***************CHAPTER 37~Arianna’s POV~The ride back home was tense. Silent. Every passing moment felt heavier with silence and unresolved emotions.Damon tried to speak once, his deep voice cutting through the quiet. “Arianna…”I didn’t respond. I kept my gaze fixed out the window, watching the world blur by.Since I mentioned my boyfriend—Henry—yesterday. The very mention had sent Damon into a fit of rage, one I’d grown accustomed to since stepping into his life. But his control over the narrative and his belief in his ability to dictate my choices infuriated me with defiance.This time, though, it was different.I had a plan.When we pulled into the estate, I slipped out of the car before Damon could say anything more, ignoring the feeling of his gaze burning into my back.The moment I reached my room, I locked the door, heading straight for the shower. The hot water cascaded over me, washing away the grime of the day but not the tangled mess of my thoughts.Since last night, I
***************CHAPTER 37~Arianna’s POV~The hallway was dim, the faint hum of the estate’s security systems filling the silence. My heels clicked softly against the floor as I returned to my room. The night had been a dangerous game I knew I couldn’t keep playing without consequences.The excitement of witnessing Damon challenge himself and push the limits of his poise ignited a passion within me. I wasn’t about to let him dictate my life—or my choices.As I neared my room, hushed voices caught my attention.“She doesn’t seem like much of a threat,” one guard said, his tone dismissive. “Just another spoiled human caught in the boss’s web.”The other voice was sharper. “Don’t be stupid. She’s not just another human. If she was, why would Luca send men after her? There’s something more going on here.”My breath hitched, and I pressed myself against the wall, staying out of sight.“You think she knows?”“Doubt it. But the boss is keeping her close for a reason and whatever that reaso
***************CHAPTER 39~Arianna’s POV~The intensity of Damon’s gaze burned into mine as his hands cupped my cheeks, his grip firm but not harsh. Before I could register what was happening, his lips crashed against mine.The kiss was searing, a raw mix of anger, frustration, and something deeper that I couldn’t quite name. I gasped, shocked by his action and that simple movement helped him slip his tongue between my lips as he deepened the kiss instantly. Damon stole my breath away, crashing his tongue against mine, claiming my mouth with a hunger that left me breathless.At once all reasons were thrown away. My initial reaction was to push him away, my hands pressing against his chest as I tried to break free.“What are you doing?” I managed to mumble against his lips, but his grip didn’t falter.“You ask too many questions,” he growled lowly, his voice vibrating through me.I wanted to fight it. I wanted to remind him—and myself—that I wasn’t his to claim, that I belonged to n
***************CHAPTER 40~Damon’s POV~The restroom echoed with the slam of the door behind her. Arianna’s scent lingered in the air, a maddening reminder of what had just transpired.I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms as Mars roared in frustration.“Go after her!” Mars growled. “She’s ours, Damon. She’s fighting the bond, but she wants us.”“No,” I snapped back, my voice low and venomous. “She needs time to think, and pushing her now will only make her run further.”Mars snarled but retreated into the depths of my mind. His agitation mirrored my own, but I refused to let him take control. Not now, else he’d go in there and do God knows what to her. He could claim her forcefully and I was no monster.I strode out of the restroom as I headed for my study. My thoughts churned; Arianna’s words cutting deeper than I cared to admit.“I’m not yours.”The phrase echoed in my mind, each repetition fanning the flames of my anger. How could she not see it? The bond between us
***************CHAPTER 41~Damon’s POV~The next evening, I paced the length of my study; my thoughts were filled with frustration and anticipation. My plan was already in motion, and if anyone could deliver results, it was Xander.The sharp knock on the door pulled me from my musings. Before I could respond, the door swung open, and Xander strode in, confidently.With a dull thud, he tossed a manila folder onto my desk. “You’re going to like this,” he said, leaning casually against the edge of the desk.I raised an eyebrow, picking up the folder. “You work fast.”“I aim to please,” Xander said with a grin. Let's just say that Henry wasn't as squeaky clean as you might think.Opening the folder, I scanned the contents, my eyes narrowing as I flipped through the pages. The further I read, the darker my mood became. Photos, texts, receipts—all damning evidence that painted a clear picture.Henry wasn’t just cheating. He was blatantly, unapologetically unfaithful.There were pictures of
***************CHAPTER 41~Arianna’s POV~The soft hum of the estate surrounded me as I sat cross-legged on my bed, sorting through the documents Damon had sent earlier. Each page was meticulously detailed, outlining accounts and figures I didn’t fully understand but was determined to decode.As I worked, a knock at the door startled me. Before I could answer, the door swung open, and Damon stepped inside. His presence was commanding as usual, his sharp eyes locking on me as he approached with a file in hand.Without a word, he placed the folder on the bed in front of me, his expression unreadable.I frowned, setting the papers aside and picking up the file. “What’s this?”“Open it,” Damon said simply, his tone laced with a challenge.I hesitated, my stomach twisting with unease, but curiosity won out. Flipping it open, I was greeted by a series of photographs. My breath caught as my eyes scanned the images.Henry.My Henry.He was in a bar, his arms wrapped around someone I knew a
***************CHAPTER 43~Arianna’s POV~The word mate echoed in my mind, drowning out every other thought.Mate.Damon’s words reverberated through me, unsettling something deep within. My heart was already heavy with the betrayal I’d just witnessed—Henry and Martha, two people I’d trusted, caught in an act that tore through me.Pain tightened my chest. It was suffocating and crushing. Every word Damon spoke after that blurred into the background as the car seemed to spin.And then the word resurfaced, louder, sharper, like a brand searing into my consciousness.Mate.It felt like a cage snapping shut around me. A bond, a connection I never asked for, never agreed to. My breathing quickened, my vision narrowing as if the world were closing in. I was once again wrapped up in my parents’s accident. I had to escape—I needed to get away.Without thinking, I bolted.“Arianna!” Damon’s voice boomed behind me, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.The cool night air hit my face as I ran, my hee
***************CHAPTER 44~Damon’s POV~We returned home and Arianna did the very first thing of locking me out of her room. Well, that’s what happens when she wanted time. I had told her the truth. I delayed, but everything was out in the open now, and she needed time. I understood and wanted to give it to her but at the same time everything about her intoxicated me. I leaned back in my chair, staring blankly at the dark wood-panelled ceiling of my study. The room was quiet except for the faint crackle of the fireplace, but my mind was anything but.Arianna.The taste of her lips still lingered on mine, and every time I closed my eyes, I saw her. The fire in her gaze, the way her wolf had flickered to the surface—it was intoxicating and maddening all at once. I didn't know how she could resist it. Maybe I did. Her wolf hadn't fully broken free and that was something I had to work on now. She was my mate, but she didn’t fully understand what that meant yet.She needed time.Mars
***************~Damon’s POV~Damon didn’t move, didn’t flinch, as I closed the distance between us. My heart pounded, each beat a whisper of hesitation, of something I didn’t fully understand.“C-Can I?” I asked softly, barely above a whisper. My hand hovered in the space between us, close but not touching.He didn’t respond right away. His dark eyes locked onto mine, searching—maybe for my intent, maybe for something else. Then, after what felt like forever, he gave a small nod.I exhaled shakily and reached out. My fingertips grazed his skin, featherlight as they brushed over the bruise on his ribs. Damon tensed under my touch but didn’t pull away.Gently, I traced the edges of each mark, my fingers gliding over the discolored patches of skin on his abdomen, the faint scars on his chest. My touch was careful, reverent, as if I could erase the pain they carried by simply being soft with him."Do they still hurt?" I murmured.Damon shook his head. “Physically, no,” he admitted. His v
*****************CHAPTER 68~Damon’s POV~I swallowed past the lump in my throat, my fingers twitching at my sides. My anger had burned out like a candle in the wind, leaving only this—raw, aching silence between us.Slowly, almost hesitantly, I took a step forward. Then another.Damon didn’t move, didn’t flinch, as I closed the distance between us. My heart pounded, each beat a whisper of hesitation, of something I didn’t fully understand.“C-Can I?” I asked softly, barely above a whisper. My hand hovered in the space between us, close but not touching.He didn’t respond right away. His dark eyes locked onto mine, searching—maybe for my intent, maybe for something else. Then, after what felt like forever, he gave a small nod.I exhaled shakily and reached out. My fingertips grazed his skin, featherlight as they brushed over the bruise on his ribs. Damon tensed under my touch but didn’t pull away.Gently, I traced the edges of each mark, my fingers gliding over the discolored patches
*****************CHAPTER 67~Arianna’s POV~I followed Damon through the dense trees, my legs aching with every step. My body was still weak from the brutal training, but curiosity kept me moving.“Where’s this place?” I asked, scanning the area as we emerged into a clearing.The air here was heavier, filled with something unspoken. The ground was packed dirt, uneven and scarred, as if countless battles had taken place here. Wooden dummies, worn and splintered, stood in a jagged row. Rusted chains dangled from a thick iron post, the metal stained a dark crimson. Against the farthest wall, an array of weapons hung—knives, whips, staffs, and even crude spiked bats.“This was where I used to train when I was young…” Damon’s voice was quiet, almost distant. “With my father.”I froze. Damon barely talked about his father. Hearing him mention the man so casually made my stomach twist. I turned to look at him, but he wasn’t looking at me. His gaze was fixed on something only he could see—s
*****************CHAPTER 67~Arianna’s POV~I followed Damon through the dense trees, my legs aching with every step. My body was still weak from the brutal training, but curiosity kept me moving.“Where’s this place?” I asked, scanning the area as we emerged into a clearing.The air here was heavier, filled with something unspoken. The ground was packed dirt, uneven and scarred, as if countless battles had taken place here. Wooden dummies, worn and splintered, stood in a jagged row. Rusted chains dangled from a thick iron post, the metal stained a dark crimson. Against the farthest wall, an array of weapons hung—knives, whips, staffs, and even crude spiked bats.“This was where I used to train when I was young…” Damon’s voice was quiet, almost distant. “With my father.”I froze. Damon barely talked about his father. Hearing him mention the man so casually made my stomach twist. I turned to look at him, but he wasn’t looking at me. His gaze was fixed on something only he could see—s
*****************CHAPTER 66~Sterling’s POV~The dimly lit room reeked of aged wood and power—a private lounge reserved only for the elites of the werewolf world. I leaned back in the leather armchair, swirling a glass of blood-red wine in my hand, my lips curving into a slow smile.“Your little stunt worked perfectly,” I said, glancing at the woman across from me.Trisha Don Mars.She sat on the edge of the couch, her legs crossed, looking every bit the picture of confidence and poise. Her lips curled into that signature smirk of hers, one that dripped with malice and self-satisfaction.She was beautiful in her own selfish way, and I loved her for it. Most ladies hid under his naive look while masking their true colours but Trisha showed them. She was not afraid to be seen as selfish, wicked, and all that. I mean, it was all in us and the greed of men was insatiable. At least with this kind of ally, you know what drives them and makes them who they are, and if you can work with t
*****************The dimly lit room reeked of aged wood and power—a private lounge reserved only for the elites of the werewolf world. I leaned back in the leather armchair, swirling a glass of blood-red wine in my hand, my lips curving into a slow smile.“Your little stunt worked perfectly,” I said, glancing at the woman across from me.Trisha Don Mars.She sat on the edge of the couch, her legs crossed, looking every bit the picture of confidence and poise. Her lips curled into that signature smirk of hers, one that dripped with malice and self-satisfaction.“Of course it worked,” she replied, taking a sip of her own drink. “Arianna’s cracking, isn’t she?”I chuckled. “She’s human—what did you expect? Damon’s pushing her to the edge, and even he knows she won’t survive the Luna Trials. It’s just a matter of time before she breaks.”“And when she does,” Trisha said, her voice soft but venomous, “Damon will finally realize what a mistake it was to choose her.”Her fingers traced the
**************CHAPTER 73~Kaia’s POV~The house was quiet, eerily so. Blaze had left for work early in the morning, telling me to stay behind since his grandmother was still here. I had spent most of the morning in the living room, flipping through magazines and trying to keep my thoughts from drifting to the events of the past few days, especially this morning in the bathroom with him. Just that already brought thoughts of our intense fucking. Umm, well, lovemaking and even though Blaze could act like it was nothing or it didn’t happen. It did for me and might I say, it was the best I ever had.I sighed, my shoulders slouching. No matter how hard I tried, my curiosity kept tugging at me, leading me to one place: the room, Blaze’s secret room.I stood up and walked away. First to the kitchen and then to the swimming pool and then… I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn’t even realise where I was walking to.It wasn’t intentional, or so I told myself. My feet moved on their own,
*****************CHAPTER 63~Arianna’s POV~I did not bother arguing when Damon said we should train. All I wanted was a way to survive two weeks from now. If whatever he had planned for me could do it. Then, so be it. Damon led me down a long hallway, past some offices and through a heavy steel door at the back of the penthouse.The moment we stepped inside, my breath hitched.The room was massive—a full-blown training facility. Dim overhead lights cast long shadows over the walls, filled with rows of weapons. Silver daggers. Guns with silver bullets. Chains, cuffs, throwing stars, and even an entire wall of swords.I swallowed hard. This wasn’t just a training room.This felt like a war zone.Damon strode toward the center without a second glance at the weapons. “Your gear,” he said, tossing something at me.I caught it clumsily, looking down to find a pair of black leather trousers, a bralette, a tank top, and a simple hair tie.I arched a brow. “Seriously?”Damon smirked. “You’l
*****************CHAPTER 63~Arianna’s POV~I did not bother arguing when Damon said we should train. All I wanted was a way to survive two weeks from now. If whatever he had planned for me could do it. Then, so be it. Damon led me down a long hallway, past some offices and through a heavy steel door at the back of the penthouse.The moment we stepped inside, my breath hitched.The room was massive—a full-blown training facility. Dim overhead lights cast long shadows over the walls, filled with rows of weapons. Silver daggers. Guns with silver bullets. Chains, cuffs, throwing stars, and even an entire wall of swords.I swallowed hard. This wasn’t just a training room.This felt like a war zone.Damon strode toward the center without a second glance at the weapons. “Your gear,” he said, tossing something at me.I caught it clumsily, looking down to find a pair of black leather trousers, a bralette, a tank top, and a simple hair tie.I arched a brow. “Seriously?”Damon smirked. “You’l