RYDEN “Hello, Head Council Victor.” Amelia took a seat across from him at the table. We took the back exit door to enter a fancy coffee shop, but not without paying the staff because we didn’t want to tip off his details were waiting outside. “Ryden, Amelia. How did you find me?” Surprised, his eyes widened to see us. “Well, I’m good at what I do, finding people. There are only two ways they could be hiding; underground or in plain sight. And it’s easier to find you than logging in to the council database. I wonder why is that?” Amelia picked up a cornetto on the plate, tore it in two, and shoved the half into her mouth. So unladylike but hot at the same time. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched her chew while talking. “Why are you looking for Alec Webster’s itinerary? I told you to look into the attackers, not him.” He simply sipped his tea and didn’t even care about Amelia’s behavior before him. “Why? Because he’s untouchable? Literary.” He turned to me. “What do you know
AMELIA “Ladies and gentlemen, alphas, lunas, and elders, thank you for coming to witness this beautiful moment of my life. Tonight, we celebrate.” Ryden smiled at our guests. If Ryden was hot in casual clothing, in a Tux, my ovaries would beg to pop his kids. He looked like he was going to attend a high-level security gala. Yes, he was worth a billion bucks tonight. “May I call Amelia to join me?” Wait. What? We did not talk about this. I wasn’t even aware of what this celebration was all about. I knew his birthday, and it was definitely not today. “Go, honey.” Mom smiled and kissed me on the cheek. Dad subtly nodded. I felt like they knew something I didn’t. Goddess, I hoped I wouldn’t trip in my pretty Jimmy Choo pumps, Ren bought for me months ago when I told him I couldn’t go with him for a charity event because I didn’t have a pair of heels. He offered a hand as I was two steps from him at the threshold. He then smiled as if he had something up his sleeves. “You look beaut
RYDEN “Do you think you deserve him?” Nora stood before Amelia, eyes blazing with anger. “You don’t. He’s the alpha. You don’t even fit to be his lover, let alone Luna.” “Don’t.” I gave Nora a fair warning. “Don’t insult her. She’s my wife now. She’s the Luna of this pack. As a part of this pack, you show her some respect, a respect that every luna gets.” She swallowed hard and dropped her gaze before she walked away. Amelia was about to say something but faced me and shrugged. “I was handling it.” “You didn’t plan on burning her eyebrows, did you?” I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her softly on her red fucking lips. It looked sinful. “Don’t look at me like that.” I gave her my most innocent look. “Like what exactly?” She laughed softly in my thoughts. “Like you wanna undo your belt, unzip your pants while I was on my knees before you.” “Fuck. That was very detailed. You’re making me hard right now.” I kissed her on the cheek before I whispered, “Are you wet for me?”
AMELIA “I can’t believe you made me do this,” I complained first but did as he asked me to do, but not before he cursed inside his car. I took off my panties and showed him the black lacy thong I wore. “So you do wear one.” He stole it from me, balled it in his hand, and inhaled it like his favorite perfume. “You’re fucking wet. Since when?” I felt my skin tightened. “Since we talked about me being at your mercy.” “Fuck.” He grabbed me by the back of my neck and smashed his mouth into mine in a hot and wild kiss. The place where we were right now should be romantic, but his car didn’t have much space. It didn’t stop me though, from making him feel good. I fumbled to undo his belt, unfastened his zipper, and grabbed his hard dick, freeing him from his boxers. It was soft and warm in my grip, and hard at the same time. He groaned against our mouths, biting softly my bottom lip before I gave him access to glide his tongue inside, sliding over with mine. I moaned as I started pump
RYDEN “Your dad told me the note is cleaned.” I joined her on the couch as I promised to take a day off with pack business and other matters. Zeph ran the lodge and the Crimson Corp, so I knew they were in good hands. “I thought no pack business.” She grabbed the steaming mug of coffee and sipped it. “Sorry. Just wanna update you.” “Did you notice something last night?” I smiled as I pressed my lips to hers. “I thought we were gonna watch movies and order pizza later.” She giggled, and rested her head on my shoulder, her feet on top of the coffee table. Her toenails painted blood red. “Fine. We can talk about it. Just not work on it.” “Right.” I kissed her hair as I turned the TV on and chose a giant streaming app. “What did you notice about last night?” “Can you choose a series for us?” “No drama.” “I hate drama,” she echoed. “Let’s watch The Vikings or The Last Kingdom.” “So you have a thing with medieval guys or just the theme of the show.” I placed my palm on her thig
AMELIA My phone rang, and it was from an unknown number. “Hello? Hello.” Nobody answered from the other line. “Who’s this?” The call ended. “Is everything okay?” Ren asked while I was still looking at the phone screen. “Wrong number.” “I thought you were taking a break. Where exactly are we going?” “Theia, if she said she’s taking a break, she means to say, she’s doing other extra activities,” Ren said from the passenger’s seat. “You should have stopped asking her a long time ago.“I’m not comfortable sitting in the backseat,” she complained as she used to be behind the wheel. “We’re not going far. Just away from his house.” “Hmm. Interesting,” she mumbled.I parked the car at the clearing. We were still in Ryden’s territory. At least, he wouldn’t see us sneaking out. I photocopied Ryden’s new proposal for investors earlier. I knew I went behind his back, but I had good intentions. I wanted to help as much as I could. His business may be his problem, but he wasn’t alone anym
RYDEN “Wow. Chopsticks.” I didn’t know what to say, but grateful, and at the same time confused. “Why chopsticks? Is there a meaning behind it?” It was made of steel with a serpentine design at the handle. “Silly. It’s Kanzashi.” I still didn’t know what that was. “A what?”“A hair accessory. It comes in several varieties. Beautiful,” she said as she examined it. Then she twisted the nob as if she’d seen it before. I heard a soft click. Then the sharp point popped up, shining against the light. “Holy shit. A weapon?” “Yup. I’m pretty sure it’s laced with poison.” She twisted it back, giving me the other one. “One for you, one for me.” I chuckled as I took it from her. “Do you expect me to grow hair and use it, ladybug?” “Keep it in your jacket pocket, or your pencil holder on top of your desk. It may come in handy,” she said as she put her Kanzashi back into the box. “You should resume your training with the sword, Alpha.” “I’ll give Ren a heads-up. Thanks.” I kissed her on
AMELIA “What are you doing?” Ryden came from behind, his arms snaked around me, cupping my breasts. “Leave that for later. I need you now.” “It can’t wait, Ryden. I’m almost done, anyway.” He shushed me, sliding his hands into the black lingerie I was wearing. I already bit my bottom lip to stifle my moan when he got to rub his thumb against my sensitive nipples. “Alpha.” I bit my bottom lip harder, it might bleed. His fingers just rolled my nipples, pinching them to almost painful, yet, I could feel my body reacting against his touch. My skin felt hot. My breathing hitched. My head dropped back, resting against his chest, and I felt his cock growing hard pressed against my butt. “I want you,” he whispered, voice raspy and breathy, spreading goosebumps all over my skin. He shut the laptop and put it aside, grabbing me by my waist to the middle of the bed. “You’re such a dick sometimes.” “I’ve been called worse. Get naked and spread your legs for me. I miss the taste of your pu
RYDEN “Oh, so the Avengers have arrived.” Amelia looked at everyone, including Zarah, on the dining table. I took another slice of the steak and shoved it into my mouth, and I felt her gaze on me. “I’m starving. I wasn’t aware lying there like dead could starve me this much.” “Your body was recuperating, and you were lying there without food for three days. What do you expect?” Zarah said, grabbing some roasted asparagus. “Easy, Ryden. It would be too awful to die from choking. Headline: Alpha Ryden has lost his life to steak.” She did a little drama with her fingers. “Let him eat, Amelia. He needs the three-day meal he missed.” Sebastien watched me while he sipped his wine. “What matters is he made a full recovery.” “Thanks, Alpha King. Once this matter is over, we’ll be out of your hair.” “I’m not kicking you out. Take your time, Ryden. Your presence here takes Zarah away from her work. She has spent a lot of time here with me for the past three days.” “You make me look bad,
AMELIA “Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked me, his voice soft as butter. “How are you feeling? Really.” “Aside from starving, I’m feeling good. I got a better idea to feed my hunger.” I got a better idea, too. I had no doubt he wanted me. I could see it in his eyes and feel it in his touch. His lips were a thread to mine when I pressed my finger against his own. “Ryden, you almost died. Whatever you are hungry for right now, that can wait.” He groaned as he dramatically pulled away from me and lay back on the bed. “I just missed you, ladybug.” “So do I. I was so worried about you, Ryden. I thought you wouldn’t going to make it. Rest your body. We’ll do it once you’re completely healed.” “Zarah told me that she has to make you sleep.” “Make me? What’s that supposed to mean?” She stared down at me, reading my face. “You wouldn’t leave my bed. She magically put you asleep like Sleeping Beauty. On the other thought, she did the right thing.” He traced his thumb on my
RYDEN I cracked my eyes open to an unfamiliar room, yet I knew where I was as the smell of sage and spices assaulted my nostrils. “Well, welcome back to the world of living.” I tried to clear my throat but I was so parched. “Zarah.” “You’re alive. You should thank the goddess and your annoying stubborn mate.” I turned my head at her. She looked stubborn as well. Her arms crossed over her chest. “How long I’ve been out?” “It doesn’t matter.” “How’s everyone?” I propped my elbows so I could get up She shook her head in annoyance and pressed the button. “You’re not going anywhere, Ryden. The next time you get injured, I won’t be coming to heal your sorry ass.” “Thank you.” I accepted the glass of water she offered and took a sip from it. “Where’s Amelia?” “Sleeping. Resting. She’d been up for more than a day since they brought you here. If I didn’t let her sleep, she would still be here watching you until you wake up.” “You mean you put her to sleep.” I chuckled. I knew how Am
AMELIA “Why he hasn’t woken up? It’s been eighteen hours, Zarah.” I watched Ryden still unconscious in bed. The portal took us to Italy, where there was an infirmary, and where Zarah had a den and conducted her magic. “You should rest and get some sleep. He needs you when he wakes up, Amelia. I will take care of him. You have my word.” I shook my head stubbornly. “I can’t sleep. I can’t rest. I can’t breathe until I know he’s okay and will wake up soon.” “Now you sound like a wife and a luna. He’s recuperating right now. He has internal bleeding. A lobe of his left lung is punctured. He should be dead by now if he wasn’t strong enough that he still chose to find you instead of getting treatment. You owe him that much, Amelia. Now go and rest.” I blew a breath. I was beyond exhausted. I was even surprised I hadn’t fallen to the ground, and I had barely eaten since we got here. “Maybe I should call my mom.” I pressed my lips on his forehead. He was warm which was a good sign. “N
RYDEN I wasn’t healing fast. I was losing my strength quickly. I knew I had broken bones, and something wrong inside me that made me difficult to breathe. I was even surprised I was still able to shift earlier. I could barely stand but Amelia was still out there, waiting for my help. The moment my pack managed to escape into the woods, I felt relieved. I knew they could make it out even if they scattered everywhere. We could regroup later once Amelia was safe. “Ryden!” I was still in wolf form when someone called my name. Zeph jumped off the tree and dropped some clothes for me. “Thank Goddess, you’re okay.” I quickly shifted back. My bones were cracking, and I instantly felt a couple of broken bones. “I’m not okay, Zeph. They have your sister. Goddess, why did she have to be—? Fuck!” I couldn’t even breathe without struggling. “What’s wrong?” He looked at my chest. The bruises were getting worse, turning purple quickly. “Oh, shit.” “Yup.” I tried to move my shoulder back, but
AMELIA They’d been fighting for half an hour now. They were both bloody, and breathing hard, but none of them wanted to give up. There was something weird going on with Alec. He came prepared. For a man in his fifties, probably twice in human age, he was strong, like he was on steroids. “This is taking too long.” Zeph became more anxious, constantly sighing when Ryden received another kick in the chest. Our pack just gasped, hearing that crack, surely he just got another broken bone. “That’s not good.” My heart bled, and couldn’t compensate for pumping so hard as Ryden fell to the ground. “He’s taking a lot of punches and kicks, why isn’t he even trying hard to fight back, Amelia?” I narrowed my eyes at Theia. “I don’t know, but Alec seems on magic steroids.” “Yes. He has something going on in him,” Ren agreed. I hadn’t told him the sword was gone. I stared at Walker with my jaw clenched as he watched the fight. That son of a bitch. He seemed to grind his jaw hard every time R
AMELIA “Can we talk?” “Nope. I’m done talking, and we have nothing to talk about. You made it pretty clear. The only decisions matter are yours, and you chose not to involve me. I respect an alpha’s decision.” “Amelia, that’s not—” “That’s not what, Ryden?” I glared at him. “I came here only to help heal my brother, but I put my plans, my life on hold for you because you’re my mate, and I would do everything in a heartbeat for you, but right now, after what you did? I don’t think I will risk my life for you again. You’re not the mate I risked my life for, the man I married, and the alpha I swore my loyalty to.” I didn’t want to say some shits that I would regret later. I went into his closet and grabbed my backpack. “What are you doing?” I heard the panic in his voice behind me. “I can’t watch you get yourself killed. I don’t want to lie about my feelings for you.” I felt his grip on my arm, forcing me to face him. “You’re leaving me?” “I’m leaving, yes.” I met his gaze, makin
RYDEN “If you’re so suicidal to fight Alec tomorrow why didn’t you just slash their throats when you got the chance?” she said harshly. Her gaze grew serious. I groaned in exasperation. “I have plans, Amelia. Don’t worry, it will work.” “And what is it?” She glared at me before getting into the passenger’s seat. “You’re acting out of anger. You’re illogical.” “I can’t tell you right now.” I joined her back in the car. She shook her head in disappointment. “Because you don’t trust me enough to share your plan with me. You don’t see me as the Luna of the pack. You don’t see me as your equal. Why am I wasting my time here with you if I can’t be useful?” “That’s not true.” My voice was low and urgent, eyes still blazing with fury. “That’s the truth, Ryden!” She wiped her face and looked outside the window. “Don’t talk to me.” Amelia was fuming in her seat. She hadn’t said a word, but working in her truckload of anger not to light this car to flames. She had no idea what betrayals
RYDEN “I’m sure you know what’s taste of vengeance is like, Alec. And I’m not here to threaten you. I want that man before sunset today or I will find a way to cut his head off and give it to you as a present.” He snorted, shaking his head. “You think you’re so brave and smart, Ryden, but you’re not.” “I know I’m neither of those, but when people come to me and hurt the people I care about, I don’t need to be smart or to be brave. I do what’s necessary.” “Yet, you haven’t found the people responsible for the attack on your pack house. You’re too busy finding the, what do you call it, wraiths? Yes, I know every plan you make. I know everything about you, especially that woman you call mate. I know her secret, too.” I didn’t have to listen or react. He’d already anticipated I would be pissed off. I stayed calm as if he wasn’t trying to intimidate us both. “Then you should be very careful.” “You should be, Ryden. If I wanted to kill you, I could have done it already, and you would