LOGINCiara’s POVI couldn’t say anything, so I just stared at him, my whole body aching with needs and my brain so fuzzy that thinking became difficult.I didn’t want this man to have access to me whenever he wanted, but resisting him was so damn hard because I literally wanted him all the time. I had tried to be a good wife despite all the shit I was going through, but it was impossible. Even without the pup constantly messing with my hormones, I had wanted this man before I even knew he was my father-in-law. He had tormented my dreams and made me crave him in ways that scared me. How could I resist him when every single part of me was screaming for him?Dax stood there in the small restroom, eyes glowing that deep crimson, just staring at my naked body except for the thin panties still clinging to me. He wasn’t doing much yet, and that suspense was driving me insane. His pheromones filled the air, thick and sweet and overwhelming, wrapping around me and sank straight into my blood. Th
Ciara’s POVThe ride to the Blackthorne private airport was fast, almost too fast, like the city itself was eager to push me out, and I sat there quietly, hands resting on my lap, pretending not to notice the way Dax kept glancing at me.He was not doing it openly or boldly but he was definitely staring Every few seconds, his eyes would flick toward me, linger just a little too long, then return to whatever was in front of him, like he was checking something… or holding himself back.It made me uncomfortable.I was not scared, just… aware and that was worse.I kept my gaze forward, forcing myself to stay calm, because reacting would only make it worse, and I wasn’t about to give him that satisfaction, not when I was this close to leaving.Finally, the car slowed and pulled into a private section of the airport, far from the usual noise and crowd, and the moment I stepped out, my eyes landed on the jet waiting ahead.It wasn’t like the others, not even close.The structure was sleeker
Ciara’s POVI stood in front of the mirror, fingers moving through my hair as I braided it slowly, carefully, like if I took my time with something simple, my thoughts would stay just as steady, but they didn’t, they kept drifting, circling back to yesterday, to Jasper’s face, to the way he switched from madness to something broken and back again like nothing meant anything to him, and it sent a quiet chill down my spine even now.Still… I exhaled and straightened, forcing my shoulders back as I took in my reflection properly, because I looked good, no… I looked more than good, the red gown hugged my body just right, soft against my skin, and the slight swell of my belly was visible now, not enough to draw too much attention but enough to remind me that everything happening wasn’t just some twisted game, it was real, growing inside me and changing everything.“Focus,” I muttered under my breath, smoothing the fabric over my waist as a small smile tugged at my lips despite everything,
Ciara’s POV“S-spy?” I repeated, my voice catching slightly as I stared at him, trying to process what he had just said, but Jasper only grinned like he had just suggested something simple, something normal, like asking me to pass him a glass of water instead of dragging me into something that could get me killed.“Yes, wifey… spy,” he said again, that same twisted smile stretching across his face as if this was all amusing to him, as if my life wasn’t hanging somewhere between his madness and whatever game he was playing.For a second, I just looked at him.Then something inside me snapped.My hand twitched, the urge to slap that grin clean off his face rising so fast it almost slipped through my control, but I forced it down, my fingers curling slightly at my side as I reminded myself that I was still under him, in his space and dealing with a man who didn’t think like a normal human being.And yet… I couldn’t stop the thought.What exactly did he think he was gaining?I narrowed my
Ciara’s POVStaring at my crying husband, I was stunned… no, stunned doesn’t even begin to describe what I felt. I was completely frozen, caught between disbelief and a strange, twisted kind of pity that made my stomach turn but knowing how many faces he got, I immediately shove that feeling down. But no experience with Jasper Blackthorne had ever prepared me for this version of him, this broken, desperate man clinging to me.His grip tightened instantly and I sighed because this same man who choked me, and smiled while doing it was crying.Actual tears.Warm drops landed on my shoulder, soaking through the thin fabric of my robe as he held me tighter, his face buried in the crook of my neck like I was the only thing keeping him from falling apart.I wanted to step back immediately, to put distance between us before this moment turned into something even more dangerous, but his arms locked more around me like steel bands, pulling me flush against his chest.“Don’t go,” he whispered,
Ciara’s POVI watched Ella move around the room, carefully packing the ridiculous amount of things I had bought, while I sat cross-legged on the bed with my new laptop balanced on my thighs, fingers flying over the keyboard like I had been starved of it for years and was finally allowed to breathe again.And honestly… that was exactly what it felt like.Jasper had made sure I used my brain only when it benefited him, coding systems, breaking security, building networks he could profit from, but outside of that, my access had always been limited, controlled and watched. I wasn’t allowed to explore, to push myself, to fail and learn and build something that was mine.But today... Well, today felt different.During my shopping spree, I had dragged Alex to that tech district, I didn’t even hesitate. I went straight for the best stores, the ones with high-end systems and custom builds, and I didn’t just buy random gadgets, I picked what I knew I needed. A powerful laptop with enough proce
Ciara’s pov I don’t know how long I stayed on the floor. Long enough for the tears to dry into salty tracks on my cheeks, long enough for the pup’s energy to settle into something quieter, and almost mournful. Long enough for the cold marble to seep into my bones and remind me I was still alive, s
Ciara’s POVThe first thing that hit me was the sharp, clean, chemical and antiseptic smell of a hospital. My heavy and sticky eyes opened slowly and the white ceiling stared back at me under bright fluorescent lights that made everything feel too harsh. The room was quiet except for the soft beep
Dax’s POVFour hours.Ciara had been in there for four hours and still no sign of the pup’s energy or hers.Just thick, suffocating silence pressing against my skull.I paced the corridor outside the emergency suite, boots wearing grooves into the tile. My wolf was clawing at the inside of my skin,
Dax’s POV“Alpha… Please calm down. I’ve stabilized the mother and child. You can… see them in a few minutes.”Dr. Voss stressed every word like he was talking someone off a ledge. His voice shook just enough for me to hear it, even through the pounding in my ears. He was still face flat to the fl







