LOGINMagnusI loathed every moment of subjecting her to this torment. But it was necessary. I watched her slumbering form. Exhaustion etched fine lines around her mouth and eyes. She was resilient, I must confess. Even after the grueling paces she still tirelessly cared for our son. Adamant to spend as much time with him as she could.It was only until Helen urged me to carry her to bed that she yielded. She had drifted off in the rocking chair while nursing Marcel. “My stubborn huntress,” I murmured as I lifted her into my arms. She sighed softly, nestling her head against my shoulder and wrapped her arms around my neck without waking. Marcel, a peaceful bundle, was fast asleep under Helen’s watchful eye.Erina needed rest. Tomorrow, I will have to push her harder. A thought that sank like a stone in my gut.“Link me if you have any issues. She’s not to be disturbed.”“Of course, my king,” Helen bowed her head respectfully.“And Helen, allow no one other than us in here.” I had deployed e
I spent a restless night in the nursery. Marcel, sensing my turmoil, was also restless. No matter how Hanna and I tried, we couldn’t get him to settle. The moment I put him down; he would wake and cry. Eventually, I gave up and took him to bed with me. He fell asleep on my chest, and I dozed off for a few blissful minutes. At least that was what it felt like before being rudely awakened.“Erina, get up. It’s time.” Magnus loomed over me like a shadow of doom.I groaned and forced open an eye. “Are you serious? I just fell asleep,” I mumbled, my voice thick with sleep.But seconds later, I bolted out of bed. My heart thudding against my ribs. “Marcel!” I gasped. He was no longer on my chest.Magnus, arms folded across his broad chest, was unamused. “Hanna took him. You have five minutes to get done.” He turned on his heel and left the room.***I had to jog to keep up with Magnus’ long strides. He was obviously still angry about last night. Granted, I probably shouldn’t have said what
ErinaHis scent reached me before he walked into the nursery where I was rocking Marcel to sleep. I stiffened. I didn’t have the strength for another argument today. Talking to the elders and Klaus after Magnus left had drained me.“Erina.” He looked better, changed his clothes, shaved and combed his hair back. He smelled wonderful. My wolf pined for his touch. His threat to reject us had left her whining and needy. We both needed reassurance. But I doubt he was there to kiss and make up.“Magnus, please don’t start this again.” I pleaded with my eyes. My heart thudded dully, fearing the worst.He had a guarded expression. “I’m here to see my son. Is that allowed?”I gave him Marcel, ignoring the subtle dig. “I’ve just changed and fed him. You’re welcome to settle him. I’ll leave you.” Since he'd made it so obvious earlier that he had nothing else to say, I saw no reason to stay.“Stay,” he murmured, but it still felt like a command. “I’m not here to change your mind, Erina.” He kisse
MagnusThe scent of pine and earth filled my senses as I ran through the damp, mossy forest. Branches whipped past in a blur of green and brown as I let the beast run free. The crisp mountain air offered a reprieve from the staleness of the library. The beast growled, a low rumble deep within my chest, mirroring my frustration. I needed to clear my head, silence the noise in my head.“The bastards know Erina's death would render me useless,” I muttered, the words a ragged breath torn from my throat. “Mad or dead.” Klaus's ambition was a foul stench, clinging to him like cheap perfume. Did he think I was blind? He lusted after my throne. I saw it in his ruthless, beady eyes. And my elder council, the ones who I had trusted to hold me accountable, were conspiring with that skunk. Using Erina’s insecurities to trap her and she walked neatly into it. Faster, faster. I ran as if I could outrun all my problems. Dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves, painting shifting patterns on my
Later So, after the big meeting with the elders and council, I was just loitering by the library and heard the entire exchange between Magnus and them. He did everything he could to prevent the tournament from happening. It was touching how hard he fought to save me. Unfortunately, my mind was made. Besides, we’d already decided on the date and place. Our wedding had to be postponed. Magnus would be furious, I know, and I was reluctant to enter the library.But when Magnus threatened to kill them, I knew I had to intervene. I’ve never seen him look so out of control. His clothes looked rumpled, his hair wild and loose, as if he had run his hands through it a hundred times. Bloodshot eyes homed in on me, and my heart stuttered at the desperation in his voice when he called my name. My wolf howled in my head. She wanted to rush to him, to comfort him. I held back, feeling the tension pressing down on me. When he knelt at my feet, it almost shattered me. I couldn’t let him humiliate
I regained consciousness on the single bed in Marcel’s nursery, having no memory of how I got there or what happened after Sabelle cut me with the silver knife. With a gasp, I sat up and checked my wrist. There was nothing there. Was it a dream? No, it couldn’t have been. It was too vivid, and I remember how that book felt in my hands. I still had shivers remembering that the book was bound with human skin.But there was no time to ponder because Marcel’s pitiful cries were too loud to ignore. My breasts were aching and full. I pulled on my robe, hurrying to get him. But Helen beat me to it. She came into the room carrying Marcel.“You were sleeping so soundly, I really didn’t have the heart to wake you, Your Grace.” She smiled, handing me my squirming son. “But the little prince needs his mother.”“He has quite the voice,” I giggled. “And impatient too.” Like his father, I thought as he frantically searched for my nipple, his little face pinched and angry. Finally, he latched on, and
ErinaI ran out into the cold, not caring where I went. I needed to get away, escape the pain. It was over. Magnus didn’t tell me it would hurt this much. The wolf tore at my skin, desperate to be set free, but I couldn’t. So I ran. My shoes stayed behind in the mire as the snow started to melt, fe
MagnusIt was time. A crowd waited outside the gates to be let in to witness the execution of Ignatius Saul. My servants, my mistresses, the residents, Erina and I joined the rest of my pack at the square. It was the night of the full moon. A night the pack would otherwise go out in the woods in th
HeinTwo armed guards escorted Erik and me into Anderson’s office on the top floor. He was a man in his late fifties, as far as I could tell. Of average height and slightly balding. He came to greet us, looking friendly, but I noticed the wary look in his eyes.“You must be Erik? You are the spitti
ErinaAfter I peeled off the bills to pay the burly captain of the fishing trawler, the driver wished me well and left.“Now you hide yourself in the cabin, Miss. I don’t want any trouble with the men, you understand? They need to work. Can’t have them lusting after a pretty thing like yourself.” T







