Brent nodded silently, stealing a final longing glance toward where Xavier and I stood, then followed Lord Thamuz as he ascended the stairs.Xavier seemed to shake himself free from whatever had held him captive, lifting his hand to gently cup my face. His eyes searched mine while I mirrored his gesture. "Do you feel that?" I breathed in awe as my fingers trailed down his cheeks and across his lips."Mate..." Xavier growled in a rich, husky voice. He nodded as his wolf surged forward, its presence sitting boldly in his gaze.In all the time I had known him, I had never heard Xavier speak in such a tone, and it sent a delightful shiver of anticipation and longing down my spine as he looked at me."Finally... after all this time in darkness... my fated mate..." his wolf spoke hoarsely, disbelief coloring its voice as it almost cracked. "I found you... I am not... alone... anymore..."My heart leaped to my throat as Maine, my wolf, howled her sadness and grief at his past suffering, reso
Scowling, she turned around only to be met with a look of horror. She watched the demon beside Lord Thamuz shift from its faceless, genderless form to precisely replicate Xavier's image once more, teasing her with a wink and mockingly blowing her a kiss.Eve's face turned pale as realization set in, her mouth agape in disbelief. Moments later, a wail of disgust filled the corridors, her voice promising violence as the guards dragged her away.Leah snorted, watching Eve's forced exit, and waved casually at the mimic beside her father. "Franklyn isn't so bad, you know? He's one of the few who seem to have an intelligence that others of his kind lack," she whispered to Xavier and me, offering a light salute to the mimic.Alpha King Leo observed Eve's disgraceful exit with a mixture of sadness and fury, now painfully aware that everything he believed about Nerissa and Eve was a complete farce. Guilt surged within him as he felt the once-familiar stirrings of his wolf, a sensation absent f
Xavier POVThe group of individuals who had access to the sensitive information necessary to successfully sabotage my business interests was remarkably small. Coupled with this was the fact that security measures within the pack were so meticulously controlled that the culprit could only have been someone on the inside, and alarmingly close to me. This growing suspicion made me increasingly wary of the man I once considered my closest friend.I scowled deeply at the scenery passing by the window as memories of that difficult period resurfaced. I never discovered who was responsible for those issues—they simply ceased without warning. Despite my efforts to provoke the culprits into revealing themselves, they never resurfaced.The cessation of these attacks did not coincide with any deaths or hospitalizations, nor were there any significant shifts in power within the boards of directors, leaving me to ponder over the mystery ever since.As we drove up the long driveway leading to the pa
Anastasia POV "Oh, what the heck!" I exclaimed, startled by the sudden intrusion. Leah raised an inquisitive eyebrow while Xavier gave me a benign smile."The perks of the mate bond, my love," Xavier murmured inside my head, as Maine rolled around gleefully. "Now I can hear all your thoughts, your deepest desires, your most intimate fantasies..." His voice echoed in my mind, and I blushed a deep shade of crimson.Leah quickly realized what was happening and feigned gagging noises by sticking her fingers into her mouth. "Please, if you two are going to have such intimate exchanges in each other's heads, can you not do it around me? You're such insatiable furballs..." she muttered in annoyance."You're one to talk," a sarcastic voice interrupted from behind, as Alvin casually entered and seated himself across from Leah, scowling in her direction.Leah looked flustered for a brief moment but swiftly regained her nonchalant demeanor. "Amazing, isn't it?" she retorted sarcastically. "Not
'It's your foolish father I'm most concerned about. He's been under Nerissa's control for so long. How can we be sure that witch has completely withdrawn her influence over him?'I grimaced, acknowledging the truth in her words. 'I guess we'll just have to wait and see. They likely won't delay the trial for too long. They can't risk news spreading, which would only fuel the fire for those packs advocating for the monarchy to be dismantled,' I sighed heavily.'I can't blame them, though. It's been quite the catastrophe with your father leading since Nerissa entered the picture. They just need a firm hand and proper guidance again. That shouldn't be an issue with us as the ruling Alpha Queen,' Maine replied with a smirk.'Ruling, though? I have no idea where to begin,' I confessed, my stomach twisting with nerves.Maine snorted. 'We'll be fine. You have at least some understanding of diplomacy from all the events you attended with your father. It's just a matter of waiting for the old c
"Only you..." I murmured hoarsely, and Xavier chuckled, "Let me taste you... just a little..." I almost begged, the tantalizing sight so close that I could feel my body responding without any further touch.Xavier inhaled deeply, his eyes darkening as he grinned down at me. "Not tonight, princess. Tonight, you need to be punished for running away and not listening...""No back talk, princess. From what I gather, you were all tied up, and I couldn't even take advantage of that..." Xavier's hoarse whisper tickled my ear. "Do you understand the contradiction of wanting to ensure no one ever restrains you against your will, yet being consumed by the desire to have you defenseless in a room, completely naked and available solely for my pleasure?"A shiver ran down my spine as his husky voice murmured in my ear. I probably shouldn't have found it so enticing, but the idea of being entirely at his mercy excited me far more than I could have anticipated."Something tells me you would indeed e
As I huffed in frustration, his fingers tangled through my hair, gently pulling my head back as he cupped my breast with his free hand. He took my nipple between his thumb and forefinger, applying gentle pressure as he teased it softly. His insistent thrusts caused my body to curve into a seductive arch, driving him wild with desire.Xavier's gaze swept over my form, admiring me in my entirety, fantasizing about all the years he would have to worship this temple of a deity that stood before him. My body would be his sacred ground, and he intended to honor it every single day.His inner wolf asserted itself, eyeing me hungrily from behind. With a burning need for his mate that rivaled, if not surpassed, Xavier's own ardor, it increased the urgency to claim me fully. It was an ancient, primal urge that refused to be suppressed.He leaned over me gently, his chest warm against my back, and positioned himself at my entrance. His voice was a husky whisper in my ear, filled with promise and
I tossed the quilt aside, quickly making my way to the bathroom to shower and prepare for the day as Xavier's laughter echoed behind me. By the time we finally descended the stairs to the kitchen diner, Leah was already lounging lazily in one of the chairs, a cup of coffee cradled in her hands, while watching Alvin with a mischievous glint in her eyes.Alvin's expression, on the other hand, was far from amused. As soon as we entered, he approached, lowering his voice to a whisper filled with exasperation."Luna, please pardon me, for I know she's your friend, but... must she linger here much longer? Her presence is... quite unbearable!" he murmured, clearly annoyed."Aww, thanks, love! I adore you too!" Leah called out teasingly, a smile spreading across her face.Alvin turned sharply, glaring at her with a deeply furrowed brow. "Listen, I was talking about you, not to you! As you may not be aware, being unbearable is hardly a compliment," he hissed, the vein in his temple pulsing in
With a dramatic sigh, she grinned at him, clearly savoring the moment. "The Exim Coven serves the demon Lord Magnus, a power beyond anything you have encountered. Our ambition is to rise again, to see our numbers grow and reclaim our position as the rightful rulers of this Kingdom!" Her voice brimmed with fervor as she spoke of her master's power.Leah snorted, leaning back in her seat with disbelief written all over her face. "That little prick managed to establish a foothold here?" she muttered incredulously, only to be silenced by a sharp look from Alvin. She rolled her eyes but kept her focus on Nerissa's admissions."Continue," Leo instructed, as soft whispers began to float around us. "Years ago, we were dispatched to infiltrate positions of power and claw our way to dominance. Whether you admit it or not, my siblings are among you, and you'll realize only when it's too late. If you doubt me, ask Alpha Calixto... he's been oddly silent about Thompson's imprisonment, hasn't he? R
Nerissa's eyes widened briefly in terror, her body momentarily freezing as the color faded from her face, and her eyes glazed over. Once she regained her composure, she assumed that all-too-familiar disdainful sneer and spat on the glass before her."You insufferable bastard. All this time, you possessed abilities you never revealed to me, and now you dare use them on me?! How is this any different from the use of magic?!"Leo remained silent, gazing at her with an expression of deep contemplation."Did you play a role in weakening and eventually severing the bond with my former wife?" he asked evenly, his voice devoid of emotion.If anything, he seemed resigned to uncovering the truth, no matter how unpleasant it might be. It was evident that Nerissa was desperately attempting to resist the forces compelling her to answer, but the more she delayed, the more Leo's royal command appeared to affect her.As the seconds ticked away, her body seemed to be wracked with increasingly intense
For a moment, it seemed Leah might retaliate, but the sound of heavy doors opening and the unmistakable thud of the Elders' golems entering interrupted whatever she might have said.We all watched in silence as the golems made their entrance, each one pulling a large iron cart lined with thick glass interspersed with holes, presumably to allow air inside.Within these mobile prisons stood a defiant and unrepentant Nerissa, glaring out with fury despite her frailty, and a forlorn Eve, huddled in the corner of her own confinement, cradling her knees as much as she could with her growing bump.I stole a glance toward my father and caught the fleeting pained expression on his face as he looked at his raging ex-wife and the girl he believed to have been his daughter all these years. Alpha King Leo waited patiently for the prison carts to be positioned correctly before clearing his throat to speak."With the arrival of the accused, I declare these proceedings open," he announced, his voice
"Leah, could you please play nice? Alvin is a decent guy. Try not to push it too far... for my sake, okay?" I implored, hoping to appeal to her sense of restraint.Leah let out an exaggerated sigh. "I'm only teasing," she replied with a playful pout. "It's not my fault he's as tense as a scandalized matron from the 16th Century catching a glimpse of ankle at the local heartthrob. Honestly! You'd think he'd never had a private moment with a woman before."Xavier chuckled softly as we navigated through the entrance and made our way down the corridors, with Alvin maintaining his brisk pace a short distance ahead."Honestly, come to think of it, I've never seen him with a woman," Xavier remarked quietly."Maybe he's waiting for his destined mate," I suggested. "Some men take that kind of thing very seriously, you know, Leah...""Or perhaps he prefers men?" Leah shrugged. "Maybe both; who knows? Not that I'd complain about having more than one...""Leah!" I exclaimed, mildly horrified by h
I tossed the quilt aside, quickly making my way to the bathroom to shower and prepare for the day as Xavier's laughter echoed behind me. By the time we finally descended the stairs to the kitchen diner, Leah was already lounging lazily in one of the chairs, a cup of coffee cradled in her hands, while watching Alvin with a mischievous glint in her eyes.Alvin's expression, on the other hand, was far from amused. As soon as we entered, he approached, lowering his voice to a whisper filled with exasperation."Luna, please pardon me, for I know she's your friend, but... must she linger here much longer? Her presence is... quite unbearable!" he murmured, clearly annoyed."Aww, thanks, love! I adore you too!" Leah called out teasingly, a smile spreading across her face.Alvin turned sharply, glaring at her with a deeply furrowed brow. "Listen, I was talking about you, not to you! As you may not be aware, being unbearable is hardly a compliment," he hissed, the vein in his temple pulsing in
As I huffed in frustration, his fingers tangled through my hair, gently pulling my head back as he cupped my breast with his free hand. He took my nipple between his thumb and forefinger, applying gentle pressure as he teased it softly. His insistent thrusts caused my body to curve into a seductive arch, driving him wild with desire.Xavier's gaze swept over my form, admiring me in my entirety, fantasizing about all the years he would have to worship this temple of a deity that stood before him. My body would be his sacred ground, and he intended to honor it every single day.His inner wolf asserted itself, eyeing me hungrily from behind. With a burning need for his mate that rivaled, if not surpassed, Xavier's own ardor, it increased the urgency to claim me fully. It was an ancient, primal urge that refused to be suppressed.He leaned over me gently, his chest warm against my back, and positioned himself at my entrance. His voice was a husky whisper in my ear, filled with promise and
"Only you..." I murmured hoarsely, and Xavier chuckled, "Let me taste you... just a little..." I almost begged, the tantalizing sight so close that I could feel my body responding without any further touch.Xavier inhaled deeply, his eyes darkening as he grinned down at me. "Not tonight, princess. Tonight, you need to be punished for running away and not listening...""No back talk, princess. From what I gather, you were all tied up, and I couldn't even take advantage of that..." Xavier's hoarse whisper tickled my ear. "Do you understand the contradiction of wanting to ensure no one ever restrains you against your will, yet being consumed by the desire to have you defenseless in a room, completely naked and available solely for my pleasure?"A shiver ran down my spine as his husky voice murmured in my ear. I probably shouldn't have found it so enticing, but the idea of being entirely at his mercy excited me far more than I could have anticipated."Something tells me you would indeed e
'It's your foolish father I'm most concerned about. He's been under Nerissa's control for so long. How can we be sure that witch has completely withdrawn her influence over him?'I grimaced, acknowledging the truth in her words. 'I guess we'll just have to wait and see. They likely won't delay the trial for too long. They can't risk news spreading, which would only fuel the fire for those packs advocating for the monarchy to be dismantled,' I sighed heavily.'I can't blame them, though. It's been quite the catastrophe with your father leading since Nerissa entered the picture. They just need a firm hand and proper guidance again. That shouldn't be an issue with us as the ruling Alpha Queen,' Maine replied with a smirk.'Ruling, though? I have no idea where to begin,' I confessed, my stomach twisting with nerves.Maine snorted. 'We'll be fine. You have at least some understanding of diplomacy from all the events you attended with your father. It's just a matter of waiting for the old c
Anastasia POV "Oh, what the heck!" I exclaimed, startled by the sudden intrusion. Leah raised an inquisitive eyebrow while Xavier gave me a benign smile."The perks of the mate bond, my love," Xavier murmured inside my head, as Maine rolled around gleefully. "Now I can hear all your thoughts, your deepest desires, your most intimate fantasies..." His voice echoed in my mind, and I blushed a deep shade of crimson.Leah quickly realized what was happening and feigned gagging noises by sticking her fingers into her mouth. "Please, if you two are going to have such intimate exchanges in each other's heads, can you not do it around me? You're such insatiable furballs..." she muttered in annoyance."You're one to talk," a sarcastic voice interrupted from behind, as Alvin casually entered and seated himself across from Leah, scowling in her direction.Leah looked flustered for a brief moment but swiftly regained her nonchalant demeanor. "Amazing, isn't it?" she retorted sarcastically. "Not