Cecilia POVWaves of pleasure washed over me under Julian's kiss and touch, rendering my attempts to resist ineffective. My legs weakened, threatening to buckle under the intensity of the sensation. Julian lifted me effortlessly by the waist and carried me out of the bathroom. Instinctively, my arms wound around his neck, and my fingers tangled into his long, black hair.After carrying me back to the room, he laid me gently on the bed. He unwrapped the towel from me like he was opening a gift. I shrank back somewhat sheepishly under his fiery gaze."Relax. You traveled for 24 hours by train to come to me, so let me reward you properly," Julian whispered in my ear.He took my nipple into his mouth and sucked it gently. Then, he held my ankles with both hands and spread my legs. His kisses slowly trailed down along my breast, waist, and stomach. A warmth spread through my lower body, urging me to clamp my thighs together. However, he held my legs firmly."You're so wet," he purr
Cecilia Julian stopped his movements and got off me. Then, he kissed me gently on the lips."We're not done yet. Wait for me." He winked at me before putting on a robe from the closet and opening the door.I quickly pulled the blanket over myself, but the room was filled with the unmistakable scent of our lovemaking.When Julian opened the door, a man stood at the threshold. He was about half a head shorter than Julian but boasted a more muscular build, appearing to be around the same age.The room's simplicity offered no place to hide, and our eyes met the moment he looked in. He quickly shifted his gaze away. "What is it?" Julian asked."I called you several times, but you didn't answer," the man complained. He sneaked another glance in my direction before turning back to Julian. "She needs to leave first. We can't talk with her here.""Come in. This is Cecilia. Whatever it is, you can say it in front of her," Julian said. Then, he looked at me and introduced the man. "This
Cecilia POV I quickly took a shower and changed my clothes before going to see Zara.Zara and Lamar's room was just below mine. Thus, it was easy to guess that Julian had intentionally placed my room next to his.Zara's curtains were drawn, and Lamar was busy installing new ones for her."She said the light was too bright, and it was affecting her sleep, which was why she made me take down my curtains and put them up here. What kind of selfish friend is that?" Lamar complained to me."It's just a curtain! Why are you being so petty?" Zara threw a pillow at Lamar. "Show me the video," I demanded, cutting straight to the chase. Small talk was the last thing on my mind."It's pretty brutal, so brace yourself," Zara cautioned as she retrieved her phone and navigated through several screens. A chorus of screams bled from the speakers as she handed the device to me.The video displayed a grim scene: several men were chained in a dark, empty room. They were naked and being beaten.
Cecilia POVThe location of the two wolves was swiftly determined with a quick call to their former comrades. After a modest lunch at the barracks, Julian's subordinates ushered the apprehended werewolves into the room."Where was this video shot? Who are the people being mistreated?" Julian approached them, playing the video. Instantly, their heads drooped, the earlier smugness on their faces giving way to dread."It was shot in a prisoner camp. The victims are war captives from the Western Kingdom," replied one of the taller men. He glanced nervously at Julian, quickly adding, "It wasn't me! I didn't film it. Alex did— he's one of Freeda's guys. "Just two days ago, he was boasting online about how tough he is. I couldn't stand it and snapped at him, and that's when he sent me the video.""Do you think abusing war prisoners is something to boast about?" I interjected sharply. I was appalled that such brutes could be considered soldiers."No, absolutely not," the shorter man
Cecilia POV"Go back? To the Lotus Pack?" I looked at him, surprised."Yes. Hogan has already sent reinforcements, so there's no need for concern anymore. You handled things well this time, and I'll ensure Hogan acknowledges your contributions." He patted my shoulder, carefully avoiding any more personal gestures in public.In that fleeting moment, a twinge of disappointment hit me—it seemed our relationship couldn't be acknowledged openly."But I don't want to leave. We've just unearthed new clues about my family's murder."Truthfully, it wasn't just the case that made me want to stay; I was also worried about Julian's safety. Still, I held back from voicing all my concerns."It's too risky for you to stay. Once the war kicks off, I won't be able to ensure your safety," he argued."I promise I won't be a burden. I'm an Alpha, too," I said, offering him a reassuring smile.Julian hesitated for a moment before giving in. "Alright. But if the situation escalates, I'll have Mario
Cecilia POVThe neon lights washed the bar in a soft haze, the pounding music syncing with the turmoil in my heart.I unbuttoned the top of my shirt in a futile attempt to relieve the frustration within me. My friends laughed and drank nearby, but their joy couldn't scrub away the image of Julian with those twins.I wondered what they were doing right now."Why should I care?" I muttered, swirling the liquid in my glass aimlessly."Can I buy you a drink?" a deep voice interrupted my thoughts.As I looked up, I was startled to see a tall and handsome man standing in front of me. He had golden hair and high cheekbones. Although he was smiling, his icy eyes seemed to peer directly into my soul.I paused, eyeing my half-empty glass, but before I could respond, he was already signaling the bartender."Another one for her," he said, turning back to me with a smile that momentarily quickened my pulse."You seem like you could use some fun tonight," he remarked as he handed me the
Julian POVSeeing Cecilia's jealous expression earlier had doused my anger in an instant.I had called her more than ten times that night, but she didn't answer. I then realized she had left her phone in the room and was nowhere to be found.When I noticed Zara and Lamar were also missing, it became clear Cecilia had likely joined them. Still, sneaking out and breaking orders wasn't like her. After all, she had always adhered strictly to rules.The possibility of her being jealous of those twin sisters hadn't crossed my mind.The next morning, after a meeting with several generals, I asked Mario to linger as the room cleared."Did you bring in those twin sisters to drive Cecilia away intentionally? She has been a significant asset to us. Why do you harbor such hostility toward her?" I demanded."I don't hate her. I'm just preparing her for the reality of what it will be like when you find your mate," Mario responded nonchalantly, his demeanor unrepentant."I've waited over tw
Cecilia POVMy body quivered as I felt my wolf's strength swell within me, fueled by Nana's fervent desire to engage in battle. Casting one last glance at Julian, I raced to the balcony, leaped into the darkened sky, and landed deftly on the ground below. The cacophony of the ongoing battle enveloped me, the scent of the Rogues' pack sharp in my nostrils as I sprinted through the streets. By the time I dashed toward the battlefront, the werewolf soldiers behind me growled.I was their leader; victory was the only acceptable outcome.Yet, as I approached the fray, poised to shred the Rogues with tooth and claw, I sensed Julian's presence close behind, his protectiveness casting a long shadow over me. I pushed him away, urging him to concentrate on his own skirmishes.Zara's presence on my flank provided a comforting reassurance. As a night warrior, her movements were lethal and swift. Lamar was on my other side. As he growled under his breath, he swiftly shifted. Toweri
Cecilia POV"She's no longer a prostitute, so she has moved out of the military brothel."Thus, I told Zara what happened that day."It's good that you want to help others. But Amy, she definitely is no angel!""I'm just helping her find a new job and giving her a chance." I calmed Zara down. "Just move to the room next to mine if you don't want to see her.""No way! I'm not interested in third-wheeling you and Julian!" Zara curled her lip.Zara also heard Amy and Ellie insult me at the bar a few nights ago. For that reason, she had been regarding Amy with disfavor. I could fathom Zara's hostility toward Amy. Still, since she had been helping the refugees these past few days and hadn't witnessed Ellie's tragic death, she didn't understand my desire to help Amy.If truth be told, I wasn't that noble. I simply wanted to do something within my power to make myself feel at ease.The days that followed were busy yet peaceful. Most importantly, I saw hope resurfacing on the faces o
Cecilia POV"Oh, thank you." Julian casually slid the cufflink into his pocket.I swiftly pulled a long face. In my mind, I pondered how Julian's cufflink ended up in Rhea's possession. Although a cufflink wasn't a particularly personal item, she couldn't get it without physical intimacy. In fact, I could smell her scent on the cufflink through the pocket."Have you and Rhea known each other for a long time?" I mind-linked Julian after walking out of the military prostitutes' barracks."Yeah, but don't get me wrong. Nothing is going on between me and her," Julian quickly explained."Like I care!" I quickened my place huffily and left him behind. Based on their conversation earlier, it sure sounded like something did happen between him and Rhea."Mario, take the three of them to a new barrack." Julian sent the others away. Then, he caught up to me and grabbed my arm. "Cecilia, are you angry?""No, I'm not." I pretended to respond calmly. In reality, a surge of rage came over me.
Cecilia POVEllie's body was quickly sent for cremation after Alex was executed.I saw Layla and Ellie get tortured in my dream for two nights in a row. They were staring at me with wide eyes. It was as if they were begging for a helping hand that I couldn't give. In the end, the scene in my dream changed, and I became the one getting chained and whipped.I woke up with a start, and my body was drenched in sweat. For a moment, the torture I felt in my nightmare seemed to be real.Nonetheless, I couldn't shake off the feeling that this nightmare wasn't just my brain playing tricks on me. Instead, it served as a warning and a reminder."Julian, how many military prostitutes are there in the camp?" I rushed to Julian's office after getting up."I'm not sure. Why do you suddenly ask about this?" Julian put down the document in his hand, walked to me, kissed my forehead, and calmed my emotions."18," replied Mario, who stood on the side. "Oh, wait. It's 17 now.""I think we should a
Julian POVAmy was so frightened that she hid behind me and held my arm tightly, refusing to let go. For her safety, I decided not to push her away.Then, I gave Vahn a look, signaling him to cuff Alex.Cecilia stood beside me. She had a cold expression on her face as she looked down at Alex with her arms crossed.As for Alex, he showed no sign of fear. His fierce and flickering eyes shifted back and forth between us. It was as if he was already aware of his fate, considering he didn't even try to defend himself."Did you kill Ellie?""So what if I did? What are you going to do about it?""You think you can just walk off after taking someone's life?" I growled."She's just a prostitute!" he retorted and spat on the ground."Alex, you truly are beyond redemption. There was no point in me thinking so highly of you before!" Even Vahn couldn't help but chastise Alex."For your information, you seem never good at judging one's character." Cecilia rolled her eyes at Vahn before ask
Julian POV"Alex? Is he Freeda's subordinate?" I frowned. "He hasn't returned since last night?""That's right." Mario nodded. "We haven't been able to reach him. Do you want me to bring Freeda over for questioning?""Her again? How much trouble will she and her subordinates cause?" I slammed the table in anger. "Who are the other two? Investigate them as well.""One is under Alpha Cecilia's command, and the other is Alpha Ethan's subordinate," Mario explained while glancing at me and Ethan."Let me see which brat it is! I'll teach him a lesson!" Ethan rolled up his sleeves and was furious. Then, he assured me, "Don't worry, Prince Julian. I won't show any favoritism. If it turns out that one of my men is guilty, it's because I failed to discipline him. I'll take responsibility and accept the punishment."On the other hand, Cecilia didn't seem concerned about the other two. Instead, she walked over to Amy, who was sitting in the corner, and asked, "Amy, do you know Alex?""Yes
Julian POV"Doctor, can you estimate the time of death?" I asked."Judging by the body temperature and its condition, she must be dead for about 5 to 6 hours. Since it's now 9.30am., she likely died between 3am and 4am." Then, the doctor pressed on the body and showed us the livor mortis."See? The marks disappear quickly, which means the body is still fresh.""If that's the case, Cecilia definitely has nothing to do with it. I finished work with Mario around 1 A.M. last night and returned to rest." I cleared my throat and looked at Cecilia. "I was with her last night. She couldn't be involved in this."Cecilia looked at me in shock. Then, she mind-linked me and said, "Why did you lie? We weren't together last night. This has nothing to do with me. Yet, you're making it look like you're covering for a suspect. If this lie is exposed, it'll only make me look more suspicious."Before I could respond, Amy quietly questioned, "But she could've snuck out while you were asleep...""We
Julian POVAs Amy took me to the location of the body, I mind-linked Mario to tell him to bring the camp's doctor along.The body was in an abandoned warehouse next to the camp. It was less than 30 meters from the camp gate. When I arrived at the scene, I realized it was far more horrifying than I had imagined."She was injected with a large amount of wolfsbane and hallucinogens. The fatal injury might have been the tearing of her lower body, internal organ damage, and excessive bleeding," the doctor said with a sigh. Then, he continued, "This is just pure sadistic murder. However, there's no sign of semen in her body, nor any fingerprints on her. The killer is a professional one."Shortly after, a scout was assigned to investigate the case. Alas, he also found no clues after examining the body for a while."What were you and Ellie doing last night? Who did Ellie meet before she was killed?" I asked Amy."Ellie and I went to the bar together. I returned to the camp early becaus
Julian POVIn just three short days, Cecilia managed to gather a total of 300 million, and the amount kept growing."She's really helped us out once again. If she hadn't organized the fundraiser, we'd be facing some serious financial difficulties." Hogan's voice sounded cheerful over the phone."Yes, she's an impressive Alpha. Brave, intelligent, and responsible—""Enough about that. When are you coming back to Black Stone? Your mother misses you dearly." Hogan cut me off before I could finish listing Cecilia's strengths."I need to stay here to coordinate the rebuilding efforts in Ashfall. I can't leave just yet.""I'll send the experts myself if that's all it takes. There's no reason for you to—" Hogan's tone turned stern. "I know you're staying for her. She's doing well, but don't think that means she'll become the Luna of Valdora. I'm giving you one month to wrap things up and return!""All right."After ending the call, I let out a breath of relief. It wouldn't be easy to
Cecilia POVI stared at him, a hint of disbelief flashing in my eyes. "You mean to say you can't help at all? If it weren't for Freeda, your dear wife, these people wouldn't even be refugees in the first place! Don't you think you owe them some compensation?"Freeda interrupted sharply, "This isn't about refugees. This is about you playing the hero and trying to make yourself look good. Just because you have money and influence now doesn't mean others can throw money around recklessly."I blinked, taken aback by the malice in her tone. "This isn't about showing off. It's about saving lives, about helping people who have lost everything in the war. This isn't some competition."She stood, crossing her arms, her eyes narrowing as she faced me. "Oh, isn't it? You're here, putting on this grand fundraiser, expecting everyone to line up and donate. It's nothing more than emotional blackmail."My heart pounded, and a surge of anger rose within me. "It's not blackmail. No one is being fo