Mag-log inThe bath had gone lukewarm around them, but neither of them seemed to notice.Silius sat nestled between Mathew's legs, his back pressed against his chest, the water lapping gently at his collarbones. Mathew's arms were wrapped securely around his waist, holding him close the way he always did — like letting go was never an option worth considering. For a while, it was quiet. Peaceful, even. The kind of stillness that made the rest of the world feel very far away."Mm... this feels so good," Silius murmured, letting his eyes fall shut, resting his head back against Mathew's chest.It was quiet — until it wasn't."Except that thing that's poking me," Silius added, cracking one eye open to shoot Mathew a look over his shoulder."Can't blame me," Mathew said, entirely unbothered, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Your ass feels so great."Silius huffed. "Are you always this horny?""With you by my side?" Mathew said, easy as anything. "Yes, I am."Silius felt heat creep up his neck and look
THE NEXT MORNING The first thing Silius became aware of was warmth.Not the warmth of the blanket draped over him, nor the gentle rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains, but the comforting heat of another person. Strong arms were wrapped securely around his waist, holding him close as though he were the most precious thing in the world.He blinked awake slowly, his silver lashes fluttering as he stared at the quiet bedroom. For a brief moment, everything felt peaceful.Then he tried to move.A dull ache spread through his body, causing him to wince."...Ow."The tiny sound was barely audible, yet the man behind him stirred immediately.Mathew's eyes opened, still hazy with sleep. The instant he noticed Silius's expression, the sleepy smile on his face disappeared, replaced by concern."Baby?" he asked softly.Silius turned his head just enough to send him an unimpressed look."You..."Mathew raised an eyebrow."I told you to go easy on me."A guilty chuckle escaped him."I k
The wine, the lights, the sound of the tide—all of it had faded into the background the moment Mathew's lips found his."Mm... I... I love you," Silius breathed against his mouth, barely able to form the words with how close Mathew held him."Tell me you're mine," Mathew murmured, voice low and rough at the edge, his forehead pressed to Silius's."I'm yours," Silius answered without hesitation, the words coming easier than he expected. "I'm all yours.""Yeah... that's right." Mathew's voice softened, something reverent bleeding into the possessiveness. He kissed the corner of his mouth, unhurried despite everything humming beneath the surface between them.Silius lay back against the sheet Mathew had spread over the sand earlier that evening, the night air cool against his skin, the sound of the waves rolling steady and distant beyond the glow of the fairy lights strung above the little tent. But none of that registered the way Mathew did—pressed close, all around him, filling every s
Instead of throwing a punch like he used to, Mathew did something that surprised even Silius.With an eerie calm that never once faltered, he wrapped an arm around Silius's waist and began walking toward the group of guys who'd made the comment. Silius's heart pounded in his chest. He knew that look—knew what usually followed. A clenched jaw, a flash of anger, a fist flying before anyone could stop him. That was the Mathew he remembered from their youth, the one who never let anyone get away with disrespecting Silius.He braced himself, half-expecting the perfect moment they'd been sharing to shatter into chaos.But Mathew didn't raise a fist.He simply stopped in front of them, his grip on Silius protective but gentle, his gaze steady, silent, unshaken."This guy right here?" His voice was calm, almost pleasant. "He's mine. Just because you don't have someone of your own doesn't give you the right to talk about mine." His eyes narrowed slightly. "So do me a favor—stop looking at him
Silius and Mathew had been in the car for nearly half an hour, ever since checking out of the hotel that morning, and Silius still didn't have the faintest idea where they were headed.He'd asked more than once. Pleading, pouting, even threatening—nothing worked. Mathew wore that infuriating smirk the entire drive and refused to give up a single hint.Eventually Silius gave up the fight and let his head fall against Mathew's shoulder with a long, theatrical sigh. "I give up," he muttered. "It's impossible to get an answer from you."Mathew only chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "Be patient, love. You'll love it."Silius huffed, but he was smiling despite himself.They finally arrived not long after—and the moment the house came into view, all of Silius's frustration evaporated on the spot. A sprawling white beach house rose against a backdrop of impossibly blue water, palm trees swaying along a private stretch of sand, a pool glinting turquoise in the afternoon light.
Mathew and Silius were still in the room, the fireworks long faded from the sky outside, when the tears finally caught up with him.Mathew sat on the edge of the bed with Silius curled in his lap, clinging to him like letting go might shatter what little was left of him. Silius was crying—broken, shuddering sobs that shook his whole frame, his tears soaking into the shoulder of Mathew's shirt. Mathew held him close, one hand cradling the back of his head, the other tracing slow, useless circles along his back, trying to soothe a hurt that wouldn't be soothed.The crying wouldn't stop. The pain wouldn't ease."You have to stop crying, love," Mathew murmured against his hair, voice low and pleading. "You're gonna get sick at this rate.""I—I can't stop." Silius's words came out muffled, wrecked. "You did so much for me... and I—I lashed out at you like that.""You didn't know anything." Mathew's hand stilled against his back. "You had every right to get angry at me.""But still..."Math
I took few steps backwards as the men stepped forward steadily. Jason snarled. His arms dropped till he held one of my hands in a death grip. I had hoped it wouldn't come to this. The nearest patrol point was miles from where we were. We had ventured deeper into the woods today. Not even a scream ca
LAYLA POV The wind blew softly carrying with it the sweet smell of wet wood and lemon. I sniffed the air again and again as I drove closer to the pack house. I knew what the smell meant. my mate is close by. perhaps in the pack house ahead as the smell grew stronger. I fought against my wolf, shi
THEODORE POV I wheezed as I ran into the ridge forest. bad idea... my wolf said. I ignored her, running faster, jumping boulders, dodging vines and thorns of wild plants whilst moving deeper into the thick black forest. I could feel the air getting thicker as I moved. the thick trees had
THEODORE POV"slow down... Jason". I shouted. I ran behind him."catch me". he replied as he changed into his wolf in mid-air, he raced faster into the woods leaving dust, rotten leaves and twigs in his wake.I groaned as I watch him disappear into the woods ahead. I hated that I couldn't shift int







