Alpha Dominic's POV: "What’s wrong with you?" Carden shouted in my mind, angry with how I’d behaved toward his Luna.”And now, because of your mistress, she’s having second thoughts.” He demanded that we go for a run in the woods, so he could hunt some animals to relieve his frustration. "You need to calm down," I said flippantly. "Calm down? How can I calm down? What the hell were you going to tell her anyway? About your dead mate and that you don't need a woman in your life?” He wasn’t wrong, so I didn’t respond. What could I say? "Coward! Answer me," he demanded. "Yes. Okay. Are you happy now? Yes, I was going to tell her that she shouldn't expect anything from me other than a pack name and protection. Unlike you, I am not looking for love!" I roared. Carden quieted. Another fight with my wolf. I shook my head. Of course, because that’s what I needed at the moment. It wasn’t like I needed to focus on other, more important things. Ugh. I met with Beta Alexander, who was w

Astrid's POV:My legs shook with fear while a maid helped the princess stand. Then, as the princess approached me, flashbacks of beatings and torture flooded me, vivid and haunting in their realism. The aching of my body, the burning sensation that coursed through my veins, the fear that gnawed at my soul—every moment had felt like an eternity of agony as my mind struggled to comprehend the horror that had become my life. The memories would stay with me forever.The physical pain had been agonizing, but the psychological pain had been even worse. I’d thought I would never be free of from her torture. I’d escaped it for such a short while. But now she was back and sure to make my life a living hell once again.Without thinking, I touched my uncovered face. She watched my every movement, and fear rumbled inside me. Would she hit me with all these people around?Alpha Dominic’s voice entered my mind though our link. "I am here for your protection,” he said. “Don't be scared. She can't do

Astrid's POV:With a heavy heart and broken hopes, I fell on my bed in the dark room. I had no strength left to light the candles by the stand, so I just buried my face in the covers. The deafening sound of silence shattered my determination to not shed a tear. How could I not cry, though? My mate wouldn’t even make love to me. Meanwhile, my body was still on fire, painfully yearning for a masculine touch. His intoxicating scent lingered on my gown, too, and my nipples remained erect from that alone.Neither Malessia nor I were satisfied. When the ache became too unbearable, I sat straight on my bed. Arousal-induced sweat caused my hair to stick to the side of my face. I gulped down the lump of saliva forming in my throat. My hands shook with hesitation and excitement as I threw the thin gown on the floor.The cool air caressed my wet skin, and I squeezed my nipples. A moan escaped my lips as I thought about his thick fingers in me. Still scared but ready to do the deed for only the

Alpha Dominic Knight's POV:I couldn't understand the relationship between the Princess Amaira and my mate."Astrid," Carden commented, halting my thoughts.Astrid. I tested her name on my tongue again, and it sounded dangerously sweet. I breathed a heavy sigh. I needed to keep my distance from her. Whenever I got near her, Carden would act savagely.When she sounded hurt and betrayed by my rules, Carden wanted to rip off the thin gown she was wearing. It didn’t help that her cleavage was visible. I took a mental note that her dresses needed to be redesigned, at least her public dresses. She could wear the revealing dresses around me, but no one else. For the outside world, she should be covered.I desperately tried to ignore her addictive scent calling to me, too. But it proved impossible with Carden’s obsession with her. His intense, all-consuming desire was an overwhelming force that took over my thinking and pervaded every part of my being. All he wanted to do was focus on her eve

Alpha Dominic Knight's POV:The moment I entered the chamber, the scent of her fear and submission made me growl, fueling my anger, yet exciting me at the same time.But the anger overrode the excitement. Intense and overwhelming, a deep, uncontrollable rage filled every inch of my body. Fury consumed me, like a wildfire burning out of control. My muscles tensed and quivered. My insides felt as though they would explode at any moment. Hurt, betrayal, and disappointment coupled with injustice and helplessness flooded me all at once.Carden felt a deep sense of helplessness as well, and it only fueled my rage.“Dominic, don't! She's scared,” Carden said, trying to calm me when we saw she was hiding like a child in the corner. She had covered her face with her delicate hands, and that momentarily melted the fire in my heart.But the red satin dress she wore shone brightly, mocking me, haunting me with memories of my beautiful Isabella smiling the first time she wore it. My rock. My best