Panzer / Liam Alpha Nikolaos looks at me with a frown and sits forward in his chair. “I don’t understand?” he says, shaking his head. “Why would you want me to send you out on more missions?” Last night’s dinner was the last straw with me. I realized that I cannot control my emotions around Demi when I see her with Levi, and it’s not even me. My wolf won’t allow her to be with anyone else, even if it’s the one I consider a brother. His obsession with her superseded his loyalty to Levi, and now I find that I am unable to keep either of those emotions in check. “The others are all on a break and need it, but I’m fine with doing our rounds, Alpha,” I say, my hands behind my back and making direct eye contact with him so he doesn’t suspect I am lying to him. Alpha Nikolaos gets to his feet, braces his hands on the desk in front of him, and looks up at me with his eyes crimson. “Why do you feel the need to lie to me, Liam?” he says, and my heart rate spikes. An icy shiver runs thro
DemiSomething happened last night, something that never should have happened, and something I cannot explain. It’s the reason I’m rushing to speak to Luna Mia right now, the reason I had to get away from the house while Levi was still asleep.After the dinner party last night, Levi’s demeanor changed. He seemed fine the entire time, he even kissed my cheek sweetly and Noelle gushed. But as soon as they left, and we started to get intimate, a switch flipped. I could feel the fury emanating from him, and my confusion seemed to fuel him more.Then he asked me a question that had my heart skipping a beat, and as soon as he sensed the anxiety in my scent, he marked me down as guilty.“What’s going on between you and Liam?”He must have picked up on something when they were here, but I’m not sure how. It’s not like we gave anything away. In fact, I ignored Liam more than usual and acted as friendly as possible when I had to talk to him.So why did he… So why did Levi feel the need to forci
Panzer / LiamAlpha Nikolaos still hasn’t found anything out about the rejection and it has been nearly a week. The good thing about this past week is that I haven’t seen either Demi or Levi, the bad thing is I have to pretend to be happy here.I’ve always had to fight, always needed to be ready to go on missions so sitting around at home, in the gym, running… it’s become so monotonous and I want to fucking pull my skin off. The last time I saw Levi was at the fucked up dinner, and the last time I saw Demi was when we ran into each other in the forest. Perhaps they’re becoming closer and trying for that child they’ve been talking about.The thought makes my stomach churn.She had Levi’s mark on her neck, a detail I’ve been putting out of my head since I first saw it. Because the way I acted when I spotted it was despicable. I called her my mate and felt angry when I saw another wolf’s mark on her. As much as I want to blame my wolf for my reaction, it wasn’t him. It was all me and t
Demi I trail my fingers over my wrist just as a tear splashes next to the fading blue mark, wishing I were dead instead of here right now. Things have gotten progressively worse and I can’t even begin to explain how confused I am. Levi’s moods are different, like two different people inside of him. He’s sweet one day, then as soon as the sun sets, he changes. He becomes angry, starts accusing me of things I would never do and then he… takes from me what he wants. The following morning, he’d be the same Levi I was growing fond of; the sweet one who treats me kindly. The worst thing about it is he pretends not to remember what he’s done to me the previous night, and he downplays the severity of what he’s done. It feels like I’m slowly going crazy, like I’m not sure if he is actually as rough as I think he is or if I’m just being oversensitive. Last night, his behavior escalated, and I passed out as he choked me, so I know my neck will show bruises. I’ll need to cover them with mak
Liam / PanzerSomething has been off with me the whole time and I just can’t put my finger on what it could be. I never feel anxious and have no reason to be, but for the past few days, I haven’t been able to calm down.But after picking Noelle up and seeing Demi, I think I know what it is.One look at her and seeing the terror in her eyes, I knew. Her face is gaunt, and it looks like she hasn’t slept in days. She tried to cover up her bruises, tried to hide them, but I saw everything. As much as I hate to admit it because Levi is my brother, but I think something sinister is happening here.I wait for Noelle to fall asleep before I sneak out of bed, then I stealthily make my way back to her house. If something has been going on and I’ve been ignoring it, I need to know. Not only because she’s my mate, but because of Levi.He would never abuse a woman, but I saw the bruises.I knock on the front door just as I see the lights turning off and back on again. Demi’s soft footfalls walk to
DemiI’m terrified.Liam knows what has been happening with Levi, and I know this can never be a good thing. It’s all going to blow up in my face badly, all because I couldn’t keep my damn mouth shut.After Liam left last night, I lit vanilla incense to get his scent out of our house and I showered again just in case Levi came home early. This itself should tell me that nothing is okay, but something in me keeps telling me I need to make an alternate choice.My heart pounds in my chest, a chaotic rhythm that matches the storm raging inside me. I had finally done it—I had bared my soul to the one person I tried to stay away from. But instead of the relief I had hoped for, a whirlwind of emotions consumed me, leaving me drowning in anguish and confusion.I collapse onto our shared bed, the weight of my words still echoing in the room. Liam’s expression had transformed from concern to rage to confusion, a reflection of the fury I had seen in his eyes when I opened the door this afternoon
Liam / PanzerI look at Alpha Nikolaos, and he nods. “She did it, just as I suspected,” he says, referring to Demi rejecting the mate bond out of fear. “Now we just need to silently track her since she took the SUV like Mia suggested.”When I woke up this morning, I was determined to get to the bottom of why Levi has turned into something out of our past. What I found odd about the way Demi described everything was the fact that she mentioned he only becomes like this at night.I mean, we are wolf shifters, but not the type to switch up our entire personalities when the sun sets.Luna Mia sighs and my gaze lands on her. “I just don’t understand how this could have happened. Levi doesn’t seem like the type at all,” she says, crossing her arms and shaking her head.“I agree with you, my love, but we can’t jump to—” Alpha Nikolaos suddenly trails off as his eyebrows pinch together. His eyes shift to me and he nods silently… then he scoffs and shakes his head. “Divan is with him and can a
DemiI knew something was wrong the second Liam pulled away from me. The look of complete horror on his face eclipsed whatever sliver of happiness I had felt only a few seconds ago. He must have received something over the mind link, because the faraway look in his eyes tells me someone has spoken to him.“We need to go,” he says in a gruff voice, grabbing me by the wrist. “Get your things and I’ll explain on the way.”I snatch my wrist back and frown. “You can’t tell me what to do, Liam–”“Demi, please,” he urges, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t demand this of you if it weren’t important. Just…please listen and follow me back to the pack house. I promise Levi won’t do anything to you.”The urgency in his tone is worrying me, I’m not going to lie. The fact that he’s asking me nicely and not just ordering me around puts me at ease, and I breathe out a sigh before walking to the bed.“Let me just get my bag,” I say, then I spy the keys to the SUV laying next to it. “What about the car?”“
Epilogue Armata / Levi Six months have passed since Calista and I tied the knot, and now it’s time to take her home to my pack. I can sense her nervousness as we drive toward the estate, her hands fidgeting slightly. I reach over, taking her hand in mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry, Princess,” I say, trying to ease her anxiety. “You’re going to fit right in. They’re going to love you.” She gives me a small, nervous smile. “I hope so, Levi. I just want to make a good impression.” “Where’s that kick-ass attitude from when I met you, hmm?” I tease her with a wink, and she hits my shoulder lightly. “Don’t make fun of me! This is all new to me, okay!” she says, biting her bottom lip. I sigh. “I know, baby, I’m just trying to make you smile.” As we approach the estate gates, I feel a familiar sense of homecoming. I squeeze Calista’s hand again as we drive through, her grip on my hand tightening slightly. When the car pulls up to the main pack house, my heart swells
CalistaAs Levi and I drive towards the hotel for our mini honeymoon, my mind races with a mix of emotions. I’m excited, of course, but also undeniably nervous. The idea of what’s to come, this new chapter with Levi, is both exhilarating and intimidating. Levi, with his rough edges and protective nature, has opened up a part of me I didn’t even know existed. He’s shown me that beneath the façade of the spoilt heiress, there’s a tenderness, a vulnerability that I’ve never exposed to anyone else.As we pull up to the hotel, it’s like stepping into a dream. The hotel is elegant and understated, its ambiance a perfect reflection of our relationship.Walking into the hotel room, I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. The room is beautiful, a perfect blend of luxury and comfort. The soft lighting and the plush bed seem to beckon us, promising a night of intimacy and connection.Levi pulls me close, his front to my back as his lips brushing against my ear. “Are you okay, Princess?” he wh
Armata / LeviThe day of our marriage officiation is a mix of nerves and understated excitement. Calista didn’t want anything big, which initially struck me as odd. She just wanted it to be a simple affair, something intimate and personal. In a way, it suits us – no grand gestures, just a true union of hearts and souls.Standing in the small, elegantly decorated room, a sense of anticipation courses through me. Today, Calista and I are taking a significant step forward, embarking on a journey fraught with challenges but one we’re both fiercely committed to.The door swings open, and Alpha Nikolaos strides in, his presence as commanding as ever. But it’s the man following him that stops me in my tracks – Liam; my brother, not by blood, but in every way that counts. We haven’t seen each other in months, and his appearance here, now, is both a shock and a profound relief.“Liam!” I exclaim, my voice a mix of disbelief and joy.“Fuck, Levi!” Liam responds, his voice echoing my own warmth.
CalistaClutching onto Levi as we sit in my father’s office, I feel a whirlwind of emotions raging inside me. My heart is still racing from the shock and relief of seeing him return, and the realization of how much I’ve missed him hits me like a tidal wave. I refuse to let go of his hand, needing his grounding presence as we face my father together.“Calista, Levi,” my father begins, his tone serious, “you both seem to have reached a decision.”I tighten my grip on Levi, my voice steady despite the tears that had just subsided. “Yes, we have. We accept the proposal.”My father’s gaze shifts to Levi, his expression scrutinizing. “Levi, you do understand that this means Calista will be leaving with you to join Alpha Nikolaos’ pack?”Levi meets my gaze for a brief moment, his eyes searching mine for any doubt. Turning back to my father, he replies with a firm resolve, “Yes, sir. We’re aware of what this entails, and we’re prepared for it.”My father leans back in his chair, his eyes neve
Armata / LiamRiding back towards the mansion, the steady roar of the bike beneath me is the only thing keeping my racing thoughts at bay. These past two weeks without Calista have been a relentless hell. Every day felt longer than the last, each moment stretching into an agonizing eternity. Being away from her didn’t just bring clarity; it fucking intensified everything I felt for her – every longing, every goddamn unspoken word.I replay our moments together in my head, over and over. Every laugh, every intense stare, every godforsaken time she looked at me and didn’t even realize how much she affected me. Being away from her wasn’t just about missing her physically – though I ached for that too – it was the profound, gut-wrenching yearning for the connection we have. The way she challenges me, pushes me, fucking complements everything I am..Every night away was a goddamn battle against the urge to just say ‘fuck it’ and come back to her. Lying awake in the cabin, I’d think about
CalistaThe following morning, I wake up with a sense of purpose, my mind clear and my decision made. I know what I want, and it involves Levi. Despite everything surrounding us, my heart is certain. I want to be with him, not because of any arrangement or obligation, but because of how I truly feel.As I get ready for the day, I can’t help but feel a flutter of excitement at the thought of seeing Levi, of telling him my decision. I wonder how he’ll react, whether he’ll share my feelings, whether this could be the start of something beautiful and real between us.Heading down to breakfast, I expect to see Levi waiting for me, as has become our routine. But instead, I find Marcus, one of Levi’s men, standing by the door.“Good morning, Marcus. Where’s Levi?” I ask, trying to hide my disappointment.Marcus seems a bit uncomfortable, shifting on his feet. “Good morning, Miss Calista. I’m not sure where Levi is. He asked us to accompany you for the day.”My heart sinks a little. “He’s no
Armata / LeviAs Calista dresses and heads back towards the mansion, a sense of foreboding settles over me. Watching her walk away, a part of me wants to follow, to keep her close. But I know she needs this space, this time to think and decide for herself.I stand there for a moment longer, lost in thought. The simplicity and honesty of our interaction in our wolf forms, it’s a stark contrast to the complexities of our human lives. Out here, in the wild, things are clear, primal. But back there, in the world of duties and expectations, everything is muddled.Turning away from the path she took, I take a deep breath, trying to clear my head. I need to think, to plan. Whatever Calista decides about us, about her father’s proposal, it will change things. And I need to be ready for that.I take out my phone, contemplating calling Liam again. He’s been a grounding presence in the chaos of my emotions. But I decide against it. This is something I need to work through on my own.As I walk ba
CalistaTwo days have passed since that conversation with my father and Levi, and the weight of their words still presses heavily on my heart. In need of clarity and space to think, I find myself drawn to the edge of the forest, where the natural world always seems to offer solace.I stop at a secluded spot, away from prying eyes. The transformation is something that always brings me a sense of power and freedom. I close my eyes, feeling the familiar tingling sensation as my body begins to change. My bones shift and reform, my senses heighten, and my skin gives way to a thick, white fur. The transformation is swift, a fluid transition from human to wolf.As my white wolf form takes over, I feel a release from the human complexities that have been burdening me. I take a deep breath, the scents of the forest filling my nostrils, and I begin to run.The ground feels different under my paws, more alive, as I dart through the trees. The wind rushes past me, and I relish in the freedom and
Armata / LeviI watch Calista walk away, her figure retreating into the distance of the house. The conversation we just had with her father lingers in my mind, a storm of emotions and possibilities. Needing a moment to myself, I head outside to patrol, a routine that offers a semblance of normalcy amid the chaos.Standing under the open sky, I pull out my phone, my thumb hovering over a contact I haven’t reached out to in a long time.The one person who might understand the turmoil I’m feeling. I hesitate, my mind racing with doubts. We haven’t spoken much since... everything happened. I know I shouldn’t bother him, but right now, he’s the only one who might understand.Finally, I dial his number, the familiar ringing echoing in the silent night. When he answers, his voice is laced with surprise. “Levi?”I take a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. “Hey, Liam. Yeah, it’s... it’s been a while, I know.”He laughs, a sound that eases some of the tension in my chest. “You could say t