ZEUS
"Don't tell me he saw the love bites."
I ran my hand over the back of my neck with one hand, feeling the faint sting where Odin's lips had been last night, as I sped down the road.
Damon’s reaction haunted me. It wasn’t just his touch on my neck, it was the way he looked at me. Something in his eyes sent a chill crawling up my spine. My heart twisted with an emotion that I couldn’t place… and I hated it.
Clenching the steering wheel tighter, I forced myself to focus and press down on the accelerator harder. The city blurred past as I made my way to Lucas’ office building. Entering the parking lot, I pulled into my usual spot, my pulse drumming in my ears.
“Zeus!”
ZEUSThe ground beneath me felt unsteady. My worst fear had been confirmed.“You knew,” I choked out, my fists clenching at my sides. “You knew about Odin…”A slow, cruel smirk curled his lips. “Of course, I did. And so did you.” His voice lowered, venom lacing every word. “Tell me, how could you let him touch you? Didn’t your skin crawl? Didn't you feel repulsed? You were forced, right? That beast forced you into those dirty acts, right?”“Once again you call them beasts?”Rage burned hot beneath my skin. My fingers trembled as I forced myself to meet his gaze. “If you hate werewolves so much—why did you make her fall for you? Why
*Zeus*Pain.That’s all I felt as I came to, my head pounding like it had been split open. A dull ache throbbed, warm and cold all at once, and I realized blood—both dry and fresh—was smeared across my forehead. I shifted, wincing as my eyes fought to open, each blink a struggle against the sticky darkness. For a moment, all I could see was black, blinding black, then a sickly blur that forced my eyes shut again.After a second, I braced myself, sucking in a shallow breath as I tried again. This time, my vision cleared just enough to show a haze of shadows, and I got the sense that I wasn’t alone. But it wasn’t because anyone else was here; no, it was more the way the darkness closed in around me. Pressing down. Suffocating.A chill spread through me as I felt the hard surface under my back. Cold and hard. Stone? Maybe hard packed dirt. I couldn’t tell. My whole body screamed as I pushed myself upright, every muscle in me stiff and aching, like I’d been crushed under something heavy.
**Zeus**For the first time in my life, I felt chills at being called Damon. Every face, name, and power play in Damon’s world was etched into my memory like a ghost. I hadn’t just studied Damon’s life, I’d absorbed it, drilled into me by Victor over the years. His enemies, allies, friends, even obscure acquaintances… I knew them all. Their faces, their sins, their individual stakes in Damon’s empire, each piece embedded as deeply as my own childhood memories. I could call up the name of a distant cousin Damon hadn’t spoken to in years or the backstory of a mistress hidden away for “family honor.” These people existed like ghosts, ready to come to life in my mind whenever the role demanded it.But this man… this man with those intense brown eyes and that presence sharp as steel… he wasn’t among them. No name, no whispers, no power that I could link back to Damon’s world. His face held a confidence that matched Damon’s, yet I couldn’t place him anywhere in the network of people Damon
ZEUSThe last thing I wanted to hear after threatening my kidnapper was a casual, “Sounds good.” Those two words sent a chill through me, a clear hint that things were only going to get worse. I could feel the warmth of his chest retreating as he pulled me from the tree. My twisted arm was released, but before I could even lower it to my side, he was dragging me forward again. I was caught off guard. “Where are you taking me?!” I demanded, struggling to keep up as the feeling slowly returned to my legs. “Stop dragging me! Let me go!” I twisted, using every ounce of strength I had to break free from his iron gasp, but it was like he was deaf, or just didn’t care. He’d already declared me his prisoner, his “slave,” and my protests seemed to mean nothing to him.“Let go!” I snarled through my teeth, looking around frantically. The trees were dense and twisted, looming over us like silent giants. The air smelled foreign, damp and earthy, and the distant calls of strange birds echoed in th
ZEUSThe way he said "beast" made something twist inside me. There was an edge to his words, a dark promise that suggested something far worse than just violence. And…could it be? …his voice, it sounded like two voices merged into one, as if something else, someone else, was speaking along with him. An animal. Was my mind slipping, or had I really heard that? I couldn't afford to second-guess myself. Hours of captivity were already beginning to blur my senses, drawing me into a spiral of doubt. If I didn’t escape, I’d be lost to this man’s madness.“Look, I really don’t know why you’re doing this to me.” My voice was steady, but desperation clawed at the edges. “I haven’t killed anyone. And if you believe I have, let’s go to the police. They’ll decide whether I’m guilty. I’ll accept punishment if they prove it, okay? Let’s handle this like civilized adults…”“Police?” He chuckled, a low, dark sound that echoed through the trees, filling the silence with a sinister hum. I froze, feeling
ODINRegret clawed at me like a ghost that refused to be exorcized, lingering in every empty space where her laughter should have been. I had been close enough to catch her, close enough to reach her, if only I’d acted a moment sooner. She would still be smiling and calling me brother. But I was just a second too late. All I could do was watch as her body plummeted from the top floor of the apartment building, swallowed by a silence that tore at me as her life slipped away right in front of my eyes. I couldn’t protect her. Lynn. My baby sister. The one I remember cradling in my arms the day she was born, her tiny fingers curling around mine, so fragile yet so full of life.Now, eighteen years later, I cradle her again, but all that life was gone.Just three months ago, she’d been dragging me around town, excited about college, demanding I buy her everything she’d need, and begging me for an apartment close to campus. She’d wanted so badly to live on her own, experience life outside the
ZEUS A pair of brown, animal-like eyes, hairy hands that looked almost like claws…I rubbed my eyes and blinked away the images, muttering, “What kind of shitty dream was that?” My head was still foggy, my senses playing tricks. Admittedly, the guy who’d kidnapped me had an intimidating presence. Strong, silent, with a piercing look that unnerved me. But to think that he was something more than human? A monster or… worse? Ridiculous.“What the hell am I even thinking?” I scolded myself. It hadn’t been twenty-four hours since he’d dragged me into this nightmare, and already I was losing my grip on reality. But as the hazy memories settled, one came into focus, as clear as if it were happening again: “Call me Alpha.” His voice had been low, commanding, with an underlying edge that felt… powerful. Like he owned not just the moment, but everything within reach. Including me.“Alpha?” I muttered, the name feeling strange on my tongue. There was something unnervingly fitting about it. He wa
ZEUS “Who are you?” He didn’t flinch, didn’t even glance in my direction. His entire focus stayed fixed on the fire. The silence he directed towards me felt suffocating, a dismissal so deliberate it made my skin crawl, as though I wasn’t even worthy of a response because I was his captive. My jaw tightened, but I refused to back down. “What’s your name?” I pressed, my voice sharper now. Finally, he looked at me. His voice was cold, detached. “It’s Alpha to you.” “That doesn’t sound like a name,” I muttered under my breath, frustration lacing my words. It was clear he had no intention of revealing anything about himself. But I was desperate. Knowing even a shred of information about him might help me understand the kind of person or creature holding me hostage. Only then could I plan my escape. Suddenly, the sharp cry of a vulture echoed through the quiet, making me jump. My eyes darted upward, and there was a massive bird circling ominously above us. My breath caught. “What
ZEUSThe ground beneath me felt unsteady. My worst fear had been confirmed.“You knew,” I choked out, my fists clenching at my sides. “You knew about Odin…”A slow, cruel smirk curled his lips. “Of course, I did. And so did you.” His voice lowered, venom lacing every word. “Tell me, how could you let him touch you? Didn’t your skin crawl? Didn't you feel repulsed? You were forced, right? That beast forced you into those dirty acts, right?”“Once again you call them beasts?”Rage burned hot beneath my skin. My fingers trembled as I forced myself to meet his gaze. “If you hate werewolves so much—why did you make her fall for you? Why
ZEUS"Don't tell me he saw the love bites."I ran my hand over the back of my neck with one hand, feeling the faint sting where Odin's lips had been last night, as I sped down the road.Damon’s reaction haunted me. It wasn’t just his touch on my neck, it was the way he looked at me. Something in his eyes sent a chill crawling up my spine. My heart twisted with an emotion that I couldn’t place… and I hated it.Clenching the steering wheel tighter, I forced myself to focus and press down on the accelerator harder. The city blurred past as I made my way to Lucas’ office building. Entering the parking lot, I pulled into my usual spot, my pulse drumming in my ears.“Zeus!”
ODINThe baby's sharp, heart-wrenching cries pierced through the thick walls of the meeting room, pulling my focus away from the tedious discussion with the pack’s Elders. I had been handling critical decisions—territorial expansions, rogue incursions, and strengthening our defenses—but nothing held my attention the way her cries did.Without another word, I pushed back my chair and strode toward the baby’s room. The pack members fell silent, exchanging wary glances but knowing better than to question me.The sight that met me tightened something in my chest. My little princess—face flushed, tiny fists balled up—was wailing uncontrollably in the caretaker’s arms.“What’s wrong?” My voice came out harsher than I intended.
DAMONI stepped out of the car, my polished shoes striking against the marble floor as I strode toward the penthouse. My grip on the Warpath Technologies contract tightened, the smooth paper crinkling under my fingers. My mood? Foul.“So, the President of Warpath Technologies just… sent the signed contract instead of attending the meeting?” My voice was sharp as I flicked my gaze toward Victor, who scrambled to keep pace beside me.“Yes, Mr. Damon,” he confirmed, slightly lowering his head. “His secretary delivered it personally. She mentioned the President had to leave the country due to an urgent matter, so he won’t be attending.”A bitter scowl crossed my face. This contract, the one I’d fought tooth and nail for—was finally in m
ZEUSThe next day, I woke up earlier than usual. My nerves were already on edge, a mix of excitement and thrill twisting in my stomach. As I worked out, my eyes kept darting toward the clock.Odin was coming.After he left last night, Victor got a call from Warpath Technologies saying they wanted to sign the deal with Darcy Group. Which meant today… Odin and I were supposed to meet again.The thought alone sent a rush of energy through my veins, and I finished my morning routine in record time. But as I stepped out of the shower, something felt… off.Victor wasn’t here.He was always on time, never late, never absent. Yet, today of all days, there was no sign of him. I reached for m
ODIN“I love you,” I murmured, pressing my lips softly against Zeus’.“I love you too,” he whispered back, his kiss lingering, as if neither of us wanted to pull away.I gazed down at him, memorizing every inch of his face—the curve of his lips, the warmth in his hazel eyes. Mine. He was mine, and leaving him here, alone in Damon Darcy’s grasp, felt like carving off a piece out of my soul.A sharp knock on the door shattered the fragile moment.“Mr. Damon,” Victor’s voice came from the other side.Zeus lifted his head, meeting my gaze with a small, reassuring smile. “Go,” he mouthed, gently releasing my hand.
ZEUSNo wonder I hadn’t connected the dots. Warpath’s president—the elusive, shadowy figure no one seemed to have seen in person—was him.Odin must’ve caught the flicker of realization on my face because he stepped closer, his voice softening as he reached for my collar. “You look thinner,” he murmured, adjusting it with gentle fingers.I laughed under my breath, trying to shake off the tension. “Really?”“Zeus…”His voice sent a shiver through me. I still wasn’t used to him saying my real name, not like that.“Hm?” I couldn’t meet his gaze. If I did, I might lose what little resolve I had left.His hand slid down to mine, gripping it firmly. “Let’s go home
DAMONWith a cigarette balanced between my fingers, I leaned back in my chair, my gaze fixed on Victor standing rigidly before me.“The plan went exactly as you wished, Mr. Damon,” he reported, his voice steady but cautious. “My men recklessly tailed that Jay guy as you instructed. Zeus discovered it and he was furious.”I exhaled a thin stream of smoke, letting the silence stretch before I spoke. “Furious… or afraid?” Afraid that I would find out something by linking all the clues? The corner of my lips curled into a cold, knowing smile when my eyes landed on the dossier spread across my desk.Jay Williamson. Twenty-nine. Unemployed.But that wasn’t what caught my attention.“A hunter, “ my voice drop
“Then why didn’t you contact me after you left me again?” he softly asked, but the steel in his tone and the sharp glint in his brown eyes made it clear that he wasn’t pleased. I knew he was not going to take it all well.My mouth went dry as the last button slipped free, revealing sculpted muscle—smooth skin stretched over his broad chest and the hard ridges of his eight-pack abs, the lower abs were wrapped in gauze. But it wasn’t just his body that made my pulse race—it was the raw intensity pouring off him in waves, the barely restrained hunger in his eyes.And when my gaze dipped lower…Damn.A very dangerous bulge strained against his tailored slacks—thick, proud, and