There’s nothing but darkness ahead of me. I can’t see anything behind me, nor can I hear or smell a thing. But something tells me to move forward, towards the red light glowing in front of me.Flashes of memory allude to something bad happening to me, but I can’t remember what it could be. Right now I feel no pain, no worries or stress, or any obligation to anyone. It’s warm and comfortable; I don’t want to leave here, I just want to close my eyes and float.“But you have to leave, Mira,” my eyes snap open when I hear a voice echoing all around me. There’s still darkness everywhere, not oppressing but refreshing, but I am being pushed forward toward the glowing red light.“That’s it, Mira, follow my voice…”Why does this voice sound so familiar? Who is it? I try to call out to it, but when I open my mouth, nothing comes out.I have to move forward, I need to get to them and see who that person is. My heart clenches and I feel tears slipping down my cheeks the more I try to get to that
As soon as the doctor gave me the all-clear, I moved Mia back to my territory. Josef and the missing warriors are nowhere to be seen, but I know he’s already at Mikhail’s side. His father claimed not to know why he became a traitor, while Maxim thinks Mikhail fed on Josef’s insecurities. How the fuck would he have done that, though? How long has he been placed here as a spy? Giovanni begged to see her, to see both of us but I declined; it’s his fucking fault she’s in this position. I warned him that it wouldn’t be wise to antagonize Mikhail, but did he listen? This has now escalated the war in my territory and I know the only way to end it would be by killing Mikhail. However, as much as I want to put all the blame on Giovanni, I know this is more my fault than his. I placed Josef with her, I trusted him to protect her, and I’m the one who made sure he was constantly at her side. I’m the one who made her trust him. /“He hid it all well, old friend. Don’t blame yourself,”/ Knox say
I don’t know what to make of what Nikolaos has just said; all I know is that my heart clenched so tightly that I nearly burst into tears.“Let’s get you back into this dress so we can talk; your body is distracting,” he says as he picks up my discarded dress. “Nikolaos-”“When you’re dressed,” he urges and slips the dress over my head. Another protest is about to slip past my lips when I see how tightly he has his jaw clenched… So I allow him to help me into the stupid garment before he takes my hand and leads me back into the bedroom.He sits down on the bed and I go to sit next to him, but he pulls me onto his lap and kisses the side of my head. “I need you close to me while I tell you this; hopefully you won’t be disgusted with me afterward,” he says with a crack to his voice, and my heart breaks along with him.I take his hand in mine and draw it to my lips to place a kiss, just like he’s done to me so many times before. “I’m not going anywhere,” I assure him without any fancy w
There must be a mistake, there’s no way the Goddess could have blessed me with someone as understanding as Mia. Surely I am dreaming, right? Why is she not running away after I told her about everything that happened to me? Why is she not looking at me with disgust clear in her big brown eyes, but instead looking at me as if I’m precious to her?Does she love me? How…?“Nikolaos?” she snaps me out of my thoughts and I remember that I brought her to the bathroom. She was feeling self-conscious about possibly not being clean, so I decided to do it myself.“Why don’t you go get in the shower so long? I’ll join you soon,” I say, walking to the open space and regulating the water for her. She gives me an odd look but slips out of her bra and panties and steps under the water. Even with her scars, she’s still so beautiful. I can’t believe what she’s suffered under that fucker Mikhail and her father, but I’ll be sure to get revenge in her name.I unbuckle my jeans and step out of them befo
I wake up and stretch, hyper-aware of the rock-hard body behind me. Last night I felt like I shed my skin just by opening up to Nikolaos, and our relationship feels like it can progress from here.He still thinks he’s ruined, and I think that about myself too. I just hope we can grow closer and heal ourselves while we heal each other. Turning around in his embrace, I’m surprised he’s still sleeping. Last night must have been cathartic for him, just as it was for me - a purging of the secrets we allowed to define us. It stops after this; I won’t allow my abuse to take over my life anymore and prove to Nikolaos how much he’s loved.My eyes go lower, taking in his scars and how it now makes sense that he’s covered his body with tattoos. He was hiding his shame and turning it into power by looking more intimidating. I mean, it worked - everyone fears him, and for good reason. He’s not just an Alpha but a Lycan Alpha.Kissing his bearded cheek, I slip out of bed and head to the bathroom
I clench my jaw tight while Dr. Lilah is doing her check-up. I’ve not said a word since I’ve been in her office, and she’s asked me more than once if I’m okay. Ever since Star has returned, I’m starting to see more of what I couldn’t back then. For starters, I’m still apprehensive about Maxim, but I know I can trust him. Dr. Lilah on the other hand…there’s something majorly off about her. “Well, everything seems to be in order, Alpha. Her vitals look good, and the baby is healthy; the only thing I am not too happy about is the lack of sleep,” she says while looking at Nikolaos and me from across the desk. “It’s getting better,” I say, wringing my dress in my lap. “It’s been really difficult to stay asleep lately.” Dr. Lilah nods while Nikolaos takes my hand in his and gives it a little squeeze. Whenever I go to sleep now, I see Mikhail’s face looming over me, raising a knife above his head and stabbing me repeatedly. I usually wake up screaming and thrashing around until Nikolaos m
Bastien is wearing a smug as fuck look when I walk into his penthouse with Mia on my arm. He was the one who alluded to me possibly having feelings for her, but I rejected the notion completely. Of course, I was just fooling myself.I’m here to ask him if he’ll keep an eye on Mia while I’m away. This could have been a phone call, I am well aware of that but I needed to do this in person…he needs to know about me and Mia, anyway, anyway. “I’m going to say I called it, but you’ll probably scowl at me the entire time,” he says with his arms crossed as he looks from Mia to me. “Dare I say congratulations?”“Shut the fuck up,” I say when he embraces me and chuckles, then he pulls away and frowns.“Did…you didn’t flinch when I embraced you,” he murmurs more to himself than to me. “Anyway, you said you wanted to talk?”I nod as we follow Bastien into his lounge, then I gesture for Mia to sit down on the sofa before I follow Bastien to the bar in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows. I’ll n
I let Nikolaos lead me to the bedroom where we’re to spend our last night together. He told me he was leaving to get Maxim back since he got proof Mikhail took him, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon.I should have known, though. “You’re angry,” he says as I stand with my back to him. I feel him walking closer to me, but he doesn’t try to touch me.“No, not angry,” I sigh, wrapping my arms around my waist. “Just…scared.”He moves closer to me and puts his hands on my hips before placing a kiss on the nape of my neck. “Nothing will happen to me, Mia-”I spin around to face him. “You don’t know that! You have no idea how Mikhail…how dirty he plays when there’s something he wants!”Nikolaos looks at me with a taut expression, then he raises a hand to cup my cheek. “Nothing will happen to me, I promise on my life. I have something to fight for now, something to come home to. Why would I throw it away?” he says, then his hand lowers and goes to the back of my neck.“Please trust me when
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