All Chapters of The Ruthless Alpha Who Bought Me Is My Mate : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

~~Imogene’s POV~~The sunlight this morning was so bright and warm, brushing against my skin as it passed through the open window of my room. I had slept longer than I had in weeks, the kind of deep sleep that left your body feeling so soft that your mind is reluctant to wake up. My arms and legs felt better, my face had become warmer, and I could see color returning to my cheeks whenever I caught a glance of my reflection. The depression that had pressed on me for so long was losing its grip on me; I no longer felt like a shadow walking in a world that had no clue how to care for me.Fenrir was already here, sitting in the chair beside my bed with a cup of warm tea in his hands. He shifted slightly whenever I adjusted, and that small movement made my chest tighten, though I couldn’t explain why.“Good morning.” His voice was low and careful, carrying that restrained intensity I had come to notice, the kind that made my stomach flutter. I stretched cautiously, rolling onto my side, o

~~Fenrir’s POV~~Morning came, the soft morning light casting warm light over the training grounds, with a bit of mist still clinging in the air. I shifted before my feet even touched the grass, bone cracking and reforming as my wolf took over, the familiar violence of it grounding me. The world sharpened instantly; scents became more precise and every sound became even clearer.A group of wolves surged forward, coordinated enough that any hesitation from me would be fatal to me. I didn’t retreat. I met the first one head-on, shoulder slamming into his chest hard enough to lift him off the ground. He hit rolling, breath leaving him in a harsh rasp, and I was already gone, twisting sharply to hit the second, his jaws snapped as I landed an attack. The third and fourth moved at once, aiming for my sides. One struck, teeth on full display, claws out, and I ducked low, letting him overshoot before grabbing him and throwing him forward.The fourth one collided with him mid-lunge, the soun

~~Imogene’s POV~~I closed the door behind me and pressed my back against it, letting out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. The warmth of the kitchen, the glow of the fire, the closeness of Fenrir, it all felt like it had pushed me into a corner I wasn’t ready to face. My hands were trembling slightly, still covered in flour and butter, and my chest pounded with a mix of wanting and fear.I dropped to the edge of my bed, wrapping my arms around my knees, forehead pressed to them. Why did I run? The question echoed sharply in my head. I had wanted…no, I had almost allowed myself to feel safe, to let Fenrir in, and yet the memory of Damian, of everything he had done, sprang up to warn me. Being vulnerable and letting someone in had cost me before, and I was scared it could cost me again.The room was impossibly quiet, every corner pressing in, judging me for my weakness, my fear. I hated myself a little for running, hated that I could not think about the possibility of a fut

~~Imogene’s POV~~I unfolded my hands and placed one palm on his. The moment our skin touched, something warm flooded up my arm, and I gasped softly, fingers tightening reflexively around his. His tattoos flared briefly, just as they had in the forest, black lines glowing with a faint silver light before fading again.“What is that?” I asked, breathless. “Why does that happen when you touch me?”“I told you I was cursed,” he said, his thumb brushing gently across my knuckles. “The tattoos are part of it. They react to—“ He stopped, jaw tightening. “To certain things.”“To me?”“Yes.”“Why?”His eyes darkened, something fierce and possessive flickering in them before he controlled it. “Because you are important to me.”The simple honesty of it made my breath catch. “I don't understand.”His grip tightened slightly. “All you need to know is that I would never hurt you, Imogene. Not intentionally. Not ever. I know you have no reason to trust me. I know I am asking for something you have

~~Fenrir’s POV~~“Selfish,” Imogene repeated, testing the word. “I don’t think I know how to be selfish.”“Then let me teach you.” I let my hand slide down to rest on her hip, pulling her closer. “Start small. What do you want right now? In this moment?”She bit her lip, and I watched the movement with more attention than was probably appropriate. “I want—” She stopped, embarrassed.“Tell me.”“I want you to kiss me again.”“Where?”Her eyes widened. “What?”“Where do you want me to kiss you?” I leaned closer, my lips hovering near her temple. “Here?” I brushed a kiss there, feather-light. “Or here?” Another kiss at her cheekbone. “Or…” I moved lower, my mouth barely grazing the corner of hers. “Here?”“Fenrir.” My name came out breathless, almost pleading.“Tell me,” I murmured against her skin. “Be selfish. Take what you want.”“My mouth,” she whispered. “I want you to kiss my mouth.”“Good girl.” I took her lips in mine, swallowing her gasp. The kiss was deeper this time, more dema