AXEL She was proving stubborn, refusing to open up to me. Just like her father, secretive and tight-lipped. But that wasn't an issue, not for someone like me. A simple mind link would reveal what was bothering her. I was certain she hadn't sought out this spot just to breathe in some fresh air. I was sure she was just making up stories; it was so obvious she was terrible at lying for her not to want to spill it. It might be something that will facilitate my work here so I can return to the pressing issues.My people needed me.Something was off about her; I could sense it, feel it. Her unease was palpable, and yet, I couldn't help but notice the small smile that played on my lips within a few minutes I spent with her. It was a rare sight, one that I reserved for a few occasions. My father's words echoed in my mind: "We enjoy the prey a little before making them suffer.”I couldn't concentrate fully on my gaze, staring at secret glances at her naked chest. I desperately wanted to tear
ELIANA My heart was still racing; I couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that settled in the pit of my stomach. My father's face flashed before my eyes, his cold, calculating gaze making my skin crawl. I knew him, knew the depths of his cruelty and the lengths he'd go to get what he wanted. And what he wanted was me back under his control. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I wondered with a sense of inevitability when he'd finally come for me.I couldn't blame myself for lying to Axel. It wasn't something I'd planned on doing, but how could I have told him the truth? That my own father had sent those men to capture me? The weight of that betrayal was still too much to bear. So, I'd spun a web of deceit, hoping to protect Axel from the darkness that had haunted me for so long. But now, as I stood before him, I wondered how long it would take for him to find out that I was full of deceit.I swallowed hard as Axel moved closer, his husky voice sending a shock down my spine
ELIANA I followed Axel out of the forest, my heart pounded in my chest like a drum. I whispered a desperate prayer to the moon goddess, my eyes flicking up towards the sky. ‘Please, don't let my father see me. I couldn't afford that.’ The thought of facing him made my heart sink deeper. I had to remain hidden, at least for now. Axel seemed to not pay much attention to me, but I was certain he was aware of the turmoil brewing inside me; it was like he knew aware ofeverything; his long strides ate up the distance as we emerged from the forest's shadows.The thought of my father seeing me was unbearable, but what was even worse was the possibility of Axel finding out about my arranged marriage and all the lies I had told him. My stomach churned at the memory of beta Harold’s face; the memory of his face made my skin crawl. The idea of being tied to him for life was suffocating, and I knew Axel would never understand why I had agreed to such a union, and there was no way possible I would
ELIANA I walked beside Axel, the forest seemed to grow darker, the shadows twisting into menacing shapes. Every snap of a twig almost made me flinch, but Axel's stern Warning couldn't let me. My heart raced with a fear I couldn't shake. But Axel just kept moving, his eyes fixed on some point ahead, his silence more unnerving than any words could be.I tried to calm myself down, to tell myself I was being ridiculous, but my mind wouldn't listen. I was too busy thinking of the terrible things that could happen.As we approached the house, my senses went into overdrive. I could pick up the faintest sounds from inside - the murmur of voices; I could hear growling sounds from my father; I was certain I was the topic of discussion. My heart was racing, and I felt my anxiety spike.Alessia's voice was a gentle whisper in my ear. ‘Stay calm, Eliana.’ But her words of reassurance fell flat. One misstep, one careless mistake, and my life would be forever shattered. The weight of that realizati
ELIANA "You don't have to look at me like I'm going to kill you," Axel said, his voice low, his gaze still fixed on the road ahead. "I just asked you a simple question." Something was unsettling about the way he seemed to know exactly what I was thinking, about the way he could read me so easily. I swallowed hard, trying to compose myself, but my heart was still racing with fear."Sorry," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I was lost in thought, thinking about something... and wondering why you asked the question you did." I glanced at Axel, trying to read his expression, but his face remained impassive, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. This wasn't originally my pack, and if my father found out I'd been talking about our past... I shuddered at the thought. He would use me as leverage, a pawn in his game of power and manipulation. I knew that all too well. Axel's question had unwittingly stirred up a hornet's nest of secrets and fears
ELIANA I sank into the plush queen-sized bed, letting out a deep breath as I tried to process everything. My mind was a jumble of emotions, but the silence of the room was a welcome respite.I stood up, took off my clothes, and walked towards the bathroom. As I stepped onto the cold tile floor, my bare feet prickled with sensation, but it was a calming feeling, like a soothing balm for my frazzled nerves.I turned on the faucet, letting the water flow, but I didn't step under its stream. Instead, I stood there, lost in thought. Alessia's voice whispered in my mind, “What did he mean by 'the favor he is rendering you is for his benefit'?" The question swirled in my head, refusing to let me shake it off."I don't understand either," I replied to Alessia."Maybe he likes you," she suggested, her tone laced with a hint of curiosity.I scoffed, dismissing the idea. "That's impossible," I said to Alessia. "Let's forget he's the Lycan King for a second - have you seen this man?" I asked, my
AXELMy gaze drifted to her round boobs. They were perfect. I could feel them calling me to pop it, I was taken aback by the sight. Her curves were flawless, and for a moment, I forgot myself. I had seen a lot of views, but this was resplendent. But as soon as desire sparked within me, I suppressed it. I hated that I reacted to her that way. She swiftly turned, but I knew she was aware that I'd seen everything."I'm used to sights like this," I said, placing the clothes on the vanity, trying to sound nonchalant. But the truth was, seeing her was different. It was more intimate and more personal, and it stirred something within me that I couldn't ignore.She let out a choked little cough, her discomfort palpable. As she turned her back to me, I couldn't help but notice the curves of her body: the long lines of her back, the tiny waist, and the rounded contours of her hips."Is there a towel?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.I hesitated, my eyes still on her. "Nah, I'll bri
ELIANA I stood there, my mind reeling from the intensity of the moment. My cheeks flushed as I recalled the way he had gazed at my body, his eyes burning with desire. For a fleeting instant, I had seen the hunger in his eyes, but as usual, it was quickly veiled by an enigmatic mask.“I told you, he likes you!”"Alessia, stop it," I scolded her. "He can't fall for someone like me... He's notorious for not catching feelings, and even if he wanted to try, it would never be with me."I let out a frustrated chuckle at the absurdity of it all. That was impossible."I saw the way he looked at you, Eliana," Alessia persisted. "Like he wanted to devour you whole in that moment. I swear, I saw it.""Alessia, please stop it," I begged, trying to shake off the unwanted thoughts. "Just stop putting these ideas in my head, okay?”"Remember what you said about Gabriel?" I asked Alessia, my tone dripped with sarcasm. "How did that turn out?" I already knew she was aware of how miserably her predicti
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