AxelTom's eyes widened in stunned silence, his expression a mixture of dismay, and I felt a pang of fury for the look on his face - he couldn't believe I was actually considering letting Eliana go.He was all too aware of my reluctance, and that's what I resented - he could see right through me now, could read me like a book. “I'll be back by nightfall, or not…” I opened the door to the room, my gesture a clear dismissal, telling him without words that it was time for him to leave.I collapsed onto the bed, unleashing a loud, frustrated growl as I released the pent-up emotions. I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease, so I quickly got up and stormed out into the bush, making my way to the exact spot where Grayson, one of my men who had, had spotted the symbol etched into the tree trunk.I stood before the tree, my fingers tracing the intricate lines of the symbol. It was clear that it had been carved recently - the edges were still rough, the marks still fresh.Hairos was one of
ELIANANo one else was supposed to know my secret. Not even Axel, who had somehow uncovered it on his own. I sat frozen, my eyes locked on the man I once knew, now transformed before me. His gaze burned with a fierce rage, like a beast unleashed. At that moment, I knew I was in grave danger.He paced from one side of the room to the other, his agitation palpable. “You're pregnant with that asshole's child?” His face darkened into a scowl as if the father's identity was somehow a personal affront to him.“Asshole?” I repeated, my eyes narrowing in confusion as I scanned his face. How did he know Gabriel? Our pack was small, and it seemed likely that he'd had a prior connection with Gabriel before he left.But I had never seen them together while he was in Shadow's pack.“Yes, he's a certified asshole,” he replied as if that was all the explanation I needed. But his words only deepened my confusion, leaving me with more questions than answers."After planting his seed in the many young
AXEL *** I sat by the lake, seemingly entranced by the serene beauty of the day. But the truth was, my mind was a thousand miles away, lost in a world of its own. My eyes gazed out at the tranquil scene before me, but my mind was consumed by the haunting image that had seared itself into my memory the night before. My father's warning echoed in my mind - never stray away from the palace - but I needed to escape, to clear the turmoil brewing inside me. I was no longer a child, and though I hadn't yet shifted like my peers, I felt an inner strength, a power that simmered just below the surface, waiting to be unleashed. Yet, a nagging doubt lingered - was I truly as powerful as I felt, or was it just a facade? Of course, I knew it was just a facade. Powerful and wolfless are antonyms. Stay away from me!" my mother had hissed, pushing the grey-eyed stranger back. But he refused to be deterred. "I can't, Sophia," he pleaded, his words making me squirm with unease. "I won't be
ELIANA The door burst open with a loud kick, the sound of it crashing against the floor making me flinch. The sudden noise echoed through my ears, startling me. My gaze shifted to the doorway, and that's when I saw him, standing tall and imposing. The moment our eyes met, my resolve to flee vanished, and my plans were suddenly rewritten. His hair was perfectly in place, not a single strand out of order. His breathing was calm and steady, not to indicate that he had just effortlessly knocked down a massive 7-foot metal door. Isaiah's gaze shifted, his eyes locking onto Axel with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. "Well, look who we have here," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he gestured towards Axel, whose face was set in a stern, unyielding expression, his eyes flashing with hostility at the mere sight of Isaiah. Isaiah strode confidently towards Axel, his tall frame imposing, but Axel still towered over him, his height advantage unmistakable as they stood face
AXELShe looked like she was barely holding on. The sparkle in her eyes, that bright blue that used to shine like the morning sky, was gone. Now they just looked... empty. Sunken. Haunted. And her skin - it was pale, almost translucent. I could see the faintest hint of bones beneath the surface, and it made my gut twist with anger. She was hungry. She was tired. And she was scared. I felt my fists clench and my jaw tighten as I fought the urge to lash out at Hairo.HOW DARE HE?I'd assumed Hairo had taken her because he'd seen us together, but now I wasn't so sure. There was something more at play here, something that made my skin crawl. And then there was the way Hairo looked at her... his eyes roamed over her body, stripping her bare with his gaze. It was like he was undressing her, right there in front of me. I felt a surge of possessiveness.She was dressed in something entirely different now, an outfit that was far more revealing than anything I'd ever seen her wear. My gut twist
ELIANAI darted glances between the two men, silently willing the suffocating tension to dissipate already.Isaiah had always struck me as a formidable beta, but I'd never imagined he possessed the courage to challenge the AXEL DRACONIS.I leaned in, my ears straining to catch Isaiah's words, as my heart skipped a frantic beat. I was acutely aware of the man's grip on my arms; his hold was firm; if I were human, I would have passed out from the firm grip; it was a reminder that I wasn't going anywhere.His voice had dripped with conviction when he issued the threat, but now it seemed his confidence was wavering, a faint crack in his bravado.Perhaps the secret Isaiah claimed to possess was nothing more than a hollow threat, a desperate ploy to unsettle Axel. But I knew better - Axel wasn't a man who could be intimidated easily; in fact, he was the last person on earth who would ever cower in fear.Isaiah's gaze locked onto Axel's, and for a moment, I thought a torrent of words would
ELIANABut Axel's expression remained unchanged, his eyes glinting with amusement. He didn't seem intimidated or threatened by Isaiah's words. Instead, he appeared almost... bored. As if Isaiah's promise of revenge was nothing more than a tired, familiar refrain.The encounter had left me shaken. Isaiah wasn't the same person I thought I knew. He had transformed into someone darker, more menacing. The intensity in his eyes, the venom in his words - it all screamed warning signals. I couldn't deny the fear that had taken hold of me. Isaiah wasn't someone to be underestimated or trifled with. He was a force to be reckoned with, and I had just caught a glimpse of his true nature."As we stepped out into the open air, I felt a rush of exhilaration. The forest, with its towering trees and whispering leaves, had never looked so inviting. I breathed in deeply, feeling the cool, damp air fill my lungs. The freedom to move, to walk, to simply be, was intoxicating. After the stifling confines
AXEL As I gazed at her, water droplets cascaded down her body, and I found myself swallowing hard. My eyes were drawn to her curves, particularly the soft, rounded contours of her bust, even beneath the thick towels wrapped around her. I was captivated by the way her cheeks flushed a deep red whenever I spoke, but her scent had a contradictory effect on me. Instead of repelling me, it stirred something within, and I was infuriated by my attraction to it. “You could just rub the ointment on my shoulders and legs," her lips moved as she spoke. My gaze was transfixed on them, and I almost missed her words, my attention caught by the gentle curve of her mouth. Are you aware that I'm your king?" I inquired. Her eyes locked on mine as she moved closer to the bed. I nodded, my voice low. "I am aware... my lord." The way she added the title. Had an effect. It was a new dynamic, but it stirred something deep within me, something I couldn't quite explain. Something I deeply de
ELIANAI felt heartbroken. The weight of unrequited feelings and unresolved emotions settled in, making it hard to breathe. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I struggled to process the depth of my sorrow. It wasn't just about the end of a role or a chapter in my life; it was about the connection I had felt with him, the longing for something more. The ache within me seemed to echo through every part of my being, a poignant reminder of what could never be.He wasn’t my lover, but it felt like a breakup. The emotions swirling inside me were a jumbled mix of grief, loss, and yearning. Though we'd never been romantically involved, the connection I'd felt with him had run deep. Now, it seemed like that connection was severed, leaving me feeling bereft and disoriented. The sense of emptiness was palpable, as if I'd lost something precious. I struggled to put into words the depth of my feelings, but the pain was undeniable.I couldn’t understand this. The emotions swirling inside me
ELIANA"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice sharp with suspicion. I dropped what I was holding immediately, my heart racing as I tried to think of an explanation. My hands instinctively went to my sides, trying to appear nonchalant. "Just, uh, just looking around," I stammered, hoping my response seemed innocent enough. Axel's eyes narrowed, his gaze darting to the object that had fallen from my hands. I held my breath, praying that he wouldn't notice anything out of the ordinary. But as his eyes met mine again, I couldn't shake the feeling that he saw right through me.My heart was beating fast, pounding in my chest like a drum. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, making my hands shake slightly. I tried to calm myself down, taking a deep breath and attempting to steady my nerves. But it was hard to relax when Axel's piercing gaze was fixed on me, his eyes seeming to bore into my very soul. I forced a smile, hoping to appear nonchalant, but I could feel the ten
ELIANAThere was a loud knock on the door, interrupting me from the sleep I almost had, and I felt a jolt of surprise and irritation. The knock was insistent, demanding attention, and it seemed to shatter the fragile peacefulness of the moment. I had been drifting off, my eyelids growing heavy, my mind slowly unraveling the threads of consciousness. But the knock came, abrupt and unannounced, like a sudden storm on a calm sea. I groggily got up, my movements slow and reluctant, and made my way to the door, wondering who could be visiting at this hour. The knock came again, louder and more insistent, and I quickened my pace, my heart beating slightly faster in anticipation. Who could it be? A friend, a stranger, or perhaps someone with news? The possibilities swirled in my mind as I reached the door and hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath before opening it to face whatever lay on the other side. The uncertainty was palpable, and I steeled myself for what was to come, my hand r
ELIANA"Thank you very much," I said to her. She smiled and nodded, seeming to accept my gratitude. I felt a sense of appreciation for her willingness to share information with me, even if it was limited. The conversation had left me with more questions than answers, but I was determined to learn more. I stood up, and she followed suit, our eyes meeting in a brief moment of understanding. "I will go and freshen up now, I will meet you later," I said to her, and once again expressed my heartfelt gratitude for the delectable meal she had prepared, "and thank you for the extraordinary culinary experience, the flavors were sublime, the presentation was impeccable, and the warmth with which you served it was truly touching, I'm deeply appreciative of the effort and care you put into cooking such a wonderful meal, it's a pleasure to dine with someone as hospitable as yourself, and I look forward to reciprocating the kindness in the near future, thank you for the food, it was a treat for t
ELIANA"Hey, Emily," Sarah greeted Emily with a warm smile. Emily's eyes flicked to Sarah, and she returned the greeting, but her gaze quickly snapped back to me. I could sense a mix of emotions crossing her face - surprise, curiosity, and maybe a hint of wariness. It was clear that she hadn't expected to see me here, and I wondered what she was thinking. Sarah seemed oblivious to the tension, chatting with Emily about her day and what she'd missed. I stood there, feeling a bit like a spectator, as Emily's eyes continued to dart between Sarah and me, her expression a mask of polite interest. But I knew that beneath the surface, she was probably wondering the same thing I was - what was going on, and what did it mean for us to be roommates?Emily smiled at Sarah. "Hi," Emily said, her greeting warm and friendly. But when I greeted her, she didn't respond to me. Instead, she seemed to freeze, her smile faltering for a moment as her eyes met mine. It was as if she was choosing her respon
ELIANA"When is it?" I asked, my curiosity piqued as I leaned in slightly, eager to know the details of the alpha's annual ceremony and what it might entail, especially given the intrigue and importance surrounding such an event."Tonight," he replied, his voice low and smooth, the word hanging in the air like a promise or a warning, leaving me to wonder what the night would bring and what lay in store for me at the alpha's annual ceremony.Alphas and their Lunas were going to be present, I remembered always begging Gabriel to let me go along with him, to be a part of that world where power and prestige walked hand in hand. But he never agreed, always saying it wasn't important for me to be there, that my presence wouldn't add any value to the proceedings. The memory stung, a mixture of frustration and longing that I couldn't shake off. Why had he been so adamant about keeping me away? Was it truly because he thought I wouldn't be interested, or was there something more to it? The que
ELIANAConfusion clouded my mind as I struggled to piece together the fragments of what was happening. Everything seemed to be shifting, like sand slipping beneath my feet, leaving me unsteady and unsure of what came next.Axel was being extremely nice, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. His words were laced with kindness, and his smile seemed genuine, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his sudden change than met the eye.It wasn't as if he was the same person who looked at me with rage in his eyes just a few days ago. The memory of that intense glare still lingered, making his current niceness feel like a carefully crafted facade, one that could shatter at any moment.I was certain of what I saw in his eyes - a depth of emotion that seemed almost raw, a flicker of something intense and unspoken that left me wondering what lay beneath his tough exterior, and whether I'd ever get to see the real him.It was warmth, it was soft and kind - a gentle contrast to t
AXELI strode swiftly through the forest, my feet pounding the earth in a rhythmic cadence. There was no need to shift; my human form was more than capable of keeping pace with hers. The trees blurred together as I walked, my focus fixed on catching up to her.The mystery deepened, and my curiosity was piqued. I was determined to uncover the reasons behind her fear, to understand what drove her reaction to my wolf. The unknown had become a challenge, and I was resolute in his pursuit of the truth.Just as I heard the sound of her movement, I quickened my pace. "Eliana, wait," I called out, surprised when she didn't respond. But then, she did. Her footsteps halted, and she turned to face me, her eyes locking onto mine with a mix of caution and curiosity.But mostly fear.The fear in her eyes was unmistakable, and I couldn't help but wonder what had triggered it. Was it something about me, about my presence, or about the wolf that lurked within? The question swirled in my mind, demandin
ELIANA"Eliana, wait!" The voice pierced through the darkness, echoing in my mind like a siren's call. I recognized the tone, the urgency, and the familiarity. "Axel?" My heart skipped a beat as I hesitated, my feet frozen in mid-stride. I was supposed to keep running, to escape the unknown threat that lurked behind me. But something about hearing Axel's voice made me halt, made me pause in uncertainty. My breath caught in my throat as I turned, my eyes scanning the surroundings, searching for a glimpse of him. The sound of my own name on his lips had been enough to stall me, to make me question my instincts. Why had I stopped? Why was I waiting? The questions swirled in my mind, but before I could find answers, I stood there, suspended in time, waiting for Axel to emerge from the shadows."Why are you running?" Axel's voice was laced with concern, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. I searched his gaze, and what I saw there surprised me. The fi