Darius left the clinic and was about to exit the palace through the garden when he suddenly froze in his tracks.
She was walking among the flowers, seemingly after a workout. Dressed in green leggings and a tank top, her cheeks were flushed, her green eyes sparkling like stars, and the fated mate mark visible on her collarbone. So many memories surged as he looked at her. He stepped out of the shadows. “Darius!” Amber screamed, and in the next second, she leapt into his arms, wrapping him in a tight hug. “Oh my god, is it really you? It’s been so long!” She kissed his cheeks and held his hands like she was afraid he might vanish. “It’s good to see you, Amber. What are you doing here?” he asked gently. “I’m the future Beta female,” she replied proudly. “Congratulations. I’ve heard Beta Reed is a good man,” he said, genuinely happy for her.Jackie sat curled up on the couch, the firelight painting golden hues across her bare legs. She wore one of Darius’s oversized shirts—its scent a lingering echo of him—and her hair spilt in loose waves down her back. She caught her reflection in the mirror and smiled in quiet satisfaction; she looked effortlessly seductive. Of course, she’d shine brighter in her designer dresses, but those were tucked away in the royal quarters. Tonight, she had other tools—bare skin, sultry glances, and the ache in her belly that only he could soothe.She had cooked for him—lasagna, the only dish she knew how to make—and now waited, heart thudding with expectation. She needed him fully on her side. Not just for protection. Not just for survival. She wanted him—badly. And what unmated wolf could resist?When the door finally opened and he walked in—silent, brooding, dangerous—her breath hitched. His presence ignited something primal inside her.“Darius, you’re here. I made
Darina was leaving the bedroom beaming.“My King, sometimes I’m a slow learner… so I think I need to repeat the lesson tonight,” she said playfully and ran out of the room.“She’ll be the death of me,” Kai muttered, and his wolf, Bake, growled softly in agreement.He spent the day buried in countless meetings, counting down the hours until he could see Darina again—and to find out if Darius would fulfill his promise.Darina wanted to speak with Kelly, but Kelly was still at the school for another hour, assisting with the pups’ summer camp. Darina, on the other hand, had no desire to participate in the mating ceremony preparations today.Passing by the small kitchen designated for ranked members, the savory aroma of garlic, cheese, and sizzling herbs drew her in. The warmth of the small room, with sun filtering through the window and soft clatter of pans, made it feel like a hidden haven.She stepped inside and found Will and Cass
Kai shut and locked their chamber's door.Darina stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed, trying not to show how her heart was racing. He hadn't said a word since they left the study.He looked at her, narrowing her yes, "I do not know how many times I need to repeat to you to not be ignorant about your safety."“Kai—” she began.He turned sharply. “Remove your clothes.”Her breath caught. “What?”“Strip now.”She hesitated—but the command in his voice sent a shiver down her spine. She obeyed, slowly peeling off her clothes, one piece at a time, never breaking eye contact.When she stood bare before him, Kai circled her like a predator. “You hid the fact you were being watched. You didn't tell your mate.” He stopped behind her, his breath hot against her neck. “That kind of disobedience has consequences. I must remind you who your Alpha is.”His hand gripped her waist, not rough—controll
After leaving the clinic, Kai sat in his study with Darina and Reed, discussing updates to the training schedule and other matters. Darina had proposed adding some sports games for the pups and had also brought a list of requirements for the orphanages she had recently visited.Reed, mid-mindlink, suddenly announced, “Amber is joining us now—with someone who has important intel.”Moments later, Amber entered the office still dressed in her training gear. At her side was a man whose presence immediately shifted the atmosphere. He looked intimidating, exuding a dangerous, dark aura.The man was built like a mountain of muscle, dressed in all black, tattoos covering his shaved head sides, neck and arms, and his devilishly handsome face wore a heavy, cold gaze. His appearance put Kai on alert, sparked curiosity in Darina, and stirred jealousy in Reed. Reed didn’t like him—not even a little—especially seeing him so close to Amber.Sensing her mate’s em
Darius left the clinic and was about to exit the palace through the garden when he suddenly froze in his tracks. She was walking among the flowers, seemingly after a workout. Dressed in green leggings and a tank top, her cheeks were flushed, her green eyes sparkling like stars, and the fated mate mark visible on her collarbone. So many memories surged as he looked at her. He stepped out of the shadows. “Darius!” Amber screamed, and in the next second, she leapt into his arms, wrapping him in a tight hug. “Oh my god, is it really you? It’s been so long!” She kissed his cheeks and held his hands like she was afraid he might vanish. “It’s good to see you, Amber. What are you doing here?” he asked gently. “I’m the future Beta female,” she replied proudly. “Congratulations. I’ve heard Beta Reed is a good man,” he said, genuinely happy for her.
Darina was happy that Amber’s heat was over and she could return to training the ladies in the morning. Darina had felt guilty for not helping in the clinic for quite some time.Camilla greeted her with open arms. “We’re not too busy, but an extra pair of hands is always welcome—especially magical ones like yours. No training for the ladies today?”Darina giggled. “Amber was in heat for two days, but now it’s over. She’s taking over the training.”“Oh, then maybe soon she’ll be coming in for a pregnancy test,” Camilla said with a motherly smile. “I can’t wait for Larissa to give me some grandbabies.”Darina could hardly picture bubbly Camilla, who looked no older than thirty, as a grandmother. But then again, her own mom also looked young and was about to become both a mother again and a grandmother.“Speaking of kids... have you spoken to Kelly lately? She looks like she’s walking on clouds. I get the sense she wants to talk to me but keeps hesitating,” Camilla