جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 30

Xavier'S POV I cleared my throat.“We can’t do that.”“You have to let me leave.” Her jaw set at a stubborn angle.Once again, I marveled at this woman before me. She stared us down, daring us to defy her. Elara looked like a queen despite the satin nightgown and fur-lined robe she wore. She was a conqueror and we, her enemy.Every time I thought we’d scared her into submission, rather than cower before us in fear, she surprised me with her defiance. Lysander’s wolf had chased and tackled her. He could have easily made a meal of her, and yet she’d held his gaze as we walked away.I’d had to briefly turn away when Kaelen searched her mind and she screamed. My chest had tightened in a most unfamiliar and painful way. I was not normally one to shy away from unpleasantness. Now, minutes after her ordeal, when others would be no more than a mess on the floor, Elara was prepared to take us on. Our sweet witch was more resilient than I realized.The stubborn jut of her chin made me want to

Elara'S POV I went to the dresser, pleased to find an assortment of new bras and panties, all in matching sets, which was more care than I ever took when selecting underwear. The silky and satiny fabrics felt luxurious under my fingertips. Was this all Maeve—or had the bosses…? I pushed that thought away. It didn’t matter, and I chose a satin set in forest green.Much to my dismay, the wardrobe still only held fancy dresses and a couple of cloaks, as if this were the Middle Ages or some shit. I wasn’t going to let the lack of functional attire deter me.I was leaving. Tonight.Maeve entered to bring my dinner. She set the tray on the desk and said, “The lords are away tonight, but they’d like you to take breakfast with them in the morning, miss.”I hid a grin. Perfect. With them out of the house, my escape would be that much easier.“Okay,” I said.She quirked a brow.“You’ll have breakfast with them? No argument this time?”“That’s right.” I gave her my sweetest smile.“Very good, m

Elara'S POV he wind blew my hood back, letting my hair trail behind me as I rode Lysander’s wolf. For the first few minutes, I mourned the loss of my freedom. I’d let down both myself and Orion. Now, I was forced to trust Xavier to find my brother and make sure he was all right. I hated being at other people’s mercy.Gradually, my worries and fears lessened. I’d never ridden on a wolf and the experience was amazing. My heart lightened, my stomach untwisted, and a giddiness raced through my veins. I sat up and closed my eyes, letting the breeze rush against my skin.I splayed my fingers and ran them through his thick, soft fur. His body heat seeped into me, as did his scent. All of it made me feel… at home, which was a terrifying thought. Lysander was my captor. But he was also my rescuer, my protector, and resisting my desire for him was getting more challenging by the day.He set my hormones raging. It had to be a wolf pheromone. His threat to chase me down and fuck me? Yeah, that h

Xavier'S POV Elara sat across from me at the chess table by the window. The dim early evening light was easier on my eyes than the glaring winter sun when it beamed down on the snow. I focused on my captive, the honey taste of her blood still lingering on my tongue from last night.“Have you played chess before?” I asked Elara.She nodded.“A few times. It’s one of my favorite games.”She glanced away from my intense gaze, seeming nervous in my presence. Probably still conflicted over her punishment and what had happened between us earlier. My cock twitched at the thought. I had the most demanding urge to drink from her again, then open my vein for her to suckle. Blood bond. A voice in my mind whispered those two words. I shook it off. That was never going to happen.I refocused on the board.“Good. Maybe you’ll be a worthy opponent.”I moved a pawn forward two squares. Let the game begin.I tried to shake the overwhelming need to make her mine—fully. The blood bond was reserved for

Elara'S POV A moment later, the place erupted with cheers as the fighters emerged one after the other. Lysander was a sight in nothing but boxer shorts. Several women screamed his name, which did this funny thing in my chest. It tightened, and I balled my fists in my lap.Lysander spotted me and winked. My insides warmed.Kaelen let out a choking sound, but I ignored him.The other fighter, Maddox, received an equal number of cheers and hoots. My stomach flipped in the nausea kind of way. The man was larger than Kaelen. His muscles had muscles, and he was going to murder Lysander. I couldn’t watch.The server chose that moment to show up with our drinks. I took a huge gulp of the spicy fruit wine. The alcohol went straight to my head but did little to calm my nerves.It seemed that as soon as the fighters entered the ring, the punches started to fly. They fought in human form for the first round. Blood flew, fists crunched against bone, and I downed my wine in a matter of seconds.I