Diana The piercing pain jolts me awake, sharp and unforgiving, as though a thousand needles are burrowing into my bones all at once. I gasp loudly, my eyes snapping open in shock. Beside me, Dominicus sits up instantly, his expression shifting from groggy contentment to razor-sharp concern. His hand is on me in an instant, steadying me, his strong presence grounding me even as my body feels like it’s tearing itself apart. “You’re shifting,” he says urgently, his voice tight with worry. His words hit me like a bolt of lightning. My eyes widen, and despite the agony clawing at my insides, excitement sparks to life in my chest. Shifting? Finally? But just as quickly as the thought comes, it’s swept away by another wave of pain that tears through my body. My muscles contract violently, and I barely hold back a scream. Dominicus doesn’t waste a second. Within moments, he’s pulling on a pair of loose pants while slipping one of his oversized T-shirts over my trembling body. Befor
DianaThe weight of his words hits me just as another wave of searing pain tears through my body, and for a moment, I can’t think. I can only feel the fire coursing through my veins, the agony that refuses to let up.Dominicus doesn’t stop, his voice more urgent now. “It’s why your shift is taking so long. Your wolf is stronger—too strong for your body to handle easily.” His hands tremble slightly as he reaches for my face, his thumbs brushing my cheeks, his gaze intense. “I should’ve realized sooner… Damn it, Diana.”I don’t know how to feel about this piece of information.An Alpha…Me.As someone who has lived life believing I was at the very bottom of the food chain- lowest rungs of werewolf society, to suddenly be told that I was actually meant to be at the top-the Apex, feels surreal.It feels like something out of a dream. And I have dreamt of it before. Many, many times. To wake up one day and no longer be powerless. To he strong enough to trample on all those who hurt me.But
Dianal open my eyes, and the world is... different. Everything is sharper, clearer.Colors seem more vibrant, and every detail stands out with startling clarity. I blink, stunned by the sheer vividness of the world around me.The sounds of the forest flood my ears— leaves rustling in the wind, birds chirping in the distance, the soft hum of insects. It's overwhelming, but not unpleasant.And the scents. My nose twitches as I pick up everything: the earthy aroma of the soil, the faint scent of water from a nearby stream, even the subtle musk of Dominicus beside me.I shakily get to my legs-or rather, my four legs. For a moment, I wobble, unsteady on my new limbs. Dominicus's hands hover close, ready to catch me if I fall.But then I steady myself, planting my paws firmly into the ground. The sensation is strange but exhilarating. I feel powerful, alive in a way I never have before.He kneels in front of me, his eyes shining with pride and relief. "Look at you," he murmurs, his voice t
DominicusDiana’s wolf, despite her excitement, listens. She doesn’t stray far, though her energy is boundless. I wait patiently, my eyes scanning the clearing for the flash of her coat. When she bounds back toward me, tail wagging furiously, I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips. “Come on”, I say in amusement, “let’s go back home”.She yips excitedly snd follows me back- no, she runs ahead- practically leading me back. Once we break through the trees to the cabin, she runs a quick circle around me, her excitement radiating, before darting off again to explore the vicinity of the cabin.I follow her at a measured pace, my steps steady as I watch her. She moves gracefully, her muscles rippling beneath her fur as she zigzags through the trees, sniffing at every corner and shadow. There’s an undeniable joy in her movements, and every so often, she glances back at me, her golden eyes gleaming with excitement, as if to make sure I’m still there.She inspects everything—the tre
DianaI stir awake slowly, the faint warmth of the afternoon sun streaming through the windows and falling gently over my face. My body feels heavy, like I’ve sunk into the mattress, and for a moment, I can’t remember why I feel so… different.I blink, my eyes fluttering open, and I take in the familiar surroundings of my bedroom. Disoriented at first, I lie still, staring at the ceiling as the haze of sleep begins to lift. It’s then that everything crashes into me at once, and my eyes widen in remembrance.Yesterday.Yesterday- or was it two days ago?, Dominicus and I finally mated.My cheeks flush with warmth, and an uncontrollable giddy giggle escapes me. I hug the sheets close to my chest, rolling onto my side, and then onto my back again. The bond—our bond—is alive and strong, like a current thrumming beneath my skin. I can feel it as clearly as I feel my own heartbeat, tethering me to him. If I wanted to, I know I could follow it right now and find him.He’s in the house, I real
DianaThrough our bond, I feel her emotions—her pride, her love, her unwavering loyalty—and they fill every corner of me, washing away the pain and self-doubt that I’ve carried for so long.“You’re really here,” I murmur in incredulity, more to myself than to her.“Yes,” she agrees gently. “And I’m here to stay.”Her conviction is so absolute, so grounding, that for the first time in my life, I feel truly whole.For a while, we don’t speak. We just sit together in the shared space of my mind, letting the emotions ebb and flow naturally. It’s a healing silence, one filled with understanding and quiet support.For the next hour or so, we engage in heartfelt conversation. We talk about any and everything.Her voice is soft yet sultry, carrying a natural elegance that exudes both maturity and calm. It’s soothing, like the low hum of a familiar melody, and yet there’s an undeniable strength beneath it—a quiet power that speaks volumes without effort. Listening to her, I can’t help but mar
DianaThe kiss is toe-curling, stealing the breath straight from my lungs. It’s slow and deep, filled with an intensity that leaves me dizzy. I lean into him, my hands gripping his shoulders as my body turns molten under his touch.“Good morning,” he murmurs against my lips, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine. “Or should I say good afternoon, dulcis?” Yeah… it seems to be way past noon already.“Good morning,” I whisper back stupidly, dazed and breathless.His grin is devastating, lighting up his already handsome face. His smile so good looking it makes my head spin.He’s so gorgeous…He really is, my wolf sighs back dreamily.Dominicus steps back, his arms leaving my waist. My body nearly rebels as his warmth leaves me. I want his touch back on my skin. He smirks knowingly. “Don’t worry,” he says, his voice laced with promise. “We have all the time in the world.”The wicked glint in his eye sends heat rushing through my body, and I look away, suddenly shy. How is it possibl
Diana The past few weeks have been… exhausting. Dominicus is thorough, and when I say thorough, I mean relentless. Every day, he introduces a new exercise to help me control my strength and reflexes. The goal is clear: to ensure that I can interact with others—humans and wolves alike—without accidentally breaking something or someone. Every day, he trains me, working on controlling my newfound strength. I’ve gone from crushing eggs with a single touch to delicately balancing a glass of water on the tip of my finger without spilling a drop. When it comes to objects, I’ve made remarkable progress. But when it comes to people? That’s a completely different story. “Relax,” Dominicus says for what feels like the hundredth time. His deep, calm voice is soothing, but it doesn’t help my mounting frustration. “I am relaxed!” I snap, staring at him like he’s lost his mind. “Then why do I feel like you’re about to throw me across the room?” he replies with a raised brow, his tone laced wi
DianaThe next Alpha my eyes land on pulls my attention instantly.He’s middle-aged, broad-shouldered, hulking—even among all these Alphas, he stands out as particularly powerful. His short-cropped hair and sharply cut features give him a severe, almost intimidating air.But what surprises me is the look on his face.Unlike the others, there’s no flicker of wariness, no veiled animosity in his gaze.Instead, he’s smiling. Calm. Almost amused, like he’s simply waiting for the meeting to begin, perfectly at ease.Intrigued, I shift my gaze to the third Alpha who stands out.And this time, I have to look twice.The Alpha, her Beta, and the two Gamma warriors flanking her… they’re all women.The Alpha meets my eyes directly—her expression steady, cool, unreadable. Then, with a small, polite nod, she acknowledges me before turning her attention back to Dom.All of this unfolds in seconds: quick assessments, sharp glances, the silent tension of predators sizing each other up.By the time my
Diana I spot Dom waiting just down the hall, his arms crossed, his sharp eyes flick up as soon as come out me. His face softens—just slightly—and he reaches out. I walk up to him and slip my hand into his. Eleanor falls into step behind us, quiet and peaceful, her presence a steady pulse at my back. Together, the three of us move toward the wide double doors at the end of the hall—the conference room where today’s meeting is about to hold. The air feels thicker here, heavy with the scent of too many wolves, sharp anticipation, and something almost metallic — the bracing edge of challenge, perhaps, or simply the weight of so many packs gathered under one roof. As we near, an Amadeus warrior steps forward. Clyde. He bows smoothly. “Alpha. Luna.” He gives Eleanor a polite nod. “Ma’am.” Dom gives him a curt nod in return, but I offer Clyde a small smile. Eleanor answers warmly, “Hello dear.” Clyde straightens and says, “The packs have brought a fair number of warriors w
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