LOGINAstrid’s POVThe words hung in the air between us like a blade. “I can smell your arousal from here. Who is making you aroused, Astrid?”My heart slammed so hard I was sure he could hear it. I opened my mouth but nothing came out at first. The Hall of Verdict was empty now except for the two of us. The high table still held the papers from the elders’ meeting. Morning light cut across the floor in sharp lines.“I… I do not know what you mean, Alpha,” I said. My voice sounded thin even to my own ears.Xavier stayed seated, but his eyes never left my face. He tilted his head slightly, studying me the way a predator studies something that has already been caught.“Do not lie to me.” His tone stayed quiet, almost calm, which somehow made it worse. “I asked a simple question. Who is making you smell like this?”I took a small step back. “No one. Maybe it is just the stress of the morning. Or the potion. Sometimes it—”He stood up in one smooth motion. The chair scraped lightly against the
Astrid’s POVXavier’s mouth was on mine before I could even breathe. He kissed me hard and deep, like he had been starving for it. His tongue pushed past my lips and claimed every part of my mouth. I tried to pull back but his hand was already in my hair, holding me still.He broke the kiss only long enough to growl against my lips. “I have wanted this for so long.”Then he spun me around and pushed me against the cold stone wall. My back hit it with a soft thud. His hands were everywhere. He yanked my dress up around my waist and tore my undergarment down in one rough motion. I heard the fabric rip. His own clothes were already open. The thick head of his cock pressed against my entrance, hot and heavy.“Xavier, we should not—”He thrust into me in one deep stroke. The stretch burned and filled me completely. A broken sound left my throat. He did not give me time to adjust. He started fucking me hard against the wall, each thrust slamming me higher onto my toes. His hands gripped my
Xavier’s PovI left Astrid’s quarters and walked the quiet halls back toward my own chambers. I still could not fully believe I had followed her instructions and stepped out of a servant’s room simply because she asked. The strange part was that I liked the sound of it. I liked that she had spoken to me that way.My thoughts drifted as I walked. I pictured her lying on that small bed the way I had left her. Then the image shifted. I imagined her lying on me instead, her body warm and soft against mine, her breath against my neck. The thought alone made my cock stir.Erevos’s voice slid through my mind, low and mocking. Your thoughts are so dirty. You would devour her right now.I answered him without slowing my steps. “So would you.”“Oh, look who has energy to talk back,” he said. “ I see you finally found your spine.”“I am you and you are me,” I told him. “If I want her, you want her too. Stop acting like a pathetic loser.”Erevos laughed darkly. “If I am a pathetic loser, then you
Astrid’s PovI paced slowly across the small room, forcing myself to stay awake. If I sat on that soft mattress for even a moment I knew sleep would take me. Tonight I could not allow it. I needed to finish what I had started for Xavier. The thought still felt strange. Who would have believed I would stay up at this hour trying to help the same Alpha who had once dragged me into this castle as a prisoner?I stopped by the window and looked out at the dark sky. My mind drifted back to Aliya’s words from earlier. The way she had asked if I planned to join them. Heat crawled across my skin as unwanted images followed. Aliya on top of him. His hands on her. The two of them moving together in the dark. I pressed my lips together hard.Why did I care? It should mean nothing to me. Yet the idea of them touching each other in ways no one else should see made something tight and uncomfortable twist in my chest. I told myself it was only leftover tension from the day. Nothing more.A very soft
Astrid’s PovI stepped out of the Alpha’s chambers and walked a few paces away from the guards. Once I was sure they could not hear me clearly, I muttered under my breath in a high, mocking voice.“Oh baby. Baby, how are you doing? Baby, how are you?”I rolled my eyes. She had practically run when the Alpha ordered everyone to leave, yet she came back acting so concerned. So fake. What did the Alpha even see in her? She forced herself on him like it meant nothing. Talking about mating so openly while she could not even stay when things got difficult. Disgusting.I did not realize I had spoken the last word out loud.“What are you talking about?” Talon’s voice came from behind me. “Why are you talking to yourself, Astrid? Are you talking about your Luna?”I jumped and spun around. “I am sorry, Beta. I was not talking about anybody. I was just… singing a song.”Talon raised one eyebrow. “It does not sound or seem like a song, Astrid.”I bowed my head quickly. Damn it. Why was I already
Xavier’s POVI hated the interruption more than anything.If there was ever a moment I truly hated being Alpha, it was this one. Someone had decided to walk into my chambers while Astrid’s hands were still on my skin. While her cool cloths were easing the fire under my flesh. While I was finally starting to breathe again.Her touch had felt good. Too good. I had been enjoying every careful stroke across my chest and neck. Then the door opened and the moment shattered.Aliya’s voice came first.“Oh baby, I had to call the Moon Goddess. I had to. I had to call the healers. What’s wrong? Are you okay now?”She rushed forward and turned sharply on Astrid.“What are you doing to him? What are you keeping him like this for?”Astrid’s voice came out small. “I was trying to make his temperature go down.”I spoke before Aliya could say more. “Let Astrid be.”Aliya shook her head and wrapped her arms around me instead. “Are you fine? Are you better now? Oh, your body is still so hot.”The Moon
Astrid’s PovAliyah released my hair and threw me to the floor like I was nothing.I hit the cold stone hard, my palms scraping against the ground. Before I could even think about getting up, her foot came down on my hand. Not a kick. A slow, deliberate stomp. I bit down on my lip so hard I tasted
Astrid’s Pov“You.” Aliyah’s voice cut straight through me like a blade. “Stand up. Now.”I scrambled to my feet so fast I nearly knocked the chair over. “I’m so sorry, Luna. The Alpha called me here. I swear, I didn’t come on my own. I would never—”“Relax.” She waved her hand like my words were f
Astrid's PovMy back was pressed so hard against the cold stone wall that I could feel every rough edge digging into my skin. Alpha Xavier stood barely an inch away from me, towering over my trembling frame. His presence was suffocating, like the air itself had grown heavier just because he was nea
Astrid’s PovHis eyes met mine, they were sharp, red, and impossible to read. Then, just as suddenly, they closed again. He collapsed back onto the bed, unconscious.That was my sign to leave.He probably wouldn’t remember any of it. It might have just been a momentary surge of energy. Either way,







