43: Haunting The Shadows

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• THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE   105: Hard Choices

  ATTICUSI paced back and forth in my study, trying to find the right words for what I needed to say. It wasn’t every day I sought counsel—especially from someone who had known me since I was a boy.A knock at the door broke my thoughts.“Come in,” I called, straightening my posture.The door opened, and Kai stepped in, his stance firm but relaxed. Behind him, Elder Aaron followed, his expression neutral but his eyes sharp, always taking in more than he let on.“Elder Aaron,” I greeted, stepping forward.“My Alpha,” he replied with a slight bow, though his tone held a hint of warmth. Then, with a smirk, he added, “I see you’ve finally decided to call on me. I was beginning to think I have retired from being the Royal adviser without notice.”A laugh broke from me before I could stop it, the tension in my shoulders easing just a little. “I wouldn’t dare, Aaron. The council would fall apart without you.”“That’s what I like to hear,” he replied, clasping my hand in a firm shake. Kai ste

• THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE   104: Puppet

  HERAGasps ripped through the chamber. The clang of metal echoed as guards rushed to restrain him, but the damage was done. Blood seeped through his robes, spreading across the stone floor in a dark, growing pool.Rowan staggered, his knees buckling, but somehow, he remained upright—long enough for his mouth to twist into a dark, victorious grin. His voice came out as a ragged rasp, loud enough to chill everyone to the bone.“You’re all going to burn,” he spat, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His gaze fixed on Atticus, hateful and triumphant. “It will all come crashing down. And it will be because of you—because of your weakness.”Rowan’s body convulsed once before collapsing to the ground, the sword still embedded in his stomach. Silence swallowed the room, heavy and stifling.Elder Malik looked as if he would faint, his face pale and sweaty. Elder Zahrah and Theo were completely mortified. Elder Aaron’s stoicism remained, his eyes wide as he stared at Rowan’s lifele

• THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE   103: Traitor

  HERAI stepped through the heavy double doors of the council chamber, my heels clicking against the marble floor and my regal outfit flaying behind me as I strode forward. Every pair of eyes shifted to me. Some looked curious, others impassive, but Rowan… Rowan’s gaze carried a flicker of challenge.I stopped at the head of the table, opposite him, my chin tilted high.“You are rather early, Lady Hera,” his lips curled in a smirk, his voice dripping with condescension. “The Alpha isn’t here and we can’t start the meeting without him,”“Atticus won’t be coming for this meeting.” I simply responded. “But it was him who called for this meeting.” He retorted.I arched a brow, my stare locking with his. “Actually, Elder Rowan,” I said sharply, my voice slicing through the room like a blade. “I was the one who summoned you here. I used Atticus’ name because I know the likes of you wouldn’t respond if it had been mine.”The smugness on his face faltered ever so slightly, but he quickly re

• THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE   102: Rest

  HERAIt started soft, almost tentative, as though I were trying to coax him into letting go. But when he responded, his lips opening up and moving against mine with a hunger that sent shivers down my spine, the kiss deepened.Passion sparked between us, hot and consuming, and I let myself get lost in it.His tongue slipped into my mouth and I moaned softly, my hands sliding down to his chest, tugging lightly at the open edges of his shirt, and he groaned softly against my lips, pulling me even closer, until I was straddling him completely, my silk robe pooling around me. I pulled back suddenly, just enough to break the kiss, and he groaned in protest, his breath ragged as he leaned in to reclaim my mouth. His fingers fumbled with the loose knot of my robe, but I caught his hands, pressing them firmly against my sides.“No,” I shook my head, my voice soft but commanding. “Let me take care of you,” I whispered.His reaction was immediate. I felt him stiffen beneath me, his thick membe

• THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE   101: Reassurance

  HERAThe soft glow of moonlight seeped through the curtains as I stirred awake, sleep leaving my eyes gradually as I tossed. The bed felt colder than it should have, emptier, and my hand instinctively reached out to the other side. It was empty.A ripple of worry shot through me. Atticus wasn’t in bed. And it didn’t seem like he just slipped out, the bed was too cold for that.He has been out for a while.Sighing softly, I pulled on my silk robe, tying it loosely around my waist as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed. The events of the day flashed through my mind: the rogue attack, the council’s accusations, the unsettling revelations that I was a target for whoever was orchestrating all of this. Atticus must be worried sick for him not to be in bed. I thought he’d gone to sleep after putting me to bed. He made sure I slept in his room tonight for safety reasons. He’d been so tender, holding me close and stroking my hair until the tension in my body melted enough for me to dr

• THE ALPHA’S HATED CONTRACT MATE   100: The Attack

  HERAThe rogue wolf’s claws were mere inches from my face when I thrust my hand forward, my magic in a surge of golden light that exploded from my palm. It slammed into the creature, halting its attack mid-air and throwing it against the wall. The rogue growled, snapping its jagged teeth as it struggled against the invisible force holding it at bay. “You won’t escape me, Luna. I’ll rip you apart!”“Bold words coming from an animal that is about to eat the book shelves,” With a flick of my wrist, I hurled the wolf across the room, crashing it into the towering shelves, breaking it in the process. Wood and books rained down as the rogue tumbled to the ground in a heap.The door burst open, and Atticus, along with Kai, the Alphas of other packs, and the Elders. Their eyes darted to the wreckage and then to me.“Hera!”Atticus made to lunge forward but I created a barrier between us“Stay back!” I commanded. “I’ve got this.”The rogue staggered to its feet, its green eyes blazing with