Lily POVMy heart raced as the image of the big, black wolf flitted to the back of my mind and the other image of the man by the pool too. I had a feeling she was talking about one of them.“Which Alpha?” I asked searching her face “You said the Alpha wants to see me. Which Alpha are you talking about?”The events of the past few hours that felt like a million years had turned me into a suspicion tank. So, it wasn’t my fault if I had to check and double-check everything.Celeste sighed; her eyebrows raised in mild surprise. “The man you met at the lake, of course. Alpha Kai Ryker. He was also the person who was chasing after the rogues and killed a few of them to protect you,” she added.My blood ran cold as the memory of the imposing figure inside the lake flashed through my mind also the big wolf chasing after me. “The … the naked man at the lake?” I stammered, my cheeks flushing with fear “He’s also the one who killed the rogues?” I asked again.A small smile played on Celeste’s li
Kai POVI stood under the cold shower, the third I was taking since Celeste had texted me she was coming with my mate – by the way, her name was Lily.Now I was in the shower for the third time, another futile attempt to quell my raging hard-on and the lust flowing through my veins. My wolf Hud, paced restlessly, still driven wild by the lingering scent of our mate.“Enough, Hud!” I growled, “We will not act like animals in heat. I know you want her as much as I do but she deserves better than that, don’t you think? And we should work on making her trust us first before any other thing,”.As I stepped out of the shower, my phone rang. I sighed recognizing my mother’s ringtone. I answered, already knowing what this call would be about.“Kai, darling,” her voice came from the other end. “I’ve arranged the most delightful dinner for you tomorrow evening. Her name is Chloe and she’s the daughter of one of my distant cousins. She’s beautiful and the type of woman I know you’ll like. And sh
Lily POVI stood before Alpha Kai, feeling like a dwarf in his imposing presence. He was too tall and strong for me and he made me feel small and vulnerable. Despite Celeste’s reassurances that he wasn’t going to punish me, I couldn’t shake off the fear that punishment or immediate expulsion from the pack awaited me.But the way I see it, expulsion would be the best-case scenario – a clean break, a chance to run far away from this world of wolves and Alphas I barely understood.I watched as he rose from his desk and walked up to me. As he approached, I kept my head bowed, eyes fixed on the floor. Yet something strange stirred within me. It was an unfamiliar pull urging me to look up, to meet his gaze, to step closer and run my hands on his hard chest, to feel his heartbeat – to kiss his lips that were currently clamped in a straight line.The intensity of my absurd emotions startled and embarrassed me.What was I thinking? I was the intruder here and I had just lost Lucas who I believ
Kai POVAs soon as she left my study, I slumped in my chair, running a hand through my hair in frustration. My wolf – Hud was howling in disappointment, angry at letting our mate leave.“Patience,” I muttered to myself. “We can’t rush this. She’s not ready,”.But even as I tried to convince myself, I couldn’t ignore the ache in my chest and my pants. The mate bond was there – so powerful… so undeniable. Yet Lily seemed oblivious to it. Why couldn’t she feel it too? And more importantly, how long could I resist the pull before it drives me mad?Leaning back in my chair, I exhaled slowly trying to regain my composure. The conversation with Lily had left me as aroused as I’ve ever been. Even right now, with her scent still in my office, I was as hard as a rock and I knew it was Hud’s way of punishing me.He kept throwing her image to my subconscious, filling me with lust.“Damned animal!” I muttered under my breath “Can you stop playing these games. We can’t just do with her as we want,”
Lily POVThe sun dipped below the horizon casting a beautiful shadow on Royal Hunter Pack when I arrived at Celeste’s house.I sucked in my breath as I took in the big house that seemed to have green lands that stretched behind it forever. It filled me with the nostalgia of running through the fields back at home, soaking up the morning sunlight and the dream of running with my wolf but it was a stupid dream because I was never going to get my wolf. I was too old for it anyway.Although big, the house had a humble aura around it. I could feel it. The doors of the house opened and Celeste came out wearing a big smile as she came towards me.“I see you lived!” she chuckled, giving me a once over “The way you were scared of being alone with him, I was tempted to stay back just to make sure he doesn’t bite off your head,”.“Well,” I blushed red lowering my gaze. “He was kinder than I expected,” I admitted softly. “Alpha Kai, from all the stories that I’ve heard of him seemed like a danger
Kai POVThe night was quiet, a gentle breeze rustling through the trees as I approached my sister’s house.My heart pounded in my chest, a mixture of anticipation and nervousness coursing through my veins. I have never done anything like this before – sneaking into a house in the dead of the night to see a girl. But Lily wasn’t just any girl. She was my mate and the pull to be near her was overwhelming.Also, this was a good opportunity to check on my sister Celeste and my grandparents.As I reached the front door, I paused, my senses picking up movement inside. I took in a deep breath, my wolf on high alert, until I opened the door and ushered myself in. Celeste stood there, one hand on the toilet’s door knob and her eyes wide with surprise.“Kai?” then as if remembering my title she corrected herself quickly. “Alpha,” she whispered, quickly bowing her head. “I…I wasn’t expecting you. What brings you here?”“I came to check on you and Grandpa and Grandma. How are they?” I asked feeli
Kai POVA sad smile ghosted my lips as I made my way out of Lily’s room, carefully closing the door behind me.I couldn’t believe I had stayed with her for nearly an hour. Every part of her body was etched in my mind’s eyes … I couldn’t wait to make her mine finally. I was so wrapped in my thoughts that I didn’t notice Liam was waiting for me in the living room. It wasn’t until I made to pass that he cleared his throat making me jerk with surprise.“Liam?” I scoffed entering the living room. His eyebrows were raised a mixture of amusement and concern as he stared at me. “What are you doing here?” I asked.“I should be asking you, Alpha,” he retorted crossing his arms over his body. “I hope you didn’t take advantage of the poor little girl?” he asked his tone light but with an undercurrent of seriousness. “From the look in your eyes… you seem to be lusting.I snorted, shaking my head in disbelief at the implication of what he meant. “Of course not,” I growled softly, mindful of the peo
Lily POVThe morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, gently rousing me from my slumber.I stretched like a lazy cat with a smile on my face. I couldn’t remember the last time I slept until sunrise. For a moment, I lay still expecting a shout from Vanessa asking if her breakfast was ready or if I had her goat milk bath ready or my father growling with approval at the salty food I made that morning.A sad smile played on my lips as I wondered how they would be coping. Vanessa must have gone crazy and I wish…I stopped… what was I doing? Why was I worrying about them after everything? Shaking off the nostalgia, I rose from the bed and made my way to the bathroom to shower. I stayed for a while, scrubbing every part of my body clean. After that, I made my way to the closet.Celeste had generously offered to share her wardrobe with me and had told me last night to use any of her clothes I like. As I browsed through the clothes, I felt drawn to a simple, pale blue sundress. As I sli
Chapter 161Lily POV"What are you talking about?" I tried not to sound hurt. "Kai, what's going on? You're scaring me."He took several steps back, putting distance between us. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come. I just... I needed to see you. To tell you that I'm going to fix this."
Lily POVThe hospital room felt like a cage. Four walls pressing in on me with each passing minute. I paced from the window to the door and back again, my bare feet silent on the cold floor. My body still ached from Lucas's attack, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the anxiety gnawing at my insides."How long does it take to check on someone and come back?" I muttered, glancing at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time. Celeste had left nearly an hour ago to see Kai, promising to return with news of his condition.Grandma Elena and Grandpa Marcus had departed earlier, insisting they needed to bring me fresh clothes and homemade food rather than the "inedible hospital mush" they claimed would hinder my recovery. Their concern was touching, but right now, all I wanted was information about Kai.Was he still unconscious? Had he woken up? Did he remember me—remember us—or had the silver wounds and trauma erased even more of his memories?The wolf Hazel had reassured m
Kai POVI shrugged. “But it’s true, Kai,” she turned to face me. “I still don’t understand. If all of these happened, why did that part of memory had to be suppressed?”I closed my eyes, letting the final pieces of the puzzle fall into place. “Because it was necessary. Mother had Healer Odin block my memories after I went completely mad under the
Kai POVCeleste was quiet for a long moment, processing this revelation. "There has to be a way to break it," she finally said. "Some kind of counter-spell or ritual.""Maybe," I conceded. "But until we find it, I can't risk being near Lily. The curse is designed to destroy any chance I have at happiness with my true mate. Serena made sure that even in death, she would have her revenge."
Kai POVThe dream shifted again, pulling me forward through time to a memory I had buried deep within my subconscious. This time, I was in my bedroom in the pack house. Moonlight was streaming through the windows, casting shadows across rumpled sheetsSerena lay beside me, her dark hair spread across the pillow like a fan. We had just finished making love, and I felt the familiar haze of
Kai POVHealer Odin cleared his throat, a subtle reminder that I was holding this stranger—my mate—for longer than was appropriate. Heat crept up my neck as I realized how it must look, and I gently helped her settle back onto the bed, though my wolf protested the loss of contact."I should ask you some questions," I said, trying to regain my composure as Alpha. "For our records."
Kai POV"Alpha, this is not wise," Liam warned as I carried Serena to our camp, her small form still unconscious in my arms. "She could be leading the rogues to us.""She's not a rogue," I insisted, my steps steady despite my warriors' apprehensive glances. "She's been attacked by them.""Or she's a trap," Marcus, my grandfather added. "We don't know who she is."
Kai POVDarkness covered me like a heavy blanket, thick and suffocating. I tried to open my eyes, to move, to breathe, but my body wouldn't respond. Was I dead? Did I fail to protect Lily? Did that bastard take her again? I tried to listen again for Lily’s voice, wishing I could just open my eyes. But all I could hear was something—distant beeping, muffled voices, and beneath it all, a familiar heartbeat. Lily. My wolf stirred at the sound, but we remained trapped in this void between consciousness and oblivion.Then, like a projector flickering to life, images began to form in the darkness. A forest, bathed in afternoon sunlight. The scent of pine and earth filled my nose, so vivid I could have sworn I was really there. My men flanked me in formation as we tracked rogue scents through the forest.Three years ago. Before I had met Lily. Before my memories shattered.The dream swept me into the scene completely, and suddenly I was there, living it again as if for the first time.I was
Lily POVEverything hurtBrightness. That was the first thing I became aware of—a harsh, glaring light that seemed to pierce straight through my eyelids. Pain followed, radiating from what felt like every inch of my body, a dull, persistent throb that intensified with each shallow breath.I tried to open my eyes, but they felt sealed shut, heavy and uncooperative. My mouth was dry,