LOGINHazel’s POV“I’m sorry…” Nicholas breathed, voice rough and unsteady. “I’m so sorry—not for kissing you, of course. I can never be sorry for kissing you. I just…fuck, what am I saying…”He slapped a hand on his forehead, looking genuinely frustrated with himself. His chest was still heaving, eyes blown wide and dark, like he was fighting every instinct to pounce on me again.“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable,” he said, voice lower now, almost gentle. “I just got carried away.”In that moment he looked so hot I couldn’t help but bite my lip.His gaze dropped to my mouth immediately.I felt a shiver race down my spine. And there was this spot between my legs I didn't want to mention, that was responding to him in more ways than I cared to admit.He cleared his throat and stood up quickly, putting some space between us.I sat up and adjusted my dress, noticing the way his eyes lingered on the swell of my breasts before he forced them away.He disappeared into the walk-in closet for
Hazel’s POV“And why should I go with you?” I asked, my voice coming out sharper than I intended.The atmosphere between us thickened instantly, the air growing heavy and charged. We stared at each other—blue eyes locked on brown—neither of us willing to look away first. The tension felt alive, crackling like electricity just before a storm.Nicholas didn’t answer with words.Instead, he brought my hand to his lips again, but this time it was different. Slower. More deliberate. His tongue darted out and licked a slow, wet line across my knuckles. A shiver ran straight down my spine, hot and unexpected.He whispered, voice dropping low and rough, “Maybe because I’m hot.”I raised an eyebrow, trying to look unimpressed even though my pulse was racing.He didn’t stop.“Or maybe because I’m your husband.”I made a face that clearly said “seriously?”He smirked, then started kissing up my hand—soft, open-mouthed kisses that left a trail of heat on my skin. I wanted to stop him. I should ha
Hazel’s POVEverything was falling into place for the ball.The grand ballroom looked like a dream—crystal chandeliers sparkling, white roses cascading from the entrance arch, deep red roses arranged in elegant vases inside. Servants moved quickly, setting up things, hanging garlands of fresh flowers. I wanted every detail perfect. This was my first ball as queen, and I refused to let anyone compare me to Liora. I wanted it so good they wouldn’t even remember her name.“Your Majesty, where should we put this?” one of the maids asked, holding up a large decorative lantern.I pointed. “Hang that at the entrance. Remember, I want the white roses outside and the red roses inside. Make sure the lighting is soft but bright enough for people to see each other clearly.”“Yes, my queen.” The maid bowed and hurried off.I stood in the middle of the chaos, arms folded, watching everything with a critical eye. My back ached from standing all day, but I didn’t care. This ball had to be flawless.
Nicholas’s POVI stood at the edge of the training field, arms crossed, watching the young warriors spar in both human and wolf form.On one side, Hazel’s personal team with fierce determination—every strike, every block, every shift looked like their lives depended on it. I was impressed. They trained harder than most, as if protecting their queen was the only purpose they had left in this world.Hazel wasn’t in sight, but Dimitri was there, moving between the groups, correcting form, shouting orders. Our eyes locked for a brief moment. He gave a respectful bow, then turned back to the warriors without a word.There was something in his eyes I couldn’t quite place. Loyalty, yes. But also a quiet protectiveness that made my wolf stir uneasily.I hadn’t stopped thinking about Hazel all morning.When I woke up on the couch, a pillow had been placed under my head and a blanket draped over me. That small act alone gave me more hope than I cared to admit. But the fear that she might still
Hazel’s POVI woke up sometime in the middle of the night. The room was dark except for a thin sliver of moonlight slipping through the curtains.I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes, and looked toward the couch.Nicholas was lying there awkwardly, one leg hanging off the side, his big body barely fitting on the narrow piece of furniture. His head was tilted at an uncomfortable angle, and even in sleep his face looked tense, like he was still carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.For some strange reason, I felt bad for him.If everything he told me was true—and the bond kept whispering that it was—then it must have been hell for him. Watching me for three years, pretending he didn’t love me, pushing me away to keep me safe. Bleeding inside every single day while I hated him more and more.I didn’t know what possessed me.I stood up from the bed, grabbed a pillow, and walked quietly over to the couch.Gently, I lifted his head and slid the pillow underneath.He stirred slightl
Nicholas’s POV“Did you really think I was going to take it?”Hazel’s voice cut through the room like a whip. She folded her arms across her chest and stared at me with those fierce brown eyes that always managed to strip me bare. The shattered glass and spilled liquid glittered on the floor between us like broken promises.I should have known.I should have known she would pull something like this.But I still let myself hope that the truth would be enough. That the moment I handed her the vial she would drink it without question. That she would trust me enough to let me save her.Stupid. So fucking stupid I stood there, chest heaving, the weight of every lie I had ever told her pressing down on me like a mountain.I stared at the shattered glass on the floor, the liquid spreading. My stomach twisted. That decoy vial had been my last desperate gamble. I’d prepared it the moment I got the real one—filled a fake with plain water just in case she reacted exactly like this. Because thi
Hazel’s POV I started to sink down. The thick head of him parted me—just enough to feel the stretch, the burn, the promise of being filled so completely I might forget my own name. Then his hands clamped around my waist like iron. He yanked me back up so fast the water splashed violently
Hazel’s POV“Nicholas, please, don’t stop,” I whispered, my voice breaking on his name.His mouth closed over my nipple, hot and wet, sucking hard enough to make my back arch off the bed. A sharp jolt of pleasure shot straight between my legs. He swirled his tongue around the tight peak, teasing, t
Nicholas’s POV I stared at her like she’d grown a second head. Something was off. “Hazel…” My voice came out rough from sleep and disbelief. “What’s going on?” She just smiled brighter—eyes sparkling with something dangerous and delighted all at once. Then she stood up slowly, pulling the
Nicholas’s POV“You won’t touch me. You won’t make love to me. Just the same excuse every goddamn time.”Liora’s voice cracked with anger and hurt, sharp enough to cut through the heavy silence in the room. She stood there in front of me, arms crossed tight over her chest like she was holding herse







