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,
DianaThe Werewolf Council has established a comprehensive education mandate for all wolf pups, regardless of their social standing. This rule ensures that every young werewolf receives at least a basic education, with the level of schooling varying based on their class within the pack hierarchy.At the top, Alpha and Beta offspring naturally receive the most extensive education. Gamma wolves, known for their superior strength and destined to become pack warriors, along with Delta wolves of ordinary strength, both receive education equivalent to college level. While Gammas typically focus on combat training, Deltas have the freedom to specialize in various fields. These two classes form the backbone of the pack's middle class, filling roles such as doctors, accountants, engineers, and teachers.Omega wolves, who make up the lower working class, are guaranteed an education up to at least high school level. They often take on roles such as cleaners, janitors, cooks, nannies, and brickla
DianaThe comfortable silence that had settled between us was like a warm blanket, soothing and safe. A thought suddenly flashes in my mind. It is a question burned in my mind, probably the most important one- one that I both dreaded and needed to ask. I found myself worrying my lip, a nervous habit I'd never quite shaken. The minutes ticked by as I wrestled with my courage, knowing that once asked, there would be no taking it back.Finally, steeling myself, I decide to rip off the proverbial band-aid."Dominicus?" I call out softly, my voice barely above a whisper."Mm?" he hums in response, his fingers still tracing lazy patterns on my arm.I take a deep breath, sitting up to look at him directly. "There's one more thing I wanted to ask you."His eyes meet mine, curiosity and a hint of concern mingling in their depths. "Go ahead, dulcis. You can ask me anything."Another deep breath, and then the words tumble out in a rush. "Do you have another mate apart from me?"The moment the qu
DianaI remain frozen, my hands cupping Dominicus's face, tears streaming down my cheeks. The world around us has faded away, leaving only the two of us in this bubble of pain and memory. My eyes search his desperately, looking for any sign of recognition, any hint that he's coming back to me."Dominicus," I whisper, my voice cracking with emotion. "Please, come back to me. I'm right here with you."But his eyes remain distant, looking through me rather than at me. It's as if he's trapped in a world I can't see or reach, reliving horrors I can only imagine. The helplessness I feel is overwhelming, a crushing weight on my chest that makes it hard to breathe.This man, who has been my strength, my protector, my safe haven, is now lost in a storm of his own making. And I, who owe him so much, can do nothing but watch as he battles his demons alone."I'm here," I murmur again, pressing my forehead against his. "You're not alone anymore, Dominicus. Whatever happened, whatever you've been t
Diana I realize then that our journey together is just beginning. We both carry wounds from our pasts, but perhaps, together, we can find a way to heal. As we walk hand in hand towards the kitchen, I make a silent vow to myself. Whatever darkness haunts Dominicus, whatever ghosts from his past still torment him, I will stand by his side. Just as he has accepted me, wolfless and all, I will accept him – all of him. As we approach the kitchen, and despite the emotional turmoil of the past hour, my stomach growls again. Dominicus chuckles softly, the sound warming me from the inside out. "Let's see what we can find for you, dulcis," he says, leading me into the kitchen. The kitchen is bathed in warm morning light as Dominicus guides me to a stool by the island. I settle in, watching as he moves with graceful efficiency, gathering ingredients and utensils. There's something mesmerizing about the way he navigates the space, his movements sure and purposeful. I prop my elbows on t
Diana "No, that's not what I meant!" I say quickly, reaching out to take his hand. "You make me feel incredibly secure, Dominicus. It's just... it's hard to explain." I pause, trying to gather my thoughts. "Right now, I think I'd be too idle just staying around all the time. I enjoy the work, truly. The staff are nice, and the customers are too. But most importantly..." I hesitate, then decide to be completely honest. "I enjoy being around people who treat me normally. Just like a regular person. I never had that growing up in my pack." Dominicus's expression softens slightly, but I can still see the reluctance in his eyes. "I understand that you enjoy it," he says slowly. "But surely there are other ways to experience that without working in a diner. You could volunteer, or join clubs, or-" I cut him off gently. "I'd like to keep the job, at least until I find something else I want to do. I’ve gotten used to it already. Please, Dominicus. It's important to me." He keeps a s
Diana He pulls me tight against him so that our chests are flush against each other. I can feel the hard planes of his chest through my suddenly too-heavy breasts, and the ache in my core intensifies. Without conscious thought, I start to grind my hips against him, seeking some form of relief. A low, deep growl reverberates through his chest before he tears his lips away from mine. I whine at the loss of contact, my eyes heavy-lidded and trained on his lips. "Fuck.. wait," he curses, his voice deep and strained. But I don’t hear him, desperate to get that feeling back as I chase after his lips. But he clasps his hand around the back of my neck, holding my head in place. “Stop dulcis”, his voice deep and gravelly with desire but firm. The command in his tone just makes me release another subconscious whine. I'm completely gone, my brain offline and running purely on instinct. He gently squeezes his hand that is holding the back of my neck in warning as he breaths heavily, l
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