JackNina’s scent lingered long after she left, a bittersweet reminder of her visit. Jasmine and rain... and something else I couldn’t quite identify.My wolf stirred restlessly, both comforted and troubled by her presence. Her warning about my planned execution still rang in my ears, each word laced with tears and terror.I couldn’t believe the mess we were in, or that she still wanted to stay behind. Why would she risk it? She had every reason to run with me.But she didn’t.I paced the confined space, my footsteps echoing against the cold stone walls. Each step matched the rhythm of my racing thoughts.The weight of Sarah’s death still sat heavy on my conscience - even if I couldn’t remember doing it, the evidence spoke for itself. At least, that’s what I’d believed all these months.“You’re overthinking,” I muttered to myself, running a hand through my tangled hair. “Nina’s trying to save your life. She’s your mate. You felt the connection.”But had I? Really? The question nagged a
NinaThe scent of him clung to my clothes as I hurried through the darkened corridors, my heart thundering against my ribs. Pine and earth... and something I couldn’t pin my hand on.Something that made my wolf curl her lip in disgust. Each step echoed against the stone floors, a rhythmic reminder of my performance in Jack’s cell.I wiped away the fake tears, a smirk replacing the concerned expression I’d worn moments ago. Every step away from him felt like a victory.My plan was working perfectly, like pieces on a chessboard moving exactly where I needed them.“You did well,” my wolf purred, preening with satisfaction. “He believed every word from you.”“I know he will.”“He believes you’re staying to bond with your sister.” Red’s lips curved into a dark smile. “Such a fool.”Of course he did. Men like Jack were so easily manipulated by a few tears and trembling lips.The fool actually believed I was truly his mate. He believed I wanted him as a mate and that I wanted to stay behind t
FinnThe small gasp that escaped Scarlett’s lips sent a wave of satisfaction through me. Even after all this year, I could still surprise her.My fingers remained gentle but firm around her wrist as I pulled her closer, letting her catch my scent – the crisp scent of my cologne and coffee from endless business meetings still clinging to my clothes.“Miss me, Luna?” I whispered, my voice rough with emotion after months apart.The silver glow of the moonlight filtered through her window, illuminating her face with a mix of shock and joy.“Finn, is that you?” Her free hand reached up to touch my face, fingers trembling slightly as they traced my jawline. “How... when did you get back?”I caught her exploring hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. “About an hour ago. The company’s quarterly review finally wrapped up.”My wolf, Storm, stirred within me, desperate to reconnect with Ray after our long separation. Through our mate bond, I could feel Ray’s answering call, her presence warm and f
Finn Scarlett turned in my arms, pressing her forehead to mine. “I love you,” she breathed, her fingers tracing patterns on my chest. “I love you too.” “Ah,” she screamed as my finger gently made its way inside her, beginning to pleasure her. She moaned with delight as my movements started, slow and deliberate, before gradually increasing in pressure and speed. Her moans grew louder and more insistent, filling the room with her desire. “Yes,” she gasped, her hips rising to meet my touch. “Right there.” I smirked, continuing, savoring every sound she made. I could feel her body tightening on the brink of release. But just as she was about to let go, I withdrew my finger and dropped to my knees. Her eyes fluttered open, surprise and frustration flashing across her face as a whimper escaped her lips. She reached out, tangling her fingers in my hair as I leaned forward and began to pleasure her with my mouth. Scarlett’s moans grew softer, yet more intense as my tongue explored her,
ScarlettI woke to an empty bed, the sheets still warm from where Finn had lain. The sound of running water from the bathroom told me where he’d gone. I stretched, feeling the pleasant ache in my muscles.My wolf, Ray, purred contentedly. “Our mate is home.”“Yes,” I agreed, smiling despite the weight of responsibilities that pressed at the edges of my mind. Having Finn back made everything feel more manageable, even if only temporarily.The bathroom door opened, and Finn emerged with a towel wrapped around his waist, water droplets still clinging to his chest. My breath caught. No matter how many times I saw him, he still had this effect on me.“Morning, love,” he said, leaning down to kiss me. I caught the scent of his soap, clean and masculine.“I thought you might have left for pack business already,” I admitted, sitting up and letting the sheets pool around my waist.His eyes darkened with lust as they traced over my exposed skin. “Not without saying goodbye, honey.” He sat on th
FinnI lay in bed with my mate, savoring her warmth against me, when David’s voice echoed in my mind.‘What is it, David?’ I responded through our pack link.‘Alpha, I apologize for disturbing you. When I couldn’t find you in the office...’ His concern rippled through the mental connection.‘I’ll be there shortly,’ I assured him. ‘I needed time with my mate.’‘Understood, sir.’ With those words, David severed the mind-link, leaving me alone with my thoughts. In my arms, Scarlett shifted slightly, her breathing soft and steady.I gazed down at her peaceful face, drinking in every feature of my mate - the woman I’d ached for through all these long, empty months.Storm’s howl resonated through my mind, his joy echoing my own. My wolf couldn’t contain his elation at having her so close, her warmth pressed against us.We’d both yearned for this - man and beast united in our relief at finally having our mate in our embrace.“That happy, huh?” I asked, amused by Storm’s unrestrained joy, his
Finn“I’m so sorry, Alpha Damon!” The feminine voice carried a note of feigned distress that immediately set me on edge.Looking down, I found myself face-to-face with Nina, Scarlett’s sister.Her cheeks were flushed as she gazed up at me, her wide eyes sparkling with an innocence that didn’t quite reach their depths.This was only the second time I’d seen her, but being this close, I could sense something was off.“Alpha,” she purred, her tone dripping with an unwelcome sweetness. The way she looked at me disgusted me. I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes. My anger simmered just beneath the surface. What the heck was she trying to pull? “You’re back.”Storm growled low in my mind. ‘There’s darkness in her. Can’t you feel it?’I could. The pure connection I shared with Scarlett had heightened my ability to read others, and what I sensed in Nina troubled me deeply. Behind her carefully constructed facade lay something cold, calculated.“What are you doing here?” I asked, keeping m
Finn“Two injured, none fatal. But the rogues are growing bolder.” David passed me a detailed report. “They seem more organized than usual. Pack formation patterns have been observed.”This was concerning. Rogues typically operated alone or in pairs. Pack formation suggested leadership - and that meant trouble.“Continue,” I instructed, scanning the document.“The trade agreement with the Southern Pack needs renewal,” David continued. “Alpha Marcus has been particularly insistent about discussing new terms. He’s mentioned something about expanding the timber rights in the shared forest.”I fought back a sigh. Marcus had always been ambitious, and my absence had likely emboldened him.“Schedule a meeting, but not immediately. Let’s give him time to stew.”‘And give us time to strengthen our position,’ Storm added approvingly.“The training program for young wolves has shown impressive results,” David moved on, his tone lightening slightly. “Gabriel has proven to be an excellent instruc
LucasWhen I was completely satisfied, I left the room with purposeful strides.Walking down the hallway toward my father’s chamber where his body lay, I could hear the shocked whispers about my inappropriate attire.Their disapproval washed over me like a sweet melody, but I didn’t give a damn about their pathetic opinions.“Alpha,” Jack greeted me as soon as I stepped in, his voice tight with barely contained anger.“Where is my father?” I asked, pretending not to notice.Jack’s eyes traveled slowly over my bright clothing, disgust visible in his gaze.Even when he didn’t speak, I already knew what churned behind those judgmental eyes. Why was I dressed like this, as if attending a celebration rather than mourning my own flesh and blood?“Why are you dressed like this, Lucas?” he asked, deliberately using my name instead of my title.“What dress?” I asked, looking down at myself. “The way I dress, is something wrong with that?” I enjoyed playing this game, forcing him to spell out h
Lucas“Please,” she began, her voice trembling with exhaustion. “Allow me to rest.”“Not until I’ve had my fill,” I replied coldly, a merciless gleam in my eyes as I grabbed her wrist with bruising force before pushing her to the sofa in my room. The fear in her eyes sent a thrill of dark satisfaction through me.“Ah,” she let out a scream as I took her again.When I was finally done using her for my pleasure, I rose to my feet, not sparing her a second glance.At last, I was about to go see my dead father—the moment I’d dreamed of for years. I strode toward the bathroom, my heart light with joy, but before I could enter, Monica’s voice stopped me.It was low and weak, barely a whisper, as if all life and energy had been drained from her.“Alpha.”“What is it?” I responded. I didn’t bother to hide my irritation—I wanted her to feel it cut through her.She whimpered. “Why are you suddenly behaving like this?”“Like a madman, right?” I fired back, a dangerous edge creeping into my tone.
LucasI watched Monica’s adoring gaze, her eyes filled with hope and affection.A victorious smirk crossed my face, knowing she was completely under my spell.Monica, someone I never took seriously. We’d spent time together just a few times, and now she couldn’t bear to leave my side.She even dared to dream of becoming my Luna. I had a pattern of pursuing those with little status in the pack ranking. It made it simpler to manipulate them after using them for my entertainment.She was just like everyone else I’d toyed with—just a temporary distraction and nothing more. A body.“I hope you won’t stop loving me, Alpha?” Monica purred beside me, her voice laced with lust.“Yes, darling,” I replied, my voice laced with honey-sweet affection. Even my performance surprised me sometimes.“Awwn,” she moaned, my fingers still inside her as we talked. “I love you, Alpha.”“I love you too, my honey,” I responded. These were the words she desperately wanted to hear, and I had no qualms about feed
Alaric“Alaric, do you truly think this will work?” Elena asked, her fingers tracing lazy patterns across my chest.I couldn’t suppress a scornful laugh. How could it possibly fail when the Alpha King himself had shown such interest in Scarlett?If I had known she would turn out to be such an amazing asset, I wouldn’t have gifted her to Dickson. I would have given her directly to the King. By now, I could have been enjoying royal status.My eyes drifted to Elena, my beautiful yet simple-minded stupid Luna. Without the memory-altering potion clouding her mind, she wouldn’t be this gentle and kind.I remembered all too well her incessant complaints about Nina’s situation; her tears, her accusations, her demands that I intervene.I had no choice but to clear off her memories. The only memories left for her now were that Nina was living happily with Lucas.That was all I wanted her to know. I blocked all other news, especially the bitter truth about Nina’s suffering in their pack.That wo
LeonardoEverything changed when I grew. I got stronger. Strong enough to protect myself. Strong enough to step over their blood towards the throne.Strong enough to tear out the hearts of those who crossed me. Strong enough to eliminate anyone who threatened what was mine.I had sworn never to show weakness again. To maintain power, I needed to be merciless. The bodies of treacherous women who had approached me with hidden daggers and poisoned smiles littered my past.Throughout my life, only my mother had ever shown me genuine love. Everyone else came with agendas—assassins sent by enemies or manipulators seeking to exploit my position.“Leonardo,” a voice called, soft as silk against my consciousness. “Are you with us?”I tried to open my eyes, but they were heavy.“My king,” another voice penetrated the darkness. “Can you hear me?”With tremendous effort, I forced my eyes open. The world swam in a blur, but the voices reached me with perfect clarity.“Is he responding?” someone as
LeonardoAs darkness enveloped me, memories of my mother, Rose, flooded my mind in vivid flashes. These were not distant recollections, but raw wounds that reopened with each heartbeat.She had been my anchor, the only source of kindness in this world. She would whisper reassurances that I was deserving of love, despite my father’s constant assertions to the contrary.But now, all I could see was her bloodied body, her once-radiant life extinguished by the man who should have protected her above all others—my father, Alexander.My mother was the epitome of beauty, not just in her looks - her golden hair and piercing eyes made her the envy of all women in the kingdom - but also in the radiant glow of her spirit.She was the rightful Queen, the beloved daughter of King Hunter and Queen Mia, adored by everyone who knew her, except for the one who had promised to cherish her.My father never cared about her royal lineage. He resented her status, power, and the adoration people had for her
Leonardo“But...” I let my gaze drift around the room as if concerned about being overheard. “Don’t you think she will suspect I was behind it?”He waved his hand dismissively. “No, we won’t make it obvious. I will perfect everything. I have done this before, and I can do it again, my King. I will do anything to see you happy with the woman you love.”“Really?” I couldn’t keep the excitement from my voice.Now there was no need to reveal that I already had Scarlett imprisoned in my palace. I could use this greedy fool to eliminate her mate while keeping my own hands clean in her eyes.“Yes, my King.” His voice grew animated with bloodlust. “All I need to do is plant some treason papers in his pack. Then you can order the palace guards to search his territory. They’ll capture him and rip his head off right there...”He trailed off, his excited eyes meeting mine, seeking approval. “Then we can destroy his pack to eliminate any future problems. You just have to leave everything to me. I
LeonardoEverything is getting interesting. The look on Scarlett’s face as I departed made everything crystallize; it clicked the final piece of the puzzle that had been nagging at me for weeks.She and her father were never close—not from the start, according to my spies. And with the way things stand now, everything is working in my favour.I turned around and left with my Beta.“Where is he?” I asked, walking as fast as my legs could carry me.“In the throne palace,” Giovanni replied, struggling slightly to match my frantic pace.“Good.” We walked in tense silence, the corridor stretching before us like the path to my victory.Upon reaching the throne palace, the guards snapped to attention, their eyes lowered in deference and fear—exactly as they should be.“Here comes the King,” they announced in perfect unison.The massive doors swung open, and I stepped inside, my eyes immediately finding him.Alaric BlackstoneMy soon-to-be father-in-law.He immediately rose to his feet. I cou
Leonardo“This is interesting.”My body went into shock. I flinched violently, my blood turning to ice in my veins. That voice—I would recognize it anywhere, even in the depths of hell itself.My Scarlett.I turned around slowly, composing my features into what I hoped was a charming smile, though my heart hammered against my ribs like a war drum.“Having sex with a whore in the hallway. What a king you are.” Her words dripped with venom.“Who do we have here?” I asked with feigned innocence, desperately trying to salvage what little dignity remained. “My love.”The endearment felt hollow on my tongue as I forcefully pulled Mira’s hand away from me. Disgust radiated through me at the contact I had sought moments before.“My king,” Mira whimpered, her voice small and fearful.I turned back to her, my gaze hardening to steel. Without a single word, I made my message crystal clear: make Scarlett unhappy, and I’ll end your miserable life.Mira’s mouth snapped shut, terror blooming in her