MasukPOV: CalebMother summons again, her timing is always perfect. The knock from the guard had stopped me from doing what I had only imagined in my quiet times, when my self-control was taut, and my mind roved free in lust. Still, I know it can only delay the inevitable wanting and need that I have come to live with these days; the craving need must be assuaged.Back to the queen, she always finds a way to influence a show of authority, now that we have noted unusual activities on the border. I am certain she would want to be a part of the decision process of who does what.Sometimes I wonder if she is more politically inclined or if she just likes to meddle. If it's not within her sphere of control, the situation is not allowed to happen.When I was younger, she was more laid back, hands off, only sticking to queen duties, but ever since that time, when the nobles revolted, and we lost almost all. She had made sure to be a critical part of any activity.Not that I mind, mother’s sugges
Oh, it's Mary, I haven’t seen her in a while now. “Ok, thank you, I will be right out,” I replied to the girl.I gave myself a once-over at the mirror to be sure my flushed cheeks had receded. Mary could be quite perceptive sometimes, and I didn’t want her asking questions I am not ready to answer. My heart was still pounding far too loudly, and I pressed my palms to the edge of the basin of the bathroom, willing myself to breathe more slowly. What if she sees straight through me? Anxiety curled through my stomach, tightening with every passing second. I didn't know if I was more afraid of her kindness or her curiosity&
POV: GinaThe moment Prince Caleb left the room, my knees nearly gave out. I stood there beside his desk, staring at the closed doors like they had personally betrayed me.What in the actual hell was wrong with me?My fingers lifted slowly to my throat, where his breath had touched moments ago. The skin still felt warm. Sensitive, I felt alive in a way I haven’t felt in my two lives.The room smelled overwhelmingly like him now: smoky pine mixed with the smell of earth after it had just rained, all steel and male. It wrapped around me like invisible hands, making my thoughts slippery.“Get it together, Gina,” I whispered harshly.Instead, my body replayed every second, the way he looked at me, his voice at it deepened when he got close. The way his hand settled against my waist like it belonged there.God.Back on earth, men had flirted with me before. Some handsome. Some were charming, a few had dangerous auras due to the nature of the job, but nothing like this.Caleb did not flirt.
The look on the maids’ faces made me want to laugh. They seemed stunned, as if I’d told them to slap themselves. I’d never personally invited anyone into my chambers before.Not like this.I ignored their shock and entered first. A second later, I heard her footsteps follow.The doors closed behind us, and the room went quiet. My chambers felt smaller with her there, but this was exactly what I wanted.She stopped several feet away, posture straight. I guess she was trying to remain professional.Trying very hard.I removed my gloves slowly. “You’re nervous.”“I think any sane person would be.” She replied.“Hm.”I studied her openly now; her scent had changed again.Still human, yet beneath it…something else stirred. It was wild and awake; I am baffled by how a human scent can seem to grow, change, and transform right before my eyes.
POV: CalebKeith’s words lingered in the air, poking me in the gut.“I thought your interest was because you claimed her, or am I wrong?”The training grounds suddenly felt too small.Around us, warriors sparred beneath the pale morning light. Metal clanged. Wolves barked orders. Sweat, dirt, aggression, dominance, everything smelled sharp in the cold air.But beneath it all, I could still scent her.Olives, warm skin. Something dangerously addictive about her.My jaw tightened.Keith immediately straightened. “Forgive me, Your Highness. I overstepped.”“You did,” I replied coldly.Yet I didn’t dismiss him because the truth was irritatingly close to what he implied.I had not claimed Gina, not officially, at least not in the sacred sense wolves understood. All my actions since I met her had thoroughly exposed her to the limelight, and I am continually drawn like a moth to a flame; even mated wolves did not need to do as much to their claimed chosen mates.Even Trey…Trey had stopped p
Then he reached out, resting a firm hand on my shoulder.“You don’t have to carry it alone.” That was harder to hear than any criticism because it meant something I did not often hear.“I am not alone,” I said.His gaze sharpened slightly.“No?”“Who stands with you, then?”The question lingered longer than it should have. For a brief, dangerous second, Gina's face crossed my mind, her dark eyes and steady gaze standing out in the shadows of memory.Soft dark eyes with a steady gaze, having a perpetual defiant look even when silent.I shut down the thought immediately. It was irrelevant and complicated, but still somehow connected to the situation.“My warriors,” I answered.It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the full truth either.He studied me quietly for a long while, like he knew something but chose not to press.“Ver
POV: CalebTrey had reacted before my brain did; I had simply forgotten where I was at the moment. Seeing her wrist in another male’s grip had gotten antsy and restless. I am still stunned by my action, though I do not regret it.The truth is, I had been aware of her presence the moment she stepped
His voice wasn’t loud, but the alpha command in his voice was absolute, brooking no antagonism or negotiation.The stinky noble obeyed instantly, so I stepped back, lowering my gaze.Control. Control yourself, Gina.Caleb’s attention shifted to the noble.“You were assigned observation duty,” he sa
Gina POVMeeting the queen felt unreal. My mind spins, and I question whether I’m awake or dreaming. I keep wondering if I’m losing my grip on reality.Sometimes I’m scared of how quickly things shift, as if nothing is certain, not even my thoughts.I catch myself trembling, questioning if I’m at th
“Mother, I thought we had already discussed this. You know she is just a human and won’t be able to handle the chaos and depth of this palace.”“Hmm, really? My opinion vastly differs from yours. After meeting with her, I am more certain she will deal really well with it all, and both of you will w







