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?”“
Panzer / Liam I hold Levi close to me as he weeps, and it’s suddenly clear to me how serious this curse is. The fact that he harmed Noelle is breaking him in two, and I can tell he’s not faking these feelings at all. “Let’s get you into the dungeons, Levi, until the priestess can find a way to rid you of this curse,” Alpha Nikolaos’ voice cuts through my thoughts and Levi pushes me away from him. I get to my feet with the intention of following them when Levi stops me dead with his words. “Don’t follow me, Liam.” Alpha Nikolaos holds up his hand and shakes his head. “I’ll stay with him. Go back to the townhouses and see what has happened,” he says, then he places his hand on Levi’s shoulder and walks him towards the main pack house while the priestess follows them. I take a step back as disbelief courses through me. Levi has never brushed me off like this before, not when I know he needs me. I have to follow him, I have to let him know that I’ll be there for him no matter what hap
DemiI wrap my arms around my body and keep my eyes down at the forest floor. The tears I’ve been fighting back are slowly threatening to choke me, and with the dull pain in my chest, I don’t think I’ll be able to fight it any longer.I thought by leaving it would make things easier for everyone. But now Noelle is dead, Levi is locked up in a cellar and Liam blames himself for all of this.How is a mate bond supposedly a blessing when it isn’t always ideal? Are we just supposed to not be happy with someone else until we recognize our mates? In this case, it doesn’t even feel like a blessing because all it has caused is chaos.What would Luna Mia think of me, I wonder? I ruined the trust we all had because I wanted to be happy with Levi.Shaking my head, I push these thoughts away when the main pack house comes into view. If I’m going to be putting things to rest, now is a good time. Perhaps I can speak with Alpha Nikolaos as well. Maybe he will forgive me after all.“Demi,” a voice co
LiamWith my mind made up, I leave Levi and Demi’s home and make my way to the pack house. I have to make Levi understand things and let him know I am not angry at him. Noelle’s death is all on me because I wanted to fucking act pious instead of coming clean.Before reaching the clearing, I can make out Divan leaning against a tree with his arms crossed. “Rejecting a blessing could be bad for both of you,” were his last words when I asked him for advice. I just didn’t think this is what he meant. “Hey,” he says as he approaches me. “Heading to see Levi?”“I have to speak to him. He doesn’t want me there, I know this, but I can’t let him go on misunderstanding what happened between me and Demi. I have to come clean about everything.”Divan breathes out a sigh and walks towards me, then he places a hand on my shoulder. “Well, you have me if you need a shoulder. Don’t forget that,” he says, then he walks away again.I’ve never had anyone to confide in but Levi, I’ve never had to trust
Panzer / LiamI can still smell the scent from Noelle’s funeral pyre a week after it happened and I can still feel the stinging slap on my face after her mother attacked me. She accused me of not protecting Noelle, and to be honest, I deserve more than just a slap.Alpha Nikolaos didn’t hold back from the truth to protect himself or Levi, and her father saw that as Alpha Nikolaos being trustworthy. He could easily have lied, but instead told the truth about Levi killing Noelle. I suppose that’s the upside; we didn’t lose an alliance.Now I’m here in a separate room far away from everyone, wondering what will happen now.Levi left the pack house a day after Celeste removed the curse, and he told Alpha Nikolaos not to tell anyone where he’s gone off to. That’s fine with me and all… I just wish he would have at least said goodbye to me.It hurts losing him when all we’ve ever had is each other, but I won’t go looking for him. Levi needs space and a lot of healing on his own, and I hope h
Demi He’s wearing all-black tactical gear again, but this time it’s simply black cargo pants, a black t-shirt, and boots. Seeing Liam after so long makes my heart skip a beat and I literally freeze in my steps. He must have heard the way my heart is beating because he turns around just as he was about to knock on my front door. “Hey,” he says as he walks down my front path. “I was just looking for you.” Three weeks apart and it’s like he’s become even more handsome than before. Try as I might, I cannot stop myself from walking toward him and wishing he would wrap his arms around me and call me his. “I was…at Alessia’s house. Uhm, why are you here, Liam? I thought you were away on a mission,” I ask, but then I remember I just saw Isaac return home and Liam had left with him back then. Standing so close to him after all this time feels like a temptation I can’t bring myself to resist. His dark sandalwood scent does things to me that I cannot explain, and it feels like I’m drowning
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