All Chapters of THE ALPHA'S CURSE (Shadows Of Vaelderen I): Chapter 21 - Chapter 26

The moment Lily closed the door behind her, the last remnants of my control finally broke. The beast surged forward with enough force to drive me to my knees, my primal magic writhing wild around me as her scent, her magic, her desire still filled the air. Even the stones of the castle seemed to pulse with lingering power. I should never have agreed to this new arrangement. Should have known better than to thinkl could taste her pleasure without wanting to claim everything. My beast still strained for the door, hunting for traces of her light like a starving creature. Like he couldn't accept letting her go when every instinct screamed to chase her down, to finish what we'd started, to claim her Mark her. No. I slammed my fist into the stone floor, using the pain to focus. To drag the beast back under control. But even that wasn't working like it usually did. Ever since she'd healed me, something had changed. Some small part of my true power had broken free of the curse

I hadn't come down here intending to tempt him. Or at least, that's what I told myself as Dante's hands tightened on my waist and his words sent heat flooding through me. Il'd come in search of the sacred springs Maven said would help restore my magic after working with so many of the pack. She'd said their ancient power would soothe the bone-deep exhaustion that came from channeling too much healing at once. She hadn't mentioned Dante would be here. Hadn't mentioned I'd find him in the largest pool, water lapping at his chest, his curse marks stark against wet skin in the crystal light. Hadn't warned me how the sight of him would make my magic surge with recognition, with need to not only heal but to feel. Just like I had last night. As his growled promise vibrated against my throat, I couldn't deny the thrill of power that came with making the alpha lose control. With knowing my presence alone could shatter his restraint. Every point of contact between us burned-his h

I hadn't expected this. The great hall l'd only seen in daylight, empty and echoing, had been transformed. Crystal light danced across the walls, catching on fabric draped between ancient pillars Music filled the air--not the formal court music Il'd known at home, but something wilder, more primal. Something that made my magic stir in response. But it was the pack that truly surprised me. Even those most affected by the curse seemed different tonight. Lighter. As if the music and crystal light let them remember who they were beneath their twisted forms. Even Maven's aged wolf-shape seemed to hold more grace as she moved among them. Then Dante entered, and my breath caught at how his power filled the space. He'd dressed formally for the occasion-black pants and a deep blue shirt that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders, the lean strength in his frame. The starkelegance only highlighted the predatory grace in his movements, the raw power that radiated f