All Chapters of Blood And Desire: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The air in the slave inn reeked with the stench of unwashed bodies, sweat and sour ale, a fetid haze that clung to the low-beamed ceiling like a curse. Alpha Lycan Winter Drayonne, the iron-hearted ruler of Dravonia, sat at a scarred oaken table near the flickering hearth, his massive frame draped in a cloak of midnight wolf fur, the skin of his latest kill, only three months old. His Beta, August Saffron, sat opposite, his lean form relaxed but alert, one hand resting near the hilt of his dagger as he surveyed the room with a wolf’s cunning.A serving wench slammed two tankards of frothing mead and a tray of steaming boar stew and crusty bread onto the table, muttering an apology as she nearly spilled the ale in her haste to flee Winter’s icy stare. The Alpha’s purpose was singular: to procure a new slave for his mate, a task beneath his station but necessary to sate the court’s whispers. The slave master—a wiry man with a whip coiled at his hip—cracked his whip against the floor, si

Odessa led the procession of women into a vast, cavernous chamber lit by flickering braziers, her boots echoing alongside the clipped steps of two other female Betas, their leather armor creaking softly. The women, freshly washed and draped in plain wool dresses the color of ash, shuffled in a tight line, their damp hair gleaming under the braziers’ glow. Scarlett stood out, her silver hair, now clean and loosely braided, a defiant shimmer, her honey-brown eyes scanning the hall’s towering pillars, her simple gray dress a stark contrast to the rags of her captivity. The other Omegas, clad in similar coarse garments, kept their eyes downcast, their steps faltering under the scrutiny of the hallThe air crackled with tension as Alpha Lycan Winter Drayonne strode in, August Saffron at his heel, the Beta’s amber gaze sweeping the room with casual vigilance, his lean frame relaxed but alert. Winter’s presence filled the space, his midnight cloak trailing like a shadow, his armor glinting c

The courtroom of Castle Holgah stood empty, a cavern of cold stone and flickering torchlight, its wolf-carved throne looming like a judgment seat beneath the vaulted ceiling. Alpha Lycan Winter Drayonne strode through the iron-banded doors, his black wolf-fur cloak hanging heavy on him, August at his side, his steps light but purposeful beside the Alpha’s heavy, deliberate tread as they discussed the weight of kingdom matters, voices low but sharp.“Oshea’s tribute,” August said, his amber eyes narrowing as he adjusted the leather satchel at his hip. “They’ve fallen short of the annual quota—grain, ore, and coin laughably light. No word, no excuse, no apology.”Winter’s scarred face darkened, and his frown carved deeper, his storm-gray gaze hardening to ice, the thin line through his left eye stark against his granite features. “They test me,” he muttered, the words a growl that seemed to chill the air. He snapped his fingers at a nearby guard stationed by a pillar, clad in silver-tri

The moon hung low over Castle Holgah, its silver light spilling through the open balcony of Imogen’s chambers, casting soft shadows across silk draperies and wolf-fur rugs. Alpha Lycan Winter Drayonne entered silently, his black cloak unclasped, the scar across his left eye softened in the candlelight. Imogen, reclining on a velvet couch, her silver hair cascading over her sapphire gown flowing over her pregnant swell, lit up at the sight of him, her pale-blue eyes sparkling.“Out, all of you. Leave us,” she commanded the attending Omegas who paused mid-task, bowed and scurried out, their footsteps fading behind the shut door. “Winter,” she beamed, patting the cushion beside her.He approached, his usual storm-gray intensity tempered to a rare gentleness, his voice low and warm as his lips twitched. “Why are you awake and not in bed at this hour, Imogen?”She laughed and shrugged, silver hair glinting. “I’m not tired yet.”Winter settled beside her, his large hand enveloping hers, hi

Each step was agony as Scarlett hauled herself through the frost-kissed halls, her body a ruin from Winter’s claws, blood dripping from her right shoulder and side, she pressed a trembling hand to the gashes, her other palm scraping the icy stone walls for support. Her silver hair hung matted with sweat and blood, her honey-brown eyes clouded with grief—Skye’s betrayal and her own defiance turned to pain, crushed under the Lycan’s wrath.She walked painfully towards the harem, her mind adrift in loss when without warning, a hand yanked her into a darkened alcove, slamming her back against the wall, pinning her in place. A man’s body trapped her, his rough hand sealing her mouth as his pale green eyes darted through the corridor, checking for witnesses, ensuring no guards or Betas lurked.Scarlett’s heart seized, a choked scream of pain muffled and terror stifled against his hand, her wounds screaming louder. “Shh, Scarlett, it’s me—River,” he whispered urgently, his voice gentle. “You