I jolt upright in bed, my heart hammering in my chest. Sweat drenches my skin, the remnants of the dream clinging to me like a second skin. I push damp hair from my face and blink into the darkness. It was just a dream… just a dream.
But my body aches, a need stirred within me that I hadn’t realized was there. I blame Gaia. Seeing her with Ansel today reminded me just how lonely I’ve become. Even before I lost the baby, Braden was always working. I convinced myself he was preparing for our child’s arrival, but after… after we lost the baby, he threw himself into his work, into anything but me. Its not just sex I want its everything enough to apparantly dream about a total stranger I'm not even convinced is real.
I feel a tightness in my chest, the dream slipping away, leaving only cold emptiness in its wake. I look down at my wedding ring, a symbol I once cherished, now a weight that fills me with nausea. But I’m not ready to take it off. I should take it off, it
As I step downstairs, the dim morning light greets me, casting long shadows across the cold, dark wood. The air feels heavy, and the silence almost hums with tension. Braden is already in the kitchen, waiting. He stands there in nothing but his boxers, as if he’s playing a game I don’t want to be part of. Seeing him now feels wrong, like a twisting knot in my stomach, making me feel queasy.His tattoos shift as he lifts his coffee to his lips, the muscles in his arm flexing. His dark hair is tousled, clearly from a sleepless night, and those piercing blue eyes follow my every move. A chill runs down my spine. I don’t like the way he’s looking at me—there’s something unnerving about it. I grab my own mug quickly, pouring coffee without meeting his gaze, and spin on my heel, ready to escape.“Claudia, wait,” he calls, and something in his voice makes me freeze.I turn, and suddenly he’s closer than I expected. Before I can react, he leans down and kisses the tip o
I bring Ansel his whiskey, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind my ear before stepping inside his office. Braden has just left, and I know Ansel must be feeling the weight of it all. As I expected, he leans back into his chair, fingers gripping the bridge of his nose, frustration written in every line of his body.He doesn’t move when he hears me enter, but his shoulders relax slightly, the tension easing. "I thought you might want this," I say softly, offering him the glass as I walk around his large wooden desk. The fire behind him crackles, casting flickering shadows across the room. The lamps are dim, just bright enough for me to make out the papers scattered across his desk and the glow of his laptop screen."Thank you," he murmurs, taking the glass from my hand. Our fingers brush, and my stomach flips at the contact. His gaze lingers on me as he takes a slow sip, the warmth of the whiskey tracing his throat as his eyes heat.A frown pulls at his face, and I act quickly, not wa
I lie in bed, caught in that liminal space between waking and sleep, tossing and turning as unfamiliar faces begin to swirl in my mind. One image solidifies—a woman with tattoos and bright red hair. I try to place her, wracking my brain, wondering if this is the woman Braden will claim as his wife.The scene shifts, and suddenly, I see the two of us laughing and talking, strolling across vast grounds I've never set foot on. A soft summer breeze tugs at my hair, carrying my laughter into the air as I listen to her say something amusing. I blink, shaking the images from my head, rolling over onto my other side. My eyes dart to the bedroom door, which I’ve taken to locking—something I never used to do. But ever since Braden came into my bathroom uninvited that night, I no longer trust him.I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to sink deeper into the pillow. I just want to sleep, to escape. But now, another figure invades my thoughts—a man. I see him clearly as he bounces me on his knee, my you
I meet Gaia at Gail’s after dragging myself from the house. Braden doesn’t say a word to me, but I feel his eyes follow my every step as I leave.Gail’s sits in the heart of the pack, its crooked roof and weathered stone exuding charm, the scent of freshly baked goods wafting through the air. As I step inside, the warmth wraps around me, chasing away the lingering chill from my skin. I head straight to our usual table at the back. It’s private, offering a clear view of everyone else sipping coffee and eating pastries, while keeping us somewhat hidden. I keep my head high as I walk through Gail’s, nodding politely to the pack members I pass. They don’t know, I remind myself, over and over.Gaia is already seated, two steaming mugs of hot chocolate waiting—topped with marshmallows and whipped cream. There are also two colossal pastries on plates. She bounces up from her seat as I approach, her long, wild blonde hair pulled into a high ponytail. She’s effortlessly chic in jeans, knee-hig
I chat with Gaia a little more as we eat our sandwiches. The cheese toasties here at Gail’s are the best—gooey, savory, and packed with flavor. Mine is a delicious mix of cheese, chicken, and kimchi. Gaia's is piled with salted beef, macaroni cheese, and pickles. “That’s not all,” Gaia whispers, focusing on her sandwich as a string of melted cheese hangs down to her plate. “Ansel is going to mark me.”“Really?” I blink, surprised by the news. After what I overheard when I eavesdropped, I hadn’t expected this. Gaia narrows her eyes, studying me curiously, so I plaster on a bright smile. “That’s fantastic news! It’s about time—it’s taken him way too long,” I say with a cheerful tone, hoping my excitement sounds genuine. She shakes her head and relaxes. Phew, I think, relieved that I got away with it.“I know, but since I’m having his child, it feels like the right time. He’s going to mark me tonight… while we’re trying,” she adds, blushing a deep pink. I can’t help but snicker at her em
The morning light streams through the curtains, illuminating a bright sky and sun. Of course, the weather would be perfect on the day I need to speak with Alpha Ansel. I stare at the chandelier, unmoving. I’ve been like this all night, lying so still, watching shadows dance across the ceiling, that my limbs are stiff. I should just get it over with. Ansel will be in a good mood after last night, after all. I wrinkle my nose at the thought. I’m happy for Gaia, but… ugh.I dress quickly, slipping into a formal black skirt and silk blouse, pulling my hair up before adding a necklace and bracelet. I slide on sheer tights and step into black heels. My signature red lipstick and a touch of mascara complete the look. Maybe if I look like myself, I’ll feel like myself. I grab my coat and head out, catching a beam of light under Braden’s office door. His voice is low, probably on the phone. I don’t know why he’s up so early and I
“Right.” I force my eyes open wider as he continues. “Once the marriage is annulled, I think it best you find somewhere else to stay. A clean break will be better for everyone.” Ansels deep voice booms as I swallow down the rising nerves settling in my stomach. “Where am I supposed to go?” I ask, feeling my shoulders sag under the weight of it all. I just need a glimmer of hope.“I’ve thought about this. Gaia would gladly let you stay here, but that would send the wrong message to the pack. I can’t take in my Beta’s ex-wife. I need to show solidarity with Braden for the good of the pack. You will survive this Claudia,” he says with a sympathetic pat on my knee. For the good of the pack. I'm so sick of hearing that. As much as I hate it; Braden is Ansel's beta and it would send the wrong message for me to stay here. Everyone would assume Ansel had taken my side in our seperation. I had just given the circumstances I thought Ansel would show me more sympathy to this particular situatio
Running from Ansel’s office, I nearly collide with the maid outside. Was she eavesdropping? She gives me a dismissive huff, then strides off as I hurry down the long corridor, hearing another enraged roar echoing behind me. I really shouldn’t have said that. I definitely pissed off the Alpha. Where is Gaia? I burst through the front door, stumbling down the steps as the cold bites into my skin, jolting me with a fresh wave of dizziness. Running after losing so much blood probably isn’t the best idea. The chill in the air cools my clammy skin, though, making me feel a bit steadier. My heel catches on a raised root, nearly twisting my ankle. Whoever said running in heels was easy… lied.I stop, pulling off my shoes and tossing them aside. At least the frozen ground is solid enough to walk on without sinking into mud—so much for presenting myself with any dignity. I can almost picture Bradens disspointed face as I walk barefoot home. A sharp snap of a branch makes me whip my head around,
Just as I step out of my office, a deafening siren slices through the air, signaling danger. The pack walls have been infiltrated.I sprint forward, my legs burning as I push myself faster. Over the hills of the pack grounds, swarms of warriors descend from all directions like a flood of shadows under the sun. Shit."Reid, make sure there's a team to get to Claudia!" I command through the mindlink, my voice edged with urgency. I don't need him to respond I need him to find her. Then, I shift, bones snapping and reforming as I surge into my wolf form. The moment my paws hit the ground, I charge toward the trees. The scent of rogue wolves fills my nostrils—wild, unhinged, bloodthirsty. Their snarls vibrate in the air, a chaotic symphony of hunger and rage.Two colossal gray wolves lunge at me, one veering left, the other right. A distraction. A trap. I keep my eyes sharp, scanning for a weakness. But I don’t wait for them to make the first move—I strike.I launch at the one in front of
I wake with a jolt, a sharp twist in my gut telling me something isn’t right. The weight of the room presses down on me as I blink against the dim light filtering through the curtains. A few breaths pass before I realize—I’m still in the lounge. Memories from last night surface, fragmented and raw, but I shove them aside as an unsettling void tugs at my consciousness. Something is missing.Claudia.Panic doesn’t grip me immediately—her clothes are still here. For all I know, she could have just gone back to the room to shower. But then, my gaze snags on a note resting atop one of her shoes, and an icy dread coils around my spine.I knew something was off in the way she looked at me last night, but the moment her lips wrapped around my cock, nothing else mattered. Now, as I stare at the note in her elegant scrawl, I wish I had listened to my instincts.I crush the paper in my palm and hurl it into the dying embers of the fireplace, watching as the flames lick at it hungrily, turning he
The ground vibrates beneath me as the rhythmic stomp of boots closes in. The troops march one by one toward my pack, their movements a relentless drumbeat of impending doom. If I make it out of this, Leo is going to kill me—for real this time—for going off on my own.Lying here in my cell, my body throbs with the pain of my own recklessness. What I thought was an act of bravery now feels like pure stupidity. I should have challenged Braden for the pack the second I was thrown into his tent. That was the plan. But it all went wrong. Horribly wrong.Barking orders ring out from the guards outside, their voices sharp and grating. I try to force through the haze of pain of the heat to reach Leo through the mind link, but it’s useless. I’m too weak. My breath catches as the flap of the tent rustles, signaling someone’s return. My heart pounds harder, slamming against my ribs. I want out of this cage, but I also don’t. The idea of someone finding me like this—vulnerable, helpless—is terrify
"What did you just do?" I ask, my body igniting in seconds, heat flooding every vein. My vision blurs as sweat drips down my back. Braden sways in front of me, something small and glinting in his hand. My body wobbles as he lets me go, and I claw at my hair, fingers fumbling for the vial of liquid silver. My hands shake too much to grip it. I just can't reach it. "Heat serum. If you're going to act like a whore, then I'll treat you like one," he groans, voice thick with amusement.A smolder ignites between my legs, molten and all-consuming. Fuck. I don’t know how much he gave me, but my body betrays me instantly, my movements sluggish, my mind drowning in the haze of unbearable heat pulsing through my core.My fingers slip from my hair, every thought narrowing down to a single need—I have to get out of these leathers and this jacket. Too hot. Too tight. Every beat of my heart pumps more of the serum through my bloodstream, and my panties are already soaked. The thick scent of my arou
I'm thrown onto an old wool rug, the rough fibers scraping against my bare hands. I sneer, because even in the midst of battle, Braden refuses to go without his creature comforts. Though a small part of me is grateful—at least I'm not being smushed into the dirt again.Several pairs of black boots surround me before two gleaming black brogues step into my line of vision. "Baby, is that really you?" His voice carries an almost genuine concern, but I know better. I adjust my position, craning my neck to look up at him.Those dark blue eyes are as cold as ever. But everything else is different. He’s massive, his muscles stretched tight over his frame as if he’s been pumping himself full of steroids. He could crush me like a bug."Braden... thank the goddess," I breathe, forcing bile down as I summon a few well-placed tears to trickle down my cheek. He's the one man that has haunted my dreams for months, I never wanted to see him again. I try to stop my body from shaking from fear grippin
I make it to the top of the cliffside, my heart pounding like a war drum as the sun scorches my back. The air hangs heavy, thick with the kind of stillness that only comes before battle—that electric pause before chaos erupts. Even the birds have fallen silent.I tread carefully along the ridge, peering over the other side where their camp sprawls below. From here, I'm just far enough beyond our borders that no guards should detect me. I suppress my aura, unwilling to risk Braden sensing my presence. Lowering myself into a crouch, I inch forward until I can lie flat behind a boulder, my breath shallow, controlled.The camp is a storm of movement, warriors swarming in organized precision. Hundreds, maybe even thousands. It’s as if the entire New Moon Pack has assembled for this. My stomach tightens as I spot Uncle Leon moving through the front line, barking orders. So this is how the rogues are involved. Disappointment stabs through me. One of my father’s most trusted allies, now worki
I wake up tangled in a mess of limbs on the floor, the fire now reduced to glowing embers, and a pleasant ache thrumming between my thighs. Leo lies beside me, his soft snores blending with the distant chirping of birds, signaling the break of dawn. Carefully, I peel myself away from where our bodies are molded together. I can’t wake him. Every movement is slow, calculated, as I inch my way free.Once I’m loose, I jump up, the dim morning light seeping through the curtains now that the candles have long since melted into pools of wax on the floor. My fingers fumble for a pen, hastily scrawling a note explaining where I’m going and why. He’ll be furious—I know it—but he’s my mate, and I will protect him no matter what. This way, at least, he’ll be mad but not worried. Or at least, I hope not.I sprint down the hallway, my bare feet slapping against the cold wooden floor. The scent of burnt-out wax lingers in the air, mingling with the remnants of last night. Clothes and forgotten items
Her lips curl into a smirk that could make the devil himself drop to his knees, and I growl low in my throat, the sound rumbling through my chest like a predator stalking its prey. She’s mine— mine—and I’ll be damned if I don’t claim every fucking inch of her tonight. My fingers work at the clasp of her finery with a fury, tearing the fabric away like it’s an insult to her divine body. The sound of it ripping echoes in the dimly lit room, and her breath hitches, those jewel-blue eyes of hers flashing with a hunger that matches my own.Her curves are a fucking masterpiece, and as her attire falls to the floor, I take her in like a starving man at a feast. Her tits are perfect—full and heavy, the nipples already pebbled and begging for my mouth. I can’t help but reach out, my rough palms grazing over her soft skin, and she shivers under my touch. “Leo don’t tease me,” she begs but she will be begging far more before she gets what she wants. Her hips sway as she steps closer, her pussy s
I pull back, giving Leo another slow, lingering smile. The fire crackles beside us, its flickering glow casting shadows over his sharp features, but worry still lingers in his eyes. I don’t want that. I refuse to let him carry it tonight.Biting my lip, I feel the undeniable pull between us, the electric charge humming in the space where our bodies almost touch. Leaning in, I brush featherlight kisses along his cheek, trailing down to his jaw. A low groan rumbles from his chest, his breath hitching as I shift, straddling his thighs. His hands find my chin, his grip firm yet reverent as he tilts my face to meet his.Then his lips crash into mine.The kiss is searing—possessive, commanding—like he’s trying to reclaim control, to remind me exactly who he is. I let him. My fingers thread through his thick, tousled hair, loving the way it feels against my skin, soft yet untamed. His tongue tangles with mine, the heat between us rising with every breath, every press of our bodies molding in