Zarek didn’t say anything. He just let Astrid’s fingers keep moving slowly over his shoulders. The tension in his muscles had started to melt away, and even his wolf had gone quiet for the first time in days. It felt… nice and calming.She was good at this.Astrid didn’t speak either. She kept her head low, focusing on the way his muscles moved under her hands. She didn’t know why she was doing this. Maybe because he looked so tired. Or maybe it was something else she didn’t want to admit.“You’re good at this,” Zarek finally said, his voice low as he broke the silence.She blinked. “I… I used to do it for my father sometimes,” she muttered under her breath, wondering why she even thought of her wicked father now.That man didn't deserve to be in anyone's line of thought or memory.Zarek hummed quietly, then tilted his head back a little. “So tell me,” he said after a short pause, “why did you run away that day? The day Valerian caught you. You clearly told me you were willing to stay
_Astrid’s POV_“She belongs to us,” Zarek said calmly like it was no big deal.But it was a big deal. I felt like someone had slapped me. I was standing right there, but it was like I didn’t even exist. Like I was a bag or a piece of furniture they bought together and now had to share.I blinked and looked at them both. My mouth opened a little, but no sound came out. I didn’t even know what I wanted to say.They acted like I didn’t get a choice. Like I was just… theirs.Zarek turned to his brother and spoke again. “We’re meeting someone tomorrow night.”Zade raised a brow. “Who?”“The South Border Alpha.”Zade made a face. “He’s still alive?”“Of course, or did you kill him?" Then they went quiet for a second. I knew they were talking through that mind-link thing again. I had seen them look at each other for a minute, and I knew they weren't lovers. That was even disgusting to think about since they were brothers. So I could only guess they were talking through their mind link.Zade
_Zarek’s POV_Zade scooped Astrid into his arms like she weighed nothing, her blood staining the front of his shirt. Her head lolled and eyes swollen shut, mouth cracked open with pain. The sight stirred up my wolf, but I tried to keep my damn head in check.The crowd didn’t cheer. They just watched silently. The anger radiating off me was enough to silence them all.“She’s gonna be alright,” Zade muttered, more to himself than anyone. He turned to Shiski, the beta and the short man who ran this bloodpit. He was a rat-faced bastard with too much confidence. “We’ll be back, Skiski, we’re not done yet.”He rolled his eyes arrogantly and waved us off.Fucking asshole.Zade turned to look at me. “Let’s go.”I stared back at him, then at Astrid. “You take her. I’ll catch up.”He narrowed his eyes, but didn’t argue. “Fine. Don’t take long.”Then they disappeared, leaving behind blood, silence, and the sick stench of sweat. I walked toward the alley behind the fight room. The cold air slappe
_Astrid’s POV_I don’t even know where the words came from.“I hate you both.”“I want to leave.”I said to them.I looked Alpha Zade and Zarek in the eye and said them, my voice raw, heart bruised, and body aching from every bone and muscle. And now, sitting on the edge of his bed, wrapped in silence bigger than the bandages on my ribs, I was asking myself the same thing over and over again.Where had I gotten the courage?Was it courage… or desperation?The room smelled like Zarek. Earthy spice, something harsh like leather and cold steel. It used to feel like safety, at least a few days ago. Now it felt like a cage I’d been tricked into calling a haven. I couldn’t stay. Not here. Not with them.Especially not after what they did to meMy fingers curled into the blanket underneath me. The cloth was warm, delicate, and too gentle for the kind of war I was feeling inside. All I could think about were the last words Alpha Zarek said before leaving the room, “You won’t leave. You belong
_Astrid’s POV_I didn’t move.Not even when the knocks turned into loud, angry thuds.I just sat there on the floor, curled into myself with my arms wrapped tight around my knees as if that could protect me from the next storm. My chest felt heavy and my eyes stung with tears. I was tired, so, so tired.Then the door cracked. Not creak. It actually cracked.It splintered like glass hit by a hammer, and before I could react, it burst open with a loud bang and I flinched.When I looked up, I saw him. Zade.It was Zade.He stepped inside like a shadow creeping into some sunlight, his presence was cold and overwhelming as always. His face was unreadable, but his dark eyes found me in the corner immediately.I scrambled to my feet, heart racing.“Don’t come any closer,” I hissed, backing away from him. My eyes darted around the room, looking for anything to use as protection. Now that I dared to lock the door against him, he might try to punish me for it.My fingers closed around somethin
The next morning came slowly, like it was hesitant to rise, just like her.Astrid didn’t want to get out of bed. She sat in the silence of her small room, curled up with her knees to her chest, and staring at the fixed door like it might explode open any second again. But it didn’t. Not this time at leastShe had poured out her heart to Oriana yesterday and told her everything about her life and family. It had felt good to finally let it all out. The pent-up anger and emotions.After they had discussed it for a while, Ori informed her that Zarek had left the estate with Beta Gideon for some business she wasn’t told about. That only left her with Zade.Zade, who had pinned her down just the night before made promises that sounded more like threats.And still… she was going to face him today.It wasn’t because she trusted him or anything, hell she couldn't even trust him anymore after everything that had happened.It was far from it. But something had shifted inside her after last night
_Astrid’s POV_I woke up before the sun had even fully risen, my body aching from the day before. Every limb felt stiff, and every breath I dragged in became a reminder of the soreness left behind by Zade’s brutal training. But I didn’t let myself hesitate. If I wanted to survive, if I wanted to go, I had to be stronger. Stronger than the pain and stronger than them. Which I knew was extremely impossible.Getting dressed was a struggle. My shirt stuck to my skin, and my fingers fumbled with the buttons thanks to the tightness in my shoulders. But I forced myself through it, slipping on the gloves Zade had given me, but then tossing it aside and tying my boots with a hiss of pain.When I stepped out of my room, Esme was already waiting like a sour shadow. She looked me over with a twisted expression.“Tch,” she scoffed. “I still don’t understand what the Alpha sees in you. A weak, limp thing like you? He must be going soft.” She repeated yesterday’s words and I can’t help wondering why
_Astrid’s POV_“Zade, get away from m—" I tried to push him away the moment our lips parted. But he shut me up the next minute as his lips found mine again. “Shut. Your. Mouth. Astrid." He bit down on my lower lip with every word, earning a shudder from me.My head spun out of control, and a shiver ran down my spine. I felt light headed and hot as his tongue delved into my opened mouth, practically playing tag with my tongue.And to think I already freed my hands and placed it on his shoulders, to push him the hell away. But at the end, I couldn't move a muscle.This was exactly why I did everything in my power to put a safe distance between the twins and I. I couldn't control myself when they laid their hands on me.It was a total embarrassment on my part.The twins never understood the concept of distance, though.Zade’s teeth pulled rougher than usual and tingles exploded on the skin trapped between them. The rain fell harder this time, wetting the both of us to our bones, but Z
Zarek groaned with each passing minute as time ticked by. He glanced at the entrance of the mansion again, wondering what the hell was keeping that woman in there. Today was a very unfortunate day, why? Because their father, Alpha Vincent, had requested that the twins bring their future Luna to him. The moment he heard that the boys chose a wife, he had informed his wife happily, thanking the goddess for finally touching their hearts. He had urged them, together with their mother, to settle down with one of those women they kept moving around with. Also, they could settle with anyone, except for the human girl they brought home. He had heard so many stories about them already.Zarek’s foot tapped a furious rhythm against the gravel as he leaned against the black SUV again, arms crossed, jaw tight.“She’s been in there for a goddamn hour,” he growled again, glaring at the front doors of the mansion like they personally offended him. “What the hell is she doing in there, applying a
The ballroom shone in black and red, filled with the finest of werewolf royalty. This was no ordinary event, it was the official masquerade ball held by the Elder Council. A rare occasion where all Alphas gathered not to battle, but to make peace.Zarek stood stiffly near the edge of the crowd, his mask barely covering the annoyed twitch of his jaw. Beside him, Zade remained calm, as always, though his eyes scanned the room with a calculating edge.Tonight, they were not here as warriors or rulers. They were here to apologize.Formally.It was the Council’s condition. If they wanted to be considered for the Gehman title, they had to win back the trust of the Alphas they had recently clashed with, either through bloodshed or cold disrespect.Zarek hated every second of it.He downed his champagne in one gulp and muttered, “This is a damn circus.”Zade smirked under his mask. “Play nice.”Before Zarek could respond, a voice rang out from behind them.“There they are! The future Luna an
_Astrid’s POV_I couldn’t remember how long I had been here.Days? Weeks? Time didn’t make much sense in this place. Valerian’s home, or prison, if I’m being honest, was cold, both in feeling and in spirit. The windows were large, but they didn’t open. The guards outside my door didn’t speak. And the silence that filled the halls screamed louder than any cry I’d ever let out.At first, I tried to stay strong. I told myself the twins would come. That Zarek, with his sharp tongue and wild temper, would burst through the door. That Zade would hold my hand again and quietly promise me that everything would be okay.But nothing came. I didn't know if they would ever come either, considering the letter I left on the table in the kitchen. The one Valerian had made me write. He had held me at gunpoint and made me scribble down the letter with shaky hands.And the worst part? Gideon had a hand in all these. It turns out that Valerian wanted me, Gideon wanted me to leave the twins. The best
_Zarek’s POV_“I didn’t understand back then. I was scared.” Cassia explained for the hundred and fourteenth time after cleaning my wounds.Zade sat there and watched her like she grew a second head or something.Cassia wouldn't stop begging us to take her back, that she was a changed person. But I would rather eat glass than believe she changed her foolish ways.“Cassia, just give up," I told her and ran a hand through my hair."Never! I'm not lying to you, I love you both! My brother… he’s made me see things differently. He’ll be here tomorrow, he just wants to talk.”I raised a brow at that last one. “Your brother?”She nodded. “Yes. Caelen is coming.” Yes, he shared the same name as Zade's wolf.Great. Just what I needed. Another high-ranking wolf in this fucking circus. “Alright, you can stay here for today, after the meeting with him by tomorrow, you’d leave with him.” I sighed and slowly stood up. I needed sleep, to let Creighton recharge a bit.Cassia tried to follow me, but
_Zarek’s POV_Blood. Fucking silver blood.It soaked through my shirt and burned like hell, and still I was standing, barely. Zade helped me to the car while I clenched my teeth so hard I thought they’d crack. The warehouse reeked of blood, death, and betrayal. We had wiped out every damn wolf who turned on us. Every single one.Except for that motherfucker Veyric. He ran like the coward he’s always been. Next time I see him, I’ll bury my claws in his damn throat.“Drive,” I growled, slumping into the back seat as Zade climbed in beside me. My whole body throbbed, but I didn’t care. Not yet.The second I opened my eyes to see who was in the driver's seat, my face fell. I saw Gideon, the same one who was supposed to be guarding Astrid. He was waiting in the car, blood splattered across his shirt but unharmed. Too fucking clean for a guy who was supposed to be protecting Astrid.“What the hell are you doing here, Gideon? Where is she?” I snapped, my voice cold.Gideon shifted in his sea
Gunshots and the sound of tearing filled the air.Zarek and Zade were covered in the blood of the men before them.When Zarek saw a van filled with more men arrive, he cursed under his breath and turned to Gideon. Now things have become horrible.“Fuck, Astrid, go!” Zarek’s voice was rough and wild, the sound of it filled with more command than fear. “Gideon, take her!”Astrid was frozen in place, her legs unwilling to move, even as her heart thundered in her chest. She didn’t want to leave. Not now. Not when the world was tilting sideways around her. Not when Zade and Zarek were already charging into a fight they didn’t start. What if something happened to them?Even in the middle of trying to survive, they only thought about her.“Zarek—” She called, her lips trembling and her voice cracking.That was when the shot rang out.It happened so fast, that she barely saw it. A flash of metal. A bang and a choked sound.Zarek stumbled slightly as the bullet hit him in the arm, blood bloomi
Zarek glared daggers as realization dawned on him. The man they were doing business with—Veyric—stood just a few steps away, a silver-plated gun aimed straight at Zarek’s chest. Behind him, three more of his men raised their weapons, pointing them at Zade, Gideon, and Astrid.Zarek’s jaw clenched. “What the hell is the meaning of this, Veyric?”Truth be told, the twins hadn't seen this coming.Yes, they knew there would definitely be an attack during the receiving of the packages, but he never once suspected that the one person they should be wary of was the main trader.The one who was supposed to hand everything over to them.Goddess, they had blindly trusted him.Zarek felt his anger boil over in his chest at the betrayal.Veyric smirked. His eyes shined faintly with a cold kind of pride. “Bold of you to think we’d give you this shipment for just that little money.”“If you wanted more,” Zarek said slowly, keeping his voice steady, “you could’ve said so. We’d have given you more. Y
_Astrid’s POV_I should’ve stayed behind.That thought circled my head like a hawk as I sat stiffly in the back of the dark SUV. The leather seats were cold, but not as cold as my nerves. My palms were sweating, even though I kept them hidden inside my dress. The same dress I thought made me look badass when I left the pack house. Now, I just felt small.Zarek and Zade sat in front. Zade was behind the wheel, his face carved in stone like always, and Zarek was next to him, drumming his fingers on the dashboard to some beat only he could hear. Occasionally, they exchanged quick looks and short words I couldn’t hear over the engine. They were calm. Well, maybe this mission wasn't a deadly one. But I still couldn't help feeling fear crawl up my skin.I heard from my father one time of how he had gone to receive a shipment with a few people too, and a brutal war broke out. In a war that killed almost hundreds of people, he happened to be among the survivors. And I knew it was the same for
_Astrid’s POV_“Here you go," Ori handed me the glass of water and I swallowed the pills in my hand.Once done, I handed it back to her with a grateful smile. “Thank you so much, Ori."“You're welcome. But I have to ask, for how long do you plan to take these human pills?" She asked, her gaze lingering on my face.“For as long as possible. Since I chose to stay here with the Alphas, there's no doubt that we’d always get intimate. I can't afford to get pregnant with their child since I’m just a human.” I said with a soft sigh. It had been one week already, and yes, I always had Oriana bring me human things to prevent pregnancies since Zarek and Zade never used protection each time they fucked me.I couldn't imagine getting pregnant for werewolves. So I chose to take the pills to avoid any problems.She nodded in understanding and suddenly grinned at me. “By the way, the Alphas seem to like you so much. Look how they've been hovering around you all the time, even pulling you along to me