Valkyrie paced in her room, utterly disturbed. Her face was red, and she was on the verge of breaking down in tears.She couldn't sleep. Sleep had abandoned her.His possession? His?What, in the light of the moon, had happened at the court? How had she even managed to appear there after being whipped?Her plan had been to keep her hidden until she got the answers she needed, then expose her as a new slave who had broken the rules and let her face the death penalty.But that plan was ruined. Completely ruined.The door creaked open, revealing Selene."You!" Valkyrie roared, storming toward her. "How dare you betray me?! You tricked me, you old hag! You treated her and brought her to the court!"Selene's face remained calm. "You needed her, my lady. How would you have found out how she survived if she were dead?"Valkyrie scoffed. "Cut the bull. Your actions have made her the King's slave. How am I supposed to get my hands on her now?""The King won't believe her," Selene said calmly.
A low growl tore out of Duncan's throat as his tongue dove further, greedily. His teeth gently grazed her soft flesh, causing her to scream; her body shook as pleasure rippled through her.Her back arched perfectly for his tongue to penetrate deeper.“Oh Gawd!… Your Grace!” she cried out, more fluidly, and Duncan drank it all in. He thrust his tongue in and out, his Lycan, Ash still raging inside him, too greedily.His hand shot out to reach her chest, grabbing her left breast, perfectly fitting in his hold. As if her body was made for him. Him alone.Devour her!Yet, subtle anger lingered within him. How could a mere slave trigger him this way? Effortlessly. A slave without a wolf, denying claim of being a traitor at the Grand Court.She had broken the rules several times. The first was when she met his gaze. A slave who looked their master straight in the eyes faced punishment, but he was occupied by that strange pull.Duncan despised hearing the cries of defiance during the slave t
Never for a moment had Valkyrie missed the sight of her King. She always made sure to catch a glimpse of him, even just for a fleeting moment.They might not exchange words, but she made sure he saw her. Almost every night, he would summon her to his chamber to mount and satisfy his lust.He only took her from behind, no foreplay, no kissing, just straight to thrusting in her. Yet, she was satisfied by it.Her Darling still cares for her. He does.But tonight, all things had gone so wrong.It had been more than twenty-one hours; she had refused to eat or sleep.Her Darling was said to be busy throughout the day, yet she heard the gossip of a maid mentioning that the King had summoned his slave.That bitch, Arianna Greystone!She was on the verge of tears, her feet trembling with anxiety. Why had the King summoned the slave instead of her?Just one day, and she was forgotten?Was she to spend another sleepless night?Unable to take it, she went to the Sacred Moon wing, heading toward t
In his arms, she looked small and fragile against his imposing frame. Duncan’s brow furrowed at the words he had muttered.What was she? Could she be...No, he would know. He knew the symptoms, the pull, the intoxication. His heart wasn’t drawn to her; it was his Lycan. Lusting, wanting to devour her whole. Instead of purring and protecting her, it was raging to take her.There should be an answer. He always had an answer, but...Duncan’s eyes squinted as her head tilted slightly to the side. At first, he thought he was mistaken, that perhaps it was due to the dim light and shadows. But as he stared closer, it became clear.A mark.By the moon, could he be mistaken?Duncan’s mind froze as shock hit him like a tidal wave. The tattoo that ran across her neck let out a silvery glow for a fleeting moment. A crescent-shaped moon, like an endless circle. The symbol reminded him of his past.Centuries of memories surged through him like a storm, unbidden and merciless. Flames engulfing his h
"Alive.""Not alive.""Alive.""Not alive."Lylah plucked the last leaf off the plant with a bored expression, then sighed, tossing it aside as she gazed up at the bright sky.Birds chirped, and a cool breeze grazed her skin. The morning was beautiful, yet it did nothing to ease the uneasiness gnawing at her.“Are you alive, Aria?” she muttered, a leaf dangling from the corner of her mouth. “I’ve spent all my savings just to find you, so you’d better be—because if you're not, I’ll kill you.”“My lady,” Ryder called from below, looking up at her. “It’s ready.”A small smile crept onto Lylah’s face, and she began climbing down the massive tree with practiced ease. Her boots hit the grass with a soft thud as she dusted off her hands.“Took them long enough,” she huffed as they made their way back to the inn. Pulling the leaf from her mouth, she grinned. “Alive.”“May I say something?” Ryder asked.Lylah nodded.“I don't think it’s a good idea to go to the Lunaris Citadel. They won’t let
Arianna blinked repeatedly, desperately hoping the King wasn’t standing before her right now.Those deep, golden amber eyes pierced through her like a blade, pinning her in place.Her mouth hung open, but no words came out. It was as though she had forgotten how to use her mouth, even as the King stepped closer, closing the distance between them. His scent enveloped her entire being.She stood frozen, completely mesmerized and trapped by his gaze.Speak, Arianna! Say something!“Hi.”No! Oh, shit, Arianna, are you insane?!It's the king!“I mean... Good morning, Your Grace,” she quickly corrected, praying the King wouldn’t order the soldiers to hang her head on a spike. How dare she greet her master, the King, so casually?“I’m deeply sorry, Your Grace. I didn’t mean to say that, I just…” She paused, her breath hitched when the King moved closer, causing her to instinctively step back, her eyes still locked with his.“You just what?” he asked, his deep voice rumbling through his ches
'To ascend your father's throne, you need to have a mate. You're to marry him, then we'll crown you as the Luna of the pack.' Arianna’s eyelids fluttered open, the elder’s words echoing in her mind. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, the makeup artist having done a flawless job. Clad in the most beautiful white gown she had ever seen, Arianna couldn’t help but feel a wave of nervousness wash over her. It was her wedding day. Her parents had died two years ago, devastating both her and the pack. With no male heir, Arianna, as the eldest daughter, was chosen to lead. But to be crowned, she had to marry. They believed it would strengthen the pack. Last year, on her twentieth birthday, the ball ceremony had been held, under the full moon. It was a grand event where wolves met their destined mates. Arianna remembered standing nervously in the corner, watching the scenes unfold. Then, suddenly, she caught a scent—strong, intoxicating, and utterly overwhelming. It melted
Arianna watched as the first guard approached, crouching beside her. Painful whimpers escaped her throat, soft yet filled with agony."End her and bûrn the body." She couldn’t believe those words had come from Kael’s mouth. The man she had given her heart and body to was a traitor, and she was just a pawn to his own game of stealing the throne? The thought made her heart clench even tighter.“All my life, I’ve wondered what it would feel like to kill a highborn. It’ll be a marvelous feeling, I suppose. Now, I finally get the chance, thanks to Alpha Kael,” the guard sneered, licking his lips, his eyes gleaming with bloodlust.Arianna shut her eyes, more tears streaming down her face. She was slipping into darkness, her strength fading quickly. Her breathing was labored, and she knew her condition would worsen if she didn’t do something about the wound Kael had inflicted.“But today isn’t the day for that,” the guard added, and Arianna’s eyes fluttered open in confusion.What?The seco
Arianna blinked repeatedly, desperately hoping the King wasn’t standing before her right now.Those deep, golden amber eyes pierced through her like a blade, pinning her in place.Her mouth hung open, but no words came out. It was as though she had forgotten how to use her mouth, even as the King stepped closer, closing the distance between them. His scent enveloped her entire being.She stood frozen, completely mesmerized and trapped by his gaze.Speak, Arianna! Say something!“Hi.”No! Oh, shit, Arianna, are you insane?!It's the king!“I mean... Good morning, Your Grace,” she quickly corrected, praying the King wouldn’t order the soldiers to hang her head on a spike. How dare she greet her master, the King, so casually?“I’m deeply sorry, Your Grace. I didn’t mean to say that, I just…” She paused, her breath hitched when the King moved closer, causing her to instinctively step back, her eyes still locked with his.“You just what?” he asked, his deep voice rumbling through his ches
"Alive.""Not alive.""Alive.""Not alive."Lylah plucked the last leaf off the plant with a bored expression, then sighed, tossing it aside as she gazed up at the bright sky.Birds chirped, and a cool breeze grazed her skin. The morning was beautiful, yet it did nothing to ease the uneasiness gnawing at her.“Are you alive, Aria?” she muttered, a leaf dangling from the corner of her mouth. “I’ve spent all my savings just to find you, so you’d better be—because if you're not, I’ll kill you.”“My lady,” Ryder called from below, looking up at her. “It’s ready.”A small smile crept onto Lylah’s face, and she began climbing down the massive tree with practiced ease. Her boots hit the grass with a soft thud as she dusted off her hands.“Took them long enough,” she huffed as they made their way back to the inn. Pulling the leaf from her mouth, she grinned. “Alive.”“May I say something?” Ryder asked.Lylah nodded.“I don't think it’s a good idea to go to the Lunaris Citadel. They won’t let
In his arms, she looked small and fragile against his imposing frame. Duncan’s brow furrowed at the words he had muttered.What was she? Could she be...No, he would know. He knew the symptoms, the pull, the intoxication. His heart wasn’t drawn to her; it was his Lycan. Lusting, wanting to devour her whole. Instead of purring and protecting her, it was raging to take her.There should be an answer. He always had an answer, but...Duncan’s eyes squinted as her head tilted slightly to the side. At first, he thought he was mistaken, that perhaps it was due to the dim light and shadows. But as he stared closer, it became clear.A mark.By the moon, could he be mistaken?Duncan’s mind froze as shock hit him like a tidal wave. The tattoo that ran across her neck let out a silvery glow for a fleeting moment. A crescent-shaped moon, like an endless circle. The symbol reminded him of his past.Centuries of memories surged through him like a storm, unbidden and merciless. Flames engulfing his h
Never for a moment had Valkyrie missed the sight of her King. She always made sure to catch a glimpse of him, even just for a fleeting moment.They might not exchange words, but she made sure he saw her. Almost every night, he would summon her to his chamber to mount and satisfy his lust.He only took her from behind, no foreplay, no kissing, just straight to thrusting in her. Yet, she was satisfied by it.Her Darling still cares for her. He does.But tonight, all things had gone so wrong.It had been more than twenty-one hours; she had refused to eat or sleep.Her Darling was said to be busy throughout the day, yet she heard the gossip of a maid mentioning that the King had summoned his slave.That bitch, Arianna Greystone!She was on the verge of tears, her feet trembling with anxiety. Why had the King summoned the slave instead of her?Just one day, and she was forgotten?Was she to spend another sleepless night?Unable to take it, she went to the Sacred Moon wing, heading toward t
A low growl tore out of Duncan's throat as his tongue dove further, greedily. His teeth gently grazed her soft flesh, causing her to scream; her body shook as pleasure rippled through her.Her back arched perfectly for his tongue to penetrate deeper.“Oh Gawd!… Your Grace!” she cried out, more fluidly, and Duncan drank it all in. He thrust his tongue in and out, his Lycan, Ash still raging inside him, too greedily.His hand shot out to reach her chest, grabbing her left breast, perfectly fitting in his hold. As if her body was made for him. Him alone.Devour her!Yet, subtle anger lingered within him. How could a mere slave trigger him this way? Effortlessly. A slave without a wolf, denying claim of being a traitor at the Grand Court.She had broken the rules several times. The first was when she met his gaze. A slave who looked their master straight in the eyes faced punishment, but he was occupied by that strange pull.Duncan despised hearing the cries of defiance during the slave t
Valkyrie paced in her room, utterly disturbed. Her face was red, and she was on the verge of breaking down in tears.She couldn't sleep. Sleep had abandoned her.His possession? His?What, in the light of the moon, had happened at the court? How had she even managed to appear there after being whipped?Her plan had been to keep her hidden until she got the answers she needed, then expose her as a new slave who had broken the rules and let her face the death penalty.But that plan was ruined. Completely ruined.The door creaked open, revealing Selene."You!" Valkyrie roared, storming toward her. "How dare you betray me?! You tricked me, you old hag! You treated her and brought her to the court!"Selene's face remained calm. "You needed her, my lady. How would you have found out how she survived if she were dead?"Valkyrie scoffed. "Cut the bull. Your actions have made her the King's slave. How am I supposed to get my hands on her now?""The King won't believe her," Selene said calmly.
My Possession. Mine.Those words rang over and over in Arianna's head as she sat in her small new chamber. No longer trapped within cold, stone walls, she was now confined in the Sacred Moon wing—her room not far from the King’s own.She could still feel the King’s touch—the way his thick fingers traced her scalp, neck, collarbone, and back. The fire it sparked within her as she knelt at his feet before the eyes of the Grand Court.Like a pretty little thing. His pretty little thing.By his feet, she felt as though that was where she belonged. The shock of the nobles and high lords wasn’t her concern, but she caught sight of Valkyrie's.The king's bestrothed eyes looked as though they were about to pop out of her skull. Her face had paled like that of the dead, dread, horror, regret, and anger filling her once-prideful features all at once. She remained that way until the trial ended.At least seven slaves were executed in the court that day. Others were assigned to a noble, warrior,
An Alpha daughter?The spokesman, gave Arianna a skeptical look. He had sensed no wolf from her.“State your crime before the king,” he ordered.“My crime was trusting the wrong people. I let the wrong person into my heart." Arianna didn't miss a beat. "They betrayed me and took my pack away from me. I barely escaped with my life before being sold to the Citadel.”To satisfy your rut, Your Majesty. Her mind added the unspoken truth, though voicing it would be a death sentence. A slave’s word held no weight, especially one with no proof.She had long made up her mind. She would rather die than admit to being a traitor. She was never one."You’re accused of treason—betraying your pack for selfish reasons. Now you stand before the Grand Court, claiming it was all a lie?" one of the Lords seated at the altar at the left side of the King questioned."Do you have any idea of what you're getting yourself into? The consequences of your words?" asked another Lord seated beside him."Do you hav
"Why bother saving her when she’s going to die at the grand court anyway?" Brigid asked, watching Selene stitch. It was the head maid's favorite activity during her leisure time, the lit fireplace keeping them warm and casting a soft glow across the room."And what makes you think so?" Selene asked, her tone neutral as she weaved her sewing needle through the fabric."She committed treason, and traitors have never been spared by the King. Not in centuries," Brigid muttered, idly twirling a strand of her blonde hair between her fingers.Selene stayed silent for a moment before responding. "Shouldn't you be tending to the horses rather than concerning yourself with matters far above your station? The sentencing at the court will end soon, and you’ll be in trouble if you don’t complete your work on time.""The last slave trial took a few hours," Brigid scowled, her perpetually sleepy eyes flashing with curiosity. "You’re sending me away again, aren’t you? Is that your only strategy for