Autumn I need to survive without harm. Zane had agreed to let me massage him, and I couldn't refuse. I quickly went to collect the oil and returned to his chamber. When I entered, the sight before me made my breath hitch. The Lycan King — a man feared by many — was half-naked, lying on the bed with his broad back exposed. His muscles rippled with every subtle movement, like a Greek god sculpted from stone. I approached cautiously, the oil bottle trembling slightly in my hands. "Your Highness, I'm going to apply the oil," I said, keeping my voice steady. "Ok. Do it," he commanded, his tone indifferent, yet I could feel the weight of his presence. I poured the oil into my palms, warming it before pressing it onto his back. My fingers traced along the tension in his muscles, kneading the knots carefully. At first, he watched me, his piercing eyes tracking every move. But as I continued, my hands moving with practiced precision, his gaze softened. The tension that gripped his bo
Zane granted us 50 acres for cultivation, and we poured our hearts into the work. Every seed we planted held a piece of our hope. Despite the challenges, I could feel the land responding to our care. I approached Zane with a request to set up a soil testing lab. It would help us analyze the soil’s nutrient content and apply the right amount of biofertilizers. To my surprise, he approved it without much argument. It seemed like my words had begun to hold some weight. Whenever he had free time, Zane would call me to his chambers for a massage. His demeanor towards me had shifted — less cold, though still unreadable. He didn’t treat me with the same disdain as before. Maybe it was my obedience, or perhaps he was simply intrigued. Hannah, too, was finding her place here. With Zane’s permission, she started attending school. Seeing her smile, free from the fear that had plagued her, brought me comfort. I wasn’t entirely alone either. I found friends — Mia, Clara, and Jade. Mia and
"We're all safe under our king," Jade said, handing me a glass of sparkling cider. "So don't hesitate. Just drink, eat, and dance." His smile was reassuring, and the warmth in his voice made me feel a little more at ease. I glanced around at the joyful crowd — people were laughing, clinking glasses, and swaying to the music. The vibrant energy of the celebration was infectious. Mia and Clara were already dancing, twirling in their elegant gowns, their laughter ringing through the air. Even Hannah was enjoying herself, giggling as she ran around with other children. "Come on, Autumn," Jade encouraged, his voice low and inviting. "Tonight's about celebrating. You’ve earned it." I nodded slowly, taking a tentative sip of the drink. The crisp sweetness tingled on my tongue, refreshing and light. For once, I allowed myself to savor the moment. "Maybe just one drink," I said with a small smile. Jade grinned. "That's the spirit." The music shifted to a livelier tune, and he ext
Zane's POV She was beautiful. The soft fabric of the dress I had chosen for her hugged her curves just right, flowing with her every movement. It was simple yet elegant, a perfect contrast to the overly adorned women around her. And Hannah — she gleamed with joy in her matching dress, her laughter ringing across the hall. But my focus never strayed far from Autumn. When she danced with Jade, something primal stirred within me. The way his hand rested on her waist, how he whispered in her ear, the smile that tugged at her lips — it was enough to make my blood boil. I wanted to tear him away from her. Before I could act on the dark thoughts clouding my mind, she pulled away from the dance floor and dragged me to the drinks corner. I followed, watching as she downed one drink after another. One. Two. Three. "Enough," I growled lowly. But she ignored me. Four. Five. "Omega. Stop it," I warned, my voice firm. Her head tilted back as she emptied another glass, then stu
Zane's POV She slept beside me, her breathing steady and peaceful. I had no problem with that. For some reason, her presence didn't disturb me like I thought it would. Instead, the warmth of her body close to mine brought an odd sense of calm. I had spent years in this vast, empty chamber, surrounded by luxury but devoid of comfort. Servants and women came and went, but none had ever shared my bed without leaving a lingering sense of emptiness. Yet now, with this omega — Autumn — it was different. As I closed my eyes, I realized how unfamiliar this feeling was. Comfort. Not from silk sheets or expensive wine, but from the steady rhythm of her breaths and the delicate scent of her lingering presence. The next morning, I woke early. The sunlight filtered through the heavy curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Autumn was still fast asleep, curled up like a kitten beneath the blanket. I watched her for a moment, the strands of her hair falling across her face. But I could
Tears welled in my eyes as I tried to catch my breath. My hands trembled, and my voice cracked. "I searched everywhere," I stammered. "I asked Mia, Clara, even the guards near the school. No one saw her. She should’ve been home by now. Something... something terrible must have happened." Zane's gaze remained fixed on me, his expression cold and unreadable. But the slight clench of his jaw told me he was listening. "I have no one else, Your Highness," I continued, my voice breaking. "If anything happens to Hannah, I... I’ve failed. I couldn't protect her. I promised my parents I would keep her safe, and now..." I choked on the lump in my throat, the weight of helplessness crashing over me. My knees threatened to buckle, but I held myself up, refusing to collapse. Zane’s golden eyes darkened, something fierce flickering beneath the surface. He stepped closer, his towering presence sending a shiver down my spine. "Enough," he commanded, his voice low yet firm. "Crying won't b
William's POV After the royal attack, we hid in the forest for days, barely surviving. Now, it’s time to claim what’s mine. Autumn — a simple, plain girl with no sense of beauty or elegance. While other women in the pack took pride in their appearance, she spent her days covered in dirt, working the fields. Our parents arranged this engagement, believing it would strengthen alliances. But I never saw any value in it. She wasn’t like the other women — no status, no fighting skills, and no appeal. My father and mother survived the attack, and now they expect me to fulfill my duty. "Bring her home," my father commanded, thinking Autumn's newfound position in the Lycan King’s kingdom could be our salvation. She's become somewhat of a name there, hasn’t she? Rumors say even the King might favor her. If the King is fond of her, he may spare us — and that’s all that matters now. It doesn’t mean I have to keep her. The thought of being tied to a woman like her disgusts me. I want a po
Autumn's POV I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing my trembling hands to remain steady. "Your Highness," I began, my voice barely above a whisper, "I will go with him." Saying those words felt like a dagger piercing through my chest. But what choice did I have? This was my father's last wish. And William… no matter how distant or uninterested he had been, he was still my fiancé. "But..." I paused, gathering every bit of courage I had left. "Will you please allow Hannah to stay here?" My sister’s safety was my only concern. She had grown comfortable here, surrounded by people who cared. Zane had ensured she had a proper education and a life without fear. I couldn't take that away from her. Zane leaned back in his throne, his golden eyes narrowing. For a moment, he said nothing. The silence was deafening, each second stretching longer than the last. His unreadable expression sent chills down my spine. I waited, praying he would grant my request. " ok, Hannah can sta
The air inside the sacred stone chamber was thick with incense and ancient energy. Autumn held Zane’s hand tightly, her fingers trembling. High Priestess Lysandra appeared in glowing white robes, her silvery eyes gleaming with divine sight. “You’ve come seeking truth,” Lysandra spoke, her voice echoing as if a thousand ancestors spoke through her. Autumn’s voice cracked, “For a week now, I’ve seen the same dream. A man calls me his wife. He’s cold. Dangerous. I’m terrified.” The priestess placed her hands on Autumn’s temples. “Because he was your husband… in a life you no longer remember.” The torches dimmed. Light shimmered in a glowing circle around them. Visions began to swirl like mist, and the past unfolded before their eyes. Flashback Her name had once been Bella—an omega born under a rare celestial sign, blessed by the Moon Goddess herself. It was said Bella’s soul held a power unlike any other, a divine light meant to balance darkness. When she turned eighteen, she fo
Autumn’s POV I was running—branches whipping against my skin, my breath ragged, and heart pounding like a war drum. The dense forest felt endless, suffocating. But I could feel it… him—right behind me. His presence slithered across my spine like cold steel. “Run all you want, wife,” a deep, mocking voice echoed behind me. Wife? My eyes widened in terror as I pushed harder, but panic made me clumsy. My foot hit a jagged rock hidden beneath the fallen leaves, and I crashed to the ground with a painful thud. My head struck something hard, and stars exploded in my vision. Dizzy, I rolled over, and there he was—tall, shadowy, with crimson eyes glowing in the darkness. A cruel smile curled on his lips. "Running from your husband isn’t very polite,” he whispered coldly. He grabbed me with inhuman strength, tossing me over his shoulder like I was weightless. “No! I’m not going with you! You monster!” I screamed, flailing, but it was no use. “Shout all you want. No one will help you,
Zane’s POV: As we finished breakfast, I reached for her hand, gently running my thumb over her wrist. “In two days,” I said quietly, looking deep into her eyes, “it will be the full moon.” Autumn tilted her head. “So?” “We need to perform the Soul Bound Ritual,” I explained. “It's a sacred rite… one only true mates or bonded rulers perform.” She blinked, unsure. “What do we have to do?” I stood and pulled her closer, my hands resting on her waist. “We offer our blood to the Moon Goddess,” I said. “Yours and mine… mixed together in the ancient bowl, under the full moon. We’ll speak our vows not just as husband and wife—but as soulmates, bound by fate. Once we do that, her blessings will shower upon us. Nothing can break us apart after that.” Her breath caught. “Is… is it painful?” I shook my head. “No. Just a small cut on the palm. But the moment our blood touches the offering flame, we’ll feel it. A connection… a pulse through our veins. It’s like our souls whisper
Zane gently lifted Autumn into his arms, her soft gasp making his heart race. He carried her to the next room, the door closing quietly behind them. The moonlight slipped through the curtains, casting silver patterns on the bed as he laid her down with care. “I missed your touch… your warmth,” he whispered, brushing his lips along her collarbone. He leaned in, capturing her mouth in a slow, lingering kiss — one filled with everything he had held back for so long. His hand slid to her waist, fingers brushing over the fabric of her dress as he deepened the kiss, savoring her soft sighs against his lips. Their bodies moved in perfect rhythm, like they had waited years for this moment. Every touch was a promise, every kiss a confession. Zane’s lips traveled down her neck, sending shivers through her as his hand caressed her curves with reverence. “I’ve craved you since the moment I met you, Autumn,” he breathed against her skin. “I want all of you… your mind, your heart, your bo
Zane's POV As we sat together in our room, I looked at Autumn, her presence still making my heart race like the first day. I reached for her hand. “Why don’t we get married again?” I asked softly. “This time… with all the love we’ve built.” She blinked, then looked away, cheeks turning a deep shade of red. She was blushing so adorably, it made me grin. Before she could answer, Valen barged in, arms crossed with a dramatic sigh. “It’s getting too boring, Mom.” I chuckled. “What now, little man?” “Dad,” he said with those pleading eyes, “can you buy me a remote-control car?” I ruffled his hair. “Of course, son. Why not?” He paused, then added with a mischievous glint, “I want one more thing… a small baby.” Autumn nearly choked. I smirked. “Ask your mom. I’m always ready.” She gasped and slapped my shoulder. “Zane!” After the chaos Valen stirred with his “baby” request, we all ended up in the living room, laughter still echoing in the air. Zane sat on the floor
Zane's POV As sunlight filtered through the heavy drapes of our room, I gently brushed a kiss to Autumn’s temple and whispered, “Get ready, love. We’re going to the kingdom today. There are people we must meet, and duties we cannot delay.” She nodded sleepily, still curled against me. I kissed her forehead once more and got out of bed to prepare for the day. Later, after reaching the heart of my kingdom, I held a brief but crucial meeting with the high council and key leaders, addressing matters that needed swift attention. My voice carried authority, but today, it also held a hidden excitement—one I hadn’t felt in years. As the meeting neared its end, I stood from my throne and silenced the room with a single raised hand. “Before we conclude, I have something important to announce.” A murmur rippled through the hall. I turned toward the golden doors. “Autumn. Bring Valen, please.” The doors opened slowly, revealing my wife and our son. Autumn’s grace was radiant, dressed in
Autumn’s POV After Clara’s confession, everything felt heavy—my heart, my body, my soul. I couldn’t stand there anymore, couldn’t even look at anyone. Zane didn’t let me fall. He lifted me effortlessly in his arms, ignoring the shocked gasps around us, and carried me out of the hall, up the grand staircase into our bedroom. He kicked the door shut behind him and set me gently on the bed like I was something precious. I curled into myself, wrapping my arms around my knees. I felt small… so small. For a few moments, there was only silence — heavy, raw, suffocating. Then the bed dipped beside me as Zane sat down. He didn’t speak, didn’t force me to talk. Instead, he pulled me gently into his lap, cradling me against his chest. I could feel the strong, steady beat of his heart against my cheek. I clung to his shirt, needing something—anything—to ground me. "I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice rough and hoarse. "I'm so sorry I ever doubted you... that I ever made you
Autumn’s POVZane grabbed my hand firmly but gently and led me into the vast hall where Clara was already standing, looking extremely nervous. Her hands fidgeted in front of her, her eyes darting everywhere but toward me."Tell her the truth," Zane commanded, his voice low and sharp like a blade.Clara flinched at his tone. She trembled visibly, her mouth opening and closing like she was struggling for breath. Finally, she whispered, "I'm sorry... Autumn, I need to tell you what really happened that night."My heart pounded painfully in my chest. I stepped closer, desperate for answers, dreading what I might hear.Flashback "That night, Mia, you, and I went to the club... you were so happy, laughing freely, dancing without a care in the world. And I—" Clara’s voice cracked, "I was burning inside.""I was jealous, Autumn. I had a huge crush on Zane... and no matter what I did, he never even noticed me. All he ever saw was you."Clara wiped her tears harshly and continued, "I planned t
Marc’s face twisted with a mix of regret and desperation. “You think he’s better than me?” he snapped, his voice cracking. “You think Zane is going to love you the way I did?” I didn’t flinch. “No. He already does… without betrayal.” Marc’s jaw clenched. “You’re mine, Autumn. You were always supposed to be mine.” Suddenly, Zane stepped forward, his presence like a storm rolling in. Calm… but deadly. “I’d be careful with your words, Marc,” Zane said in a low voice, eyes sharp like blades. “You don’t own her. She’s my wife now.” Marc turned, fists clenched. “You manipulated everything—used force, threats—” Zane didn’t even blink. “You gave me no choice. You were playing games while I fought to keep her safe. From people like you.” Marc laughed bitterly. “You kidnapped me, Zane!” Zane’s lips curled slightly. “I spared you. You should be grateful you’re standing here breathing.” The tension crackled in the air. I stepped between them. “Enough.” Zane’s arm immediately came around