DianaIt happened so fast that the man didn’t even have time to scream. One second, he’s still here, and the next, a sickening crunch sounds in my ear and then he’s gone.Warm blood splashes onto my face, flows down my cheeks and drips down my chin, but I’m too dazed to care. All I am able to do is lay there, eyes wide as I listen to the creature tearing into the man. The sounds; a cacophony of ripping flesh, crunching bones, and guttural growls, echo through the stillness of the wilderness like a macabre symphony of nature’s brutality.“Ahhhhhh!” the short one screams, turns around and runs away. He trips, and falls, but scrambles back up and continues to run. In his fear, he doesn’t even realize that rather than running in the direction we came from, he’s heading deeper into the woods.Of the two remaining men, one falls to the ground and a pungent smell starts to emit from him. He had pissed himself.The next second, we hear a piercing scream of terror coming from the direction of
Chapter 16Dominicus The air is filled with bone-cracking snaps and animalistic growls. Each movement reverberates within me excruciating agony as my muscles contract and elongate- reshaping my form. It’s a slow and laborious transition, as my body struggles to shed its lupine form and reclaim its human identity.It’s been so long since I’ve changed back that my body has almost forgotten how to do so.With each agonizing twist and contortion, guttural groans and grunts escape me. The sound of flesh tearing and reforming echoes in my ears, punctuated by the heavy thuds of my paws as I slam them against the forest floor. Thuds become slaps as paws turn into hands.Amidst the tumultuous transformation, the silence of the night is broken only by my labored breaths.And then finally, as the last vestiges of fur recede and the final bones settle into place, there is silence.Agile, my limbs slowly stretch until I’m standing on my bare feet. I flex my fingers and crack my neck. Keeping my ey
DianaThe remnants of a restless night cling to me like cobwebs. Sleep, when it finally came, offered no escape. The images that replayed were relentless, chasing me until the first sliver of dawn crept through the window. By the time I shower and dress, a knot of dread sits heavily in my stomach.I need to find a job today. No, I MUST find a job today. There are just no other options for me. The meagre sum in my pocket wouldn’t stretch further than breakfast. Stepping out into the cool morning air, I take a deep breath. The sky is barely awake and the world is hushed and still.Calculating the time, the shops should just be opening by the time I make it into town. I think about the gas station with the ‘Help Wanted’ sign that’s looking for a salesperson…NO.The thought brings a physical recoil and a surge of nausea that threatens to rise. I will never go back there.Rubbing my arm against the morning chill, I set off down the road. Before I'd taken five steps, a jolt of icy fear sn
DianaThe morning sun streams through the diner windows, casting a warm glow on the polished counter and the worn wooden tables. A steady stream of customers filled the small space, their chatter and laughter a familiar symphony to my ears. My experience at the Pack meant that in no time at all, I am moving with practiced ease, taking orders, serving coffee, and clearing away empty plates. It is a rhythm I am beginning to find comfort in, a routine that provides a much-needed distraction from the tumultuous events of the past few days.But the calm is deceptive. Beneath the surface, a constant low-level anxiety simmers. The memory of the men in the woods, the terrifying encounter with the monstrous yet gorgeous wolf, and the inexplicable dread that had gripped me this morning are still fresh in my mind.I glance at the clock above the register, my heart pounding a frantic beat inside my chest. It is almost noon. The morning rush is beginning to subside, and the diner is slowly emptyi
DianaMy mind is a tempest, a maelstrom of fear and trepidation. There is a Were in this town. A Were. The realization is chilling. From the outset, my senses had been attuned to the absence of any pack, any scent that marked werewolf territory. I had made absolute and doubly sure that there was no pack here before I had dared to venture in. I even scented no wolves. This is a purely human town. I was so sure of it.Yet, here, in this seemingly ordinary town, I had encountered one. And not just any Were, but an Alpha. A powerful, dominant Alpha.The memory of his presence, a cold, suffocating weight, presses down on me. I had survived countless terrifying encounters, but none had prepared me for this. To escape a normal wolf had been a desperate gamble, a narrow escape that had been nothing short of a miracle. But to evade an Alpha, the creature at the apex of the werewolf hierarchy, is a concept so terrifying it borders on the unimaginable. No. It is impossible.Amidst the fear, a q
DianaThere, standing by the side of the road by the tree line, is him. The Alpha. His presence is like a physical force, a wall of ice and fury. His features shadowed and made all the more menacing by shade of the trees. His eyes, those piercing honey brown eyes, are narrowed into slits of ice, and his jaw is clenched so tightly it looks like it might shatter.A low growl vibrates in his chest, a primal sound that sends a shiver down my spine. His body language is pure aggression, every muscle tensed, ready to pounce. The air between us crackles with tension, the scent of danger thick in the atmosphere.He points behind me, towards the town, a silent command. His eyes never leave mine, a cold, hard stare that penetrates my soul. I can feel my knees weakening, and it is only by sheer will that I don’t collapse to the ground. I want to run, to escape this terrifying confrontation, but something in his demeanor, a raw, primal power, holds me rooted to the spot.I clench my bag and subc
DominicusOnce she’s gone, a low growl rumbles through my chest, a protest against my current predicament. I should have finished this, and finished it cleanly. But no, my wolf had to intervene, to complicate matters.A wave of frustration washes over me and I start to pace. I had come here with a singular purpose, a cold, efficient task. But something, some inexplicable force, had derailed my plans. No. Not some mysterious power. Her. She had thrown a wrench into the works. A surge of anger courses through me. I should have killed her on sight. But no, I had gazed into her eyes… those wide eyes, hazel and enchanting, like a twilight forest where golden flecks of sunlight dance upon the leaves… and I had been disarmed.I growl in frustration and pace restlessly, the crunch of leaves and twigs beneath my feet a discordant rhythm to the turmoil within me. My wolf, that monstrous beast is silent. Usually, a whirlwind of rage and violence, he is now eerily calm. My prey had been within
DianaThe morning sun is a cruel mistress, its rays piercing through the curtains and landing squarely on my face. It was as if the world was conspiring to drag me out of the darkness of the night and into the harsh reality of the day. My sleep had been restless. My mind was chaotic, as I tossed and turned with every passing hour. Fear, uncertainty, and a deep-rooted sense of dread are my constant companions.But I have to function. The world isn’t going to stop just because I’m going through some shit. No one is going to save me. Only I can save myself. And right now, money is the only lifeline I can see. It was my ticket to survival, or at least, a better chance at it. I would never get face on foot, I know this from experience. I need to have money for buses, trains and food. And the only way to get it is to go back to work. Since I can’t escape right now, I’ll work and earn money in anticipation of when I finally get the opportunity. Also, being amongst humans gives some, though
DianaI blink, brow arching. Magnus almost mated to someone? That’s news to me.Can’t find it in me to care.The first girl nods eagerly. “Exactly! And it was super suspicious. It was supposed to be this huge deal — even our Alpha was invited — but just a week before the ceremony, it was called off.” She waves her hands for emphasis; the others nod vigorously.She leans in, voice dropping. “I heard Natasha left Zervos and went back to the Silvanus pack, then mated with an Omega from Plena Luna.”Another round of wide eyes and startled gasps.“It’s obvious why the ceremony was canceled,” she smirks. “Natasha met her real mate. Everyone thought Magnus set the match because he hadn’t found his mate yet… but he had. And he rejected her!”The gasps turn into soft curses. I catch words like scum and bastard tossed out under their breath, and I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing.The third girl eagerly nudges the first. “And? And?! What else?”The first girl glances around, then leans
DianaWhat were they thinking?A low voice, warm and smug, ghosts by my ear.“See?” Dominicus says. “I won.”I don’t turn. I can feel the smirk behind his voice and the presence of him just a breath away.I shake my head slowly, incredulous. “They actually came…”“And with a whole damn parade,” he says with a huff of amusement.“Pompousness and posturing,” I mutter.He chuckles. “That’s what you bet against, dulcis.”I scowl, still watching the arrivals, still baffled by the absurdity of it all.“And now,” he says, voice low as he leans down slightly, “you owe me.”I start to ask what the terms were again, but then I feel his lips brush the shell of my ear, and his whispered words burn hotter than sunlight across my skin.My breath catches. My entire body flushes.Damn him.Dom steps back and with a sweeping motion of his arm, the corners of his mouth quirking upward, he says, “Ladies, shall we?”I pull my gaze away from the window, and roll my eyes at him. “Lets.”Behind me, Eleanor
Diana “You’re on speaker, Alpha. They can all hear you now.” Dominicus doesn’t waste a breath. “Good,” he says, his tone flat, cold. “Then listen closely because this-“ he pauses, just long enough to make the weight of his next words settle into their bones, “—is the key to a ‘peaceful retirement’ for all of you.” There’s no trace of politeness. No deference. Only the weight of his authority, sharp as steel. The line is silent. No one dares interrupt. “Of the thirty-seven packs–,” he continues, “you each used to run one of the major nine.” Ten now - The Amadeus pack is back, I muse. “The rest of the smaller — scattered, less resourced packs are no less important. Therefore you are not only to go back to your own packs. You will each take responsibility for informing the Alphas of the minor packs in your regions. I don’t care how you do. Just get it done.” He paces a little, jaw tight. “You will tell them witches exist. You will tell them that dark witches have returned — tha
Diana Billy takes a step forward and wraps me in his warm bear hug. I bury my face in his chest and hug him just as tight. He steps back, “See you in a bit, kid”, and with a little wave, turns around and strides back towards the cars. I watch as they begin to pile into the SUVs, Billy among them. He gives me one last wink, grinning crookedly before ducking into the lead car. The low growl of the engines rises as the vehicles roll down the driveway, kicking up small clouds of dust and mist in their wake. I watch until the last taillight vanishes into the mist. A warm arm curls around my shoulders, anchoring me to the earth. Dominicus presses a kiss to my temple, his voice a soft murmur against my hair. “Don’t worry, dulcis. They’ll be fine. And they’ll bring her back safely.” I close my eyes for a moment, breathing him in, clinging to the hope stitched into his words. I hope so. For Billy’s sake. For Emerald’s sake. For all of us…We don’t go inside right away.
Diana “Wake me up early?” I mumble, already half-drifting again. “I wanna see Billy off in the morning.” “I will,” he promises, kissing the top of my head. Silence falls between us, soft and fragile. I’m just on the edge of sleep when his voice comes again, low and rough and achingly sincere. “Dulcis…” I hum in acknowledgment, too tired to form a real word. “The reason I’m not stopping you from fighting this war… isn’t because I care about you any less. I hope you know that. Right?” Something in his tone — the raw inflection, the brittle edge — tugs at me, pulling me back to him. I blink my eyes open and tilt my head up to look at him. In the muted light, his face is shadowed, but I can see it — the tightness around his mouth, the faint crease between his brows. And in his eyes — gods — there’s worry. Guilt. And buried much deeper, a sliver of fear so raw it makes my heart ache. I know what he’s thinking - what is weighing on him. It’s Billy’s words, thro
Diana Dominicus gently kisses my tears away before gathering me up into his arms as he gets off the bed. “Let’s get you clean and ready for bed”, he says and I hum in reply. I nestle against him, feeling the steady thrum of his heart under my cheek as he carries me across the room. I murmur sleepily, “Don’t get my hair wet. I wanna enjoy my silk press a little longer…” My voice is soft, half-drowsy. He halts mid-step and looks down at me. Them he chuckles, low and warm, the sound vibrating through his chest. “Of course, dulcis,” he says, amused. When we get to the bathroom, he sets me down on the counter and finds the shower cap tucked into a drawer. I watch him through heavy-lidded eyes as he approaches, his expression utterly tender. With careful hands, he gathers my hair — cradling it like something precious — and slips the cap over my head. His fingers linger against my scalp for a moment, tracing the shape of it, before he presses a kiss to my forehead. “There
Diana I arch against him instinctively, a broken sound escaping my lips. Dominicus buries his face in the crook of my neck, groaning low and deep, his breath hot against my skin. “Mine,” he whispers against my throat, his voice hoarse, almost desperate. “Always mine, dulcis.” I cling to him, nails digging into his back, overwhelmed by the sheer intimacy of it — the way we fit, the way our bodies and hearts and souls seem to lock together in a way that feels eternal. He begins to move, slow at first, each thrust deliberate, worshipful. I match him, needing him, needing this — this fusion, with an intensity that shakes my very soul. Dominicus moves inside me, deeper, harder, each thrust stealing the breath from my lungs. I cling to him, lost, trembling, my nails digging into his shoulders, needing more, needing everything. His name falls from my lips again and again, a broken, worshipful prayer. The heat coils low in my belly, winding tighter and tighter, until I’m
Content Warning: This chapter contains intimate R-18 scenesDiana His heavy-lidded eyes, so dark it sends a shiver down my spine have something within them other than just lust: It’s love. It’s trust. It’s need. But somehow, it still doesn’t feel like enough. Not yet. I want to give him everything. I want to make him feel even a fraction of what he’s made me feel today. What he makes me feel all the time. My cheeks flush as the idea takes root — daring, impulsive, raw — but I don’t hesitate. I trail kisses down his chest, my hands smoothing over his ribs, his waist, lower still. When he realizes what I intend, he catches my wrist gently. “Dulcis,” he says, his voice rough, wrecked. “I want to,” I whisper fiercely. “Please, Dom. Let me.” For a moment, he just looks at me. Then he nods once, slowly, his throat bobbing as he swallows. I look down at his member. A whimper escapes me as the ache between my legs intensifies. It’s so big- steel wrapped in s
Content Warning: This chapter contains intimate R-18 scenes Diana The celebration stretches on for three wonderful hours — eating, dancing, more laughter than I know what to do with. Gifts pile up on the table, colorful and bright, each one more overwhelming than the last. When the last of the guests trickle out, leaving hugs and promises to meet again soon, I finally find myself alone. Just me and Dominicus. The house is a little quieter now — but the air still hums with laughter, heavy and sweet. I turn toward him, my heart swelling with so much love it almost hurts. Dominicus watches me with that steady, patient gaze of his — the one that always makes me feel seen, known, loved. The soft lamplight spills over him, gilding his hair, casting his face in gentle shadows. “Thank you,” I say softly, my voice thick with emotion, “It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed about”. He shakes his head and says, “It’s not enough. It’s not nearly enough. You deserve everything and