Diana Now, as I look at the elegant facade, I recall the information from the pamphlet Ellen had given me. This is a Michelin-starred restaurant, the best in all of Garnet City, boasting numerous awards and spectacular cuisine. I remember how the manager had taken one look at me and told me to go around back, only to promptly reject me. I hadn't even been allowed through the front door. But now... now I'm here as a patron. I can walk in with my head held high, no longer the pathetic little girl I was just a few months ago. As we enter, Dominicus's voice is smooth and authoritative as he addresses the maître d'. "Reservation for Amadeus," he says, and I watch in barely concealed amusement as the once stuck-up host nearly trips over himself in his haste to accommodate us. "Of course, sir, right this way," the host simpers, leading us to our table. "A waiter will be with you shortly." He takes an awed glance at me, clearly not recognizing the girl he once turned away. As we set
Beta Marcus My phone rings and I reach into my pocket and pull it out. It's been days since I dispatched the mercenaries to Garnet City, and I'm eager for news, my nerves frayed from the endless waiting. "Marcus speaking," I growl when I pick up, my voice rough with tension. The voice on the other end is tinged with excitement, "Sir, you're not going to believe this. We've struck gold." My grip on the phone tightens, "Go on," I command, barely able to contain my impatience. "Well, sir," the human mercenary begins, his tone cautious yet eager, "when you gave us just a name and a photo, I didn't think we'd have much luck. Garnet City might not be massive, but it's still got a few thousand residents. Finding one girl seemed like looking for a needle in a haystack." "Get to the point," I snap, impatience coloring my tone. He chuckles, a sound that grates on my already frayed nerves. "That's just it, sir. We didn't have to look at all. Your girl? She's something of a local celebrit
Content Warning: This chapter contains depictions of violence and non-consensual acts. Beta Marcus The guard hesitates for a moment, shock evident on his face, his eyes widening and his mouth falling open slightly. But he knows better than to disobey a direct command from me. He nods curtly, adam's apple bobbing as he swallows hard, and hurries off. The girl's face drains of all color, her skin turning ashen. Her eyes, previously wide with fear, now grow impossibly larger, the whites visible all around her irises. She begins to struggle in earnest now, her body twisting and writhing in my grip like a fish on a hook. Her pleas grow more desperate, her voice rising in pitch and volume. "Please, Beta Marcus! I beg you, forgive me! I meant no disrespect!" The words tumble out of her mouth in a frantic rush, each one laced with terror. But I'm deaf to her cries, my ears filled with the roaring of my own blood. In my mind, warped by rage, she has become Diana, and I will make her pay f
Diana The gentle rustle of pages fills the air as I lose myself in yet another book. Over the past few days, I've discovered a newfound love for reading, devouring the volumes Dominicus gifted me with an insatiable appetite for knowledge. Who would have thought that I, once barely literate, would find such joy in the written word? I twirl a delicate purple flower between my fingers, its sweet fragrance a reminder of this morning's gift. Without thinking, I break off its stem and tuck it behind my ear, the soft petals brushing against my skin. A contented smile plays on my lips as I snuggle deeper into the plush couch, reaching for the book I had started earlier: "The Comprehensive Guide to Werewolf History." As I leaf through to my bookmarked page, I can't help but feel a thrill of excitement. There's something empowering about learning the history of my kind, about understanding where we come from. I settle in, ready to immerse myself in the past. The chapter begins with a discla
Diana My hands are shaking so badly now that I can barely hold the book. But I force myself to finish the chapter: "The perpetrator's fate was sealed that same night. It is widely believed that as divine retribution for his heinous act, the gods stripped him of his humanity, cursing him to become Feral. Some scholars argue that he may have descended into madness before committing the atrocity, but this is a minority view. The prevailing theory is that his actions led to his curse." "Almost a century later, Dominicus Amadeus still lives, now known only as the Feral Alpha. It is speculated that the gods cursed him with longevity, forcing him to relive his crime for eternity. He now exists as a rabid animal, a cautionary tale of the consequences of unchecked power and cruelty." I close the book, my mind reeling. But something compels me to reach for another volume: "Global Pack Atlas: Locations and Territories." With trembling fingers, I flip through the pages until I find Garnet
Diana But then, a small voice in the back of my mind speaks up, defiant against the tide of fear threatening to overwhelm me. "Yeah! He killed those men. To PROTECT you!" I pause, caught off guard by this thought. It's true, isn't it though? He saved me that day. And hasn't he been kind and gentle with me ever since, in both his wolf and human forms? My mind drifts to the early days, his initial hostility when he first came to the diner, his aggression when I tried to run away. But those memories are quickly overshadowed by countless acts of kindness. The way he takes care of me, ensures my comfort, protects me. "You're overthinking this," I mutter to myself, running a hand through my hair. "He's been nothing but good to you." But my mind, ever the pessimist, refuses to let go. The history books are clear as day, it argues. He's a monster, a killer. You can't trust him. My heart, however, rebels against this notion. He is my mate, it insists. He has shown me nothing but kindness
Diana He was trying to tell me he loves me? The realization hits me like a physical blow, and suddenly I can't breathe. Guilt washes over me like a tide, threatening to drown me. How could I have doubted him, even for a moment? With shaking hands, I reach up and gently remove the flower from my hair. I stare at it, its delicate petals suddenly blurring as tears fill my eyes. This isn't just any flower. This is the same type of flower I've been receiving every morning and every night since that misunderstanding, since I treated him so terribly. The memory of the vase in our bedroom flashes through my mind. Always full of these lilacs, even as some wither and are replaced. A constant, silent declaration of his feelings. My chest tightens, and I struggle to draw breath. I feel like the worst person on earth. How could I have ever doubted this man? This man who has shown me nothing but kindness, who has protected me, cared for me... loved me. The flower in my hand becomes a testament
Diana Despite his outward ordinariness, my instincts scream at me to retreat and I find myself taking an involuntary step back, my heart racing. But then the man looks up, his eyes brightening as they land on me. A smile spreads across his face, revealing perfect white teeth. And I know it’s too late. I can't just walk away now. So, chiding myself for being overly paranoid, I force a bright smile onto my face and close the remaining distance to his table. I'm probably just overthinking things, I tell myself. He’s just an ordinary human, not some werewolf chasing me down trying to cash in on the bounty. He poses no danger to me, especially not in this crowded diner. I’m probably just still shaken from my earlier emotional breakdown. I pull out my notepad and pen from my apron pocket, falling into the familiar routine. "Hello, welcome to Ellen's. What can I get for you today?" My voice sounds steadier than I feel, a small victory. "Hello," he replies, his voice soft and pleasant. H
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