MasukThe dinner was exactly as it should have been. Light, noisy, full of laughter. Demyan told stories about his mischief at the supernatural school, something involving a talking stuffed rabbit, a mud puddle, and a teacher who “made an angry face.”Lyra laughed softly at Sasha’s constant teasing. He never missed an opportunity to provoke his girlfriend.“Love, are you laughing at me?”“A little bit. Just a little bit.”“Betrayal. In front of everyone.”She simply held his hand under the table, their fingers intertwining. Sasha smiled immediately, the offended act vanishing.“It’s hard to keep complaining like this. You fight dirty.”Dmitry watched the scene, one eyebrow raised.“Impressive.”“What?” Sasha asked, still holding Lyra’s hand.“You really got domesticated. I never thought I’d live to see the day.”“She worked a miracle. I was a lost cause.”Lyra blushed, her cheeks turning pink.“Sasha…”“See?” He pointed at her with his fork. “She says my name like that and I forget what I w
September 15 — TuesdayAlexei parked the black BMW in front of the hospital a few minutes before eight in the morning. The engine was still purring softly while he checked the passenger seat for the third time: a thermal tray, two coffees, two still-warm croissants, orange juice, and a small box of colorful macarons.“Shift.” The Lycan’s voice sounded resigned. “She’s going to come out with that face that says she forgot the world exists.”“I know.” Alexei smiled, his eyes fixed on the hospital door. “It’s the twenty-four-hour shift face.”“She even forgot her own birthday. She hasn’t mentioned the date once.”“Better that way. The surprise is going to be perfect.”And it was working. Susan had managed to keep the secret, Marina had managed, even Dmitry — the man who couldn’t lie to his own wife — had managed. A true miracle of family cooperation. His phone vibrated on the dashboard.Sasha: “Mission accomplished. Lyra already confirmed. We’ll be there at seven.”Alexei replied immedia
Alexei entered balancing a huge tray, his arms outstretched as if carrying a treasure. He wore gray sweatpants and a simple t-shirt, his blond hair still damp from the shower, a satisfied smile on his lips.“Good morning, sleepyhead.”She looked at the tray. Then at him. Then at the tray again, her eyes scanning the mountain of food. Fruits, breads, omelet, pancakes, jams, coffee, juice, a small vase with flowers.“Alexei Anatolievich Rurik…” Her voice came out more incredulous than severe.“Yes?” He raised an eyebrow, his expression innocent.“Did you rob the kitchen?”“No.” He made a dramatic pause, eyes sparkling. “The kitchen collaborated spontaneously. Marina practically demanded that I bring all this.”She laughed, the sound filling the room.“That explains a lot. Marina has always been your accomplice.”He closed the door with his foot and walked to the bed with the solemnity of a five-star restaurant waiter.“Breakfast delivered with love. Courtesy of your favorite boyfriend.”
Susan turned her eyes back to Alexei and discreetly winked at him.“You’re in a really good mood today, huh?”“Excellent reasons.” He returned the wink, a crooked smile on his lips.“I can imagine.” Susan gave a half-smile. “Then enjoy it.”“I intend to. All day long.”Dmitry observed the exchange of glances between the two, his forehead slightly furrowed.“What did I miss?”“Nothing.” Susan answered immediately, her voice innocent.“Absolutely nothing.” Alexei confirmed, but the smile on his face said otherwise.“Hmm.” Dmitry took a sip of coffee. “I don’t like it when you two say that.”“Neither do I.” Susan agreed, adjusting the bag on her shoulder. “But everything will be fine.”“I hope so. By my calculations, Sasha is involved.”Alexei rested his arm on his brother’s shoulder, leaning in with complicity.“Relax. What could possibly go wrong with Sasha involved?”“Do you want the list in alphabetical order or chronological order?”“Funny guy.”“I learned from you.”Marina placed a
September 10 — Thursday, morningAlexei woke before dawn.For a few seconds, he remained still, letting consciousness return slowly. The room was still immersed in the bluish twilight that precedes sunrise, and the silence was absolute, the kind that only existed in the early morning hours, when not even the mansion staff had begun their rounds.Carla was still deeply asleep, curled up beside him, with one hand resting on his chest, right over his heart. As if even in sleep she needed to confirm that he was still there, that the bond was still pulsing, and that the nightmare of the kidnapping had not repeated during the night.A small smile appeared on his lips. The Lycan also seemed strangely calm, without growls, without alerts, without the constant tension of the last few days.“She slept through the night.”“She did.”Alexei confirmed mentally, his eyes still fixed on Carla’s sleeping face.“Without nightmares. Without waking up scared.”“Finally. She needed that.”“Today she’s go
Carla aligned his member against her wet entrance, feeling the hot, throbbing tip press exactly where she wanted it most. For a moment, she allowed herself to simply feel it. The heat radiating from him, the anticipation pulsing in the air, his clear eyes fixed on hers as if she were the most important thing in the universe.Then she sank down.Slowly. Inch by inch. Every fraction of movement was delicious torture, her inner muscles adapting to the invasion, embracing him with an intimacy that never ceased to surprise her. Alexei groaned — a deep, husky sound that seemed to come from the depths of his chest — and Carla saw his fangs lengthen slightly, his eyes sparking in a blue so clear they looked silver under the fireplace light.“Our female receiving us.” The Lycan’s voice echoed in Alexei’s mind, but Carla felt it through the bond like a satisfied growl. “So tight… So hot… perfect.”“Perfect,” Alexei repeated out loud, his hands on her waist squeezing with possessive strength, pu
While the mansion seemed submerged in a forced tranquility, with security tightening the corridors and Dmitry still secluded with Susan, that afternoon Svetlana moved with silent elegance behind the scenes.Natália’s personal advisor had dedicated years to the art of discreet manipulation, and now,
With a slow movement, Dmitry sat on the bench beside her and extended his hand, wrapping hers with firm possession.“Come here, malyshka (little one),” his voice came out as a hoarse whisper, a soft command that made her body react before her mind could even process it.Susan let herself be guided,
The soft sound of wood crackling in the fireplace filled the vast hall of the mansion. The night stretched cold outside, but inside the warmth was comforting.Susan adjusted the oversized hoodie she was wearing — one of Dmitry’s — inhaling his scent that clung to the fabric.A shiver ran across her
Dmitry’s breathing was still ragged.Susan’s touch on his skin seemed to strip away the densest layers of fear, control, and self-punishment he had worn for years. He was still holding her waist, her body pressed against his, as if only that way could he continue breathing.She lifted her face, her







