Share

Feeding Ducks

Penulis: Riley_Steverose
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-05-15 18:31:00

Stella’s POV:

The tiny apartment in Warsaw felt smaller than usual today. Maybe it was the gray clouds hanging low over the city, or maybe it was the fact that I hadn't left these four walls in three days. 

My job translating old texts for the Polish Historical Society allowed me to work remotely—a blessing for someone like me who preferred not to be found.

I stretched my legs across the worn couch, absently flipping through television channels. Nothing interested me until I landed on the international news channel, where a familiar face made my finger freeze on the remote.

Orion Lockwood. Even through the screen, his presence was commanding—tall, broad-shouldered, with those piercing blue eyes that hadn't changed in a thousand years. He stood at some glittering event, a stunning redhead on his arm, speaking confidently to reporters.

"...attribute our success to meaningful connections we've cultivated..."

His voice sent an electric current through my body, awakening memories better left buried. 

Memories of hands stained with blood, of being treated like a possession rather than a person, of a love so consuming it had been more like worship than partnership.

"Isn't that your mate?!" Harper's voice shattered my trance. She sat beside me, a bowl of chips balanced on her lap, her eyes wide with recognition.

I jabbed the power button, plunging the room into blessed silence. "He is no such thing to me."

Harper raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Stella, we've been over this. He is your destined mate that you see in your visions and your visions don't lie."

I took a deep breath, fighting back the images that threatened to overwhelm me. 

The curse of being a seer—memories of past lives weren't fuzzy dreams or vague sensations. They were vivid, technicolor experiences that felt as real as anything in this life.

I remembered it all. How Alpha Orion Lockwood had conquered half the known supernatural world. How he had claimed me as his prize, keeping me locked away in his fortress for "protection." How he had controlled my every move while simultaneously worshipping the ground I walked on.

He had been a possessive lover. 

And yes, how he had loved me—with a ferocity that was both terrifying and intoxicating.

"No," I said firmly, more to myself than to Harper. "I don't have a mate."

Harper sighed, reaching over to squeeze my hand. "You can't deny the mating bond forever, Stell."

"Watch me," I muttered.

Most werewolves spent their lives hoping to find their fated mate. I'd spent the last five years actively avoiding mine. When my seer powers had first manifested at eighteen, I'd been bombarded with visions of my past life—and of the man who was destined to be my mate again in this one.

That's when I'd made the decision never to set foot in America, especially New York. Poland was safe. Poland was my birth land. My pack members, my family and friends lived here - and I am safe with them. 

"It is the mating bond, Stella," Harper insisted, brushing chip crumbs from her sweater. "You can't stay away from it for long. These things have a way of bringing people together whether they want it or not. Such situations will be formed automatically - even if you like it or not."

I stood up, suddenly feeling too confined in the apartment. "We'll see about that."

Half an hour later, bundled in thick winter coats, scarves, and boots, Harper and I trudged through the frosted paths of Lazienki Park. The evening air bit at my cheeks, and I burrowed deeper into my scarf.

"I swear this country gets colder every year," Harper grumbled, her Australian accent more pronounced when she was annoyed. "Remind me again why I shouldn't just shift to New York?!” 

"Because you're the best friend a girl could ask for? And you don't want to leave me," I offered, linking my arm through hers. "And because you're writing your dissertation on Eastern European werewolf packs?"

"Right," she nodded. "Academic glory. That's what keeps me here, not your charming personality."

We reached the pond where a few hardy ducks still lingered before migration. I pulled a paper bag of stale bread from my pocket and began tearing off pieces.

"They say feeding bread to ducks is bad for them," Harper noted, even as she took a handful to toss.

"These are supernatural ducks," I replied with a straight face, even though it wasn't true. There was no such thing as it. "Different digestive systems."

Harper laughed, the sound carrying across the quiet park. "You're so full of it."

We stood in companionable silence for a while, watching the ripples spread across the dark water. Twilight descended rapidly this time of year, the park lights flickering on around us, casting long shadows across the frost-covered ground.

"So," Harper began in that casual tone that never preceded anything casual, "the International werewolf Summit is happening in London next month."

I stiffened. "And?"

"And I think we should go." She held up a hand before I could protest. "Hear me out. My doctoral advisor got me press credentials to cover it for the Supernatural Anthropology Journal. I can bring a research assistant."

"No." The word came out sharper than I intended.

"Stella, you can't hide in Poland forever."

"Watch me," I repeated, lobbing a piece of bread with unnecessary force.

Harper turned to face me, her expression serious. "Are you really going to let fear of one man—however powerful he might be—keep you from experiencing the world? You're a seer and werewolf, Stella. One of the rarest supernatural beings alive. Your insights could help so many people."

"My insights are exactly why I need to stay hidden," I countered. "I don't want to be seen by Orion Lockwood or any of them in my life. They all literally played me.” 

"That was then," Harper said softly, as if reading my thoughts. "This is now. You're not the same person you were in that life. And from what I've read about Orion Lockwood, he's not the same either."

I laughed bitterly. "You don't speak up for him.”

"Maybe not." She shrugged. "But London is a big city and Orion Lockwood lives in New york. What are the chances you'll ever cross paths with him in a city where he doesn't even live?!”

The last of the bread gone, I stuffed my hands into my pockets, considering her words. “What if he comes there for a business trip or something like that?!”

Harper sighed. “Oh my God! You are impossible.”

As I chuckled at her, a part of me—a small, curious part I usually tried to ignore—wondered what it would be like to see him in person. 

Would I feel that legendary pull of the mating bond? Would he recognize me 

somehow, despite never having met me in this life?

"You could wear a disguise," Harper suggested, sensing my wavering. "Dye your hair, wear colored contacts and do some spell enchantments from a witch to conceal your scent. No one would know it's you.”

"This is ridiculous," I muttered, but with less conviction.

"What's ridiculous is letting fear dictate your life," she countered. "You're Stella freaking Glazewski, descendant of the most powerful seer bloodline in Eastern Europe. Act like it."

We started walking again, our boots crunching on the frozen path. Night had fallen completely now, the park illuminated by ornate lamps that cast pools of golden light onto the snow.

"If—and that's a big if—I were to consider this insane plan," I said slowly, "I'd need guarantees. No interaction with the American delegations. No attending any social functions. I'd be there purely as your assistant, invisible and anonymous."

Harper's face lit up with triumph. "So that's a yes?"

I sighed, already regretting my moment of weakness. "It's an 'I'll think about it.'"

"That's practically a yes in Stella-speak!" She hugged me impulsively, nearly knocking us both off the icy path. "Trust me, it'll be an adventure. First things first, let's work on your disguise. It is going to be my duty that no one can recognise you.”

Lanjutkan membaca buku ini secara gratis
Pindai kode untuk mengunduh Aplikasi

Bab terbaru

  • Alpha Orion's Obsession    The Confrontation

    The heavy wooden door of the cottage creaked open, and Prince Marcus stepped inside like he owned the place. Which, I suppose, in a way he did. This was his sister's retreat, his family's kingdom, and I was nothing more than an unwelcome intruder in his eyes.But God's bones, he was handsome - like the female version of my beautiful mate Stella. Marcus had the same golden hair that caught the light, the same sharp cheekbones, the same green eyes that seemed to see straight through to your soul. He was taller than his sister, broader in the shoulders, with the kind of presence that commanded attention without trying. I guessed he was about five years older than Stella, maybe twenty-five to her twenty, and those extra years had given him a confidence that radiated from every movement.He had all opposite qualities of mine - noble, rule following, while I was a rule breaker, conquer. Ricky and Shawn scrambled to their feet as he entered, their hands moving instinctively toward their we

  • Alpha Orion's Obsession    Private Retreat

    Orion's Pov:The cottage that Stella led us to was nothing like the rough camps and cold caves I had grown used to over the past weeks. It sat nestled among ancient oak trees, just close enough to the holy river that I could hear the gentle sound of water flowing over stones. The building itself was modest but well-built, with thick stone walls and a thatched roof that looked like it could weather any storm."This is my private retreat," Stella had explained as she showed us inside. "I come here when I need to think, when the palace becomes too much. No one knows about this place except my most trusted servants."The relief that washed over me was overwhelming. After so many nights sleeping on hard ground with nothing but my cloak for warmth, after so many days of cold rations and constant hustling about being discovered, this felt like stepping into paradise itself.Three servants had already arrived before us, and they moved about the cottage with quiet efficiency. One was prepa

  • Alpha Orion's Obsession    Changing Devotion

    Orion's Pov:The maids giggled softly to themselves as Ricky, Shawn, and I emerged from our hiding place among the trees. Their knowing smiles and amused whispers made it clear that they had been expecting this moment, that they had known all along we were watching from the shadows.But it was Stella who held my complete attention. She stood at the river's edge like a vision from a dream, her wet hair gleaming in the morning sunlight, the fresh white dress clinging to her form in ways that made my heart race. Water still dripped from her skin, and she looked every bit the goddess I had thought her to be moments before.As we approached the riverbank, I saw her take a deep breath, her chest rising and falling in a way that seemed almost... relieved? As if she had been holding her breath until this moment.It was our mating bond. She had felt my presence, sensed my scent even from across the distance where we had been hiding. The connection between us was stronger than I had dared t

  • Alpha Orion's Obsession    At the Holy River

    The next few days were the most difficult of my life.Gone were the disguise of rich merchants as there was no point in going back to that disguise - the one where we had been exposed. I was obliged to restrict myself and my brothers Ricky and Shawn to not spend too much gold at a time - or else we would be exposed. Now living in a simpler disguise, constantly looking over my shoulder, never knowing if the next person I passed might recognize my face—it was exhausting in ways that conquering entire kingdoms had never been. Every morning I woke up in whatever abandoned barn or forest clearing we had found for shelter, my body aching from sleeping on hard ground, my clothes dirty and torn from days of hiding.But every time I felt the urge to give up, to ride back to Valdris and forget about the stubborn princess who had captured my heart, I remembered the look in Stella's green eyes when I had stood in her bedroom. The conflict I had seen there. The way her voice had trembled when

  • Alpha Orion's Obsession    Run away from here

    Orion's Pov:"Still," she said, and her voice was softer now, less certain, "it's not fair for people to be ruled by a foreigner. You can't just do it. "The words hit me like a physical blow, not because they were harsh, but because I could hear the conflict in her voice. She was trying to hold onto her objections, but her heart was wavering."I understand," I said, and I meant it completely. "And hereafter, I give up my ways of being a conqueror and tyrant, if that is what you want, Stella."Her eyes widened in shock, and the dagger in her hand trembled slightly. I don't think she had expected me to make such an offer, to be willing to change the very foundation of who I was."For you, I'll do anything," I continued, my voice dropping to an intimate whisper. "Please give me a chance."The weapon in her hand wavered, and I saw her internal struggle written clearly across her beautiful features. Part of her wanted to believe me, wanted to accept what I was offering. But another pa

  • Alpha Orion's Obsession    You can do it my love

    The silence in the room was thick with tension as Stella and I stared at each other. The red dagger in her hand caught the moonlight streaming through the tall windows, its poisoned blade gleaming like a deadly jewel. But I wasn't afraid. If anything, I was impressed."You are very privileged," I said softly, my voice calm despite the weapon pointed at my heart, "to even point a dagger at me and not get attacked in return."Her green eyes flickered with something that might have been surprise, but her grip on the weapon remained steady. Professional. Deadly.I took a small step closer, ignoring the way she tensed at my movement. "You can do it, my love," I whispered, letting all the emotion I felt for her color my words. "My whole life belongs to you."For a moment, something cracked in her composed expression. I saw her blink rapidly, saw the way her breath caught slightly in her throat. She was feeling it too—this pull between us, this undeniable connection that grew stronger ev

Bab Lainnya
Jelajahi dan baca novel bagus secara gratis
Akses gratis ke berbagai novel bagus di aplikasi GoodNovel. Unduh buku yang kamu suka dan baca di mana saja & kapan saja.
Baca buku gratis di Aplikasi
Pindai kode untuk membaca di Aplikasi
DMCA.com Protection Status