ANMELDEN“But…” the middle-aged woman began, concern lacing her voice, but Ashley had already stepped out onto the balcony.Left with no other choice, the woman quietly let herself out. When Ashley heard the door close, she let out a breath, some of her irritation easing.A few hours later, another knock sounded on the door, and she called, “Come in,” hoping it was Dane or Silas. It was already late into the night. Shouldn’t they have found something by now?“Luna, I am here with your food.” The middle-aged woman from earlier came into view, this time carrying a tray with only a ceramic bowl on it.“I said I am not eating. Tell your Alpha I don’t need his concern. If he’s that worried about my diet, he can eat it himself,” she snapped, leaving the middle-aged woman visibly shocked.She stared at Ashley in disbelief, stunned that anyone would dare speak of Dane that way. Even his close relatives would never say such things to him, yet Ashley did so without hesitation.“You can’t say that, Luna.
“Call it whatever you want, but I won’t let you die under my watch. You are under my care now, so you can’t just do whatever you want anymore,” he relayed.“If you want to stop me, then kill me. I am leaving this villa whether you like it or not,” she swore, swallowing hard. Her gaze locked onto his, fierce and unyielding. He could see the anger burning in her eyes, but he was beginning to grow used to it. Letting her go was not an option. He would rather have her hate him than allow her to walk alone into the lion’s den. Even he could not fully explain why he felt so protective of her. No matter how much he tried to convince himself it was only out of obligation, deep down, he knew it was more than that.“Why? Can’t you do it? She snapped, her chest rising and falling heavily, her breathing loud and uneven. “Then don’t try to stop me,” she added, moving to get down from the table.Dane held her in place, his hands tightly wrapped around her as she continued to struggle.When Ashley r
“Call it whatever you want, but I won’t let you die under my watch. You are under my care now, so you can’t just do whatever you want anymore,” he relayed.“If you want to stop me, then kill me. I am leaving this villa whether you like it or not,” she swore, swallowing hard. Her gaze locked onto his, fierce and unyielding. He could see the anger burning in her eyes, but he was beginning to grow used to it. Letting her go was not an option. He would rather have her hate him than allow her to walk alone into the lion’s den. Even he could not fully explain why he felt so protective of her. No matter how much he tried to convince himself it was only out of obligation, deep down, he knew it was more than that.“Why? Can’t you do it? She snapped, her chest rising and falling heavily, her breathing loud and uneven. “Then don’t try to stop me,” she added, moving to get down from the table.Dane held her in place, his hands tightly wrapped around her as she continued to struggle.When Ashley r
“Forgive me, sister,” Lucien said, still playing the victim.“I will kill you. I swear it,” she hissed, every word laced with venom, her teeth grinding so hard her jaw ached.Dane seized her wrist and dragged her out of the hall.“I need to go back,” she snapped, twisting violently against his grip.“No,” Dane said, not even slowing.“No!” Her voice cracked into a shout. “You don’t understand…he has my friend! He will kill him! Lucien will kill him if I don’t go back, and…and…”“That’s exactly what he wants!” Dane barked, cutting through her panic like a blade. “For you to lose control. To break down in front of everyone. Why can’t you use your brain for once?!”The words hit harder than any blow.She froze. Her chest rose and fell in sharp, uneven breaths as she stared at him, eyes wide, burning, humiliated. For a second, it wasn’t fear in her gaze. It was something darker. Something wounded.Without another word, Dane lifted her into his arms and carried her out of the packhouse.Sh
“In return? Are you sure I can ask for anything?” Nathan asked, briefly glancing at Dane before looking back at her.“Of course. I don’t go back on my promises. I will do my best to get it, even if I have to spend all my assets,” she joked, and the two of them laughed, oblivious to the anger quietly building in someone else.“I will take your word for it, then. But I don’t want anything right now. I will let you know once I have made a decision,” Nathan said.“I just hope Alpha Nathan asks for something within my wife’s reach,” Dane pointed out, clearly hinting at something.Nathan smiled. “Oh, I will definitely make sure to ask for something within her reach. Don’t worry too much, Alpha Dane,” he replied, holding Dane’s gaze.The two of them continued staring at each other, as though locked in a silent battle. Ashley’s eyes moved between them, and she could clearly feel the tension in Dane’s gaze. Nathan’s expression was no less intense. For some reason, it felt like they were challe
When Dane tossed her nightgown aside, she immediately crossed her arms over her chest and curled inward, her gaze fixed on the floor. Noticing her discomfort, he said, “If it makes you feel better, you can take off my shirt,” urging her gently.Her lips parted slightly as she looked up at him, searching his face to see if he really meant it. He only dipped his head, silently telling her to go ahead.She lowered her gaze again. The thought was tempting, maddening, even but if she did that, it would only make her seem shamelessly eager.“No, it’s alright,” she said at last, forcing herself to relax and letting her hands fall back to her sides.After a moment, Dane lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bathtub, lowering her carefully into the water.He stepped away briefly and returned with soap and a sponge, about to wash her when she quickly spoke. “I can do it myself. You don’t have to.” She reached for them, her fingers brushing his as she took them from him.Dane looked at
“I am not going. Tell your Alpha to leave me alone,” Ashley said coldly, assuming the man had been sent by Rowan.“But I must take you with me,” the subordinate insisted. “I cannot disobey my Alpha’s orders.”“You heard the lady,” Nora snapped, her voice loud enough to draw stares from nearby table
Now seated in the council hall, Ashley sat at her father’s right while her brothers occupied the seats to his left. The council members filled the remaining chairs, all engaged in a tense discussion about the pack’s worsening condition.Her father had insisted she attend these meetings if she truly
Hours earlier, Dane sat alone in his chamber, leaning back in his chair, his gaze distant as his thoughts consumed him.He might not have seen her face clearly that night, but he remembered the mark.He had watched it form on her neck after he claimed her, faint at first, then clearer, shaped like
“That jerk! How did he get in?” She muttered, her face twisting in annoyance as she walked back into the room.A relieved sigh escaped her, glad she had evaded suspicion for now. The Alpha King’s death had come at the perfect time, giving her the chance to avoid being marked by him.The mating cere







