LOGINRuelleThe vehicle passed through a pair of tall iron gates and continued along a private road lined with carefully trimmed trees. Rain streaked the tinted windows, blurring my view of the estate until the mansion appeared through the gray curtain.It was enormous.The sprawling three-story structure was made of pale stone and dark glass, its sharp modern design softened only by the ivy climbing one wing. Men in dark uniforms guarded the entrance, some carrying guns while others relied on the far more dangerous weapons hidden beneath their skin, their wolves.The SUV stopped beneath the covered entrance. The werewolf who had captured me climbed out first, then dragged me after him by the arm.His fingers dug into my flesh through my damp blouse. I wanted to struggle, but I forced myself to remain still. Fighting him now would only waste what little strength I had left.I couldn’t outrun a werewolf in my current condition, especially with my hands tied and half the estate watching. My
Ruelle“Wait,” I said, tightening my grip on the bag. “The man you’re looking for ran into the forest.”The man’s gaze dropped to the leather bag in my lap. That was all the evidence he needed. He seized my hair and dragged me out of the cab.Pain tore through my scalp as the ribbon came loose, sending my hair tumbling around my face. The paper bag of books fell from my knees and landed in a puddle.“Let go of me!” I grabbed his wrist, but he was far stronger. “I don’t know that man!”“You lying bitch.” His grip tightened. “You’re obviously working with that traitor.”“I’m not!”Another man stood beside the driver’s window, questioning him in a low voice. The frightened driver glanced at me before shaking his head.“I picked her up alone,” he said. “That boy forced his way into the cab. I don’t know anything else.”The werewolf questioning him looked toward the brute holding me. His gaze fell upon the bag before he gave a curt nod.Apparently, the driver’s explanation wasn’t enough.T
RuelleFor the rest of the day, the only thing I could think about was what Pierce and I would discuss when he returned.‘I’ll miss you.’His words didn’t leave my mind the entire day. They surfaced while I helped Ren with his lunch, while I sat with him during his afternoon break, and again that night when I lay in bed staring at the ceiling.I hadn’t answered Pierce. I had been too stunned, and of course far too embarrassed, to form a proper response. Thankfully, he hadn’t pressed me for one. He had merely given me one last smile before leaving, as if my silence had told him enough.Arrogant beast.The following day, while Ren was occupied with his lessons, I decided to visit the central district. I needed a few books to fill my spare time, and more importantly, something capable of distracting me from the thoughts of Pierce.Before leaving, I asked Jenna if she needed anything. She was reluctant to send me on an errand, but after I insisted that I would already be passing through t
Ruelle“Stay here,” Pierce ordered.Annoyance flashed in his eyes as he turned toward the door, though annoyance seemed too mild a word for it. His face had gone rigid, every trace of warmth replaced by the cold authority of an Alpha prepared to murder whoever had interrupted us.He released me with obvious reluctance. The loss of his hands left me strangely cold.As he crossed the room, I hurried into the shadowed corner beside the wardrobe, where I wouldn’t be visible if someone glanced through the doorway. I pressed a hand to my burning lips and tried to quiet my breathing.Pierce opened the door only a fraction.Lawrence’s voice drifted through the narrow opening, and after a brief exchange, the two men walked away. Their footsteps faded along the corridor.I waited for a full minute, listening for movement outside. When the hallway remained silent, I slipped out of his room and hurried toward the staff wing.By the time I reached my own door, I was panting as though I had run acr
RuelleBefore I could fully comprehend the meaning behind Pierce’s words, his mouth found mine.The first touch was unexpectedly soft.After everything he had said, after the hunger I’d seen burning in his eyes, I expected him to take the kiss without hesitation. Instead, his lips barely brushed mine, warm and careful, as though he were giving me one last chance to refuse him.For a breath, neither of us moved.His hand remained at my waist, the other resting near my nape. He held me loosely enough that I could step away if I wanted to.I should have.Every reasonable thought in my head warned me to stop this before it became another mistake I would spend the next day regretting. But then his thumb moved against my waist, and something deep inside me pulled toward him with an ache I couldn’t understand.My fingers curled into the front of his shirt.That small response was all the permission Pierce needed. His mouth returned to mine with enough hunger to steal the breath from my lungs
PierceThe way her eyes shone in the dim room, bright against the shadows, made me believe she wanted me too.Perhaps not with the same maddening intensity. Perhaps she couldn’t even understand what was happening between us yet.But a part of her wanted me.And I needed her.Through the mate bond, I could sense faint traces of her emotions, but mine were too violent, too overwhelming, for me to distinguish which feelings belonged to her. My fingers rested against the tender skin of her throat, her pulse racing beneath my thumb. Every beat called to the beast inside me, feeding its desire to possess her in every way possible.To cover her in my scent. To mark her as mine.The bracelet around my wrist felt useless. Its magic had once dulled the bond enough for me to control myself, but now it seemed no stronger than a thread holding back a starving wolf.I had nearly lost my mind when Ruelle pulled away from our kiss last night.For hours, I had believed she despised what I’d done. That







