Kai I inhaled deeply, fighting to keep my temper in check. “I want her released to me this instant,” I said, each word measured and filled with intent. “May has committed no crime. She’s not the daughter of the Mad King. Simply being a relative doesn’t give her the power to ascend the throne. She poses no threat to anyone.” My voice hardened as I leaned into the phone, my grip tightening. “This is an intrusion. It’s a challenge to my authority. Arresting someone under my protection without my consent is an insult I will not tolerate. Consider this my final word on the matter.” The silence on the other end of the line spoke volumes, but I didn’t care. They had crossed a line, and I intended to make sure they understood that. May wasn’t just a pawn in some political game—not anymore. I would see to it that no one dared disrespect my authority again. “I’ll pass on the message,” Edmond said cautiously. “I’m sure Abraham will release her to you, but you’ll need to make her available for
AdashaThe knot in my stomach refused to loosen, no matter how many calming breaths I took. I had been restless all day, caught between the dread of the council’s summons and the fragile hope that it wouldn’t end everything—not just yet.Rationally, I knew better. My relationship with Kai had always been walking a tightrope, strung too thin by circumstances I couldn’t control.There was no future for us; I understood that.Yet a selfish part of me wished for just a little more time. Time before Randy tracked me down, or before I’d have to vanish for the safety of Eldenberge.Mirabel, ever observant, must have noticed my unease. She coaxed me outside for a walk through the garden, her gentle persistence impossible to refuse.The scene was lovely—vivid blooms swayed in the afternoon breeze, their colors a riot of life against the manicured greenery.Yet the beauty did little to soothe my turmoil. The world felt like a painting behind glass, unreachable and distant.“What’s the matter, m
AdashaThe evening breeze was a cool, soothing balm against the heat of my thoughts.The night was beautiful in its simplicity—the full moon hung high, casting a silver glow over everything, while the stars scattered across the sky like a thousand tiny promises.It was the kind of night made for companionship, for shared laughter, or quiet moments spent in someone’s arms. But I was alone, and the ache of that solitude weighed heavily on my chest.A soft click from the door startled me, pulling me from my reverie. The faint creak as it opened made my heart skip, and then his scent reached me—woodsy, warm, and unmistakably him.My pulse quickened, a reaction so natural and involuntary it betrayed every effort to keep my emotions guarded.I set the brush down with trembling fingers and turned from the balcony’s edge. There he was, standing in the doorway, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight.Kai’s presence filled the space effortlessly, and I couldn’t help but drink in the sight of him.
Adasha“I was rushing home to you, Adasha,” Kai murmured, his voice thick with a mix of longing and frustration.His words wrapped around me, heavy with meaning, but it was the sudden flash of his wolf in his eyes that stole my breath.The gleam was primal, magnetic, and I couldn’t look away.“You say you didn’t miss me?” he asked, his voice dropping an octave, rough and tinged with challenge.I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came. My throat was dry, my voice stolen by the heat of his gaze. I shook my head instead, though we both knew the truth.“Do you know what you do to me? To my wolf?” he asked, his tone lower now, almost a growl. I shook my head again, still unable to speak, my chest rising and falling with shallow, rapid breaths.“Sometimes,” he murmured, his lips curling into a wicked smile, “words can’t say it all.”Before I could comprehend his meaning, he released my hands, his movements swift yet deliberate, and lifted me effortlessly.My back pressed against the c
AdashaA low growl rumbled in his chest, and in that moment, he couldn’t hold back any longer.With a sharp, smooth motion, he thrust himself into me, and I gasped as relief washed over me, followed by a new wave of anticipation.My world narrowed to the feel of him—his heat, his rhythm, the way he filled every part of me.Nothing else mattered. In that moment, I was his, completely.“Fuck! You’re ready,” Kai groaned, his voice deep and guttural, a raw expression of his desire.He began to move, his thrusts wild and unrelenting. Each motion filled me completely, every inch of him claiming me.I could feel him everywhere, his presence overwhelming and consuming in the best possible way.“Next time,” he teased between breaths, his lips curving into a wicked smile, “you’ll remember how good it feels with me buried inside you—and you won’t lie about missing me.”His words sent a jolt of heat through me, adding fuel to the fire already raging within.Kai knew my body as though it were his
Randy"Alpha Redwolf said he’ll look into it," Abraham’s voice rumbled through the phone, steady but tinged with an edge of weariness.As the head of the Alpha Council, his words carried weight. They should have brought me relief. They didn’t."However," he continued, his tone deliberate, "he’s prohibiting your men from entering his territory to question his people. Instead, he’ll handle the investigation himself. My advice? Wait for his response and avoid doing anything rash. We all know how Malachi can be."He sighed, the sound heavy with the burden of countless disputes and resolutions.I clenched the phone tighter, forcing myself to stay composed."Very well, then. Thank you for making it a priority. I look forward to a favorable outcome." My words felt hollow, like a desperate formality to end the conversation.But Abraham wasn’t done."Do you know anyone who might want to harm her—or you?" he asked, his voice sharp now, probing.A chill crawled down my spine. "Why do you ask?" I
RandyJacob didn’t return until nightfall. I remained in my office the entire day, tethered to the space like a man awaiting judgment. I didn’t dare leave, just in case swift action was required.Normally, I would have closed early, eager to rush home to my wife. But she wasn’t home anymore.The apartment, once warm with her presence, now felt cold and hollow, a cavern of memories that twisted the knife of regret deeper with each passing second.Staying there had become a form of torture—my own mind, my worst enemy.The past haunted me relentlessly. Every mistake I’d made played on an endless loop: the things I should have done, the words I shouldn’t have said, the love I should have shown.Regret clung to me like a second skin, a constant reminder of my failures.I should have cherished her. Loved her. Protected her.If I had been the man she deserved, maybe she’d still be here. But I’d let paranoia, jealousy, and fear poison everything.Now, all that remained was the hollow shell of
RandyJacob and I entered the interrogation room, the air thick with tension. Marvin and Lois sat chained in silver, their faces a mix of defiance and fear.Marvin looked worse for wear, his bruised face a testament to Jacob’s fury.Knowing him, I could only imagine the lengths he’d gone to while tracking them down—and the frustration that had driven him to this point.I couldn’t blame him. I might have done the same.What should have been a straightforward situation had spiraled into chaos, all because of their selfishness."Alpha Olsen! Alpha Olsen, look at what Beta Osborne did to me!" Marvin cried out, his voice grating and pitiful.Jacob let out a low growl, his annoyance brimming just beneath the surface."If you hadn’t run—if you hadn’t forced us to chase you halfway to hell and back—I wouldn’t have had to beat your sorry ass," Jacob snapped, his words laced with scorn."Do you have any idea what you almost caused? What Draco would’ve done if he found Westerners trespassing on
Adasha“Even you, Magnus?” Laura said, her voice trembling with disbelief as she turned to him.I had expected her to say that—Magnus was from Rivercreek, her home, after all.Magnus looked genuinely pained, his expression filled with regret, but he didn’t waver.“Sorry, Luna,” he said, his voice soft but firm. “But Alpha’s word is law.”Laura’s eyes darted back to Kai, searching his face for any hint of hesitation.“You’re serious about this,” she said, her tone incredulous. “You would actually throw me into a cell… for her?” She spat the word with venom, her gaze flicking to me with a mixture of contempt and desperation.But Kai didn’t respond.He didn’t even look at her. His silence was deafening, a clear statement that he was done talking. The weight of his unspoken words hung in the air, suffocating and final.“Malachi, this is extreme!” Ingrid interjected, rising from her seat. “Laura is legally your wife. You can’t humiliate her like this! What will her people say? This is wron
AdashaThe room was deathly silent, but Laura wasn’t done. Her voice sliced through the tension like a jagged blade, oblivious to the storm brewing in front of her.I could feel Kai’s rage, simmering and raw, and I wondered how he would handle this. Laura, blind to the signs, pressed on, her words brimming with fury and indignation.“You brought this upon yourself,” she said, her voice trembling with both anger and unshed tears. “By the time I’m through with the Easterners in the South, you’ll regret what you’ve done to my people—simply because they refused to serve your whore.”The venom in her tone stung, but the room was charged with something far more dangerous. Kai was vibrating with fury, his jaw tight, his entire frame coiled like a predator about to strike.The foolishness of Laura’s inability to recognise the line she had crossed was staggering.“Darius,” Kai said suddenly, his voice so cold and calm that it sent a shiver down my spine. “Did you get that last part?”“Yes, Alp
AdashaBreakfast was served in the dining room, a larger, more formal setting than usual. Kai had insisted on addressing his officers after the summons, and though it made me uneasy to eat in a room with other people, I understood the necessity.Normally, Kai would have adjusted his routine for my comfort, but this was one of those times where duty took precedence.As we entered the room, I immediately noticed there were five people seated instead of the three I had expected. The extra two—Ingrid and Laura—were impossible to miss. My chest tightened at the sight of them, but I quickly reminded myself of Kai’s promise. His assurance was all that mattered.With measured composure, I took my seat beside him. Darius and Gabe greeted me warmly, their respect evident in their tone and demeanor.Magnus followed suit, though there was an unmistakable hint of confusion in his expression, as if he was piecing together a puzzle no one had explained to him.I returned their greetings, extending
AdashaKai’s eyes locked onto mine, unwavering and intense, as he gently brushed my cheek with his thumb. The touch was soft, almost reverent, but it carried a weight that made my heart ache.“You worry too much, Adasha,” he said, his voice steady, soothing. His gaze didn’t waver, as if he were trying to reach the deepest part of me, the part that was still scared, still unsure. “You need to learn to trust.”I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat threatening to choke me.“I know you’ve been through so much,” he continued, his tone softening even further. “But not this. I’m not Randy, Adasha, and I never will be. I don’t aspire to be like him. What we have… it’s rare. Scarce. Ordained.” He let the words settle between us, his hand never leaving my face. “I’d be a fool to throw it away—or let anyone take it from me.”His eyes darkened, a fire kindling in their depths. “I’ll find a way to make this work, I promise. And I won’t have a Luna other than you, Adasha.”His words were a vow, s
AdashaMorning crept in, the soft light painting delicate patterns on the walls. Kai was still beside me, his presence a quiet weight on the bed. It was unusual—he was always the first to rise.Perhaps the journey had drained him more than I realized. My thoughts swirled around the summons he attended with Laura and Ingrid, and unease pooled in my chest.It had to be about his bond with Laura. The idea tugged at something deep within me, a quiet ache I tried to bury.I hated the helplessness of it all, the knowledge that this was beyond my control.I turned my gaze to him, his face soft in sleep, the tension he usually carried smoothed away. For a moment, he looked almost vulnerable. I slipped out of bed carefully, the cool floor grounding me as I moved toward the shower.The steaming water offered a temporary reprieve, washing away the tangled emotions I couldn’t name. When I emerged, toweling my hair, Kai stirred. He blinked lazily, his sharp eyes focusing on me.“Why aren’t you in
RandyMarvin’s tears flowed freely, his face a mask of despair. He knew—knew deeply—that he was in immeasurable trouble with me.He had violated our agreement, shattered what little trust I had given him, and, worst of all, placed a target squarely on Adasha’s back.If she hadn’t run away, none of this would have unraveled. I wouldn’t have needed to arrest Jason, wouldn’t have discovered the full extent of their treachery.These two were evil—loyal to no one but their own selfish interests. Adasha was no longer theirs.They had sold her to me years ago, and now they had tried to sell her again.They weren’t just failures—they were scum. Fraudsters. Betrayers.There was no excuse for what they had done.I shifted my gaze to Lois, who was trembling as she cried, and motioned for her to continue. I needed every piece of information before I decided how to act."Jason tried to get Marvin to tell him who the person was," Lois said, her voice shaking as she spoke. "But Marvin refused. He sa
Randy"So, you decided to reach out to your regional Alpha—me—and offer her to me for a fee, as if you were some bounty hunters," I said coldly, my voice cutting through the heavy silence."That way, you wouldn’t get in trouble for it… right?"Lois didn’t answer. She didn’t have to. Her silence was confession enough.The memory burned fresh in my mind.They’d offered her to me as if they were doing me a favour, presenting her as though she was a prize to be claimed.To them, she wasn’t a child—they saw her as a way to avoid danger and even profit. After all, the Twelve Families’ prerogative was clear: eradicate the Mad King’s bloodline at all costs.Adasha was no ordinary child. She was premium prey, a direct descendant of the Mad King himself.But when I laid eyes on her, everything changed.I knew, in that moment, that I couldn’t let anything happen to her. Not her.Instead of handing her over to the council, I did something I thought was right at the time.I paid Marvin and Lois mo
RandyI could see Lois was nervous, her hands trembling as she wiped at her tear-streaked face. But I didn’t interrupt her.She needed space to speak, to breathe.She knew she had no other choice—she had to tell the truth, and she knew it."The woman told us she could help us adopt," Lois began, her voice quivering. "She said there was a child available… but the child wasn’t in the system. I didn’t ask why."She paused, her gaze darting to Marvin before lowering to her lap."I guess… I guess my desperation clouded my judgment. She told us she could arrange everything—papers, custody—all of it. There was only one condition." Lois swallowed hard."We were never to return to the southern border. Ever."Her voice faltered, and she wiped her eyes again."At the time, it didn’t seem like much of a condition. We weren’t from the south. We had no ties there. It felt like such a small thing to agree to."I watched her intently, every word she spoke deepening the gravity of their situation."It
Randy"I swear that’s the truth," Marvin said, his voice shaky, eyes pleading for mercy. I turned to Jacob, my expression unreadable."I’ll give you some time to think it over," I said coldly, releasing the chain in my hand. It clattered loudly, a sound that seemed to echo Marvin’s faltering confidence."In the meantime," I continued, my voice firm, "you’re going to tell me everything about how you adopted my wife. I want to know why you adopted her, which Alpha sanctioned it, and whether you’re still in contact with the people who gave her to you."I shifted my attention to Lois, her nervousness written all over her face."I’ll give you a chance to answer, Lois. And believe me, what’s about to happen to your husband for lying to me will happen to you, too, if you don’t start talking."Her eyes widened in terror, but the weight of my words didn’t seem to fully register until two guards stepped into the room, their presence commanding and grim.They moved with quiet efficiency, their i