Valerie – POVMy pussy was still on fire after that crazy banging with Alpha Alaric. If surviving that man didn’t qualify me as a damn national treasure, I didn’t know what would. My thighs ached, my back had scratch marks, and my soul? Slightly corrupted—in the best way.I stretched, slow and smug, savoring the aftermath of our chaos. His scent still clung to my skin like expensive perfume—dominant, dark, addictive. I padded to the mirror, hips swaying naturally, unapologetically, and took a moment to admire the masterpiece staring back at me.My body was glowing—literally. Skin flushed, lips plump from kissing, hair tangled like a sex goddess risen from satin sheets. I looked wrecked in the most flattering way.“Damn, I look like I just got claimed… even though he didn’t mark me,” I muttered, running a finger along my collarbone, teasing the skin where his teeth had hovered hours ago.With a little hum, I crossed the room and opened Alaric’s massive wardrobe—ugh, so Alpha male. Ever
Alaric’s POV Her question echoed through the room like a damn war drum. "Why, Alaric?" I stared at her, the firelight flickering behind her eyes, catching the shimmer of unshed tears. She stood there, trembling—barely holding herself together—and yet somehow, still full of fire. Still daring to look me in the eye like she hadn’t just spoken out of turn. I should’ve walked away. I should’ve shut her down with silence. But no—she kept pushing. She took a step closer, arms crossed like she was holding her heart hostage. “Answer me.” I clenched my jaw. She had no idea what she was doing. No clue what it cost me to see her like this—broken and bruised and beautiful and bold enough to question an Alpha. “You’re my mate,” she said, voice cracking again. “Or is that just a title you throw around when it’s convenient?” “Don’t,” I snapped, the word sharp, slicing through the thick tension between us. “Don’t what?” she hissed back. “Don’t expect basic respect? Don’t ask why
Thalia’s POVI kept humming like a bird while washing the dishes, the bubbly notes of the tune covering the storm brewing inside me. It was either hum or cry, and I had cried enough for one day. My eyes burned from holding back the tears, and every few seconds, I had to sniff hard to stop my nose from betraying me.Of course, the other servants noticed. How could they not? I was practically shaking over a sink of half-cleaned plates.“Are you okay, Thalia?” someone asked from the cluster of six women rinsing the beverage jugs beside me.Her voice was soft, kind even, but I didn’t dare turn. Didn’t want to look into her pity-filled eyes because her question sliced right through the wall I was building. A single tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it.“I’m fine,” I said, forcing a strong tone, even though it cracked at the edges. I hoped they’d buy it. My chest heaved with another ragged breath as my thoughts spiraled again.Alpha Alaric had slept with Valerie.I scrubbed har
Thalia’s POV:The sun had barely begun to slip beneath the horizon, casting bruised shadows across the path as I stumbled out of Mira’s place, my body aching like I’d been dragged across broken glass. The fire in my veins had cooled to a simmer, but the wolf inside me was still pacing, snarling, wild and wrong.I made it back to the pack mansion with sheer willpower alone. Every step was a silent war against gravity, exhaustion dragging at my heels like chains. The guards at the gate barely glanced at me—good. I didn’t have it in me to fake civility.The scent of baked bread and meat hit me like a slap the moment I stepped into the kitchen. My stomach, neglected for too long, clenched violently. Hunger was a monster now, clawing at my insides.No one else was in sight, and thank the goddess for that. I moved like a woman possessed, yanking open cabinets, throwing together whatever I could find—eggs, leftover roasted chicken, a heel of bread that was only slightly stale.It wasn’t much
Alaric’s POV: The moment my fingers locked around Valerie’s wrist,the world narrowed to the hitch in her breath, the way her pulse fluttered like a trapped bird beneath her skin. I dragged her against me, her body molding into mine like she was made for it—like she’d been carved from my own hunger. Her gasp was a spark to kindling, her hands fluttering over my chest before her nails bit in, sharp as claws. Good. I wanted her fire. I wanted to taste it. “You wanted this right?” I whispered, my breath a brand on her neck—hot,wet,promising. The scent of her arousal was thick, intoxicating, her body already betraying her stubborn lips. “Damn, Valerie. You’re so fucking pretty.” She arched into me, a smirk playing on her swollen lips. “I know, right?” Her hips rolled , grinding against the steel-hard length of my cock,and I nearly saw stars. Her nails dragged down my shoulders , drawing blood,her voice a broken whisper. “Please, Alpha. I’ve been longing for this. Give me
Thalia’s POV: "Rest isn’t really in my vocabulary right now," I snapped, my voice hoarse but laced with fire. My bones ached, my skin burned, and the wolf inside me gnawed at my ribs like a caged beast. "There’s no time.” Mira raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue. The witch’s cabin smelled of dried herbs and something darker—iron, maybe. Or blood. "You have to listen to your wolf," she said, stirring a murky liquid in a chipped ceramic bowl. "If you don’t, it’ll tear you apart from the inside out." I swallowed hard, tasting bitterness. "It’s not just about me." Her gaze softened, just a fraction. "I know. But you can’t help anyone if you collapse first." A growl rumbled in my chest, low and feral. The sickness inside me pulsed, a living thing, feeding on my strength. My vision blurred at the edges. Mira stepped forward, her hands surprisingly gentle as she guided me to a worn couch near the window. "You’re going to lie down now. No arguments." I collapsed onto the cush