"You heard me," he chuckled.I stood up from the ground so that we were face to face, though he still slightly towered over me due to our height difference."What do you mean it's too late?" I pressed, narrowing my eyes.He lifted his hand to my cheek, gently caressing it. His slightly rough skin against my face was surprisingly pleasant, calming my senses. His scent wrapped around me, melting into his touch, making me momentarily forget my worries."I'm already attached to you. I barely know anything about you, yet I never want you to leave my side. If you were to go, my wolf and I would be shattered." His voice was low and sincere. "The moment I laid eyes on your wolf, I knew you were different—that you had to be mine. If only we had met under different circumstances."I felt myself leaning closer and closer until my entire body pressed up against his. His hands traveled down to my lower back, resting there without moving further. We stood like that—two complete strangers, engrossed
My wolf spirit and I often fought about one thing—what would happen if we ever found our mate. But it was never about independence or freedom. Now that we had found Damien, it was like she was ready to forget all of that, to assume the role of Luna just because he was an Alpha. I had always assumed my mate would be a rogue like me, that we could go off together, free and independent. But now that she had connected with Damien, she never wanted to leave his side. The fact that a single touch from him could make me melt or that his scent could instantly calm my senses angered me. The way my body reacted to him felt like second nature, like we belonged together—and it disgusted me. Like I had no choice in the matter. I didn’t want the responsibility of an entire pack on my shoulders. I didn’t want someone ordering me around. I finished my shower and stepped out, grabbing a towel to dry myself off. When I glanced back into the mirror, I smiled. It had been a while since I’d seen a cl
Later that day, I spent the rest of my time in the room with Damien. We didn’t talk much—I wasn’t a big fan of conversation anyway. Besides, I was having yet another argument with my wolf in my head. ‘Stop fighting the pull between you two. I know you can feel it because I can feel it too. If you leave our mate, you will never stop regretting it,’ my wolf whined. ‘Leave me alone. Not only is this the best choice for us, but it’s also better for this pack—and for my mate. I refuse to bring my problems here and be the downfall of anyone. I don’t know how to be a Luna, and I know I will never be more than a mere rogue to him.’ My wolf was the only one I ever opened up to. She knew my deepest secrets, my fears—because she was a part of me. We shared thoughts and emotions, and that built an unshakable trust between us. Even though we fought often, it was usually because I was stubborn. And I hated that she was always right. "What are you thinking about so hard, flower?" The voice sta
"Well, I have to clear up the fact that you are indeed my mate, but... I'm going to need you to come with me," he said hesitantly. I crossed my arms. "I have no interest in meeting your parents." "Yes, I'm aware," he sighed. "But I can't just tell them you're my mate without introducing you to them." "What part of 'I don't want to' do you not understand?" I snapped. He groaned, rubbing his face in frustration before looking up at me with an irritated expression. "I don't understand why you're being so difficult right now. I'm not saying you have to be in love with me—they just want to meet you." I hesitated, lowering my gaze. "What if they don't like me?" I muttered under my breath. His surprised expression told me he had heard me loud and clear. "You're worried my parents won't like you? Where is this coming from?" I scratched the back of my head, shrugging. "What if they order my execution or something?" His laughter boomed through the room, startling me. He doubled over, w
She was a tall woman—not as tall as Damien or his father, but still quite tall. Strands of silver ran through her brown hair, yet her face showed no signs of aging. Her skin had a youthful glow, and there was something warm and kind about her presence.As I studied her features, I noticed that both Damien and Danielle took after their mother. Her kind blue eyes, strong jawline, and delicate yet defined features were reflected in them.His father, however, was a stark contrast. He stood against the wall in the living room, watching me with an intense, unreadable gaze. There was nothing warm about him. Every now and then, I glanced his way, only to find him still glaring at me with intimidating eyes."Iris is such a beautiful name! It definitely suits you!" his mother squealed excitedly.As she pulled Damien aside, I noticed his father approaching. He leaned in close, his voice a low warning only meant for me."I'll be watching you closely, rogue." He emphasized the last word with disda
"No, I don’t have to watch how I talk to you because you are not my Alpha. I’m still a rogue, and you have no control over me," I hissed, stepping closer and jabbing my finger into his chest.Damien’s eyes darkened as he grabbed my wrist, yanking my hand away from him. He leaned in until our faces were mere inches apart."If I had a choice, I wouldn’t pick someone like you to be my mate. An emotionally closed-off rogue wouldn’t even be my last choice."I already knew that. Someone like him would never willingly choose someone like me as a mate. But hearing him say it still hurt.It hurt deep.A sharp ache settled in my chest, spreading through me like wildfire. Even my wolf whimpered at his words. Without another thought, I turned and stormed out of the room, desperate to get away from him. I ran through the packhouse doors and into the open air, my vision blurring with unshed tears."Iris, wait!" I heard Damien call after me, but I ignored him.I shifted into my wolf and bolted into
I opened my eyes and realized I was still in wolf form. Looking around, I suddenly noticed a midnight-black wolf lying next to me, watching my every movement. It raised its head and whined when it saw I was awake. I immediately recognized it as Damien’s wolf. He jerked his head in the direction of the pack as if telling me we should go back. I nodded and got up.When I looked into his eyes, I saw hurt and regret swirling within them. They say the eyes are windows to the soul, revealing true emotions.We walked side by side back to the pack. As we moved through the trees, pack members rushed toward us, bombarding us with questions. Damien growled loudly, silencing them instantly.The moment we reached the pack house, we shifted back into our human forms, and someone handed us blankets to cover ourselves. As soon as we entered Damien’s room, he began frantically apologizing."Iris, I am so sorry. The moment I said those words, I wanted to take them all back. I was out all night searchin
Shopping Trip "When we met, you tackled me and headbutted me in the side, so now we're even," I grinned. Danielle giggled. "Come on, you two, the mall is this way." Once we got to the mall, Danielle did most of the shopping for me. I was measured, fitted, and forced to try on so many outfits. We even made Blake come into the stores that made him uncomfortable. "I think it would be best if I waited outside while you guys shopped for underwear," Blake said uncomfortably. I giggled and pulled him into the store anyway. After our shopping spree—where Blake ended up paying for everything—we left with way more bags than I expected. "Now, hopefully, you don’t shred all of these clothes," Danielle said, narrowing her eyes at me. I laughed, realizing how much I had enjoyed my day with Danielle and Blake. I was actually starting to like Blake—strictly in a friendly way, of course. We decided to stop by a milkshake shop since I had never actually had a milkshake before. Before w
Chapter 50"Alpha, I need to examine her in the infirmary—to check how healthy the pup is," the pack doctor said urgently.Damien nodded silently and carried me up the steps.Tears welled in my eyes. I had been so selfish… I could have harmed our child. I could’ve lost everything."Damien… I’m so sorry," I whispered, voice trembling. "I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m losing my mind."He didn’t say anything at first. Just kept walking, his arms tight around me.Then, coldly, he spoke. "How can I forgive you when you’re putting our pup—and yourself—at risk?"His words hit harder than any blow. I began to cry, the shame settling deep into my chest. He hated me. I could feel the disappointment radiating from him."But Damien… I don’t know what to do," I whispered. "He has Lillian… and I feel everything she’s going through.""Do you want me to live the rest of my life alone?" he snapped. "Is that what you want? I’ve sent almost every warrior we have to find her, and it’s still not en
I was chained to the wall, silver biting into my skin and burning as my body tried—and failed—to heal. The room was pitch black. No windows, no light. Just darkness. The door creaked open, and a man stepped inside—a tall figure in his thirties with jet-black hair, piercing grey eyes, and a gruesome gash across his cheek."Hello, Lillian. How nice of you to join me," he said, a twisted smile spreading across his face. He walked forward, one hand hidden behind his back."I’ve got a little surprise for you," he grinned.He raised his gloved hand, revealing a silver dagger. My heart dropped. He grabbed my face with his free hand, his grip rough and cruel."Luna, I know you can hear me. The Blood Moon is coming, and I need your true form awakened. If you won’t come willingly, I have other means to force you. Until then, your sister and I will have some fun.""Iris, I love you," Lillian whispered through the mental link, her voice shaking.Through her eyes, I watched in horror as he drove t
I let out a playful bark, wagging my tail at Lillian. I had missed talking to her.As she stepped closer, I caught her scent—only it was different, unfamiliar. My head tilted as I tried to make sense of the change.She chuckled. "Blake and I finally mated."I let out a soft huff before playfully licking her cheek. It was hard to believe that my sister had gone from a rogue surviving in the woods to being mated to the Beta of the pack."Auntie Iry, who’s that? And why does she look like you?" Matty asked, eyeing Lillian with open curiosity.We had just arrived back at Lucie and John’s house. As Lucie helped Emma and Matty off my back, I stepped away to shift and put my clothes back on. When I returned, I noticed Matty watching Lillian with an intense, suspicious look."Matty, this is my sister, Lillian," I said, smiling as I wrapped my arms around her.Both children's eyes widened in shock."Auntie Lily!" Matty squealed before launching himself at Lillian, hugging her tightly.Lillian
"I'm in charge, Alpha," I whispered seductively.Damien's eyes darkened with desire as he let out a low growl."Say it again," he commanded, his voice husky.I smirked but stayed silent, letting my actions speak for me. Slowly, I trailed my hands down to the waistband of his pants, unzipping them with deliberate care. I slipped them off and tossed them aside, revealing the growing need beneath his boxers. My fingers teased the waistband before finally sliding them down, freeing him.He sat up, eyes locked onto me, his breathing heavy."Put that mouth of yours to good use," he murmured, his voice rough with need.A nervous excitement fluttered inside me—I had never done this before. But I wanted to please him. Tentatively, I ran my tongue over the tip, earning a sharp intake of breath from Damien. Encouraged, I took him in deeper, my movements slow and exploratory. His groans grew louder as I picked up my rhythm, his fingers tangling in my hair.But just as I found my rhythm, Damien su
Danielle flinched, as if just remembering the pain."It was painful," she admitted, "but I finally met my wolf! She’s so smart and funny. I can talk to her whenever I want, and she’ll never leave me. She kind of reminds me of you, Iris." She smiled brightly.Damien wrapped his arms around my waist, burying his nose into my neck."She also told me that I won’t find my mate until I’m eighteen," Danielle pouted.I giggled. "That’s because you’re of Alpha blood."She just huffed and walked back into the house."Iris, do you know who Cole is?" Damien suddenly asked.I stiffened slightly but kept my voice even. "I don’t know him personally. I only know he’s the one who killed my parents."Damien hesitated. "What were your parents like?"A small, sad smile tugged at my lips."My dad was strong and confident. He was a great Alpha—fierce, but he loved his family with all his heart. My mom… she was different. She used to be a rogue, never believed in mates—until she found my dad. She was caring
I laughed, though it came out as a strange, gargling, high-pitched noise, which only made Damien burst into laughter.I growled playfully as we approached the pack house, where a blanket lay on the steps. Damien picked it up, unfolded it, and motioned for me to shift.I did, and as soon as I was back in human form, he draped the blanket over me."It's freezing out here!" I shivered, pulling the fabric tighter around me.Damien just chuckled, wrapping his arms around me as we stepped inside.The moment we entered, shouting filled the air."You're a fucking asshole! Am I not good enough for you?!" Lillian’s furious voice rang out.Still wrapped in a blanket, she was screaming at an equally frustrated Blake."What the hell are you talking about?" Blake asked, clearly irritated."That bitch had you on the ground, flirting with you and straddling you, and you just let it happen!" she yelled.The moment she noticed Damien and me, her expression shifted. Fear and panic flashed across her fac
"Thanks, Iris," Danielle said, clutching her head in pain as her body trembled."Danielle, take a deep breath and calm down. Relax your mind and focus on shifting. Imagine yourself as a wolf, running through the forest," I instructed.She nodded, squeezing her eyes shut as the trembling grew more intense. Suddenly, she dropped to all fours, and the piercing sound of cracking bones shattered the silence of the forest.A sharp scream tore from her lips.What's happening? Damien’s voice rang through our mind link.Your sister is shifting, I replied.Thank you for being there for her. We're still setting up her birthday party, he said.I focused back on Danielle as her bones continued to shift and break, her whimpers turning into furious growls. Then, her form stilled, and a stunning dark brown she-wolf with black paws stood before me.She lifted her head and growled, her wild eyes locking onto mine. Newly shifted wolves were often overwhelmed by instincts, sometimes even attacking those
I woke up snuggled against someone's chest."Damien, get up. You've been asleep long enough," I murmured, trying to wiggle out of his grasp but failing miserably."No… five more minutes," he groaned, pulling me even closer.I sighed in defeat before turning around to face him. Damien looked so peaceful and calm in his sleep, his usual intensity softened by dreams. I reached up and gently pecked his lips, causing his eyes to flutter open."That was a lovely wake-up call," he said with a wink.Rolling my eyes, I pushed against his chest as he finally loosened his grip. I sat up, only to realize I was still completely bare from the night before. Blushing, I grabbed the white bedsheet and wrapped it around myself like a towel before heading to the bathroom.Just as I reached the doorway, I glanced back and noticed Damien lying there, very much uncovered, a smug look on his face."Like what you see?" he teased.Crossing my arms over the sheets, I smirked. "Just for that comment, you're not
"I don't want to stop. I want you," I breathed out. At that exact moment, I could tell that his wolf had fully taken over. His eyes darkened with desire as he pulled me closer, his hands trailing over my body as if memorizing every inch. My breath hitched when he gripped the fabric of my shirt—and with one swift motion, it was gone. I gasped at his boldness, my heart racing. His lips found my shoulder, leaving a trail of warmth as he moved up toward my mark. I could feel the strength in his touch, the restraint he was barely holding onto. His presence alone sent a shiver down my spine, anticipation crackling between us like a storm on the horizon. But then, an unfamiliar hesitation crept into me. I had never been this vulnerable before, never exposed to anyone like this. I instinctively moved to cover myself, but Damien let out a low growl, his hands catching mine. "Don't," he murmured, his voice husky with emotion. "You're more beautiful than anyone I've ever been with." Slowly