Elowen's POV The air outside was crisp, the cool night breeze brushing against my skin as Ranon and I walked side by side. Neither of us spoke at first, the silence thick with tension, anticipation, and something far more primal. His wolf was just as restless as mine—I could feel it in the way his gaze lingered on me, in the slight stiffness of his shoulders as he fought to keep himself in check. The bond between us hummed like a live wire, a constant pull I couldn’t escape even if I wanted to. “Where are we going?” I finally asked, breaking the silence. “You’ll see,” he replied, his voice calm but laced with an edge that sent shivers down my spine. I hated how cryptic he could be, how he always seemed to know more than he let on. But I followed him anyway, my heels clicking against the pavement as we left the academy grounds and headed toward the forest that bordered it. “Let me guess,” I said, trying to sound unimpressed. “You’re taking me to some secluded spot in the woo
Ranon’s POV The moment her lips met mine, the world ceased to exist. It was only Elowen—the feel of her body pressed against mine, the sweet, intoxicating scent of her skin, the way she kissed me as though she was trying to conquer me. There was no hesitation in her touch, no barriers. Her defiance had melted into something raw and primal, and it called to every instinct I had as her mate. She tangled her fingers in my hair, pulling me closer, her nails scraping against my scalp and sending sparks down my spine. My wolf growled low, the sound vibrating in my chest as I deepened the kiss, claiming her mouth with a hunger that bordered on desperation. She tasted like fire and freedom, like a storm I wanted to lose myself in forever. When I finally pulled back, my lungs burning for air, she was panting, her cheeks flushed, her lips swollen from my kisses. Her eyes locked on mine, and for the first time, I saw no barriers, no pretense. Only her, vulnerable and fierce all at once. “
Elowen's POV My heart pounding in my ears, a mixture of excitement and trepidation coursing through my veins. Ranon's intense gaze sent shivers down my spine, and I knew in that moment, I was his for the taking. This wasn't about love or commitment; it was about desire, raw and untamed. "You're stunning," he breathed, his eyes roaming over my body, making me feel exposed yet empowered. I bit my lip, a nervous habit, as I reached for the zipper of my dress, my fingers trembling slightly. "Let me," he said, his voice a low growl as he stepped closer. I nodded, my breath catching as his fingers brushed against my skin, sending sparks of anticipation down my neck. With a swift motion, he slid the zipper down, the fabric of my dress pooling at my feet, leaving me clad in nothing but a delicate lace bra and panties. His fingers traced my spine as he whispered against my lips, “You’re playing with fire, sweetheart.” “Then burn me,” I breathed, daring him. A low growl rumbled in
Elowen’s POV The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine as the first rays of sunlight peeked through the trees. The sound of the river, gentle and steady, filled the silence between my uneven breaths. I was still here. Still tangled in Ranon. The weight of his arm draped over my waist, his warmth pressed against my back, his steady breathing fanning against my neck. His scent—smoky, wild, undeniably him—wrapped around me like an inescapable trap. Panic surged in my chest. I needed to leave. Carefully, I shifted, trying to slide out from beneath his grip, but the moment I moved, his arm tightened, pulling me flush against him. “Running?” His voice was thick with sleep, rough and lazy, but there was amusement in it too. “I thought you were tougher than that, sweetheart.” I clenched my jaw. “I’m not running.” “Liar,” he murmured, lips brushing my bare shoulder. My body betrayed me, a shiver running down my spine at his touch. Damn mate bond.
Elowen's POV The day passed in a haze, but every step, every glance felt like it had been dragged through the mud. I couldn’t stop thinking about last night, about Ranon’s touch, and the storm of emotions swirling in me. As much as I tried to push it away, the bond was there, undeniable and sharp, digging into me every moment. I found myself outside by the academy grounds, needing to be alone, away from the whispers and the weight of everyone’s gaze. My heart was still a mess, tangled with guilt, anger, and an overwhelming desire to run. But the bond wasn’t something I could outrun, not anymore. As I walked, I didn’t hear him approach until it was too late. Alaric. “You look like you’re about to self-destruct,” he said, his voice dripping with that familiar mix of condescension and false concern. I didn’t bother turning to face him. “I’m not in the mood, Alaric,” I said sharply. Alaric’s laugh was dark, mocking. “What? Not in the mood for what? For someone to remind you that you
Alaric's POV The night was quiet, too quiet. The usual noise of the academy felt miles away, drowned out by the pounding of my heart. It wasn’t just the silence that had me on edge—it was the overwhelming need to see her again, to feel that pull I couldn’t shake. The mate bond had become a storm inside me, relentless, and tonight, it felt as if I could no longer fight it. I paced back and forth in my dorm room, my thoughts scattered, my body burning with a hunger that was unfamiliar and terrifying. I’d tried to go out with the intention of distracting myself—training, even trying to get some rest—but it was all in vain. The thought of her consumed me. Her scent, the way her eyes burned with defiance, how she stood there, unaffected by my insults, yet I knew she was far from indifferent. Her resistance only made her more intoxicating. The doors to the academy creaked open in the distance, and I could feel her presence before I saw her. My breath hitched. Every instinct inside me s
Alaric's POV My mouth found hers again, our kiss desperate, hungry. We moved together, our bodies pressed against each other, her skin soft and hot against mine. I felt her hands move lower, her fingers brushing against the growing length of my cock. She was teasing me, testing me. And I was about to lose my fucking mind. I pushed her against the wall, pinning her wrists above her head. Her breathing was ragged, her cheeks flushed. The way she looked at me—it was like she was daring me to go further, to claim her. She was a siren, calling out to the darkness inside me, drawing me deeper into her web. And I couldn't deny her any longer. I took her by the hips, lifting her up and sliding her body against mine. She gasped, wrapping her legs around me, her arms around my neck. Our lips found each other again, kissing hard and deep, a battle between two forces that could no longer be denied. I carried her to the bed, laying her down, my body hovering over hers. Her skin was warm aga
Elowen’s POVThe door clicked shut behind me, and I leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath. My heart was still pounding, but it wasn’t from fear or nerves—it was exhilaration. I had him exactly where I wanted him, and it felt damn good.I had expected some part of me to regret what had happened between us, to feel guilt or shame for how I’d let the night unfold. But instead, I felt satisfaction, a quiet sense of triumph. Alaric, with all his strength, his arrogance, his ruthless nature, was falling into my trap. He wasn’t as untouchable as he thought. He wasn’t the perfect, cold-hearted asshole he tried to project. No, beneath that veneer was a man who couldn’t control the pull between us, a man who was already starting to care. The thought made me smile to myself as I walked down the hallway, my steps light, almost playful. He was fighting it, I could tell. He was trying to resist the bond between us, trying to convince himself that it didn’t matter, that he didn’t need me.
Theron’s POVElowen stood rigid by the broken window, her golden eyes fixed on the spot where Victor had disappeared. The weight of everything we had fought for pressed against her shoulders like an invisible force, threatening to crush her.She was trying to hide it.But I saw the exhaustion in the way she swayed slightly, the way her hands trembled just the slightest bit before she clenched them into fists.She was running on sheer willpower alone.And I couldn’t let her.I stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Elowen, you need to rest.”She stiffened but didn’t pull away. “I don’t have time to rest.”“Elowen—”“No.” Her voice was sharp, her body tense. “If I stop now, if I slow down for even a second, Victor will come back. He’ll—”I turned her to face me, gripping her arms firmly. “And what good will you be if you collapse before that happens?”Her gaze met mine, fierce and unrelenting, but beneath it, I saw the cracks. The exhaustion. The pain.I softened my grip. “Pl
Ranon’s POVThe sound of running water filled the silence as Elowen showered. The three of us stood outside her door, waiting, thinking, watching.Alaric paced, his jaw clenched. Theron leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his eyes dark with exhaustion and something else—concern.Me? I just listened.Not because I was some creep, but because I needed to know she was still there. That she wasn’t slipping away from us again.After everything—after him, after Ezekiel—none of us were willing to let her go.The water shut off.A few minutes later, the door cracked open, and Elowen stepped out, her damp hair curling at the ends, a loose T-shirt hanging off one shoulder.She looked small.Not weak—never weak—but like the weight of everything was finally pressing down on her.“You’re still here,” she murmured, glancing between us.Alaric snorted. “Obviously.”Theron stepped forward, his voice softer. “Come eat something.”“I’m not—”“No.” I cut her off. “You are eating. You barely touched a
Ranon’s POVThe battlefield was eerily silent now. Only the distant crackling of dying flames and the scent of blood remained.Ezekiel was gone—reduced to nothing but ash.And yet, my hands were still clenched into fists, my body still coiled with tension.Because even though we had won, something inside me still felt restless.Elowen stood in Alaric’s arms, her breathing unsteady, her body barely holding itself together. She had just destroyed the most dangerous threat we had ever faced, but I could see it in her eyes—this wasn’t over for her.She was free from Ezekiel, but was she free from us?I swallowed down the bitterness rising in my throat.Theron stepped forward, rubbing at his jaw where a deep cut was already healing. His golden eyes flickered toward me, his expression unreadable.We were all the same right now—beaten, bruised, and completely drained.But our mate?She looked ready to disappear again.And I couldn’t let that happen.“Elowen,” I called, my voice rough from th
Alaric’s POV Elowen was safe. For now.But that wasn’t enough.Ezekiel had crossed a line. He had sent rogues to harm my mate. He had poisoned her, left her defenseless, and dared to disappear into the night like a shadow.He thought he could take her blood, her magic, her life.He thought wrong.As Elowen slept, her breathing steady, I stood at the window of our mansion, my fingers clenched into fists. The moon was high, illuminating the world in a silver glow, but all I could see was red.Ranon and Theron stood beside me, their expressions unreadable.But I knew.I could feel their rage.“We’re going after him,” I said, my voice cold, decisive.Theron exhaled sharply. “We don’t even know where he is.”“Then we find him.” I turned to them, my jaw tight. “No more waiting. No more reacting. He came for Elowen once. He’ll come again.”Ranon’s eyes darkened. “And next time, he won’t send rogues.”Next time, he’d come himself.And that’s exactly what I wanted.No more waiting.No more hi
Elowen’s POV The atmosphere in the room was thick with tension. We all knew Ezekiel wouldn’t wait long before making his next move. He was patient, but not the kind to let an opportunity slip through his fingers.Theron drummed his fingers against the table. “We need to figure out what he wants beyond your blood, Elowen. If it was just power, he could have gone after any strong Alpha or pack. But he’s fixated on you.”Alaric’s jaw clenched. “Because she’s more than just a werewolf.” His gaze flickered toward me, something unreadable in his expression. “She’s the last of a bloodline that threatens him. He doesn’t just want her power. He wants her erased.”The weight of his words settled over me like a suffocating blanket. I had always known my existence was dangerous, but hearing it spoken so plainly was… unsettling.Ranon leaned back in his chair, his expression deceptively calm. “If he wants her erased, we make sure she’s untouchable.” His smirk turned sharp. “We make sure he fears
Elowen's POVThe clearing fell into a suffocating silence.Then, a slow, deliberate clap echoed through the air.My blood ran cold.From the darkness, a figure emerged, stepping into the faint glow of the moon.Tall. Broad. Wrapped in a long, dark coat that billowed slightly in the night breeze.His face…Sharp, angular features, high cheekbones, and a chiseled jawline that could have made him almost handsome—if not for the sinister, predatory gleam in his icy gray eyes.He smirked, revealing a hint of elongated canines, a cruel mockery of the Alphas before him.His hair, dark as ink, was slicked back, emphasizing the deep creases lining his forehead. He looked like a man who had spent a lifetime in war, a man who had crushed everything in his path without remorse.But it was his presence that sent a chill through my bones.Power radiated off him like a storm waiting to break."You’ve been quite the troublemaker, haven’t you, Elowen?" His voice was smooth, velvety—deceptively calm.Al
Elowen’s POV The air outside was thick with tension. The night was eerily silent, except for the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind. My heart still pounded from the encounter with the rogue.I knew their uncle wouldn’t stop. He was getting bolder.I needed to be ready.I walked toward the training grounds behind the mansion, my mind racing. The darkness wrapped around me, but it felt comforting. Familiar.Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind me.I didn’t have to turn to know who it was.Alaric.“You shouldn’t be alone right now,” he said, his voice calm but firm.I scoffed, crossing my arms. “I’m not helpless, Alaric.”“I never said you were,” he murmured, stepping closer. His warmth seeped into my skin, even with the space between us. “But that doesn’t mean I’m letting you out of my sight.”I turned to face him, searching his expression. His golden eyes burned into mine, intense and unwavering.“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked, my voice softer than I intended.Ala
Elowen’s POV I should have moved.Should have pushed him away, reminded him that this wasn’t real—that whatever was happening between us was a mistake.But I didn’t.Instead, I stood there, frozen as Alaric’s fingers trailed down my cheek, his warmth seeping into my skin like a slow-burning fire.His golden eyes locked onto mine, filled with something dangerous—something possessive.“Say it,” he murmured, his voice like a dark promise.I swallowed hard. “Say what?”“That you don’t want this.” His lips were so close now that I could feel his breath ghosting over my skin. “Say you don’t feel it.”I opened my mouth, but the words refused to come out.Because it was a lie.I felt it—the pull, the unbearable tension, the need that curled deep in my chest, warring with the logical part of my brain that told me this is wrong.But nothing about Alaric had ever been logical.His hand slid around my waist, pulling me closer, until our bodies were flush against each other. “You think you can ke
Alaric’s POVElowen's body trembled against mine, her breathing uneven. I could feel the heat of her wound against my skin, the scent of her blood sending my wolf into a frenzy.She was hurt.And she had the audacity to think she could handle this alone.I gritted my teeth, my arms tightening around her as I lifted her effortlessly. “We’re going home,” I said, my voice leaving no room for argument.She stiffened in my hold. “Put me down, Alaric.”I ignored her.“Elowen,” Ranon growled, stepping beside me. “This was reckless. Even for you.”Theron, still in his wolf form, let out a low, dangerous snarl. He was furious. We all were.Her fingers weakly curled into my shirt. “I had to do this. I had to—”I stopped walking and glared down at her. “You had to get yourself killed?” My voice was ice, but beneath it, there was something darker. Fear. The thought of losing her, of watching her slip away, unraveled me.Her lips parted, but she had no answer.She knew I was right.Theron shifted