Ryder’s POVI hated this.Watching Jaxon pull Amara into his lap, watching Caden’s hand brush against hers—watching her respond to them. It killed me.She was mine just as much as she was theirs. I knew that. But every time I saw her melt under Jaxon’s touch or soften when Caden whispered something to her, a sharp, burning feeling twisted in my chest.Jealousy. Possessiveness.I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay still.But when Jaxon leaned in, his lips hovering dangerously close to Amara’s ear, I snapped.“Amara,” I called, standing from my chair. “Come with me.”She blinked, looking up from where she sat curled up between them. “What?”I didn’t ask again.I held out my hand, waiting.She hesitated but finally took it, letting me pull her up. Jaxon raised an eyebrow, smirking like he knew exactly what was going on. Caden just watched silently, his gaze unreadable.I led Amara out onto the balcony, closing the door behind us. The cool night air did nothing to calm the storm in
Amara’s POVI could still feel Ryder’s lips on mine. Still feel the heat of his hands gripping my waist, the possessiveness in his touch.I should have pushed him away. Should have told him this was too much, too fast.But I didn’t.Because the truth was, I wanted him. Just like I wanted Jaxon. Just like I wanted Caden.And that terrified me.I barely had time to process what had happened before the sound of the balcony door opening made me jump.Caden stood in the doorway, his golden eyes flicking between me and Ryder.Tension thickened the air instantly.Ryder didn’t move from where he stood close to me, his body still caging mine against the railing. Instead, he smirked, wiping his thumb across his bottom lip like he was taunting him.Caden’s jaw ticked.I swallowed hard. “Caden, I—”His voice was calm—too calm. “So, is this how it is?” His gaze flicked to Ryder. “You get tired of waiting, so you steal what isn’t yours?”Ryder laughed, low and dark. “Steal?” He tilted his head. “I
Amara’s POVI was officially losing my mind.Caden had just kissed me—really kissed me—and I was still recovering from the fire he left in his wake. Ryder had already staked his claim before that. And now, Jaxon stood in front of me, smirking like he knew exactly what I was thinking."You look flustered, princess," Jaxon teased, his fingers still resting beneath my chin, keeping my gaze locked with his.I was flustered. How could I not be? I was surrounded by three ridiculously attractive, possessive men who all seemed determined to make me lose my sanity.“I wonder why,” I muttered, trying to step back, but Jaxon’s hand slid around my waist, keeping me close.His smirk deepened. “Relax, sweetheart. I’m not mad that you kissed them first.”Caden tensed beside me, and Ryder scoffed, but Jaxon ignored them, his lips brushing the shell of my ear as he whispered, “I just think it’s my turn now.”I shivered.Before I could even react, Jaxon tilted my face up and kissed me—slow and teasing,
Amara’s POVThe tension in the air was electric.Three sets of eyes on me. Three different kinds of want, all pressing in, waiting for me to make the next move.Jaxon still had me flush against him, his fingers skimming my waist in lazy, teasing circles. His smirk deepened when I shivered under his touch. “What’s wrong, princess?” he murmured, his lips ghosting over my ear. “Feeling a little overwhelmed?”I shot him a glare, even as my pulse betrayed me. “You wish.”Ryder chuckled darkly. “Oh, she’s getting feisty now.” He moved closer, his fingers trailing along my other arm, featherlight, but enough to make my breath catch. “Should we push her a little more?”Caden sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose like he was holding back from snapping at both of them. But instead of pulling me away, he simply stepped forward, his hand landing firmly on my hip. Not rough, not teasing—just there.Steady. Certain.“I think,” Caden said, his voice calm but firm, “we should let her decide.”The w
Amara’s POVI felt completely wrecked. My lips were swollen, my heart was racing, and my body was betraying me in every possible way.Three different men. Three different kinds of want.And I wanted all of them.Caden, steady and intense, watching me like I was something precious. Ryder, wild and untamed, like he wanted to ruin me in the best way possible. And Jaxon, teasing, dangerous, deadly in the way he played with me.And the worst part?They knew.Jaxon was the first to speak, his smirk lazy but possessive. “Damn, princess,” he murmured, dragging his thumb across my bottom lip. “Look at you. Already falling apart, and we haven’t even started yet.”I sucked in a sharp breath. “I—”Ryder didn’t let me finish.He tilted my chin up, his green eyes dark. “Careful, sweetheart,” he warned, his voice husky. “Keep looking at me like that, and I might forget how to behave.”Caden exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “We need to stop.”Jaxon laughed. “Oh, now you want to be re
Amara's POV I didn't realize I was leaning back against Ryder's chest until his arms tightened around me, his lips still brushing over my ear.Jaxon smirked, his fingers trailing along my jaw. "You're not running this time, princess.""Not sure I could," I breathed."Good," Caden said, his grip tightening around my waist."I like you right where you are." His voice was low, possessive, and I shivered in response.Caden's fingers traced a path from my hip, slowly, deliberately, up the center of my stomach, between the valley of my breasts. He paused, his hand resting just over my heart.I swallowed, my body trembling. His gaze locked onto mine.“Let's continue this in the bedroom.” Ryder said."Okay," I whispered.Before the word was even out of my mouth, Jaxon's arm looped around my waist, lifting me off my feet.I gasped.Ryder chuckled, his breath hot against my neck. "Someone's eager.""Don't have to tell me twice," Jaxon said, carrying me into the hallway.Caden followed, his eye
Amara's POV Jaxon just grinned. "She's worth it."Caden sighed, then brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "Ready?"I took a slow, shaky breath, my heart hammering. "Yes."Without another word, his hands found the clasp of my bra. He unhooked it, and then the straps were falling off my shoulders, revealing everything to them."Shit," Jaxon whispered."Fucking hell, sweetheart," Ryder murmured, his gaze sliding over me. "You're killing us."My heart was pounding, the flush on my skin deepening.I felt vulnerable.Exposed.And I liked it.I wasn't given a chance to speak, because then Caden's fingers hooked in the waistband of my panties, pulling them down."Holy shit," Jaxon muttered.I bit back a whimper, my legs shaking.Caden's fingers slid up my thigh, his eyes burning into mine. "Last chance, Amara.”I exhaled shakily, my whole body trembling.I could feel them everywhere—pressed against me, touching me, claiming every inch of me.And the worst part?I didn't want them to stop.
Amara's pov "Watch," he whispered, his other hand brushing over my collarbone, down, between my breasts. "Watch him ruin you."Jaxon hummed, his lips finding the curve of my jaw.His hands joined Caden's, teasing, taunting.I was already falling apart, my breaths shallow, my skin tingling, but then Ryder's tongue found my clit again, and then his fingers were pushing inside me, curling.And I was gone.I was a trembling, shaking, whimpering mess.I'd never felt anything like this."Fuck," Caden whispered, his hands tightening around me.I was a gasping, shaking, quivering mess."Ryder, please," I gasped, my fingers fisting in his hair."Fuck, princess," Jaxon muttered.Caden's grip tightened. "Come for us, Amara.Come on Ryder's mouth."I was done.Utterly destroyed.The world faded around me, and the only thing I could feel was his mouth, his fingers, and the waves of heat washing over me.Caden's fingers loosened, trailing over the curve of my neck, his lips following the same path
Jaxon's POV And in the darkness, with no one watching, I finally let go. My touch roamed, possessive and demanding, learning every inch of her body like a map, committing every curve and gasp to memory. My control slipped. My fingers dug into her hip, marking her soft skin. But she only arched closer. It wasn’t enough. I couldn't get close enough, couldn’t taste enough, couldn't give her enough of what I felt. It would never be enough. And in that moment, I knew. I knew I would burn the whole world to ash before I gave her up. I would break every rule, tear down anyone who dared try to take her away, and keep her safe no matter the cost. Because Amara was mine. And I would rather die than lose her. --- Amara's POV I couldn't breathe. His lips, his touch, the way his hips moved against mine—every part of him was fire, and I was burning. His touch was rough, desperate, his control slipping. I wanted it to slip. I wanted him to stop hiding, to show m
Jaxon's POV I stayed with her until her breathing evened out again, until the tremble in her hands stopped. But even then, I couldn’t shake the image of Alex’s hand resting on her lower back, the way he looked at her like she was something he had a right to touch.He didn’t.She wasn’t his to lean toward, to whisper to like he knew her heart.She wasn’t mine either. Not really.But God help anyone who thought they could take her.The second Amara excused herself to head to the infirmary for a quick check, I stood. My body was already tense, fists tight at my sides as I tracked Alex down the hallway that led to the east courtyard.He was alone—good. I didn’t want an audience.“Alex,” I called out.He turned, surprised to see me. “Hey, Jaxon. What’s up?”I didn’t respond. Just kept walking until I was toe-to-toe with him.He looked at me carefully. “Everything okay?”“No. It’s not.” My voice was low, steady. Dead calm—the kind of calm that comes right before the storm.His expression t
Jaxon's POV The sun bore down on the academy training grounds like it had a personal vendetta. Heat shimmered off the concrete in waves, and the clang of steel-on-steel rang out like a war drum. Students lined up in pairs, sparring and barking at each other like rabid dogs under the instructor’s glare. Dust clouded the air with every scuffed boot.But none of that mattered to me.Because all I could focus on was her.Amara.She stood across the field, squared up against a taller opponent, sweat dripping down the side of her temple. Normally, she’d be focused, graceful—even lethal—but today?Something was off.Her steps were slower, her reactions a beat late. Her face was pale, like someone had drained the life from her skin. I watched her sway slightly, blink too long between parries.My gut clenched.“Switch!” barked the instructor, and Amara stumbled back from the next attacker.No. This wasn’t right.I started moving before I even made the decision, weaving past students until I r
Amara’s POV The dawn broke over the pack territory, painting the sky in hues of bruised purple and hesitant gold, a reflection of the uneasy truce that had settled over us. The immediate threat of the entity’s direct influence had been severed, but the lingering tension remained, a palpable awareness of the storm that was yet to break. The raw line across my arm throbbed, a constant reminder of the price of our temporary reprieve. Weakness still clung to me, a lingering drain from the magical exertion and the severing of the unnatural bond. But beneath the physical fragility, a new resolve began to solidify, forged in the crucible of fear and sacrifice. We knew the entity would not remain silent for long. Its enraged shriek still echoed in our memories, a promise of retribution. The time of desperate defense was over; we needed to prepare, to gather our strength, and to meet the coming darkness head-on. Lyra and her warriors, their commitment unwavering, pledged to remain with us
Amara’s POVThe air in the library crackled with an almost unbearable tension, the chanting of Lyra’s mages a resonant hum that vibrated through the very floor beneath our feet. The swirling energies intensified, bathing the room in an ethereal glow, the ancient symbols on the floor blazing with an inner light. The weight of the moment pressed down on us, the precipice of hope balanced precariously against the abyss of potential failure.My hand trembled as I held the ceremonial dagger, its silver blade reflecting the frantic dance of candlelight. The unwavering gazes of Ryder, Caden, and Jaxon were fixed on me, their love a tangible force, a silent offering of courage and support. Tears streamed down my face, a torrent of fear, love, and a desperate grief for the sacrifice they were willing to make.“There has to be another way,” I choked out, my voice thick with emotion. “I can’t…”“You have to, Amara,” Ryder said, his voice low but firm, his silver eyes filled with an unyielding re
Amara’s POV The discovery of the severing ritual ignited a fragile spark of hope amidst the encroaching darkness, but the ancient text’s ominous warnings cast a long shadow over our preparations. The need for a convergence of powerful magical energies immediately turned our thoughts to Lyra and her pack. Their inherent connection to the wild, their unique blend of elemental magic, could be the key to fulfilling the ritual’s demanding requirements.A tense message was sent to Lyra, outlining the dire situation and the perilous ritual we intended to undertake. The inherent risk was undeniable, and the potential consequences of failure were catastrophic. We held our breath, the weight of our desperation hanging heavy in the air, unsure if she would be willing to risk her pack, and potentially herself, for our sake.Lyra’s response, when it finally arrived, was a testament to the strength of our fragile alliance and the depth of her own courage. She agreed to come, bringing with her her
Amara’s POV The discovery of the mark sent a shockwave of fear and a fierce surge of protectiveness through our small circle. The tangible evidence of the entity’s growing influence, the cold, alien symbol etched onto my skin, served as a stark and terrifying reminder of the danger we were facing. The whispered claim, echoing in the silence of our bedroom, felt like an icy tendril wrapping around my soul.My mates reacted with a primal intensity. Ryder’s protective instincts went into overdrive. He positioned himself physically between me and any open space, his silver eyes constantly scanning for unseen threats, his body radiating a fierce, possessive energy. Caden’s alpha command, usually reserved for pack matters, now extended to me, a low, insistent urging to stay close, to not venture out of their sight. Jaxon, his playful facade completely shattered, became a silent, watchful shadow, his dark eyes narrowed with a dangerous intensity, his hand often resting protectively on my ar
Amara’s POV The seed of suspicion regarding Gareth, once planted, began to take root and send tendrils of doubt throughout our perceptions. My mates and I observed him with a newfound scrutiny, every interaction, every subtle gesture now viewed through the lens of potential betrayal. His fervent pronouncements against the alliance with Lyra, his almost frantic insistence on isolating ourselves, took on a more sinister hue.We began to notice inconsistencies in his stories, gaps in his whereabouts during some of the “accidents.” He seemed overly eager to deflect blame, his denials too vehement, his gaze often shifty and evasive when questioned directly. The more we observed, the more a chilling picture began to form – a picture of a man subtly influenced, perhaps even controlled, by the malevolent entity.The realization was a sickening blow. Gareth was not just a pack member; he was someone we had trusted, fought alongside, shared meals and laughter with. The thought that he could be
Amara’s POV The escalating strangeness around the pack territory, coupled with the chilling weight of my nightmare and Elijah’s unsettling revelations, began to sow seeds of unease and even suspicion within the pack. The once-unquestioning trust that bound us together began to fray at the edges, replaced by nervous glances and hushed conversations.The withered section of the forest remained a stark and disturbing reminder of the encroaching darkness, a palpable manifestation of the malevolent entity’s growing power. The animals continued to behave erratically, their fear a contagious wave that rippled through the pack. Even the most steadfast warriors seemed on edge, their usual confidence replaced by a nervous tension.Whispers began to circulate, quiet at first but gradually growing louder. Some of the pack members, their fear overriding their loyalty, began to question the alliance with Lyra’s pack. The shared strangeness in the forest, the unsettling feeling of being watched – i