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39. Snapped String
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2023-09-17 20:35:45
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The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Lunaย ย ย 40. Freefall
RomanShe looks different when sheโs asleepโsofter, more innocent. The room is dim, and the soft glow from the bedside lamp casts a halo around her, heightening the angelic illusion. In this slumbering state, she looks pure, untouched by the sins of the world or the darkness that festers within me. Itโs easier to fool yourself into thinking thatโs all there is to a person when you see them like this. But I know better now.She looks so damn innocent lying there, but Iโve seen the storm in her eyes, the same kind thatโs in me. The realization is as exhilarating as it is terrifying. Iโve glimpsed something elseโa darkness, a wildness that echoes my own.I lean against the doorway, arms folded across my chest, taking her in. Thereโs a dangerous pull there, an almost magnetic force drawing me to her, and I find it harder and harder to resist. Itโs strange how a person can shift from someone you thought you knew to someone who challenges everything you thought you wanted. Sheโs become th
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-09-17The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Lunaย ย ย 41. Straight Path To Ruin
RomanGrabbing my keys and my jacket, I take one last look at her. She stirs slightly, a small sigh escaping her lips, but doesnโt wake. I need to clear my head, put some miles and hours between the mess thatโs unfolding and myself.My hand hovers over the doorknob for a moment, torn between the need to leave and the almost magnetic pull towards the woman sleeping behind me. Then, like ripping off a band-aid, I open the door and step out, pulling it softly shut behind me. The click of the latch feels like a gunshot, final and irrevocable.A lingering glance back at the closed door serves as a silent promiseโor perhaps a warning. Weโre not done, Aella and I. Far from it. But for now, distance is the only gift I can offer her, the only way to protect us both from a collision course weโre not ready to face.I make my way down the hall; I shove my hands into the pockets of my jeans, my steps heavy. Aellaโs unearthed something in me, something Iโm not ready to face. Not yet. So for now, I
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-09-17The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Lunaย ย ย 42. A Better Partner
AellaThe hot water cascades over my skin, a vain attempt to wash away the conflicting emotions that have taken hold of me since yesterday. The water from the showerhead feels almost accusatory as it pelts against my skin. Each droplet a microscopic indictment, saying, โYou knew better.โ I can almost hear them hiss as they make contact, swirling down the drain with all the resolve I thought I had. I feel the warmth envelop me, but it does nothing to dispel the cold sensation gnawing at my insides. My thoughts drift back to the SUV, to Roman, to the magnetic force between us that had been too much to resist. My mind keeps replaying those moments, dissecting them, searching for a way to rationalize my actions. But I canโt.You see, there are two versions of me. Thereโs Aella, the strong, independent woman who took a stand against an arranged marriage. Who ran from her pack to escape the heavy mantle of obligation and expectation. Then thereโs this Aellaโthis conflicted mess standing i
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-09-18The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Lunaย ย ย 43. The Truth About Roman Nikolaev
AellaAs Kaden and I walk toward Romanโs office, the atmosphere feels different, as if acknowledging the unspoken undercurrents has changed the very air we breathe. The hallways of the pack house are lined with photos and memorabilia, each piece capturing a fragment of history, a moment frozen in time.Kaden seems lost in thought for a moment before he turns to me. โYou know, Romanโs office is more than just a room. Itโs a sanctuary of sorts. It holds the weight of every decision, every life within these walls.โI glance at him, intrigued. โDoes it ever get to him? The weight of it all?โKaden chuckles. โYou have no idea. But donโt ever expect him to show it. The manโs built like a fortress. But every fortress has its vulnerabilities.โโIs that advice?โ I probe.โConsider it an observation,โ he replies, his eyes twinkling. โOne you should keep in mind. Heโs fortified, but even fortresses have hidden entrances.โโSo, I should look for these hidden entrances?โ I ask, raising my eyebrow
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-09-18The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Lunaย ย ย 44. Unwanted Guest
Aella My Jeepโs tires crunch on the gravel as I make my way along the border of our territory. Patrols are a shared responsibility among the senior members of the pack, and today, itโs my turn. Itโs late afternoon, the sun beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a dusky glow through the trees. As I pull over to do a quick check on the perimeter markings. Everything seems in order on this side, no broken barriers, no unsettling scents, no signs of rogue wolves or other interlopers. I get back in the Jeep, and the engine purrs to life, sounding heavenly. As I drive back toward the pack house, something nags at me. I canโt put my finger on it, but it feels like an itch at the back of my mind, persistent and irritating. When the pack house comes into view, that uneasy feeling solidifies into a heavy knot in my stomach. And thatโs when I see itโa sleek, black sedan that screams money and arrogance parked beside Kadenโs truck. Its very presence feels wrong, like a dark cloud on a c
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-09-19The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Lunaย ย ย 45. Full Moon Hunt
Aella The air is thick with anticipation as we gather in the clearing just outside our territory. A symphony of crickets and rustling leaves forms the background noise to this palpable moment. The moon hasnโt crested yet, but the sky is clear, assuring us that its light will soon guide our path. The weight of leadership sits heavy on my shoulders, but itโs a weight Iโve been trained for for years, a mantle I take on willingly. Standing at the edge of the clearing, I can feel the cool night air on my skin and see the sea of faces before meโsome human, some wolfish, depending on who has already shifted. I canโt help but feel a deep sense of pride as my gaze sweeps over them. To my far left, the warrior division stands tall, a group of robust and formidable wolves whose main role in the pack is defense and strategy. Leading them is Eleanor, our Gamma, her eyes like flint and posture rigid with military discipline. Her role tonight will be to safeguard the packโs flanks as we delve
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-09-19The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Lunaย ย ย 46. I Should Have Been Here
RomanThe sterile walls of the hospital wing feel like theyโre closing in on me, their whiteness too harsh, too glaring against my turbulent thoughts. I canโt enter the roomโnot yet. Not when every fiber of my being is a cocktail of fury, self-loathing, and a kind of visceral fear that shakes me to my core.I glance through the glass door, catching sight of Aella lying in the hospital bed. Machines beep softly, echoing the frail rhythm of her life now hanging by a thread. It gnashes at me, this helplessness, this inadequacy.Damn it, Roman. You shouldโve been here.When I arrived back, I sensed itโan off note in the otherwise harmonious chorus of scents that make up my pack. Alarm bells immediately rang in my mind. The moment Aella signaled to go in a different direction, I knew instinctively what she was doing. Itโs her duty, just as itโs mine, to protect our pack. I shouldโve realized the danger, anticipated the threat that would nearly take the life of someone I hold dear.I was t
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-09-20The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Lunaย ย ย 47. Where Do I Stand With You?
AellaAs I slowly come to, my eyes struggle to adjust to the soft, dim lighting of the hospital room. A dull ache throbs in my neck, pulling me back into the harsh reality of last nightโs events. My fingers twitch, and Iโm vaguely aware of a warm presence holding my hand. Confused, I glance down and my eyes lock onto Romanโs head resting on my thigh. Even in sleep, he looks like a man carrying the weight of a world full of expectations and responsibilities. His grip on my hand is gentle but firm, as if heโs afraid to let go.The memories of the night come flooding backโthe full moon hunt, the scent of an intruder, and the gray wolf. My fingers instinctively move to touch my bandaged neck, the sensations of fangs and fur still hauntingly fresh.I find myself staring at Romanโs face, taking in the details Iโve known but never truly looked atโthe strong lines of his jaw, the ruggedness of his cheek, and the shapely curve of his lips. His cheek is already showing signs of stubble; how lo
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-09-20
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The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Lunaย ย ย The Beta's Burden
Kaden Iโm sitting in my study, surrounded by the leather scent of old books and the muted light filtering through the heavy drapes. The room, once a sanctuary where I buried myself in work and pack matters, now feels like a cage. A trap. I flip through some documents on my desk but donโt really register what they say. My mind is a mess, a whirlwind of thoughts I canโt, and wonโt, share with anyone. Especially not Roman. God, Roman. My brother, my closest friend. He seems so happy these days, so settled with Aella and their son. His life has taken a turn for the absolute best, and it stings. Not out of jealousy, Iโm thrilled for him, but out of the sharp contrast it creates with my own concealed turmoil. I think about Elena, my wife. Sheโs beautiful, loving, and loyal to our pack. But she doesnโt know. She canโt know. The secret Iโm holding is too damaging, too explosive. It would tear us apart, tear the pack apart. And so, Iโve distanced myself. Retreated into a shell to protect e
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Lunaย ย ย 80. Epilogue - One Year Later
Aella As I stand by the intricately carved crib, my heart swells with a love so fierce it feels like it could consume me whole. I look down at Aaron, our son, sleeping so peacefully in a cocoon of soft, moonlit blankets. His little fists are curled beside his cheek, and he has his fatherโs rebellious blonde hair and the beginning of my mismatched eyes. The room is filled with the comforting scent of lavender and freshly laundered baby clothes. The light from the nurseryโs lamp washes over his tiny form, casting gentle shadows on his crib. I canโt help but think how profoundly my life has shifted in just two years. Nearly two years ago, I was a ball of defiance and fear, literally running through woods and brambles to escape an engagement my Alpha father had orchestrated with Roman. The irony is palpable. Roman was everything I thought I didnโt want, but ended up being everything I didnโt know I needed. I went from clawing at the idea of a life by his side to craving his touch, hi
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Lunaย ย ย 79. Claim For Claim
RomanFour words shouldnโt make me feel like an absolute king, but they do.She shimmies out of her bottoms and walks naked towards the shower to regulate the water. Gods, my cock is aching just watching her. Slipping out of my board shorts, I join her under the spray of hot water and pull her closer to me.Thereโs no hesitation when I lean down to kiss her. She molds into me, her body perfectly flush against mine as she moans into my mouth. Itโs taking every bit of my self control to not snap and just claim her body, but Aella doesnโt need my beast right now. I walk her up against the cold wall and trail my kisses down the length of her neck. โI love your sweet scent, baby,โ I murmur against her skin. โGod, I could drown in you forever.โShe makes a small noise when I draw a pebbled nipple into my mouth, and pushes out her chest as her hands get tangled in my hair. I cup her perfect tits in my hands, laving them with my tongue and loving the noises she makes when I nibble on them.
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Lunaย ย ย 78. Restless Alpha
RomanThe goddamn sound of waves lightly bitch-slapping the shore should be soothing. Itโs what people fantasize aboutโa secluded beach, the woman youโre batshit in love with beside you, the freedom to do nothing at all. Aella looks like sheโs in fucking heaven, the sun on her skin, a gentle smile on her lips, a book lying forgotten on her lap. But me? Iโm crawling out of my damn skin.And yet, Iโm restless. Why the fuck canโt I just relax?Aella senses it before I even realize it myself. She opens her eyes and looks at me, her gaze soft but probing. โYouโre thinking about something. Spill it.โI chuckle. โItโs nothing, really. Just getting a bit antsy, I suppose.โโRoman, weโre on vacation. Youโre allowed to relax, you know?โI nod, knowing sheโs right, but not feeling any less restless. โI know. Itโs just not something Iโm accustomed to, thatโs all.โThe ingrained habits of an Alpha, the constant state of alertness and readiness, they donโt just disappear overnight. Theyโre a part
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Lunaย ย ย 77. Isle Nikolaev
AellaThe hum of the private jetโs engines seems to blend into the background, like white noise in a sea of my restless thoughts. Roman sits across from me, in a seat made of the finest leather money can buy, absorbed in some files on his tablet. The rich interior of the jet, with its ambient mood lighting and plush furnishings, contrasts sharply with the tension I feel in my bones.โWould you like another glass of wine, Luna?โ the flight attendant offers, her voice polished as the silver tray sheโs holding.I shake my head. โNo, thank you.โAs she retreats, Roman finally looks up, his stormy eyes meeting mine. โYouโre not usually this quiet,โ he observes.โWell,โ I say, biting the inside of my cheek, โyouโre not usually this secretive. Where are we going?โHe grins, the corners of his eyes crinkling. โItโs a surprise.โโIโm not particularly fond of surprises,โ I retort, although a part of me thrills at the mystery.โYouโll like this one,โ he promises. His eyes darken a shade, and I
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Lunaย ย ย 76. The Gathering Storm
AellaWe step out of the hospital and as I spot the black SUV, it takes me back to my time spent here. More specifically, when Roman finally confessed his feelings to me. It was sort of a simpler time back then.Before Vasily, beforeโฆeverything else.โWhatโs on your mind, little bird,โ he asks as he takes my hand and draws it to his lips. โYouโve been quiet, even as I went off at the nurses.โI chuckle. โThat was just me letting you have your own way after everything that happened,โ I say, leaning forward and kissing his cheek. โKadenโs message over the mind link just had me reeling.โRoman sighs, because I know heโs already so pissed off and now he has to face Diego. Alpha Javier is at the pack house with Kaden and Elena and has demanded his son answer to Roman.โYeah, well I suppose he has to face the music sometime,โ he says, sitting back and shaking his head. โAs much as I just want to fucking sleep, it needs to be done.โWe remain quiet for the rest of the ride, but as soon as th
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Lunaย ย ย 75. The Aftermath
RomanSitting in the hospital room, I still feel the residual ache from the fight, both physical and emotional. My mind plays back the confrontation with Vasily, a twisted dance that was always leading to this dark aftermath. What he said in Russian through clenched teeth left me shaken. Now that Aella is gone, I feel itโs time to share it with Kaden.โI never thought it would come to this, Kade,โ I say, the words coming out heavier than I intend.Kaden leans back in the visitor chair, his eyes locked onto mine, searching for somethingโperhaps reassurance that whatโs been done was necessary. โYou did what you had to, Ro. If you hadnโt, more lives would have been at stake.โโYeah, but Vasily said something,โ I start, hesitating a little. โHe said things about father that I think you should know.โKaden raises an eyebrow, intrigued but also wary. โWhat did he say?โI take a deep breath, preparing myself for the weight of the words Iโm about to unleash. โDo you remember the night Father
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Lunaย ย ย 74. To Protect My Pack
AellaThe sterile smell of antiseptics fills the air, mingling with the earthy scent that is uniquely Roman. Even unconscious, he smells like the forest, like the wilderness we both call home. My hand finds his, dwarfed by the size of his palm, but perfectly molded to fit. Iโm holding onto him as if heโs my anchor, the one constant in a world that has spiraled so far from what I knew.I replay the night over and over again in my head. The tension in the room, the way Romanโs eyes narrowed as he exchanged words with Vasily in rapid Russian. I couldnโt understand the words, but the intent was palpableโtwo titans locked in a battle of wills and strength. And Iโd stood there, unable to do anything but watch and hope that Roman would come out unscathed. My heart aches at the thought. What was so personal that it had to be shrouded in their mother tongue? Was it just a string of profanities or something deeper? A sharing of old wounds and familial grievances that led them to this terribl
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Lunaย ย ย 73. True Alpha
RomanThe second Vasily had his hands on Aella, my world went red. The ground beneath my feet might as well have been ripped away, because for a brief second, Iโm free-falling into a chasm of self-doubt and gut-wrenching fear.I had to keep my wits about me. I had to be smart. Because this wasnโt just about meโthis was about Aella, my pack, and a future that Vasily was hell-bent on destroying.โIs this what an Alpha looks like?โ I can almost hear Vasilyโs voice sneering in my head. โCanโt even protect his own mate?โ And for a devastating moment, I almost agree with him.Iโve spent years trying to prove that I was worthy of the Alpha title, not just to my pack, but to myself. Yet here I am, watching the woman I love being tormented by my own flesh and blood. Itโs a cruel mirror, reflecting my deepest insecurities, mocking my so-called โstrength.โAellaโs face is pale, eyes widened in terror, but even from this distance, I can see a flicker of defiance in them. It fuels me, but it also
