LOGINLilith's POVOur car pulled into the compound and headed straight for the big house. The one the six of us shared.The closer we got, the clearer I could see it—figures standing in the yard, workers maybe.As we approached, they all piled into another vehicle that passed us going the opposite direction, disappearing into the snowy night.I glanced at Daegan, then Rylan. Neither reacted. Like nothing had happened.I let it go, but I couldn't help scanning the property as I got out.The ground floor looked the same. Warm lights. Christmas tree still twinkling.Were they… downstairs?The basement level was supposed to be a recreation area. I'd only been down there once.They'd talked me into it with promises of "relaxing," but the second I saw that big pool of steaming water, I knew what was coming.They'd held me down in it until I couldn't stand, legs shaking, begging them to stop. The memory was so ob
Third Person POVThe dining table had gone so quiet you could hear snow landing on the windowsill.Alpha Marvin set his spoon down with a deliberate clatter. In the silence, it sounded like a gunshot."Eat or leave."The woman's mouth snapped shut. She scowled, her jaw working like she wanted to say something, but she kept it behind her teeth. Head down. Fork moving.Rylan stood up. Took the serving chopsticks. Deliberately placed a piece of food into the woman's bowl. His voice dripped with false sweetness."Auntie. Just because your marriage is falling apart doesn't mean you need to take it out on everyone else."Her face went purple. She opened her mouth—Marvin coughed. Once. Her teeth clicked together.Then Marvin's heavy wolf eyes turned on Rylan.Rylan didn't flinch. He was all the way across the table, but he walked around anyway, picked up the serving chopsticks again, and put more food in Marvin's
Lilith's POVWe took two cars for the four of us. My mother, naturally, rode with Alpha Thomas. I rode with Daegan.But when I pulled open the door, a gust of cold wind laced with snow rushed in, colliding with the car's warm air.Rylan was sprawled in the back seat, that familiar smirk already curling his lips the moment he saw me."Lilith. Good evening."I froze. I hadn't expected him to be here. I'd thought it would just be me and Daegan. Now there were three of us.I slid into the middle seat, leaving the right side for Daegan.The door clicked shut, sealing us into a space that suddenly felt too small, too intimate.Rylan's voice came from my left immediately, carrying that usual teasing edge: "Ignoring me?"My pulse jumped. Images from that night a few days ago slammed into my head without warning—him touching himself in front of his phone screen, groaning my name, the mess he made everywhere…The memory was so obscene it made my whole body flush, my scent gland starting to thro
Lilith's POVI was dazed for a moment—until his mouth made mine all numb and tingly, and a tiny, helpless "Mmm..." slipped out before I could stop it.Terrified of getting caught, I grabbed fistfuls of his jacket, knuckles going white.My wolf ears itched like crazy under my hair, begging to come out.Daegan didn't drag the kiss out. When he finally pulled back, he gave the corner of my mouth one last lick, like he wasn't quite ready to let go, and said, rough-voiced, "Okay. That's enough."My face was on fire. I knew without looking that I was the color of a boiled lobster.My mother and his father were inside. They'd notice something was off the second they saw me.I shoved my face into Daegan's jacket, rubbing my cheeks against the fabric, breathing deep until I could pull myself together.Then I straightened up and cupped my hands over my mouth, puffing out hot breath to cool myself down.Daegan found this hilarious. He reached out and touched the tip of my ear.His fingers were f
Dax's POVI didn't let go.My arm stayed locked around Lilith's waist, holding her against my chest like she'd slip away the second I loosened my grip.Her warmth seeped through her clothes, her pheromones sweet as honey flooding my senses, making my throat go dry and my wolf blood simmer.Daegan stood at the edge of the couch, looking down at us with that hungry, territorial gleam young wolves always had when they wanted something that wasn't theirs. I met his eyes.I wasn't happy.Not even a little.I'd finally had her to myself all afternoon—everyone else busy with Christmas dinner prep. Her taste. Her little gasps. The way her tongue tangled with mine.That was mine. And this kid had to come crashing in, acting like some adolescent wolf trying to steal a kill.A low warning growl rumbled in my throat. Pure Alpha.Daegan straightened up, a smirk tugging at his mouth. "Kidding."His voice was light, but his eyes weren't.He looked at Lilith, his tone softening. "My father and your m
Lilith's POVUsually, he carried himself like some kind of abstinent elder—all restraint and solemnity.But right now, his throat moved as he swallowed, and his eyes were nothing but raw hunger.A wolf king finally shedding his disguise."What...what kind of game?" My heart was slamming against my ribs.The base of my spine tingled, my scent gland throbbing, ready to flood the air with answering pheromones.Dax's hands were steady—one locked around my waist, the other scooping up a spoonful of hot chocolate mousse.The first bite went straight to my mouth.I opened up and took it. Sweet chocolate melted on my tongue, but every chew happened under his burning gaze.My face flushed hot, my thighs pressing together involuntarily."Good?" His voice was low, almost a growl."Mmm...it's sweet." I nodded, my voice small. My tongue still imagined the warmth of his skin.Dax's mouth cu
Jarek's POVIn front of the movie theater.Lilith suddenly stopped walking and turned to face me, her expression serious, as if about to negotiate a deal."No touching," she said, enunciating each word, her eyes locked on mine, trying to project authority.I raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "O
Lilith's POVA sharp gasp ripped through me as I tried to steady my crumbling voice."W-What is it?" But the words came out thin and airy, the ends trembling with a fine, shaken vibration."Miss. Your phone in your bag has rung twice now. Would you like me to bring it to you so you can return the c
Jarek’s POVMy fingers sank into the wet heat of her mouth.That slippery little tongue fluttered, trying to evade me, but I caught it easily, tangling and toying with it.Saliva dripped down my knuckles, stretching into fine, silvery strands on the phone screen—a sight so lewd it sent a shiver dow
Jarek's POVI watched as she shyly lowered her head, her golden hair catching the sunlight in a soft halo.A smile tugged unconsciously at my lips.Lilith was always like this—the smallest compliment could make her blush from the roots of her ears all the way down her neck, like ripened berries.An







