Alpha Magnus The cool night air does little to soothe the inferno raging within me. I stand on the balcony, my hands gripping the metal balustrade so tightly that it bends under my strength. The conference room I left ten minutes ago lies in ruins, a testament to the fury that had consumed me. Now, as I stare out into the darkness, my mind races with thoughts of betrayal and vengeance. The sound of the office door opening breaks through my brooding. Footsteps approach, and I don't need to turn to know who it is. Her scent, once a comfort, now only serves to stoke the embers of my anger. My jaw clenches, muscles working beneath the skin as I fight to maintain control. Natasha comes to stand beside me, her presence a mix of familiar and foreign. The nervousness and uneasiness radiating from her are palpable, filling the space between us with an uncomfortable tension. "Magnus," she begins softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know you're angry, but we need to talk about th
Alpha Magnus The night air suddenly feels colder as my words hang between us. I watch her face carefully, searching for any sign of wavering, any hint that she might be receptive to my suggestion. “What do you mean… what exactly are you implying, Magnus?" Natasha asks, her voice laced with caution and a hint of disbelief. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I'm about to say. "I'm saying you have a choice, Natasha. You could reject him." The effect is immediate and visceral. Natasha physically recoils, her eyes widening in horror as she takes a step back. "Reject my mate?" she gasps, her voice a mixture of disbelief and revulsion. "Yes," I nod, maintaining my composure despite the turmoil churning within me. "Have you lost your mind?" she exclaims, her voice rising. "How can you even suggest such a thing?" I raise an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "It's an option, isn't it? One that solves our current... predicament." Natasha's face contorts with a mixture of disgust a
DianaIt's been just over a week since I last saw him, and the longing in my heart grows stronger with each passing day. Every morning, I wake to find a fresh lilac-colored flower (I still don’t know what it’s called) waiting for me, its delicate petals a reminder of his presence in my life. The gifts haven't stopped either, each one more thoughtful than the last.But today, something is different. As I stir from my slumber, my eyes fall upon not just the usual flower, but a box sitting beside it. Curiosity piqued, I reach for it, noticing a note attached. The handwriting is unmistakable – powerful and commanding, just like him. My heart races as I read his words:"You look beautiful when you sleep. This box contains a new phone for you, already set up. I hope you like it."My hands tremble as I pick up the box, hardly daring to believe it's real. It's a brand I recognize, the latest model that I've only ever seen in shop windows or in the hands of wealthier customers at the diner. On
DianaWhen I walk into the diner, all eyes are on me. I can feel the weight of their stares, taking in my outfit and makeup that's so different from my usual uniform and bare face. For a moment, I feel self-conscious, but then I see the smiles spreading across their faces."Well, well, well!" Joe, one of our regulars, calls out with a grin. "Looks like our Diana's got herself a hot date with her mystery man!"A chorus of good-natured laughter and whistles follows his words. I feel my cheeks heat up, but I can't help the small smile that tugs at my lips."You look beautiful, honey," Ellen says, coming around the counter to give me a quick hug. "Now go on, don't keep that man of yours waiting."I give her a grateful smile. "Thanks, Ellen."She shoos me towards the door with a wink. "Have fun!."As I make my way through the diner, I can't help but feel a surge of pride. These people have seen me at my worst—tired, stressed, covered in coffee stains. But today, they're seeing a different
DianaAs we drive along the smooth streets, my curiosity continues to gnaw at me. I can't help but ask again, "Where are we going? Please, I'm really curious."He chuckles, the sound rich and warm in the confines of the car. His eyes remain fixed on the road, but I can see the corners of his mouth quirk up in amusement. "It won't take long, dulcis. Patience is a virtue, you know."My bottom lip can’t help but jut out at his teasing evasion. Without even turning to look at me, he says, "Don't pout, dulcis." The way he says it, half-scolding and half-affectionate, makes me giggle despite myself.We continue driving for about ten minutes when suddenly, he turns off the main road onto an inconspicuous dirt path leading into a dense forest. The abrupt change in scenery piques my interest even further. Ancient trees line both sides of the narrow road, their branches creating a canopy overhead that filters the sunlight into dappled patterns on the ground.I sit up straighter in my seat, cran
DianaAs I step into the living room, my breath catches in my throat. Every single thing in the space is exactly what I had chosen during our shopping trip. The furniture, the appliances, even the smallest decorative items - it's all there, arranged in a way that's both comfortable and stylish.The centerpiece of the room is a large, plush sectional sofa in a soft, creamy color. It looks incredibly inviting, making me want to curl up on it and take a nap. Complementing the sofa are two oversized armchairs in a rich, deep blue that adds a pop of color to the space. A rustic wooden coffee table sits in the center, its natural grain adding warmth to the room.My eyes are wide open as I take it all in, barely able to believe what I'm seeing. The walls are adorned with the artwork I had admired, and soft throw pillows in various textures and complementary colors are artfully arranged on the seating. A large, plush area rug in muted tones ties the whole space together."Let me show you arou
DianaHe gently cradles my face in his palms and tilts my head to face him. In this position, we're at the same height. He looks into my eyes and gently uses the pads of his thumbs to wipe away my tears.It's all too much for me, and I can't help but continue to cry. Every single thing in this house is what I had picked out, from the biggest furniture pieces to the smallest decorative items. And this master bedroom - it was the one place he had been so particular about when we had been shopping. The store hadn't had the curtains I wanted, and he had made sure I chose from catalogs. And now those curtains from the pictures are hanging beautifully on the windows.It really is overwhelming. It all comes rushing back - over a week of daily gifts, thoughtful presents, flowers, handwritten notes, and the most public courting I had only heard about in fairytales. And now... this powerful Alpha had renovated his entire house to cater to my wants and preferences."Is this why you didn't come t
Diana As Dominicus pulls back from our embrace, his eyes meet mine with a mixture of tenderness and determination. "I think it's time we addressed those questions of yours," he says, his voice gentle but firm. "The sooner we clear things up, the better." Before I can even process his words, the world shifts around me. In a fluid motion that leaves me breathless, Dominicus switches our positions. Suddenly, I find myself perched on his lap, his strong arms encircling my waist. The transition happens so swiftly that all I can do is let out a startled gasp. He pulls me closer, guiding my head to rest in the crook of his neck. The familiar scent of him- envelops me, instantly soothing my racing heart. A contented sound rumbles through his chest, a mix between a hum and a purr that vibrates against me. The intimacy of our position isn't lost on me, and I feel a blush creeping up my neck. "I've missed holding you like this," he growls softly, his breath tickling my ear. I remain still,
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