episode subsides. The once-raging wolf now slumps limp against the cold, damp wall. His head hangs low, his breathing shallow but steady. For a moment, the only sounds in the prison are the faint drip of water in the distance and his labored breaths.I don’t say a word as I watch him. There’s no need. He needs this moment to gather himself, to pull whatever fragments of clarity he has left together. I remain where I am, leaning casuall