FerraraIn a last minute attempt to save herself, Seline dashed to the door, clumsily folding herself through the chink. I cracked my knuckles, patient, giving her enough time to make a good getaway. When I was sure she'd disappeared down the corridor, I rushed after her, appearing behind her in a matter of mere seconds. She took a glance back, eyes bright with fright and took off in a heated run, her pale legs skidding into the living room. I stalked behind her closely with my vampire speed, as she raced through the house. By the time she reached the huge, double doors that led outside to the garden, she'd shifted completely into her red wolf.Bursting the door open, she sailed through the air, bounding into the deep woods. A bright shade of rare, beautiful, red fur, she was heading deeper into the forest, raising enough dust, sticks and stones to keep me disoriented. I trudged after her quietly, alternately walking and blurring with supernatural speed. She put up a good run, but the
Seline “Now, I'm going to ask you this one last time,” Ferrara growled — his voice flat, but with a dangerous knife's edge to it. “Who set you up for this? Who are you working for?” He tapped the vibrator on again, and I groaned as an orgasm rippled out of me. It was my thirtieth orgasm in the past hour, and my joints were all aching. All my strength were gone, and if he kept this up for another hour or two, I could die. “Speak up, pet, and I'll spare your life.”“You monster!” I managed to spit, my eyes droopy from tiredness. “You killed my pack and family. You took everyone I ever loved away from me at such a tender age!”He turned the vibrator off, his jaw slacking in shock. “What did you just say?”“You heard me right,” I glared, raising my chin up at him defiantly. “You're a cold-blooded murderer. You wiped my entire pack out.”“No,” he shook his head, chuckling. “That can't be. I'd never do something as dreadful as that. For what reason?”The heck? Was he being serious? I strai
SelineI sighed, my eyes shut, as the cold water streamed down my body — the entire place silent, save for the sound of water hitting the bathroom floor. I could stay here, standing under the shower for ages, but I had more important things to take care of.I'd failed the academy. I'd failed Jax. I'd failed my training. Ferrara now knew why I was auctioned off to him. He knew he couldn't trust me further around him, and I'd rather die than crawl back to the academy to tell Jax that I'd almost taken him out and that he needed to be more patient with me. I didn't even want to risk his mother's wrath. She'd behead me even before I would get the first word out. I could go back and die at their mercy, or stay here, depending on Ferrara's protection. I had no idea if they had an backup plans to take him out, so that meant I wasn't safe here too. I couldn't trust him to protect me when his life was on the line.His denial changed everything. It felt as though I'd been chasing shadows, all th
FerraraI sighed in content as the evening breeze rattling the window to my safehouse became stronger, Dusk descending slowly. At once, every form of sleep left me. My senses became alert, hyper-aware of everything and anything. I pushed back from my desk slowly, stretching my limbs properly. I had only one thing bugging my mind. A she-wolf.My she-wolf.My fifteen-million-dollar pet, that tried to kill me.Now that her mission had fell through, escape would be her next option. I knew I'd once said she could leave whenever she wanted, but not after this. She still had a lot to answer to me. Plus, I needed to prove myself innocent of all her accusations.I wanted her to apologize, then I'd consider helping her bring the culprit down.Knocking down the -heavy metal I normally used to cover the entrance of the cave that led to the safehouse, I lifted my face to the calming wind, shutting my eyes as it brushed through my features. The dried leaves on the forest floor crumpled underneath m
SelineI stirred awake a little before seven, squinting at the sunlight pouring in through the window slants, directly on my face. Beside me, Ferrara lay, his eyes doting eternally on my features as he stroked my hair, our faces close. “Good morning, pet. Glad you finally woke up.”I drew back on my butt, sitting up straight with my back on the headboard. “I thought you'd have left already. Isn't it bedtime yet?” I asked, gesturing at the sunlight.He chuckled as he continued curling my hair around his large, long fingers — his lips parted, brows drawn together in fascination at the soft texture. I sighed, rubbing my throbbing temples idly. “I swear, nothing ever gets past you, pet. What's with that frown? You don't look so...good.”I blew out a breath, suddenly feeling exasperated. “I'm fine. Just a little tired.”He hadn't touched me last night. After we'd talked, I'd somehow fallen asleep on the table in the special room where I'd laid, all cuffed up. Taking a sweeping glance aroun
FerraraI grunted along to my she-wolf's moans, my fist around her hair tightening as her pussy clenched harder around my cock. I fell off the edge, little white bright lights bursting in my vision as I came hard inside her. I reached down between us, rubbing her clit and she jerked hard, my name on her lips, her cries muffled by my crazy kisses as she climaxed. I took her earlobe in my mouth, sucking on it briefly before I pulled out, taking a peek down at her poor pink battered pussy I couldn't get enough of. It was phenomenal. She was like a drug I couldn't bring myself to stop taking no matter how fatal, no matter how dangerous it was my for my health. For the first time in a while, I was afraid. Scared of falling. Scared of loving her so deeply...and then, losing her.I sighed, settling beside her. I propped myself on my elbow, trailing my fingers lightly over the side of her face, down to her long neck, her breasts, her navel. A peace like never before knotted itself tightly aro
FerraraI spaced out for a moment, but managed to put on a pensive smile. She stared at me, her eyes fierce, a flicker of defiance in them. “Pet, I thought I mentioned that I'm not her Maker? My relationship with Angel was rocky and toxic at best. I don't know why you always bring her up whenever we discuss.”That was a lie. I very well knew why Seline couldn't stop talking about my mate. She felt threatened. She felt intimidated. Somehow, within the past few weeks, my pet had learnt more about me and had grown strong feelings. Feelings she fought to resist but failed over and over. “Oh,” her shoulders sagged as she lowered her face. “Well, it's nothing much. I just wanted — ”“It's okay,” I chuckled, adjusting her hips on my groin. “I get it. You just love to compare.”“Wait, that's not — ”“I believe you,” I winked as I began stroking her hair again. “You've got nothing to worry about. Angel and I were an item centuries ago. She means nothing to me now. I know perhaps you might thin
SelineI woke up the next morning to bright sunlight pouring in through the window slants, Iridessa at my feet shuffling around with a vacuum cleaner. Ferrara was long gone, judging from the faint smell of his cologne, and for some reason, his absence tugged at my heart strings. I didn't expect him to be this way. I didn't expect the sharp twist of fate that had enveloped us, and brought us closer. Most of all, I hated the way my heart longed for him whenever he was away.He'd stated clearly that he wasn't involved in the murder of my loved ones. He didn't eliminate my pack, as I'd believed all these years. But here was the hard, painful part: I believed him. Somehow, I had to admit, he was telling the truth. But that made everything a whole lot more difficult, than easy, for I was torn between two opposing fields — the Academy that had sacrificed everything to ensure I succeeded in bringing Ferrara down, and Ferrara — who was oddly innocent.Who could I trust? What could I do, to mak
FerraraI watched my sires carefully, noting how their eyes widened, their lips curved in surprise — quiet outrage mixed with hate shinning in their eyes as they turned to one another, whispering furiously and shaking their heads in disagreement. They were reforming alliances, strengthening their solidarity against me. Any moment now, any wrong word, and they would depose me. I could feel the tension thick in the air like a smoke pollution.“Your Majesty,” Samuel was the first to step forward, bowing curtly. “Don't you think you're making a hasty decision? Surely, you do not mean to have her as a soulmate. As beautiful and graceful as she is, her status as a shifter hardly befits your — ”“I know what I'm doing, Sam. Her being a shifter is no basis.”At this, he recoiled, stunned. Swiveling back to the gathering, he shrugged, muttering quietly. “He's the king. I tried but he won't listen.”The disapproving murmurs and hostile glances at Seline multiplied, driving my butt to the edge o
SelineThe view of the city, stretched out over the horizon, from the top balcony of Domi Sotto would forever be a wonder to witness. I observed the sleek limousines pulling up in front of the club; vampires filing out of them with their unsuspecting human counterparts. The club's bass-pumping music could be heard from miles away and would begin to unwind the minute Ferrara and I went down to join the gathering.Sighing, as I went back to my previous position before the new vanity dresser, I applied fresh lipstick — my signature red — carefully. Blot once, apply again, until I felt it was enough. Using the mirror was pointless, because I couldn't see my reflection. I'd never been a huge fan of peering at mirrors before I was turned, so that, I could live without.But what I couldn't live without was spending a whole day without my beloved mate by my side.“Scared?” A chill ran up my spine, rattling the hairs on my neck to stand on an end when Ferrara's voice reverberated in my ears, o
SelineI let out a soft sigh, cold air filling my lungs, inflating my chest. I felt heavy, like a slab of marble — my nerves stiff, my mouth dry. Slowly, I drew in deep breaths, until my nerves loosened, blood coursing through my veins, bringing my organs back to life.I stared at the ceiling for a long moment, before I finally moved my legs. Ferrara, who sat on the floor beside me shot up almost immediately, his forehead creased with worry as he peered at me — his eyes traveling down my body, then back up to my face. “I — ”“Hello,” I croaked, mustering a wry smile. My mouth didn't feel like mine, so did my limbs. It felt as though my spirit had somehow transported itself to a new body. “What happened, Sir? You look worried.”“Pet,” Relief washed over his features, tears streaming out the corners of his eyes. “You're awake. You didn't die.”“Yeah, I can see that,” I frowned, my muscles protesting loudly as I tried sitting up. What the hell was wrong with me? I'd never been the lazy t
Ferrara“I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but we can't.” Iridessa maintained stubbornly, stepping forward. I tore my gaze away from Seline, stunned, to her. Her face was expressionless — her words bold. No one had ever defied my orders. None. “She's our responsibility, as much as she is to you. What kind of friends would we be if we leave her when she needs us the most? She won't die. That I can assure you, Sir. We'll find a solution. There has to be a cure.”I fought down the urge to smile in the face of grief. Of course they cared so much about her. They were devoted — could lay down their own lives for her. My pet was that impactful. She was that gracious.“I know you girls are loyal no matter what, but I promise, I'll never hurt her. Fuck, I love her. I love her a lot, so you must trust me on this. Please. You have to leave. Leave and shut the door after you. Tell no one about what happened today. Not a single soul.” I turned back to Seline, who now lay, unconscious. The sound of retreati
FerraraFor a terse second, Seline and Jax grappled with each other — their grunts, as they struggled with the stake, bouncing off the walls, a defeaning silence. His body covered hers, and though Seline ought to be physically stronger, the reverse was becoming the case as he now towered over her, driving the stake deeper into her chest. I glanced around hurriedly, the poison already weak in my system — thanks to an age long trick I'd discovered recently — and found the stake she'd left at my feet a lifetime ago. Leaping over the glass coffin, I ripped him off Seline and drove the stake deep into his chest. He groaned, his body rigid — stiffening in a matter of seconds. The stake didn't go as far as getting his heart, but the injury it'd created was big enough to hold him down for sometime.“You evil peace of shit,” I cussed, spitting on his face. He writhed about, his nerves convulsing. Whirling around, I crouched beside Seline, placing a hand underneath her head.“Master.” She beame
SelineI watched in horror as Jax and Ferrara conversed on either sides of the glass coffin in the cold, dim crypt like old time buddies, instead of vengeful rivals. I never thought there would be a day I'd say it, but vampires acted foolish sometimes. Even ancient ones. None were as perfect as they thought.I had snuck through the house like it was no man's business. It was super easy, given that I'd in it for close to two months, perhaps. Jax's minions were agile, and alert, watching every corner like a hawk, but with the vampire king's blood running through my veins, they never stood a fair chance. They never expected a she-wolf to be so fast, to kill with such precision, with such grace. No one did, and I took them out discreetly, leaving a trail of bodies in the corridors and tunnel.“I killed her the way she wanted to kill me,” Ferrara's voice echoed, bouncing off the crypt walls, at me. “Drove a stake deep into her pretty little heart.”“Wow. The most common way to get rid of a
SelineWhen I regained consciousness, it was already nightfall. My chest felt heavy, and I couldn't feel my legs. Plus, I was hanging upside down in a crashed vehicle, covered in glass and wounds that had long healed, thanks to my shifter capabilities, and also Ferrara's blood. The fluid from the windshield wiper slowly drained out of the wood. I coughed, glancing around. The world was silent.Where am I? How did I get here?My temples throbbed as I shifted through my memory bank, trying to recall. At last the events came rushing back with a refreshing intensity. The road block. The vampires clinging onto the car metal. The crash.Oh, shit.Hurriedly, I ripped the seatbelt away, not ready when my back hit the roof of the battered sedan. My vision blurred. Pushing down a bitter taste in my mouth, I reached for the door lock in the dark. When my fingers stumbled onto the window opener as well, I heaved a sigh of relief. Muttering a quiet prayer, I pressed it gently, gasping when it slid
SelineI slowed down as I approached the huge gates. It was thrown wide open, with someone, a vampire no doubt, manning the guardhouse. There was something ominous about the atmosphere, and the unease nagging my guts only grew worse every passing second. “You'll have to lower your voice now, Iridessa. I'm already at the gates and things feel...off.”“What do you mean things feel off?” “I've got no time to explain. Got to go,” I said quickly before throwing the cellphone down and stopping beside the guardhouse. I rolled up the car windows just as a vampire exited the white, stately building.“Were you successful? Did you get the girl? Jax was just asking me about — ”Asshole.I snarled as I slammed the door open with enough force to knock him out flat on the floor. He stumbled backwards, eyes dazed in shock. With my enhanced vision, these vampires didn't even stand a chance of being subtle. Flying out of the car, I threw my weight on him, twisting his neck sideways before he even got
FerraraLike sunflowers peeling open their petals in the direction of sunlight, my chest puffed up, inflated with air the minute the sun sank down the horizon. All signs of sleep and sickness rolled away, my nerves refreshed and active more than ever.Quietly, I rose up, pushing open the glass coffin lid. My sole evening ritual whenever I woke up required me to gulp down a jar of pure, undiluted human blood. To keep up my supernatural strength, make me feel all powerful and immortal like a true king. But for once, in decades, I didn't feel like drinking anything. I didn't feel like recharging my drained body. I felt weak, confused...sad.Closing my coffin, I stretched out on it, my calloused hands clasped together as though in silent prayer. But who was I kidding? Who would I pray to? In all my years, ever since I was turned and became a king, I was the closest thing to a god. An immortal being, worshipped and revered by my people. By the world. I made the earth tremble underneath my