LOGINRose shivered, a sharp gasp escaping her as the cool air hit her bare skin. Ethan had dragged her lace panties down, leaving them tangled around her ankles. She felt his large, calloused palms settle on her hips, his thumbs tracing the curves of her backside with a slow, agonizing possessiveness. She let out a low moan, her body arching into his touch, but the tenderness was short-lived.Without warning, a heavy impact landed on her soft flesh. The sting was sudden and sharp, tearing a cry from her throat."Ah!"Ethan didn’t pull away. He immediately covered the reddened skin with his palm, the heat of his hand soothing the very fire he had just ignited."Count, Rose," he commanded, his voice dropping into a dangerously low, gravelly register that vibrated against her chest. "If you don't count for me, I won't stop until I decide you've had enough. Give me ten."Rose nodded frantically, her teeth sinking into her lower lip. She tried to find her voice, but the sensation of his skin ag
Ethan let out a rough groan when he felt her tongue sweep against his. He deepened the kiss instantly, his tongue sliding into her mouth to claim her. Rose melted against him, her body going soft in his arms as she let him take control, losing herself completely in the addictive taste of him.Her hands began a slow, deliberate trail over his chest, trembling slightly but determined. She caught the hem of his shirt and tugged it free, her palms sliding underneath to meet his bare skin. The contrast of her silky touch against the hard, rigid muscle of his torso ignited a fire that roared through him, making his skin burn everywhere she wandered.Ethan was drowning in the sensation of her mouth and her hands, but when he felt her fingers dip dangerously toward the waistband of his pants, he reacted. He caught her wrist just before she could slip beneath the fabric of his boxers."What do you think you’re doing, princess?" he rasped. His voice was a low, jagged growl of pure lust. He knew
The day had bled into a frustrated twilight. With no lead on Grace or Arthur, the pack house had fallen into a heavy, restless silence. In his room, Ethan paced the floor, his hand hovering over the door handle. He gripped the cold metal, twisted it, then forced himself to let go.Since he had found out only today that Rose was his fated mate, his wolf had been howling for her in the back of his mind. The beast wanted to mark her and claim her as their own. But at the same time, Ethan didn’t want to scare her. Having seen her grow up from a child, the idea of suddenly pouncing on her just because they were bound by the Goddess felt wrong.He loved her, yet he didn't want to seem desperate. Still, the pull was a constant, physical ache. He knew that if he saw Rose, the thin thread of his restraint would snap. They were mates—a bond discovered only hours ago and already dangerously volatile—and every second away from her felt like a fever dream.Ethan swore under his breath, his pulse h
Killian’s eyes narrowed, his gaze darting between Ethan and Rose. He slowly retracted his pressure, rising from Ethan’s body like a predator weighing its options. He turned his head to find Rose standing by the stairs, her hands trembling as she covered her mouth, sobbing silently. Isabella stood beside her, arms wrapped tight around her sister-in-law in an attempt to anchor her, but Rose’s eyes never left Ethan’s. They were wide and filled with a raw, agonizing fear—not of her brother, but for the man pinned beneath him.The sight hit Ethan harder than Killian’s elbow ever could. Goddess, it hurt. Every instinct in his body screamed at him to go to her, to kiss away every tear, and to scent her until she felt safe.Killian stalked toward Rose. Ethan scrambled to his feet, quickly wiping the dust from his clothes. He watched as Killian reached out, his large hands surprisingly gentle as he wiped Rose’s tears and pulled her protectively into the crook of his arm.Ethan stood frozen.
Ethan had arrived at the pack house with Joel, Logan, and Alex, his mind a whirlwind of tactical maneuvers. He had already tightened the border security and issued a covert alert to the army to track Grace and Arthur. He knew the truth of their betrayal was a powder keg; if the pack learned their own high-ranking members had turned, the resulting panic would be a wildfire they couldn't contain.He stood in the center of the hall, his posture rigid, waiting for his Alpha. But then, the environment changed.The heavy, metallic scent of tension and old stone was suddenly swept away. A fragrance—so sweet and intoxicating it made his heart stutter—hit Ethan’s nose. Jasmine and lavender. It was soft, floral, and carried an ethereal warmth that didn't belong in a house of war.Ethan’s wolf, usually a disciplined soldier, began to purr with a deep, vibrating resonance that echoed through his skull. His skin prickled, his senses sharpening until he could hear the heartbeat of every man in the
“The Moon Goddess really loves to play with our feelings,” he chuckled breathlessly, the sound vibrating against her skin as he pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. “When I was dying, I found myself in exactly the same spot where I had been five years ago. And then I saw you—the little Isabella who saved me without a single thought for her own life.”This time, tears shimmered in his eyes as well, reflecting the depth of his regret. “But why didn't you ever tell me?” There was a trace of hurt and a quiet complaint in his tone, the pain of five wasted years hanging between them.“I tried, Killian,” Isabella said, her lips trembling as the memories of her struggle flooded back. She remembered every time she had reached out, only to be pushed aside. “But you weren't ready to hear anything against Maya.”She had fought so hard for her place in his life, but he had been blind to the savior standing right in front of him.“I am sorry, my life. I was such a fool not to see the real gem
“E-Ethan, wait!” she called, nearly stumbling as he kept walking, his stride long and unyielding. She could barely keep up, especially in her heels.He didn’t slow down.“Ethan! Slow down, I’m going to fall,” she protested breathlessly.Still, he pulled her along, his grip unshakably firm—as if let
Rose changed quickly, her movements half-hearted. She didn’t pay much attention to what she wore, grabbing the first outfit she found in her cupboard—a red halter top, black leather pants, and ankle boots. Simple, yet striking enough.Corbin was already waiting in the hall, dressed casually in a bl
When Killian left the banquet hall to cool off, he was fuming. If he hadn’t stepped out for air, he might’ve done something he’d regret later. Without a second thought, he stripped off his clothes, shifted, and ran into the woods, letting his anger burn away with every pounding stride.He finally
Grace stepped forward, fury radiating off her. Her hand swung through the air and struck Arthur hard across the face. The sharp crack echoed through the forest.Arthur’s head snapped to the side. He stared at her in disbelief, then glanced around—their men were watching. His jaw tightened, his eyes







