“Please, Marco, I don’t—” Nana stammers, her voice shaky. Fear tightens around her chest, her body trembling with the memories of past punishments.Marco’s sharp gaze flicks over to her, cutting off her words. “What the hell is that smell?” he suddenly blurts out, wrinkling his nose in disgust.Nana freezes, her mind racing. The mark? No, it can’t be that. He hasn’t seen it yet. But the smell? What is he talking about?“I—I don’t know what you mean,” she stutters, panic rising. “I took a shower before coming here... I always do.” She tries to defend herself, her voice barely a whisper.Marco steps off the bed, his face contorting with irritation. Without losing any time, he marches towards his drawer and pulls out a cologne. Out of nowhere, he sprays it all over in the air around them, as he moves his hand before his nose as if he is trying to make some bad odor away from him.Nana stares, confused, feeling her heart racing. "Is it really that bad?" she asks, her tone low and painful.
"Alpha, we have a problem," Stephen says, bursting into Marco’s room, the urgency in his voice obvious.Marco looks up sharply, wondering why Stephen is so worked up, breathing like he’s been running."What kind of problem?" His voice is tense, already irritated. "This better be worth interrupting me for, Stephen."“There was… a trace of the prince in the area last night,” Stephen blurts out, barely catching his breath. He watches Marco carefully, knowing the weight of his words.Marco’s eyes widen as he springs up from his seat. “What the hell? Where?” he says, voice sharp and demanding. "Is anyone hurt?”Stephen hesitates, clearly picking his words carefully. “No injuries… at least none we’ve heard about yet.” He shifts his weight, and the room feels tighter because of the tension.Marco frowns, growing impatient. “What do you mean, ‘none that we’ve heard about yet’? Either someone’s hurt, or they’re not.” He folds his arms, watching Stephen closely.“Well, it’s just…” Stephen stamm
"The hell is happening out there?" Marco snaps, jolting out of bed, his voice a low, dangerous growl. The packhouse is in chaos, screams and panicked shouts filtering through the walls. Beside him, Melissa stirs, blinking at him in confusion."Alpha, the pack’s under attack," Stephen pants as he bursts through the door. “We’ve got ten men down already.”“Who the hell’s stupid enough to try this shit?” Marco growls, standing as Stephen moves quickly to help him dress."The warriors are pushing them back to the boundaries, but it’s rough. It’s Nightowl pack,” Stephen replies, his voice grim.Marco freezes for a split second, then lets out a laugh that’s all venom. “Alpha Damian thinks he can just march in here, huh? That bastard really wants to test me?”The pack has faced a lot of confrontation from neighboring packs for its resources, weapons that were made from Lycan blood by Alpha Fenwick, one of which was modified by Marco’s father solely to kill a Lycan—and that weapon was used ag
“Are you deaf, Nana?” one of the maids sneers, shoving a filthy pot into her hands. “Clean this up, and make it quick. Just because you’re mated to the Alpha doesn’t mean you get a pass.”Nana doesn’t bother responding. She’s used to this—the dirty looks, the constant orders. Being Marco’s mate means nothing here. If she wants to eat, she has to work like everyone else. Most days, she survives on scraps Felisha sneaks her when no one’s looking.As she scrubs the pot, she drifts back to the pitiful state she and her mate are in. Despite being the Alpha’s mate, she’s an outcast, forced to work for scraps and scorned by everyone in the pack. She used to pray every night for the Moon Goddess to find a way to set her free. Only to be mated to the Lycan Prince—another prisoner, just as broken as she is, too weak to save himself, let alone help her escape the Alpha who wants him dead.She’s scrubbing when she hears voices from down the hall. Marco and… Melissa. Her grip tightens on the rag,
"Bring that bitch out!" Melissa's voice cuts through the walls like a blade.Nana freezes on her bed, pulse racing. Just moments ago, she managed to escape from her and slip into her room. But now… could Melissa have brought the guards? Did she really see the mark? Her stomach twists with panic at the thought of the entire pack finding out.She scrambles from her bed, hands shaking as she pulls out the little bag of makeup and perfume she’d hidden. Swiftly, she dabs some foundation over the bitemark, praying it’ll hide the evidence. Just as she finishes, the sound of fists pounding on the door jolts her.“Open up, Nana!” A guard’s voice bellows.There’s no time. She yanks open the door, stumbling out to face Melissa, her heart hammering in her chest. The guards stand around, some kitchen maids snickering behind them like this is some twisted entertainment.“W-what’s the problem, Melissa?” Nana manages, her voice shaky. Even with the mark hidden, fear creeps down her spine. If Melissa
The first stroke lands on Nana’s back, and she grunts through clenched teeth. She knows they want her break, to cry and beg for mercy, but she’s determined not to give them the satisfaction. She tightens her jaw, refusing to make a sound.Felisha stands at the far end of the crowd, her face pale and stricken. Nana catches her staring and knows she’s probably holding back tears. Felisha looks like she’s ready to run in and stop the madness, but she doesn’t move. If Felisha admits she gave Nana the money for the perfume and makeup, they’d both be dragged through hell. Nana’s punishment would double, maybe worse.The tenth stroke hits the same raw spot on her back, and this time, Nana can’t stop herself. Her knees buckle slightly, and the guards yank her back up like she’s some fucking rag doll. The pain slices through her resolve like a knife, and her hands clench into fists so tight her nails bite into her palms.The crowd isn’t quiet anymore. Whispers are spreading, some laughing, som
Nana slowly sneaks out of the packhouse, clutching her sides, her body trembling from exhaustion. Her fever burns like fire, and her mind is foggy, but she keeps moving, driven by instinct.“Where the hell am I even going?” she mutters under her breath, her voice hoarse. “I can’t even shift… Lana’s too damn weak to help me sniff my way to him.” Her steps are slow and shaky, but she follows the faint pull deep in her chest. Lowell’s scent lingers in the air, faint but enough to guide her. She stumbles occasionally, cursing at every root and rock in her way. “Damn it, Mate, how far are you?” she groans. Her legs feel like they’re made of lead, her head pounding harder with every step. Finally, she spots a small, rundown hut far ahead. It looks like it’s been abandoned for years, but something about it feels… right. Her gut tells her he’s there. The moonlight barely reaches the clearing, but her enhanced sight, a gift from their mating, helps her see clearer than she used to. As
Nana turns, yawning and stretching. She feels Lana’s energy, faint but present, flickering weakly in her chest. It’s there, alive, and it’s enough to let her breathe for the first time in what feels like forever. This is the best sleep she’s had in years, but her peace shatters the moment she feels a presence looming over her.Her eyes fly open, her body tense and alert. She’s met with a face that steals her breath.A long, dark mane of messy hair cascades over a sharp jawline and high cheekbones, framing the most striking face she’s ever seen. His hair falls softly, brushing against her cheek, and she’s momentarily frozen.Her heart thunders in her chest, and her eyes drift lower, taking in the sturdy, well-framed body in front of her. Every muscle looks carved, and his chest rises and falls evenly."I’ve seen Marco naked so many damn times, but this… this is the most beautiful body I’ve ever fucking seen," she blurts before she can stop herself.The man smirks. “You shouldn’t be thi
Lowell prowls through the dense forest, his sharp claws digging into the damp soil with every step. His senses are on edge, his entire body taut with a restless energy he can’t shake. For three days, the sweet, maddening scent has clung to him like a second skin, invading every thought, every breath. It’s Nana—her heat—reaching him through their bond, pulling at his primal instincts like a fucking leash.“Fuck,” he growls, slamming his fist into a tree trunk. The bark shatters under the impact, scattering shards of wood everywhere. He’s losing it. The beast inside him claws at his control, demanding he follow the scent, find her, claim her.But he can’t.“She told you to stay the fuck away,” he mutters to himself, pacing like a caged animal. “You’re not gonna ruin her life more than it already is.”His nose twitches, catching the faintest trace of her again. It’s faint but enough to stir a fire deep in his gut. Lowell growls low in his throat, shaking his head like it’ll help him bloc
The air in the woods feels thicker tonight. Lowell moves cautiously, keeping his footsteps silent against the crunch of dried leaves. Every sound seems louder, every shadow a threat. He’s too familiar with this game of cat and mouse, and Marco never plays fair.But then it hits him.A scent. Soft at first, like a whisper in the breeze. But it grows stronger, weaving through the air like an invisible thread, wrapping around him, pulling him in.“What the hell…” Lowell stops dead, his chest tightening.It’s her. Nana.He knows it instantly, the scent as unmistakable as her voice. Sweet, warm, with that subtle hint of wildness he’s always associated with her. But there’s something different now, something more… potent.And then it clicks.Heat.“Fuck,” Lowell mutters, his fists clenching. His body reacts before his mind can catch up, a surge of raw, primal need coursing through him. His heart races, his blood feels like fire in his veins. He knows he should move, should keep going, but h
Lowell’s footsteps crunch against the dry leaves, every sound amplified by the oppressive silence of the woods. He moves carefully, his ears straining for any hint of pursuit. Marco’s men aren’t far—he can hear the faint voices and the occasional bark of orders. He doesn’t dare stop.Nana’s last words echo in his head like a haunting melody: “Run, Lowell. Don’t look back. Find peace.”Peace? He thinks bitterly. There’s no peace for a man like him. Not now, not when everything feels so fucking wrong, well he’s life has been a mess since the betrayal of his uncle.The clothes Nana gave him scratch against his skin. They don’t fit right—too loose in some places, too tight in others—but he’s grateful for them. They’re the only thing keeping him from being recognized outright. His Lycan form would give him away in a heartbeat, and even in his human form, Marco and Stephen know his face. He tugs the hood lower over his eyes, cursing under his breath.“Damn it, Nana,” he mutters. “Why’d you
“Hey, Nana! Bring those drinks over here!” one of the pack members calls out, waving his hand in her direction.Nana forces a smile, nodding as she balances the tray loaded with glasses of sparkling wine. Her movements are slow, calculated, her body betraying her with every step. The heat is unbearable, crawling under her skin, making her feel like she’s about to combust.The celebration is loud, laughter and clinking glasses filling the air. The pack is celebrating a collaboration with the neighboring pack, and the dining hall is packed with people. Marco sits near the head of the long table, his sharp eyes scanning the room. Beside him, Melissa perches like a queen, her smug expression making Nana’s stomach churn.As she approaches, Marco’s gaze lands on her. Nana freezes, her pulse hammering in her ears. The heat flares up again, and she knows—she fucking knows—her scent is slipping through the layers of perfume.“Nana,” Marco says, his tone low but commanding. “Come here.”Shit. S
“The Alpha has requested for you” A maid says to Nana which made her stiff, it’s been long Marco called her in because Melissa has been around all this time. The hallway leading to Marco’s room feels endless. Nana grips the edges of her scarf tightly, her palms slick with sweat. The mark Lowell left on her neck burns beneath the fabric, as if mocking her attempts to keep it hidden. The faint scent of her heat clings to her despite the layers of perfume she’s doused herself in. It’s not working. Nothing seems to work anymore. She pauses at the door, heart pounding. Marco’s deep voice cuts through the heavy silence. “Come in already. I don’t have all night.” Her stomach twists. Squaring her shoulders, she pushes the door open and steps inside. Marco stands by the window, his back to her, the sharp lines of his shoulders and back visible through his shirt. The air feels heavier around him, a presence that demands attention without effort. “You wanted to see me?” Her voice is stead
Nana is in her bedroom, in front of the tiny cracked mirror, clutching her scarf across her neck. Her reflection looks tired—puffy eyes, circles under them, glistening forehead. The indentation of his bite still evident beneath her dress seems to sear her skin, painfully reminding her of the Lycan Prince who had claimed her.“He may have gone far after the last time we saw but I’m tormented by his traces every fucking day” she mutters.She anxiously pats the scarf down her arms and fixes it on for the third time. She runs her fingers over the boldly visible line and jerks her hand away as it tingles, sending strikes of pleasure through her. “Get it together,” she whispers in protest to herself.In fact, for weeks, she has been putting anything she could lay her hands on to cover the smell of Lowell. Lavender scents, herbs, going as far as exfoliating her skin until it becomes raw. “It was perfectly fine—no one has raised an issue up until this moment. But this heat…this cursed heat…I
“Hello ma’am,” Nana mutters, entering the healer’s chambers, carrying a tray of herbs. Her palms are cold, she is panting. She realized she had been tired for some days now; the previous night was even worse. Her sheets were wet with sweat, and there’s an odd sensation that was tingling in her lower belly which made her restless all night.“Are you sick?” the healer asks, her sharp eyes narrowing at Nana as she places the tray on the wooden table.“No,” Nana mutters, trying to sound convincing, though her voice lacks any strength. She feels weak, her legs wobbling as she stands.The healer clicks her tongue and walks closer, her gray hair tied back into a bun that doesn’t soften her stern demeanor. “You look like hell,” she says bluntly. “Pale as a corpse and shaking like a leaf. Sit down before you collapse.”Nana hesitates but obeys, dropping into the wooden chair by the fireplace. The warmth from the embers does little to ease the strange chill running through her body.“Are you ea
The hum of low voices carries through the hallway, laughter and hushed murmurs bouncing off the walls. Marco stops mid-step, his sharp hearing picking up on words that make his blood run hot.“Without Lowell in his grasp, Marco’s grip is slipping. You hear about the rogue saying he’s all bark now? Packs are getting bolder by the day,” one voice says, followed by a snicker.“Maybe he should concentrate more on mending the shit and less on breaking tables,” another one remarks with conceit.Marco stands stiff and angry, his fists tightening into balls that are pressing against his palms. He doesn’t need to see them to know who’s speaking—two low-ranking fighters, the sort to chime in only when they believe they have the opportunity to do so in secret.His boots echo on the hardwood as he strides forward, turning the corner just as their laughter dies. The two men freeze, their eyes widening when they see him.“Alpha,” one of them stammers, straightening up like a guilty child caught ste
A rogue is brought into the hall covered in blood and bruises with his head bowed but not broken spirit. Marco leans against the opposite wall of the room, and his arms are folded, and a quiet anger shows in his eyes. His warriors surround him; all looking anxious and anticipating a flurry of anger. “Get his ass up,” Marco growls. His voice is low, guttural, and sends a chill through everyone present. Two warriors yank the rogue to his feet, his legs wobbling beneath him. The rogue spits blood onto the floor and flashes Marco a cocky grin. “Alpha Marco,” he sneers, his tone mocking. “Didn’t think you’d stoop to interrogating rogues yourself. Must be desperate.” Marco takes slow, deliberate steps toward him, each one echoing in the silence. “You’re real fucking brave for a dead man,” he says, his voice like ice. He stops just inches from the rogue, tilting his head as if studying him. “But I’m not in the mood for games. Tell me what I want to know, or I’ll make your last mome