LOGINNatalie's POVIt's not the first time I've seen Jacob shirtless, but this time I can take a closer look at his muscled chest. He is looking unimaginably handsome under the moonlight.I traced my finger over his chest and felt the dampness below and with it felt the heart beating faster and faster.The heat in his eyes scalding when he pulled into his bare chest. I liked licking his nipples, but I made a mistake when I bit him. It aroused his beast.I flinched when he unhooked my bra and cupped my chest. He was no longer gentle.The way his mouth explores mine and his thumb pinching my hard nipples the pain and the pleasure meshes. I no longer feel strength in my knees.Jacob pulled back, releasing my breast making me feel pathetic in lack of his touch.He made me lay on the grass and himself started undoing his pants and that one minute felt like eternity making me writhing like fish without water.He is back, hovering over me, sinking his face at the crook of my neck."Ah," I gasped
Jacob’s POVThe night air was cool, carrying the normal smell of the forest. Natalie sat beside me, her hair moving with the breeze through the open window. She kept letting out small laughs as she looked outside, as if everything she saw surprised her.I checked my watch. “We’ll stop soon,” I told her. “Lunara said you need enough moonlight. Tonight is good for it.”She turned toward me, eyes full of honest curiosity. “We’re still in Crescent Moon territory?”“Yeah,” I said, and I couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my mouth as I watched her stare out the window. “My pack lands go far. Mountains, valleys, waterfalls… a lot of open space.”Her smile faded a little and changed into something softer.“I’ve never seen anything like this,” she said quietly. “Not in my whole life.”That hit me hard. Thinking of her growing up without freedom, without simple beauty, without anything, that angered me more than I could show. My grip tightened on the steering wheel. I wanted to drive back
Natalie's POVFor a moment, we both stood still. The waterfall made a light sound in the background.Moonlight showed the scars on my skin clearly. I didn’t turn around. I had to speak before I lost the little courage I had.“This one…” I said quietly, touching the small scar near my neck with a trembling hand. “I was eight. I dropped a plate while setting the table. Linda said I needed to learn to be careful.”I let out a short, dry breath. “She pressed a broken piece of the plate against me herself. She said pain would make me steady.”Jacob didn’t say anything, but I could hear his breathing become uneven behind me.Taking a few deep breaths, I slowly moved my hand to another faint, crooked line above my waist. "This one…"My heart beat faster, but my voice still came out weak. "I got this because I ate before everyone else finished."I felt the silence behind me grow heavier, but I kept going.“I had been scrubbing the floors all morning. I hadn’t eaten in two days. There was a sm
Natalie's POVI wasn't supposed to interrupt, but I did mean to listen.I stood near the corner, close enough to hear clearly. Being what I am. Even without my wolf, my hearing is sharper than most.Every word Jacob spoke came through clearly.His voice was low and controlled. Austin’s was softer, cautious. I told myself I’d only listen for a moment but when I heard my name, I couldn’t move. I knew it was wrong, but I stayed still as stone, heart pounding, afraid to miss a word."She's barely standing. I won't corner her into something she's not ready for."Jacob’s voice was sharp, certain, protective.He could have forced me to complete the bond. I’ve seen Alphas do it without hesitation, thinking “mate” means “mine” and nothing else. But he didn’t. Even with his pack depending on him, even knowing his power is fractured…he still chose me. My pace. My comfort. And that… that warmed something in me I didn’t realise was still alive.That wasn’t weakness. That was strength. Something I
Jacob’s POVRain tapped against the windows, a steady sound that didn’t feel right in a place meant for rest. I had only been gone for ten minutes. A call to the patrol leader, a check on the perimeter. But when I returned, the air in the room felt heavy.Fear. Sweat. Tension.It came off her in waves, sharp enough that my wolf stirred.“Natalie,” I murmured, moving fast, my hands already on her shoulders before I even thought. Her body jerked, trembling, lost somewhere deep, but when her eyes opened, they found me.She didn’t say anything. She only reached for me, weakly curling her fingers into my shirt. I pulled her close, slow and steady, until her breathing matched mine.I didn’t ask what she had dreamed. I didn’t need to. Blue Moon’s ghosts still reached for her at night. All I could do was hold her until they let go.My heart ached, but I held myself together.When her pulse finally calmed, I stayed there, listening to the rain. I should have burned that place to the ground l
Natalie's POV"Ahh—please! Don't hit me!" I cried, arms covering my face as the blows landed. The duster’s handle hit my shoulder, the sting burning through my thin dress.Madam Black shouted sharply, "How dare you eat before Asher? You brat! You even touched his textbooks! Do you think you deserve to study?"Each word hurt worse than the last."I'm sorry, mom!" I sobbed, stumbling back, hands shaking. "Please, I won’t do it again!""Don't call me 'mom!'" she screamed. "It's Madam Black to you!" She raised the duster again, but Sir Black’s hand grabbed her wrist mid-swing."That's enough, Linda," he said firmly, his voice tired. "She's just seven. You’ll hurt her at this rate."I dropped to my knees, holding his leg like it was my last hope. "Dad, please tell her I’m sorry! I’ll do all the chores! I’ll behave!"My hands trembled, tears rolling down on my cheeks.He looked at Luna Linda for a long moment, silent, something passing between them I couldn’t understand. Madam Black’s lip c







