INICIAR SESIÓNCeleste’s POV"Are you okay?" he whispered.I let my lower lip tremble, forcing myself to look up at him with wide, tearful eyes. "You ask if I'm okay... when you're the one who just did this to me?"Caius flinched violently, as if I had just physically struck him."I'm sorry," he choked out, his deep voice cracking with unbearable guilt. "I'm so sorry, I swear I'm not forcing you anymore."He hurriedly grabbed one of his own soft, oversized shirts and carefully slipped it over my head, dressing my naked body with incredibly gentle, shaking hands. Then, he crawled onto the bed and pulled my trembling frame tightly against his solid chest, wrapping his massive arms around me like a protective shield.I stayed perfectly still in his protective embrace for a moment, letting the heavy, guilty silence stretch between us before I finally spoke."How about you?" I asked softly.He pulled back slightly with confusion. "What about me?""You didn't finish," I pointed out. My voice was calm and
Celeste’s POVI looked down into his puppy eyes. The starving desperation in them completely broke my resolve. I wanted to deny him. I wanted to hold onto my anger and my past-life trauma, but my body was already trembling, aching uncontrollably for his touch."Caius..." I gasped, my voice barely a whisper. "We shouldn't...""Tell me you don't want it," he challenged softly. His large, rough hands gripped the backs of my thighs, pulling me flush against the cold tiles so I wouldn't slip. "Tell me to stop, Cece, and I swear I will. But if you want me... tell me you're mine."My hands tightened instinctively in his wet, dark hair. I couldn't fight the mate bond anymore. "I...." I breathed out, completely surrendering. "I want you..."A ragged groan of absolute reverence escaped his chest. He leaned forward, pressing soft, slow kisses along the sensitive skin of my inner thighs. The contrast of his burning lips and the steaming shower water sent violent electric shocks straight to my c
Celeste’s POV"We can't..." I breathed, the protest sounding pathetic and empty even to my own ears."Are you sure we can't?" he challenged in a low, husky whisper.Then, his mouth crashed down on mine. His large hand slid from my waist up to the nape of my neck, his long fingers tangling deep into my hair to hold my head firmly in place. There was no escape, and heaven help me, I didn't want one. He kissed me with a starving, territorial desperation, his hot tongue parting my lips and sweeping inside to taste every inch of my mouth.A soft, breathless moan escaped my throat. I kept my hands flat against his chest, desperately trying to remember all the reasons I should hate him, trying with every ounce of my fading sanity not to kiss him back.But the moment his kiss deepened—so unapologetically passionate and demanding—my last line of defense completely shattered.I finally let go. I surrendered crazily. Sliding my hands up his broad chest, I wrapped my arms tightly around his nec
Celeste’s POV"Do I have to sit here all weekend and do nothing?" I asked, leaning back against the plush cushions of the massive wooden balcony facing the calm lake.The truth was, I was secretly thrilled. I might be walking around in a spry, nineteen-year-old body, but my soul had already lived through an entire miserable lifetime of betrayal, trauma, and a brutal execution. Mentally, I was an exhausted woman who just wanted a damn nap. The idea of actually sitting around for two whole days without draining my magic in the underground, running for my life, or dodging crazy Alphas? It sounded like heaven. If doing absolutely nothing was my grand punishment for the weekend, I was ready to be the best prisoner he ever had.Caius walked over and sank into the space right next to me, his massive frame easily dwarfing the outdoor sofa. He handed me a cold, sweating bottle of beer, then cracked open his own.He took a slow sip, his eyes fixed softly on the water before they slid over to
Celeste’s POVAs the grueling training session finally came to an end, I quickly gathered my things. Caius walked over to his combat team, exchanging brief nods and casual goodbyes with the elite warriors he called friends.I slung my worn-out backpack over my shoulder, intentionally avoiding his gaze. "I should get going too," I muttered to no one in particular.I turned on my heel, desperate to escape the heavy, lingering tension between us. But before I could take a second step, a large, warm hand wrapped firmly around my arm, stopping me dead in my tracks."Who said you get to leave me here all alone?" Caius rumbled.I paused, tilting my head to give him an exasperated look. "What are you? A clingy toddler?""I’m your Alpha," he corrected smoothly. He took a slow step closer until his solid chest almost brushed my shoulder, his scent wrapping around me like a heavy blanket. "And you are my personal healer.""You're already fully healed," I shot back, pointing down at his flawles
Celeste’s POVThe training grounds were completely deserted when we arrived. The rest of his combat team wasn't scheduled to show up for another twenty minutes, leaving us entirely alone in the sprawling, sunlit arena.I turned to face Caius. His knuckles were bruised and split open, dripping dark blood onto the dirt, and a harsh purple bruise was already forming along his sharp jawline.Without overthinking it, I stepped into his space and reached up to touch his battered face.Before my fingers could even brush his skin, his large hand gently wrapped around my wrist, stopping me in mid-air. "No," he rumbled softly. "Don't use your magic. You're still weak."I gently pulled my wrist from his grip, refusing to back down. "I can manage," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. "This is my job."I closed the final inch between us, stepping so close our bodies were practically brushing. I cupped his strong jaw, ignoring how my heart thrashed so fast, and summoned my magic. A soft,







