LOGIN~EVERETT~The sun was fully up by the time I stepped out into the grand courtyard.The crisp morning air hit my face, carrying the sharp scent of autumn leaves and damp earth. Parked in the center of the stone driveway was a large, heavily armored black car, flanked by armed guards. My mother and father were already standing by the open passenger door. My mother was wiping her eyes with a wet handkerchief, while my father stood tall, looking old and tired as he held the door open for me."Everett, sweet boy," my mother whispered, reaching out to wrap her arm around my waist as I walked up. "Are you ready?""I think so," I murmured softly.Before I could step into the car, a sudden, heavy wave of pressure slammed into my chest.My breath immediately hitched, and my instincts flared, pulling my gaze upward.Standing high above the courtyard, on the grand stone balcony of the master suite, was Knox.My heart almost completely stopped.Knox stood tall and rigid against the stone railing.
~EVERETT~The morning sun felt cold against my skin.I woke up early to the muffled thuds and loud clatter of staff loading heavy wooden trunks into the cars lined up in the courtyard below. Every movement of my head sent a dull, throbbing ache straight through the fresh mating bite on my neck. My throat felt tight, and my heart was already heavy. Every second that ticked by, every inch of distance being prepared between Knox and me, felt like a massive iron anvil pressing directly onto my chest.I sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the floor, wondering how my life had shattered so completely in less than twenty-four hours.A soft, hesitant knock on the wooden door broke the silence."Come in," I called out softly, my voice raspy.The door swung open, and Lord Silas stepped inside alone. He closed the door quietly behind him, his face lined with deep exhaustion and sadness. In his hands, he carried a heavy, sealed leather pouch."Everett," Silas said softly, walking over
~EVERETT~"You have to be patient," Silas said softly. "You have to give it time... and you have to leave."The room went completely quiet."What...?" I gasped, my breath catching in my throat. "Leave? Leave where?!""The court has assigned a brand new estate to your family," Silas explained gently. "It is being built right now in a luxurious, safe part of the eastern territory. With the huge financial settlement and compensation you are receiving, your family will have a fresh start with more wealth than you have ever imagined. You can leave this place. You can leave Knox, and start anew.""NO!" I screamed, pulling away from him, shaking my head frantically. "NO! I'm not leaving Knox! I will NEVER leave him!""Everett, listen to me!" Silas begged, grabbing my shoulders tightly. "You don't have a choice right now! Think about the magic! If you stay here, constantly triggering his bond while his mind rejects you, the dark relic will only lock his mind tighter! But if you leave... if yo
EVERETTPanic seized my throat, tight and suffocating. I looked at my mother, who was sobbing into her handkerchief, and then at my father, whose face was pale and broken."Mother? Father?" I stammered, my voice cracking as I stepped further into the high parlor. "Did... did something happen with the court? Did they do something to Father?!""No, Everett," Silas said softly, taking a heavy step toward me. "Your father is fine. The state immunity is signed, and the court's ruling stands. This isn't about the trial.""Then what is it?!" I gasped, my heart hammering against my ribs. "If nothing happened with the court, why are my parents crying? Is it about the engagement? We're breaking it off, right? Knox isn't in his right mind, so you're making Lewis give back the ring!"I turned my head and glared at Lewis, who was sitting stiffly on the sofa. Lewis immediately folded his hand into a tight fist, hiding the ring against his stomach, his jaw set. He clearly had zero intention of tak
~EVERETT~I studied his face for a moment longer. I was struggling to believe him, but I decided not to push it. "How have you been down here?" I asked instead. "Are they treating you okay?"Nicky nodded, with a real, softer smile returning to his face. "Things have been okay. I'm fed well, the blankets are warm, and... Miller has been taking care of me."I raised my eyebrows, nudging his shoulder playfully. "Oh, Miller has been taking care of you, has he?"Nicky blushed again, looking down at his lap. "Oh Stop it.""I'm serious!" I smiled. "I thought you vowed to never have anything to do with Alphas ever again after what happened to you."Nicky's smile faded slightly, turning thoughtful and quiet. He wrapped his arms around his knees. "I did vow that. I hated them. I hated all of them. But... Miller is different, Everett.""How is he different?" I asked gently.Nicky looked up, his eyes serious. "My former Alpha... he expected me to be perfect. He expected me to dress right, spe
EVERETTI woke up the next morning with my hand still resting against my neck.The room was bathed in pale morning light, and my body was still sore, but inside my chest, a small, stubborn flame of hope was burning bright. So I sat up on the bed and closed my eyes, focusing on the connection. I focused on that wave of pure, roaring love I had felt right before I fell asleep which hadn't been my own. It had come straight from Knox.Even though the dark magic had taken his mind again, even though he had shouted at me and defended Lewis, his soul was still fighting the magic. His soul still loved me. And I held onto that thought like a lifeline.I stood up, showered and changed into fresh clothes, pulling a high collar shirt over my neck to cover the fresh bite mark. As I tied my boots, I had to think about what to do with my day. I knew I couldn't go to Knox's wing. If I saw Lewis wearing that family ring again, or if Knox dared to talk disrespectfully to me like I was trash, I knew
~EVERETT~ The clock in my room ticked loudly, like a nervous heartbeat. Every second felt slow and brought me closer to midnight. Closer to him. I spent the hours between the shower and shame staring at the cracked ceiling, my body still buzzing from his kiss. My lips felt tender. My skin
~EVERETT~ The sound of fists hitting flesh was wet and strong. Someone made a noise. Another person cried out. Bodies were knocked backward. I couldn't see much, still pressed against the cold tile, but I heard every strike. Knox moved like a storm of controlled anger. There were three loud thud
~EVERETT~ The silence in the arena was suffocating now. Knox didn't move. He just stood there on the ice, his nostrils flaring as he took in the air. If my scent betrayed my sheer terror, I’m sure everyone here definitely noticed. I was an omega, and right now, I smelled like honey turned sour w
~EVERETT~ I never thought I’d lose my virginity like this. I never thought that the one man who hated me the most in the world would be the same man groaning as he shoved his thick cock into my tight hole for the first time in my life. But it all started a few weeks ago, the day my whole life bega







