《Alpha's Dark Desires》


 Chapter 1: Play Room

    <h4>Chapter 1: y Room</h4>


    <strong>Kane''s POV:</strong>


    Today was session day, and the anticipation crackled in the air as I prepared for my time with Ashley, mytest submissive. I had instructed her to wait for me in the yroom of my cottage¡ªthe sanctuary where my deepest desires and darkest fantasies came to life. It was a space filled with every tool I needed to explore the fine line between pleasure and pain, a world I had fully embraced since I turned twenty-five.


    As an alpha, I had always exuded dominance, but it wasn''t until I lost hope of ever finding my mate that I truly ventured into the realm of BDSM. I had been in and out of rtionships that never satisfied my cravings, each ending in boredom as I longed for something more visceral, more intense. This new life ignited a passion within me, a fire that burned brightly as I took on different submissives, usually changing them every three months.


    I thought about Ashley, her eager spirit, and the way her body responded to mymands. She was beautiful, with curves that begged to be explored. She had a spare key to my cottage, allowing her the freedom to prepare herself before my arrival. As I drove, I could already envision her waiting for me, her body bare except for her enticing ckcy underwear, embodying both submission and desire.


    When I finally arrived, I stripped off my shirt, feeling the cool air against my skin as I slipped into my ck sweatpants. The dominant side of me surged to the forefront, eager for the thrill of the encounter that awaited. My wolf was alive with anticipation, sensing the electric tension that filled the room.


    Entering the yroom, I found Ashley already in position, her eyes downcast and her hands resting on her knees. She looked exquisite, her body glistening under the soft, dim lighting, which entuated every curve. "So, my little sub hase to y?" I asked, circling around her, letting my fingers brush through her hair as I gathered it into a ponytail, exposing her soft, pale breasts.


    "Yes, sir," she answered, her voice barely above a whisper,ced with both eagerness and submission.


    "Good," I said, taking her hand and guiding her to the designated spot where the restraints awaited. The chains glinted under the soft light, a promise of the pleasures that would unfold. I secured her hands above her head, spreading her legs wide apart, leaving her vulnerable andpletely at my mercy. I loved this part¡ªthe moment when the power shifted and I could feel her arousal washing over me.


    I could see her excitement, her nipples already hardened and a flush creeping up her cheeks. The scent of her desire filled the room, intoxicating me. "Eager, are we?" I teased, a chuckle escaping my lips as I watched her body react to my words.


    "Yes, sir," she breathed, her voice thick with longing, an invitation I could not ignore.


    I took a ck cloth and wrapped it around her eyes, enhancing the anticipation and heightening her senses. I knew that binding her would sharpen her hearing and touch, intensifying the pleasure I was about to give her. With her sight taken away, the world would be a canvas of sensations, each brushstroke an exploration of her desires.


    Reaching for a piece of ice, I let it glide slowly over her nipple, watching as her breath hitched in response. Her body arched instinctively toward the cold, eager for more. I traced the ice around both her breasts, savoring the way she gasped, the sound reverberating in the air like music. I continued the trail down to her belly, teasing her just above thece of her underwear, relishing the tension building between us.


    "Please, Master," she moaned, her desperation evident as her body begged for more.


    "Not yet, little pet," I replied, kneeling down to admire her inner thighs. I deliberately avoided the most sensitive spots, letting her desire simmer just below the surface. The anticipation of finally tasting her was a delicious torment, one that I savored as I leaned closer, my breath warm against her skin.


    I looked up at her, meeting her blindfolded gaze, and the vulnerability in her expression was intoxicating. The power I held over her fueled my desire, and I could feel my wolf growling in approval. I dipped my head, running my tongue along the inside of her thigh, teasingly close to where she craved me the most but never giving her the satisfaction.


    "Please," she whimpered, her body trembling with need.


    "Such a good little sub," I praised, my voice low and gravelly as I continued to tease her with soft, tantalizing kisses along her thighs, enjoying the way her body writhed in response. Every sound, every gasp of pleasure that escaped her lips, sent shivers down my spine, igniting a primal urge to im her.


    After a few more moments of teasing, I decided to ramp up the intensity. I grabbed a small paddle from the table nearby, the leather cool and smooth in my hand. I could see her eyes widen, a mix of excitement and fear dancing across her features as I lifted it, preparing to deliver a gentle smack against her supple skin.


    "Tell me what you want, Ashley," Imanded, my voice low and demanding.


    "I want you, Master. I need you," she breathed, the urgency in her tone sending a rush of heat through me.


    I smiled, feeling a swell of satisfaction at her submission. "Good girl," I replied, striking her lightly with the paddle, watching as she jumped, a gasp escaping her lips. "But first, you must earn it."


    With each strike, I could feel her body respond, the tension coiling tighter, the room filled with the sound of leather meeting skin. The soft pink blush that spread across her cheeks only fueled my desire further. I was lost in the rhythm of it, the power exchange between us creating an intoxicating dance of pleasure and pain.


    I paused to admire her, breathing heavily, the heat of the moment enveloping us both. "Are you ready for more?" I asked, my voice a low growl, filled with promise.


    "Yes, Master," she gasped, her body arching, pleading for my touch.


    "Then let''s continue," I said.


    I reached for a bottle of lubricating oil and a sleek dildo, my mind racing with anticipation as I prepared to take Ashley to the next level of pleasure. Positioning myself behind her, I applied the lubricant generously, ensuring that the vibrator glistened with a sheen that promised an exhrating experience.


    "Are you ready, little pet?" I murmured, my voice low andmanding.


    "Yes, Master," she breathed, her voice thick with anticipation.


    As I teased her, I slowly began to insert the vibrator, inch by inch, allowing her to feel every pulsation of the device as it vibrated against her tight entrance. I watched her closely, savoring the way her body responded, the way her back arched and her breath hitched in her throat. She was a mess of need, her soft whimpers filling the room as she begged me to go faster.


    "Please, Master, I need more," she pleaded, her voice a desperate whisper.


    But I was in control, and I intended to make thisst. I could feel the tension building within her, the way her body was straining for release as I continued to tease her with the vibrating dildo. Each thrust was measured, deliberate, designed to push her closer to the edge without letting her fall over. I loved the way she squirmed, the way her body craved me, and I reveled in the power I held over her.


    Just as I noticed her breathing be ragged, the signs that she was nearing her climax, I removed the vibrator, tossing it aside on the table with a soft thud. I lowered my sweatpants, freeing my hard cock, the heat of desire coursing through my veins. Holding her by the waist, I positioned myself at her entrance, my breath hitching at the sight of her flushed cheeks and parted lips.


    "Hold on, Ashley," Imanded, my voice a low growl, and in one fluid thrust, I rammed my cock deep inside her.


    She cried out, her body arching as she came, the wave of pleasure crashing over her as I filled herpletely. The sensation of her warmth enveloping me was exquisite, and I couldn''t help but thrust deeper, building a rhythm that sent us both spiraling into ecstasy.


    "Damn, yes!" she moaned, her voice raw with pleasure.


    It was just the beginning. I continued to thrust into her, my pace relentless, each movement drawing her closer to another climax. The sound of skin pping against skin filled the room, punctuated by her moans and gasps, the mix of pleasure and urgency creating a symphony that fueled my desire even more.


    "Come for me again, little pet," I urged, my voice thick with lust.


    With each thrust, I could feel her tightening around me, the pressure building as we moved in perfect harmony. Her moans became cries of pure bliss, and as I thrust deeper and faster, I felt the moment nearing. I could sense her climax approaching, the heat radiating from her body as she neared the edge.


    And then, as if we were connected in some primal way, we came together. The world around us faded as pleasure surged through us, a powerful wave that left us breathless. I held her tightly, feeling her body quiver around me as we both surrendered to the intensity of the moment, our cries echoing in the dimly lit room.


    As the waves of pleasure began to subside, I lowered myself to her ear, whispering sweet nothings and praise, savoring the aftermath of our passionate union. This was what I craved¡ªthis connection, this domination, this blissful surrender.

 Chapter 2: Perfect Family

    <h4>Chapter 2: Perfect Family</h4>


    <strong>Elena''s POV:</strong>


    Today was the day. I could hardly contain my excitement as I counted down the minutes until I turned eighteen. Finally, I would be able to share my first kiss with Derick. He was my boyfriend and had been my childhood sweetheart, but I had steadfastly refused any intimate advances, determined to preserve myself for my true mate. I had promised myself that my first experience in everything¡ªmy first kiss, my first time¡ªwould be with the one destined for me.


    Derick had always sworn he would be my mate. The pack had seen the bond between us and often referred to us as destined mates, a notion that had been nted in our hearts since childhood. But while our rtionship had been sweet and innocent, filled with hand-holding and warm embraces, I felt an instinctual need to ensure that he was truly the one before taking that leap. Each time Derick leaned in for a kiss, I would shy away, reminding him that I wanted to wait until I was absolutely certain. To his credit, he respected my decision, even though I could see the longing in his eyes.


    I stretched in bed, the morning sun filtering through my curtains, casting warm golden rays across my room. As I turned eighteen, I couldn''t help but smile to myself. Today was the day I would kiss Derick, and with that kiss, I hoped to affirm the bond that I felt deep within my soul. I''d been waiting for this moment for what felt like an eternity, and the thought sent butterflies swirling in my stomach.


    However, there was a flicker of unease in the back of my mind, my wolf, Zena, remaining unusually quiet. Usually, she was my guiding voice, my excited partner in crime, but today she seemed subdued. I pushed the feeling aside, not wanting anything to dampen my spirits. Today was all about love, happiness, and celebration.


    I bounced out of bed and made my way to the kitchen, where the delightful aroma of something sweet filled the air. My mom was already awake, baking my birthday cake with the kind of care that only a mother could provide.


    "Happy birthday, sweetie!" she beamed as I entered, her face glowing with warmth and love. She ced a te of toast and a stack of pancakes in front of me. My heart swelled at the sight of my favorite breakfast. Before I could dive into the deliciousness, my father emerged from the hallway, his hair tousled and a sleepy smile on his face.


    "Something smells nice!" he eximed,ing up behind me. He reached out to snag a piece of pancake, but my mother was quick to p his hand away, a yful look in her eyes.


    "Let your child enjoy her food!" she chided, her voice light and teasing, but there was an underlying sweetness to it.


    "Happy birthday, bud!" my father said, kissing my forehead and whispering, "Your mom is stingy," into my ear, which made meugh.


    "I heard that!" my mother shouted, her eyes narrowing yfully at him. She put a te of pancakes in front of him, faking annoyance while she prepared tea.


    "Just pray he won''t be as stingy as your mother," my father quipped, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "She refused to shower....."


    He was cut short as my mother yfully pped him on the back of the head, huffing dramatically. "What did I do now?" he replied, feigning innocence, but his grin betrayed him.


    The atmosphere in our kitchen was filled with warmth andughter, a perfect encapstion of what family meant to me. I couldn''t help but smile, wishing for a love life that mirrored theirs¡ªa connection filled withughter, teasing, and mutual respect.


    "Are you ready to meet your mate?" my father asked, raising an eyebrow at me as I stuffed my mouth with pancakes, trying to suppress my excitement.


    I nodded enthusiastically, my mouth full of fluffy goodness. "Yes!" I eximed, my eyes sparkling with joy. Mom''s pancakes are the best!


    My father chuckled, hisughter echoing around the room. "Just pray he won''t be as stingy with you as your mother is with me," he joked again, causing another round of yful banter between them.


    "I''m not stingy, If I were I wouldn''t give you any food then!" my mom retorted, cing a hand on her hip, although her smile softened the sting of her words.


    The yful bickering between my parents made my heart swell with affection. They had always shown me what a loving partnership looked like, and I longed for a connection like theirs. The way theymunicated, teased, and supported each other made me believe that love could be beautiful and uplicated, even amidst life''s challenges.


    After breakfast, we sat around the table, enjoying the remains of the meal and chatting about my birthday ns. My father shared stories from his own eighteenth birthday, tales filled withughter and mischief. My mother chimed in with her own memories, and I listened intently,ughing along and imagining my future with Derick.


    As the sun rose higher in the sky, I could feel the anticipation build inside me. Today, I would finally kiss Derick, a moment I had envisioned for so long. I could almost picture it¡ªthe way his lips would feel against mine, the warmth of his hands on my waist, the way everything else would fade away, leaving only the two of us in our little world.


    Once breakfast was done, I helped my mother with the final touches on my birthday cake. The kitchen was filled with the scent of vani and chocte, and I couldn''t wait to share a piece with Derick. The thought made me giddy with excitement.


    Finally, the time came for me to get ready. I slipped into my favorite dress, a flowing, soft blue number thatplimented my figure. I looked at my reflection in the mirror, feeling a mix of nervousness and joy. Would today be the day I found out if Derick truly was my mate? I took a deep breath, hoping that Zena woulde alive and help me embrace the moment.


    As I left the house, my parents waved me off with warm smiles, their love aforting presence behind me. I made my way to our meeting spot, my heart racing with every step. Today was going to be special, I could feel it in my bones.


    Here''s a continuation of Elena''s POV, delving deeper into her thoughts about her father''s role as the alpha, her position in the pack, and her rtionship with Derick. This version aims to enrich her internal narrative while maintaining a warm family atmosphere.


    My father was the alpha of our pack, a position that came with immense responsibility and expectations. As his only child, I often felt the weight of that legacy resting on my shoulders. There were days when the thought of being the future alpha female thrilled me although I would take position of Luna while Derick served as the Alpha, I filled with visions of guiding our pack alongside Derick. Other days, I felt the pressure, realizing that my choices and actions would not only affect my life but also the lives of everyone in ourmunity since whoever ended up as my mate would be the Alpha.


    Derick was perfect for the role of the alpha. As the son of our beta, he had been raised with the same values that my father instilled in me. Strong, loyal, and fiercely protective, he embodied the traits that made a good leader. The pack often joked that we were a match made in heaven, destined to rule together one day. My father had already begun teaching him the ropes of leadership, showing him how to navigate theplexities of pack politics, forge alliances, and make difficult decisions.


    As I thought about my future with Derick, a warmth spread through my chest. I imagined standing beside him during pack gatherings, holding his hand as we addressed ourmunity. I could picture us leading the pack through challenges, our bond strengthening with each passing day. The idea made me giddy, and I couldn''t help but smile at the thought of us as a power couple, respected and loved by all.


    But with that happiness came a flicker of uncertainty. Would Derick truly be my mate? I nced at the sun peeking through the trees, illuminating the path ahead of me, and reminded myself that today was the day I would find out.


    The journey to our meeting spot felt both exhrating and daunting. The closer I got, the more I could feel the energy in the air shift. It was as if the forest itself was alive with anticipation, the birds chirping more cheerfully and the wind whispering secrets. I took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar scents of pine and earth, grounding myself in the moment.


    When I arrived at the clearing where we had agreed to meet, I spotted Derick standing there, his back to me. He was leaning against a tree, his hands shoved in his pockets, and I couldn''t help but admire how effortlessly handsome he looked in the afternoon light. His dark hair was tousled, and I could see the strength in his shoulders. A warmth spread through me as I took in the sight of him, my heart racing with excitement.


    "Hey!" I called out, breaking the stillness of the moment.


    He turned, and the moment our eyes met, a spark ignited between us. His face lit up with a smile that made my heart skip a beat. "Elena! You look beautiful!" he eximed, his voice warm and inviting.


    "Thanks!" I replied, my cheeks flushing. "You don''t look too bad yourself."


    We shared augh, the sound echoing through the trees like a melody. I walked towards him, feeling a mix of nervousness and exhration. This was the moment I had been waiting for¡ªthe chance to find out if he was truly the one destined for me.


    I stared up at Derick, my heart racing as I waited for that magical moment¡ªthe moment where everything would click into ce, where my wolf, Zena, would recognize him as my mate. In my mind, I had rehearsed this moment countless times, envisioning the thrill of a special bond forming between us, the intoxicating scent of our connection wrapping around us like a warm embrace. But as I stood there, staring into his deep, searching eyes, I felt nothing.


    The silence hung heavy in the air, and I could hear the soft rustle of leaves around us, contrasting sharply with the roaring uncertainty within me. My father had always spoken of the overwhelming scent of a mate, how it would drive me wild with desire and recognition. He told me that the moment I found my mate, I would be unable to resist the pull of their essence. But here I was, standing face-to-face with Derick, the boy I had loved since childhood, and I felt...nothing.


    Zena''s whisper echoed in my mind, soft and apologetic. ''<i>Sorry, Elena. He''s not our mate.''</i>


    A chill ran through me, a sense of dread settling deep in my chest. I felt as if the ground had shifted beneath my feet, leaving me unsteady and lost. "What do you mean?" I thought back at her, desperately hoping she would somehow be mistaken.


    <i>''I don''t feel the bond</i>,'' Zena replied, her voiceced with sadness. <i>He doesn''t smell like mate. It''s just... familiar.</i>


    A wave of nausea washed over me. All the hopes I had pinned on this moment¡ªthe dreams of our future together, the ns we had made¡ªcrashed around me like waves against a rocky shore. My mind raced back to the countless times I had imagined us leading the pack, standing side by side as alpha and luna. How could I face the reality that I might not be with him? That everything I had believed was a fantasy?

 Chapter 3: Finding The Truth

    <h4>Chapter 3: Finding The Truth</h4>


    <strong>Elena''s POV:</strong>


    I could see the realization dawning in Derick''s eyes, a painful acknowledgment that I was not his mate. It was as if the air had been sucked from the space between us, leaving a suffocating silence. "No, this is not happening, Elena. You are my mate," he said, his voice trembling, more to himself than to me, as if denying reality would somehow make it untrue.


    "No, apparently we are not fated mates," I replied, my heart aching as I felt the walls I had built around my emotions begin to crack. I wanted nothing more than to turn around, retreat to my room, and cry my heart out until there were no tears left to shed. But before I could move, Derick grasped my hands tightly, forcing me to face him.


    "Elena, we can''t leave it like this! We can still make this work. We can be chosen mates. Think about the pack and your father. They all want me as their alpha," he said, desperationcing his tone, almost pleading.


    What the actual fuck? The realization hit me harder than any blow could have. He wasn''t upset because he loved me or because we shared a bond. No, his concern was that he wouldn''t be the alpha he so desperately wanted to be. I couldn''t believe it. All this time, I had thought he cared for me, and now I saw the truth: he was using me as a stepping stone to achieve his ambitions.


    Disappointment surged through me like a tidal wave, and I snatched my hands away from his grip, bitterness rising in my throat. "I can''t believe you just said that! Do you take me for a stepping stone to the alpha position?" My words came out harsher than I intended, but the hurt was too raw, too fresh.


    Derick''s eyes widened, shock registering on his face as the weight of my usation settled in. "Elena, hey babe, I''m sorry. I didn''t mean it like that. I just... I didn''t want to lose you. That''s what came to my mind!" he pleaded, a nervousugh escaping his lips, but it sounded empty.


    Oh, really? I thought sarcastically, my heart hardening at his attempt to brush off his words. "I love you" would have been the first thing I expected toe from his mouth, not that the pack wanted him as their alpha. My heart sank further as I realized the depth of his desperation. He didn''t want to lose me¡ªnot because he loved me, but because losing me meant losing his chance at power.


    "Come on, Elena, it''s not a must that the pack finds out. We can just act as if we are fated mates since we already love each other," he argued, trying to reason with me as if it were all just a game we could y.


    "And what will happen if I meet my actual mate?" I challenged, crossing my arms defensively, my heart racing with a mix of fear and anger.


    "You''ll reject him like I did mine," he replied quickly, his words spilling out before he realized their implications. I watched as he stumbled over his own thoughts, the panic rising in his eyes as he realized the depth of his mistake.


    I felt my heart drop as the truth of his admission sank in. He had rejected his mate? How could he have lied to me, telling me I was his mate all along when he had cast aside the one he was destined for? I stared at him in disbelief, searching for any sign of remorse or understanding in his expression, but all I found was a desperation that made my stomach turn.


    "Derick, you rejected your mate? How could you do that?" The hurt in my voice was undeniable, a reflection of the betrayal I felt. I had always believed that mates were sacred, a bond not to be trifled with. Yet here was the boy I had loved, the boy I had entrusted with my heart, revealing the depths of his selfishness.


    He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. Instead, he looked at me as if he were just now processing the weight of what he had said. The realization that he had irrevocably crossed a line hung heavy in the air, thickening the tension between us.


    "I didn''t want you to be alone," he finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, as if saying the words out loud would make them real. "I thought if I could convince you to stay, we could figure it out together. I thought¡ª"


    "You thought what?" I interrupted, the anger ring within me. "That we could pretend to be something we''re not? You''d rather lie to me than face the truth?"


    He shook his head, frustration etched across his features. "I just... I didn''t want to lose you. I didn''t think you would want me if you knew I found my mate. I thought I could make this work, make us work."


    "But at what cost?" I retorted, the tears I had fought to hold back now spilling down my cheeks. "You''re asking me to ignore what fate has decided, to turn my back on my true mate if he everes along, all for what? Because it''s convenient for you?"


    "Please, Elena," he pleaded, his voice cracking under the weight of emotion. "I don''t want to lose you. You''re all I''ve ever wanted. I thought we could make it work as chosen mates. I thought¡ª"


    "Stop saying that!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the trees surrounding us. "You don''t love me for who I am! You love what I represent¡ªan easy path to power and eptance! How can I trust anything you say after this?"


    I could see the despair in his eyes, the realization that his ambitions had clouded his judgment, that he had lost sight of what truly mattered. It broke my heart to witness his struggle, but I could not overlook his betrayal.


    "We can''t go back to how things were," I said, my voice softer now, tinged with resignation. "I need time to think. I need to figure out who I am without you. I can''t be the girl you want me to be if I''m not even sure of myself."


    I turned to leave, each step feeling heavier than thest. Behind me, I could feel his gaze, a mix of regret and longing. My heart ached for him, for the love we had shared, but I knew I had to put myself first for once.


    As I walked away, Zena stirred in my mind, aforting presence amidst the storm of emotions. <i>We''ll find our mate, Elena. Trust your instincts. It''s the only way to truly be happy.</i>


    I took a deep breath, allowing Zena''s reassurance to wash over me. The path ahead was uncertain, but I knew one thing for sure: I would no longer be anyone''s stepping stone.

 Chapter 4: Ruthless

    <h4>Chapter 4: Ruthless</h4>


    <strong>Alpha Kane''s POV:</strong>


    "Alpha, today we''re supposed to visit the Moonlight Pack. The three months are up for the contract renewal," Luke, my beta, reminded me as soon as I stepped into my office. His tone was formal, though we both knew he didn''t need to remind me. I never forgot business, especially when it came to matters as crucial as this.


    I walked past him, heading straight to therge mahogany desk at the center of the room, my hand trailing over the polished surface. My office was an extension of my authority¡ªstrong, imposing, and devoid of unnecessary distractions. The walls were lined with books on strategy, history, and warfare. In the corner, my family crest, the emblem of my lineage, was etched in silver and gold¡ªa wolf standing over a crescent moon.


    I''d entered into a contract with the Moonlight Pack a little over a year ago. They hade to me, desperate for help. Their pack was crumbling¡ªtoo weak to fend off external threats, too poor to rebuild what they had lost over the years. Their alpha had practically begged me to help, offering up anything in return. And so, I had. Protection, finances, resources. Everything they needed to stay afloat.


    But my assistance came at a cost.


    In exchange, they became indebted to me. They were required to follow my orders without question, to be at my beck and call for any favor or task I deemed necessary. The terms were clear¡ªif they betrayed me, refused my demands, or in any way breached our agreement, I had every right to take over their pack. They would belong to me, everyst one of them. Ruthless? Perhaps. But in this world, power was the only thing that mattered. And it wasn''t like I forced them to sign the contract. They came to me, and they knew exactly what they were agreeing to.


    Luke stood across from me, his sharp eyes watching for any indication of my mood. I sat down in my leather chair, the weight of my position grounding me further. "Are they prepared for our visit?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.


    "Yes, Alpha. They''ve been preparing for days. They understand the importance of today''s meeting."


    "Good." I leaned back in my chair, my fingers steepled in front of me as I thought about Alpha Samuel of the Moonlight Pack. Weak, desperate, and entirely reliant on me. The man couldn''t lead a group of wolves out of a paper bag, let alone protect his territory from rival packs. Without my intervention, they would have been wiped out months ago.


    And now, it was time for him to re-sign the contract. Another three months of servitude. Another three months of their pack at my mercy. If they wanted to maintain their precious autonomy, they''d have to y by my rules. Otherwise, they would lose everything.


    I thrived on control. It was in my blood, as natural to me as breathing. I had be Alpha not because it was my birthright, but because I was the strongest. The most ruthless. My father had groomed me to lead with an iron fist, and over the years, I had only perfected that approach. I knew what it meant to be a true leader¡ªunyielding, unrelenting, and upromising.


    Luke shifted slightly, waiting for further instruction. He knew better than to speak unless prompted. I valued loyalty and obedience above all else, and Luke had proven himself time and time again. That''s why he was my beta, my second-inmand.


    "I want to make sure Samuel understands who holds the power in this deal," I said, my voice cold and calcting. "Remind him, subtly, that without me, his pack would have already crumbled. Let him know that if he even considers trying to find a way out of this contract, he will lose everything he holds dear."


    Luke nodded sharply. "Of course, Alpha. I''ll make sure the message is delivered."


    "Good. And ensure that their pack is prepared for anything I might require. Their loyalty should nevere into question." I leaned forward, my eyes locking onto Luke''s. "I won''t tolerate disobedience."


    "Understood."


    He left the room after that, closing the door quietly behind him, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I could feel Ash, my wolf, stirring inside me, his presence a constant force beneath the surface. He relished in the control we wielded, the dominance we imposed. The strength of an alpha was in his ability tomand respect¡ªthrough fear, through loyalty, through power.


    As I prepared for the visit to the Moonlight Pack, I allowed myself a moment of reflection. I had waited for years for my true mate to show up. Twenty-eight years old, and still, I had found no trace of her. Most alphas found their mates by the time they turned twenty-five, but not me. The wait had been excruciating, each passing year draining the hope out of me. Eventually, I had given up on the idea altogether. That''s when I started venturing into darker pleasures.


    The BDSM lifestyle had be my outlet, a way to channel the dominance that pulsed through me in a more... physical way. It had started innocently enough, a simple curiosity, but quickly turned into an addiction. I thrived on the control, on the submission of my partners, on the way they bent to my will. Normal rtionships bored me, left me unsatisfied. But in this world, where I could dominate, where I could takeplete control, I found the release I craved.


    I nced at the clock on the wall. The visit to Moonlight Pack would be brief, but necessary. Afterward, I had another session lined up with Ashley, mytest submissive. She knew what I likedplete and total surrender. But even with the thrill of these encounters, a part of me remained hollow, as if something vital was still missing.


    My wolf grumbled inside, restless as always. Despite everything, I still longed for the connection that could onlye with a mate. The primal bond, the soul-deep connection that no amount of power or control could rece. But after years of searching, I had convinced myself that it was nothing more than a fantasy.


    Shaking off the thought, I stood up and straightened my shirt. There was no room for sentimentality in my world. I was Alpha Kane, and the only thing that mattered was power and control. The Moonlight Pack would soon be reminded of that fact.

 Chapter 5: Heart Break

    <h4>Chapter 5: Heart Break</h4>


    <strong>Elena''s POV:</strong>


    The one day I thought my life would change for the better, the day I had been waiting for with so much excitement and hope, became the worst day I could ever imagine. My eighteenth birthday¡ªthe day I was supposed to confirm that Derick, my childhood sweetheart, was my mate¡ªhad ended in disaster. Instead of joy and celebration, I found heartbreak waiting for me.


    As I walked home, my body felt numb, and my mind refused to process what had just happened. My steps were heavy, dragging with the weight of disbelief and confusion. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the horizon, but to me, everything felt cold and dark. My wolf, Zena, had been silent the entire time. I could feel her sorrow deep inside me, echoing the devastation I was too shocked to fullyprehend.


    When I reached home, I paused at the door, my eyes lingering on the decorations my mother had been preparing for my party. Bright streamers and balloons were strung across the porch, and I could hear the faint hum of music from inside. The smell of freshly baked cake drifted through the air, the sweetness now a cruel reminder of what this day was supposed to be. My eighteenth birthday. The day I would kiss Derick for the first time, knowing he was my destined mate.


    But none of that was happening now.


    Instead, I was left with shattered dreams and a heart that ached so badly, it felt like it was being ripped apart.


    I opened the door slowly, stepping inside the house. My mom was bustling around the living room, adding the final touches to the decorations, her face glowing with excitement. When she saw me, her smile faltered. The second her eyes met mine, she knew something was terribly wrong. I didn''t need to say a word. One look at my tear-streaked face, and she understood.


    "Elena," she whispered, dropping the streamers she was holding and rushing to me.


    I copsed into her arms, the sobs I had been holding back finally breaking free. My mother held me tightly, her hand smoothing over my hair in that soothing way only mothers could do. "What happened, sweetie?" she asked, her voice soft, but there was a hint of worry beneath the calm.


    "I-I didn''t find him, Mom," I choked out between sobs. "He''s not... Derick isn''t my mate."


    Her grip tightened around me, as if her embrace could shield me from the pain. "Oh, honey..."


    I couldn''t stop the flood of tears. I had been so sure, so confident that Derick would be the one. Everyone had thought it¡ªmy parents, his parents, the entire pack. We had been inseparable since we were children, and it just made sense. Derick had always said we were meant for each other, and a part of me had always believed it, too. But the reality of today had crushed that belief.


    It had been the moment of truth, the moment I had been waiting for¡ªthe first sight that would confirm our bond, the magical spark that would light up between us, letting us know we were fated mates. But there had been no spark. Nothing. Only an empty, hollow feeling that told me everything I didn''t want to believe.


    I pulled back from my mom, wiping at my face with trembling hands. "I just wanted him to be my mate, Mom," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I wanted it so badly."


    "I know, sweetheart. I know." She stroked my cheek, her eyes filled with sympathy. "Sometimes, things don''t work out the way we expect. But that doesn''t mean you won''t find your true mate. He''s out there, waiting for you."


    I nodded weakly, but inside, I felt nothing but sorrow. I wasn''t ready to hear that. Not yet.


    My mom sighed, ncing around the room. The birthday decorations suddenly felt too cheerful, too bright in contrast to the mood hanging between us. "I think... maybe it''s time we cancel the party," she said softly, her eyes searching mine for agreement.


    I nodded again. There was no way I could face everyone now, not after what had happened. The idea of standing in front of the pack, pretending to be happy, pretending everything was fine... I just couldn''t do it. I felt broken inside.


    "I''ll call everyone and let them know," she said, giving me a gentle squeeze. "But first, let''s get you some ice cream."


    Ice cream had always been our go-tofort whenever I was upset, ever since I was a little girl. It didn''t solve the problem, but it always made me feel just a little bit better. And right now, I needed that.


    As my mom disappeared into the kitchen, I copsed onto the couch, curling up into a ball. Zena was still quiet, and I could feel her sadness mixing with my own. She had wanted Derick to be our mate too. She had always liked him, always thought of him as a strong potential partner. But fate had other ns, apparently.


    Closing my eyes, I tried to block out the pain, but it was everywhere. Every thought, every memory of Derick felt like a fresh wound, like someone twisting a knife deeper into my heart. I had been so sure. And now... everything felt so uncertain.


    A few minutester, my mom returned with two bowls of ice cream, handing me one and sitting beside me. She didn''t say anything, didn''t try to offer any moreforting words. She just sat there, quietly eating her ice cream, letting me know that I wasn''t alone in my pain.


    I took a bite of the vani ice cream, the cool sweetness melting on my tongue, but it didn''t bring thefort I was hoping for. Still, I forced myself to take another bite, and another, until the bowl was empty. I set it down on the coffee table and sighed.


    "I''ll be okay, Mom," I said, though I wasn''t entirely sure I believed it.


    "I know you will be," she replied, her voice full of love and confidence. "You''re stronger than you think, Elena. And one day, you''ll look back on this and realize that everything happened the way it was meant to."


    But that day felt so far away. Right now, all I could feel was the sting of rejection, the pain of losing not just a potential mate, but the future I had always imagined with him.


    For the rest of the evening, I stayed on the couch with my mom, the canceled party a distant thought. All the hopes I''d had for today were gone, reced by the bitter truth that my life wasn''t going to unfold the way I had nned. It hurt. It hurt more than I ever thought possible.


    But somewhere deep inside, I knew my mom was right. One day, I would find my true mate. One day, this pain would fade.


    But for now, I just needed to heal.

 Chapter 6: Hate

    <h4>Chapter 6: Hate</h4>


    <strong>Elena''s POV:</strong>


    After indulging in the ice cream therapy and letting the tears flow, I started to feel a little better¡ªthough notpletely. The pain still lingered, but it was duller now, like a bruise instead of a fresh wound. I sighed, resting my head on my mom''s shoulder, findingfort in the steady rhythm of her breathing.


    "Where''s Dad?" I finally asked, my voice still a bit hoarse from crying.


    Mom hesitated for a second, her fingers brushing through my hair gently. "He went to meet with Alpha Kane."


    I stiffened at the mention of that name. A sour taste filled my mouth, washing away the sweetness of the ice cream. Alpha Kane. Just hearing his name was enough to make my blood boil.


    Urgh. I hated that man.


    Sure, he had helped our pack when we needed it most¡ªsaving us from financial ruin and protecting us from external attacks. Without his intervention, who knows what might''ve happened to the Moonlight Pack. We were indebted to him for that, and I knew my father was grateful, but that didn''t mean I had to like him. Not with the way he treated my dad.


    My father, the Alpha of the Moonlight Pack, was a proud, honorable man. He had always carried himself with grace and strength, someone our pack could look up to. But around Alpha Kane, it was different. Alpha Kane treated him like he was beneath him, like he was nothing more than a tool to be used whenever it suited him. And I hated that.


    "Dad is older than him, and an Alpha like him, but..." I trailed off, the frustration rising in my chest. "Why does he have to treat Dad like he''s his subordinate? It''s like he doesn''t even respect him."


    Mom sighed softly, leaning back against the couch as she folded her hands in herp. "Alpha Kane is...plicated," she said carefully, choosing her words. "He''s helped us, yes. But his ways are... different."


    "Different?" I scoffed. "You mean cold. Cruel. Maniptive." I could feel my fists clenching in myp just thinking about him. "He doesn''t care about anyone but himself."


    Mom nced at me, her expression soft but serious. "Elena, it''s not that simple."


    "Isn''t it? Every time Dades back from one of those meetings with him, he looks... defeated," I muttered, feeling my heart ache a little at the thought. "I hate seeing him like that. Dad''s a great Alpha¡ªstrong, fair,passionate. He deserves respect."


    "And he has it," Mom replied gently. "From his pack, from his family. But Alpha Kane is a different kind of leader. He''s known for his ruthlessness. His ways aren''t ours, but... he''s an Alpha whomands power and respect in his own way. It''s just... not the way we''re used to."


    "Yeah, well, it still doesn''t make it right." I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest. "It''s like he enjoys putting Dad down, like he gets some sick pleasure from it."


    I couldn''t stand it. The idea of anyone treating my father like he was less than the Alpha he was, especially someone like Kane, made my blood boil. He might''ve been a powerful Alpha, and yes, he might''ve helped us when we needed it most, but that didn''t give him the right to treat my father like he was nothing more than a pawn in some twisted game.


    Alpha Kane was known for being ruthless, both in and out of the battlefield. I''d heard the stories, whispers that floated around the pack about his dominance¡ªhow he ruled with an iron fist, how his pack feared and revered him in equal measure. But that wasn''t the kind of Alpha I respected. My father ruled withpassion, with the strength of heart, not just force. That''s what made him a great leader.


    Mom''s voice broke through my thoughts, soft but firm. "Your father does what he has to do for the good of the pack, Elena. He doesn''t enjoy working with Alpha Kane, but he knows it''s necessary. Alpha Kane holds a lot of power, and for now, our alliance with him keeps us safe."


    "I know," I muttered, biting my lip. "I just... I hate seeing Dad treated like that."


    Mom smiled sadly, reaching out to take my hand. "So do I, sweetie. But sometimes, being a leader means making sacrifices for the greater good. And your father is a great leader."


    I nodded, but the frustration still simmered under the surface. I couldn''t help but think about how different things would be if our pack wasn''t indebted to someone like Kane. If we didn''t have to rely on him for protection and financial stability. But that was just a fantasy. The truth was, we needed his alliance, no matter how much I hated it.


    "Why can''t we just break the contract?" I asked, even though I knew the answer before the words left my mouth.


    Mom sighed again, her thumb gently rubbing the back of my hand. "It''s not that simple, Elena. The contract with Alpha Kane is irond. If we break it, he has the right to take over the packpletely."


    I swallowed hard, my stomach churning at the thought. Alpha Kane ruling over the Moonlight Pack? That was a nightmare I didn''t even want to entertain. Our pack was strong, but we were still recovering from everything we''d been through before Kane had intervened. If we tried to defy him, there was no doubt he''d crush us. And then what? Our family... our home... everything we''d worked so hard for would be gone.


    "I just wish things were different," I whispered, leaning into my mom''sforting embrace.


    "I know," she said softly, kissing the top of my head. "But your father is doing everything he can to protect this pack. And as much as we may not like it, Alpha Kane''s alliance has kept us safe."


    Her words made sense, but they didn''t make me feel any better. There had to be more to Alpha Kane than the ruthless, cold-hearted Alpha I''d heard so much about. But from what I had seen and heard, there wasn''t a single redeeming quality to the man.


    "I just don''t understand why he has to be such a... jerk," I muttered, earning a softugh from my mom.


    "Some people wear their strength like armor, sweetheart. They think it''s the only way to survive in this world," she said, her tone tinged with sadness. "But not everyone who appears strong on the outside is strong on the inside."


    I didn''t respond, too caught up in my thoughts to argue anymore. I knew Mom was trying to help me see things from a different perspective, but all I could think about was how much I despised Alpha Kane. If he was really as cold and ruthless as everyone said, then I hoped I never had to meet him.


    But little did I know, fate had a different n for me. A n that would bring Alpha Kane and me face to face in ways I could never have imagined.

 Chapter 7: Mate

    <h4>Chapter 7: Mate</h4>


    <strong>Kane''s POV:</strong>


    Ever since we stepped foot into the Moonlight Pack, something had been off with Ash, my wolf. Normally, he was calm and collected, especially when it came to business matters like this. But today, he had been pacing restlessly in the back of my mind, a low growl vibrating through me every time we moved closer to the Moonlight territory. It was like he was on edge, anxious about something, but no matter how many times I tried to reach out to him, he wouldn''t tell me what it was.


    "Rx," I muttered under my breath as I entered the Moonlight Pack''s main hall, straightening my jacket. "We''ll be out of here soon enough."


    Ash didn''t respond, but I could feel his frustration simmering beneath the surface. His restlessness was starting to get to me, too. I wasn''t usually one to get rattled, especially not when it came to dealing with other packs. I had been in countless meetings like this one, negotiating contracts, asserting my dominance, and making sure everything ran smoothly. But today was different. Something was in the air, and it had Ash on high alert.


    "Alpha Kane," a voice broke through my thoughts, and I turned to see the Moonlight Pack''s Alpha, Samuel walking toward me with a wide, but forced, smile on his face.


    "Alpha Samuel" I greeted him, extending my hand. We shook, but I could feel the unease radiating from him, too. He wasn''t exactly thrilled about renewing our contract, but he had no choice. His pack depended on me¡ªfor protection, for financial support, for everything. And he knew it.


    I couldn''t deny that there was a part of me that relished in that power. It came with being an Alpha. Hell, it was in my nature to dominate, to be in control. It was one of the reasons I had built my empire the way I had. The Moonlight Pack needed me, and as long as they kept up their end of the deal, I was happy to provide what they needed. But make no mistake¡ªbetray me, or even try to back out of our agreement, and I''d take what was mine without hesitation. I had no mercy for those who crossed me.


    "We''re ready for you," Victor said, gesturing toward the meeting room. "Everything''s in order for the renewal."


    I nodded and followed him into the room, my Beta, Luke, close at my side. As we settled into the meeting, I noticed Ash''s agitation hadn''t lessened. If anything, it was getting worse. His growls were bing more insistent, louder, like he was sensing something I wasn''t. I tried to focus on the task at hand, discussing the terms of the contract, but Ash''s anxiety was starting to bleed into my own thoughts.


    As the hours dragged on, I found myself getting increasingly irritated. I wanted to finish up and get out of here. Something was wrong, and I needed to figure out what. Shifting into my wolf form would help, but I had to be patient. Once we left, I''d shift and let Ash sort out whatever was bothering him.


    "Is there anything else we need to discuss?" Samuel asked, looking more than a little ufortable. He had been fidgeting the entire time, like he was afraid I might spring some new demand on him. I couldn''t me him. That''s exactly what I usually did¡ªkeep them on their toes, make sure they knew who was in charge.


    But today, I didn''t have the energy for that. Ash was too distracted, and it was starting to affect me. "No," I said curtly, signing thest document in front of me. "We''re done here."


    Samuel visibly rxed, though he tried to hide it. I stood up, Luke following suit, and I made my way toward the door. But as I stepped into the hallway, Ash suddenly let out a fierce growl in my mind, almost making me stumble.


    "What the hell is wrong with you?" I growled back, pushing open the door to the outside. The fresh air hit me, but it did nothing to calm Ash down. His agitation was growing stronger, more insistent.


    Mate, he suddenly growled.


    My entire body went rigid.


    <i>What?</i> I asked, stunned. That couldn''t be right. Ash was mistaken. We had searched for our mate for years,ing up with nothing. I had stopped believing she existed a long time ago. At 28, I had epted that the mate bond wasn''t in the cards for me. There was no way my mate was suddenly here, in this pack, after all these years.


    But Ash''s growl wasn''t filled with doubt. It was filled with certainty.


    <i>Mate</i>, he repeated, and I could feel him straining against my control, wanting to break free, to shift.


    My pulse quickened, my heart pounding in my chest. I nced around, half-expecting someone to jump out from behind a tree or building, but there was nothing. No one. I scanned the area, my senses heightened. There was something... something faint, almost imperceptible in the air. A scent. Sweet, intoxicating. My mouth watered, my instincts kicking in before I could stop them.


    <i>There. Find her,</i> Ash urged, his voice thick with need.


    I swallowed hard, trying to push back the surge of emotions rushing through me. This couldn''t be happening. Not now. Not here.


    But as I inhaled again, the scent hit me full force, and my knees almost buckled.


    She was here. My mate. After all these years, she was here, in the Moonlight Pack.


    I turned to Luke, my jaw tight. "Stay here," I ordered, my voice harsher than I intended. I didn''t wait for his response before I stormed off in the direction of the scent. I couldn''t stop myself, couldn''t control the maic pull that was dragging me forward.


    Every step I took brought me closer to her. My heart was pounding in my ears, my wolf wing at the surface, desperate to find her, to im her.


    I rounded a corner, and that''s when I saw her.


    She was walking toward one of the cabins, her long, rich dark brown hair cascading down her back, her shoulders slightly hunched like she was trying to make herself smaller. She hadn''t noticed me yet, but the moment my eyes locked onto her, my entire world shifted.


    She was stunning. Beautiful in a way that made my chest tighten painfully. But there was something more¡ªsomething innocent and pure about her that made my dominant side bristle with conflict.


    She wasn''t like the women I''d been with. No, she was the opposite. Too pure, too... untouched.


    Ash growled possessively, his desire to mark her overwhelming. But a part of me hesitated. Could she handle the darkness that came with me? Would she even want someone like me?


    But it was toote. She was mine.


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 Chapter 8: Mate (II)

    <h4>Chapter 8: Mate (II)</h4>


    <strong>Elena''s POV:</strong>


    I was on my way to one of the cabins, a ce where my father had taken in a group of refugees after a rogue attack. Visiting them had be part of my daily routine, and today, I weed the distraction. Anything to take my mind off the fact that Derick, the boy I''d thought would be my mate, was not. He wasn''t my destined mate, and worse, he''d rejected his true mate in a desperate attempt to convince me to be his chosen mate. He hadn''t loved me for who I was¡ªhe wanted to be Alpha, and to him, I was the key to that power. The thought made me sick. All this time, I had believed he truly cared for me.


    As I approached the cabin, lost in the swirl of my emotions, I almost walked right into him.


    A stranger. A god.


    My breath caught in my throat as my eyes locked onto him. This man... he looked like something out of a dream. His presence wasmanding, maic, and I could feel the power rolling off him in waves. His short, dark hair was perfectly tousled, and his jawline¡ªsmooth, freshly shaven¡ªonly served to heighten the intensity of his deep, brown eyes. Eyes that seemed to see straight through me. My gaze was drawn to the way his muscles moved under his fitted shirt, his broad shoulders and strong arms making my pulse race.


    And then there was his scent. Goddess, his scent. It was like the earth after rain, the rich smell of soil mingled with the fresh air and the green essence of nature itself. My favorite scent. It wrapped around me, and suddenly, I couldn''t breathe properly. It felt like everything in the world had shifted around me and narrowed down to this moment¡ªjust him and me.


    <i>Mate</i>. Zena''s voice echoed in my mind, her tone full of awe and desire, confirming what I already suspected.


    I stumbled, my knees weak, as an overwhelming need surged through me. The connection between us was instant, raw, primal. I''d heard of this feeling, this undeniable pull toward one''s mate, but nothing could have prepared me for the reality of it. It was like my whole body, my whole being, was suddenly attuned to him. I wanted nothing more than to run to him, to throw myself into his arms, and let him carry me away to wherever he pleased.


    But I froze, rooted to the spot. My heart was hammering in my chest, my breath shallow, my wolf pushing against the edges of my control. I had no idea who this man was, yet everything inside me screamed that he was mine. My mate.


    "Mine," he growled, his voice hoarse and raw with possessiveness. The single word sent a shiver down my spine, igniting feelings I had never allowed myself to feel. My heart pounded in my chest, my body betraying me with a heat I couldn''t ignore. Every inch of me responded to his deration, and my wolf, Zena, was practically purring in my mind. It was as if the world had fallen away, leaving just the two of us standing there, tethered by some invisible, undeniable force.


    But before I could get lost in the moment, the atmosphere was abruptly disrupted by the sound of my mom calling out to me. Her voice sliced through the haze that had taken over my mind, pulling me back to reality. I turned just in time to see her walking toward us, her eyes widening slightly as she took in the sight of the stranger¡ª<i>my mate</i>. For a split second, she looked genuinely shocked, but then, like a true Alpha''s Luna, sheposed herself, her expression smoothing into a polite smile. It was a smile most people wouldn''t see through, but I knew my mother well. That smile was a mask, concealing the whirlwind of thoughts that were no doubt racing through her mind.


    "Alpha Kane," she said, her voice steady but strained, those two words ripping me out of my fantasy like a cruel p.


    <i>Alpha Kane?</i> My heart stopped. No, this couldn''t be happening. There was no way. <i>He''s the Alpha Kane?</i> The one I had grown up hating, the one who controlled my father''s every move, the one who treated him as if he were lesser. The ruthless, cold, arrogant Alpha Kane? No, this had to be a joke¡ªa sick, twisted joke.


    I blinked, my mind racing to process the sudden, brutal shift in reality. Everything inside me that had been screaming "mate" just moments ago suddenly collided with the knowledge of who he was. Alpha Kane, the same man I had spent years resenting, was my mate? <i>My mate</i>?


    My subconscious was still doing a crazy dance, ted that we had found him, that he was a hunk of a man and more than just the mate I had dreamed of. But now, that dream felt like it was being shattered into a million pieces. This wasn''t supposed to happen. I wasn''t supposed to be mated to someone like him. The tension between our packs, the cold way he treated my father¡ªeverything about him was wrong for me.


    I looked up at him, searching for any hint of the warm, possessive man I had just glimpsed moments ago. But his eyes had hardened, the softness from before disappearing as soon as my mother had addressed him. The raw, feral attraction between us was still there, humming beneath the surface, but now it felt..plicated.


    "Alpha Kane," I repeated his name in disbelief, my voice barely a whisper.


    He watched me, his gaze intense, but I could feel the shift in him, too. His face was unreadable, a mask of control slipping over his features, though his body was still taut, as if he was fighting the same war inside that I was.


    My mother, ever theposed Luna, stepped forward, breaking the thick tension that clung to the air between us. "What brings you to this particr ce, Alpha?" she asked, her tone polite but cautious.


    He tore his eyes away from mine and addressed her, his voice now measured and cool. "Someone. I came to look around." His words were clipped, devoid of any emotion. It was like the man who had growled "mine" just moments ago had been reced by someonepletely different.


    My heart sank even further. This wasn''t happening. I had finally found my mate, only for him to be the one man I couldn''t stand¡ªthe one man who didn''t belong in my world. I wanted to scream, to run, to do anything but stand there and ept this fate. But I couldn''t move. I was trapped between the pull of destiny and the crushing weight of reality.


    I barely heard what my mom and Alpha Kane discussed. My mind was spinning, my chest tight with a mix of emotions I didn''t know how to handle. Zena, on the other hand, was practically howling in my head, demanding that I im him, that I ept him, that I take what was ours. But how could I? How could I possibly reconcile this man¡ª<i>this</i> Alpha¡ªwith the idea of being my mate? My father''s pack had suffered under his dominance, and I had resented him for it for so long. Could I really just...forget all of that?


    Suddenly, he nced back at me, and for a brief moment, I saw something flicker in his eyes. It was there, barely perceptible¡ªhesitation, perhaps? A struggle? But just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, reced by the cold, authoritative Alpha Kane I had grown to despise from a distance.


    My mom finished speaking and turned to me, her face unreadable as she said, "E, why don''t you go back inside? We''ll talkter."


    I nodded numbly, my legs carrying me away from them even though every part of me wanted to stay, wanted to demand answers from the universe about how this had happened. As I walked back toward the house, I could still feel his eyes on me, that same possessive gaze from before. It made my skin tingle, made my wolf restless with desire. But I couldn''t let myself go there¡ªnot yet.


    This was all too much. Too soon.

 Chapter 9: Mate (III)

    <h4>Chapter 9: Mate (III)</h4>


    <strong>Kane''s POV:</strong>


    So, the daughter of Alpha Samuel was my mate. Of all the possibilities, I hadn''t anticipated this. She must have just turned eighteen, allowing me to finally scent her out. The realization hit me hard. I''d known Samuel had a daughter, but I had never involved myself with his family or any of his pack members¡ªexcept when formalities required it. I wouldn''t have recognized the woman calling her name as the Luna if she hadn''t stepped forward to speak to me during the first initiation of the contract.


    <i>E... Elena</i>, I repeated the name in my head. Her name even sounded sweet, like something foreign on my defiled tongue, a name too pure for someone like me.


    Seeing her, though, stirred something in me. The moment our eyes met, everything inside me screamed <i>mine</i>. The pull was undeniable. I didn''t want her to leave my sight¡ªnot yet, not ever. There was this primal fear that she might vanish, disappear as soon as I''d found her. How could I let her walk away?


    But I knew better. If she was indeed the daughter of the Luna, then this woman was soon to be my mother-inw. And no matter how powerful or ruthless I was, there were boundaries to respect. I wasn''t going to start off by disrespecting my future family¡ªespecially not the mother to my mate.


    Yet, watching her walk away felt wrong, like I was allowing something precious to slip through my fingers. The possessiveness surged within me. Every instinct screamed to grab her, pull her back, im her right there and then. But I was Alpha Kane, not some wild animal incapable of control. Still, the tension was a living thing between us. I could feel her wolf responding, the undeniable pull that only mates could share. Even though her back was turned, I could sense her awareness of me, the way her body seemed to acknowledge mine without words.


    But the situation wasplicated. Samuel, her father, was indebted to me¡ªbound by a contract that gave me power over his pack. A contract that was not forged out of mutual respect but out of necessity and dominance. I knew how much Elena hated me without even needing to hear it. It was in her eyes, the shock, the disbelief when she realized who I was. I could see the struggle in her, the battle between her desire to acknowledge our bond and the weight of everything she must have heard about me.


    And yet, the thought of her being mine¡ª<i>truly</i> mine¡ªwas something I couldn''t ignore. The very idea that the fiery, beautiful daughter of Alpha Samuel, with her long, flowing hair and defiant spirit, was destined to be mine filled me with an unfamiliar sense of pride and possessiveness. I had expected my mate to be someone who would simply fall in line, someone who would submit. But Elena... she was a challenge. And damn if I didn''t want to rise to it.


    I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to rein in the overpowering emotions that threatened to consume me. I wanted her now, but I knew this wasn''t the time. Rushing things with her would only push her further away, and I couldn''t afford that¡ªnot when I had just found her.


    When I looked back at the Luna , her eyes met mine with a guarded intensity. She wasn''t blind to the connection between her daughter and me. She''d noticed how Elena had reacted, and she was probably weighing her options¡ªwondering how to protect her only child from me, the notorious Alpha Kane. Little did she know, there was nothing she could do to break the bond that was already forming. Elena was mine, and I wasn''t about to let her go.


    But I had to be smart about this. "I''ll be back to finalize this situation as you have noticed that your daughter is my mate, Luna," I said, my voice low but filled with the authority that came naturally to me.


    She nodded, her expression unreadable, and I turned to leave. But my mind was already on Elena, wondering how I would approach her next. She was my mate, and that meant sooner orter, she''d have to ept it, no matter how much she fought it now.


    I turned away from where Elena and her mother had disappeared, my mind still reeling from the unexpected turn of events. The woman I had just scented as my mate¡ªAlpha Samuel''s daughter. A part of me couldn''t believe it, but the pull was undeniable. Fate had finally thrown me a curveball I hadn''t expected, but I wasn''t one to walk away from a challenge.


    I headed back to where I had left Luke, my beta, waiting by the trees outside the pack house. As I approached, I could see him standing exactly where I told him to stay, ever the loyal soldier. His sharp eyes locked on mine, and I could already tell he was curious. The look on my face must have given everything away.


    "ns have changed," I said, stopping a few feet in front of him.


    His eyebrow raised slightly, but he kept his silence, waiting for me to exin.


    "I''ve found my mate."


    For the first time, I saw real shock cross his usuallyposed face. Luke had been with me through thick and thin¡ªhe knew everything about me, including how I''d stopped waiting for a mate years ago. His eyes widened slightly as if he was trying to process what I''d just said. "You... found her?"


    I gave him a nod, letting the realization sink in for both of us.


    "And she''s Samuel''s daughter," I added, watching his expression go from shock to a mixture of surprise and understanding. He let out a low whistle.


    "The daughter of Alpha Samuel," he repeated, shaking his head in disbelief. "Does this mean... the contract''s going to be suspended?" he asked cautiously.


    I chuckled darkly at that. "You know how I operate, Luke. That contract doesn''t change just because I''ve found my mate. They''re still indebted to me, even if Samuel''s going to be my father-inw." The thought of that made me chuckle even more. Fate had a twisted sense of humor, but I wasn''tining.


    Luke gave a small nod, understanding my positionpletely. "You''re not leaving without her, are you?"


    "No," I growled low in my throat, the possessiveness rising in me again. "I''m not leaving without my mate."


    I turned to look back at the path that led to the cabins, the ce where I had just met her. Every part of me itched to go after her, to im her right now and take her back to my pack where she belonged. But I wasn''t a fool. Elena wasn''t going to be an easy conquest¡ªshe had fire, and that only made me want her more. I would have to y this carefully. She hated me, that much was clear. I could see it in the way her eyes widened in disbelief when she realized who I was. But that didn''t matter. She was mine, and no amount of resistance would change that.


    I turned back to Luke. "You head back to our pack. Set things straight. Make sure everything is in order," Imanded.


    Luke gave a respectful nod, though his gaze still held some amusement. "I''ll handle things. And Kane¡ªgood luck with wooing her. Sounds like you''ve got your work cut out for you."


    I chuckled. "She''s going to be a challenge, but I''ve never backed down from one before, have I?"


    "No, you haven''t," Luke said with a grin.


    With that, Luke shifted into his wolf, disappearing into the forest as he made his way back to our pack. I stayed behind, my mind already plotting my next move. Elena wasn''t just any woman. She was my mate. But more than that, she was the daughter of the alpha who owed me everything. Her stubbornness and the hatred she undoubtedly harbored toward me would only make things more interesting.


    There was no point in dying the inevitable. I was going to get her, and I wasn''t going to leave without her. She could try to resist, but it would only be a matter of time before she realized the truth. Mates were bound by fate, and no amount of denial could change that.


    I started walking back toward the pack house, my wolf pacing restlessly inside me. Ash was just as eager as I was to im our mate, but I had to keep a lid on my urges. There was a delicate bnce here. Samuel and his pack were still indebted to me, and despite how much I wanted to storm in and take what was mine, I couldn''t afford to y recklessly. Not yet.


    As I neared the pack house, I spotted a few of the pack members ncing my way, clearly aware of who I was. They kept their distance, and I couldn''t help but smirk. Fear and respect¡ªtwo things I had earned over the years, and they served me well in situations like this.


    I was Alpha Kane, after all. And I wasn''t just here to y nice. I was here to collect my mate, and I''d be damned if anyone stood in my way.


    I could almost see her in my mind''s eye, the way her eyes had widened when we locked gazes, the way her breath had caught as the realization hit her. She knew, even if she wasn''t ready to admit it yet. She felt the pull, just like I did.


    This was only the beginning. Soon enough, Elena would be mine. And when that day came, there would be no going back.

 Chapter 10: Father-In-Law

    <h4>Chapter 10: Father-In-Law</h4>


    <strong>Alpha Kane''s POV:</strong>


    I returned to Alpha Samuel''s office just as he was about to leave. His hand hovered over the door handle, and he looked up, clearly surprised to see me standing there.


    "Alpha Kane, I thought you had already left," he said, his voice carrying a hint of confusion. "Is there anything you''ve forgotten?"


    I didn''t answer his question directly. Instead, I narrowed my eyes slightly, taking in the subtle signs of tension in his stance. "You seem to be in a hurry," Imented, my tone casual but pointed. His smile faltered for a brief second before heposed himself.


    "Aah, yeah," he responded, chuckling softly as if to ease his nerves. "I was heading back to my ce since it''s my daughter''s birthday today."


    <i>Just like I thought,</i> I mused silently. She had just turned eighteen, which exined why I was finally able to scent her. <i>My mate.</i>


    "Well," I began, folding my arms across my chest, watching him carefully, "speaking of your daughter, that''s exactly what I came to talk to you about."


    As soon as the words left my mouth, the lightness in his expression vanished, reced by a subtle tension that rippled through his entire body. His smile tightened, and his gaze sharpened.


    He stiffened, clearly on edge. "My daughter?" he repeated, his voice wary now. "What about her, Alpha Kane?"


    There it was¡ªhis immediate defensiveness, almost like he knew what wasing, but didn''t want to believe it. His instincts were telling him something was amiss, and from the way his shoulders squared, he was bracing for whatever came next.


    I smirked inwardly, fully aware of the power dynamic in the room. The air felt charged, and I could practically taste the tension. <i>This conversation was about to get interesting</i>.


    "I''m going to take her with me when I leave, and apparently, I think I''ll be staying over for a few days." My voice was calm, almost casual, but the effect was immediate. Alpha Samuel''s face drained of color, his knees nearly buckling as if the weight of my words was too much for him.


    "Please..." he stammered, his tone edging toward desperation. "Anyone but my daughter, Alpha Kane. Please, I beg you."


    I watched as he stood there, pleading for his daughter''s sake, clearly misunderstanding my intentions. In his mind, I was simply exerting my dominance, iming her as part of the contract, ready to take whatever I pleased from him and his pack. Not that it was beyond me¡ªtechnically, the contract allowed me to request anything I wanted, and Samuel would be obligated to deliver. But this wasn''t just some trivial demand.


    I could have started by telling him the truth¡ªthat his daughter was my mate¡ªbut where was the fun in that? Besides, rattling him a bit made the situation more entertaining.


    Still, I could see his genuine panic, and while I had no qualms about ying with people''s emotions, he was my mate''s father. I figured I could ease his worries a little before he passed out in front of me.


    "Are you going to stand between me and my mate?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, my tone shifting ever so slightly to challenge him.


    The words hit him like a physical blow, and he paled even more, if that was possible. "M-Mate?" he stuttered, his shock clear. The disbelief in his voice made the situation all the more amusing.


    "Yes, apparently, your daughter is my mate," I exined, watching closely as his face twisted with confusion, his mind racing to make sense of it all. I was half-worried he might drop dead on the spot, and then I''d have to exin to Elena how her father keeled over in my presence. Not the best way to start things off with my mate.


    "But that''s impossible!" Samuel blurted, his eyes wide, his voice shaky. "My daughter''s mate is... Derick."


    His words sparked something dangerous inside me. The name alone was enough to send a surge of fury through my veins, igniting a possessive rage I hadn''t felt in a long time. <i>How in the hell does my mate already have a mate?</i>


    "Derick?" I growled, my voice low and menacing, fists clenching as the murderous urge coursed through me. My wolf was already snarling, demanding blood. <i>Who the hell is this Derick, and why does he think he has any im over what''s mine?</i>


    Samuel seemed to realize his mistake as soon as the words left his mouth. His eyes widened even more as he took a small step back, clearly sensing the shift in the air, the danger now crackling between us.


    "You better start exining," I said, my voice a dark warning. "Before I lose what little patience I have left."


    "Okay, Alpha Kane... calm down." Samuel raised his hands in a gesture of peace, his voice trembling, trying to defuse the ticking bomb that was my temper. "Derick was... well, we all thought he was her mate."


    I red at him, my wolf barely contained, pacing restlessly within me. <i>"You thought</i>?" I growled through clenched teeth, the possessive rage boiling just beneath the surface. I didn''t like the sound of this¡ªof another man even being mentioned in the same sentence as my mate.


    Samuel gulped, visibly nervous. "Yes, we all assumed," he rushed out, "even Derick did. They''ve known each other since they were kids. Everyone thought they were destined to be mates. Your mate... Elena... she even believed it. That''s why she''s been... waiting."


    "Waiting?" I repeated, the word tasting bitter on my tongue. My heart pounded furiously at the thought of my mate holding herself back, waiting for some other man to im her. I was not the kind of man to share, nor would I ever.


    "She refused to let things get... physical until her eighteenth birthday, to confirm their bond. Today was supposed to be the day they''d find out for sure," Samuel exined, wringing his hands nervously.


    "Supposed to be?" My voice was deadly quiet, but the meaning behind it was clear. Samuel was treading on very dangerous ground, and we both knew it.


    "Yes... but obviously, it''s not Derick," Samuel said quickly, ncing at me to see if his exnation had calmed me even slightly. "You''re her true mate, Alpha Kane."


    The knowledge that Derick had been in the picture at all made my blood boil, but hearing Samuel''s confirmation that I was her mate allowed me a moment of satisfaction. She wasn''t his, and she never would be. But still, the thought of that fool even thinking he had a im on her made my wolf want to tear something¡ªor someone¡ªapart.


    "Where is he now?" I asked, my voice sharper than I intended, but I didn''t care. I needed to know where this so-called ''mate'' of hers was.


    Samuel shifted ufortably, clearly aware of the direction this was going. "Derick is still around. He''s a good man, Kane," he added cautiously, as if that would somehow make me less inclined to rip him apart. "He''s the Beta''s son, and¡ª"


    "I don''t care who he is," I interrupted, my voice low and dangerous. "No one touches what''s mine."

 Chapter 11: Narcissistic Mate,

    <h4>Chapter 11: Narcissistic Mate,</h4>


    <strong>Alpha Kane''s POV:</strong>


    "I promise you, Alpha Kane, nobody touched Elena," Alpha Samuel said quickly, his voice a mix of pleading and urgency. "Why don''t we go together, so I can introduce you to her properly?"


    That did it. The mention of seeing her again was enough to tame the beast inside me, at least for the moment. The fury that had been simmering beneath the surface ebbed slightly, reced by an overwhelming desire toy eyes on my mate again. The possessive urge to im what was mine was almost unbearable, but I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm¡ªfor now.


    "Fine," I growled, narrowing my eyes at Samuel. "But understand this, Alpha Samuel, I''m letting Derick walk away this time. If I even suspect he''s still in her life, there will be no second chances."


    Samuel nodded vigorously, clearly relieved. "Of course, Alpha Kane, I''ll make sure he knows his ce. He won''t interfere."


    I allowed myself a small smirk. "Good."


    I turned on my heel, my mind already on Elena, the woman who had unknowingly imed every part of me the moment our eyes met. As I followed Samuel out of the office, my mind raced. The moment I saw her again, the game would change. I wasn''t nning on leaving without her, and I certainly wasn''t going to let anyone¡ªeven her father¡ªstand in the way of what was mine.


    <strong>Elena''s POV:</strong>


    "Oh, hell no... Alpha Kane cannot be my mate!" I practically screamed into the empty space around me as I paced up and down the room. My heart pounded in my chest, a mixture of confusion, anger, and sheer disbelief taking over. How could the Moon Goddess do this to me?


    My mom found me pacing like a madwoman, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "Is it true? Is Alpha Kane your mate?" she asked gently, stepping closer, her eyes wide with shock.


    I spun around to face her, my eyes filled with frustration. "Oooh, Mom, I don''t want him. I don''t want this!" I could feel my throat tightening as I spoke, the panic rising. "How can I love a man that I''ve resented for as long as I can remember? He''s arrogant, aplete narcissist, and a ruthless jerk!" I threw my hands up, my body filled with a restless energy I couldn''t shake.


    I had spent years hating everything I''d heard about him¡ªthe fear hemanded, the way he dominated packs and used his power to manipte those weaker than him. Now, this same man, Alpha Kane, was supposed to be my mate? The idea was unbearable.


    My mom ced a hand on my shoulder, but I pulled away, too agitated to beforted. "Honey, you don''t have to decide anything right away. Fate has a funny way of working things out," she said softly, though I could hear the hesitation in her voice. Even she couldn''t hide her unease about this revtion.


    I shook my head. "Mom, I can''t be with someone like him. He''s nothing like what I imagined my mate would be. He''s... he''s terrifying, and I''ve seen the way people talk about him. No one wants to cross him, and the way he treats others... how can I submit to someone like that?" My voice broke a little at the end, the reality of the situation hitting me harder with each passing second.


    My mom looked at me with understanding, though her own face was lined with worry. "Elena, the bond between mates is something powerful. It''s not something that can be exined easily. And while I understand your concerns, maybe there''s more to Kane than you know."


    I huffed. "More? He''s domineering, ruthless, and obsessed with control. I''ve heard enough about him to know he''s not someone I could ever trust with my heart."


    But even as I said it, I couldn''t deny the pull I felt toward him. It wasn''t fair. How could I be fated to someone like that, someone who went against everything I had hoped for in a mate? This was supposed to be the happiest moment of my life¡ªfinding my mate, my other half, the person who would cherish me and love me for who I was. Not someone who saw others as tools to be used and discarded.


    "I''m not going to just give in," I muttered, more to myself than to my mom, my fists clenched at my sides. "I won''t let him control me."


    My mom sighed softly. "I know this isn''t what you expected, sweetheart. But maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªthere''s more to him than what you''ve heard. People areplex, and the bond between mates can bring out the best in both of you."


    I shook my head again, my heart in turmoil. I didn''t want to believe it, didn''t want to ept that this ruthless alpha could ever be the one meant for me. But as much as I hated it, the bond was there, pulling at me, making it impossible to ignore.


    "I don''t care what the bond says," I finally said through gritted teeth. "I''ll fight it if I have to."


    But deep down, a small, insidious voice whispered that it wasn''t going to be that easy.


    "Fate is really a bitch," I muttered under my breath as my mom and I started taking down the decorations. The balloons, streamers, and ribbons that were supposed to celebrate the best day of my life now felt like a cruel reminder of everything that had gone wrong. From a jerk of a boyfriend to an arrogant, narcissistic mate, I couldn''t believe this was my life now.


    My mom nced at me, concern evident in her eyes, but she didn''t push me to talk. She was giving me space, but I knew I had to get it all off my chest. As we carefully folded the now-useless birthday banner, I finally broke the silence.


    "Mom... there''s something else," I began, my voice wavering as I forced myself to tell her the truth about Derick. The man I had thought would be my mate, the one I''d spent years with, who had promised me the world¡ªonly to shatter it all in an instant.


    "What is it, sweetie?" she asked gently, pausing in her task to give me her full attention.


    I sighed, feeling the weight of the confession pressing down on me. "Derick... he''s already found his mate." Saying it out loud felt like a stab to the heart all over again. "And he rejected her."


    My mom''s eyes widened in shock. "What? He rejected his mate?" She set down the decorations and moved closer, her hand gently squeezing mine. "Why would he do something like that?"


    "Because he''s an idiot," I snapped bitterly. "He thinks... no, he believes that we should be chosen mates instead. He wants me to pretend like I''m his fated mate so he can still be the next alpha after Dad." My voice wasced with anger, frustration, and a touch of heartbreak.


    The audacity of Derick''s n still made my blood boil. All those years I had thought he cared for me, loved me even. But now, it was all clear¡ªhe wanted the title, the power, the status that came with being alpha. And since I was my father''s only child, he saw me as his ticket to that throne.


    "He told me that we could be chosen mates because he thinks he''s the only man fit to be alpha after my father," I continued, shaking my head in disbelief. "As if being with me was some kind of strategic move for him."


    My mom''s face hardened, her lips pressed into a thin line. "That''s absurd," she muttered. "He has no right to ask that of you, Elena. The mate bond is sacred, not something to be manipted for personal gain."


    I nodded, grateful that she understood. "He doesn''t care, though. He''s obsessed with the idea of being alpha. He doesn''t see me, not really. He just sees what I represent¡ªpower."


    The realization had stung when Derick firstid out his twisted n, but now it just left me feeling empty. How could I have been so blind? I had always thought that Derick and I were meant to be. The entire pack thought we were fated to each other. But all along, he was just ying a game, and I had been a pawn.


    "And now..." I paused, feeling a fresh wave of frustration crash over me. "Now, I have Kane as a mate. From one controlling man to another. It''s like fate isughing at me."


    My mom''s expression softened, but I could tell she was struggling to find the right words. She didn''t like Alpha Kane either, not after everything she''d heard about him. But the mate bond was something neither of us could ignore.


    "I know this is hard, Elena," she said softly. "But Kane... he''s your mate now. Whatever you decide, just remember that no one can force you to ept him, not even him."


    I let out a bitterugh. "Tell that to the mate bond, Mom. It''s not something you can just turn off. And Kane... he''s used to getting whatever he wants."


    I could still feel that pull deep inside me, that maic connection to Kane that terrified me as much as it intrigued me. It wasn''t fair. How could the universe think pairing me with the most ruthless, domineering alpha was a good idea?


    "He''s a narcissistic control freak," I grumbled, my anger resurfacing. "He treats everyone around him like they''re beneath him. And now, I''m supposed to just... what? Submit to him? Be the obedient little mate he expects?"


    Mom frowned but didn''t argue. "You don''t have to submit to anyone, Elena. You''re strong, just like your father. If anyone can stand up to Kane, it''s you."


    Her words offered a sliver offort, but the reality of the situation weighed heavily on me. I wasn''t ready for this. I had wanted my mate to be someone who would love me, cherish me, someone I could trust with my heart. Not a man I had spent years resenting for his ruthlessness.


    But here I was, caught between fate and my own heart.


    "I just don''t know how I''m supposed to do this," I admitted, feeling the tears welling up again. "How can I be with someone like him?"


    My mom pulled me into a hug, her arms wrapping around me in a way that made me feel safe, even if just for a moment. "You don''t have to figure it all out right now," she said softly. "Just take it one day at a time. And remember, you''re not alone in this."


    I nodded against her shoulder, though the fear and uncertainty still gnawed at me. One day at a time. That''s all I could manage for now.

 Chapter 12: Defiant Little Mate Needed Punishment

    <h4>Chapter 12: Defiant Little Mate Needed Punishment</h4>


    <strong>Alpha Kane''s POV:</strong>


    As we stepped into Alpha Samuel''s home, the first thing that hit me was her scent¡ªmy mate, Elena. It was unmistakable, and one thing was clear: she was in a hell of a mood. The emotions swirling in the air were palpable¡ªhurt, confusion, betrayal and fury, all wrapped up into one overwhelming mix. Not the kind of confusion I liked.


    We walked into the scene of her hugging her mother, Luna. The moment Samuel entered, Elena pulled away from her mother and, much to my irritation, ran into her father''s arms.


    "Oooh, Daddy!" she eximed, her voice full of joy. But the happiness quickly vanished when her eyes locked onto mine. Her entire demeanor shifted, and suddenly, that fury I had sensed was directed squarely at me. Her emerald eyes shed with anger as she red at me, and damn if that didn''t stir something primal in me.


    "Why is he here?" she asked Samuel, her voiceced with disdain, still wrapped in her father''s embrace. Her words, dripping with disrespect, had me on edge, and fuck if I wasn''t already imagining the punishment I''d give her for that tone. The jealousy that shot through me at that moment was almost unbearable. Why wasn''t she running to me? Why wasn''t she in my arms? The possessive growl in my throat nearly escaped, but I held it back, though barely.


    Damn, the thought of her in my arms, where she belonged, her body pressed against mine, made me burn with possessiveness. My little mate was in desperate need of a lesson in respect. How dare she look at me with such defiance? How dare she challenge me in front of everyone? The dominant side of me roared to the surface, aching to take control of her, to remind her exactly who was in charge here.


    she needed to be taught some discipline. Her tone, her defiant eyes¡ªshe was testing me, pushing at the boundaries of my control. And hell if I wasn''t ready to take that challenge. My dominant side surged, the need to make her submit flooding through me. She didn''t know it yet, but I could already imagine her as my perfect submissive. The things I would do to her... She wouldn''t be able to walk right for days if I had my way.


    A slow smirk tugged at my lips as I watched her¡ªthis fiery little mate of mine had no idea what she''d just triggered. The thought of her sprawled over myp, her round, beautiful ass turning pink as I spanked her for every act of defiance she''d dared to show me... it was a vision I couldn''t shake. Damn, I could already picture it. Five swift, hard ps to that perfect ass, each one making her gasp and squirm beneath my touch, until her defiance melted into submission.


    My cock stirred at the thought of it, and it took everything in me not to adjust myself right then and there. If she were my submissive¡ªhell, the things I''d do to her. I''d make her beg for release, but I wouldn''t give it to her. Not until she understood who had the power here.


    Samuel tried to intervene, speaking in that soft, fatherly tone. "Now, calm down, dear. That''s no way to talk to your mate," he reprimanded her gently. His words snapped me out of the images ying in my mind, but it didn''t do much to cool the fire coursing through my veins. Damn it, I was already hard as a rock just thinking about her under my control. His words were like gasoline on the fire already raging inside me. Mate. The word echoed in my mind, fueling the images of exactly how I''d teach her what that meant.


    I forced my thoughts back to the present before I lost myselfpletely. But my mind kept wandering back to the fantasies¡ªofying her across myp, spanking her beautiful ass until it turned a perfect shade of pink. I''d take her to the edge of pleasure, teasing her mercilessly, and only when I thought the punishment had been enough would I finally im her, taking what was mine.


    My gaze raked over her body, taking in every curve that I already ached to touch. God, I''d have her so wrecked, so thoroughly dominated, she wouldn''t be able to walk straight the next day. No¡ªshe wouldn''t be walking at all by the time I was done with her. I wanted to bend her to my will, to make her scream my name, to see her broken in the most delicious way, only to put her back together again.


    Fuck, I was already hard, thinking about it. I had to get myself under control, but the thought of that perfect little body beneath me, trembling, as I brought her to the edge again and again, denying her release until she was nothing but a pleading, wet mess¡ªit was too much.


    The idea of finally taking her, of thrusting into her after she''d begged so sweetly, her tight body gripping me as I imed what was mine... Fuck, I had to stop. The bulge in my pants was already painfully obvious, and thest thing I needed was to walk out of here like some horny teenage boy in front of my mate''s father.


    What the hell was wrong with me? I needed to get a grip before I embarrassed myself right here, in front of my mate''s parents. But that didn''t stop the images from reying in my mind or the desire from curling deep in my gut.


    One thing was for sure¡ªElena had no idea what she was in for. And I wasn''t leaving here without her.


    At her father''s gentle reproach, Elena cast her eyes down, and for a fleeting moment, it seemed like she was reflecting on her mistake. Maybe she was starting to realize the gravity of who she was dealing with. But then I heard it¡ªa barely audible murmur that escaped her lips.


    "Stupid, narcissistic jerk..."


    Fuck.


    If I hadn''t already been teetering on the edge, that little murmur would''ve pushed me right over. My blood boiled, not with anger, but with an overwhelming urge to remind her exactly who she was talking to. That bratty, rebellious attitude of hers was going to be the death of me.


    But Goddess, it only made me want her more.


    Her defiance, the way she fought me even now, made my pulse race in a way that no one ever had before. She didn''t realize it yet, but every act of resistance was fueling the dominant side of me, making me crave the moment I''d finally get her alone. I let it slide¡ªfor now. But she didn''t know I was keeping score. That littlement just added to her punishment. Two offenses already, and we hadn''t even started yet.


    The things I would do to her, the ways I would teach her exactly what happens when you disrespect your mate... Fuck, it was taking everything in me to hold back. My fingers itched to grab her by the chin, force her to look at me, and see the fire in her eyes as I made her understand who was in charge.


    I couldn''t wait to get her alone. Away from prying eyes. Away from her father. The second I had her to myself, I''d have her exactly where I wanted her. I could already picture it¡ªher pressed up against the wall, her breath hitching as I closed the distance between us, trapping her with my body.


    I''d take my time, savoring every second as I showed her just how wrong she was to test me. And once I had her, trembling and breathless, there''d be no more running. No more defiance.


    She''d submit. Oh, she would *submit.*


    But first, I had to y this game, bide my time. I''d let her think she had the upper hand for now. But deep down, we both knew how this would end.

 Chapter 13: Ruined Dinner

    <h4>Chapter 13: Ruined Dinner</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    <i>WHY THE HELL</i> was he here? I had barely managed to survive seeing him the first time, and now he''s back, standing there like he owns the ce. The audacity! It would take me at least a month¡ªno, two months¡ªto even <i>try</i> to look at him as anything other than the obnoxious, self-centered, power-hungry narcissist jerk that he was. That''s if I was being generous.


    Okay, I know what you''re thinking. <i>Then just reject the stupid, egocentric maniac.</i> Easy, right? Good point. I <i>would</i> if I didn''t respect the mate bond. Because, in all my years, through all the daydreams and fantasies about meeting my mate, one thing was constant: the mate bond was sacred. It wasn''t just some random match-up, it was a gift from the Moon Goddess herself. Rejecting it? Yeah, that was basically flipping her off. And I wasn''t about tomit that kind of abomination.


    But <i>seriously</i>, did she mess up this time? Like, majorly critical error. Maybe there was a switch somewhere in the cosmic lineup, a clerical error, because there was no way Alpha Kane was supposed to be my other half. The Moon Goddess couldn''t have possibly meant for <i>him</i>¡ªthis ruthless, arrogant control freak¡ªto be the one destined for me.


    Every fiber of my being screamed that this had to be some colossal mistake. Mates were supposed toplete you, to be the other half of your soul. But Kane? He was like a walking red g¡ªa towering, smoldering, dangerously dominant red g. I could already feel the weight of his presence pressing on me, that overpowering aura he carried like a crown. And I resented it. Him.


    No, there had to be some other exnation. Maybe the goddess was testing me, putting me through some cruel cosmic joke. Because, honestly, how could Alpha Kane¡ªthe man I''d spent years resenting¡ªbe the one I was fated to spend my life with?


    "Alpha Kane," my mom greeted him, her voice a little too cheerful, like she was trying to dissolve the tension in the room with a smile and some pleasantries. Good for her. He acknowledged her with a nod, his expression still unreadable, and I could tell she was trying to keep things light, as usual.


    "We were waiting for Samuel to have dinner," she said in that chirpy tone she used when trying to ease a situation, "and now that you''re also here, why don''t we all sit down for dinner and talk about this mate issue after?"


    Dinner? With <i>him</i>? Great. Just what I needed to make this awkward night even worse.


    "Sure, thank you, Luna," Kane replied smoothly, and while that was polite enough, it wasn''t nearly as respectful as I wanted. <i>Okay, maybe I''m starting to sound like a total bitch, bute on!</i> He could''ve at least tried to decline, something like, ''<i>Oh no, I wouldn''t want to impose,''</i> and then I could jump in with a quick, ''<i>Oh, no really, you are imposing,''</i> and watch him squirm away in embarrassment.


    But no. Of course, that wasn''t going to happen. He was <i>Alpha Kane</i>¡ªtoo self-assured, too dominant to care if he was imposing. Instead, he was going to stay. In fact, he''d probably enjoy every second of making me ufortable. And that, right there, pissed me off even more.


    I sighed internally. Oh, Moon Goddess, help me. I needed to stop spinning these crazy fantasies in my head where everything yed out perfectly, where Kane got embarrassed, left with his tail between his legs, and I enjoyed dinner peacefully, free from the weight of his dominating presence. But the reality was, I was stuck. Stuck with this mate bond, stuck with <i>him</i>, and now stuck sharing a meal with the very man who made my blood boil in ways I wasn''t ready to admit.


    Yup. Definitely needed to pull my head out of fantasy world. <i>And fast.</i>


    And there I was, my appetite ruined as I watched my parents attempt to ease my mate. <i>Ugh, that word definitely wasn''t made for him</i>. To make matters worse, he was seated right next to me. Thanks a lot, Mom. Just what I needed¡ªa constant reminder of my unfortunate fate.


    "I''m nning to take my mate to my pack as soon as she finishes saying her goodbyes and packing," he said casually while shoveling food into his mouth,pletely unfazed by my presence. "Let''s see... maybe tomorrow or the day after tomorrow."


    His words hung in the air, heavy with expectation. <i>As if I''d just agree to that!</i>


    "Luna, this food is amazing," he continued, trying to soften the blow he''d just delivered.


    I couldn''t take it anymore. "I am not going anywhere with you," I shot back, as if I were discussing the weather. The moment the words left my mouth, I felt the tension shift. He stiffened beside me, his alpha aura rolling off him in waves, something dangerous lurking just beneath the surface.


    <i>Great, I think I just ruined dinner. Yay for me.</i>


    My dad coughed, looking embarrassed by my outburst and maybe a little scared of what I had just unleashed. Wonderful. I hated seeing that look on his face, that hint of fear mixed with disappointment. I quickly nced at my mom, hoping for some sort of reassurance, but she merely looked torn between wanting to support me and wanting to keep the peace.


    Feeling guilty, I excused myself from the table, slipping out of the dining room and into the cool night air. I didn''t like seeing my dad scared of that stupid jerk of a mate. It was infuriating how Kane expected me to bend to his will, to do everything he desired as if I were some mindless machine.


    <i>If he wanted me to go with him, he''d definitely have to earn it.</i> Scaring me and my parents with his alpha aura wasn''t going to cut it. He needed to understand that I wasn''t some prize to be won or a possession to be imed. I was my own person, and I was done with being treated like a pawn in whatever twisted game he was ying.


    Taking a deep breath, I stepped further into the shadows, trying to collect my thoughts and steady my racing heart. I would not be intimidated.


    "Now that wasn''t very nice, little mate."


    <i>Fuck</i>. It was Kane. I froze, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up as I slowly turned to face him. I hadn''t noticed how deep into the forest I had wandered, too caught up in my own thoughts, too busy calling him names in my head to pay attention to where my feet were taking me.


    There he stood, a vision of raw masculinity, his dark hair tousled by the breeze, his eyes smoldering with a mix of annoyance and something else¡ªsomething far more dangerous. The way he looked at me made my stomach flip. He seemed like a predator, sizing up his prey, and I felt trapped in the wildness of the forest and the intensity of his gaze.


    <i>Oh great, just great.</i> I was utterly screwed, and no one would being this way any time soon.

 Chapter 14: Let The Game Begin

    <h4>Chapter 14: Let The Game Begin</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    "C¡¯mon, little mate, is that what you should do when you see your mate?" Kane taunted, his voice dripping with amusement as he took a step forward. His eyes gleamed with predatory intent, and I instinctively took a step back, my body reacting before my mind could catch up.


    The way he was looking at me sent chills down my spine, but not the kind born of fear. No, this was something deeper, darker¡ªa primal reaction that I hated myself for feeling. The mate bond was like a tether pulling me toward him even as my mind screamed for me to run.


    "You know you¡¯ve been a very bad girl," he continued, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I think you deserve some punishment, don¡¯t you?"


    My back hit the rough bark of the tree again, leaving me with nowhere to go. Kane closed the remaining distance between us, towering over me with an aura of dominance that made my heart race and my breath hitch. His hand reached out, brushing a lock of hair behind my ear, and I swore I could feel the heat of his touch searing my skin.


    "I don¡¯t need your¡ª" I began, trying to keep the defiance in my voice, but his finger pressed gently against my lips, silencing me.


    "Shh," he said softly, his lips quirking into a smirk that both infuriated and captivated me. "You talk too much, little mate."


    I pped his hand away, ring up at him. "You think you can just... control me? Order me around and I¡¯ll fall at your feet like everyone else?" I shot back, trying to ignore the traitorous flutter in my chest.


    Kane¡¯s smirk deepened, his eyes darkening with desire. "Oh, I don¡¯t think¡ªI know. You just don¡¯t realize it yet, but you will." His voice was a low growl, and my entire body reacted to the sound. Damn it, how could he make me feel this way?


    "I¡¯ll never submit to you," I hissed, my voice shaking slightly as I tried to gather the strength to push him away.


    He leaned in closer, his lips brushing the shell of my ear, making me shiver. "You say that now," he whispered, his breath warm against my skin, "but I can feel it, Elena. You¡¯re already responding to me. The mate bond isn¡¯t something you can fight forever."


    I swallowed hard, hating how right he sounded. The bond was like a drug coursing through my veins, making it harder to think straight, harder to keep resisting the pull between us.


    "I don¡¯t care about the bond," I lied, my voice trembling slightly. "I¡¯ll never be like one of your little ythings."


    Kane chuckled, the sound sending vibrations through me. "Oh, sweetheart, you¡¯ll be whatever you want to be," he said, his voice dangerously smooth. "But make no mistake¡ªyou¡¯re mine. And I take care of what¡¯s mine."


    Before I could respond, he leaned in even closer, his lips hovering just inches from mine. The air between us was thick with tension, and for a brief, dizzying moment, I thought he might kiss me. But instead, he pulled back slightly, a wicked smile tugging at his lips.


    "I¡¯ll enjoy breaking down those walls of yours, Elena," he murmured, his voice soft but filled with promise. "Piece by piece."


    My breath caught in my throat, and I red up at him, refusing to let him see how much he was getting to me. "Keep dreaming, Kane. I¡¯m not some toy for you to y with."


    He chuckled again, low and dangerous. "Oh, I don¡¯t y, little mate. I dominate."


    His words sent a rush of heat through me, and I hated the way my body betrayed me, responding to the raw power that radiated off him. But I couldn¡¯t let him win. Not like this.


    "We¡¯ll see about that," I whispered, my voiceced with challenge.


    His eyes gleamed with approval, as if he enjoyed the fight, relished the resistance. "Yes," he said softly, "we will."


    "Now, as I said," Kane¡¯s voice was smooth,ced with that signature dominance that made my stomach flip, "you have tomorrow to pack and say your goodbyes. We leave the day after tomorrow."


    He stood so close, his presence overwhelming, as if the very air around us was charged with his authority. My breath hitched when his gaze darkened with something far more primal. "And don¡¯t think I¡¯ve forgotten your punishments, little mate," he added, his voice lowering to a growl, sending a shiver down my spine.


    I red up at him, defiance still burning in my chest despite the maddening heat spreading through me. "I¡¯m not going anywhere with you. You can¡¯t just¡ª"


    Kane raised a brow, his lips curling into a smirk that was both dangerous and seductive. "Oh, I can, and I will. You¡¯re mine, Elena. And once we get back... well, let¡¯s just say I¡¯m counting your punishments. We¡¯ll deal with them when we return."


    He leaned in closer, his breath warm against my ear as he whispered, "I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll love our yroom."


    My eyes widened in shock, heat flooding my cheeks as his words sank in. I hated the way my body reacted to him, hated the way his deep,manding voice stirred something inside me I didn¡¯t want to acknowledge. Kane¡¯s gaze flickered down to my lips before meeting my eyes again, and he winked, a teasing glint in his dark eyes that made me clench my fists.


    "There¡¯s nothing you can say to make me submit to you," I snapped, trying to hold onto thest threads of my resistance.


    He chuckled, that deep, masculine sound vibrating through my entire body. "Oh, Elena," he murmured, stepping back but keeping his eyes locked on mine, "it¡¯s not about making you submit. It¡¯s about you realizing that you already want to."


    Before I could argue, he turned and started walking away, leaving me standing there, my heart pounding and my mind spinning from the mixture of anger, confusion, and¡ªdamn it¡ªdesire.


    I could still feel his presence lingering in the air, as if every part of me was aware of him, drawn to him. I hated that he had this effect on me, hated how he made my body react even though I knew I should resist.


    But one thing was clear: if Kane thought I¡¯d make this easy for him, he had another thinging.

 Chapter 15: Difficult Little Mate

    <h4>Chapter 15: Difficult Little Mate</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV:</strong>


    As Elena excused herself after boldly dering she wasn¡¯ting back to my pack with me, I was this close¡ªso damn close¡ªto losing it. The tension in the room had been palpable, but hearing her outright defiance sparked something deep inside me, something dark and dominant. I never tolerated disobedience. Never. And this little mate of mine was about to learn exactly what it meant to defy me. She needed to understand that she couldn¡¯t, mustn¡¯t, ever go against me, much less disobey.


    I didn¡¯t want to cause a scene in front of her already panicked parents, so I excused myself, but my mind was already running wild. I followed her, my senses heightened, every step filled with the need to remind her who held the power here. She had no idea what she had awakened in me¡ªthe dominant side of me was roaring to life, and the need to make her submit was overwhelming any rational thoughts.


    God, I wanted to punish her. If we were at my pack, I wouldn¡¯t have hesitated. I would¡¯ve grabbed her, tossed her over my shoulder, and taken her straight to my yroom. There, I would have stripped her bare, bound her tight, and made sure that every word she uttered from those defiant lips was reduced to gasps, moans, and my name.


    The thought of it made my blood burn with desire. By the time I¡¯d be done with her, she would know without question who was in charge. There wouldn¡¯t be a single doubt left in that beautiful head of hers about who her alpha was, about who she belonged to. She would learn.


    Elena thought she could fight me, resist me, but it was futile. The mate bond was too strong, too overwhelming. Sooner orter, she¡¯d realize that. And when she did, I¡¯d be waiting.


    For now, though, I needed to reign in the overwhelming need to dominate, to im. But the next time she tested me... Oh, the next time, I wouldn¡¯t hold back. She¡¯d learn her ce, and she¡¯d know that resisting me wasn¡¯t an option.


    I followed her, silently, into the middle of nowhere. She hadn¡¯t even noticed how far she¡¯d wandered. Typical. Too lost in her thoughts to realize the danger that lurked just behind her. But that¡¯s why I¡¯m here. To keep her in line. To remind her of her ce.


    "Now, that wasn¡¯t very nice, little mate," I said, my voice low and dripping with restrained dominance. She froze, and I saw it¡ªthe tension, the realization that she wasn¡¯t alone anymore. That I had followed her. The air between us crackled with something electric, something primal.


    I took a step forward, and she instinctively took one back, her eyes locking with mine in a battle of wills. Oh, how I wanted to pin her to that tree, to press my body against hers, feel her shudder under me as I stripped her bare from the waist down. The thought of spanking her until she knew better, then fucking her so hard she¡¯d never think of defying me again, sent a wave of heat straight through me.


    But I had to control myself. My dominant side was screaming to be unleashed, but I held back. Her eyes were defiant, her expression a challenge, but beneath it all, there was an innocence to her. She was like those girls who¡¯d grown up believing in fairytales, waiting for their prince charming toe and sweep them off their feet.


    Too bad for her¡ªI¡¯m no prince.


    I wasn¡¯t here to coddle her or whisper sweet nothings in her ear. No, I was her mate, her alpha, and I would make sure she understood exactly what that meant. But for now, I had to rein it in, as much as it pained me. She wasn¡¯t ready for the full force of what I could do. Not yet.


    But soon. Very soon.


    As much as every inch of me wanted to dominate her right there, I held myself back. The confrontation between us only fueled the fire burning inside me, the way she stood her ground, defiant yet undeniably affected by my presence. I could see it in her eyes, feel it in the tension that crackled between us. She wanted to hate me, wanted to resist me, but there was no denying the pull. The mate bond was powerful, and it was drawing her in just as much as it was pulling me.


    I stepped closer, close enough to feel the heating off her body.


    As much as every fiber of my being screamed to dominate her, to make her submit right there in the middle of the forest, I held back. After a few heated words between us, I could see it¡ªshe was affected by me just as much as I was by her. Her breath quickened, her lips parted, and that defiance in her eyes flickered between resistance and something more.


    I wanted her. Badly. My whole body burned with the need to im those plump, tempting lips, to pull her against me and ravage her until she couldn¡¯t think of anything but me. But I had to control myself, had to keep the beast within at bay. Once I started, I wouldn¡¯t stop, and she wasn¡¯t ready for that yet.


    Her father had made it clear¡ªElena was untouched by any man. As much as the thought of being her first drove me wild with desire, I couldn¡¯t take her like this, with my primal instincts in full force. Her first time wasn¡¯t going to be me losing control, no matter how much I wanted to strip her bare and mark her as mine right here and now. Goddess, how I wanted to.


    But I couldn¡¯t¡ªno, I wouldn¡¯t¡ªlet her first experience be that. I would wait. For now. But when the time came, she would know exactly who she belonged to. And I would make sure she never forgot it.


    After a few more tense words, I reminded her, "You have tomorrow to say your goodbyes and pack. We leave the day after." Her eyes shed with defiance again, but I didn¡¯t care. My decision was final.


    I couldn¡¯t linger any longer. Every second around her chipped away at my control, and the urge to dominate, to im, was overwhelming. If I stayed another minute, I¡¯d do something I might regret

 Chapter 16: Savage

    <h4>Chapter 16: Savage</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV :</strong>


    I was halfway back when the wind carried a scent that made my blood boil¡ªrogues. Too close to the pack. Too close to her. Fuck. I turned, sprinting to where I¡¯d left my mate. Ash was already cursing me for leaving her, wanting us to im her, mark her so she¡¯d bear our scent. But no, I had to be a gentleman. Stupid.


    I arrived just in time, finding her squaring off against two rogues. She held her ground, and damn if I wasn¡¯t impressed with her¡ªsexy as hell in the heat ofbat. If not for the fury surging through me at the threat to my mate, I¡¯d be hard as a rock right now.


    Without hesitation, I turned to the filthy wolves who dared toe after what was mine. They would pay in blood. Ash unleashed his alpha aura, strong enough to make everyone freeze and look my way. Good. They knew who was in charge. I saw a flicker of relief in Elena¡¯s eyes as the rogues whimpered under the pressure, despite me not being their alpha.


    Before they could react, I was on them, snapping their necks with swift, precise moves. I could¡¯ve made it more gruesome, but my mate was here. No need to scare her off.


    Turning to her, I saw her eyes wide, unbelieving. Good. I¡¯d made an impression.


    Until she muttered "...¡¯What the fuck did you do?¡¯"


    Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I blinked, staring at her as the adrenaline from the fight began to fade. For a moment, I thought I misheard her. But no¡ªthose were her exact words. Not gratitude, not relief that I¡¯d saved her, but... anger. Pure, unfiltered anger.


    I looked down at the lifeless bodies of the rogues, their necks snapped cleanly, blood pooling beneath them. It was quick, efficient¡ªno unnecessary mess. I¡¯d held back for her sake. I could have torn them apart limb by limb, but I hadn¡¯t. For her.


    I raised my gaze back to her, utterly baffled. "I <i>saved</i> you," I said, trying to keep the growing frustration out of my voice. How could she be mad at me for this?


    "No you didn¡¯t you fucking idiot!" she yelled.


    I stared at her, dumbfounded. My mate¡ªthe woman I just saved from two rogues¡ªwas yelling at me like I was the one who did something wrong. Ash bristled inside me, already furious that we hadn¡¯t imed her yet, and now she was calling me an idiot? I had just snapped two rogue necks without breaking a sweat, and she was acting like I¡¯d ruined her day.


    Elena¡¯s eyes zed with fury, and damn if it wasn¡¯t the most infuriatingly sexy thing I¡¯d ever seen. She crossed her arms, not backing down, her breathing out in sharp bursts. "I didn¡¯t need saving, Kane! I had it under control!"


    Ash growled low inside me, my wolf as confused as I was. <i>Under control? She was outnumbered, cornered.</i> He was urging me to show her who¡¯s in charge, to remind her that defying us wouldn¡¯t end well for her.


    I took a step forward, but she didn¡¯t back down. Instead, she took a step toward me, as if daring me to challenge her.


    "Excuse me?" I asked, trying to keep the dangerous edge out of my voice, but my patience was wearing thin.


    Elena¡¯s eyes were still wide, shing with anger. "I had it under control! You think you can just waltz in, kill two wolves, and expect me to thank you? You think I needed saving?" Her voice rose with every word, defiance dripping from every syble.


    I took a step forward, my alpha aura still humming in the air. "They were about to tear you apart, little mate."


    She didn¡¯t back down. In fact, she took a step toward me, her chin lifted in challenge. "I don¡¯t need a knight in shining armor. And I definitely don¡¯t need you swooping in like some self-righteous alpha, thinking I can¡¯t take care of myself!"


    My fists clenched at my sides. "They were rogues, Elena. They would have killed you." I wasn¡¯t used to exining myself, especially not to someone who should have been thanking me.


    She scoffed, rolling her eyes like I was being dramatic. "I could¡¯ve handled it. I¡¯ve been training my whole life for moments like that. I don¡¯t need some arrogant alpha barging in to kill rogues and then act like a hero."


    My jaw tightened. <i>Arrogant alpha?</i> The anger that had been simmering beneath the surface began to boil over. I took another step toward her, closing the distance between us. "I <i>am</i> your alpha," I growled, my voice low and dangerous. "And your mate."


    Elena¡¯s eyes shed with defiance, and I could practically feel her resisting the pull of the bond between us. She was standing her ground, her lips curled in frustration. "Just because we¡¯re mates doesn¡¯t mean you get to control everything. I¡¯m not some weak little girl you need to protect, Kane."


    The heat between us was palpable, like two opposing forces colliding. I could feel my dominance rising, the need to make her submit gnawing at my restraint. Ash was practically howling for me to im her right then and there, to prove to her who was in charge.


    Ash growled low inside my chest. She didn¡¯t understand yet¡ªhow dangerous it was for her to speak to me like this. But there was something else beneath my irritation, something primal that stirred every time she challenged me.


    "You were about to get hurt," I said through clenched teeth, the wordsing out more like a growl. "And as your mate, it¡¯s my job to protect you."


    Elena crossed her arms over her chest, not the least bit intimidated. "I don¡¯t need you to protect me, Kane. I don¡¯t want your protection." She was staring at me with those big, defiant eyes, and all I could think about was how much I wanted to pin her against a tree and make her submit. But not like this. No, not yet.


    I could see it in her eyes, too. The conflict, the fire¡ªshe hated me, but she couldn¡¯t deny the bond between us. I could feel her resistance, but also her arousal, even if she was trying to hide it behind her anger.


    But I held back. Barely.


    "You don¡¯t get it, do you?" I said, my voice tight. "You¡¯re my mate. My responsibility. And no one¡ª<i>no one</i>¡ªthreatens what¡¯s mine."


    Elena¡¯s eyes widened for a split second, but she quickly masked it with more fury. "I¡¯m not yours to im, Kane. I¡¯ll fight you every step of the way if you think you can just own me like some prize."


    Her words were like fuel to the fire inside me, the primal part of me screaming to teach her a lesson she¡¯d never forget. But I knew better than to let it take over. Not here, not now.


    I stepped back, just enough to give us both some space, though my body was still thrumming with the need to dominate her.


    Before I could respond, she turned her back on me and started walking away, muttering under her breath, "Next time, just stay out of it."


    I watched her retreating form, every muscle in my body tensing with the need to grab her, to shake some sense into her. How could she be so infuriating? How could she not see that I was trying to keep her safe?


    As she started to walk away, I couldn¡¯t let her go¡ªnot after what had just happened. The attack still lingered in my mind, a dark cloud I refused to ignore. I followed closely, catching up to her just as she spun around, ready to unleash a torrent of curses at me.


    But I wasn¡¯t in the mood for her theatrics this time. Without a second thought, I bent down, hoisting her effortlessly over my shoulder. Call me a Neanderthal, a caveman if you want, but I wasn¡¯t going to let her walk off alone after what she¡¯d just faced.


    Her body shifted against mine, her ass pressed up in the air, and she unleashed a string of profanity that would make any sailor proud. I couldn¡¯t help but smirk at her fiery spirit, even as I maintained my grip on her.


    "Stop squirming," I said, half-amused, half-exasperated. But the truth was, I liked the fight in her. It was part of what drew me to her deeper.


    She continued her verbal assault, each curse more creative than thest, but I wasn¡¯t having any of it. Without warning, I delivered a swift spank to her backside. The sound echoed in the air, and she gasped, the surprise momentarily cutting off her tirade.


    "Maybe that will teach you to listen next time," I said, my voice low and teasing, even as I felt a rush of adrenaline at the yful dominance of the moment.

 Chapter 17: Naughty

    <h4>Chapter 17: Naughty</h4>


    Elena POV:


    Did he just spank me?


    I blinked in disbelief, the sting still fresh on my skin. This... this overgrown, barbaric brute of a man had the audacity to spank me. My mouth dropped open, half in shock, half in outrage. First, he drags me around like some sort of caveman, carrying me off without so much as a warning, and now this? Oh, hell no.


    "Did you just¡ª"


    Before I could even finish my sentence, I twisted in his arms, trying to squirm out of his iron grip. He didn¡¯t budge. Of course, he didn¡¯t. He was a massive wall of muscle and arrogance.


    But I wasn¡¯t about to let him get away with it. In one quick motion, I swung my hand down, delivering a swift p to his ass. The sound echoed in the air, sharp and satisfying.


    He stopped in his tracks, and for a moment, I thought I¡¯d won. Maybe I¡¯d managed to shock him, or maybe he was finally going to put me down and apologize for being such an insufferable¡ª


    "Oooh, little mate," he drawled, his voice dripping with amusement. "I didn¡¯t know you were into that kind of kinky stuff."


    He chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that sent a wave of heat through me, though I¡¯d never admit it. Still carrying me effortlessly, as if I weighed nothing more than a feather, he nced down at me with those mischievous eyes. Damn him for finding this funny.


    Was this guy serious?


    I pushed against his chest, but he didn¡¯t even flinch. "Put me down, you overgrown bafoon!"


    Anotherugh. "Now why would I do that when you¡¯re clearly enjoying yourself?"


    I gaped at him, my face flushing. "Enjoying? You¡ª"


    He shifted his hold on me, pulling my legs even closer to his body while my other half dangled behind his fine ass, his face twisted to face mine which was upside down leaning in dangerously close to ass. I could feel the heat radiating off him, smell the raw, intoxicating scent that always seemed to mess with my head. "Careful, mate," he whispered, his voice low and smooth. "Keep squirming like that and you¡¯ll make me think you¡¯re inviting me for something else."


    My breath hitched at the dangerous tone in his voice, and for a moment, I forgot all about my righteous anger. But just for a moment.


    "Let. Me. Go," I demanded, trying to sound firm even though my body was betraying me with every damn tingle that spread through me from where his hands gripped me.


    But instead of releasing me, he grinned wider, clearly enjoying the situation far more than he should. "Not until I decide you¡¯ve learned your lesson."


    Oh, this alpha was insufferable. And yet....


    <i>Pa</i>! Another smack, this one firmer than thest.


    "Stop squirming," Kane said, his voice dipping low as he rubbed my backside gently, as if he hadn¡¯t just spanked me moments before. The caress sent shivers through me, warmth pooling in ces I desperately wished would behave. Goddess, if that touch didn¡¯t do things to me, despite my fury.


    I clenched my teeth, but the embarrassment surged hot through my face. He was clearly enjoying this, and worse, he could <i>smell</i> my arousal. Damn werewolf senses.


    "Oooh, little mate," he purred, his tone mocking. "You¡¯re clearly enjoying your punishment more than you should."


    My face flushed an even deeper shade of red, and I knew it wasn¡¯t just because he had me upside down over his shoulder. This was mortifying. How could my body betray me like this? I was supposed to be outraged, furious. And yet... here I was, burning with something else entirely.


    "Put me down!" I demanded, my voice sharp, though even I knew I sounded more flustered than authoritative.


    But Kane didn¡¯t budge. Instead, his hand stayed on my backside, fingers grazing ever so slightly, sending sparks of desire I really shouldn¡¯t be feeling. Not now. Not when he was treating me like this. My heart raced, torn between indignation and the maddening pull of his touch.


    I tried to distract myself, but it wasn¡¯t helping. Especially not with the view. Goddess help me, his firm ass was right in my line of sight, and despite my best efforts, I caught myself admiring it. <i>Shit, Elena, focus!</i> This is not the time to be ogling the caveman who¡¯s treating you like a sack of potatoes!


    "Put me down, Kane," I snapped, but even I could hear the edge of desperation in my voice.


    "Oh?" he teased, shifting me slightly so I was more secure over his shoulder. "Or else what?"


    "Or else..." I trailed off, suddenly aware of how weak my threat sounded when I had no leverage. Literally.


    He chuckled again, that deep, infuriating sound that made my insides coil with both frustration and a very unwee sense of attraction. <i>Damn him,</i> this alpha who thought he could manhandle me like this and still have me melting.


    Okay, call me naughty, but desperate times called for desperate measures. I had no other move, no way out of his caveman grip, so I went for it.


    With a swift yank, I pulled his pants down.


    The shocked grunt that came from Kane was priceless. For a split second, he was too stunned to react, and I used that moment to slip myself down from behind him, sliding right out of his hold like a ninja. I didn¡¯t bother to check if he¡¯d pulled his pants back up or if he was standing there, mouth open in utter disbelief. Nope, not my problem.


    Instead, I bolted.


    We were close to my home, and with every ounce of speed I had, I dashed toward it. My heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline surging through me as I skidded to a stop at my front door. I quickly got in and bolted the lock, knowing damn well it wouldn¡¯t stop him if he decided toe barging in after me. Still, it felt like a small victory, a way to catch my breath.


    And then, it hit me. What I¡¯d just done. Oh, goddess...


    I broke into a fit ofughter, clutching my stomach as I leaned against the door. What had I just done?! I couldn¡¯t believe it¡ª<i>I pulled down his pants</i>! The look on his face must¡¯ve been something to remember for a lifetime.


    I tried to stifle myughter, but it was no use. The entire situation was ridiculous. Kane, the overgrown alpha, getting pantsed and left in the dust by me. It felt like I had won a tiny victory in this crazy game he seemed to be ying with me.


    But I knew, deep down, this wasn¡¯t over. Oh no, if anything, I had just fanned the mes. Kane wasn¡¯t going to let this go easily.


    As theughter subsided, I stood there, leaning against the door, catching my breath. My body was still buzzing with the thrill of what had just happened. And I could feel it¡ªhis presence looming not far behind. Kane wouldn¡¯t be too pleased about this, but for now, I had won this round.


    What the hell is he going to do next? I wondered with a grin, my heart still racing.

 Chapter 18: Testing The Limit

    <h4>Chapter 18: Testing The Limit</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV:</strong>


    What the hell?! One minute she was slung over my shoulder, the next she¡¯d yanked down my pants, slipped off, and bolted back toward her father¡¯s ce. To say I was dumbfounded would be putting it lightly. She got me¡ªshe really got me there. Who in their right mind does that?


    I stood there, pants half-down, staring after her. Who the hell did the Moon Goddess give me as a mate? I nced up at the sky, squinting at the moon. "Her? Really? I¡¯m that hopeless?" I asked, half-expecting some divine response, like the Moon Goddess was sitting up thereughing at me.


    I had been given a wild one. And me? I was more into the submissive type.


    Oh, she was definitely going to learn a lesson. My little mate had no idea what wasing. I couldn¡¯t wait to get her back to my cottage, to the red room. She had pushed every single button I had, and I was going to enjoy showing her exactly who was in charge. She thought she could get away with defiance? Not on my watch. She¡¯d soon learn what it meant to belong to me¡ªbody and soul.


    The thought of her in my red room, submitting to me, was enough to make my blood heat. There, she wouldn¡¯t be able to run, wouldn¡¯t be able to escape. She¡¯d have to learn her ce, one way or another. She definitely needed to be taught a lesson. My fingers twitched at the thought of it¡ªshe had no idea what wasing her way. The moment I got her back to my cottage, into the Red Room, she¡¯d learn exactly who was in charge. I couldn¡¯t wait to see her fiery spirit collide with the restraints I had in mind for her. She would submit, and she¡¯d learn quickly that defiance came with consequences. Oh, she¡¯d learn one or two things, alright. And I¡¯d enjoy every second of it.


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    This was the best night of my life. Who knew putting an arrogant asshole in his ce could lead to such a good night¡¯s sleep? That smug jerk probably thought he could get me to pack and leave with him. Well, he¡¯s got another thinging. I¡¯m not packing, and I¡¯m <i>definitely</i> not leaving with him.


    Oh, right¡ªthe incident with the rogues. That goofball ruined everything with his dramatic entrance, killing them before I could even get some answers. I better talk to Dad about it before he heads off to work. I need to figure out what they were after, and fast.


    Rushing down to the kitchen, I started to greet my parents. "Good morn¡ªhell, what is he doing here? Doesn¡¯t he have anything better to do?" The words flew out of my mouth the moment I spotted Kane sitting at the dining table, acting as if it waspletely normal for him to be there. His eyes were locked on me, shamelessly dragging over every inch of my body, and for a second, I felt like I was standing therepletely naked.


    I nced down at myself. What the hell? I was in my pajamas¡ªdecent,pletely normal pajamas. Yet the way he looked at me made it feel like I wasn¡¯t wearing a damn thing.


    "Ooh, sweetie, you shouldn¡¯t address Alpha Kane like that," my mom jumped in, defending him as if he was the one who needed protecting. Yeah, right.


    "Then he should know where he¡¯s not wanted," I muttered under my breath, fully aware he heard me when his eyes darkened. Yup, definitely not wanted. I knew I was testing his patience, but honestly, I couldn¡¯t care less. Let him jump the gun if he wanted to.


    I took a seat at the table, ignoring the arrogant jerk sitting next to my dad. "So, Dad, yesterday I encountered some rogues¡ª"


    Kane scoffed, muttering something under his breath that sounded like <i>cornered</i>.


    "As I was saying," I continued, rolling my eyes, "I was going to knock them out so we could question them, but some *hero wannabe* thought it¡¯d be right to just kill them."


    Suddenly, Kane mmed his hand on the table, hard. Macho much?


    "<i>Hero-wannabe</i>? Excuse me for not letting them tear out the throat of <i>my mate</i>," he growled, his voice icy enough to drop the room¡¯s temperature a few degrees. The air became tense, heavy. I cursed silently¡ªhe really could be scary when he wanted to be.


    He turned to my father, his tone colder than before. "I didn¡¯t realize how insecure your pack is. This situation just proves that it¡¯s all the more reason for me to take my mate back <i>today</i> rather than tomorrow."


    What the hell did he just say?


    "Ooh, like <i>hell</i> am I going with you!" I shouted, my voice shaking the air between us. His eyes locked onto mine, dark and intense, and if looks could bore holes through someone, I would have been incinerated on the spot.


    "Go pack. We¡¯re leaving within an hour," hemanded, his voice icy and firm, like I was nothing more than an order to be followed.


    To be honest, a chill of fear crept down my spine. His cold authority was terrifying. But then again, I was an Alpha too, and I wouldn¡¯t¡ª<i>couldn¡¯t</i>¡ªlet him intimidate me like he did others. Mate or not, Alpha or not, no one would decide for me.


    Squaring my shoulders, I took a deep breath and met his re head-on. "No one controls me, Kane," I said, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions in my chest. "Not now, not ever."


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    A headache¡ªthat¡¯s what she was. Goddess, she could see how furious I was, yet she still had the fucking nerve to talk back to me. Boldly, defiantly. If she wasn¡¯t my mate...


    I clenched my fists, trying to rein in the storm of emotions swirling inside me. She was testing every limit I had, pushing me to the edge. Any other wolf who dared speak to me like that would have been ttened under my boot by now. But her... damn it. She wasn¡¯t just <i>anyone</i>. She was mine. And that made it worse. That made it harder. Because while I wanted to put her in her ce, to teach her the lesson her defiance deserved, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to crush her spiritpletely. Not yet, at least.


    Still, she needed to learn. She <i>would</i> learn.

 Chapter 19: Sturborn mate

    <h4>Chapter 19: Sturborn mate</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    I took a deep breath, clenching my fists as I looked at her, standing there all defiant and stubborn, like she wasn¡¯t just seconds away from the biggest argument of her life. First, she had the audacity to call me a "hero wannabe," just for protecting her. Protecting her! Like I¡¯d ever do anything less. Then, she somehow managed to pull down my pants¡ªyeah, that happened¡ªbefore running off and locking me out like some prank-loving teenager.


    But the real kicker? After yesterday its established that this ce wasn¡¯t safe, she t-out told me she wasn¡¯t going back with me to my pack. Not going with me? The hell she isn¡¯t. She has no idea how hard she¡¯s pushing me right now, testing a patience that¡¯s been worn down to nothing.


    I clenched my jaw, my wolf pacing restlessly in my mind. If she weren¡¯t my mate... no, even thinking about that wouldn¡¯t change a thing. She <i>was</i> my mate. And she needed to understand what that meant. I wasn¡¯t going to stand here and argue with her like a fool. Whether she¡¯s packed or not, the moment my car arrives, she¡¯sing with me.


    She was standing there, arms crossed, that stubborn chin tilted up as if she had already won the battle. Well, this wasn¡¯t up for debate. Like it or not, she wasing with me, safe and under my protection, and that was final.


    "Look," I said, trying to keep my voice calm, "It¡¯s established that it isn¡¯t safe for you to stay here. So, when the car arrives, you¡¯reing with me. End of story."


    She narrowed her eyes, as if I¡¯d just issued some kind of personal challenge. "End of story?" She scoffed, crossing her arms tighter. "I don¡¯t think so."


    I could feel the corner of my jaw tightening as I held back the words on the tip of my tongue. How was it possible for someone to drive me to this level of exasperation in such a short time?


    I took a step forward, my voice low but firm. "Packed or not, stubborn or not, you¡¯reing with me. I won¡¯t stand here and argue about it. Whether you like it or not, this isn¡¯t a fight you¡¯re winning."


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    <i>Arrgh</i>! I stamped my foot as soon as I made it out of that insufferable dining room, my attempt at a graceful exit ruined by sheer frustration. That stupid, arrogant Alpha! He actually thought he could *order* me around, like I was some obedient little puppet. <i>Do this, go there.</i>


    If he thought he could waltz in here and dictate my life, he had another thinging. I wasn¡¯t some fragile little thing who would fall at his feet just because he shed those cold, alpha eyes. He may think he¡¯s in charge, but I wasn¡¯t about to be anyone¡¯s possession. Not his, not anyone¡¯s.


    Let him wait for that stupid car of his, thinking he¡¯s got me all figured out. But I¡¯m not going anywhere. Not with him. He¡¯ll be the one leaving here alone, not me.


    Sure enough, right on time, an obnoxious honk red from outside. Oh, for the love of¡ª<i>"Elena!"</i> my mom called from downstairs, <i>"Elena! Get down here!"</i> Yeah, right. As if I¡¯d just skip down there for Mr. Cold-and-Commanding.


    Then I heard his heavy footsteps stomping up the stairs. Seriously? He wasing up here? Alright, two can y this game. I threw the window open just enough to make it look like I¡¯d made a daring escape, then slid myself under the bed. Yep, under the bed. Why? Because that egotistical alpha would <i>never</i> think I¡¯d stoop to something so simple. Closet? Bathroom? Too predictable.


    Let him search. Let him wonder. There was no way I¡¯d make this easy for him.


    Oh, he sure dide bursting into my room, all high and mighty. His first stop? The bathroom. <i>Ha! Called it</i>. Next, he flung open the closet door, searching every corner. I stifled augh¡ªyup, still no bags packed, in your face, Mr. Arrogant. Then he marched to the window and cursed under his breath. I was feeling pretty pleased with myself. Genius, right?


    But, of course, fate has a twisted sense of humor. Just as he was about to leave, I felt the sneezeing on. <i>No, no, no...</i> Toote. I sneezed, and his head whipped around like a hound on a scent. Damn werewolf hearing. Before I could scramble away, he was grabbing my legs, yanking me out from under the bed.


    "What the hell are you doing? Are you insane?" he fumed, looking down at me, face red with irritation. Oh, how I wished I could re him to death. And did I mention the guy was freakishly strong? I clung to the bedpost for dear life, but he pried me off, dragging me out like some captured criminal.


    Still on the floor, his hands mped around my ankles, his face practically pulsing with anger, I couldn¡¯t help but snort. The whole scene was almost <i>too</i> ridiculous.


    "I¡¯m d you find this amusing," he said, voice icy enough to give me a chill.


    "Come on, who wouldn¡¯t find this funny?" I shot back with a grin.


    "Elena, we¡¯re leaving <i>now</i>. Get up before I¡ª"


    "Alright, alright!" I cut him off, raising my hands in mock surrender. <i>Yeah right, as if.</i>


    The second he released my leg, I sprang up, muttering "stupid jerk" just loud enough for him to hear before Iunched myself through the window. Honestly, could he not read the clear signs that I wasn¡¯t going with him, or was he just blind?


    As I fell, I let my wolf take over, shifting mid-air tond smoothly on my paws. I darted into the forest without a backward nce, paws pounding against the earth as adrenaline surged through me. Running in wolf form meant I had a shot at outrunning him¡ªand besides, shifting before the jump guaranteed a smoothnding. I wasn¡¯t about to risk a dramatic escape ruined by a twisted ankle. Seen enough movies to know how <i>that</i> ends.


    Let¡¯s see if Mr. High and Mighty could keep up.

 Chapter 20: Dangerous Game

    <h4>Chapter 20: Dangerous Game</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    <i>Goddess, what have you given me as a mate?</i>


    When she stomped out of the dining room, visibly fuming, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if I¡¯d finally lost my sanity. Who in his right mind wouldn¡¯t keep his mate close, especially after yesterday¡¯s rogue attack deep within pack territory? The security here was obviouslycking, and leaving her in an unsafe ce wasn¡¯t an option. But when the car arrived and she wouldn¡¯te down, I had to do what an alpha does¡ªI went to get her.


    Of course, she¡¯d made herself scarce. First thought? Maybe she¡¯d locked herself in the bathroom. Nope. Closet? Still nothing. Then I noticed the open window and thought, <i>no way.</i> But apparently, my "mature, level-headed" mate had actually escaped through the window¡ª<i>or so I thought</i>.


    Turns out, the brat was hiding under the bed. Under the bed! Was she serious? Did she think we were ying some kind of twisted game of hide and seek? And to top it all off, she had the audacity to sneeze just before I left the room. I¡¯d smelled her lingering scent earlier but assumed it was just because she slept here, not that she was literally lying right under my feet.


    By the time I yanked her out, she wasughing. <i>Laughing</i>, after making me practically wrestle her out from under the bed because she was holding onto the bedpost like her life depended on it. And she was actuallyughing in my face. Was she insane? That would at least exin her outrageous behavior.


    After all that, she finally acted like she was surrendering, and like a fool, I let her go¡ªonly for her to call me a "stupid jerk" and dive out the window<i>.</i>


    <i>This woman will be the death of me</i>. I¡¯ve survived battles, assassination attempts, and rogue attacks, but it¡¯s my own stubborn mate who just might take me down. <i>And No it wouldn¡¯t be of poison but stupid anger.</i>


    Not one to be made a fool of, I jumped right out the window after her. By the time Inded, she¡¯d already shifted into her sleek white wolf and was bolting for the forest. Fine. She wanted to run? Then I¡¯d chase her down the old-fashioned way¡ªon foot, no shifting.


    She might¡¯ve thought she was fast, but her speed was nothing against mine. Either her wolf wasn¡¯t as quick as she thought, or those intense morning runs had really paid off for me. Within moments, I could see her white form darting between the trees, ncing back now and then, probably thinking she¡¯d lost me.<i></i>


    <i>Not a chance, little mate.</i>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    That damn alpha was right on my heels, his footsteps pounding behind me, getting closer with every second. I risked a quick nce over my shoulder and nearly stumbled¡ªhe looked furious, his gaze locked on me like a predator closing in on his prey. Oh, boy... I was so dead.


    Before I knew it, heunched himself at me, tackling me mid-sprint. We tumbled down together, rolling through leaves and dirt until wended with him pinning me beneath his weight. His hands gripped my shoulders firmly, and his fierce eyes zed with frustration.


    "Shift," hemanded, his voiceced with that undeniable Alpha tone. Even though he wasn¡¯t <i>my</i> Alpha, the power in his voice shot through me, reaching my wolf, Zena. She hesitated, but that bond¡ªthe pull of a mate¡ªforced her to obey, and I shifted back to my human form, bare and vulnerable beneath him.


    "Don¡¯t... don¡¯t look at me! Release me at once" I sputtered, my cheeks zing with embarrassment. I squirmed, trying to turn away or hide, but he held me in ce, his hands firm on my arms.


    "I¡¯m not making the same mistake twice," he said, his voice low and unyielding. "You¡¯re not running away from me again."


    Fury burned through me, hot and searing, as he held me pinned down,pletely naked beneath him. The nerve! The <i>absolute gall</i> of this arrogant, overbearing jerk! I could feel the mate bond buzzing between us, pulling me to him in ways that made my skin flush and my heart pound, but that only made me angrier. This was <i>my</i> life¡ªmy decisions, my freedom. And here he was, barging in, taking over, holding me down like I was some helpless pup.


    "Get off me, you arrogant, insufferable brute!" I spat, my cheeks ming. "Do you even know the meaning of the word <i>privacy</i>?"


    He didn¡¯t budge, just stared down at me with that infuriating, smug expression. I could see the heat in his eyes as he looked over me, his gaze shamelessly taking in every inch, making me feel exposed in more ways than one. My wolf, Zena, was restless, torn between defiance and the maddening pull of his presence, but I was <i>not</i> giving in.


    Finally, he pulled back just enough to strip off his shirt, then tossed it at me. "Put this on," he ordered, his tone making it clear there was no room for argument.


    I red at him, seething as I yanked his shirt over my head, the fabric falling around me like a cloak. It smelled like him¡ªearthy, warm, infuriatingly intoxicating¡ªand that only made me hate it more. "Could you at least <i>turn around</i> while I¡ª"


    "No," he cut me off, his voice low and unyielding. He crossed his arms, his gaze still fixed on me. "You lost that privilege the moment you jumped out the window and decided to y games, little mate."


    I clenched my fists, feeling my anger boil over. "You... you tyrannical caveman! You think you can just waltz into my life and control everything? I don¡¯t need a dictator¡ªI need you to back off!"


    He arched an eyebrow, his gaze darkening. "Calling me names won¡¯t change the fact that you <i>will</i> being back with me, Elena. One way or another."


    I threw my hands up, growling in frustration. "You are absolutely the <i>most</i> diabolical, egotistical, self-righteous alpha I have ever met!"


    He smirked, a glint of amusement in his eyes as he took a step closer, invading my space yet again. "I¡¯ve been called worse. And trust me, Elena, if you keep testing me, you¡¯ll find out just how <i>diabolical</i> I can be."

 Chapter 21: Sweet Temptation

    <h4>Chapter 21: Sweet Temptation</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV:</strong>


    This little mate of mine was in desperate need of some conditioning; there was no way she¡¯d be outrunning me anytime soon. Not that I wasining¡ªit gave me the perfect excuse to catch her with ease. Just as she attempted a sharp turn, I leapt, pinning her down before she could swipe at me with her ws. She thrashed beneath me, fiery and furious, but I wasn¡¯t about to let her tear me to shreds.


    Using my alpha tone, Imanded her to shift. She wasn¡¯t part of my pack, but as my mate, that connection was enough topel her wolf to obey. In seconds, she was back in her human form, naked and absolutely breathtaking beneath me. My anger simmered, but damn if the sight of her didn¡¯t stoke a whole different kind of fire. I wanted her¡ªwanted to do things that would make her forget why she¡¯d ever tried to run from me. But this wasn¡¯t the ce, nor the time. Still, it was impossible to resist the temptation to look, my eyes lingering far longer than they should.


    "Fuck..." I muttered under my breath, struggling to keep my control in check. My wolf was prowling just below the surface, pushing to im her, and my body was more than willing to oblige. She was like a work of art, crafted to tempt me in every way, and the longer I stared, the harder it was to remember why I needed to stop.


    I tore off my shirt, tossing it to her. "Put this on," I said, my voice rougher than I intended. But even with the shirt on, she was a vision, the fabric hanging off her like a short, oversized dress. And when she dared to tell me to turn around, as if she hadn¡¯t just pulled that ridiculous stunt, I couldn¡¯t help but smirk.


    "No," I replied, crossing my arms and making it clear she¡¯d forfeited any right to privacy. "Not after what you pulled minutes ago."


    Once she was done buttoning the shirt, I couldn¡¯t resist onest appreciative look. She looked damn good in my shirt, all rumpled and defiant. But now it was time to put my foot down. Without another word, I scooped her up, tossing her over my shoulder like I had the day before. Her fists thudded against my back as she shouted every insult she could think of.


    I was pretty sure she just called me a <i>savage beast</i>. The irony. She had no idea.


    Keeping my grip firm on her, I leaned in close, letting my wordse out low and dangerous. "Don¡¯t pull a stunt like yesterday again, I am contended with my pants on my waist, unless you want to find yourself on your knees..." I let the innuendo hang in the air, watching the effect it had on her. Her mouth snapped shut, and for the first time since this maddening chase started, there was a blessed moment of silence.


    Finally, some peace and quiet.


    Carrying her through the forest, I could feel the tension radiating off her, her frustration practically burning through my shirt as she huffed and crossed her arms. She wanted to fight, but I¡¯d shut her down.


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    This damn caveman had me slung over his shoulder <i>again</i>, and to make things worse, the jerk was shirtless. Just my luck. Every step he took sent a ripple through his muscles, and my traitorous eyes kept locking onto his broad, bare back. It was infuriating... and undeniably hot.


    I had to grit my teeth to keep from making a sound. My wolf, Zena, was not helping¡ªshe was practically purring in my head, urging me to dig my ws in and hold on for the ride. My body was already a mess from the moment he¡¯d pinned me down while I was stark naked beneath him, and now here he was, carrying me like some damsel in distress.


    It took <i>all</i> my willpower not to give in to the wild urge to w at him or, worse, to just let my body give in to the ridiculous attraction and dry-hump him right here in the middle of the woods. I mean, was it <i>too</i> much to ask for a little self-control?


    And as if sensing my internal struggle, the arrogant bastard just kept walking, entirely unbothered. Smug as ever. I could practically feel his smirk radiating off him without even seeing his face. Oh, he thought he¡¯d won, but he had another thinging.


    To make matters worse, I couldn¡¯t pull my escape trick from yesterday¡ªthe one where I¡¯d yanked his pants down and made a break for it. He must have known it, too, because before he threw me over his shoulder, he¡¯d leaned close, his voice dark and dangerous, "Don¡¯t pull a stunt like that again, unless you want to find yourself on your knees..." The way he said it left no room for doubt. He <i>meant</i> it.


    And damn it, my whole body <i>melted</i>. My heart raced, my pulse hammered, and I hated every second of it. This mate bond was ying tricks on me, making me weak in ways I¡¯d never been before. <i>Why</i> did my body insist on reacting like this¡ªthis heat that red up just from being near him, his scent, the press of his arm holding me down, his rough voice in my ear?


    It was humiliating, infuriating, and... intoxicating. Stupid bond. Stupid body. If he knew just how close I was to giving in, he¡¯d never let me live it down. But no way was I letting him win that easily.


    Having exhausted every escape idea I could think of, I had no choice but to ept my fate¡ªdangling over his broad, muscr shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Humiliating didn¡¯t even begin to cover it. My arms were crossed in defiance, and I red at his bare back, willing myself not to notice how annoyingly solid and warm he was, or how his muscles shifted with every step.


    But my stupid body had other ns, and I could feel that ridiculous mate-bond pull, making my pulse race even as my mind fumed. Here I was, the mighty Elena, reduced to nothing more than cargo on this overbearing caveman. And he knew it, too. I could practically feel his smugness radiating off him as he strode back to his car,pletely ignoring my seething.


    "Comfortable up there?"

 Chapter 22: Ridiculous Much?

    <h4>Chapter 22: Ridiculous Much?</h4>


    <strong>KANE POV:</strong>


    Alright, call me a horny wolf. But can you me me? Try carrying your nearly naked mate over your shoulder and see if you don¡¯t lose your mind. The shirt I¡¯d given her barely covered her, leaving my hands holding nothing but bare, soft thigh. God, I wanted to slide my hands just a little higher, to see if she¡¯d gasp, to feel more of her warmth...


    Fuck, Kane, get it together! I tried chastening myself, but damn, the temptation was overwhelming. Every step I took felt like a struggle against my primal instincts. The way her body molded against mine sent my thoughts spiraling into the gutter.


    <i>Get it together, Kane,</i> I chided myself, trying to rein in the wave of heat surging through me. But it was impossible. Beneath that thin fabric, I could feel her chest pressed against my back, the curve of her breasts driving my thoughts straight into dangerous territory. My wolf was practically wing to the surface, growling in hunger. Each step felt like a test of my self-control, and damn if I didn¡¯t feel it slipping. I fought to maintain my focus, but the wolf inside me was howling for attention, craving her in ways I had never imagined possible.


    With each stride, I could sense her breathing quickening, and it only added fuel to the fire. The scent of her¡ªsweet and intoxicating¡ªwrapped around me like a nket, drawing me closer to the edge of control.


    She shifted slightly, sending a fresh wave of warmth through my body, and I bit down hard, fighting to keep my focus. Because if I didn¡¯t, it would be a lot more than my hands holding her tight.


    "You know, I still have to punish you for putting me through all this trouble, making me chase you down," I murmured, letting my voice drop to that dark, gravelly tone I knew would get under her skin.


    I felt her body tense on my shoulder, her fingers clenching slightly against my back. Good. She was listening.


    "Don¡¯t think you¡¯re off the hook just because you managed to slip away once," I added, giving her thigh a gentle, possessive squeeze. Her sharp intake of breath didn¡¯t go unnoticed, and I could practically feel her squirming as my words sank in.


    "You don¡¯t scare me," she snapped, though her voice was a little breathless, and I could feel the faint tremor of anticipation ripple through her.


    "Oh, sweetheart," I said, unable to suppress a smirk. "By the time I¡¯m through, you might wish you¡¯d juste along quietly."


    If she thought I was going to let her defiance slide, she had another thinging.


    Finally, the car came into view, parked just where I¡¯d ordered my driver to wait. Thank God. Another minute of her squirming on my shoulder, wrapped in nothing but my shirt, and I might have done something reckless.


    "So, it looks like we¡¯ll be making our grand entrance like this," I muttered, half-amused, half-irritated. Her in my shirt, hair a mess from the chase, and me... well, shirtless and definitely not looking like the civilized Alpha I was supposed to be.


    "Put me down," she hissed, smacking my back. "I¡¯m not showing up like this."


    I chuckled, tightening my hold just a bit as I walked us to the car. "You lost that choice the moment you jumped out the window, love."


    Her indignant sputtering was music to my ears as I yanked the door open and finally set her down, blocking her escape with one arm.


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    As we finally came into view of the car, I was halfway between relieved and fuming. Relieved, because I might actually get a break from hanging off his stupidly broad shoulder like some damsel in distress. Fuming, because... well, I was still hanging off his stupidly broad shoulder like some damsel in distress.


    When he muttered, "So, it looks like we¡¯ll be making our grand entrance like this," with that cocky smirk, I swear I could¡¯ve kicked him.


    "Put me down!" I snapped, smacking his bare back, but he justughed, not breaking his stride for a second.


    "You lost that choice the moment you jumped out the window, love."


    Oh, the audacity. <i>Love</i>? Did he really think a little pet name and a shirt tossed my way would make me forget he¡¯d practically kidnapped me? This Alpha was insufferable.


    Oh, and let¡¯s not forget hisst little promise: "You know I still have to punish you for putting me through all this trouble." As if! The idea alone made my blood boil¡ªand okay, maybe sent a slight shiver down my spine that I wasn¡¯t about to admit.


    Punish me? Hell no. If he thought I¡¯d just roll over and let him, he was in for a rude awakening. Alpha or not, I wasn¡¯t some obedient little wolf ready to fall in line at hismand. If he wanted a fight, he¡¯d get one.


    I red up at him, defiance clear in my eyes, and tried to pull the shirt he¡¯d given me a little lower¡ªthough his gaze told me he was well aware of every inch it <i>didn¡¯t </i> cover. Great. Just great.


    "Get in the car," he said, his voice low and dripping with authority, like he was oh-so-used to people doing whatever he said.


    I crossed my arms, arching an eyebrow. "Or what? You¡¯ll carry me again?"


    He finally set me down by the car, but before I could bolt, he blocked my way with that annoyingly strong arm, caging me in with a look that said he wasn¡¯t done yet. His smirk was infuriating, but the way he looked at me¡ªas if I was his, as if I¡¯d never get away¡ªmade my pulse race in ways I¡¯d rather ignore.


    Fine. If he thought I¡¯d just sit here and take it, he had another thinging.


    Kane barely spared me a nce as he told the driver to keep going, settling himself beside me with an infuriating calm. The car rumbled to life, rolling smoothly toward the exit of the territory. I looked out the window, watching my home get further away, and that was it¡ªI lost it.


    "Hey! Turn back!" I shouted, trying to keep the panic out of my voice. "I didn¡¯t even get to say goodbye to my parents!"


    He turned to me, one eyebrow raised, looking annoyingly amused. "You can call them when we get there."


    My mouth dropped open. "I am <i>not </i> wearing anything!" I practically hissed, tugging at his shirt, which barely reached my thighs. "I look ridiculous!"


    Kane¡¯s smirk didn¡¯t falter. If anything, he seemed to find my distress amusing. "You should¡¯ve thought of that before you tried to escape, Elena," he replied coolly, a hint of satisfaction in his tone. "Besides, you¡¯re wearing <i>my</i> shirt. I¡¯d say it suits you just fine."


    I red at him, crossing my arms in defiance. "You¡¯re unbelievable," I muttered, refusing to meet his gaze, feeling the heat of embarrassment mixed with frustration.

 Chapter 23: A penny For Your Dream

    <h4>Chapter 23: A penny For Your Dream</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    I had no choice but to scoot as far as possible from the window, sliding over to the opposite end of the seat just to keep some distance from the annoyingly smug alpha who, ording to the moon goddess, was somehow my mate. <i>Him? Really? What was she thinking?!</i>


    I focused my gaze out the window, watching my entire life¡ªmy home, my pack, my family¡ªslowly disappear as we drove further away.


    But then there was movement on the seat beside me. Curiosity won out, so I nced over... and nearly stopped breathing.


    Kane had moved closer. Like, <i>way</i> closer. That infuriatingly handsome face, with that perfectly messy hair and those piercing eyes, was now only inches away. My heart lurched, and my body decided it was time for aplete betrayal, hormones kicking into overdrive. His handnded gently on my thigh, and I swear, it was like his touch set off an electric pulse through my entire body.


    I tried to protest, but the words got tangled in my throat. He silenced me with a single finger to my lips, his eyes dark and intense, as if he knew exactly what he was doing to me. My breath hitched, my mind turning to a foggy mess of... want. His thumb started tracing tiny circles on my thigh, each touch sending waves of heat pooling between my legs. <i>Good lord, he¡¯s barely doing anything and I¡¯m melting.</i>


    I could feel his hand inching upwards, his thumb skimming just a little higher each time, driving mepletely insane. My heart was racing, and my entire body was practically begging him to keep going, to find that ce that was aching for him, ready to give inpletely. He leaned in, his breath warm against my neck, whispering in a low, husky voice, "You have no idea what you¡¯re doing to me, Elena. Your scent... it¡¯s driving me crazy."


    <i>Well, wee to the club, buddy, </i>I thought, practically on fire from his touch.


    He ced a small, lingering kiss on my neck, and I almost lost it right then. His fingers finally reached where I was desperate for his touch, brushing against the very center of my need. My eyes fluttered closed, and I was about two seconds away from letting out the most embarrassing moan of my life when he whispered, in a tone that was equal parts amusement and hunger, "So fucking wet..."


    I bit my lip, my entire body ready for him, aching for him to¡ª


    "Little mate..." he growled softly, his voice like a dark promise, "...if you don¡¯t stop right now, I swear I¡¯ll do something you might not want... though it sure seems like you need it."


    Wait. <i>What?</i>


    My eyes flew open, only to realize that I was... asleep? Or had I been dreaming? Somehow, my head had found its way onto his shoulder, and my arms were wrapped around him like he was some kind of oversized, shirtless, incredibly hot teddy bear.


    Oh. My. God.


    Horrified, I practically jumped away from him, scooting to the farthest edge of the seat as if he¡¯d burned me. "Did I just...?" My voice was barely a squeak, a mortified whisper. <i>Did I just SLEEP on his shoulder like some lovesick rom heroine?!</i>


    Kane raised an eyebrow, that damned smirk on his face making him look even more amused than usual. He didn¡¯t say anything, just watched me, like he knew exactly what I¡¯d been dreaming about. Oh, great. Fantastic. The universe really did hate me.


    "Ugh, don¡¯t tter yourself," I muttered, crossing my arms and huffing as if that would somehow erase the entire embarrassing episode. I looked away, cheeks burning, trying to shake off the lingering effects of... whatever <i>that</i> was.


    Inside, I was screaming at myself. <i>Get it together, Elena! This is NOT happening. This alpha jerk will not reduce you to a lovesick puppy, hormones or no hormones.</i> I stole a quick nce at him, only to see him still watching me with that infuriating smirk, as if he waspletely aware of my internal crisis.


    <i>Ugh. This stupid mate bond.</i> If he kept being an obnoxious, annoying, stupidly sexy jerk... I was going to lose my mind. I needed to have a serious talk with myself this will just not do. He needs to get his egocentric in order and I need two... no maybe three now, to get over his over bearing self and a lot of change in his attitude for him to get a piece of me


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    As we headed back to my pack, Elena immediately scooted to the far side of the seat, putting as much distance as possible between us. It was as if she thought I¡¯d devour her right here in the car... which, to be fair, wasn¡¯t entirely inurate. Just not here. When I did take her, I wanted space, time, and no interruptions, because every inch of her was going to be mine.


    It didn¡¯t take long before I noticed her head starting to droop. The exhaustion had finally caught up with her; after all, my little runaway was feisty but still human. She looked so peaceful in her sleep, which was baffling considering she usually drove me right to the edge of insanity. Even in sleep, though, she was stunning, with her soft breathing and that rxed, innocent look.


    The window clearly wasn¡¯tfortable enough for her because, after a bit of shifting, she ended up scooting toward me, her head resting on my shoulder, arms wrapped around me like I was some oversized teddy bear. I couldn¡¯t help the smug grin tugging at my lips. Yeah, this was much better.


    With her so close, her scent filled the air¡ªsweet and maddening, stirring up every primal urge I had. My mind wandered, and I pictured her under me, skin against skin, breathless and begging as I imed her entirely. It wasn¡¯t just some passing thought either; it was vivid, like I could actually feel her nails digging into my back as she whispered my name.


    And then, to my shock, I actually heard her moan. For a second, I thought I was imagining it, but then she did it again, a soft, breathy sound that drove everyst bit of restraint out the window. My little mate was dreaming about something, and it sure as hell wasn¡¯t innocent. Goddess, was she trying to test my limits?


    I leaned closer, my mouth right near her ear, unable to resist. In a low, almost growling whisper, I said, "Little mate... if you don¡¯t stop right now, I swear I¡¯ll do something you might not want... though it sure seems like you need it."


    Her eyes snapped open, and she looked up at me in shock, as if she¡¯d been jolted awake by electricity. Realizing how close we were, she practicallyunched herself to the other side of the seat, blushing furiously. Her arousal was thick in the air, practically pulsing between us, and she looked absolutely mortified as she met my gaze.


    "Having a nice dream, were we?" I asked, voice dripping with amusement. The look on her face was priceless¡ªequal parts embarrassment and desire, and I knew she was just as affected as I was.


    Her face went an even deeper shade of red as she stammered something incoherent, and all I could think was how much fun it was going to be to watch her squirm, knowing she¡¯d been dreaming about me... dreaming about things we both knew she¡¯d pretend she didn¡¯t want.


    Oh, yes. This was going to be one interesting ride.

 Chapter 24: Call me Crazy

    <h4>Chapter 24: Call me Crazy</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    "C¡¯mon, little mate, don¡¯t you wanna share your dreams with me?" I leaned in closer, my voice azy drawl, thoroughly enjoying the way her cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red. She looked absolutely flustered, and I could feel the frustration radiating off her as she turned her gaze firmly to the window, refusing to give me any reaction.


    Oh, so she was going to y stubborn? I wasn¡¯t having that. I slid a little closer, watching with amusement as she tried to scoot further away, even though there was nowhere left for her to go. Cornered. I loved it.


    "You know," I whispered, leaning close enough that my breath brushed her ear, "I¡¯d be more than happy to make your dreamse true."


    She trembled slightly, her breath hitching, but her reply was a curt, "No thank you." Her tone was all defiance, but the way she said it, so breathy and tense, only fueled my resolve to push her just a bit further.


    I let my hand drift onto her thigh, feeling the heat of her skin through the thin fabric. Her eyes shed with fire as she pped my hand away, her tone fierce. "Don¡¯t touch me," she hissed, the fierceness in her voice only making me grin wider.


    There she was¡ªmy fierce, fiery mate. The one who drove me insane, who kept me on my toes. Every bit of her resistance only stoked my desire, made me want to break through her walls even more.


    "Feisty as ever," I murmured, not even bothering to hide my grin. "Good. I like a challenge."


    "You know, there¡¯s always something thrilling about car rides," I murmured, letting my voice drop low, each wordced with a heavy dose of suggestion. I leaned in, just enough for her to feel the heat radiating off me, hoping to get under her skin. "We could make it he hot if you¡¯d just... cooperate." I let the innuendo hang, savoring the tension.


    Her face went from flustered to positively scandalized, and she snapped her gaze toward me, eyes zing. "Oh, no. Not a chance," she fired back, crossing her arms defensively. But the slight quiver in her voice told me she wasn¡¯t entirely unaffected.


    I grinned, leaning even closer so my breath brushed against her ear, watching as a shiver ran through her. "Oh, c¡¯mon, Elena," I whispered, my tone dripping with mischief. "Think of it as... quality bonding time. Just you, me, and some... cooperative exploration."


    Her jaw clenched, and she shifted in her seat, clearly flustered, but not willing to let me see just how much I was getting to her. "Kane, if you don¡¯t back off right now..." she warned, her voice a mix of frustration and something else, something she was fighting to keep hidden.


    "Or what, little mate?" I murmured, unable to resist teasing her just a little more. "You¡¯ll make me stop? Because from where I¡¯m sitting..."


    "Or," she snapped, her voice sharp as a knife, "you can enjoy this stupid car ride all by yourself." And before I could even process what she was saying, she reached for the handle, threw the door open, andunched herself out of the moving car.


    "What the hell?!" I shouted, my mind reeling as I watched her disappear out the side of the car.


    The driver, who clearly had not signed up for *this* level of drama, mmed on the brakes, sending us skidding to a screeching halt on the road. I was out the door in seconds, my heart pounding, equal parts furious and concerned. What was she thinking? Was she insane?


    When I spotted her up ahead, she was already up and running, her long hair streaming behind her as she bolted toward the tree line like some kind of wild, defiant fox making a break for freedom. The damn woman was apparently now fast. I guess she was that desperate of getting away from me. I cursed under my breath and started after her, my legs propelling me forward as I closed the gap between us.


    "Elena!" I bellowed.


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    Alright, maybe throwing myself out of a moving car wasn¡¯t my smartest idea, but you know what? Sometimes you just <i>have</i> to go full-on crazy. A girl can only take so much. Five minutes trapped in that car with Mr. Insufferable Alpha¡ªwho seemed determined to take over every inch of my life¡ªand I was ready to w my way to freedom.


    He wanted me to be some docile little mate, perfectly obedient, someone he could control? <i>No, thank you.</i> I was furious with him for dragging me off without even letting me say goodbye to my family, furious at myself for that stupid, embarrassing dream, and <i>furious</i> at my own damn body for melting every time he so much as <i>looked</i> at me with those eyes. And don¡¯t even get me started on Zena, my traitor of a wolf, practically wagging her tail, begging for "action." She had no shame.


    So yes, I did what any sensible person would do in my position: unlocked the car door, shoved it open mid-innuendo, and bailed. Was he shocked? Maybe. But let¡¯s be honest¡ªI¡¯d told him I was a handful. He just hadn¡¯t seen the <i>full effect</i> yet. The stupid driver thought he could lock me in with that overbearing Alpha shock on him. Elena you pick locks? shocked? Why yes I do. What a girl gotta have some tricks under her sleeve.


    Hitting the ground was jarring, sure, and the pain shot through me, but I was already up and sprinting toward the treeline before he could blink. Thank the goddess for shifter healing. Yeah, it still hurt like hell, but my pride was stronger. I wasn¡¯t about to let him lock me up in a cage¡ªmetaphorically <i>or</i> literally.


    Behind me, I heard him bellow, "Elena!" like that was going to make me stop. Nope. I kept running, fueled by a mix of stubbornness and pure, unfiltered rage. I nced back just in time to see him vaulting out of the car, face twisted in a mix of frustration and what might have even been... amusement? Oh, he thought this was funny? <i>Game on,</i> Kane.


    The car had barely screeched to a halt when he took off after me, and I pushed myself to go faster. I didn¡¯t care that he was bigger, faster, or that he had years of Alpha training under his belt. I was going to run until my legs gave out.


    The wind whipped through my hair as I bolted, the cool air calming my anger just a little¡ªbut only just. And I swore, as I sprinted, that no matter how many ridiculous, flirty, infuriating innuendos he threw my way, no matter how gorgeous he looked all shirtless and brooding, I wasn¡¯t going to give in.

 Chapter 25: Rejection?

    <h4>Chapter 25: Rejection?</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    <i>Did she seriously just jump out of a moving car?</i> For a second, I could hardly believe it. Did my little runaway mate think she was starring in some action movie? And how the hell did she even get the door open¡ªI¡¯d told the driver to lock the car. He¡¯s definitely getting an earful from me once I catch my runaway mate... again.


    <i>Once I catch her.</i> Which, judging by her current sprint, wouldn¡¯t be much longer. She was more faster thanst time, I¡¯d give her that, she made me make up for thest two missing morning workouts already.


    The mighty, ruthless Alpha Kane, chasing down his mate like some clumsy pup on his first hunt. My wolf was growling, half-amused, half-enraged. She¡¯d defied me again, and something in me¡ªsomething dark and possessive¡ªwas itching to show her just what it meant to challenge an alpha. I¡¯d never met anyone who tested me the way she did. And hell, as frustrating as she was, there was something exhrating about it, too. She was like a wildfire I could barely contain, and the thrill of trying was starting to go to my head.


    But damn it, thinking about her defiance and picturing all the ways I could put her back in her ce wasn¡¯t helping the situation. My mind drifted into dangerous territory. A leash, maybe. Yeah, that would suit her defiant little spirit. My imagination ran wild for a moment¡ª<i>too</i> wild¡ªpicturing her on her knees between my legs, my hand tangled in that wild hair, wearing nothing but a cor around her neck, that sassy mouth finally put to good use, lips parted as she takes in my hard.....<i>Damn it, Kane,</i> I chastised myself, but it was toote. The image was burned into my brain, and the anticipation was sending a dark, possessive thrill through me.


    <i>Fucking shit.</i> Now I had to chase her down with a hard-on, and she was not making it easy.


    With onest burst of speed, I closed the distance between us, watching her throw a panicked nce over her shoulder just as I was nearly on her. The look in her eyes was pure defiance, a stubbornness that made my pulse pound harder. Good. Because as soon as I got my hands on her, she¡¯d learn that with me, resistance was half the thrill¡ªand submission would be all the reward. She was going to be a handful to tame, no doubt about it. But that¡¯s exactly what made her <i>mine.</i>


    "Will you stop being so damn childish? No matter how far you run, I¡¯m still going to catch you," I growl, finally managing to catch her hand and slow her down. Her breathing is ragged, her cheeks flushed, eyes furious.


    "Then get the hint and buzz off! I don¡¯t want you, Kane!" she shouts at me, defiance zing. The words cut deeper than I¡¯d care to admit, igniting a dark, simmering anger within me. She doesn¡¯t know how close she¡¯s dancing to the edge.


    "Don¡¯t shout at me," I warn coldly, my voice dropping to a deadly calm. I¡¯ve tolerated more disobedience from her than I would from anyone, but she¡¯s pushing me too far. She takes a step back, and for the first time, I see a flicker of hesitation cross her face. Good¡ªshe should be wary of what I¡¯m capable of when pushed.


    "You don¡¯t scare me, Kane! I can reject you for all I care," she spits, voice hard butced with just a hint of desperation.


    That does it. The mere mention of rejection sends a dark fury through my veins. She has no idea how long I¡¯ve waited to find my mate, the years I¡¯ve spent searching and wondering if I¡¯d ever get this chance. And now that she¡¯s here, she dares to threaten me with rejection? Like hell I¡¯d ever let that happen. She doesn¡¯t get to make that choice on her own, and even if the moon goddess herself demanded it, I wouldn¡¯t agree. Not a chance.


    "Don¡¯t. You. Dare. Threaten. Me. Again. With. Rejection." I enunciate each word, my voice a dangerous whisper, stepping closer with each step. She backs up until her spine presses against a tree, and I cage her in, both arms bracketing her against the rough bark. My eyes bore into hers, unyielding and intense, and I can see her resolve waver.


    Her breath hitches, her fiery defiance tempered by a hint of something else as she realizes just how close she¡¯s teetering to my breaking point. She¡¯s poked the beast one too many times, and now it¡¯s awake, unwilling to be tamed without making her pay for every insolent word.


    "You think you can push me, tease me, and then threaten to leave?" I growl, my voiceced with a promise of retribution. "I don¡¯t think so, little mate. You¡¯re not going anywhere. I¡¯m not done with you¡ªnot by a long shot."


    The challenge in her gaze falters, her lips parting as she stares back at me, caught in the intensity of my gaze. She has awaken my dominant side and I wasn¡¯t going to calm her down until I punish her for even thinking of rejecting me and making it worse by threatening me.


    Rejection worked both side I must ept her rejection for us to be separated and like hell will I ever do that, even if hell freezes over.


    "I think you, my little mate, need to be punished," I say, my voice dropping to a dark, almost predatory tone, each word thick with intent. Her eyes widen, a sh of fear mixed with something else entirely¡ªsomething that betrays her, something that tells me she feels the pull as much as I do.


    Her defiance slips just a fraction, and I smirk, relishing the way she tries to steel herself under my gaze. "What... what are you going to do?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper, butced with that same fiery challenge I¡¯vee to both despise and crave. She may be putting on a brave face, but I can see her breathing quicken, her cheeks flush, and it only stirs my hunger more.


    I lean in, letting my words brush against her skin like a caress. "Oh, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make sure you understand exactly what happens when you disobey me... when you threaten me," I murmur, my voice a promiseced with something darker. I can feel the tension radiating off her, the thrill and the hesitation, the way she¡¯s caught between her need to defy me and her own traitorous body betraying her.


    My fingers graze her cheek, tracing down to her jaw, then lower, resting at the base of her neck. I can feel her pulse racing under my touch, and I can¡¯t help the smirk that forms on my lips. "You think you can keep pushing me, little mate?" I ask softly. "Keep testing my patience? That there won¡¯t be consequences?"


    She swallows, but the fire in her eyes returns. "I¡¯m not yours to control, Kane," she snaps, though her voice wavers slightly.


    "Not yet," I reply, my voice a low growl. "But you will be."


    Her breath hitches as my hand trails down her shoulder, my thumb brushing along her corbone with just enough pressure to remind her of my strength. I can see the conflict in her eyes, her instincts screaming for her to push me away, yet the mate bond pulling her right back in.


    "You need to learn that when I say something, I mean it. And when you fight me..." I lean closer, my lips barely an inch from her ear, "...it only makes me want to break you in all the best ways."


    Her defiance flickers, and I feel her tremble, though she¡¯s still trying to hold herself together, to keep up her guard. But the way she¡¯s breathing, the way her pulse is hammering, I know I¡¯m getting to her.

 Chapter 26: Punishing Little Mate

    <h4>Chapter 26: Punishing Little Mate</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    Okay, I admit it¡ªI didn¡¯t actually mean it when I threatened him with rejection. I was just... mad. And we all know that when we¡¯re mad, stupid things fly out of our mouths. But Kane? He took it like I¡¯d pped him across the face, which was definitely not what I¡¯d nned.


    Honestly, who did he think he was, calling me <i>childish</i> just because I tried to get away? Like it¡¯s <i>unreasonable</i> to want to avoid thepany of an insufferable, overbearing alpha who thinks he can boss me around just because we¡¯re mates. He¡¯s so full of himself it¡¯s a miracle his ego fits in the same room. The nerve!


    But the look in his eyes... damn, I¡¯d touched a nerve. He was furious, and not the ¡¯slightly annoyed¡¯ kind of furious, but the ¡¯predator ready to pounce¡¯ kind. I should¡¯ve known better than to throw the word <i>rejection</i> around like that, but in the moment, I just wanted to get under his skin as much as he got under mine.


    Now, though, as he took slow, measured steps toward me, each one more menacing than thest, I felt a flicker of regret¡ªand something else, something that made my heart hammer in my chest. I couldn¡¯t back away fast enough, and before I knew it, my back was pressed against a tree, the rough bark digging into my skin as he loomed over me, his intense gaze trapping me as effectively as his arms ever could.


    I swallowed, thest bit of my bravado fading as I realized just how badly I¡¯d messed up. Kane¡¯s presence was overpowering, his eyes dark, his voice barely above a whisper, yet it held enough weight to pin me to that tree. "Don¡¯t you dare threaten me with rejection again," he growled, his words slow, deliberate, each one vibrating through me like a promise.


    A shiver ran down my spine, my instinct to flee shing with a traitorous thrill that made my stomach flutter. I hated him for making me feel like this, for turning my own body against me with nothing more than a look and a low, dangerous tone.


    This was supposed to be <i>my</i> escape, myst stand. Instead, I was the one cornered, caged by his presence, and judging by the heat in his gaze, he was all too aware of it.


    I opened my mouth to protest, to say something¡ªanything¡ªthat would wipe that smug look off his face, but the words died in my throat as he leaned closer, his lips just inches from mine, his eyes locked on mine, unwavering and dark with intent.


    There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and as much as I wanted to pretend otherwise, a part of me didn¡¯t want to. A part of me wanted to stay right here, in his line of fire, daring him to make good on whatever punishment he had in mind. But would I survive it?


    "I¡¯m going to punish you, little mate," he murmured coldly, his voice a low threat against my ear as he bit down on my earlobe, sending a shockwave through my body. My traitorous wolf, Zena, howled in approval, practically chanting, <i>Finally! Some action! We needed this punishment!</i>


    His fingers traced slowly down my jaw, a deliberate, agonizing tease that had my breath hitching. By the time his hand found my chest, squeezing my breast with a rough possessiveness, I was already unraveling. Why on earth had I kept myself so celibate all this time? Suddenly, my past choices seemedughable, a waste of potential for pleasure that was now building beyond my control.


    "You¡¯re mine," he said, his words almost a growl as he pinched my already hardened nipple. A hot shiver raked through me, and I couldn¡¯t think straight¡ªcoherent sentences? Not even close. And he wasn¡¯t done. One of his hands slid lower, trailing down to my center, which ached with anticipation. With no barriers beneath his shirt, I was bare and ready, every nerve on high alert.


    His other hand left my breast, gliding down to my backside, squeezing, folding and lifting me in a way that had me spiraling. When his fingers finally found their way inside me, I was helpless against the intense pleasure that surged through me, his expert touch sending me right to the edge. His fingers worked incredible magic especially when he curled them making me gasp.


    "Don¡¯t enjoy it too much, sweetheart," he warned, his voiceced with mockery. "It¡¯s a punishment." And before I could process it, he pulled his fingers away, leaving me on the edge, frustration coiling inside me like a spring ready to snap.


    But he wasn¡¯t done. Before I could protest, he bent me forward, pinning me between his powerful thighs, my head trapped, my hands braced on his legs,pletely at his mercy. My bare backside was exposed to him, every inch of my skin alive and vulnerable.


    "What the¡ª?" I barely managed to get the words out before he delivered a stinging spank that had me gasping. The impact sent a sharp pang through me, it hurt, a lot, but strangely, it only heightened my arousal. A second and then a third swat followed, each one pushing me closer and closer to the edge of an intense, dark ecstasy.


    I was hovering on the brink, my body screaming for release, when he stopped, leaving me panting, skin stinging, and maddeningly unsatisfied. That smug, insufferable man just left me there, trembling with need, my body aching, my mind spinning with frustration.


    I had never wanted to kill someone so much in my life.


    "And now, we continue with the journey," he said with infuriating calm, as if he hadn¡¯t just turned my entire world upside down. His hand mped around my wrist, firm and unyielding as he started dragging me back toward the car. My legs, still wobbly from that *punishment,* barely kept up, feeling like jelly beneath me. Every step was a mix of soreness and frustration, my mind racing with all the possible ways I could make him pay for this.


    Maybe I could slip wolfsbane into his coffee, or train a flock of angry crows to attack him whenever he smirked. Or perhaps I could just let my wolf loose and let her w him into oblivion.

 Chapter 27: Punishing Little Mate (II)

    <h4>Chapter 27: Punishing Little Mate (II)</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV:</strong>


    "Elena," I growled in her ear, low and dangerous, "you¡¯re going to remember who you belong to." My voice was cold, a promise wrapped in steel, as I bit down gently on her earlobe, feeling her shiver beneath my touch. Her soft moan hit my ears, a sound that only fueled the primal urge coursing through me, but I wasn¡¯t here to indulge¡ªat least, notpletely. This was a lesson.


    "I¡¯m going to punish you, little mate," I said coldly, my voice low and controlled. She needed to learn a lesson. No one dared to threaten me¡ªespecially not her, with that absurd notion of rejection hanging in the air between us.


    Trailing my fingers down her jaw, I traced a slow line to her chest, taking my time, savoring the way her body reacted to me, tense but wanting. My hands found her breasts, and I squeezed them, each handful a perfect fit. My wolf growled in approval as I felt her nipples, already hard beneath the thin fabric of my shirt. They were practically begging for my mouth, but I wasn¡¯t about to give in just yet. Instead, I let my fingers pinch and tease, enjoying the way her breathing grew ragged. How I longed to taste them, to worship her body as she deserved¡ªbut not yet. For now, I settled for pinching them gently, my forefinger and thumb working to elicit every possible reaction from her.


    Lowering my hand to her center, my other hand found its way to her fine ass. I let it slide to her ass, gripping it firmly and squeezing. God, I wanted her¡ªdesperately. But I had to keep reminding myself I was here to punish her, to teach her a lesson before I lost control entirely. Damn, she was perfect. Every inch of her felt like it was made for me. But I reminded myself that this was a punishment¡ªa reminder to both of us about who was in control. Her scent was intoxicating, her arousal unmistakable, and when my fingers found her center, already wet and aching for me, I couldn¡¯t hold back a satisfied smirk.


    My hand was instantly met with the heat of her arousal. She was already so wet, her juices flowing freely as soon as I brushed against her aching center. I fumbled with her clit, teasing her just enough before inserting one finger inside her. She was tight¡ªdamn tight. A low groan escaped my lips at the sensation. I thrust my finger in and out, each movement drawing out a series of delicious gasps from her. I could feel her body responding to me, the way she clenched around my finger.


    "Look at you," I whispered, slipping a finger into her, feeling the impossible tightness that was going to drive me mad. "So responsive. So ready." I worked my finger slowly, savoring the feel of her, before sliding in a second finger, and she screamed, the sound raw and wild. It was music to my ears, the kind of music that made me want to forget all sense of control and take her right there.


    But I wasn¡¯t done. Not yet. Not until she knew exactly who she was dealing with.


    She was so close to the edge, and I could feel the tension coiling between us, a tight rope ready to snap. But I wasn¡¯t done yet. Just as I felt her body start to unravel, I pulled my fingers out, leaving her teetering on the brink of release.


    Her expression was a mix of fury and desperation, and it was priceless. But I didn¡¯t give her a moment to collect herself. Instead, I bent her over, positioning her head between my thighs and holding her in ce. Her ass was so close, so inviting, and I couldn¡¯t resist the urge to spank her three times. I knew it would hurt, but I also knew it would bring her even closer to that sweet release without letting her have it¡ªa perfect punishment for my innocent mate.


    As I released her, she looked up at me, eyes zing with a fire that made my heart race. It was a look that promised retribution, but I reveled in it. As much as I had tortured myself in the process, it was worth it to see that fierce determination in her gaze. Know she would learn that I had my limits to her disobedience.


    As she shot me a murderous re, I chose to ignore it. The fire in her eyes was fierce, but I had made my decision, and there was no turning back now. Grabbing her wrist, I dragged her toward the car, my grip firm yet not painful. I could feel her pulse racing beneath my fingers, a mix of anger and something deeper, something intoxicating that made my wolf stir restlessly within me.


    With each step, I couldn¡¯t shake the awareness of her arousal lingering in the air. The intoxicating scent of her desire was a heady mix that filled the space between us, and I knew the driver would pick up on it as well. The thought sent a possessive growl rumbling in my chest; thest thing I wanted was another wolf catching a whiff of my mate¡¯s readiness. It didn¡¯t sit well with me, this primal instinct to protect what was mine.


    I linked with the driver, motioning for him to leave the car and shift to wolf form. It was a small distance back, and I wanted him to run ahead, away from us. Call me an asshole if you want, but I wasn¡¯t about to let any male wolf catch a whiff of my mate¡¯s arousal while I was still yet to mark her.


    As he replied and shifted, I felt the tension in my chest ease slightly. Thest thing I needed was another wolf sniffing around, drawn to the intoxicating scent of her desire. It was mine to protect, mine to im. With each passing second, the primal instinct to assert my dominance grew stronger.

 Chapter 28: Royally Screwed

    <h4>Chapter 28: Royally Screwed</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    Stupid, insufferable alpha male. Narcissistic jerk. If only I could beat some sense into this so-called mate of mine. My entire body was on fire, every nerve left tingling and aching, and this cocky, arrogant idiot had the audacity to just... leave me like this? How dare he!


    My mind raced with all the names I wanted to call him, all the ways I could make him pay. He was dragging me back to the car, one hand gripping my wrist like he owned me, while I stumbled along, my legs practically jelly and my frustration at an all-time high. My body was still pulsing, desperate for the release he¡¯d so cruelly denied me. I could practically feel his smug satisfaction in every step he took, and that made it worse.


    I nced at him, fighting the urge to do something rash, like bite his arm or... or scream at him to finish what he¡¯d started. My wolf, Zena, was absolutely no help. She was practically panting, pacing in my mind with an air of frustrated need. *Just a little more... just a little friction,* she whined, egging me on with her desperate, shameless desire. Honestly, she was practically ready to throw herself at him, and that only made me more furious.


    "Let go of me," I hissed, tugging my wrist in an attempt to break free. But he just shot me a look, that cocky, infuriating smirk ying on his lips.


    "Careful, little mate," he said, his voice low, dripping with amusement. "Keep testing me, and you¡¯ll be begging before I¡¯m done with you."


    Ugh. If only I could punch that smug look off his face. But right now, all I could think about was the maddening ache he¡¯d left behind, and I hated him even more for it.


    "Stupid... arrogant... self-absorbed... jerk!" I muttered under my breath, trying to burn off my frustration. "I hate him. I hate him so freaking much. How <i>dare</i> he leave me like this!"


    Every nerve was still buzzing, my body practically screaming for the release he¡¯d taunted me with, only to snatch away. And now, here I was, being dragged along behind him like some helpless damsel, which made me angrier. *Never. Never again will I let him touch me,* I vowed, teeth clenched.


    He could go screw his self-obsessed, narcissistic self for all I cared. Let him get all smug and satisfied by himself. The jerk.


    As we approached the car, I noticed something strange¡ªthe driver was nowhere to be seen. <i>Weird. Did he go looking for us?</i> I barely had a moment to look around and process before Kane, the insufferable alpha, yanked open the passenger door and practically shoved me inside. I barely caught myself before face-nting into the seat.


    And then, to top it off, he mmed the door shut with a force that made the whole car shake. What the hell was his problem? Shouldn¡¯t I be the one who was mad here?


    I red at him through the window, crossing my arms and huffing, a hundred insults on the tip of my tongue. But of course, <i>he</i> looked calm and unbothered, as if he hadn¡¯t just hauled me around like a sack of potatoes and left me on the edge, both physically and mentally.


    Thinking fast, I lunged into the driver¡¯s seat and hit the lock button, sealing all the doors before Kane could make it around to the other side. The look on his face when he realized he¡¯d been locked out? Priceless. His mouth dropped open for a split second, his eyes zing in disbelief and fury. I allowed myself a split-second grin. <i>Gotcha, Alpha.</i>


    But I didn¡¯t have time to savor the victory. Kane looked one second away from shattering the ss with those ridiculous fists of his, and I had no intention of sticking around for whatever he had nned next.


    Scrambling, I searched for the ignition, praying the keys were still there. <i>Come on,e on,</i> I muttered, adrenaline rushing through me. If I could just get this car started and put some distance between us, I¡¯d have a chance to think, to breathe, to cool down from the heat still pulsing through me thanks to that... <i>stupid jerk</i>. Because if he caught me again, I knew it wouldn¡¯t just be denied release and a few spanks¡ªhe¡¯d make sure I learned my lesson, in ways I was both terrified of... and kind of didn¡¯t want to think about right now.


    This time, I wasn¡¯t letting him catch me.


    I found the keys still in the ignition¡ªbless that forgetful driver. As I twisted them, the engine roared to life, and I smirked, shooting a nce out the window. Kane was mouthing something, his face all dark and stormy, no doubt threatening me with his usual "If you don¡¯t open this door, I¡¯ll¡ª" h, h, h.


    Yeah, yeah, scary alpha. Not today.


    He started pounding on the window, his fists making the whole door shake, but I didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, I stepped on the elerator,unching the car forward with a jerk, leaving him in a cloud of dust. The look on his face as I sped away? Priceless. Maybe he¡¯d finally get a taste of his own medicine. <i>Serve him right</i>.


    As the scenery whipped past me, a wave of triumph and satisfaction washed over me. It felt <i>amazing</i> to have the upper hand for once, and Iughed, a little wild, a little breathless, adrenaline making my heart race.


    He could chase me all he wanted, but right now? I was the one in control.


    Oh, hell no.


    I nced in the side mirror, and there he was¡ªa massive ck wolf tearing down the road after the car, his form sleek and powerful, eyes fixed straight on me. My heart dropped into my stomach. <i>Shit</i>. I knew Kane was fast, but this? This was on a whole other level.


    "Crap, crap, crap," I muttered, pressing down harder on the gas. The car picked up speed, but he wasn¡¯t slowing down. In fact, he was gaining on me, his strides long and relentless.


    <i>Great n, Elena</i>. Now I had an enraged alpha wolf on my tail, and from the look in his eyes, he wasn¡¯t exactly in a forgiving mood. I was royally screwed.

 Chapter 29: Little Rebel

    <h4>Chapter 29: Little Rebel </h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    I was feeling pretty damn smug. Sure, she was furious, practically vibrating with pent-up frustration after I¡¯d left her on edge, and I knew that frustration was aimed squarely at me. But that was the point, wasn¡¯t it? To remind her who was in control. To let her feel just a fraction of the tension I had to deal with every time she defied me.


    But the thing gnawing at me wasn¡¯t her anger¡ªit was my own. The feel of her, so close, my hands on her skin, the heat of her body responding to my touch... yet I hadn¡¯t imed her. She was right there, trembling under me, and I¡¯d held back. The restraint it had taken was pure agony, evident in the hard length straining against my jeans, aching with unmet need.


    It felt like I¡¯d punished myself just as much as her. In the back of my mind, the wolf was growling, furious that I¡¯d stopped short of taking what was mine, of marking her, owning her. I wanted her, craved her in ways I could barely stand, and every look, every defiant word from her only added fuel to the fire.


    I knew she was furious with me, the air practically crackling with her anger, and I couldn¡¯t help but enjoy it. Watching her fume, knowing she was as close to breaking as I was... it was almost worth it. Seems we had the same problem.


    As we approached the car, I noticed the driver was nowhere in sight. Good. I didn¡¯t need an audience right now. I yanked open the passenger door and, without another thought, I shoved her inside, mming the door shut behind her. My patience was fraying¡ªwhy couldn¡¯t she just submit? Why couldn¡¯t she ept what we were and make this easy?


    If she¡¯d just stop fighting me, we¡¯d already be home by now, and she¡¯d be carrying my mark, bound to me as my Luna, ready to stand at my side and help me lead the pack. But no, she had to make everything a fight, a challenge. Always so defiant, always challenging every order, every touch. She was constantly testing me, pushing me to the edge. My mate, yes, but damn, she was getting under my skin like no one ever had.


    Every word, every act of rebellion only sharpened the edge of my frustration, taunting me to take control, to show her exactly who she belonged to. I was operating on myst nerve here, every fiber of me itching to put her in her ce.


    But as much as my instincts screamed to take control, to finally put her in her ce, I knew I had to be careful. One wrong move, one step too far, and she might actually pull away, put distance between us that would be near impossible to close. Despite her defiance, despite the way she pushed every one of my buttons, she was still my mate. And, even if she¡¯d rather spit fire than admit it, she needed me as much as I needed her.


    My wolf growled with frustration, the tension coiled tight inside me, craving to im her, to show her exactly what it meant to be mine. But I knew if I scared her, if I let my anger consume me, she¡¯d only resist harder. And, as infuriating as she was, thest thing I wanted was to break her spirit¡ªno, I wanted to earn her submission, to feel her surrender to me fully, willingly.


    So I took a deep breath, forcing myself to hold back. I¡¯d teach her, yes, but in a way that left no doubt she was mine, not through fear or force, but through desire and dominance. This was a game of patience, of control, and as much as she tested me, she¡¯d find that I could match her resistance every step of the way.


    As soon as I rounded the car, I saw her slide into the driver¡¯s seat, and my stomach dropped. No, she wouldn¡¯t dare. But as her smug grin spread across her face, my suspicions turned to certainty. The <i>little rebel</i> had locked me out.


    "Elena, open the fucking door!" I shouted, fists pounding against the window. But of course, she just smirked at me through the ss, enjoying every second of my frustration like it was some twisted little victory.


    I swear, I¡¯d been operating on myst nerve since the moment Iid eyes on her, but this? This was it. She was testing every ounce of control I had, and at this rate, I¡¯d have none left by the time we got back to the pack. If we ever even got back.


    Through the window, I watched her mouth something like "See ya!" before she stomped on the elerator, leaving me standing in a cloud of dust like some abandoned fool. <i>The Alpha of the pack</i> left behind by his own mate.


    <i>Damn it, she¡¯ll kill me today with this. </i>


    Without wasting a moment, I shifted into my wolf form, the familiar sensation of my bones reshaping and muscles rippling beneath my fur bringing me a sense of urgency. Paws hitting the ground hard, adrenaline surging through me. I needed to catch up to her before she could put any distance between us. The car roared to life, its engine growling as she sped away, but now I was on her tail. She thought she could outrun me? She thought locking the door would save her? She was about to find out just how relentless I could be. The chase was on.


    I sprinted after the vehicle, my powerful legs propelling me forward with speed and determination. There was no way I was going to let her get away¡ªmate or no mate, she was going to pay for this.


    And it wouldn¡¯t be some silly spanking. No, this was about more than just punishment; it was about asserting my im. I could feel the rage simmering within me, a primal urge that demanded she acknowledge what we were to each other. As the night air whipped against my fur, I focused on the sound of the tires on the asphalt, the rhythm echoing in my ears like a battle drum.

 Chapter 30: Escape Gone Bad

    <h4>Chapter 30: Escape Gone Bad</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    "Stupid car, go faster!" I muttered, gripping the wheel so tight my knuckles turned white. My heart pounded as I nced in the side mirror, only to see Kane¡¯s massive wolf form still on my tail. And by massive, I mean <i>humongous</i>. I¡¯d always known he was intimidating, but seeing him like this, a dark blur of fur and fury tearing up the road, made me understand why people feared him.


    He was fast¡ªtoo fast. I was already pushing this car well over the speed limit, and yet he was still gaining on me. It was like some bad dream where you just can¡¯t escape, no matter how hard you run. If he caught me, I¡¯d be dead. Not literally, but... well, he¡¯d make me <i>wish</i> I was. If I¡¯d known he could run like that, I might have thought twice about locking him out.


    I threw another nce in the mirror, watching him barrel forward, all raw power and determination. Just a little faster, <i>please</i>, I thought, silently willing the car to give me an extra boost. But in my panic, I forgot the number one rule of driving¡ª<i>watch the road.</i>


    A bright sh of headlights suddenly appeared in front of me, cutting through the darkness like a de. My heart stopped. One second I was staring Kane down in the mirror; the next, I was face-to-face with the unmistakable re of an oing tractor, its horn ring like some final warning from the universe.


    <i>Oh, hell.</i>


    My stomach dropped, and the world seemed to slow as I swerved, toote to avoid impact. There was a split-second of sheer panic, a screech of metal, and then... nothing. Just ckness, swallowing me whole.


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    The sky had begun to darken, casting an ominous shade over everything as dusk settled in. Shadows stretched along the road, creeping up the trees and across the path where I chased after my stubborn, rebellious mate. Two hours. We¡¯d been chasing her for over two fucking hours, and I could feel Ash, my wolf, itching with frustration and something else, something I rarely felt¡ªfear.


    She was driving recklessly, pushing the car to speeds that I didn¡¯t think it could handle, and with every mile, I could feel her slipping further away. Ash was relentless, paws digging into the ground, muscles straining as we pushed ourselves to our absolute limits. Even if he was exhausted, he wouldn¡¯t slow down, not when he thought there was even the slightest chance of losing her. She was wild, defiant, unlike anyone I¡¯d ever met. That was part of what drew and irritated the fuck out of me¡ªshe challenged me, defied me, ignited something inside me that no one else had. But right now, that defiance felt like a curse.


    "Just a little more," I urged my wolf, our minds merging in our shared desperation. I could feel his pulse hammering in sync with mine, both of us spurred on by an overwhelming need to catch her. We were close¡ªso close I could practically feel the heat of the car¡¯s exhaust as we closed the distance. The scent of her, sweet and defiant, lingered in the air, teasing us, driving us mad. Just a little more, and we¡¯d reach her. And then, <i>oh</i>, she¡¯d regret every reckless second of this chase. She¡¯d regret ever thinking she could outrun me.


    Then, I saw it¡ªa truck rounding the curve just ahead, headlights beaming into the darkening night like some kind of grim warning. My heart lurched. Elena was going too fast, her focus likely on the rearview mirror where she was probably keeping tabs on me. She¡¯d been so hell-bent on escape, so determined to defy me, that I didn¡¯t think she¡¯d even seen it.


    "Slow down, Elena," I whispered, as if somehow, she¡¯d hear my plea. "Please, just slow down."


    But she didn¡¯t. The car kept its speed, barreling forward with the same reckless determination that had defined her from the start. Ash growled, a deep, guttural sound of warning as he picked up the pace, pushing himself even harder, even faster, as if we could somehow intercept what was about to happen. We were just a few feet behind her now, close enough to see her ncing nervously in the mirror, her eyes shing with that fierce fire I¡¯de to know so well.


    And then... it happened.


    The truck¡¯s horn red, a chilling, ominous sound that echoed through the air and cut straight to my core. The headlights of the truck flooded her car, bathing it in a blinding glow, and for a split second, I thought maybe she¡¯d pull some kind of miracle, some reckless, wild move that would save her, that would let her slip out of this mess like she always did with me. But fate wasn¡¯t on our side tonight.


    I watched in helpless horror as her car veered sharply, toote, too slow. And then, like a scene from a nightmare, she collided with the truck, the screeching of metal against metal piercing the night. The impact was brutal, unforgiving, and I felt my heart clench painfully as her car spun off the road, crumpling like paper. The world seemed to slow down, every second dragging out into eternity as I watched my mate¡ª <i>my mate </i>¡ªm into the unforgiving force of reality.


    "No!" The word ripped from my throat, a desperate cry of anger, of helplessness, of terror. Ash¡¯s instincts took over, propelling us forward with a speed I didn¡¯t know we possessed. We were at the wreck in seconds, my heart hammering wildly, every nerve alight with the horrifying realization of what had just happened.


    This wasn¡¯t happening. This couldn¡¯t be happening. I¡¯d just found her¡ªmy mate, the one I¡¯d waited for, the one I¡¯d yearned for all my life. And now, she was... she was...


    I shifted back into human form as I reached the car, not caring about anything except reaching her. My hands shook as I grabbed the twisted door, ignoring the pain as metal cut into my skin. "Elena!" I shouted, the sound of my own voice distant and hollow, filled with a terror I¡¯d never known. I¡¯d faced down enemies, fought battles, lost people close to me, but nothing had ever felt like this¡ªlike my heart was being ripped apart, like I was about to lose the most important thing in my life before I even had a chance to hold her close.


    The door wouldn¡¯t budge, the metal mangled and crushed from the impact. Desperation wed at me, my mind racing as I pulled harder, the fury and fear mingling in a painful, frantic haze. "Elena, answer me!" I growled, my voice hoarse with emotion. Ash howled within me, his own anguish blending with mine. This wasn¡¯t the way it was supposed to go. She was supposed to be beside me, fierce and fiery, challenging me every step of the way. She was supposed to fight me, tease me, push me to my limits. Not... not lie there, silent and broken.


    Finally, with onest heave, the door gave way, and I reached inside, pulling her gently out of the wreckage. Her limp form folding into my arms, and that¡¯s when the blood registered¡ªdark red, soaking into her clothes, dripping from her wounds like a slow, steady river. My heart seized, my chest tightening with a panic that I didn¡¯t recognize, one that wed its way up and left me gasping.


    "Fuck. Fuck. What do I do?!" My voice trembled, and the helplessness made me feel like I¡¯d been gutted, hollowed out and left raw. I was reduced to nothing¡ªa brainless, panicked, worried-sick mess, feeling more like a lost, terrified pup than the ruthless alpha I was supposed to be. I¡¯d faced enemies, rival packs, wild beasts. But this? Watching her blood pool, her pale face pressed against my chest... this was beyond anything I¡¯d ever faced.


    She couldn¡¯t die. <i>She mustn¡¯t die.</i>


    The words ran through my mind on a loop, like a mantra I clung to in desperation. I still had to punish her, still needed her to scream at me, to roll those fierce eyes and call me every name she could think of. I needed her alive, needed her spirit¡ªthe fire that matched mine in a way no one else¡¯s ever had. Even though she irritated the fuck out of me I wanted her, needed her


    She was unconscious, her face pale, and my heart pounded as I held her in my arms, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Elena," I whispered, my voice cracking. "Come on, sweetheart. Open those stubborn eyes of yours. Look at me."


    Her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, and I clung to that, to the faint signs of life that proved she was still here with me. Her wounds were closing very slowly. But it wasn¡¯t enough. I needed to see her fiery gaze, hear her sharp retorts, feel that spark that only she could ignite within me. I needed her to wake up, to yell at me, to tell me I was an idiot, to <i>be</i> Elena. I linked my beta toe with a pack doctor ASP. Her wolf was trying to heal her extreme wounds closing them up before she lost all her blood but with the way her healing was so slow something wasn¡¯t right. She had Alpha blood in her system which meant she would heal quickly but with the way her healing was slow. She was then severely injured than I hoped.


    "Don¡¯t you dare leave me," I growled, my voice thick with emotion. "You don¡¯t get to pull a stunt like this and then just... go silent on me. That¡¯s not you. You¡¯re stronger than this, Elena. Fight it. Fight me."


    Ash¡¯s sorrow echoed in my mind, a guttural, mournful sound that matched the pain tearing through my chest. We¡¯d been so close to losing her, and the thought was more than I could bear. The realization of how much she meant to me, how deeply I needed her, hit me with the force of a thousand storms. She wasn¡¯t just my mate. She was my match, my equal, my fire in the dark. Even if I just found her she was my other half that my soul had been yearning for.


    "I swear, if you wake up," I whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead, "I¡¯ll make it up to you. I¡¯ll give you all the freedom you want, let you yell at me as much as you need, anything. Just... wake up."


    I stayed there, holding her, feeling her pulse weakly beneath my fingertips. The dusk settled fully around us, casting the world into darkness, but I didn¡¯t care. I¡¯d wait here all night, for as long as it took, until she opened her eyes and came back to me. Because she had to. I couldn¡¯t lose her now¡ªnot after finally finding her, not after all the fire and fury that had brought us together.


    "Come on, Elena," I murmured softly, my voice a mixture of desperation and hope. "Come back to me. Please."


    This chapter is updated by freew(e)bnovel.(c)om

 Chapter 31: The Pending Doom

    <h4>Chapter 31: The Pending Doom</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    Her eyelids fluttered, and I held my breath, too afraid to hope. But then, somehow, through the haze of blood and dust, she managed to crack those defiant eyes open. A faint smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth, and she looked up at me, weak but unmistakably defiant.


    "Stupid... alpha," she rasped, her voice barely more than a whisper. Her hand made a weak attempt at a swat against my chest, though it was as light as a feather. The relief that washed over me was staggering. I¡¯d never been so grateful to be insulted in my life.


    "Stop shouting..." she mumbled, her voice still faint butced with that same fire. "It¡¯ll take more than this to kill me."


    I swallowed, every muscle in my body unwinding as I let out a shaky breath. The tightness in my chest loosened, and for a moment, I felt like I could actually breathe again. I had been on the edge, dangling over a precipice of fear and despair that I¡¯d never known before. But somehow, by some miracle, she was here. Alive. And even in her weakened state, she was still as fierce as ever.


    Despite everything, augh escaped me, low and ragged. I brushed a blood-matted strand of hair from her face, careful not to jostle her. "You¡¯re impossible, you know that?"


    "All your fault," she muttered, her eyes narrowing as she tried to re at me, though it looked more like a sleepy squint. "If you weren¡¯t such a controlling, arrogant..."


    "Easy, easy." I pressed a hand gently on her shoulder, trying to keep her still. She¡¯d lost so much blood, and every movement seemed to sap what little strength she had. But damn if she wasn¡¯t stubborn. Even when I had her cradled in my arms, bruised and broken, she still managed to needle me, to keep that fierce spark alive. And I couldn¡¯t have been more grateful.


    She sighed, her eyes slipping shut again, and for a terrifying second, I thought she¡¯d passed out. But she was still breathing, each shallow rise and fall of her chest a lifeline tethering me back to sanity. This woman was going to be the death of me one way or another.


    "You¡¯re going to be alright," I whispered, though whether I was saying it for her benefit or mine, I didn¡¯t know. My voice sounded rough, raw from all the yelling, from the fear that had gripped me like a vice. "Just... stay with me, alright?"


    She scoffed, even in her weakened state. "As if I¡¯d go anywhere... without... giving you a piece of my mind..."


    I couldn¡¯t help the small smile that pulled at my lips. That was my mate, all right¡ªstubborn, fierce,pletely and utterly impossible.


    As I held her, waiting for the medics I¡¯d called in to finally arrive, I made a silent vow. This woman was mine, and I would do everything in my power to protect her, even from her own reckless self. I¡¯d been close to losing her, and that was something I never wanted to experience again.


    "Rest," I murmured, my voice softening. "And when you¡¯re better, you can yell at me all you want."


    Her lips twitched, almost like she was holding back augh. "Better believe... I will."


    As I felt her heartbeat, faint but steady against my chest, I knew one thing for sure¡ªshe¡¯d just survived this, and I would never take her life for granted again.


    Sheter fainted, likely from exhaustion. This time, however, I wasn¡¯t as worried about her dying on me. I had seen her fight back, even if it was just to insult me in her moment of weakness. God, this girl was something else. Even on the brink of death, she managed to call me stupid. The thought didn¡¯t sit well with me or my wolf, but we let it slide for today. After all, I needed her to focus on healing.


    When my beta and the doctor arrived, she was out cold. Her healing had stopped altogether, and I could see the aftermath of her injuries. Though her wolf had managed to close some of the worst wounds, a few still leaked blood, staining the ground beneath her. The blood that had once gushed out now a faint trickle, thanks to her wolf¡¯s determination. It was as if her wolf had used thest of its strength to mend the most intense injuries, leaving them both vulnerable and unconscious.


    The doctor moved quickly, assessing her condition and bandaging the remaining wounds with practiced efficiency. "She¡¯s not healing because she¡¯s lost a lot of blood," he exined, his tone serious. "This has weakened both her and her wolf. Her wolf expended the remaining energy it had to close the worst of the wounds, which led to her copse. Right now, she¡¯s unable to continue healing since she too is unconscious."


    I felt a surge of anger and frustration, both at the situation and at myself. I had failed to protect her when it mattered most. How could I let this happen? The realization settled heavily on my shoulders. I couldn¡¯t afford to lose her. Not now. Not when we were just starting to figure this out.


    As I watched the doctor work, I made a silent vow. I would do whatever it took to keep her safe. I would help her recover and ensure she never faced such danger again. She was my mate, and I would fight for her¡ªalways.


    Returning to my pack wasn¡¯t chaotic,rgely because the little troublemaker was unconscious, her head resting on myp as she slept in the back of the car. Up front, the doctor and my beta, Luke, exchanged asional nces, the weight of the situation evident in their expressions. Luke had generously offered me a spare set of clothes, and I had managed to pull on some pants while covering Elena with the shirt, wanting to keep her warm.


    As I looked down at her peaceful face, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder how this was the same girl who had turned my world upside down in just two days. It felt like a lifetime of chaos, and trust me, it hadn¡¯t been a pleasant experience. Why couldn¡¯t she be as tranquil as she was now? The calm that enveloped her now was a stark contrast to the storm she had unleashed before.


    The memory of her stubbornness flickered in my mind, and irritation bubbled beneath the surface. To add to my irritation, she had the nerve to say it was my fault. <strong>My fault!</strong> I scoffed internally. It was her decision to lock me out of the car and make a run for it like a thief in the night who has just pulled of a haste, throwing caution to the wind.


    But as I watched her, the soft rise and fall of her chest, I felt a mix of protectiveness and frustration swirling within me. She had a knack for attracting trouble, and somehow, I always ended up right in the middle of it. <strong>Why did she have to be so reckless?</strong>


    I brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, my fingers lingering on her skin for a moment longer than necessary. Despite everything, there was something undeniably captivating about her¡ªsomething fierce and unyielding that kept me on my toes. I was both captivated and terrified by her mes. She was a wildfire, unpredictable and dangerous, yet I couldn¡¯t help but feel drawn to her mes.


    The hum of the engine filled the car, a steady rhythm that should have been soothing, but my mind was racing. I knew that once she regained consciousness, we would have to confront the aftermath of her actions. I just hoped she¡¯d be ready to take some responsibility for the chaos she had created.


    There was no way in hell I was going to entertain her reckless behavior or the stunt she had just pulled that nearly cost her life. I couldn¡¯t stand the thought of her dying in my hands. It felt like a nightmare I couldn¡¯t wake up from, and the weight of that possibility hung heavily over me. <i>She had to learn</i><strong>¡ª</strong> it was essential that she stopped these rebellious tendencies before they got her killed.


    Elena was fierce, full of fire and defiance, but there was a fine line between bravery and stupidity. I understood the drive to be free, to take risks, but her recent choices had nearly shattered everything. It infuriated me, this stubborn streak of hers that pushed her to challenge danger at every turn. First the rogue incident then this. Did she think she was invincible? Did she realize how close she hade to losing it all?


    I couldn¡¯t be her shield every time she decided to throw caution to the wind. She needed to understand the gravity of her actions. I wanted to protect her, but I couldn¡¯t do that if she refused to acknowledge the risks she took.


    As much as I admired her spirit, I knew she had to learn the consequences of her choices. The lesson would be tough, but it was necessary. I was determined to show her that being reckless wasn¡¯t a badge of honor; it could lead to devastating oues, and I refused to be a bystander while she yed with fire.


    "Alpha" Luke cut me off from my internal conflict, "Ashley has been asking about you... just thought you should know...with you finding your mate and all that."


    Fuck I had forgotten I had a submissive....

 Chapter 32: His Fault

    <h4>Chapter 32: His Fault</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    Ouch. I groaned as I stirred, every inch of my body throbbing with pain.


    Why the hell do I feel like I¡¯ve been run over by a truck?


    Oh, right. I <i>was</i>.


    And, of course, all because of that stupid, insufferable alpha. The one with an ego so massive he probably thought the universe revolved around him. If he hadn¡¯t tried to control every breath I took, if he¡¯d just listened for once instead of acting like he owned me¡ª


    <i>"Nope, that was all you</i>," Zena, my wolf, piped up smugly in my head. "<i>Remember? You were the one who locked him out and floored it."</i>


    I groaned internally. <i>Oh, shut up</i>, I grumbled at her. I huffed internally. Sure, maybe I¡¯d been the one to hijack the car, but still¡ª<i>everything</i> that happened to me could somehow be traced back to him. If he weren¡¯t such a control freak, if he hadn¡¯t dragged me out here against my will, if he hadn¡¯t been so annoyingly... <i>him,</i> then maybe none of this would¡¯ve happened. Maybe.


    She had been begging for some action since the moment weid eyes on Kane, and I knew she was still miffed that I hadn¡¯t thrown myself into his arms. Not that she seemed to care that my little stunt had almost gotten us killed.


    "<i>Hey, don¡¯t act like I haven¡¯t been warning you,"</i> she teased. "<i>Kane¡¯s your mate. The more you fight it, the harder it¡¯s going to get."</i>


    Yeah, he was my mate¡ªthest person I ever wanted to be tied to for the rest of my life. Of all the people in the world, why did fate have to choose him? The control-freak alpha I had despised practically my entire life. And now here I was, bruised and battered, with every aching bone reminding me that I might¡¯ve overyed my hand this time.


    My eyes cracked open, the blurry world slowlying into focus. As my vision adjusted, I started to take in my surroundings. The room was dark, shadowed by heavy curtains drawn tightly against the windows. It wasn¡¯t my room, that was for sure. This ce smelled... <i>earthy</i>, musky, and overwhelmingly masculine. The scent was unmistakable, and it wrapped around me like a cocoon. It was him¡ªKane. Even the air felt thick with his presence, as though he¡¯d left his mark on everything in sight.


    <i>Great,</i> I thought. <i>Just great.</i>


    I tried to push myself up, but a sharp ache shot through my arm, forcing me to lie back down. My body was battered, my muscles heavy and stiff. I could barely move without feeling like my bones might snap.


    "So, I guess we made it to his precious pack, then," I muttered under my breath. The realization stirred up a fresh wave of irritation. After all my efforts to escape, I was finally right where he¡¯d wanted me. In his pack. In his world.


    <i>No way,</i> I thought. There was no way I was just going to lie here and y along with whatever n he had for me. I wasn¡¯t some passive prize he could just drag home. I was Elena, and no one¡ªnot even an infuriating, stupidly handsome alpha¡ªwas going to break my spirit.


    <i>Speak of the devil. Nope its thinking..</i>


    Before I could even gather my strength to sit up, the door swung open, and in he walked, striding in without so much as a knock. He moved with that effortless, arrogant confidence, as if he owned the ce.


    Oh. Right. He <i>did</i> own the ce. This was his room, after all.


    He stopped a few steps away from the bed, his intense gaze sweeping over me, assessing every bruise and scratch, his jaw clenched tight. His usual cocky smirk was gone; instead, there was something darker in his eyes¡ªanger, worry, maybe a bit of guilt, though he¡¯d probably die before admitting that.


    "Finally awake?" His voice was low, but I could hear the tension in it, the anger barely contained. I felt the urge to roll my eyes, but everything hurt too much to bother.


    "Unfortunately," I muttered, grimacing at the pain that shot through my chest.


    He sighed, and I could see that he was fighting to keep his expression neutral. But I knew him well enough to see past the mask. He was relieved, his shoulders just slightly less tense, his gaze flickering over me as if to reassure himself I was really here, alive.


    "You could at least pretend to have some manners," I muttered, scowling up at him. "Ever heard of knocking?"


    "Funny,ing from someone who stole my car," he shot back, his voice low and gravelly. "Not to mention the whole jumping-out-of-it stunt. What were you thinking?"


    I red at him, refusing to let him see any weakness. "I was thinking I wanted to get <i>away</i> from you, genius."


    He sighed, and for a split second, I thought I saw something soften in his expression before his face hardened again. "You could have gotten yourself killed, Elena."


    "Maybe," I scoffed. "But at least I wouldn¡¯t have to deal with<i> you</i> anymore."


    The words hung in the air, sharp as a de. I expected him to get angry, to snap back with one of his usual arrogant remarks, but instead, he just... stared at me. That unreadable look in his eyes made my chest tighten, but I shoved the feeling down. I wasn¡¯t going to let him get under my skin.


    After a tense silence, he took a step closer, and I instinctively bristled, shifting back as much as my sore body would allow.


    "Don¡¯t you dare," he growled, his voice a low warning.


    I blinked up at him, feigning innocence. "Don¡¯t what?"


    "Don¡¯t even think about trying to me this on me," he said, folding his arms over his chest, his jaw tight. "You¡¯re the one who decided to steal the car. You¡¯re the one who thought it¡¯d be a great idea to try and outrun me. And now look where that got you."


    I scowled. "If you weren¡¯t such a controlling jerk, maybe I wouldn¡¯t have had to."


    His eyes darkened, a muscle in his jaw twitching. For a moment, I thought he was going to snap at me. But instead, he took a deep breath, clearly forcing himself to calm down. "Elena," he said, his tone soft but dangerous, "I came this close to losing you." He held up two fingers, barely an inch apart. "Do you have any idea what that did to me?"


    He clenched his jaw, and for once, he looked almost... vulnerable? No, that couldn¡¯t be right. Not <i>him</i>.


    "Elena," he said, his voice softer this time, with an edge of frustration. "You don¡¯t understand what it did to me, seeing you like that... seeing you in that wreck. You think I don¡¯t care, but..."


    "But what?" I cut in, unable to stop myself. "You think dragging me here against my will and treating me like some disobedient child is <i>caring</i>?"


    He clenched his jaw, and for once, he looked almost... vulnerable? No, that couldn¡¯t be right. Not <i>him</i>.


    "I¡¯ve waited for you," he finally said, the words slipping out almost as if he hadn¡¯t nned to say them. "For years, I¡¯ve waited for my mate. For you. And the thought of losing you¡ª"


    "Oh, so this is about <i>you</i>?" I interrupted, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "How nice to know you¡¯re more concerned about your ¡¯mate¡¯ than, you know, <i>me</i> as an actual person with feelings and choices."


    His eyes shed, but he didn¡¯tsh out. Instead, he took a breath, clearly trying to keep hisposure. "I know I can be... controlling," he admitted, though I could tell it pained him to say it. "But I¡¯m an alpha, Elena. I¡¯m used to leading, to protecting. And with you, it¡¯s... it¡¯s harder to control that instinct. I can¡¯t stand the thought of you getting hurt."


    "<i>Told you so</i>," Zena whispered smugly in my head, and I could almost imagine her wagging her tail in satisfaction.


    Ignoring her, I managed a weak scoff. "I was fine."


    "You crashed into a truck."


    "Barely," I mumbled, though my aching body argued otherwise.


    His eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought he might actually strangle me, frustration radiating off him in waves. But instead, he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Next time, Elena, if you want to punish me, find a way that doesn¡¯t involve nearly getting yourself killed."


    I swallowed, feeling my heartbeat pick up, not from fear, but from the sheer intensity of his gaze. He was so close that I could feel his breath on my skin, the heat of his body overwhelming even in my bruised, battered state. Damn him. Even now, a part of me was still drawn to him, like a moth to a me I knew would burn me alive.


    "Fine," I muttered, though my voice was more breathless than I wanted to admit. "Next time I¡¯ll just... I don¡¯t know... lock you in a closet or something."


    A flicker of amusement shed in his eyes, quickly reced by something darker. "Good. Because I don¡¯t ever want to go through that again," he said quietly. And for the first time, I felt a pang of guilt. I hadn¡¯t realized how much I¡¯d scared him. Not that I¡¯d ever admit that out loud.


    He moved to sit down beside me, running a hand over his face as he took a deep breath. I watched him, feeling a strange mix of emotions. Part of me still wanted to punch him, to rail at him for being so overbearing and insufferable. But another part¡ªa traitorous, annoying part¡ªwas starting to wonder if there was more to him than the controlling alpha I¡¯d always seen.


    Just when I thought we were getting somewhere....boom he change the atmosphere.


    "But I still gotta punish you... for the way you made me worry," he said, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous tone. His eyes darkened, that familiar intensity creeping back, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

 Chapter 33: First Kiss

    <h4>Chapter 33: First Kiss</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    "But I still gotta punish you... for the way you made me worry," he said, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous tone. His eyes darkened, that familiar intensity creeping back, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.


    I hated myself for the way my cheeks flushed, remembering thest time he¡¯d "punished" me. My body betrayed me, heating up at just the memory of his hands on me, his mouth on my neck, the way he¡¯d teased me to the edge and back like he owned me.


    "I-I think I¡¯ve been through enough punishment, don¡¯t you?" I stammered, trying to sound defiant, though my voice came out much weaker than I¡¯d intended. I could still feel the ache from the crash, the soreness reminding me that I was in no condition to be his ything.


    But he didn¡¯t back down. Instead, he leaned closer, so close that I could feel the heat radiating off him, his scent¡ªearthy, wild, unmistakably <i>him</i>¡ªfilling the air between us. My pulse quickened despite myself, a traitorous response to the intoxicating proximity of him.


    "You think I¡¯d let you off that easy?" he murmured, his hand lifting to brush a strand of hair from my face. "You scared the hell out of me, Elena. And now... now you¡¯re going to pay for that."


    "Pay?" I scoffed, trying to mask my nerves. "I didn¡¯t ask you to worry."


    "No," he replied, his gaze raking over me with that raw, unfiltered intensity. "But you¡¯re my mate, Elena. And when you put yourself in danger like that..." His hand slid to the back of my neck, fingers tangling in my hair. "... you¡¯re testing my patience."


    I swallowed hard, my throat dry. His voice was low, a rumble that sent chills racing over my skin. "You¡¯re insane," I whispered, though my voice barely held any conviction. My body was already betraying me, responding to his presence, that dark, maic pull that I seemed powerless to resist.


    "Insane?" he echoed with a smirk, his thumb brushing along my jaw. "Maybe. But I know what I want. And I want you safe... even if I have to keep you in line myself."


    Before I could protest, he tilted my head up, capturing my mouth in a kiss that was both punishing and possessive, as if he needed to remind me exactly who held the power between us.


    His kiss was my first, and damn, if it wasn¡¯t worth every agonizing second of waiting. I¡¯d always envisioned my first kiss as something gentle and romantic¡ªmaybe under the rain, maybe somewhere wild and beautiful, where nature was our only witness. A kiss shared with my mate, something that felt tender and pure.


    But this? This was no fairytale kiss. This was a kiss that burned, that took me apart piece by piece, a delicious punishment that was as intoxicating as it was overwhelming. His lips moved against mine with a rough intensity, like he was branding me, iming me in a way that words could never convey. It was all consuming, igniting a fire in me that I¡¯d never felt before, one I hadn¡¯t even known I was capable of feeling.


    There was no softness in it, no shy, tentative exploration. It was raw, consuming, and edged with a dark promise that had my pulse racing. His mouth was firm, demanding, as if he needed to prove a point, to leave his mark on me, and damn it¡ªhe was seeding. His lips moved over mine, demanding, and I couldn¡¯t help the way my body melted against him, that spark of defiance flickering under the force of his touch.


    The world around us seemed to blur and vanish, leaving only the heat between us, the electrifying pull that made my heart hammer in my chest. His hand cupped the back of my neck, his thumb brushing over my skin, firm but careful, holding me close yet somehow still keeping control. I could feel his need, the possessive energy behind every movement, yet he never forced¡ªonly invited, as if daring me to surrender to him fully.


    And damn him, because I was.


    My own hands found their way to his chest, fisting his shirt as I struggled to keep up, my mind spinning, my senses lost to the sensation. I could barely breathe, each flick of his tongue against mine leaving me dizzy and weak. His scent, that familiar, earthy mix of cedar and smoke, filled my lungs, grounding me even as I felt like I was losing myselfpletely.


    I wanted to hate him. I wanted to push him away and regain the control I always fought to keep. But in that moment, with his lips coaxing mine, every thought of rebellion melted away. All I wanted was more¡ªmore of this feeling, more of <i>him</i>. The stubborn walls I¡¯d built up around myself started to crack, and for the first time, I allowed myself to wonder what it would be like if I just gave in.


    He broke the kiss just enough to murmur against my lips, his voice low and rough, "This is just the beginning, little mate. There¡¯s so much more I n to teach you."


    His words sent a shiver through me, making my cheeks flush and my pulse race even faster. I opened my mouth to respond, maybe to argue, maybe to throw another sarcastic retort his way¡ªbut the words wouldn¡¯te. He took my silence as permission and imed my mouth again, deeper this time, leaving me breathless and wanting.


    I knew this was his way of punishing me, reminding me that no matter how much I tried to escape, to deny him, I was his. And the infuriating part was, he was right. Even my own wolf, Zena, was practically purring in the back of my mind, her approval unmistakable.


    His kiss was a delicious punishment, a reminder of the power he held over me, and I hated that I loved it. Every part of me wanted to defy him, to resist, to show him that I wasn¡¯t his to control. But in this moment, with his mouth on mine, every thought of resistance melted away. The only thing that mattered was this wild, consuming need coursing through me, a need I never even knew I had.


    He broke the kiss only when I was breathless, leaning back just enough to look into my eyes, his thumb tracing the curve of my cheek. He had the nerve to smirk, that infuriating, self-satisfied smirk, as if he knew exactly what he¡¯d done to me. "Run all you want, little mate," he murmured, his voice a dark promise. "But I¡¯ll always catch you. And next time..." His lips brushed over my ear, sending another shiver down my spine. "...I won¡¯t be so gentle."


    I red at him, breathless and frustrated, knowing he was doing this on purpose, pushing me to my limits. But the dangerous gleam in his eyes told me he meant every word, and somehow... a part of me thrilled at the thought.


    I opened my mouth, ready to shoot back some snarky retort, to show him he hadn¡¯tpletely unraveled me. But no words came out. My brain was a jumble of emotions¡ªanger, defiance, and something else I couldn¡¯t quite name. Desire. Damn it, I wanted him, even if I refused to admit it.


    His fingers brushed down my cheek, a feather-light touch that sent another jolt through me. "You belong to me, Elena," he said, his voice steady, unwavering. "No more running."


    I wanted to argue, to tell him he didn¡¯t own me, that I¡¯d never be his. But I couldn¡¯t lie, not to myself. My body was betraying me, my heart racing from his kiss, and the way his eyes held mine made me feel... vulnerable.


    So I swallowed, forcing myself to look away. "One kiss doesn¡¯t mean you own me," I muttered, my voiceing out breathless, betraying me.


    His smirk grew, his hand leaving my face only to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. "Oh, Elena, I think it means exactly that. And you can deny it all you want, but we both know you felt it too."


    I narrowed my eyes, willing my cheeks not to betray the blush I could feel creeping up. "I... I felt nothing," I lied, my voice shaky. But even I could hear theck of conviction in my words.


    He leaned in close, his lips brushing the shell of my ear as he whispered, "Keep telling yourself that, little mate. But remember... this was only the beginning."


    "Now," he continued, his voice soft but unyielding, "get some rest. You¡¯ve got a long night ahead of you." He released me, stepping back with that smirk that made my blood boil¡ªand burn.


    With onest, lingering look, he pulled away, leaving me standing there,pletely undone. I hated him for the way he got under my skin, for the way he left me feeling so raw and vulnerable. But as I raised my fingers to my lips, still tingling from his kiss, I couldn¡¯t deny it.


    It was my first kiss, and damn if it wasn¡¯t worth the wait.


    I hated him. And yet, as he left, closing the door behind him, I couldn¡¯t stop the way my heart raced, anticipation and frustration tangled together.


    Stupid, arrogant alpha.

 Chapter 34: Unworthy

    <h4>Chapter 34: Unworthy</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    I watched her as shey there, defiant even in her weakened state. This little minx had no idea how close she¡¯de to breaking me. Just the sight of her reckless stunt had shaken something in me, something dark and furious. She needed to know what it did to me¡ªhow I felt when I saw her crash, when I thought for one horrifying moment that I¡¯d lose her. But she was still staring at me with that familiar fire in her eyes, taunting me even now.


    "But I still gotta punish you... for the way you made me worry," I said, my voice dropping low, dangerously soft. I saw her shiver, her defiance faltering for a split second as she met my gaze. The darkness I knew was there crept into my eyes, and I watched her cheeks flush, the color spreading across her face. Good. She remembered. She remembered exactly how I¡¯d punished herst time¡ªhow I¡¯d taken my time, how I¡¯d imed every inch of her, and left her trembling.


    She tried to keep herposure, to hold onto that little spark of rebellion, but I saw through her. She was remembering every moment of it, her body betraying her in a way she couldn¡¯t hide from me. I could see it in her eyes, hear it in the way her voice wavered as she stammered, "I-I think I¡¯ve been through enough punishment, don¡¯t you?"


    Her attempt at defiance was cute, almostughable. She had no idea what she was in for. I leaned in close, letting her feel the heat radiating off me, surrounding her, pressing down on her. Her scent filled the space between us¡ªfeminine, sweet intoxicating scent that I knew would be my undoing just like mine was. Her pulse quickened, and my wolf rumbled with satisfaction at her reaction.


    "You think I¡¯d let you off that easy?" I murmured, reaching up to brush a strand of hair from her face, my fingers grazing her skin. "You scared the hell out of me, Elena. And now..." My hand slid to the back of her neck, pulling her just a bit closer, my fingers tangling in her hair, tightening just enough to keep her in ce. "Now you¡¯re going to pay for that."


    She scoffed, trying to mask her nerves. "I didn¡¯t ask you to worry."


    My gaze raked over her, unfiltered and raw, letting her see exactly what she¡¯d stirred up in me. "No," I replied, voice like a low growl, "but you¡¯re my mate, Elena. And when you put yourself in danger like that..." I tightened my grip on her, letting her feel the possessive energy that surged through me. "... you¡¯re testing my patience."


    Her breath caught, and I could feel the tremor running through her. She was nervous, but her body betrayed her¡ªshe wanted this as much as I did. "You¡¯re insane," she whispered, though her voice barely held any conviction. The way her body leaned into me, the way her heartbeat quickened... it told me everything I needed to know.


    "Insane?" I smirked, my thumb brushing along her jaw in a slow, deliberate motion. "Maybe. But I know what I want. And I want you safe... even if I have to keep you in line myself."


    Without giving her a chance to argue, I tilted her head up and captured her mouth in a kiss that was both punishing and possessive. This wasn¡¯t a soft, romantic kiss. This was a reminder¡ªa reminder that she was mine, that no matter how much she fought me, I¡¯d always have the final say. My lips moved against hers with a rough intensity, branding her, making sure she¡¯d never forget exactly who held the power here.


    The kiss deepened, and I felt her body start to melt against me. Her hands found my chest, clutching at my shirt as if she was trying to ground herself, trying to keep up with the whirlwind I was dragging her into. But she was losing control, slipping into the current I¡¯d created, unable to hold onto that stubborn defiance. I could feel her surrender in the way her body softened, yielding to me, letting me lead.


    I broke the kiss, just enough to murmur against her lips, voice low and rough, "This is just the beginning, little mate. There¡¯s so much more I n to teach you."


    She looked at me, breathless, her eyes wide and dazed, cheeks flushed in a way that made my wolf howl with satisfaction. This was what I¡¯d wanted¡ªto see her this way, unraveled and vulnerable, to know that I was the only one who could make her feel like this. She opened her mouth to respond, maybe to argue, maybe to try to regain some of that fire. But she was too far gone, the words lost before she could even find them.


    Taking her silence as permission, I imed her mouth again, deeper this time, leaving herpletely breathless and wanting. I knew she hated me for it, hated the way I got under her skin, but she was mine. No amount of fighting or running could change that.


    After what felt like an eternity, I pulled back, letting her catch her breath, my thumb tracing the curve of her cheek. She red at me, frustration and vulnerability flickering in her eyes, a war waging inside her. But I could see it¡ªshe wanted more. She couldn¡¯t deny it, even if she¡¯d never say the words out loud.


    "Run all you want, little mate," I murmured, my voice a dark promise. "But I¡¯ll always catch you. And next time..." I leaned in close, letting my lips brush over her ear, letting her feel the weight of my words. "...I won¡¯t be so gentle."


    Her eyes widened, and I saw her swallow, her defiance flickering under the intensity of my gaze. She was struggling, fighting against the pull, but I could see the desire in her eyes, the way her body reacted to me, no matter how hard she tried to deny it.


    I ran my fingers down her cheek, a slow, possessive caress. "You belong to me, Elena," I said, my voice steady, leaving no room for doubt. "No more running."


    Her mouth opened, ready to shoot back some fiery retort, but no words came. She was breathless, flustered, and I could see her cheeks pinken, even as she tried to re at me. I¡¯d gotten under her skin, and we both knew it.


    "One kiss doesn¡¯t mean you own me," she muttered, her voice shaky, betraying her.


    I leaned back, smirking, letting my hand drift from her face, but not before tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Oh, Elena, I think it means exactly that. And you can deny it all you want, but we both know you felt it too."


    She scowled, her cheeks flushing as she looked away, muttering something under her breath that I couldn¡¯t quite make out. But it didn¡¯t matter. I knew I¡¯d left my mark, a reminder that would stay with her, no matter how much she tried to resist.


    Stepping back, I took in her breathless, flustered state, satisfaction settling deep in my chest. "Now," I said, voice soft but unyielding, "get some rest. You¡¯ve got a long night ahead of you." With onest, lingering look, I turned and left the room, feeling her gaze on my back, knowing I¡¯d left herpletely undone.


    And as I closed the door behind me, I couldn¡¯t help the smirk that tugged at my lips. She could run, she could fight, but in the end, she was mine. And sooner orter, she¡¯d realize there was no escaping it.


    She was my mate. And one way or another, I¡¯d make sure she never forgot it.


    Now that she was resting, the reality of whaty ahead hit me square in the chest. I needed to deal with Ashley. Our three-month contract still had time on it, but that arrangement had lost any appeal the second I saw <i>her</i>¡ªmy mate. Ashley had been... a nice pretty distraction, someone that filled the emptiness of not having my mate. She had nothing on the fire that Elena lit in me, the hunger that gnawed at me every time I was near her. Hell, just the thought of Elena was enough to make me clench my fists and breathe through the heat that tightened my body, an ache so intense it was nearly maddening.


    I¡¯d seen her now. Touched her. Felt the softness of her skin, the way her lips responded to mine, tentative but willing, her innocence blindingly clear with every kiss. I¡¯d tasted her, for real, not just in the fantasies that had been haunting me from the moment she first looked at me with that defiant glint in her eyes. And somehow, the reality of her was even better than anything I¡¯d ever imagined.


    Damn it, I¡¯d wanted more than just that kiss. I¡¯d wanted to pull her closer, to feel every inch of her against me, to im her in every way a mate could. But I had to hold back¡ªshe was bruised, sore, and not ready. I hated myself for even kissing her while she was in that state, but with her scent filling the air between us, teasing me with every breath, I couldn¡¯t resist. It was like the very essence of her was designed to make me lose control. One taste of those lips, and I was already addicted, unable to go back to just imagining. Now, I knew exactly how she felt against me, how soft her mouth was, how she responded to me without even knowing what she was doing.


    And that was the thing¡ªI knew she was innocent, untouched by the darker desires I harbored. She wasn¡¯t used to this, wasn¡¯t used to someone wanting her the way I did. The way she¡¯d kissed me back was so tentative, so unsure it was like her first kiss. She didn¡¯t know how to move, how to match the intensity I threw at her, and it was driving me wild. She was pure, and that innocence made her all the more tempting, all the more precious. I wanted her in a way I¡¯d never wanted anyone, and it made me feel something I wasn¡¯t used to feeling¡ªprotective, yes, but also... unworthy.


    She deserved better than someone like me. She deserved someone who could make her feel cherished, someone who didn¡¯t have the kind of past I did, the kind of dark urges that burned in me whenever she was near. She was like a princess waiting for her prince charming instead she got a big bad wolf. But she was mine, and even though I felt unworthy, there was no way I was letting her go. I¡¯d do everything in my power to give her the gentleness she deserved, to make her first time with me as pure as she probably envisioned, even if it killed me to rein myself in. But I couldn¡¯t promise not to keep her away from my dark desires. With her always defying me holding down my dominant side will be impossible.


    That kiss had nearly undone me. She had no idea what she was doing to me, how close I¡¯d been to losing every shred of control I¡¯d built up over the years. She didn¡¯t know that I¡¯d spent every moment since she¡¯d crashed into my life trying to bnce the feral need to im her with the desire to protect her, to let her ease into this at her own pace.


    But now I had to deal with Ashley, to sever ties cleanly,pletely. I¡¯d exin it to her, end it without any mess. That part of my life¡ªthe part where I used others to fill the emptiness¡ªwas over. Elena filled that emptiness just by existing, and the thought of anyone else touching me felt wrong, repulsive even. I was hers as much as she was mine, even if she didn¡¯t know it yet.


    And still, the thought of Elena tormented me. I couldn¡¯t believe I¡¯d seen her, felt her, tasted her... yet I hadn¡¯t imed her. It was a kind of torture I¡¯d never known before. She was close enough to touch, yet so untouchable in ways I couldn¡¯t exin. This wasn¡¯t like anything I¡¯d felt before. I wanted to bury myself in her world, to be the one she trusted, the one she reached for. I wanted to protect her, to shield her from everything that would ever hurt her, even if one day that meant protecting her from myself.


    I hated the hold she had over me, hated the way I couldn¡¯t stop thinking about her, couldn¡¯t stop wanting her. I¡¯d never felt so out of control, so vulnerable, and it terrified me. Because if something ever happened to her, I didn¡¯t know what it would do to me.


    She was my mate¡ªmy perfect, innocent mate. And as much as I wanted to believe I could give her the world, I knew she deserved better than a man like me. But fate had bound us together, and I wasn¡¯t going to let anyone¡ªor anything¡ªstand in the way of what was mine.

 Chapter 35: Issues With The Contract

    <h4>Chapter 35: Issues With The Contract</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    Alright, so maybe things with Ashley weren¡¯t exactly going in my favor. And yeah, I had no one to me but myself. I was known for my ruthless, one-sided contracts¡ªthe kind that left no wiggle room for anyone but me. I drew them up to keep things in line, to keep people at a distance, and honestly, they worked every time. Those contracts were designed for control, to make sure I always came out on top.


    But now, it seemed like I¡¯d walked right into my own trap.


    Karma¡¯s a bitch, right?


    Here I was, tangled up in my own twisted web of rules and conditions, with a contract that suddenly felt more binding than I ever anticipated. When I wrote it, I¡¯d made sure it was airtight. No attachments, no expectations, noplications. Just a clear-cut arrangement with Ashley, a way to keep things simple. I never intended for it to get messy, because back then, the idea of "messy" seemed like something I¡¯d always have control over.


    But then, <i>she</i> came along. Elena. My mate. And the whole damn foundation I¡¯d built to keep myself safe, to keep myself above it all... crumbled the second Iid eyes on her.


    Now I was stuck in a contract I wanted nothing to do with, and Ashley was a loose end that wouldn¡¯t just disappear. The irony wasn¡¯t lost on me. I¡¯d crafted a setup that left everyone else powerless, and here I was, caught in my own trap like some clueless fool. It was almostughable¡ªalmost.


    When I first crafted my Dom-Sub contract, it was meant to be irond¡ªmy own twisted insurance policy, built on control and dominance. I was meticulous, outlining every use with the absolute certainty that I¡¯d never be the one wanting to get out. Each term was designed to protect my interests, ensuring that if a contract needed to end, it would be on my terms.


    The submissive¡¯s role is to obey, to yield to mymand, and to follow every instruction I give within the boundaries we¡¯ve mutually agreed upon. In return, I ensure her safety, never causing harm beyond what¡¯s been consented to, and respecting her limits as specified in the contract.


    The contract was valid for a term of three months, with the option to renew upon mutual agreement. Should either party wish to terminate early, conditions must be met before the contract can be dissolved.


    Termination isn¡¯t easy. I wanted control over every oue, so I inserted a unique use that would prevent either party from simply walking away on a whim. If either party wishes to terminate the contract prior to its natural expiration, they must fulfill a condition set by the other party, as long as it doesn¡¯t result in physical harm to the person requesting termination. Only uponpleting this "favor" can the contract be legally nullified.


    Back then, I had imagined myself as the only one who¡¯d ever be in the position to ask a favor. I never considered that I might want out, that I¡¯d be the one bound by the use that was supposed to reinforce my control. I was confident that I¡¯d always be the one asking a price for freedom¡ªnot the other way around. Hell, I¡¯d always thought that my submissive would either vite the contract eventually, rendering it null and void, or we¡¯d part on mutually agreed terms when the contract naturally expired. It was foolproof.


    Until now.


    Every contract I¡¯d had before ended the way I wanted. Either the sub would vite the terms at some point, giving me an easy out, or they¡¯dplete it, and we¡¯d part ways without much hassle. Most of the time, it worked like a charm. The few subs who broke the rules... well, that was their problem. It let me move on without a second thought, without a messy ending.


    But then there was Ashley. Perfectly obedient, wless at ying her role. She didn¡¯t push boundaries or bend the rules, and I knew she wouldn¡¯t vite a single term. Which meant there was no easy out with her, no loophole to rely on.


    And now, she wanted her favor.


    The favor she asked for... well, it was damn near impossible. She wanted onest session with me, but with a twist¡ªshe wanted <i>my mate</i> as an audience. The demand hit me like a punch to the gut. I could barely wrap my mind around it, but Ashley wasn¡¯t bluffing. This was her price, her non-negotiable term, and the only way to break free.


    It was non-negotiable, part of the very contract I¡¯d designed to keep control. And it was an impossible ask. A single session. Just one. That¡¯s all she was asking for. But the idea of Elena being there, seeing me in that setting, witnessing a part of my life I never wanted her to know about... it was unthinkable. The idea of it left a bitter taste in my mouth. If Elena saw that side of me¡ªthe cold, calcting side, the part that controlled and used others without a second thought¡ªshe¡¯d never look at me the same way. I could lose her, maybe forever.


    I¡¯d backed myself into a corner with my own damn rules. What I thought was an unbreakable shield had turned into a trap- my trap.


    I paced, trying to think of a way out. How the hell could I do this without ruining everything? Every instinct screamed to find another way, to renegotiate, anything to keep Elena out of this. I¡¯d built these contracts to make sure I always kept control, to protect myself from ever needing anyone. But this time, I was trapped in my own damn game, all because of a single use I¡¯d added without a second thought.


    And now, because of my own arrogance, I was left with a choice that could destroy the one thing I wanted most.


    There was no way in hell Elena would ever agree to something like that. I could already imagine the fury in her eyes if she even heard the suggestion. And frankly... I couldn¡¯t do it either. Not to her. Not to us.


    Just the thought made my gut twist. I had no desire to bring Elena into the world of contracts, favors, and sterile, transactional exchanges that I used to keep my life organized, my desirespartmentalized. She wasn¡¯t a damn contract. She was my mate, and I wanted her to see me differently¡ªwithout theyers of power dynamics I¡¯d surrounded myself with for so long.


    And Ashley... she knew exactly what she was doing when she demanded it. She¡¯d been a good submissive, never pushing back, never stepping out of line, which made it all the harder to fault her. She was only asking what the contract allowed her to ask. Hell, she was using my own rules against me, and the bitter irony wasn¡¯t lost on me.


    But Elena... if she knew about any of this, it would break the fragile connection we¡¯d just begun to forge. And I knew, deep down, that she¡¯d never see me the same if I forced her into this twisted, contractual game.


    I could feel my chest tighten with frustration. The way out was simple on paper: fulfill the favor, and the contract dissolves. But the cost... it was unthinkable. I¡¯d lose Elena. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized that losing her wasn¡¯t an option I could live with.


    I ran my hand through my hair, cursing under my breath. I needed to find another way out.


    And to make matters worse, the contract wasn¡¯t set to end anytime soon. Ashley was mytest sub, and we still had two more months before it officially concluded. Two months where she held that damn favor over my head like a loaded weapon. Two months where I¡¯d have to keep myself in check, maintaining distance, not slipping up¡ªbecause if Elena ever found out about this, I¡¯d lose her before I even had the chance to make her mine.


    The thought twisted in my chest, a slow burn of frustration and regret. I had crafted that contract with such arrogance, thinking I¡¯d always be the one in control, never imagining that I¡¯d one day want out of an arrangement I¡¯d personally designed to keep things clean and detached. But now that very contract felt like a prison of my own making. Every line, every use, was a reminder of my own arrogance, of my belief that I could keep myself separate from feelings, from attachments.


    Ashley wasn¡¯t viting the contract, and she wasn¡¯t going to¡ªshe was too perfect a submissive for that, ying by the rules even as she used them to her advantage. She had the right to demand her favor, and by the terms I¡¯d written, I was obligated to grant it. But what she was asking... the sheer audacity of it was staggering.


    She wanted another session with me, with my mate as an audience.


    It was almostughable. How the hell was I supposed to pull that off? Elena would lose her mind¡ªand not in a way that ended with her in my arms. Just the idea of even proposing it to her made my skin crawl. I knew her, and I knew exactly how she¡¯d react. She¡¯d see it as a betrayal, proof that I was the kind of man she could never trust. And honestly... I couldn¡¯t me her for it. The request was beyond absurd; it was twisted.


    And yet, technically, Ashley¡¯s request was within the

 Chapter 36: Behind The Ruthless Pack

    <h4>Chapter 36: Behind The Ruthless Pack</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    After that stupid alpha finally left, I shuffled to the bathroom, feeling more like a zombie than a person. My whole body ached, and I was half-convinced that I¡¯d just narrowly escaped death. But as soon as I flipped the light on and took in the sight of the bathroom, I couldn¡¯t help the small spark of surprise.


    The ce was spotless. Everything gleamed, from the marble sink to the pristine tiles. Who would¡¯ve thought that Mr. Arrogant Alpha was actually a clean freak? I¡¯d have pegged him as the kind to leave muddy boots everywhere, maybe with the smell of the forest clinging to every corner of the room. But no, everything was meticulously in ce, as if he had a personal vendetta against dust and chaos.


    I leaned over the sink and looked at my reflection. And wow... if Kane had been looking at me like I was beautiful, it was clearly because he needed sses. I looked like the living dead. Dark circles under my eyes, a pale face, and messy hair that looked like I¡¯d been dragged through a hedge backward. I looked like I¡¯d walked straight out of a horror movie. My skin was pale, bruises starting to bloom along my corbone, and my eyes looked hollow and tired. I was a mess.


    I almostughed out loud, though it was more of a hollow, disbelieving sound. *This* was the woman he¡¯d kissed like he was staking his im? I shook my head, trying to imagine what had been going through his mind. That kiss... damn, it had been intense. I could still feel the way his lips had pressed against mine, firm and possessive, like he was branding me. He¡¯d looked at me like I was something precious, something he wanted to protect. How had he not seen how awful I looked? Or maybe he had, and he just didn¡¯t care. That thought made something strange flicker in my chest, a warmth I didn¡¯t want to acknowledge.


    Honestly, if I were him, I¡¯d have run in the other direction. I wouldn¡¯t even kiss myself if I looked like this! But he had, and not just a casual kiss¡ªno, he¡¯d kissed me like he meant it, like he¡¯d been waiting a long time for that moment.


    The hot water cascaded over me, working its way into my sore muscles, melting away the aches and bruises I¡¯d earned from the crash and the exhausting run. I let myself sink into the warmth, letting it wash away the tension that had wound itself tight in my body. By the time I finally decided to step out, I felt like a new person¡ªrxed, healed, and free from pain, thanks to my alpha blood that sped up my healing. No scars, no bruises; just my own reflection in the mirror, looking a little less like a zombie and a lot more like myself.


    Zena, my wolf, was wide awake now, her presence pulsing through me with strength and energy. I could feel her approval humming in the back of my mind, as if she, too, was d to be rid of the aches and pains. It was likeing back to life, in more ways than one.


    After brushing my teeth with a fresh toothbrush I found on the bathroom cabinent, I wandered over to Kane¡¯s closet. Curiosity pulled me in, but as soon as I opened the doors, my jaw nearly hit the floor. It was packed with suits¡ªrow after row of crisp, expensive-looking suits that practically screamed money and power. Not a wrinkle in sight. I had to give it to him; for someone who spent so much time in the wilderness, he definitely knew how to dress.


    But I wasn¡¯t in the mood for something formal. I wanted somethingfortable, something cozy. So I dug deeper, rummaging past the suits and dress shirts until I found what I was looking for¡ªa stack of casual clothes hidden in the back. I picked out the longest T-shirt I could find and a pair of sweatpants. But even those were huge on me. The sweatpants were hopelessly baggy, so I ditched them and settled on the oversized T-shirt and a pair of his thick socks.


    I nced in the mirror and couldn¡¯t help the smile tugging at my lips. Sure, the shirt was practically a dress on me, but I didn¡¯t look half bad. The fabric was soft, smelling faintly of him¡ªa mix of cedar and something warm and earthy that felt oddlyforting. The sleeves hung past my elbows, and the hem skimmed my thighs, but with the socks pulled up, I looked... well, cozy. And there was something kind of thrilling about wearing his clothes, even if I¡¯d never admit that out loud.


    Satisfied, I padded out of the closet and nced around the room. The bed looked inviting, and for a moment, I considered lying down. But I felt restless, too alive to just sit still. Instead, I wandered over to the window, staring out at the darkenedndscape, wondering just what I¡¯d gotten myself into.


    Curiosity tugged at me, stronger than my initial reluctance, so I slipped out of Kane¡¯s room. As I stepped out of Kane¡¯s room, I couldn¡¯t help but take in the space around me with a kind of quiet awe. His house was... majestic. It was beautiful in a way that felt both opulent and grounded, as if every inch of it had been carefully designed to reflect power, elegance, and an almost ruthless attention to detail.


    The hallway outside his room was wide and open, with high ceilings that made it feel evenrger than it already was. Soft, warm lighting spilled from fixtures embedded in the walls, casting a gentle glow across the polished wooden floors beneath my feet. The wood itself was rich and dark, gleaming like it had just been polished. Not a speck of dust, not a smudge of any kind ¨C it was spotless, almost unnaturally so, as though Kanemanded even the air to stay still and perfect.


    As I moved further down the hallway, my gaze was drawn to the walls. They were adorned withrge, striking pieces of art¡ªabstract paintings, some in muted tones, others with dark, vibrant colors that seemed to pulse with life. Each piece was perfectly spaced, perfectly ced. Somehow, they added to the intimidating elegance of the ce, like the walls were watching me, echoing Kane¡¯s intensity in their silence.


    I passed a sitting area¡ªa luxurious space with a sleek leather couch that looked like it belonged in a designer showroom. There was a low ss coffee table in front of it, and on top sat a single crystal vase, holding a minimalist arrangement of fresh white lilies. The entire area seemed untouched, as if it was waiting for someone, yet somehow I knew it was more for show than for rxation. Kane didn¡¯t strike me as the type to lounge around in his own home.


    I ran my fingers along the edge of a doorway as I passed, feeling the smoothness of the polished wood trim. Every corner, every surface was wless, as if Kane demanded perfection from his home as much as he did from those around him. The air smelled faintly of cedar and something else¡ªsomething earthy and clean, almost like fresh rain. It was probably the scent he carried himself, embedded into the very walls.


    When I reached the main living area, my breath caught. The space opened up into a grand, high-ceilinged room with floor-to-ceiling windows that lined one entire wall, offering a view of the sprawling forest outside. The light from the setting sun poured through the ss, casting a warm, golden glow that illuminated every corner. It felt almost surreal, like stepping into a painting. I could see the trees in the distance, their tops swaying slightly in the breeze, and for a moment, I felt a pang of longing. I¡¯d grown up surrounded by nature, but this view... it felt different. It felt... untouchable, somehow. As if Kane could look out over the world, but the world couldn¡¯t touch him.


    A sleek firece was built into the opposite wall, with a few pieces of firewood neatly stacked to the side. Above it was arge, dark mirror that reflected the light back into the room, doubling the sense of space. There were a few armchairs arranged around the firece, each one looking plush and inviting, but somehow I doubted anyone actually used them. This wasn¡¯t a home in the usual sense; it was a masterpiece, a disy of wealth and power, carefully curated to make a statement.


    I walked across the room, feeling my bare feet sink into the luxurious rug underfoot¡ªa thick, soft, cream-colored material that contrasted beautifully with the darker wood and leather around it. It was the kind of rug you could get lost in, but I had a feeling it was cleaned and cared for meticulously, like everything else here.


    And then there was the staircase, winding up with a slight curve to the upper floor. The banister was crafted from polished dark wood, sleek and smooth, and the steps themselves were wide and solid, leading up to whatevery above. Everything about it was grand, imposing, yet with a minimalist elegance that spoke volumes about Kane. He didn¡¯t need to show off. He knew his power, and so did everyone around him.


    I let out a breath, feeling almost like an intruder in this ce. This was Kane¡¯s world, and it was pristine. There was no trace of disorder, no hint of the chaotic energy I brought wherever I went. Everything here was exactly where it should be, perfect, unyielding. It felt both beautiful and... intimidating.


    I took another step forward, letting my fingers trail along the edge of a marble countertop in the kitchen area. It was a sleek, open space, with state-of-the-art appliances that looked like they¡¯d never been touched. A single bowl of fresh apples sat on the ind, as if that was all this room needed. I realized, with a pang, that Kane probably didn¡¯t spend much time here. He didn¡¯t need to; he had people for that. This was a house designed to be admired, a fortress rather than a home.


    As I stood there, surrounded by the quiet grandeur of his home, I felt an odd mix of emotions. There was admiration, certainly¡ªthis ce was beautiful in a way that almost hurt to look at, a stark contrast to the messiness of my own life. But there was also a sense of istion, a reminder that I was stepping into his world, and his world was far more controlled, far more disciplined than anything I¡¯d ever known.


    And yet... despite its perfection, its cool elegance, something about this ce felt empty. It was like the beauty of it masked a loneliness, a kind of restrained power that kept itself hidden, as though waiting for something¡ªor someone¡ªto bring it to life.


    I wandered through the house until I found the front door. The moment I stepped outside, I realized I¡¯d misjudged what to expect from this ce. Kane¡¯s home wasn¡¯t some rustic pack house in the woods like my father¡¯s; it was something entirely different.


    The "pack house" was more like one house among many in an estate¡ªa well-kept, upscale neighborhood with neatwns, trimmed hedges, and rows of homes that wouldn¡¯t have looked out of ce in a high-end city suburb. The street was quiet and lined with trees, the kind that looked intentionally nted and maintained. I could see lights glowing from other houses, a few people here and there, some sitting on porches, others walking along the streets, as if they didn¡¯t have a care in the world. This wasn¡¯t the close-knit, old-fashioned kind of pack I was used to; it was something bigger, more organized, almost like a small city within itself.


    I let my gaze wander further, and that¡¯s when I noticed the highway off in the distance, cars whizzing by at regr intervals. A real, busy road, not a quiet gravel path or dirt track. Wolves or not, these people had adapted, blended right into the modern world.


    But true to their nature, they still kept a connection to the wild. On the other side of the highway, stretching out as far as I could see, was a dense forest, dark and looming in the evening light. It was like a silent reminder of what they were¡ªbeasts at heart, even if they wore the mask of a civilizedmunity. I couldn¡¯t help but feel a strange kind of respect for them, for the way they managed to bnce both worlds. This pack might be a far cry from my father¡¯s, but it had its own sense of power, one that felt even more intimidating in its sophistication.


    As I stood there, taking it all in, a few people walking nearby noticed me, some giving me nods of acknowledgment. They didn¡¯t look surprised to see a new face, but there was a subtle tension in their stares, a wariness that made me wonder just how much they knew about me. I was Kane¡¯s mate, after all, and in a pack this organized, I doubted they were left in the dark about that kind of thing.


    The longer I looked around, the more intrigued I became. This ce was so... different from everything I¡¯d ever known. It wasn¡¯t just the size or the way it was set up; it was the atmosphere, this underlying pulse of order and strength. Every person I saw seemed to carry themselves with a quiet confidence, a sense of belonging. They weren¡¯t just members of a pack¡ªthey were part of amunity, a world built and run on their own terms.


    I felt a strange mix of emotions swirling inside me¡ªfascination, a touch of envy, and, oddly enough, a flicker of pride. This was Kane¡¯s pack, his world. And somehow, even if I hadn¡¯t chosen it, it was my world now too.

 Chapter 37: Mates Meets Sub

    <h4>Chapter 37: Mates Meets Sub</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    After a bit of exploration around Kane¡¯s ridiculously pristine mansion. I decided I couldn¡¯t sit around waiting for him to return. Staying put wasn¡¯t exactly in my nature, especially with so many questions swirling around in my mind. I hated Kane... obviously. But that kiss, the way he looked at me¡ªI needed some air, some space. Maybe even a distraction.


    So, when I found myself wandering outside, I wasn¡¯t exactly shocked. This ce was huge, more like a small city than a pack territory.


    As I stepped outside, I took in the sheer size of the area. It looked more like a luxurious neighborhood than the rugged pack grounds I was used to. His house was one of several scattered along a well-manicured stretch, almost like an upscale estate. And down the road, there was an actual highway bustling with cars. On the other side of the road, a dense forest rose up, lending a bit of nature to this strange, hybrid world of modernity and wilderness.


    I¡¯d only wandered a few steps before I noticed someone walking toward me, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement. She was stunningly beautiful, with sharp features, blonde hair, and an air of confidence that felt almost... intimidating. She looked me up and down, raising one perfectly groomed eyebrow, as if I¡¯d somehow offended her by merely existing.


    "You must be new," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "I¡¯m Ashley. And you are...?"


    I crossed my arms, giving her a t look. "Elena. Not that it¡¯s any of your business."


    Sheughed, a quick, sharp sound. "Oh, trust me, it is my business. See, I¡¯m very... close to Kane." She studied my face as if expecting some kind of reaction. "He didn¡¯t mention me?"


    I shrugged, not wanting to give her the satisfaction. "I don¡¯t know who he mentioned or didn¡¯t mention. Why would he talk about you to me?"


    "Oh, sweetheart," she said, her voice syrupy and dripping with fake pity. "I don¡¯t know what Kane told you, but I think you should know he has... specific tastes. Dark tastes. You really think someone like you¡ª" She waved a manicured hand up and down, looking me over as if I were some kind of charity case. "¡ªcould satisfy him?"


    I felt a surge of irritation spike through me. I didn¡¯t understand what she was implying exactly, but her smugness was getting on myst nerve. "Excuse me?" I replied, unable to keep the edge out of my voice.


    She gave me a small, pitying smile. "Let¡¯s just say Kane likes things a certain way. I doubt you could handle it. You¡¯re a bit... <i>innocent</i> for him, don¡¯t you think?"


    "Innocent?" I scoffed, feeling a spark of anger ring in my chest. "And what¡¯s that supposed to mean?"


    She shrugged, an infuriatingly superior expression stered on her face. "Nothing, really. Just that you¡¯re ying with fire, sweetheart. He¡¯s not the type for... gentle little things."


    Sheughed, a little too loud, as if she was enjoying my difort. "Oh honey, you really don¡¯t, do you? You¡¯re so... innocent." Her eyes sparkled with a kind of pity that made me want to w that look off her face. "I mean, you probably think you can satisfy Kane, but trust me, sweetheart, he has needs that someone as..." She gestured at me with a wave of her manicured hand. "...sweet and inexperienced as you could never handle."


    "What¡¯s that supposed to mean?" I snapped, feeling my cheeks heat with a mixture of confusion and anger. I didn¡¯t know exactly what she was implying, but every cell in my body was screaming that I didn¡¯t like it.


    She leaned in closer, her smirk widening. "Oh, didn¡¯t he tell you?" she purred. "Kane has... a taste for darker things. Things that would break a little innocent mate like you. Face it, Elena¡ªyou don¡¯t have what it takes to keep him satisfied. I do."


    I blinked, feeling a hot wave of jealousy spike through me. I hated Kane, obviously, and I had no intention of "keeping him satisfied," whatever that meant. But something about the way she looked at me, so smug and superior, lit a fire I couldn¡¯t control. I didn¡¯t even understand half of what she was implying, but I knew one thing: I did *not* like her.


    "Well," I replied, crossing my arms, "maybe Kane¡¯s into something different now. Maybe he¡¯s tired of shallow, overconfident¡ª"


    Sheughed, cutting me off, her voice dripping with condescension. "Oh please, sweetheart. This isn¡¯t about love or mate bonds. You¡¯re just another shiny new toy to him, one he¡¯ll eventually grow bored with. And when he does, he¡¯lle back to me. Because I¡¯m the one who knows what he <i>really</i> wants."


    Something in me snapped. I don¡¯t know if it was the smugness on her face, the way she looked at me like I was some clueless kid, or the way she talked about Kane like she owned him. Before I knew what I was doing, my fist was already swinging.


    The moment my fist connected with her face, there was a satisfying crunch, and Ashley stumbled back, clutching her nose with a look of pure horror. Blood dripped down her face, ruining that perfect icy exterior she had going. For a second, I almost felt bad... but nah, that satisfaction was too sweet. I¡¯d do it again in a heartbeat.


    "You... you <i>broke my nose</i>!" she screeched, staring at me like I¡¯d grown a second head.


    I shrugged, feeling a smirk tug at the corners of my mouth. "Oops. Guess you were wrong about me being too <i>innocent</i>."


    She started to say something, probably something long and shrill and i was ready to swing my fist again, but before she could, I felt a strong arm wrap around my waist and haul me off the ground. "Hey! Put me down!" I shouted, twisting to see Kane¡¯s infuriatingly smug face staring down at me. He¡¯d thrown me over his shoulder like a sack of flour.


    "Elena, did you just punch Ashley?" he asked, sounding half-amused, half-disapproving.


    "Oh, like you didn¡¯t want to punch her too," I shot back, squirming in his grip. "Let me down! I¡¯m not done with her."


    Ashley was standing there, dabbing her bloody nose with a tissue she must¡¯ve pulled from somewhere. She looked like she wanted to kill me... or scream... or both.


    "Elena, calm down," Kane said in that infuriatinglymanding tone, but I could feel theughter in his voice. This was a joke to him.


    "Calm down? Calm down? Put me down so I can finish what I started!" I yelled, pounding my fists against his back.


    He didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, he sighed and tightened his grip, casually strolling back toward his house with me slung over his shoulder like it was the most normal thing in the world. "You¡¯re not going to finish anything," he said, patting my back condescendingly. "And you¡¯re certainly not going to break any more noses today."


    "I mean it, Kane!" I growled, thrashing in his hold. "I¡¯ll break her nose and whatever else if she ever talks to me like that again! Did you <i>hear</i> the things she was saying?"


    "Oh, I heard," he replied, sounding almost bored. "I was right around the corner when you two started your little... chat."


    "And you <i>let</i> her talk to me like that?" I demanded, twisting around to re at him.


    He shrugged, smirking. "I wanted to see how you¡¯d handle it. And you handled it... well, let¡¯s just say, not exactly diplomatically."


    "Diplomacy is overrated," I shot back, still fuming as we reached the house.


    He pushed open the door, carrying me inside as if I weighed nothing, and kicked it shut behind him. I could feel his heartbeat against my shoulder, steady and strong, while mine was still pounding with residual anger. He finally set me down in the middle of his pristine, spotless kitchen, crossing his arms and looking down at me with a glint of amusement in his eyes.


    "You done now?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.


    I crossed my arms, matching his re. "Maybe. Maybe not. Depends on whether that <i>thing</i> is going toe near me again."


    "<i>Thing</i>?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "You know, most mates might get jealous, but punching someone in the face is a bit... extreme, don¡¯t you think?"


    I huffed. "She deserved it. Besides, I¡¯m not jealous."


    "Right," he said, clearly unconvinced. "Look, if it makes you feel any better, Ashley¡¯s is as good as over. I was already nning on ending it."


    I blinked, feeling a strange mixture of relief and... frustration. "Why didn¡¯t you end it sooner?"


    He shrugged. "Maybe I was waiting to see if my <i>innocent little mate</i> could handle herself."


    "Oh, I <i>handled</i> myself, all right," I replied, crossing my arms. "And if shees around again, I¡¯ll handle her too."


    Kane chuckled, stepping closer, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You¡¯re trouble, you know that?"


    I raised my chin, meeting his gaze head-on. "Only if you give me a reason to be."


    "Is that a challenge?" His voice dropped, taking on that dark, dangerous edge that made my pulse race despite myself.


    I swallowed, feeling my face flush. "Take it however you want, Alpha."


    For a moment, we just stood there, locked in a staring match, the tension crackling between us. Then, with an amused shake of his head, Kane took a step back. "Get some rest. Try not to punch anyone else before the day¡¯s over."


    I rolled my eyes but felt the hint of a smile tugging at my lips. "No promises. But thanks for the carry. Very... gentlemanly of you."


    "Anytime, Elena," he replied with a smirk, his gaze lingering on me for just a beat too long.


    I red at Kane, who still had that infuriatingly smug smirk on his face, like he found the whole situation amusing. My blood was boiling, and I was done letting him get the upper hand. Did he really think he could just watch another woman humiliate me to "see how I¡¯d react"? That was his idea of support?


    "I don¡¯t want to talk to you," I snapped, crossing my arms and shooting him the fiercest re I could muster. "What kind of mate lets his little <i>fluffy</i> waltz over and rattle his mate just so he can see how she¡¯d react?"


    He raised an eyebrow, that smirk of his only growing wider. I could practically hear himughing at me in his head, which only made my irritation re hotter.


    "Elena, it¡¯s not what you think," he began, but I cut him off, too angry to hear his excuses.


    "No, you don¡¯t get to exin this away," I shot back. "You just stood there and watched her talk down to me like I was nothing, and you <i>enjoyed it.</i> "


    Kane just stood there, arms folded, looking mildly amused¡ªas if my anger was just a passing storm cloud.


    Infuriating. Absolutely infuriating.


    Without waiting for a response, I turned on my heel and stomped off, ignoring his soft chuckle behind me. He was such a stupid, arrogant, <i>unfeeling</i> mate. How could someone as proud and dominant as him be so blind when it came to this whole mate thing? He stood there letting some other woman try to humiliate me, and he didn¡¯t even care! I didn¡¯t know whether to scream, punch a wall, or march right back and punch him instead.


    Kane is going to regret every second he spent smirking and testing me. I was sure going to make him pay. Oh, and he¡¯d better hope that I didn¡¯t run into an unmated wolf while he was around... one who actually knew how to treat a mate.


    I smirked a little at the thought, imagining the look on Kane¡¯s face if I were actually surrounded by admiring wolves. He was so used to getting his way, he probably hadn¡¯t even thought that I might have options. But if he was going to act like some unfeeling, heartless Alpha... then I was going to show him exactly how it felt to be taken for granted.

 Chapter 38: Mate Meets Sub (II)

    <h4>Chapter 38: Mate Meets Sub (II)</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    After Ashley¡¯s ridiculous request¡ªa demand, really¡ªI sat in my office, too frustrated to even pretend to focus on pack work. "Another session... with Elena as an audience." The words echoed in my mind, fueling my frustration. Ashley was a decent enough sub, but this? This was absurd. The thought alone wasughable, and I couldn¡¯t help but curse myself for writing that sted favor use into my contracts. At the time, it had seemed foolproof. Now, it wasing back to bite me in the worst way.


    But more than Ashley¡¯s outrageous request, my mind kept drifting back to <i>her</i>¡ªto Elena. My little mate who had somehow already gotten under my skin, without even trying. Despite the obstacles, my desire for her was undeniable, and right now, I needed a distraction. Anything to shake off the irritation Ashley had stirred up.


    With that in mind, I left my office, deciding to track down my stubborn little mate. "Let¡¯s see what that little troublemaker is up to," I muttered under my breath, already feeling the tension ease a bit. Just the thought of her brightened my mood, though I¡¯d never say that out loud.


    Rounding a corner in the long way, I picked up Elena¡¯s voice, sharp and loud, and¡ªwait a second. Was she... arguing with Ashley?


    My brows lifted in surprise as I stopped in my tracks, taking in the scene before me. There was Elena, her face flushed with anger, standing toe-to-toe with Ashley. And by the look on her face, Elena wasn¡¯t about to back down. I stayed hidden for a moment, watching with a mix of amusement and curiosity. Ashley had some nerve, pushing Elena like that. She must have known that Elena was my mate. And yet, here she was, taunting her, testing her. I could almost see the fire zing in Elena¡¯s eyes, and I knew that look all too well¡ªit was the same one she¡¯d given me that first day we met, right before she¡¯d stormed off.


    And then, before I could react, it happened.


    With a speed that even I hadn¡¯t expected, Elena reared back and threw a punch straight at Ashley¡¯s face. Her fist connected with Ashley¡¯s nose with a satisfying crack that echoed down the deserted roadway. Ashley stumbled back, a hand flying up to her nose, her expression turning from smug to utterly shocked as blood trickled between her fingers.


    Oh, hell.


    I couldn¡¯t help the grin tugging at the corner of my mouth. There was something undeniably satisfying about seeing Elena put Ashley in her ce. Still, I knew I had to step in before this escted any further. Elena looked ready tounch herself at Ashley again, and while the idea of her taking out all her frustration on Ashley was tempting, it probably wasn¡¯t the best course of action.


    With a sigh, I stepped forward, catching Elena¡¯s arm and lifting her up and over my shoulder in one swift move. She was light, but she squirmed, her fists pounding against my back with surprising strength.


    "Put me down!" she shrieked, kicking her legs as I held her in ce.


    "Calm down, little mate," I said, trying not tough at her furious attempts to break free. "I think you¡¯ve done enough damage for today."


    "You think I¡¯m just going to let her talk to me like that?" Elena fumed, wriggling on my shoulder. I had to tighten my grip a little to keep her from slipping. "You saw how she was looking at me! Acting like she¡¯s got some kind of im!"


    I suppressed a smirk. Elena¡¯s jealousy was both unexpected and... well, a little ttering. Not that she¡¯d ever admit to feeling jealous, of course. She¡¯d probably bite my head off if I dared mention it. But I couldn¡¯t help enjoying the fierce, possessive side of her.


    Ignoring her continued squirming, I turned my head just enough to give Ashley a hard, warning look. She was still clutching her nose, ring daggers at Elena with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. I didn¡¯t say a word to her, and I didn¡¯t need to. She knew better than to push any further, especially after I¡¯d shown up to intervene. After a tense moment, she shot me a defiant look and stormed off, nose bleeding and pride bruised.


    "Serves her right," Elena muttered, kicking at my back again. I stifled augh and started walking up the porch with her still perched on my shoulder.


    "You done kicking?" I asked, patting her leg.


    "Not even close," she snapped, though her kicks were half-hearted now. "You think you can just haul me around like some sack of potatoes?"


    I chuckled, loving the fire in her voice. "When you¡¯re punching pack members in the face? Yeah, I think I can."


    "She deserved it," Elena huffed. "Did you <i>hear</i> the way she was talking to me?"


    "Oh, I heard it," I replied, my tone amused. "And I think you made your point pretty clear. I¡¯d say Ashley learned a valuable lesson today."


    "Good," she muttered, sounding only a little bit appeased.


    I¡¯ll admit, watching Elena punch Ashley right in the face was... well, satisfying. It wasn¡¯t exactly how I¡¯d imagined introducing my mate to the pack, but the way Elena¡¯s fist had connected with Ashley¡¯s nose, the shock on Ashley¡¯s face¡ªit was priceless. Elena had handled herself better than I could have expected, though "diplomatic" wasn¡¯t exactly the word I¡¯d use.


    When I stepped in to stop things from getting messier, Elena was all fire and fury, kicking and iling as I lifted her over my shoulder like a ragdoll. She was shouting something about finishing what she¡¯d started, her fists pounding into my back with a strength that was impressive, even for her. I couldn¡¯t help the grin that tugged at my mouth as she struggled. For someone so small, she had no shortage of fight.


    Watching Elena storm off, all fire and fury, was the most amusing thing I¡¯d seen in weeks. There she went, marching down the hall, practically vibrating with anger, that fierce little scowl on her face making her look ready to take on the world. And all because I¡¯d let her handle herself with Ashley. Honestly, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a spark of pride¡ªand maybe a little thrill at the sight.


    Elena was strong. Fiery. A force to be reckoned with. She wasn¡¯t going to let anyone walk all over her, and I respected that. And okay, maybe I¡¯d let Ashley push her buttons just a little too long, but... I wanted to see how my little mate would respond. Elena wasn¡¯t some weak wolf. She¡¯d punched Ashley in the nose, for heaven¡¯s sake! I didn¡¯t need to "protect" her from every annoying conversation or challenging look. Besides, watching her stand up for herself had been... well, impressive, to say the least.


    I leaned against the doorframe, crossing my arms as I watched her storm off, the anger practically radiating off her in waves. She was muttering under her breath, probably cursing me in a variety of creative ways. Hell, she could keep cursing me all day if she wanted; I¡¯d never get tired of that fire in her eyes.


    Of course, the whole thing had only amused me more. I knew she thought I was some arrogant, unfeeling Alpha, but what could I say? I liked seeing her riled up. Her anger, her defiance, that stubborn spark... it was more attractive than she probably realized. I hadn¡¯t expected her to be this strong-willed, this unyielding. She challenged me, pushed back, and I¡¯d be lying if I said I didn¡¯t enjoy every second of it.


    She wanted to take on the world, and I was more than happy to watch her try.


    I sighed, letting a smirk tug at the corner of my mouth as I reyed her words in my mind. <i>What kind of mate lets his little fluffy waltz over and rattle his mate just so he can see how she¡¯d react?</i> I couldn¡¯t help butugh softly at that. "Fluffy," huh? Ashley would be furious if she knew Elena had called her that. But it wasn¡¯t like Ashley mattered¡ªnot the way Elena seemed to think. She could have as many tantrums as she wanted; Ashley wasn¡¯t a threat. She was just... a part of my past that I was ready to leave behind.


    But it didn¡¯t seem like Elena had figured that out yet.


    I followed her down the hall at a leisurely pace, hands in my pockets, my gaze fixed on her retreating figure. She didn¡¯t look back, though I could feel her tense, as if she knew I was behind her. Her shoulders were stiff, her head held high, and there was this stubborn tilt to her chin that only made me want to push her more. I wanted to see how far she¡¯d go, how much she¡¯d fight me on this. And I was certain she¡¯d keep fighting, all while pretending she didn¡¯t care at all.


    Hell, I knew she cared. Her reaction, that punch, the way she¡¯d shouted at me¡ªall of it screamed jealousy. Even if she didn¡¯t want to admit it, she was feeling something for me, and I¡¯d be lying if I said I wasn¡¯t enjoying every second of her trying to fight it.


    "Calm down, Elena," I¡¯d said back there, more to see her reaction than anything. The anger that red in her eyes had been downright electrifying. She was like a firestorm, unpredictable and utterly captivating. Most wolves would have backed down, especially when I gave them that tone. But not Elena. No, she¡¯d just doubled down, her voice rising as she demanded I let her "finish what she started."


    It was hard to keep a straight face. She didn¡¯t know it, but I was holding backughter the entire time. Not because I didn¡¯t take her seriously, but because she was so damn fierce about it, standing her ground as if she were ready to take on the whole pack just to make her point. And I... I couldn¡¯t help but admire that.


    She¡¯d called me out, though. Said I was just watching her, "letting Ashley humiliate" her. And maybe I had pushed the boundaries a bit, letting Ashley talk the way she had. But Elena could handle herself¡ªI knew that now better than ever. Besides, she¡¯d more than held her own, and if it came down to it, I¡¯d always step in when she really needed me. But this? This had been a lesson, a test... and maybe, just a little bit of fun.


    After all, if Elena could stand up to Ashley, she could handle just about anyone. And I wasn¡¯t about to apologize for letting her prove it.


    But her frustration didn¡¯t end there. Oh, no. She¡¯d stormed off, muttering something about finding an unmated wolf just to drive me mad. I raised an eyebrow at that, unable to help the smirk that spread across my face. Was she really thinking of making me jealous? Did she really think that would work?


    The truth was, I¡¯d been jealous before. The moment I¡¯d realized she was my mate, I¡¯d felt a surge of possessiveness that I hadn¡¯t felt in years. But Elena didn¡¯t need to know that just yet. She could keep trying to rile me up if that¡¯s what she wanted. In the end, she¡¯d see that none of those wolves could match me¡ªnot in strength, not in status, and certainly not in what I could give her.

 Chapter 39: NO

    <h4>Chapter 39: NO</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    Stupid Alpha. Stupid, arrogant, insufferable Alpha with his insufferable... everything. And that stupid... <i>fluffy</i>. Damn him.


    I was storming down the hall, muttering under my breath, caught up in my thoughts of all the ways I¡¯d make him regret treating me like some ything to test and tease. How dare he stand there and watch me while that¡ª<i>that</i>¡ªAshley tried to humiliate me. And the way he just smirked, as if my anger was nothing more than a passing breeze... infuriating!


    I barely heard his footsteps behind me, but suddenly, his voice rumbled from somewhere way too close. "Hey, as much as I like you wearing my clothes¡ªand I <i>do</i> prefer you in them, especially around the unmated wolves you seem so eager to impress¡ªI think you might need your own." His tone waszy, smug, like he had nothing better to do than stand there and torment me.


    I stopped dead in my tracks, my face going hot. Wait... <i>had I actually said that out loud? Oh, goddess, help me.</i>


    Without looking back at him, I huffed, "I <i>would</i> have worn my own clothes if you weren¡¯t such a caveman and had let me pack them and say goodbye to my parents." My voice was dripping with venom, but I kept walking, trying to put as much distance between us as possible. Didn¡¯t matter where I was going, as long as it was far away from him and his maddening, smug smirk.


    But, of course, the stupid Alpha didn¡¯t take the hint.


    "Well," he shot back, his tone so casual it made my skin prickle, "if you hadn¡¯t been so hell-bent on running away from me, maybe I wouldn¡¯t have had to act like a caveman."


    I grit my teeth, not willing to give him the satisfaction of a response. Arguing with him felt like dancing with a wolf ready to pounce¡ªhe always had some sly retort, some way of twisting my words back on me, and damn it, I was already exhausted. But I couldn¡¯t help it; he just got under my skin like no one else.


    "If you weren¡¯t so stupid," I muttered under my breath, "you would¡¯ve figured out by now that I don¡¯t want to be here."


    I barely had time to regret the words before I felt myself pushed his body following suit behind me, pressed up against the nearest wall in one swift, overwhelming movement. One second, I was storming away, the next, his body was pinning me there, every inch of him caging me in. His heat surrounded me, his breath brushing against my neck, and I fought to ignore the rush of... well, something dangerously close to excitement. While my front was being pressed against the wall I felt his whole body behind me....and I mean everything.


    His mouth was so close to my ear I could feel the warmth of it as he spoke, his voice low and gravelly. "This is the second time you¡¯ve called me stupid," he murmured, his tone dark and heavy with a promise of consequences. "Me and my wolf... we don¡¯t take kindly to that, little mate."


    Damn it. Why did his voice have to sound like that? Why did every syble he whispered against my skin make my knees go weak?


    "Then stop acting like one," I retorted, hoping it sounded as snarky as I meant it, but it came out more like... well, more like a breathless moan. <i>Shit</i>. My head felt foggy, my thoughts muddled up, and his hand was tracing a slow, agonizingly gentle line down my side, following every curve like he was learning them by heart.


    I bit back a whimper as his mouth traveled down to my earlobe, teeth grazing over sensitive skin. His teeth scraped, then nipped, and... goddess help me, did he have to bite there?


    He chuckled softly, like he knew exactly what he was doing to me, like he could feel my resolve crumbling beneath his touch. "Why," he murmured, his voice rough against my skin, "are you so hell-bent on resisting me?"


    Because I hate you, I wanted to say. The words were right there, but they stuck in my throat as his fingers found the curve of my waist, slipping under the hem of his oversized shirt I¡¯d stolen and making my breath catch. He wasn¡¯t even doing anything... just tracingzy circles over my skin, his touch maddeningly gentle.


    But my traitorous body was already responding to him, arching into his hands, my skin prickling with need. Damn it, didn¡¯t it know we were supposed to <i>hate</i> him? That he was the enemy?


    "Because I hate you," I finally managed, though my voice sounded strained, even to my own ears. I tried to will my body to listen, to remember that I didn¡¯t want this. But his hands were roaming, his fingers digging in just enough to make me shiver, and the words started feeling hollow, even to me.


    He made a soft, amused sound, his fingers skimming down my side and leaving a trail of fire in their wake. "You say that," he murmured, his lips brushing over the spot on my neck where he¡¯d one day mark me, "but your body seems to be saying something else."


    I swallowed hard, fighting to ignore the thrill that shot through me when his teeth grazed that sensitive spot. The one that called to him, called to his wolf, like it was waiting for his im. Damn him, and damn my body for responding to him, even now, even when I knew exactly how dangerous he was.


    "Maybe my body just... isn¡¯t very smart," I shot back, though my voice sounded more breathless than defiant.


    He chuckled, the sound rumbling from his chest against my back. "Oh, I don¡¯t know. I think it¡¯s pretty smart... smart enough to know exactly what it wants." His mouth moved lower, and my breath hitched as his hands gripped my hips, pulling me back against him, his hard body pressing into mine.


    "Why do you have to be so... so... infuriating?" I managed, my voiceing out as more of a gasp than anything else. His scent surrounded me, that intoxicating blend of woods and masculinity and... something unmistakably him, making it harder and harder to remember why I was supposed to hate him.


    "Because it¡¯s fun watching you fight it," he murmured, his hands sliding up my sides, making my head spin. "You¡¯re so used to running, so hell-bent on resisting, you don¡¯t even realize how close you are to giving in."


    "I¡¯m not giving in," I whispered, though it sounded weak even to my own ears.


    "No?" He leaned down, his lips hovering just over my shoulder, his breath hot on my skin. "Then why aren¡¯t you pushing me away?"


    That question hung in the air between us, thick with tension, with something unspoken that neither of us was quite ready to acknowledge. His hand slid down, fingers grazing my thigh, and I couldn¡¯t help the shiver that ran through me. Every touch, every whispered word was breaking down my walls, one by one, until all I could feel was him¡ªhis warmth, his strength, the way he fit against me as if we¡¯d been made for each other.


    "Say the word," he murmured, his voice low, almost gentle. "Tell me to stop, and I will."


    The words were right there, caught on the tip of my tongue. But my mouth wouldn¡¯t move, and my body betrayed me, pressing back against him instead, craving more of his touch, more of the heat that had started to pool low in my belly. Damn it, why did he have to feel so... right?


    But I didn¡¯t say a word. I didn¡¯t tell him to stop.


    As if a bucket of cold water had been sshed over me, all the warmth, the pull, everything inside me that had been singing in tune to him¡ªjust stopped. Snuffed out like a candle. Because suddenly, I remembered <i>her</i>. Ashley. The thought of them together shed through my mind, raw and vivid, like a p to the face. He¡¯d been with her, touched her, maybe even whispered the same things in her ear. And that, my friend, gave me all the strength I needed.


    "No," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. I nted both hands on the wall and pushed, hard. He stumbled back, his expression shifting from shock to... something I didn¡¯t have time to decipher. But I could see the surprise in his eyes, that moment of "did that really just happen?" And if I weren¡¯t so angry, I might have enjoyed it.


    "You don¡¯t get to touch me with the same hands that touched that... <i>bimbo</i> Ashley," I spat, my words sharp and bitter. His eyes widened, like he was about to respond, but I didn¡¯t give him the chance. I turned on my heel, marching back to the room I¡¯d woken up in, not caring if he was staring after me. Not caring about anything except getting away from him and his damn touch.


    The door mmed behind me with a satisfying thud, the sound echoing through the hallway. For a moment, I just stood there, breathing hard, my fists clenched, trying to shake off the residual heat of his touch. But damn it... this room. This room was a problem. It smelled like him¡ªhis scent thick in the air, lingering in the nkets, clinging to every surface.


    I wanted to hate it. I wanted to throw open a window and let the fresh air sweep it all away. But my fingers wouldn¡¯t move to utch the window, and my body refused to go anywhere else. That maddening, woodsy, smoky scent that was uniquely his... it seeped into my lungs, into my veins, despite my best efforts to ignore it.


    The whole thing was infuriating. He was infuriating. I hated how easily he got under my skin, how just a few whispered words and heated nces had me wanting to throw every bit of resistance out the window. And all the while, he¡¯d been with someone else. He thought he could have it both ways¡ªthat he could test me, push me, make me feel something, all while some other woman was in the background,pletely disposable.


    Well, he was wrong. He didn¡¯t get to have me whenever he felt like it. I wasn¡¯t some... some toy he could just pick up and put down whenever he wanted.


    I sank down onto the bed, feeling the weight of it all, the anger and confusion swirling together until I didn¡¯t know if I wanted to scream or cry or both. One thing was clear, though. No matter how much my body seemed to respond to him, no matter how hard he made it to resist... he wasn¡¯t going to win me over with a few heated nces and halfhearted words.


    If he wanted anything from me, he was going to have to work for it.


    With a huff, I yanked the nkets over my head, blocking out the sight of his room¡ªand, at least a little bit, his scent. I didn¡¯t care how "perfectly matched" we were supposed to be. If Kane thought he could waltz in, treat me like some conquest, and expect me to just fall in line... he was in for one hell of a surprise.

 Chapter 40: Too Wild

    <h4>Chapter 40: Too Wild</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV:</strong>


    Watching Elena storm off, all fire and fury, was the most amusing thing I¡¯d seen in weeks. There she went, marching down the hall, practically vibrating with anger, that fierce little scowl on her face making her look ready to take on the world. And all because I¡¯d let her handle herself with Ashley. Honestly, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a spark of pride¡ªand maybe a little thrill at the sight.


    "Hey," I called, letting a smirk tug at my lips, "as much as I like you wearing my clothes¡ªand I do prefer you in them, especially around all the unmated wolves you¡¯re so eager to impress¡ªI think you might want some of your own."


    I saw her falter, just a little, and my smirk grew wider. So, she hadn¡¯t realized I¡¯d overheard her muttered n about "unmated wolves." Oh, this was going to be fun. I could practically feel her frustration seeping from her like heat from a me, and it was delicious.


    Without turning around, she huffed, "I would¡¯ve worn my own clothes if you weren¡¯t such a caveman and had let me pack them when I said goodbye to my parents."


    Ah, so we were back to the me game, were we? I picked up my pace to close the gap between us, rolling my eyes at her stubborn streak. Alright then, if that¡¯s how she wanted to y it.


    "Well," I said, feigning a sigh, "if you hadn¡¯t been so hell-bent on running away from me, maybe I wouldn¡¯t have had to act like a caveman." She was acting like I¡¯d thrown her over my shoulder and dragged her here, kicking and screaming. Well, maybe there¡¯d been a <i>little</i> of that... She had no idea the effect she had on me¡ªor maybe she did and was just pretending not to know. Either way, she was a constant, maddening puzzle that I had every intention of solving.


    "If you weren¡¯t so <i>stupid</i>," she muttered under her breath, "you would¡¯ve figured out by now that I don¡¯t want to be here."


    Stupid? She could call me a lot of things, but <i>stupid</i>? That did it. She¡¯d used that word one too many times. My wolf, Ash, didn¡¯t take kindly to being insulted by our mate, and honestly, neither did I. That was it. I could take a lot of things, but "stupid" wasn¡¯t one of them, and neither could my wolf, Ash. He was already growling in my head, demanding I do something about our feisty little mate. I could ignore her calling me stupid when she was sick, maybe even when she was storming away from me in some petty fit. But if she thought she could just keep walking away, throwing that word over her shoulder like I¡¯d let it slide¡ªshe had another thinging.


    In a sh, I closed the distance, pressing her firmly against the wall, my front pressed up against her back. She gasped, her breath catching, and I leaned down to her ear.


    "This is the second time you¡¯ve called me stupid," I murmured, my voice low, dark, with just a hint of the danger that simmered beneath the surface. I leaned in, letting my breath graze her ear, feeling her shiver beneath me. "Me and my wolf... we don¡¯t take kindly to that, little mate."


    I felt her sharp intake of breath, her body instinctively arching against me. Even through her defiance, I could feel her pulse quickening under my grip, her skin heating up.


    "Then stop acting like one," she managed, though her voice came out in a breathless whisper, betraying her resolve. Her lips parted, and for a brief, electrifying second, I forgot everything¡ªwho we were, where we were, what we were fighting about. All I knew was that I wanted her. I wanted her surrender, her fire, her everything.


    I chuckled softly, letting my fingers trail down her sides. She was already unraveling, no matter how much she tried to resist. "Why are you so hell-bent on resisting me?" I asked, letting my lips brush her ear, enjoying the way her shiver ran right down her spine and into my chest. I heard her sharp intake of breath, felt her body arch instinctively toward me. She was fighting it, fighting me, but her body... her body was saying something else entirely.


    "Because I hate you," she whispered, but her words didn¡¯t carry the weight she wanted them to. Her breathing was too fast, her body too responsive. Every inch of her was betraying her.


    I grinned, letting my fingers trace her curves, feeling her melt against me, her head tipping back almost unconsciously. "You say that," I murmured against her neck, my lips finding that sweet spot, the ce where I¡¯d one day mark her, "but your body seems to be saying something else."


    She shifted, trying to push me away, but it was weak, half-hearted, and I knew she could feel it, too. I could practically hear the wheels turning in her head, the internal battle between her pride and her desire.


    "Maybe my body just... isn¡¯t very smart," she managed, her voice barely more than a moan.


    She exhaled a shaky breath, her bravado faltering for just a moment as I nibbled at her neck, savoring the way her skin felt against my lips. Her hand clenched tighter, and I knew I had her right where I wanted her¡ªteetering on the edge, fighting a battle she was destined to lose.


    Iughed, letting my fingers brush along her jaw, turning her face slightly to meet my gaze. "Oh, I don¡¯t know. I think it¡¯s pretty smart... smart enough to know exactly what it wants."


    I leaned closer, nipping lightly at her ear, hearing her gasp as my hands traced a slow path down her waist. Her scent was intoxicating, her skin warm under my hands. It took every ounce of my own self-control not to push her further, to demand she admit what we both knew was true.


    "Why do you have to be so... so... infuriating?" she choked out, her voice caught between frustration and something else, something raw.


    "Because it¡¯s fun watching you fight it," I whispered, letting my lips skim over her shoulder, my hands caressing her sides in a way I knew drove her wild. "You¡¯re so used to running, so hell-bent on resisting, you don¡¯t even realize how close you are to giving in."


    "I¡¯m not... I¡¯m not giving in," she said, though her voice was strained, her words faltering.


    "Oh, really?" I let my lips hover just above her shoulder, close enough that she could feel my breath against her skin, warm and steady. "Then why aren¡¯t you pushing me away?"


    Silence. I watched as her resolve wavered, her hands still against my chest but not with any strength behind them. The fight in her was slipping, reced by something far more honest, far more vulnerable.


    "Say the word," I murmured, my tone softer now, almost gentle. "Tell me to stop, and I will."


    I let my hands still, my mouth hovering near the sensitive skin at her neck, waiting. I wanted to give her that choice, to let her feel in control, even though every part of me ached to keep going, to im her right here and now. But something told me that if she took the first step, if she let herself cross that line, there¡¯d be no going back for either of us.


    For a long moment, she just stood there, her breathing shallow, her body leaning into mine as if on instinct. I could feel the tension between us, the delicate bnce of power as she struggled with herself.


    Finally, she took a deep breath, her hands still pressed lightly against the wall. Her fingers curled slightly into my hair, not quite pushing me away but not pulling me closer, either. I waited, giving her the chance to make her choice.


    But then, out of nowhere, I felt her tense, as if something had snapped back into ce. Her eyes shed, the vulnerability gone, reced by that defiant fire I both loved and hated. She pushed against my chest, her strength catching me off guard as she managed to break free from my hold.


    "Stop," she whispered, the word barely audible, but clear enough.


    Her expression was fierce, her voice steady as she spat, "You don¡¯t get to touch me with the same hands that touched... <i>her.</i>" Her gaze was sharp, using, and I realized with a pang what she meant. Ashley. She was still in her head, that thorn I hadn¡¯t managed to remove.


    I exhaled slowly, stepping back, letting the heat between us dissipate as I released her from my hold. Thest thing I wanted was to push her too far, to lose her trust before we even had a chance to build it. I respected her boundaries, even though every fiber of me screamed to ignore them.


    Before I could respond, she spun on her heel, storming into the room she¡¯d woken up in and mming the door shut behind her. The sound echoed through the hallway, leaving me standing there, alone, her scent lingering in the air.


    For a long moment, I stood there, caught somewhere between amusement and frustration. She was maddening, beautiful, and stubborn as hell. But she was mine, whether she admitted it or not. And one way or another, I was going to show her exactly what that meant.


    And she clearly hate Ashley, this is going to be a problem.


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 Chapter 41: Punishing Sub

    <h4>Chapter 41: Punishing Sub</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV</strong>


    I¡¯d have to deal with Elenater. Right now, I needed to get my sub in line. As much as it pained me to push Elena¡¯s issues aside, I had to take care this issue with my sub . With a deep, steadying breath, I pulled out my phone and dialed Ashley walking off to avoid Elena from hearing.


    "Master," she greeted excitedly from the other end of the line. Her voice, though eager, felt like an irritant in the current state I was in. I had no patience for this right now.


    "Who told you you could talk to my mate?" I growled, my tone cold and unforgiving. The words left my mouth before I could even think them through, but they came from the anger that still simmered in my chest.


    "I¡ªI didn¡¯t mean to upset you, Master," she stammered, her voice now meek, which did little to calm my rage.


    I clenched my jaw. She knew better. It was my job as her Dom to punish her whenever she stepped out of line, but today¡ªtoday felt different. Every instinct I had screamed that I couldn¡¯t be in two ces at once. Elena was my mate, but Ashley was pushing me to deal with her. A session with Ashley felt like cheating on my mate, and my wolf growled at the thought of it. Thest thing I wanted was to be distracted by anything that wasn¡¯t Elena right now.


    But I also knew that if I didn¡¯t punish my sub, if I didn¡¯t assert control over her, she¡¯d keep pestering Elena. The constant strain between managing my submissive and my mate was bing unbearable.


    "I¡¯ll be at the cottage in thirty minutes. And I expect to find you there," I said, my voice sharp. There was no room for negotiation, not today.


    Without waiting for a reply, I hung up, feeling a tension coil tighter in my chest. How was I supposed to bnce these two parts of my life when one threatened to unravel the other?


    I made my way back to my room, my mind still buzzing with everything that had happened. I knocked lightly before opening the door, unsure of what I¡¯d find inside. Elena had wrapped herself in the bedcovers, her posture tense, as though she was trying to hide from me. I could hear her heartbeat increase, the rapid thumping telling me she wasn¡¯t asleep.


    "Elena," I said, my voice softer than I¡¯d intended. "I¡¯lle pick you up at five so we can go shopping. Get you some clothes. Maybe we can grab dinner, if you¡¯d like."


    I waited for her response, the seconds stretching long and thick between us. But there was nothing. Not a word, not even a shift beneath the covers. Just silence.


    I clenched my jaw, frustration building. I don¡¯t have the patience for this right now. Without waiting any longer, I turned on my heel and left, closing the door behind me with more force than necessary.


    Okay, so this whole "mate" thing wasn¡¯t the picture-perfect, sunshine-and-roses kind of life people always made it out to be. I had expected some form of ease, of connection, but it felt more like walking on broken ss with every step I took. The weight of the responsibility, the constant push-and-pull between my protective instincts and my own emotions¡ªit was overwhelming.


    I drove off toward the cottage, the engine¡¯s hum barely noticeable under the roar of my thoughts. I was furious, I felt trapped, suffocated by the weight of her silence, the tension between us that I couldn¡¯t seem to bridge. I didn¡¯t know how to reach her. And that thought, more than anything, made me angry.


    I arrived at the cottage and parked the car, spotting Ashley¡¯s vehicle already there. My chest tightened. I should have felt the usual thrill, the excitement that came with preparing for a session with one of my subs, but there was nothing. Not this time<strong>.</strong> This wasn¡¯t about pleasure or desire. Not when Elena was still on my mind, still wrapped in that cold silence.


    As I stepped into the house, the familiar scent of the cottage mixed with something darker¡ªan undercurrent of tension that had nothing to do with Ashley¡¯s presence. My dominant side immediately rose to the surface, but this time, it was fueled by anger. I wasn¡¯t here for a session to indulge myself; I was here because Ashley had made everything worse with my mate. Every damn thing.


    I didn¡¯t bother with the usual rituals. I didn¡¯t remove my shirt or change into the jeans I usually wore for these sessions. No. This wasn¡¯t about the usual control and dominance I imposed on my subs¡ªit was about maintaining a facade, a control over myself, that I wasn¡¯t sure I had.


    As I entered the yroom, Ashley was already in position. Naked except for her panties, she knelt in the submissive pose I hade to expect from her. The sight should have stirred me, should have elicited the usual surge of heat, but it didn¡¯t. There was no rush of desire, no tightening of my muscles. I felt... nothing.


    <i>What the hell is wrong with me? </i>


    "Get up," Imanded, my voice firm and cold. "Lie on the bed, on your stomach."


    Ashley immediately obeyed, her eyes downcast, her posture wless. <i>Good sub</i>, I thought briefly. She had always been a core submissive, craving extreme sensations and finding pleasure in pain. At times, it had scared me, the way she could endure and even revel in the brutality I imposed on her. But tonight... tonight, I wasn¡¯t interested in indulging in that. My mind was elsewhere¡ªmy thoughts gued by her, the one I should be marking, not ying out these rituals.


    I chained Ashley¡¯s hands to the bedposts, each wrist bound tightly. Her legs followed suit. The act was mechanical, methodical. I wasn¡¯t present in the way I usually was¡ªno anticipation, no desire. The room, which should have been alive with tension, felt dead to me.


    "You know why I¡¯m punishing you," I said, my voice cold, emotionless.


    "Yes, Master," Ashley replied meekly, but her voice only irritated me further. She was being obedient, doing everything right, but I couldn¡¯t bring myself to desire her.


    This should¡¯ve turned me on. This sight¡ªher vulnerability, her obedience¡ªshould have ignited a fire within me. But there was only... nothing.


    I grabbed the leather whip from the array of tools hanging on the wall beside the bed. With a sharp motion, I ripped her panties off, exposing her bare ass to me. The sight should¡¯ve driven me wild, but I felt only a cold detachment.


    "You don¡¯t talk to my mate without my permission," I said, the words leaving my mouth in a harsh whisper.


    "Yes, Master," Ashley replied, though the words were muffled by the anticipation in her tone.


    <i>Why couldn¡¯t Elena just be like this simple?</i> The thought pushed itself into my mind, unbidden. A good, simple submissive. Noplications, no fights. Just obedience.


    I quickly blocked the thought. <i>Focus. You¡¯re here for a reason</i>.


    Then, the memory of Elena¡¯s words¡ªher anger when I tried to touch her after being with Ashley¡ªflooded my mind. She had been clear about what she wanted. No touching. Not after Ashley. I paused, realizing I had to make a choice. So, I walked to the drawer and grabbed a pair of gloves. It felt foolish, but I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that I had to do this¡ªhad to respect her request, no matter how absurd it seemed in the moment. I know she didn¡¯t mean that I should wear gloves but.....


    I slipped the gloves on, the leather cool against my skin, then returned to Ashley, who was already trembling with anticipation.


    I took the whip again, the sound of the leather cutting through the air before it struck her back. I delivered tenshes, one after another, each strike met with a quiet gasp or a stifled moan. The sensation should¡¯ve fueled me, but it didn¡¯t. There was no heat in my veins, no spark of desire.


    When I stopped, I went to the drawer and pulled out the ointment to soothe her skin and pain, rubbing it into her back gently. I could smell the sweet, musky scent of her arousal, the room thick with it. Still, I felt nothing. She loved this, craved it¡ªbut I felt nothing.


    I knew what she wanted. She wanted the release. But tonight wasn¡¯t about giving her what she craved. Tonight was about denying her, about making her feel the weight of her punishment. She was begging for it, but I wasn¡¯t done yet.


    I went to the drawer again and pulled out a vibrator and an orgasm ball. These toys were meant to tease, to push her to the edge without letting her tip over. I inserted the orgasm ball inside her, then carefully lubed up the vibrator, before sliding it into her backside. As soon as I turned it on, her body jolted, and a scream of pleasure tore from her throat. But I didn¡¯t allow her to reach that release. Not yet. Not tonight.


    Her body writhed beneath me, begging for more, but I stood there, watching her with a cold, detached expression.


    <i>You don¡¯t get toe until I say you can.</i>


    The minutes stretched on, and I could hear her soft cries, the desperation in her voice. S<i>he¡¯ll be begging soon,</i> I thought, but it didn¡¯t excite me.


    I stepped out of the room to clear my head, my wolf restless inside me. The beast was furious¡ªfurious that I was involved in anything with someone who wasn¡¯t Elena. I could feel his fury pressing against my chest, demanding that I stop this, that I throw Ashley out.


    "Stupid human," my wolf growled. "What are you doing? She¡¯s not our mate. She should be gone."


    I tried reasoning with him, though I knew it wouldn¡¯t be easy. "Ash, you have to calm down. Yes, Ashley isn¡¯t our mate, but she¡¯s still our sub, and we¡¯re bound by the contract. I can¡¯t just break that."


    "Not ¡¯we,¡¯ human. <i>You.</i> Get rid of her. She means nothing."


    His anger roiled in my chest, and I struggled to keep it contained. "I know, Ash. I know. I just need to finish with her, then we can go deal with our stubborn mate."


    It took thirty minutes to calm him down, thirty minutes of deep breathing and attempts at pushing the rage aside. Finally, I felt some semnce of control return.


    I returned to the yroom to find Ashley still writhing on the bed, the vibrator still working its magic, her body slick with sweat, her cries echoing in the room. She was begging for release, but I wasn¡¯t about to give it to her.


    I removed the toys, pulling the vibrator and orgasm ball out of her. I untied her and ordered her not to touch herself.


    I walked out of the room, already heading toward the car. It was past four in the afternoon, and I had a mate to deal with.

 Chapter 42: Cheating Mate

    <h4>Chapter 42: Cheating Mate</h4>


    <strong>ELENA¡¯S POV</strong>


    I marched out of his suffocating presence, retreating to the room where his scent clung to everything, and buried myself under the covers. The nerve of him, thinking he could press me against the wall, making me lose my senses like that. Then he had the audacity to act smug about it!


    But fine. If Kane wanted me to "get my own clothes," I would oblige¡ªand I¡¯d do it my way. When he said we¡¯d go shopping, the wheels in my head turned. <i>Good</i>. I¡¯d make sure to empty every store in the city. If he wanted to control me, he¡¯d learn just how costly that control could be. Let him pay for my new wardrobe, every single over-the-top outfit.


    And maybe... maybe I¡¯d get a little payback for my father, too. For all the years of humiliation and the constant reminder that I was nothing more than a tool to be traded. Kane could suffer the consequences of being my mate.


    Once he left the room, I decided I wouldn¡¯t sit around and sulk. Hunger gnawed at my stomach, so I ventured through the massive house, exploring until I found the kitchen. After a little scavenging, I managed to whip up an omelet¡ªsimple but satisfying. I wasn¡¯t sure if this was breakfast or lunch, but my grumbling stomach didn¡¯t care.


    Just as I was finishing up, the air shifted, and the faint yet unmistakable scent of Kane filled the room. I turned to see him standing in the doorway, looking¡ªoddly enough¡ªnervous. It was strange to see the ever-dominant Alpha looking like he was trying to gather himself. He shifted on his feet, his usual confidence subdued, like he had something to hide.


    "I¡¯m going to shower," he announced, his voice tight. "Then we can go."


    He turned away, as if eager to escape, and that¡¯s when it hit me¡ªfaint but undeniably there. A scent. Something out of ce. Something that didn¡¯t belong.


    "What¡¯s that?" I asked sharply, narrowing my eyes at him.


    He froze mid-step, his shoulders stiffening before he slowly turned back around, his face a perfect mask of innocence. "What¡¯s what?" he asked, feigning ignorance.


    But there it was again¡ªthat scent. It wasn¡¯t just any scent; it was distinctly feminine, clinging to him like a shadow. And as I stepped closer, anger boiling in my chest, I recognized it. My stomach twisted as the realization struck like a lightning bolt.


    "Why do you smell like another woman¡¯s arousal?" My voice was low, almost deadly, but the rage simmering underneath was threatening to explode. His face flickered with surprise, and that was all the confirmation I needed.


    "And why does that scent smell so much like Ashley¡¯s?" I demanded, my voice rising, each word cutting like a de. I could see the guilt sh in his eyes before he quickly masked it, but it was toote. I¡¯d seen enough.


    "Elena, let me exin," he started, stepping toward me with his hands raised in surrender, but I wasn¡¯t having it.


    "Exin what?" I snapped, my voice cracking with the weight of my fury and disbelief. "That you went and fucked Ashley after I specifically told you not to touch me with the hands that touched her? Is that what you want to exin?"


    He opened his mouth, but no words came out. He looked as though he was scrambling for an excuse, but there was nothing he could say to undo this betrayal.


    And then, the bastard had the audacity to reach for me, his hand outstretched as if tofort me. Comfort me? Like hell he would.


    "Don¡¯t touch me!" I shouted, stepping back. My voice was shaking, but the anger coursing through me was pure fire. "Don¡¯t you dare touch me!"


    Augh bubbled out of me, hysterical and bitter, as tears stung the corners of my eyes. I didn¡¯t know whether to cry or scream or punch him in his stupid, lying face. My heart felt like it was being torn apart, shredded by the mate bond that was supposed to mean something.


    "To think," I said, my voice dripping with venom, "that I was saving myself for my mate. A mate who¡¯s nothing more than a fucking cheat."


    "Elena¡ª" he started again, his tone pleading, but I wasn¡¯t listening anymore. The words were spilling out of me, unfiltered and raw, and I didn¡¯t care if they cut him as deeply as I felt cut.


    "You know what? If you can go off and get your little fix from Ashley, then I can find someone too!" I shouted, my voice rising with every word. "I¡¯m going to find another guy to fuck the hell out of me. Let¡¯s see how you like that!"


    I turned on my heel, my only thought being to get as far away from him as possible. The front door wasn¡¯t far¡ªI could see it, my escape within reach. But before I could get there, a growl rumbled through the room, deep and primal, freezing me in my tracks. He was behind me his hand caught my arm.


    "Oh no, you don¡¯t," Kane snarled, his voice dripping with possessiveness. "You¡¯re mine."


    I whipped around, fury zing in my chest. "I said don¡¯t fucking touch me!" I screamed, my hand flying up before I even realized what I was doing. The p echoed through the room, sharp and satisfying, but it only seemed to ignite something in him.


    Before I could react, his arms were around me, lifting me as if I weighed nothing. My fists pounded against his chest, my nails wing at his arms as I thrashed and screamed. But he didn¡¯t let go.


    "Put me down!" I shouted, my voice hoarse with rage. "I said put me down, you bastard!"


    I didn¡¯t go quietly. I bit down on his arm, my teeth sinking in deep enough to draw blood, and my ws raked against his skin. I didn¡¯t care if I hurt him. In fact, I wanted to hurt him, to make him feel a fraction of the pain he¡¯d caused me.


    "Damn it, Elena!" he growled, his voice strained as he held me tighter. "You can fight me all you want, but it¡¯s not going to change anything. You¡¯re mine, and I¡¯m not letting you go."


    I hated him. I hated his arrogance, his possessiveness, his stupid, cheating hands. But most of all, I hated the bond that made my heart ache even now, the part of me that wanted to believe his lies, to forgive him when he didn¡¯t deserve it.


    "You don¡¯t own me," I spat, my voice shaking with the force of my fury. "You might be my mate, but I will never be yours."


    His jaw clenched, his eyes darkening with something dangerous, but I didn¡¯t care. I wouldn¡¯t let him win. Not this time.


    This was war. And I was ready to burn it all down.

 Chapter 43: Angry Mate

    <h4>Chapter 43: Angry Mate</h4>


    <strong>KANE¡¯S POV:</strong>


    The moment I stepped out of my car and onto the driveway, the weight of my mistake hit me like a freight train. Ash, my wolf, growled low in my mind, not out of anger toward Elena this time but toward me.


    <i>You reek of Ashley. This is bad, Kane. Really bad.</i>


    "Shit," I muttered under my breath, realizing I hadn¡¯t showered beforeing home. The faint scent of Ashley¡¯s arousal still clung to my clothes, and no amount of air or distance from her would cover it up¡ªnot with Elena¡¯s sharp sense of smell. Why the fuck didn¡¯t I think to shower before I got back?


    Panic wed at my chest as I opened the front door as quietly as I could, hoping to slip past Elena unnoticed. My n was simple: get to the guest room, take the fastest shower of my life, and pray to the goddess she wouldn¡¯t catch wind of anything before I fixed this mess.


    But luck wasn¡¯t on my side. The faint clinking of utensils in the kitchen stopped me dead in my tracks. I nced toward the doorway and froze. There she was, sitting at the counter, finishing what looked like an omelet. She looked so at ease, so unaffectedpletely unaware of what I was trying to cover up.


    For a brief moment, I thought I might make it. If I could just keep my distance¡ª


    "I¡¯m going to shower," I said quickly, trying to sound as nonchnt as possible. "Then we can go." I didn¡¯t even wait for her response, turning on my heel, heading straight for the guest room. Just a few more steps, Kane. You¡¯ve got this.


    But then, her voice rang out, sharp and suspicious. "What¡¯s that?"


    The words froze me mid-step, and Ash cursed in my head. <i>You¡¯re busted, idiot. She¡¯s no fool. </i>


    "What¡¯s what?" I said, feigning confusion, not daring to turn around. If I could just keep moving¡ª


    But no. She wasn¡¯t buying it. I heard her chair scrape against the floor, and the sound of her soft footsteps approaching sent a chill down my spine. When she got close enough, the faint sound of her sniffing the air sealed my fate.


    I could see it in her eyes when I finally turned around: anger, disbelief, and pain. Pain I had caused.


    "Why do you smell like another woman¡¯s arousal?" she asked, her voice trembling but cold enough to cut through steel.


    I opened my mouth, but no words came out. What could I say? The truth? Or lie that Ashley had thrown herself at me again and I hadn¡¯t done enough to avoid the fallout? That even though I hadn¡¯t touched her in that way, I hadn¡¯t stopped her from getting close enough to make a mess of things? None of it would matter¡ªnot to Elena, and not to me. Because deep down, I knew I had no excuse.


    "And why does that scent smell so much like Ashley¡¯s?" she demanded, her voice rising, her anger bubbling just below the surface, ready to boil over.


    "Elena, let me exin¡ª" I started, desperate to calm her down, to get her to listen. But she wasn¡¯t having it.


    "Exin what?" she snapped, her voice breaking. "That you went and fucked Ashley after I specifically told you not to touch me with the hands that touched her? Is that what you¡¯re trying to exin?"


    The venom in her words cut deeper than any wound, and the worst part was that I couldn¡¯t even defend myself. I wanted to tell her that I hadn¡¯t crossed that line, that I hadn¡¯t actually slept with Ashley. But the truth wouldn¡¯t matter. I¡¯d allowed Ashley too close, and the scent clinging to me was damning enough.


    I reached out instinctively, desperate to console her, to fix this somehow, but she recoiled like I was poison.


    "Don¡¯t touch me!" she shouted, stepping back, her voice shaking with fury. "Don¡¯t you dare touch me!"


    Herugh was bitter and hysterical, the sound of someone breaking apart right in front of me. "To think," she said, tears welling in her eyes, "that I was saving myself for my mate. A mate who¡¯s nothing more than a fucking cheat."


    My chest tightened at her words. I¡¯d never wanted to hurt her¡ªnot like this. But how could I fix this when everything I said or did only seemed to make it worse?


    And then she snapped. The words that came next made Ash and I see red.


    "You know what?" she shouted, her voice trembling with rage. "If you can go off and get your little fix from Ashley, then I can find someone too. I¡¯m going to find another guy to fuck the hell out of me!"


    Ash roared in my mind, his possessiveness crashing over me like a tidal wave. <i>No. Fucking. Way.</i> Before I even had time to process it, my wolf took over, his instincts kicking in like a primal reflex.


    Before she could storm out the door, I was on her, my hand gripping her arm as I growled, "Oh no, you don¡¯t. You¡¯re mine."


    She turned to face me, her eyes zing with fury. "I said don¡¯t fucking touch me!" she screamed, her hand flying up before I could react. The p echoed through the house, sharp and stinging, but it only made Ash dig his heels in deeper.


    She was mine. No other man wouldy a finger on her, no matter how angry she was, no matter how much she hated me in this moment. I couldn¡¯t let her go.


    Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around her, lifting her off the ground. She fought like a wildcat, her nails raking across my face, her fists pounding against my chest, and her teeth¡ªgoddess, her teeth¡ªsinking into my arm hard enough drawing blood.


    Ash growled in approval, even through the pain. <i>She¡¯s fierce. Our mate is a fighter.</i>


    "Put me down!" she screamed, her voice hoarse with rage, but I didn¡¯t let go. Couldn¡¯t let go.


    "You can fight me all you want," I growled, my voice low and rough with the wolf¡¯s dominance. "But it¡¯s not going to change anything. You¡¯re mine, and I¡¯m not letting you go."


    Her ws tore at my arms, drawing blood as she thrashed, but I held her tighter. Every scratch, every bite, every curse she hurled at me only fueled the fire in my chest. She could hate me all she wanted. She could tear me apart piece by piece, but no one else would ever touch her.


    "You don¡¯t own me!" she spat, her voice shaking with fury. "You might be my mate, but I will never be yours."


    Her words stung like silver against my skin, but they didn¡¯t weaken my resolve. If anything, they made me more determined.


    Ash rumbled in my mind, his possessiveness echoing in my voice as I growled, "You can deny it all you want, Elena, but you¡¯re mine. And no one else will ever have you."


    This wasn¡¯t over. Not by a long shot.

 Chapter 44: Deadly Possessive

    <h4>Chapter 44: Deadly Possessive</h4>


    <strong>ELENA¡¯S POV:</strong>


    His grip on me was unrelenting as he hauled me upstairs like I weighed nothing. No matter how much I kicked, screamed, or bit, Kane didn¡¯t falter. His hands were covered in bite marks, w scratches deep enough to bleed, but he carried on as if none of it fazed him. His face was hard, his jaw tight, and his scent¡ªgoddess, his scent¡ªstill reeked of her, making my rage bubble over.


    The worst part wasn¡¯t even the smell. It was that distant, feral glint in his eyes. He wasn¡¯t just Kane right now. <i>It¡¯s his wolf,</i> Zena, my wolf, confided bitterly. <i>He¡¯s taken over.</i>


    Whoever he was he carried me like I was a sack of potatoes, his grip as unyielding as iron, even though his arms were covered in scratches and bite marks. The bastard still reeked faintly of <i>her</i>. Ashley. And that scent only fueled my anger further. I didn¡¯t care if his wolf was in control right now or if it was some kind of excuse. If his wolf could take control now to stop me, why hadn¡¯t it stopped him from being around Ashley in the first ce?


    But even as Zena gave me that insight, I could feel her pain. She was hurting just as much as I was, if not more, but unlike her, I refused to bow to it. I wasn¡¯t like Zena; I wouldn¡¯t let my anger simmer quietly. No. I was going to burn it all down¡ªhim, his wolf, and every pathetic excuse he thought he could use to exin himself.


    <i>If his wolf was so damn possessive</i>, I thought bitterly, <i>why didn¡¯t he take over earlier? Why didn¡¯t he stop Kane before he cheated on me? To hell with both of them.</i>


    By the time we reached his bedroom, I was exhausted from struggling but no less furious. He dumped me unceremoniously on the massive bed, and I immediately scrambled to the edge, ready to leap off. Before I could, he stalked to the door, locked it with a solid <i>click</i>, and pocketed the key.


    "I¡¯m going to shower," he said stiffly, his voice lower, rougher¡ªmore wolf than man. His red eyes glinted as he added, "And for the record, I didn¡¯t fuck Ashley."


    A bitterugh escaped me before I could stop it. "Oh, so noble of you," I sneered, curling my lip. "What do you want? A medal for <i>almost</i> cheating?"


    I snorted, crossing my arms as my chest heaved from the exertion of fighting him. "Oh, well that makes everything better, doesn¡¯t it?" I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes. But I couldn¡¯t ignore the shift in him. His eyes¡ªthey were glowing a deep, angry red, a clear sign that his wolf was still very much in control.


    He stared at me, his wolf simmering just below the surface, before growling, "Don¡¯t. Move." And with that, he disappeared into the bathroom, the sound of running water following secondster.


    I stared at the locked door for a moment, biting my lip. Zena whimpered softly in the back of my mind, torn between wanting to stay and confront him and wanting to leave this nightmare behind. I chose for both of us. There was no way in hell I was sticking around to hear whatever half-baked excuse he thought he could throw at me.


    The second the bathroom door closed, I sprang into action. There was no way I was staying here, not locked up like some kind of prisoner. I ran to the door first, shaking the handle furiously. Of course, it was deadlocked. "Stupid alpha and his stupid keys," I muttered under my breath.


    n B it was: The window.


    Marching over to it, I pulled the heavy curtains aside and cranked it open. Cool air rushed in, making my skin prickle, but I didn¡¯t care. What I <i>did</i> care about was the realization that Kane¡¯s bedroom was on the third fucking floor of his ridiculously oversized mansion. The ground below looked impossibly far, but I wasn¡¯t about to let a little height stop me. I¡¯d climbed higher things before, and right now, I was too angry to care about the risks.


    It¡¯s just a climb, I told myself. You¡¯ve done worse.


    Gripping the windowsill, I swung myself out and started climbing down. The stone wall was rough, and my hands found solid holds as I carefully lowered myself, foot by foot.


    Behind me, I heard the shower water stop.


    "Elena!" Kane¡¯s voice roared from above, loud and furious. I froze instinctively before ncing up. There he was, standing in the open window, his red eyes zing down at me. He wasn¡¯t dressed¡ªnot fully, at least. A white towel was wrapped loosely around his waist, his chest glistening with water droplets. He looked more wolf than man, his expression primal and furious.


    "Get back up here!" he barked, his voice low andmanding.


    I red up at him, my defiance renewed by the sight of him. "Go to hell," I spat, continuing my slow descent.


    "Elena, stop this!" he growled, the sound reverberating down the wall. "I swear to the goddess¡ª"


    But I wasn¡¯t listening anymore. He could threaten me all he wanted. I had one goal in mind, and that was to get the hell out of here. I wasn¡¯t going to stick around and let him make a fool of me again. I¡¯d find someone¡ªanyone¡ªto prove that I wasn¡¯t some pathetic little mate who¡¯d just sit and take it.


    I heard him curse above me, but I ignored him. My focus was on the ground, my fingers and toes carefully finding their ces as I climbed lower and lower. I could feel his rage from above, but I didn¡¯t care. He could stay mad. He deserved it.


    And then, it happened.


    One second, my foot was steady, and the next, it slipped. My heart lurched into my throat as my hands scrambled for purchase, but it was toote. My grip failed, and gravity took over.


    I didn¡¯t even have time to shift before I started falling. The wind rushed past me, and I barely had a moment to register what was happening before I was caught mid-air.


    Strong arms wrapped around me like a vice, holding me tight as the momentum of my fall sent us both crashing to the ground. The impact was jarring but softened by the fact that Kane had twisted us mid-leap, taking the brunt of the fall himself.


    I blinked in stunned silence, my heart pounding as I realized what had happened. Kane had jumped out after me¡ª<i>leapt</i> from the third floor like it was nothing and caught me in mid-air.


    For a brief second, I almost admired him. Almost.


    But then I remembered why I¡¯d been climbing down in the first ce, and the momentary awe evaporated.


    I shoved at his chest, struggling to get out of his hold, but his arms tightened around me. He wasn¡¯t letting go.


    "Are you out of your goddamn mind?" he growled, his voice a mix of anger and exasperation. His towel had barely survived the jump, hanging precariously low on his hips as his chest heaved from the effort of catching me. "What were you thinking?"


    "What was <i>I</i> thinking?" I shot back, still squirming in his arms. "What were <i>you</i> thinking, cheating on me and then locking me in your stupid room?"


    "I told you, I didn¡¯t cheat!" he snapped, his red eyes narrowing.


    "You reek of her!" I screamed, my voice breaking. "You reek of Ashley, and you expect me to believe nothing happened? Are you really that delusional?"


    His jaw clenched, and for a moment, he didn¡¯t say anything. Instead, he stood there, holding me like I might vanish if he let go, his breathing heavy and his expression torn between anger and desperation.


    "You¡¯re mine, Elena," he finally said, his voice low and guttural. "No one else touches you. No one else <i>ever</i> touches you."


    "And yet you touched her," I whispered bitterly, the tears I¡¯d been holding back finally spilling over. "What does that make me, Kane? Just some backup n? Some obligation you think you have to keep around while you mess around with someone else?"


    His grip on me tightened, his red eyes darkening further. "It¡¯s not like that," he growled, his voice trembling with something I couldn¡¯t ce. "It¡¯s never been like that."


    "Then what is it?" I asked, my voice cracking. "Because from where I¡¯m standing, it sure as hell doesn¡¯t look like I¡¯m your priority."


    He didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he simply held me there, his arms unyielding as I cried into his chest, my anger giving way to exhaustion.


    I hated him. I hated him for what he¡¯d done, for the pain he¡¯d caused. But more than anything, I hated myself for still wanting him¡ªstill feeling the bond that tied us together no matter how much I tried to fight it.


    And as much as I hated it, I knew one thing for certain: Kane wasn¡¯t going to let me go. Not now. Not ever.

 Chapter 45: Death Leap

    <h4>Chapter 45: Death Leap</h4>


    <strong>KANE¡¯S POV:</strong>


    My mate is going to drive me insane. At this rate, I¡¯m convinced she¡¯s trying to kill me¡ªnot just emotionally, but physically. This is the second time I¡¯ve had to watch her throw herself into near-death situations, and it hasn¡¯t even been a week since she became mine. I swear she¡¯s aging me by the second, and my wolf, Ash, isn¡¯t helping. He¡¯s just as vtile and possessive, a dangerous cocktail of fury and desperation when ites to her.


    And yeah, okay, I¡¯m a jerk. I¡¯m a bastard. Call me whatever names you want¡ªI deserve every single one of them. I royally messed up by letting Ashley anywhere near me, and the fact that I didn¡¯t actually cheat doesn¡¯t change the fact that I crossed a line. Technically, it¡¯s not infidelity, but emotionally? Yeah, it¡¯s cheating.


    I knew I was in deep trouble the second Elena caught the faint scent of Ashley on me. But then she said it¡ªthat threat, that vow to find another man to "fuck the hell out of her." That was the moment my wolf lost it.


    Ash couldn¡¯t process those words. Couldn¡¯t fathom anyone else touching her, much less having her in the way only I¡¯m supposed to. It didn¡¯t matter what I had done¡ªor nearly done. My wolf¡¯s instincts overtook me entirely, and I grabbed her, desperate to keep her close. Maybe it was selfish. Maybe it was cruel. But I couldn¡¯t let her go.


    And yet, even as I carried her upstairs to keep her safe and locked in while I showered, guilt gnawed at me. What kind of mate was I? The thought of someone else having her made me feel murderous, yet I¡¯d let Ashley¡ªAshley!¡ªget close enough to taint me with her scent. It didn¡¯t matter that I hadn¡¯t slept with her. It didn¡¯t matter that it was all tied to a stupid contract I never should¡¯ve signed.


    The point is, I screwed up. And now I was paying for it.


    I stepped into the shower with my head spinning. I wanted to scrub away every trace of Ashley, not just for Elena¡¯s sake but for my own. I couldn¡¯t stand the idea of my mate being hurt because of my stupidity.


    The water scalded my skin as I stood under it, trying to drown out my guilt. But something felt... off. Too quiet.


    That¡¯s when I realized: the sound of her fiery tantrum, her screaming or cursing, was gone. I froze, listening closely, before my eyes darted toward the door to the bathroom. Fuck it I took peek in the room. No one. My heart dropped into my stomach as I rushed out of the bathroom, barely grabbing a towel to wrap around my waist.


    The window was open.


    No... no, no, no.


    "Elena!" I roared, my voice echoing through the room. I ran to the window, and sure enough, there she was, climbing down like the walls of my mansion were some kind of yground.


    What the hell was she thinking? Did she have a death wish?


    "Get back up here!" I barked, but she barely spared me a nce, her jaw set with stubborn determination.


    "Go to hell!" she shouted back, and I swear that broke something inside me.


    My wolf growled low in my chest, furious and restless. <i>She¡¯s ours,</i> Ash snarled. <i>She doesn¡¯t get to leave us!</i>


    Before I could respond, she slipped.


    Time slowed as I watched her foot miss its hold, her body tilting backward. Her arms iled, but there was nothing for her to grab onto. My heart stopped as she fell, and before I could think, before I could breathe, I leapt after her.


    The world blurred as I hurtled through the air, catching her just in time. My arms wrapped around her, and I twisted mid-air, forcing myself to take the impact of the fall.


    Pain exploded in my side as we hit the ground, the force of it rattling through my bones. I felt the sharp crack of a rib breaking¡ªmaybe two¡ªbut I didn¡¯t care. All that mattered was that she was safe in my arms.


    For a moment, she just stared at me, stunned. Then her expression shifted from shock to anger as she realized what had happened.


    "Let go of me!" she hissed, shoving at my chest.


    "Not a chance," I growled, tightening my grip. My wolf was still on edge, demanding I hold onto her like my life depended on it. And maybe it did.


    She squirmed, her fists pounding against my chest, but then she froze. Her cheeks turned pink as she realized the towel I¡¯d wrapped around my waist was barely holding on, and I was effectively naked beneath it.


    Her fists paused for only a second before she resumed her assault, hitting me harder. "You¡¯re such an idiot! Do you even think before you act?"


    "You¡¯re calling me an idiot?" I shot back, my tone incredulous. "You¡¯re the one who tried to climb out of a third-floor window!"


    "Maybe I wouldn¡¯t have to if my mate wasn¡¯t such a cheating bastard!" she screamed, her voice cracking.


    I flinched at her words, the guilt hitting me like a punch to the gut. "I told you, I didn¡¯t cheat," I said, my voice quieter now.


    "You smell like her!" she snapped, tears pooling in her eyes. "You reek of Ashley, and you expect me to believe nothing happened? Do you think I¡¯m stupid?"


    I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. How could I exin the situation without sounding like the world¡¯s biggest asshole?


    Her tears broke me. I could feel her pain, her betrayal, and it tore at me in a way I wasn¡¯t prepared for. She was hurting because of me, and there was nothing I could say to make it better.


    She broke downpletely, her sobs shaking her small frame as she leaned against me. I didn¡¯t know what to do, so I did the only thing I could.


    I held her.


    Carefully, I cradled her in my arms, ignoring the searing pain in my ribs as I stood, Ash was already fixing it murmuring how I deserve it. Her fists had gone limp against my chest, her tears soaking into my skin as I carried her back inside.


    I didn¡¯t say anything. There was nothing I could say that would fix this. All I could do was hold her tighter, silently promising myself¡ªand her¡ªthat I would do better.


    As I walked through the doors and back into the house, I realized something.


    I¡¯d nearly lost her today, not just emotionally but physically. And if I didn¡¯t find a way to fix this¡ªto fix us¡ªI wouldn¡¯t get another chance.

 Chapter 46: Need Some Clothes

    <h4>Chapter 46: Need Some Clothes</h4>


    <strong>ELENA¡¯S POV:</strong>


    By the time Kane carried my sobbing self back to the house, I hated myself for breaking down in front of him. I wanted to be strong, to hold onto my anger, but the moment the tears started, there was no stopping them.


    He didn¡¯t say much, just murmured softly as he held me, something about being sorry. And he should be sorry. Sorry for cheating¡ªor whatever his excuse was. Sorry for putting me through this emotional wringer. Sorry for making me care about him when he clearly didn¡¯t deserve it.


    Still, as I sat curled on hisp in the living room, his arms wrapped protectively around me, I felt my walls cracking. The pent-up rage and hurt I¡¯d been clinging to were draining out of me, leaving exhaustion in their ce.


    After a while, when I¡¯d finally calmed down, Kane asked if I wanted to take a shower before we left for the shopping trip he¡¯d insisted on earlier. I gave him a stiff nod, still refusing to talk to him. Talking meant giving him an inch, and I wasn¡¯t about to let that happen.


    He carried me up the stairs again¡ªbecause apparently, the man doesn¡¯t believe in letting me walk anywhere¡ªand brought me to his bathroom. Gently, he sat me on the counter like I was some fragile piece of porcin. Then, to my surprise, he started preparing a bath.


    I hated how sweet the gesture was. I hated that it made my heart do a stupid little flutter in my chest. Was this his way of making up for everything? Because I wasn¡¯t about to forgive him just because he drew me a bath.


    He moved around the bathroom with calm efficiency, testing the water temperature and adding something that smelled faintly ofvender. He even grabbed a soft robe and set it beside the tub before turning back to me.


    That¡¯s when he did it¡ªthe audacity of this man. He reached for me like he intended to undress me himself.


    "Okay, that¡¯s far enough," I snapped, clutching at the hem of the shirt I was wearing¡ªhis shirt. "I can do it on my own."


    There. I spoke. Dammit, I wasn¡¯t supposed to, but he¡¯d left me no choice.


    Kane raised his hands in surrender, the ghost of a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth, and walked out of the bathroom. The door clicked shut behind him, and I let out a shaky breath.


    Finally, some peace.


    I slid off the counter and pulled off the wrinkled, tear-soaked shirt, tossing it to the side. The warm, fragrant water in the tub called to me, and as soon as I sank into it, I felt the tension begin to melt away.


    The bath was heavenly, the hot water soothing every sore muscle and frayed nerve. For a few minutes, I allowed myself to rx, closing my eyes and letting thevender scent lull me into a rare moment of calm.


    But, of course, my peace didn¡¯tst long.


    "Have you drowned in there, or are you nning toe out sometime today?" Kane¡¯s voice called from outside the door, a teasing edge to his tone.


    My eyes flew open, and my moment of serenity shattered. Of course, he¡¯s still here.


    I sat up with a scowl, ring at the door as though he could feel my annoyance through it. "Fuck him," I muttered under my breath, though the words didn¡¯t hold much venom.


    And maybe I was lying to myself when I said I¡¯d almost forgotten he was out there. Because the truth was, I hadn¡¯t. Not for a second.


    As much as I hated him right now, my traitorous brain kept shing back to the sight of him earlier, standing in this very bathroom with nothing but a towel slung low on his hips. Those abs¡ªgoddess help me, those abs¡ªwere a problem. A serious problem.


    I wanted to hate him, to focus on how furious I was. But instead, I kept reying the way his muscles flexed as he moved, the sharp lines of his jaw, the heat in his eyes when he looked at me.


    <i>Stop</i> it, I told myself. <i>You¡¯re angry at him. Stay angry. Remember, he¡¯s a cheating bastard. </i>


    But my stupid, traitorous hormones weren¡¯t listening. They were too busy fantasizing about what it would feel like to run my hands over that chest or trace the lines of those abs with my fingers.


    I groaned, sinking deeper into the water as if I could drown my wayward thoughts. "You need a vacation," I muttered to my body. "A long, cold vacation far away from this man."


    Eventually, I gave up trying to stay in the bath forever and climbed out, wrapping the soft robe around myself. It felt luxurious against my skin, but I refused to let it distract me from my mission: staying angry.


    Because no matter how much my body betrayed me, my heart knew the truth. Kane might be a hunk of a man, but he was also my arrogant, insufferable, infuriating mate.


    And I wasn¡¯t letting him off the hook. Not yet.


    Walking out of the bathroom, I froze for a moment when I saw Kane. He was wearing a in white t-shirt and grey sweatpants. Nothing fancy, nothing shy. Just... casual. And for a split second, he didn¡¯t look like the ruthless, possessive Alpha who¡¯d been driving me insane for the past couple of days.


    No, like this, he looked... normal. Like aid-back, ridiculously handsome boyfriend.


    <i>Boyfriend? Absolutely not, Elena. Stop</i>. I mentally smacked myself back into focus. We¡¯re angry at him, remember? Still furious.


    I noticed he¡¯did out some clothes for me on the bed: a pair of his long socks, another oversized t-shirt, and the hoodie of the sweatpants he was currently wearing. The hoodie looked massive, long enough to swallow me up and turn into a makeshift dress.


    "Get dressed in this so we can go get you some decent clothes," he said casually, motioning toward the pile. Then remained standing their like a handsome statue.


    The audacity.


    He didn¡¯t even move, just stood there like he had all the time in the world. His arms were crossed, and his eyes flicked between me and the window, clearly still paranoid that I¡¯d make another escape attempt.


    I raised an eyebrow at him, waiting for him to take the hint.


    But nope. The man really didn¡¯t get it.


    "Get out so I can get dressed," I said, not bothering to sound polite.


    He tilted his head, studying me with that infuriating calmness of his. Then his eyes darted to the window again. Seriously?


    "As much as I would love to climb out the window again," I deadpanned, "I¡¯d like to get some real clothes. And maybe some actual underwear. So rest assured, I won¡¯t be escaping before I at least have those."


    The corner of his mouth twitched, and for a moment, I thought he mightugh. Instead, he smirked¡ªthat cocky, maddeningly attractive smirk that made me want to throw something at him¡ªand said, "I¡¯ll be waiting for you downstairs."


    Finally.


    He walked out of the room, but not before casting onest look at the window, as if to silently warn me not to try anything.


    I rolled my eyes, muttering under my breath, "Paranoid much?"


    Once the door clicked shut, I let out a breath and turned to the clothes he¡¯d left. They were huge, of course. The hoodie alone could double as a tent, and the socks reached halfway up my thighs. I¡¯d never felt more ridiculous¡ªand yet, strangelyfortable.


    Still, I couldn¡¯t help but smile a little as I pulled the hoodie over my head. Maybe I¡¯d y along, just for now. Get my clothes. Get some space. And then figure out what to do with my infuriating, possessive, stupidly attractive mate.


    But one thing was certain: he wasn¡¯t getting forgiven anytime soon.

 Chapter 47: Mate In A Robe

    <h4>Chapter 47: Mate In A Robe</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV:</strong>


    One thing was crystal clear: I had to make things right with my mate. Elena wasn¡¯t just furious¡ªshe was downright livid. I couldn¡¯t me her. Hell, if the roles were reversed, I¡¯d probably have torn down the walls by now. But no matter how justified her anger was, I had to figure out how to chip away at it. I needed her forgiveness, and I knew I¡¯d have to work harder than I ever had before to earn it. Small gestures wouldn¡¯t erase the mistakes I¡¯d already made, but they were a start. Right?


    When she finally calmed down a bit, sniffling and ring daggers at me all the same, I gently asked her if she¡¯d like to take a bath. Honestly, she needed it after all the chaos¡ªand I couldn¡¯t imagine her stepping outside in that wrinkled, tear-soaked t-shirt of mine. She nodded reluctantly, clearly still too mad to speak more than necessary. Fine. I¡¯d take whatever tiny victories I could get.


    And, like always, I carried her to the bathroom.


    Why did I always insist on carrying her? I didn¡¯t know, but it felt right. Holding her in my arms was like grounding myself, like having this undeniable proof that she was real, that she was mine. It reassured me that I hadn¡¯t lost herpletely yet, even if she was trying her damnedest to push me away.


    I set her down on the counter next to the sink and went to work preparing her bath. The whole time, I could feel her eyes on me. Watching. Judging. Maybe she was deciding whether or not to throw the soap at me. Either way, I didn¡¯t mind her gaze. I wanted her attention, even if it came in the form of res.


    Once the bath was ready, I turned back to her, and instinctively, I went to help her undress. It wasn¡¯t some grand romantic gesture¡ªjust a natural response. But of course, she wasn¡¯t having any of it.


    "Okay, that¡¯s far enough," she snapped, gripping her shirt like it was a lifeline. "I can do it on my own."


    Ah, there she was¡ªher sharp tongue cutting like a knife. At least she wasn¡¯t giving me the silent treatment anymore. Maybe I was making progress.


    "Fair enough," I said, backing off with my hands raised in surrender. I left the bathroom, pulling the door shut behind me, though I couldn¡¯t resist smirking to myself. Even angry, she¡¯s a firecracker.


    While she bathed, I got dressed in a white t-shirt and grey sweatpants. Nothing fancy¡ªjust casual,fortable. I figured it was best to tone things down today. No need to add fuel to her already burning temper.


    After I finished, Iid out some of my clothes for her: a hoodie, another oversized t-shirt, and a pair of long socks. It wasn¡¯t much, but it would do until we got to the store. I didn¡¯t exactly keep women¡¯s clothing lying around, and Elena didn¡¯t strike me as the type to appreciate Ashley¡¯s leftovers.


    I leaned back on the bed, waiting.


    And waiting.


    For Goddess¡¯s sake, how long does it take to bathe? I had already gone through every usible excuse to stay patient, but she was pushing it.


    Finally, I walked to the bathroom door and knocked. "Have you drowned in there, or are you nning toe out sometime today?"


    There was silence for a moment, followed by the sound of water sloshing. Then her voice cut through the door, sharp as ever. "I¡¯ll be out when I¡¯m ready. Go away."


    I rolled my eyes but stepped back. Stubborn little mate.


    A few minutester, the door opened, and out she came. And damn.


    Elena was wearing nothing but a robe¡ªmy robe¡ªand it was far too small for her. Or maybe that was just my brain ying tricks on me. Either way, it barely covered her thighs, leaving way too much of her creamy, wet skin exposed. I don¡¯t remember having a short robe but boy was I happy that I did. Her damp hair hung around her shoulders in soft waves, and the sight of her like that was enough to have my wolf, Ash, growling in approval.


    Down, boy.


    She looked at me, her eyes narrowing slightly when she noticed the way I was staring. Quickly, I straightened up and motioned toward the clothes on the bed.


    "Get dressed in this so we can go get you some decent clothes," I said, trying to keep my voice steady and ignore the very inappropriate direction my thoughts were heading.


    But instead of moving to grab the clothes, she just stood there, arms crossed, giving me a pointed look.


    "What?" I asked.


    She raised an eyebrow, as if to say, Are you seriously that dense?


    "Get out so I can get dressed," she said, her tone not leaving any room for argument.


    I stayed where I was. Did she really think I was just going to leave her alone again? After everything that had happened today? No way. She might not be nning to climb out the window again (at least, I hoped not), but I wasn¡¯t about to take any chances.


    She seemed to pick up on my hesitation because she rolled her eyes and added, "As much as I would love to climb out the window again, I¡¯d like to get some real clothes. And maybe some actual underwear. So rest assured, I won¡¯t be escaping before I at least have those."


    Well, when she put it like that...


    Her words sent a rush of heat through me. No underwear? Damn. My brain betrayed me instantly, conjuring all kinds of inappropriate thoughts. I clenched my fists, willing myself to focus.


    "Fine," I said finally, forcing myself to step back. "I¡¯ll be waiting for you downstairs."


    I walked out, though I couldn¡¯t resist throwing onest nce over my shoulder. She was already grabbing the t-shirt I¡¯d left out for her, and for a moment, I thought about staying just a second longer.


    But no. I left the room, shutting the door behind me, and let out a long breath.


    Goddess help me. This mate bond is going to be the death of me.


    I made my way downstairs, trying to distract myself. But no matter how hard I tried, my mind kept circling back to Elena. Her fiery spirit. Her sharp tongue. And that damn robe.


    It didn¡¯t matter that she was furious with me. She was still my mate, and I¡¯d be damned if I let anything¡ªor anyonee between us.


    Now I just had to convince her of that.


    Easier said than done.

 Chapter 48: Ride Of Pleasure

    <h4>Chapter 48: Ride Of Pleasure</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    I got dressed in the clothes Kane hadid out for me¡ªhis oversized t-shirt, hoodie, and long socks. The outfit was far from morous, but it was soft,fortable, and smelled faintly of him, which both annoyed andforted me in equal measure. The faint hint of his scent seemed to cling to my skin, and as much as I hated it, I couldn¡¯t deny how much my wolf enjoyed it. Traitorous instincts.


    After tying my hair into a loose ponytail, I made my way downstairs, determined to keep my distance and my walls firmly up. I spotted him in the kitchen, leaning casually against the counter with a ss of orange juice in his hand.


    "Want some?" he asked, his voice deceptively soft as he gestured toward the carton on the counter.


    I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak. I was still furious with him, but my body¡ªstupid, hormonal thing that it was¡ªkept betraying me. It was like every nce he sent my way set my nerves alight, and the mate bond only made it worse.


    "Suit yourself," he said with a shrug, finishing his drink before rinsing the ss and setting it aside.


    Without another word, we headed outside to his car, and my eyes immediately widened.


    Parked in the driveway was a Lamborghini. A freaking <i>Lamborghini</i>. And it wasn¡¯t just any Lamborghini¡ªit was blue. My favorite shade of blue, in fact.


    For a moment, my anger was reced by sheer awe. Of course, I tried to hide it, keeping my expression as neutral as possible, but the way my eyes lit up must have given me away. Kane didn¡¯t say anything, though, and I was grateful for that small mercy.


    He opened the passenger door for me like a perfect gentleman, and I hesitated for a second before climbing in.


    <i>Alright, he¡¯s serious about this gentleman act,</i> I thought, begrudgingly impressed by his consistency.


    Kane rounded the car and slid into the driver¡¯s seat. For a moment, I thought we¡¯d be riding with a chauffeur or something¡ªbecause, you know, Alpha Kane¡ªbut it seemed like he¡¯d decided to take the wheel himself today.


    Before starting the car, he leaned over, his face suddenly close to mine, and I froze. My breath hitched as I stared at him, thinking¡ªno, hoping¡ªhe might kiss me. But instead, he reached for my seatbelt and fastened it with a click.


    "Try not to leap out of the car this time," he said, his voice low and teasing.


    As if to torture me further, his fingers lingered against my arm for just a moment too long, sending shivers cascading down my spine. My heart pounded in my chest, loud and erratic, and I just knew he could hear it.


    The corner of his mouth quirked into a small smirk before he pulled back into his seat, fastened his own seatbelt, and muttered under his breath, "No panties, huh?"


    I whipped my head toward him, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. "What did you just say?"


    He didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he started the car, and the engine roared to life beneath me, sending a vibration through the seat that was way too stimting. I bit down on my bottom lip, cursing my body¡¯s reaction to the deep purr of the engine and the way it made me feel warm all over.


    Kane, of course, noticed. His smirk grew wider, and he didn¡¯t even bother hiding his amusement as he eased the car out of the driveway.


    One hand on the steering wheel, he reached over with his other and rested it casually on my thigh.


    The audacity of this man!


    I opened my mouth to tell him to move his damn hand, but the words never came. His touch sent a ripple of warmth coursing through me, and I hated how much I liked it. I knew I should push him away, shove his hand off me or something, but my traitorous body wouldn¡¯t listen.


    Instead, I stared out the window, trying desperately to ignore the way his thumb was now drawing slow,zy circles against my skin. Each small movement sent sparks of pleasure zipping up my spine, andbined with the deep rumble of the car beneath me, it was bing harder and harder to concentrate on anything else.


    The roaring engine, his hand on my thigh, the heat in his gaze every time he nced over at me¡ªit was all too much.


    We stopped at a red light, and for a moment, I thought I¡¯d get a reprieve. But then Kane revved the engine, and the deep, growling sound sent a fresh wave of heat pooling low in my stomach.


    Before I could stop myself, a soft moan escaped my lips, and I pped a hand over my mouth, mortified.


    Kane¡¯s hand tightened on my thigh, his fingers squeezing lightly as his smirk turned downright wicked.


    "Did you just moan?" he asked, his voice a low, teasing rumble.


    "No," I snapped, my voice high-pitched and defensive. "Absolutely not."


    "Really?" His hand inched higher, his fingers brushing the sensitive skin just above my knee. "Because it sure sounded like a moan to me."


    My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst out of my chest.


    "Keep your hands to yourself," I said, though my voicecked the bite I wanted it to have.


    He chuckled softly, the sound like warm honey dripping over my skin. "If you insist, love."


    But his hand didn¡¯t move. If anything, it crept even higher, his fingertips brushing the edge of the hoodie I was wearing like he was testing my limits.


    I turned to re at him, but the look in his eyes stopped me in my tracks. His gaze was dark and intense, filled with a hunger that made my breath catch.


    "Kane," I said, my voice shaky.


    "Yes, sweetheart?" he replied, his tone dripping with mock innocence.


    I couldn¡¯t respond. My thoughts were scattered, my body already too attuned to his touch.


    The light turned green, and Kane started driving again, his hand still firmly on my thigh. The rhythmic circles he was tracing felt like a slow, sensual torment, and no matter how hard I tried to focus on anything else, I couldn¡¯t ignore the heat building between us.


    Damn the mate bond. Damn this stupid car. And damn him.


    By the time we pulled into the parking lot of the shopping center, my body was humming with unspent energy, and I wasn¡¯t sure whether I wanted to p him or kiss him. Probably both.


    Kane parked the car, his hand still resting on my thigh, and turned to look at me.


    "Ready to go, love?" he asked, his smirk firmly in ce.


    I red at him, refusing to let him see how much he¡¯d gotten under my skin. "Keep your hands to yourself, Alpha."


    His smirk widened. "As you wish. For now."


    With that, he pulled his hand away, leaving me feeling both relieved and frustrated as hell.


    I was in so much trouble.

 Chapter 49: Bankrupt Kane Spree

    <h4>Chapter 49: Bankrupt Kane Spree</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    Stepping out of the car, I was immediately reminded of just how wealthy Kane was. The shopping district he had brought me to screamed luxury, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel out of ce. The wide streets were lined with sleek storefronts disying designer brands I¡¯d only ever seen in magazines. Each one seemed more extravagant than thest, and the customers strutting around looked like they belonged in a fashion show.


    I was wearing Kane¡¯s oversized hoodie and long socks, which didn¡¯t exactly scream "chic," but I refused to let my difort show. This wasn¡¯t a date, after all¡ªit was a mission to get clothes and nothing more. Kane had a lot of nerve dragging me here, considering the mess he¡¯d put me through, but I wasn¡¯t about to give him the satisfaction of seeing me flustered.


    "Where are we going?" I asked, folding my arms across my chest as I followed him.


    Kane ced a hand on my lower back, guiding me toward one of thergest and most extravagant stores on the strip. His touch was warm, firm, and irritatingly intimate. "Somewhere that has exactly what you need."


    "And what¡¯s that? More hoodies and socks?" I snapped, trying to put some distance between us.


    He chuckled, his deep voice sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. "You¡¯ll see."


    As we approached the entrance of the store, a pair of ss doors slid open to reveal a gleaming interior that could only be described as ptial. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, and the floors were polished to such a shine that I could see my reflection. Rows of perfectly arranged racks disyed clothes so beautiful and delicate, I was afraid to even look at them for too long, let alone touch them.


    A sales associate in a sharp ck suit


    approached us the moment we walked in, their professional smile unwavering.


    "Mr. Kane," the associate greeted, clearly recognizing him. "It¡¯s been a while. How can we assist you today?"


    Before I could blink, Kane¡¯s hand settled possessively on my waist. "My mate needs a new wardrobe. Something... appropriate," he said smoothly, his voice dripping with authority.


    Mate. There it was again. I didn¡¯t miss the way the associate¡¯s eyes flickered over me, quickly assessing my oversized hoodie and socks. I stiffened under the scrutiny, fighting the urge to snap at both the associate and Kane for putting me in this position.


    "Of course," the associate said, their tone professional but slightly intrigued. "Right this way."


    As we were led deeper into the store, my irritation bubbled. "You could¡¯ve warned me about this whole ¡¯fancy shopping spree¡¯ idea," I muttered under my breath.


    "I told you we were going to get you some real clothes," Kane replied, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Besides, this is long overdue. You deserve the best."


    I rolled my eyes, but his words tugged at something in me. Not that I¡¯d let him know that.


    We entered a section of the store that felt even more exclusive, if that were possible. Private fitting rooms lined the walls, and racks of high-end designer clothes surrounded us. Dresses, skirts, pants, blouses¡ªevery piece looked like it belonged on a runway.


    "Why don¡¯t you start browsing?" Kane said, gesturing to the racks. "Pick out whatever catches your eye."


    I crossed my arms and gave him a pointed look. "You¡¯re really pulling the ¡¯buy her forgiveness¡¯ card, huh?"


    Kane sighed, his expression softening. "Elena, this isn¡¯t about buying your forgiveness. It¡¯s about making sure you have what you need. You¡¯re my mate, whether you like it or not. I take care of what¡¯s mine."


    That infuriating possessiveness again. But instead of snapping back, I decided to let it slide¡ªfor now. "Fine," I said, turning my attention to the clothes.


    If Kane thought I was going to go easy on him, he had another thinging. The moment he told me to "pick whatever catches your eye," my inner devil whispered, bankrupt him. After all, this man¡ªthis cheating, arrogant, possessive alpha¡ªhad the audacity to drag me here after everything he¡¯d put me through. Well, two can y at this game, and I intended to make him regret every cent he spent.


    I started with the racks of dresses. Not just any dresses, but the ones with price tags that could fund a small pack for a month. One after another, I picked out flowing gowns, glittering cocktail dresses, and even some obnoxiously borate pieces I¡¯d never actually wear. The sales associate followed me around, armsden with everything I touched, and Kane just watched with an amused smirk on his face.


    "Oh, this is lovely," I said sweetly, holding up a floor-length emerald gown covered in hand-sewn crystals. "Don¡¯t you think it¡¯ll look stunning on me?"


    "It¡¯ll look perfect," Kane replied without hesitation, his tone infuriatingly sincere.


    I huffed and shoved it into the associate¡¯s arms before moving on. Next were the shoes¡ªrows and rows of them, all lined up like tiny pieces of art. Stilettos, boots, sneakers, sandals¡ªI picked out at least one of everything, adding them to my growing pile.


    By the time I got to the bags and jewelry section, I could practically hear the sales associate struggling under the weight of my picks. Kane followed me silently, his expression unreadable, but I was determined to wipe that smug look off his face.


    "Oh, this one," I said, holding up a crocodile leather handbag with gold ents. "And this ne. And maybe these earrings. You know what? Just add everything from this shelf to the pile."


    "Everything?" the associate stammered, ncing nervously at Kane.


    "Everything," I repeated firmly.


    Kane only nodded, not even blinking. It was maddening how calm he was, like the mountain of items I¡¯d amassed didn¡¯t even faze him.


    After exhausting my "bankrupt Kane" spree at the first store¡ªwhich I¡¯ll admit was a very satisfying experience¡ªI figured I¡¯d tackle my next necessity on my own. Underwear. Bras, panties, you name it. Something normal people wear under their clothes, which, judging by Kane¡¯s earlierments about myck of them, had been sorely missing.


    My n was simple: slip into the nearest Victoria¡¯s Secret while he was distracted paying for the mountain of bags and clothes I¡¯d racked up and get in and out without him noticing. Easy, right? Wrong.


    Just as I rounded the corner and stepped into the pastel wondend ofce and satin, Kane¡¯s shadow loomed behind me like some overprotective, smug beast.


    "What are you doing?" I hissed, spinning around to face him as the scent of his cologne hit me. Damn him for smelling so good.


    "Following you," he said casually, stuffing his hands into his pockets. His grey sweatpants hung low on his hips, and his in white T-shirt stretched across his chest annoyingly well. "Where you go, I go."


    I red at him. "This is a <i>women¡¯s lingerie store</i>, Kane. You¡¯re not supposed to be here."


    He smirked, and I swear it made me want to punch his perfect face. "I don¡¯t see a sign that says ¡¯No Alphas Allowed.¡¯ Besides," his eyes raked over the disys, "you¡¯re going to need my help."


    "Help?" I spluttered, clutching ace bralette from the nearest rack like a weapon. "Why on earth would I need your help picking out underwear?"


    "Because," he said, stepping closer, "I¡¯m the one who¡¯s going to be taking them off you."


    I froze, my jaw dropping. Did he seriously just say that? My cheeks burned as I scrambled to recover. "You are such an ass!" I hissed, throwing the bralette back onto the rack.


    Ignoring mepletely, Kane strolled further into the store like he owned the ce. He picked up acy ck number, held it up, and arched a brow at me. "This one¡¯s nice. It matches your eyes when you¡¯re pissed off."


    I marched up to him, snatched it out of his hands, and shoved it back onto the rack. "Get out, Kane."


    "Not happening."


    I narrowed my eyes at him, practically throwing daggers. "You¡¯re the worst."


    "And yet, here I am," he replied, grabbing a deep red bra from another rack. He dangled it in front of me like a prize, clearly enjoying how flustered I was. "This one. Definitely this one."


    I swiped it out of his hands, muttering curses under my breath. "You¡¯re unbelievable."


    "And you¡¯re adorable when you¡¯re mad." He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a low, teasing tone. "You know, if you need a fitting room, I can help with that too."


    That was it. I spun around and stomped toward the counter, determined to grab the first few bras and panties I could find, pay, and get the hell out of there before I strangled him.


    But of course, Kane wasn¡¯t done. As I piled my items on the counter, he stepped up beside me, pulling acy garter belt from another disy and adding it to the pile.


    "You forgot this," he said, smirking at me.


    I red at him. "I¡¯m not wearing that."


    "Oh, you will," he said, his voice dripping with confidence.


    The sales associate was visibly ufortable as they rang up the purchase, clearly wondering why I hadn¡¯t murdered this man yet. Honestly, I was wondering the same thing.


    By the time we left the store, I was fuming. Kane, however, looked smugger than ever, holding the pastel pink shopping bags like he¡¯d just won a prize.


    "I hate you," I muttered under my breath as we walked back to the car.


    He leaned down, his lips brushing dangerously close to my ear as he whispered, "No, you don¡¯t."


    My face flushed bright red, and I stormed ahead of him, determined not to let him see how much his words affected me. Stupid alpha. Stupid mate bond. And stupid me for letting him get under my skin.

 Chapter 50: My Past My Doom

    <h4>Chapter 50: My Past My Doom</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV:</strong>


    Okay, so maybe my approach in the car was a bit bold, but honestly, I don¡¯t regret it. She¡¯s mine. Mate bond or not, every fiber of my being is screaming to im her, to show her exactly where she belongs¡ªby my side. Sure, I¡¯ve been an ass, and sure, she¡¯s mad as hell at me, but that doesn¡¯t change the fact that she¡¯s mine. And if seducing her is what it takes to get her to acknowledge me, then so be it. I¡¯m nothing if not determined.


    That¡¯s why I took her shopping. No, not some standard department store. I took her to the most luxurious boutique in the city¡ªone I own, though she doesn¡¯t need to know that. Watching her march around the ce, picking out items with that fire in her eyes, was oddly satisfying. It was almost like a challenge. Like she thought she could bankrupt me. Cute.


    In reality, what she spent in one spree was barely a scratch on what I make in a month. Not to brag, but I¡¯m not rich¡ªI¡¯m filthy rich. I built this empire after I turned twenty, when I was still waiting for my mate to show up. All that pent-up frustration turned into drive. Investments here, businesses there. With the right strategy and loyal people managing my establishments, I generate millions in seconds. Packs depend on me, and contracts with them have ensured my influence and power.


    But Elena doesn¡¯t know any of that. She doesn¡¯t need to.


    What I do know is this: even if she bought out the entire boutique, she wouldn¡¯t make a dent in my ounts. Still, I let her try. And it was adorable watching her determinedly swipe her way through the store, loading herself with bags as if she was winning some kind of war.


    But then she tried to sneak away.


    I¡¯d been keeping an eye on her the entire time, so it wasn¡¯t hard to notice when she started moving towards the back. She thought she was being subtle, but her scent was impossible to miss. Curious, I followed her, only to realize where she was headed¡ªVictoria¡¯s Secret.


    I couldn¡¯t help myself. I followed her inside. Not because I wanted to buy anything (although the thought of her ince was extremely appealing), but because I wanted to see her squirm. And damn, did it work.


    I knew I was ying a dangerous game walking into Victoria¡¯s Secret with Elena, but what can I say? Watching her get flustered is my new favorite pastime. The way her cheeks turned red and her lips pursed every time I made a slyment or picked out somethingcy? Absolutely worth it. She was fiery, adorable, and irresistibly mine¡ªeven if she didn¡¯t want to admit it yet.


    She didn¡¯t go as wild in this store as she had in the others, which surprised me. She¡¯d gone full-on "bankrupt Kane" mode earlier, but here, she kept her purchases modest. Well, modest for her. I, on the other hand, couldn¡¯t resist picking out a few things I¡¯d love to see her in. I wasn¡¯t subtle about it either. Every time I held something up, I got an eye roll or a re sharp enough to cut through steel. I still slipped a few more daring pieces onto the counter while she wasn¡¯t looking, smirking when she scowled at me like she wanted to strangle me.


    The shopping trip overall was going better than expected¡ªif you count me spending an absurd amount of money on clothes, bags, shoes, and now lingerie, just to watch her try and "bankrupt me," as sessful. Little did she know, her shopping spree was barely a dent in my finances. But hey, if it gave her a sense of satisfaction, I wasn¡¯t going to stop her.


    The way she stormed out of the store, holding her bags with her head held high like she hadn¡¯t just beenpletely flustered, made me smirk. Goddess, she was something else.


    By the time we were heading back to the car, the earlier shopping bags had already been sent directly to my ce. No way were we fitting all that into my car. Watching her struggle to stay mad at me while secretly marveling at the luxury I surrounded her with was amusing. She wasn¡¯t materialistic, but she wasn¡¯t blind to quality either. She wasn¡¯t quite as stiff as she¡¯d been earlier, but I wasn¡¯t na?ve enough to think I was out of the doghouse. Still, progress was progress.


    And that¡¯s when it happened.


    I heard her before I saw her. Lizzy. One of my former subs.


    "Master, master!"


    The sound of her voice made my blood run cold. I whipped around, instinctively stepping in front of Elena to block her view. Maybe she hadn¡¯t heard, maybe¡ªnope. Her footsteps slowed, and I could feel the heat of her re burning into the back of my skull.


    I turned to Lizzy, giving her a cold, hard stare that should¡¯ve been enough to make her turn tail and run. She flinched but didn¡¯t leave.


    "Master," she stammered, taking a cautious step back at my re but not retreating entirely. "I-I¡¯m sorry, sir, I just wanted to see if you could give me another chance..." Her voice wavered, and she kept her gaze downcast, her wolf already sensing my rising frustration.


    Before I could respond¡ªor better yet, dismiss her entirely¡ªI felt Elena¡¯s presence beside me, her aura practically crackling with fury.


    Oh, shit.


    I turned to see her face, zing with anger, her golden-brown eyes sharp and cutting. Her lips were pressed into a firm line, and the air around her grew heavy with authority. If I hadn¡¯t already known she was an alpha, I would¡¯ve figured it out right then and there.


    Lizzy froze as Elena¡¯s dominance rolled over her, a suffocating wave of power that left little room for argument. Her wolf whimpered audibly, and she instinctively bared her neck in submission, trembling under the weight of Elena¡¯s oppressive aura.


    Elena¡¯s voice, low and cold, sent a shiver down my spine. "I think it¡¯s very shameless of you to ask <i>my mate</i> that."


    Lizzy flinched as if Elena had pped her, her wolf clearly cowering beneath the sharp,manding tone.


    "I-I¡¯m sorry," Lizzy stammered, her words hurried and slurred. "I didn¡¯t know... I didn¡¯t know sir had found his mate. Please, forgive me..."


    Elena tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable but no less terrifying. Her silence alone was enough to unnerve Lizzy, who kept fidgeting, unable to meet her eyes.


    I, meanwhile, was trying to keep my face neutral while my brain short-circuited. This woman¡ªmy mate¡ªwas something else entirely. Her alpha energy wasn¡¯t oppressive to me; it was intoxicating. I couldn¡¯t look away as she stood there, fierce and protective, her wolf practically roaring in defense of what was hers.


    And then it hit me.


    Lizzy had called me "master."


    Elena was furious, yes, but she didn¡¯t seem to fully grasp the implications of that word. Goddess help me if she ever figured it out.


    She was magnificent. Fierce. Every inch the alpha female I¡¯d always imagined but never dared to dream of. And, honestly? It was doing things to me. Things I probably shouldn¡¯t be thinking about while Lizzy was cowering in fear and Elena was ready to rip her apart.


    Lizzy¡¯s wolf whimpered again, pulling me back to reality.


    I cleared my throat, stepping forward to put an end to the scene before things escted.


    "That¡¯s enough," I said, my voice firm as I turned to Lizzy. "Leave. Now."


    Lizzy didn¡¯t need to be told twice. She scurried away, her tail metaphorically between her legs.


    I turned back to Elena, who was still ring after Lizzy like she wanted to hunt her down and finish the job.


    "You handled that well," I said, trying to sound casual as I ced a hand on her lower back.


    She shrugged me off, her eyes narrowing. "Who was she? And why was she calling you master?"


    Oh, boy. Of course, she¡¯d caught that.


    I forced my face into a neutral expression, even as my mind scrambled for the right words. "She¡¯s no one. Just someone I used to... work with."


    Her brows shot up, clearly not buying it. "Work with?"


    "Yes," I said firmly, steering her toward the car. "Nothing you need to worry about."


    She stopped walking, nting her feet firmly on the ground and crossing her arms over her chest. "If it¡¯s nothing, then exin why she called you <i>master</i>."


    I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "It¡¯s...plicated."


    "Uplicate it," she demanded.


    Damn, she was stubborn. And damn, did it turn me on.


    "No one important," I said quickly, steering her toward the car. "Just someone who didn¡¯t understand boundaries."


    She stopped walking, crossing her arms as she turned to face me. "That¡¯s not an answer."


    "It¡¯s the only answer you need," I replied, meeting her gaze. "Now get in the car, Elena."


    Her re deepened, but eventually, she rolled her eyes and climbed into the passenger seat.


    I exhaled slowly, climbing in after her. This was far from over, but for now, I¡¯d dodged the bullet.


    As I started the car and pulled away, I couldn¡¯t help but nce at her out of the corner of my eye. She was staring out the window, her arms still crossed and her lips pressed into a thin line.


    Even angry, she was breathtaking. Fierce. Powerful. Mine.


    And I knew, without a doubt, I was in deep, deep trouble.


    Goddess, I was so screwed. This past life of mine will be my doom.

 Chapter 51: Cuffs

    <h4>Chapter 51: Cuffs</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV: </strong>


    Just how many women did this alpha sleep with? Seriously, must I meet his <i>floozy of the week</i> everywhere I turn? Wasn¡¯t Ashley enough of a nightmare to deal with? Now, I have to contend with Lizzy. Lizzy! I swear, the names alone sound like they belong to some cheesy romance novel extras.


    For the record, though, the whole "Lizzy situation" wasn¡¯t entirely me¡ªit was my wolf. As soon as she heard that shameless woman purring "Master, master..." at Kane, my wolf went into overdrive. The moment Lizzy started begging him for another chance, it was like a switch flipped inside me, and my wolf stepped forward, practically drowning the air with her alpha aura. I wasn¡¯t even sure where all that dominance came from, but she clearly wasn¡¯t going to let this one slide.


    Honestly, it was satisfying seeing Lizzy quiver under my re, her wolf whimpering and cowering in submission. But beneath that satisfaction was a roaring inferno of anger, not just at Lizzy, but at Kane. What kind of man lets women from his past, his harem, run around throwing themselves at him, especially in front of his mate? If he¡¯s supposed to be this all-powerful alpha, why the hell can¡¯t he keep it in his pants?


    I was so angry I could barely think straight.


    I turned to Lizzy, my voice cold as ice, but sharp enough to cut through steel. "I think it¡¯s very shameless of you to be asking my mate that." I spat the word ¡¯mate¡¯ like it was venom, and I could see the way Lizzy flinched at my tone. Her wolf had no choice but to bare her neck in submission, mumbling apologies about how she "didn¡¯t know he had a mate."


    Didn¡¯t know? Didn¡¯t know? Well, she sure as hell knew now.


    I wanted to rip into Kane right then and there, but I held myself back. Barely. I had to keep my cool because if I didn¡¯t, I might say¡ªor do¡ªsomething I¡¯d regret. But oh, the storm inside me was brewing. My wolf was pacing, growling, ready to lunge at the very man she was bound to love.


    The ride back to Kane¡¯s ce or so I thought was suffocating.


    I expected him to drive straight home. Really, I thought the day of shopping, awkward lingerie store moments, and the whole Lizzy drama was enough for one day. But no, of course not. Kane had other ns. Instead of pulling into the driveway, he slowed the car and parked in front of some ridiculously fancy restaurant.


    "The fuck are you doing?" I asked, my irritation bubbling to the surface as I turned to face him for the first time since we left the boutique.


    He gave me one of those smug, maddening half-smiles, the kind that said he thought he was doing me some great favor. "What? I thought we could go for dinner," he said casually, as though we hadn¡¯t just been through a series of emotionally exhausting encounters.


    "Well, you thought wrong," I snapped, crossing my arms over my chest. "Take me home. I am not going in there." I pointed at the restaurant, which looked like the kind of ce where people dressed up in designer clothes and drank wine they couldn¡¯t pronounce.


    Kane¡¯s smirk faltered, but only slightly. "Why not?" he asked, clearly not understanding why I was so resistant.


    I gestured at myself¡ªat the oversized hoodie and socks I was still wearing. "In this? Your hoodie and socks?" I raised an eyebrow, daring him to argue with me. "Yeah, no. I¡¯d rather starve, thanks."


    He stared at me for a long moment, and I could see the gears turning in his head. Finally, he sighed, leaning back in his seat. "Okay," he said, as though he were agreeing to apromise. "What do you want? I¡¯ll go grab some takeout for you instead."


    I blinked at him, caught off guard by the sudden shift. "Takeout?"


    "Yes, takeout," he repeated, his voiceced with amusement. "I¡¯m not taking you home to sulk on an empty stomach, Elena."


    I frowned, not liking the way he was trying to y the caring mate card after everything that had happened. But at the same time, my stomach betrayed me with a low, audible growl. I hadn¡¯t eaten all day, and the idea of food¡ªeven if it came from Mr. Fancy Pants Alpha over here¡ªwas hard to resist.


    "Fine," I muttered, looking out the window instead of at him. "But nothing fancy. Just... something simple."


    "Simple," he repeated with a nod, as thoughmitting the word to memory. "Got it."


    With that, Kane got out of the car, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I watched as he disappeared into the restaurant, my annoyance still simmering just beneath the surface. What was his deal? One minute he was infuriating me with his arrogance, and the next he was acting like some perfect gentleman, trying to cater to my every need. It was confusing and frustrating, and I didn¡¯t like the way it was starting to mess with my head.


    And then there was Lizzy.


    I clenched my fists, the memory of her simpering voice reying in my mind. Master, master... Who the hell even talks like that? And why did she have to appear today of all days? It was like the universe was trying to test my patience.


    The truth was, I was angry at Kane¡ªnot just for Lizzy, but for all of it. For the constant reminders of his past, for the way he¡¯d bulldozed his way into my life, and for the way my traitorous body still reacted to him despite everything.


    If he thought he could win me over with a fancy dinner or a little bit of takeout, he had another thinging.


    When Kane returned a few minutester, carrying a bag of food that smelled absolutely divine, I tried not to let my hunger show. But damn, it was hard when the scent of freshly cooked pasta filled the car.


    "I thought I said simple," I muttered, eyeing the bag suspiciously.


    "This is simple," he replied with a shrug, handing me the bag. "Just pasta and breadsticks. No five-course meal or anything."


    I narrowed my eyes at him but took the bag anyway. "Whatever," I muttered, digging into the breadsticks before I could think too hard about it.


    As we drove back, the tension between us remained, thick and unspoken. Kane didn¡¯t try to start a conversation, and I was too focused on my food to care. But in the back of my mind, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what his angle was.


    Because if there was one thing I¡¯d learned about Kane, it was that he always had an angle.


    By the time we reached home, I was already full, the meal long gone and thoroughly enjoyed despite my best efforts to remain annoyed. The breadsticks were my undoing. I settled into the couch, flipping through random TV stations, the hum of the screen a distraction as the events of the day reyed in my mind. Shopping, Lizzy, the ridiculously fancy dinner-that-wasn¡¯t¡ªa whirlwind of emotions I didn¡¯t want to revisit.


    It was already 11 p.m., and my body started to betray me with drowsiness. My head bobbed slightly as my eyelids grew heavier. Before I could fully drift off, Kane emerged from the kitchen, his presence immediately waking me up.


    "Let¡¯s go to bed," he said, his tone casual, as though it was the most natural suggestion in the world.


    I snorted, crossing my arms and giving him an incredulous look. "Why on earth would I do that?"


    "Because it¡¯ste, and you¡¯re clearly exhausted," he replied, as if I hadn¡¯t just challenged him.


    "Oh, don¡¯t get it twisted, Mr. Alpha," I snapped, sitting up straighter. "I¡¯m not sharing a bed with you. I need my own room, preferably one with a lock. You know, to keep *you* out."


    His eyes darkened, a flicker of something possessive and stubborn shing across his face. "That¡¯s not happening," he said firmly, his voice dropping to a growl.


    "Excuse me?"


    "You heard me, Elena," he said, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "I¡¯m not leaving you alone for a single minute."


    I rolled my eyes. "And why the hell not?"


    His lips quirked into a smirk, that maddeningly arrogant expression that made me want to punch him. "Because you said it yourself¡ªyou¡¯d bail the moment you got some clothes."


    I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. <i>Why the hell did I say that earlier?</i>


    "Rx, Kane. I¡¯m not going to jump out of the nearest window in the middle of the night. I just don¡¯t want to sleep next to you."


    "Too bad," he replied, his smirk widening. "Because whether you like it or not, you¡¯re staying in my room. I¡¯ll even chain you to the bed if that¡¯s what it takes to keep you there."


    My eyes widened, and I could feel my temper ring. "You wouldn¡¯t dare."


    "Oh, wouldn¡¯t I?" he said, a yful yet dangerous glint in his eyes.


    I stupidly rose to the challenge, narrowing my eyes at him. "I¡¯d like to see you try. There¡¯s no way in hell I¡¯ll ever willingly sleep next to you."


    That was the wrong thing to say.


    In one swift motion, Kane closed the distance between us, scooping me up like I weighed nothing. "What the hell, Kane? Put me down!" I yelled, squirming in his arms.


    "Not happening," he said, his toneced with amusement.


    He carried me up the stairs like some caveman, despite my kicking and attempts to break free. "You¡¯re insane, you know that?" I huffed as he pushed open the door to his room with his shoulder.


    "Insane for you, maybe," he said, the smirk never leaving his face.


    Once inside, he locked the door behind him, then moved to the windows, securing them as well. I red at him, seething. "What, are you building a prison now?"


    "No need," he replied, walking to a drawer and pulling something out.


    what he pulled out, my jaw nearly hit the floor.


    Soft, ck, leather handcuffs.


    My eyes widened in disbelief. "What the hell are those for?!"


    Kane turned toward me, casually dangling them in one hand, his smirk deepening as if he was enjoying my reaction far too much. "You dared me, didn¡¯t you?"


    "There is no way in hell you bought those for me!" I shot back, my voice rising with a mixture of anger and sheer embarrassment.


    "Of course not," he said smoothly, tossing them onto the bed. "But it¡¯s a good thing I have them now, isn¡¯t it? Seems like the perfect solution for someone as stubborn as you."


    I red at him, stepping back as he approached, my arms crossed protectively over my chest. "You¡¯ve lost your mind, Kane. I¡¯m not letting you cuff me to anything."


    His grin turned predatory, his sharp canines shing as he stalked closer. "You really think you¡¯re in any position to stop me, Elena?"


    "Don¡¯t you dare!" I growled, my wolf stirring within me, ready to fight.


    But Kane was faster. Before I could make a move, he lunged, catching my wrist in one of hisrge hands. "Let me go, you overgrown meathead!" I yelled, trying to twist away.


    He ignored me, his strength overwhelming as he tugged me closer, his expression maddeningly calm. "You¡¯re so feisty," he murmured, his tone low and teasing. "But I think we both know how this ends."


    My pulse quickened as he dragged me toward the bed. "I swear to the Moon Goddess, Kane, I will kill you if you try anything!"


    "Rx, Elena," he said, pulling me down onto the bed with him. "This isn¡¯t what you think."


    I struggled against his hold as he cuffed one of my wrists to his own, securing the soft leather band snugly. "Are you serious right now?" I hissed, ring daggers at him.


    "Dead serious," he replied, lying back against the pillows and tugging me down beside him. "If this is the only way to keep you from running off, so be it."


    I yanked against the restraint, frustration boiling over. "You¡¯re insane! Let me go!"


    "Nope," he said simply, his tone annoyingly calm. "Getfortable, sweetheart. We¡¯re not going anywhere until morning."


    I red at him, my chest heaving as I tried to calm my racing heart. "What the hell do you think this is going to aplish, Kane? You can¡¯t just cuff me to you and expect me to magically stop hating you!"


    "Hate me all you want," he said, his voice softening slightly. "But I¡¯m not letting you go, Elena. You¡¯re mine, and I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."


    His words hit me like a punch to the gut, and for a moment, I was too stunned to respond. He wasn¡¯t just teasing or trying to rile me up¡ªthere was a raw, possessive sincerity in his voice that made my wolf stir.


    I shook my head, trying to ignore the warmth blooming in my chest. "You¡¯re impossible," I muttered, turning my face away from him.


    "And you¡¯re adorable when you¡¯re angry," he said, his voiceced with amusement.


    I scoffed, refusing to look at him. "Don¡¯t get used to this, Kane. The second I get out of these cuffs, you¡¯re dead."


    He chuckled, his hand resting lightly on mine where it was cuffed to his arm. "I look forward to it, mate."


    I growled under my breath, fuming silently as I settled against the bed, my body still tense. Kane didn¡¯t seem to care, his warmth radiating through the cuffs as he closed his eyes,pletely at ease.


    As much as I hated to admit it, the exhaustion from the day was catching up to me, and despite my anger, my eyelids grew heavy. The steady rhythm of Kane¡¯s breathing was oddly soothing, and before I knew it, I was drifting off, still cursing him in my mind but unable to fight the pull of sleep.

 Chapter 52: Cuffs (II)

    <h4>Chapter 52: Cuffs (II)</h4>


    <strong>Kane</strong><strong>POV:</strong>


    I knew cuffing her to me was extreme, borderline insane, but what else was I supposed to do? Given Elena¡¯s track record of impulsive escapes, I wasn¡¯t about to take any chances, I wasn¡¯t about to take any chances. She tried to jump out of a window the moment she caught Ashley¡¯s scent on me earlier when I was in the shower. And let¡¯s not forget how she went full Alpha-mode on Lizzy a few hours ago. If she had known the full story behind Lizzy, her reaction might¡¯ve been even worse. There was no doubt in my mind¡ªmy stubborn mate would have found some ridiculous, reckless way to bolt especially now that she was angry about Lizzy.


    And I wasn¡¯t going to risk it.


    I exhaled, the weight of the day pressing down on me. Between the shopping spree, the lingerie store fiasco, and the surprise run-in with Lizzy, it had been one hell of a day. My wolf was agitated, pacing within me, its focus entirely on Elena. She smelled likevender and defiance, her scent calming and frustrating me in equal measure


    So here we were.


    I nced down at her as shey beside me, her face turned away, her body stiff as a board. She was trying to pretend I didn¡¯t exist, her lips pressed into a tight line, but I could feel her frustration rolling off her in waves. Even her wolf was probably ring at me through her subconscious.


    I couldn¡¯t help but smirk at the thought of her reaction when I pulled out the cuffs. The way her eyes had widened in disbelief, her cheeks flushing as she demanded to know what they were for¡ªit was almost too good. Of course, the cuffs weren¡¯t originally meant for her. I wasn¡¯t na?ve enough to think I¡¯d find my mate anytime soon back then, so they were... from another time.


    The sight of the cuffs on her delicate wrist made me feel equal parts amused and guilty. Okay, yes, maybe this was a little excessive. But considering her track record for sneaking away¡ªor doing something crazy¡ªI figured it was better to be safe than sorry. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if she tried to suffocate me with a pillow in the middle of the night.


    Better that than waking up to an empty bed.


    She tugged at the cuffs again, her movements sharp and angry, but I wasn¡¯t about to let her go. Not yet.


    "You¡¯re going to hurt yourself if you keep pulling like that," I said, keeping my tone calm.


    "Good," she snapped, her voice dripping with venom. "Maybe then you¡¯ll have to let me go."


    I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at her fiery spirit. "Nice try, Elena. But I¡¯m not letting you out of my sight."


    She turned her head just enough to re at me, her eyes zing with anger. "You¡¯re insufferable, you know that?"


    "Only for you, sweetheart," I replied with a smirk.


    Her growl made my wolf rumble with amusement, and I couldn¡¯t help but admire her fire. Even cuffed to me, she refused to back down. She was so fierce, so stubborn¡ªand so undeniably mine.


    But underneath her anger, I could sense the hurt. She was still angry about Lizzy, and Ashley before her. I¡¯d be lying if I said I didn¡¯t feel a twinge of guilt for my past. I hadn¡¯t exactly been a saint in my years without her, and I knew my actions wereing back to haunt me now.


    Still, none of that mattered anymore. She was here. She was mine. And I wasn¡¯t going to let her slip through my fingers.


    "You can re at me all you want," I said softly, my smirk fading as I looked into her eyes. "But you¡¯re not running away, Elena. Not now, not ever."


    Her re faltered for a moment, a flicker of something else passing through her expression, but she quickly masked it with anger. "You don¡¯t get to decide that," she muttered, turning away from me again.


    I sighed, my fingers brushing against the leather cuff on her wrist. "I¡¯m not trying to control you," I said quietly. "I just... I can¡¯t lose you, Elena."


    She stiffened at my words, her silence stretching between us like a chasm.


    "I know I¡¯ve made mistakes," I continued, my voice low. "I know you don¡¯t trust me yet, and I don¡¯t me you. But I¡¯ll spend the rest of my life proving myself to you if I have to. Just... don¡¯t run from me, okay?"


    She didn¡¯t respond, but I could see the tension in her shoulders slowly easing.


    For now, that was enough.


    As the night wore on, her breathing evened out, and I realized she¡¯d finally drifted off to sleep. Her face, so peaceful in the soft light of the room, made my chest ache. I tightened my arm around her gently, careful not to wake her, and let out a long breath.


    Tomorrow would be another battle, no doubt. But for now, I was content to just hold her, to feel her warmth beside me and know that she was safe. I¡¯d fight for her, every day if I had to.


    My wolf growled softly at the thought.


    <i>She¡¯s ours.</i>


    Yeah, well, try telling her that.


    I couldn¡¯t me her for hating me. I¡¯d handled things... poorly, to put it lightly. Between the forced stay at my pack, the territorial behavior, and the ghosts of my past flings showing up like bad omens, I¡¯d given her every reason to push me away.


    But she wasn¡¯t going anywhere. Not if I had anything to say about it.


    I shifted slightly, careful not to disturb her. The cuff between us clinked softly, a sound that made me smile despite myself.


    She¡¯s going to kill me when she wakes up.


    But better that than waking up and finding her gone.


    My wolf had waited years for her, and now that I had her, there was no way I was letting her go.


    Of course, that didn¡¯t mean she wouldn¡¯t make it difficult.


    I could already imagine her waking up in the middle of the night, ring at me with those fiery eyes of hers, plotting a hundred ways to escape¡ªor, more likely, a hundred ways to strangle me.


    I wasn¡¯t going to screw this up¡ªnot again.


    She could fight me, hate me, and curse my name all she wanted. But at the end of the day, she was mine. And I¡¯d do whatever it took to make her see that, even if it meant chaining her to me¡ªliterally¡ªuntil she finally epted it.

 Chapter 53: Professional Escape Artist?

    <h4>Chapter 53: Professional Escape Artist?</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    Waking up, I felt... weirdly rested. Probably the best night¡¯s sleep I¡¯d had in a while. I stretched my armzily, only for it to stop mid-motion with a hard clink. My brain caught up to reality, and I remembered the situation¡ªcuffed to him. Oh, right. <i>The stupid buffoon.</i>


    That¡¯s when my morning officially went to hell.


    Turning my head, I turned my head to re at Kane, who was still fast asleep, his stupidly handsome face calm and rxed, as if he hadn¡¯t spent the entire previous day being the bane of my existence. His darkshes rested on his cheekbones, his lips slightly parted. <i>Infuriatingly perfect,</i> I thought. Too bad it was attached to someone with an equally infuriating personality. His arm was still chained to mine, and somehow, he managed to look unfairly handsome even in his sleep. His dark hair was messy, and his features were soft in a way that almost made him look harmless. Almost.


    This would be the perfect time to strangle him. Or smother him with a pillow. Maybe both.


    My wolf, smug as always, had the audacity to hum in my head. She liked being close to him, the traitor. <i>Mine</i>, she whispered.


    <i>Nope. Absolutely not. Stupid bond</i>, I shot back.


    I yanked at the cuff experimentally. No luck. How was I supposed to go to the bathroom with <i>him</i> chained to me like this? Of course, he¡¯d have something impossible to break unless I had, I don¡¯t know, a blowtorch or a sledgehammer. Or maybe a knife to slice off his¡ªwait a second.


    An idea clicked into ce, and I smirked to myself.


    Quietly, I shifted into my wolf form, careful not to make any sudden movements. My paws were smaller than my human wrists, and the moment they shrank, the cuff slipped right off with ease. Ha! Kane might¡¯ve thought he had me trapped, but he underestimated my brilliance. I let out a silent huff of triumph. And before Kane could stir, I shifted back to my human form, already reaching for my hoodie. The whole process was so smooth I felt like a damn escape artist.


    Once I was free, I couldn¡¯t help but grin. I threw on the hoodie. Padding over to the bedroom door and, with as much stealth as possible, crept outside. Before leaving, I locked the door from the outside, trapping him inside. Let¡¯s see how <i>he</i> likes being restrained. <i>A little taste of his own medicine,</i> I thought smugly.


    Rummaging through the clothes, I grabbed the blue romper I¡¯d picked out during my little spree to bankrupt Kane. It was cute, yes, but as soon as I slipped it on, I realized... <i>damn, this thing is short.</i> It barely reached mid-thigh. Not ideal for a getaway outfit, but time wasn¡¯t on my side.


    Just as I finished tying the straps, I heard the thud of Kane banging on the bedroom door.


    "Elena!" he growled, his voice muffled but clearly irritated.


    A smug smile spread across my face. Big, bad wolf was awake. Time to go.


    I sprinted toward the front door, knowing full well that Kane wouldn¡¯t take long to break through. I grabbed the first shoes I saw and slipped them on as I raced outside. As I ran, I cursed myself for not nning this escape sooner. I needed to get as far away as possible before he caught up.


    The second I stepped outside, I spotted the gate. Freedom. But then Kane¡¯s voice echoed from the window above.


    "Elena!" he shouted again, louder this time.


    Fuck. He¡¯d spotted me.


    I froze for a second, ncing back to see him climbing out of the window like some deranged, shirtless Tarzan. His dark eyes locked onto me, zing with fury.


    "Crap," I muttered, panic setting in.


    Desperate, I nced around for anything¡ªanything¡ªto help me make a quicker escape. That¡¯s when I saw it: a motorcycle parked near the garage, tucked under the shade of a tree.


    The universe must have finally decided to throw me a bone.


    I sprinted toward it, ignoring Kane¡¯s shouts as I reached for the helmet hanging on the handlebar. My heart raced as I lifted it¡ªyes! The keys were in the ignition. No need to hotwire it.


    This was officially my lucky day.


    Climbing onto the bike, I threw the helmet on and started it up. The engine roared to life, the sound a beautiful symphony of freedom.


    ncing back, I saw Kane climbing out the window. He was moving fast, his eyes locked on me like a predator ready to pounce.


    Perfect timing.


    "Elena, don¡¯t you dare!" Kane¡¯s voice was bumming loudly.


    I raised my middle finger in his direction. "Bye, big bad wolf!" I shouted, my voice dripping with sarcasm, before gunning the throttle and speeding off.


    As I sped away, I caught a glimpse of Kane climbing down the side of the house in a ridiculous attempt to chase me on foot. I couldn¡¯t help but smirk, imagining him slipping and falling to his doom.


    A girl could dream, right?


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    What. The. Actual. Hell.


    What kind of mate did the Goddess give me?


    I woke up feeling oddly content, surrounded by the intoxicating scent of my mate. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to savor it, letting the lingering warmth of her presence lull me. But as I stretched, I realized something was missing¡ªher.


    I opened my eyes and turned my head, and sure enough, Elena was gone. Just the sight of the handcuff still dangling on my wrist made my blood pressure skyrocket. She¡¯d slipped out of it.


    I was expecting to find my fiery little mate still cuffed to me, sulking or plotting some new form of rebellion. Instead, I woke up to an empty bed and a lingering scent of her teasing my senses. My arm still had the stupid cuff dangling from it, mocking me. <i>How the fuck did she slip out of this? </i>


    "<i>Fuck!</i>" I muttered under my breath, sitting up abruptly. I yanked at the cuff, inspecting it. How in the hell had she managed to slip out of this? I had <i>secured</i> those cuffs. I made sure of it! What was she, a professional escape artist?


    "<i>Elena!</i>" I shouted, already moving toward the door, still in disbelief.


    When I reached for the handle, it wouldn¡¯t budge. My heart dropped. She¡¯d locked the damn door from the outside.


    <i>That sneaky little</i>...


    "Elena!" I shouted, pounding on the door.


    No response.


    "This isn¡¯t funny, Elena!" I bellowed, my wolf snarling in frustration. Still nothing, just the faint sound of the front door mming shut.


    <i>Oh, hell no. </i>


    "Fuck!" My body moved before my brain did, pure instinct taking over. I turned to the window, wasting no time climbing out. Breaking down the bedroom door would take too long, and if she had locked the front door, that would slow me down even more.


    While climbed out I cursed under my breath. Normally, I¡¯d think twice about climbing down like a lunatic, but desperate times called for desperate measures. There was no way I was giving her the satisfaction of escaping.


    As I swung myself down, I spotted her outside. She was halfway to the gate, dressed in...a fucking romper. A short-ass romper that barely covered her thighs. My jaw clenched as anger and something far more primal surged through me.


    "Fucking hell," I growled under my breath. She was wearing <i>that thing</i> out in public? Every muscle in my body screamed to catch her before someone else so much asid eyes on her.


    "Elena!" I shouted.


    She nced back, her eyes wide with panic for a split second before she smirked. That infuriating, defiant smirk. And then, as if to top it all off, she <i>headed straight for my motorbike. </i>


    <i>No. No, no, no, no. </i>


    "Don¡¯t you fucking dare!" I yelled, my voice booming.


    She didn¡¯t even hesitate. The little hellion had the audacity to flip me off before climbing onto the bike. My bike.


    "Fuck!" I snarled, climbing down faster, not caring if I slipped and broke something. The only thing on my mind was stopping her.


    The engine roared to life, and I knew I was screwed. I¡¯d been too lenient with my pack, leaving the keys in the ignition like an idiot. Who would¡¯ve thought that my own mate¡ªa <i>deranged, infuriating mate</i>¡ªwould be the one to steal it?


    "Elena, stop!" I roared, my voice carrying through the morning air.


    She didn¡¯t stop. She didn¡¯t even look back, except to send me another one of those infuriating smirks before speeding off, her hair flying behind her like some victorious goddess of chaos.


    My wolf growled in my head, a mix of rage and amusement. <i>You let her get away. Some Alpha you are. </i>


    "Shut up," I snapped out loud, not caring if I looked insane.


    I jumped to the ground, my bare feet hitting the grass hard. For a moment, I just stood there, stunned. My mate¡ªthe one I was supposed to protect, cherish, and love¡ªhad just stolen my motorbike and flipped me off in the process.


    <i>What a way to start the morning¡ªchasing after my deranged, rebellious mate.</i>


    I sprinted toward the garage, already nning my next move. There was no way in hell she was getting away with this. Not today. Not ever.


    She thought she could outsmart me? Outrun me?


    Oh, my little mate was in for a rude awakening.

 Chapter 54: Changing Tactics

    <h4>Chapter 54: Changing Tactics</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    If there was one thing I¡¯d learned from all my past attempts at escaping this motherfucking jerk, it was this: I couldn¡¯t outrun him. Not in wolf form, not in human form, and definitely not in any damn car. Kane was relentless, fast, and his tracking skills were as infuriatingly good as his overinted ego.


    Running hadn¡¯t worked before, but <i>hiding</i>? Now that was a strategy I hadn¡¯t fully tested yet. And it was time to give it a shot.


    This time, I needed a smarter n. No more running blindly like a scared rabbit. No, this time, I was thinking outside the box.


    As soon as I noticed he¡¯d spotted me heading right, I pulled a quick U-turn and veered left the moment I was out of his sight. I knew he¡¯d assume I¡¯d taken the main road or continued straight toward freedom. But freedom wasn¡¯t an option¡ªnot yet. I couldn¡¯t go back to my pack. Hell, I had nowhere to go. No money, no clothes, no n.


    But then, just as despair was starting to creep in, I had what felt like a stroke of divine inspiration.


    What were the chances of him searching <i>is own ce</i> for me?


    The guy was arrogant, cocky, and way too confident for his own good. He had no reason to think I¡¯d hide in his stupidly enormous house. If there was one ce he wouldn¡¯t expect me to be, it was there, under his nose.


    It wasn¡¯t like I nned to live there permanently. No, I wasn¡¯t that insane, just enough to wait out the storm. Once Kane started searching farther and farther away, or better yet, gave uppletely, I¡¯d slip away undetected. I¡¯d be a ghost, vanish into the wind, and finally live my own life without being tethered to his ridiculous alpha ego.


    If only the stubborn alpha would agree to the rejection, we could¡¯ve parted ways ages ago. But no, he had to cling to me like some overbearing tyrant.


    As the motorbike roared through the dense forest, I looked around for the perfect spot to ditch it. I found a clearing where the trees were thick, the canopy above dark enough to obscure sight from the sky. I brought the bike to a halt, killing the engine. This was as far as the bike could go.


    Stepping off, I scanned the area. If Kane managed to track the bike here¡ªand knowing him, he probably would¡ªhe¡¯d think I¡¯d ditched it and run deeper into the forest on foot or shifted into my wolf form.


    But that wasn¡¯t the n. I had to make sure my scent trail ended here.


    I needed to deal with the scent issue.


    <i>Wolf Intoxia.</i>


    The nt was rare but not impossible to find, especially in dense forests like this one. It was one of the few things that couldpletely mask a wolf¡¯s scent. I¡¯d heard stories of rogues using it to evade hunters, but I¡¯d never had the need to search for it before. Until now.


    The nt typically grew underrge, old trees with thick canopies¡ªsomewhere shady and damp. The odds weren¡¯t exactly in my favor, but I didn¡¯t have much of a choice.


    I startedbing through the forest floor, scanning for the telltale green leaves tinged with a faint silver sheen. My fingers brushed aside dead leaves and twigs as I crouched low, trying not to think about how much time I had before Kane caught up.


    The forest was eerily quiet, save for the asional rustle of leaves in the wind. My heart pounded in my chest as I moved quickly but carefully, weaving between trees and shrubs. <i>Come on,e on...</i>


    I spotted a cluster ofrge trees ahead and made a beeline for them, hope surging in my chest. The ground here was damp, the air cooler. Perfect conditions for <i>Wolf Intoxia</i>.


    Dropping to my knees, I searched the base of the trees, my hands brushing over the soil. And then¡ªI saw it.


    A small patch of silvery-green leaves sprouting from the base of a thick, moss-covered tree.


    "Finally," I whispered, relief washing over me.


    I didn¡¯t waste a second. Plucking a handful of leaves, I crushed them between my fingers, releasing a sharp, bitter scent. It wasn¡¯t pleasant, but it would do the job. Rubbing the crushed leaves over my arms, legs, and clothes, I made sure to cover every inch of myself.


    The scent was pungent, enough to mask my own wolf scent entirely. For good measure, I rubbed some on the bike¡¯s seat and handles, making it seem like I¡¯d touched it long before taking off on foot.


    Stepping back, I surveyed the area. The bike looked abandoned, and with no scent trail leading away from it, Kane would assume I¡¯d shifted into my wolf and run deeper into the forest.


    I smirked, feeling a rare flicker of satisfaction. <i>Let¡¯s see you find me now, Alpha.</i>


    But I didn¡¯t have time to bask in my small victory. The forest was dense, but I knew the way. His mansion wasn¡¯t too far from here¡ªof course, he had a mansion nestled in the woods, because why wouldn¡¯t he? Fucking jerk. With renewed determination, I jogged through the forest, careful to stay off the main trails. Thest thing I needed was to run into him while he was scouring the area. By the time I reached the edge of the forest, the sun was higher in the sky, casting long shadows over the sprawling estate.


    I needed to move. Keeping low, I retraced my steps back toward Kane¡¯s property, careful to stay out of sight and avoid leaving any tracks. My heart hammered in my chest as I slipped through the side entrance, my senses on high alert.


    Now came the tricky part: sneaking back to his ce without getting caught.


    The n was simple. I¡¯d hide in the parts of his house he rarely used¡ªlike that guest wing he probably forgot even existed. The ce was massive, and unless he searched every nook and cranny, I had a good chance of avoiding him.


    I couldn¡¯t help the grin that spread across my face as I pictured his reaction when he realized I¡¯d outsmarted him.


    It took longer than I anticipated, but I finally reached the edge of the property. His sprawling mansion loomed ahead, its tall windows reflecting the morning sun. My heart raced as I approached, a mix of nerves and excitement bubbling in my chest.


    The back door was my best bet. From what I¡¯d observed in my short time here, the staff rarely used it when they came to clean it, and it led to the less-frequented parts of the house.


    I slipped in as quietly as I could, every step deliberate and cautious. The air inside was cool and carried a faint scent of pine and cedarwood. It was oddly calming, even though I was essentially sneaking into the belly of the beast.


    The house was quiet. Too quiet.


    I crept through the halls, sticking to the shadows. My n was simple: hide in one of the unused guest rooms or maybe the attic. Somewhere Kane would never think to look.


    <i>Just a few days,</i> I told myself. <i>A week at most. Then I¡¯m gone for good.</i>


    As I ducked into a small, unused storage room, I couldn¡¯t help but smirk. Kane might think he¡¯s the smartest, strongest alpha out there, but this time?


    This time, I¡¯d outsmart him.


    And when I finally escaped, he¡¯d realize he was better off epting my rejection than chasing after a mate who wanted nothing to do with him.


    Of course, this was just the beginning. Staying hidden was going to be the real challenge. But for now, I allowed myself a small moment of victory. <i></i>


    I¡¯d beaten the big, bad alpha at his own game.


    <i>Let¡¯s see how long it takes him to realize I¡¯m not running anymore.</i>


    <strong>Kane POV: </strong>


    <i>Damn it, Elena.</i>


    The roar of my frustration echoed in my head as I bolted back to the house and grabbed my car keys. The moment I saw her ride off on my motorbike, my blood boiled. Not only because she had the audacity to steal <i>my</i> bike but because the thought of her out there, reckless and stubborn as hell, made my wolf restless.


    The car roared to life as I sped out of the driveway, tires screeching against the asphalt. My knuckles turned white as I gripped the steering wheel, the image of her raising her middle finger at me burning in my mind. <i>Defiant little minx.</i>


    "She doesn¡¯t get far," I muttered to myself, my wolf snarling in agreement. "Not this time."


    I opened my link to my patrol teams, my tone sharp and authoritative.


    I opened my link to my patrol teams, my tone sharp and authoritative, leaving no room for argument.


    <i>"All units, listen up. I need eyes on a motorbike¡ªblue, custom build¡ªridden by a girl. Small frame, brown hair, likely wearing something ridiculous like a short romper. She¡¯s my mate, so don¡¯t you dare touch her if you spot her. Just stop her and report back to me immediately. Got it?" </i>


    A chorus of affirmations echoed through the link.


    I clenched my jaw, my foot pressing harder on the gas. The tires screeched as I turned sharply, heading toward the dense forest that bordered my property. <i>She¡¯s predictable in her unpredictability</i>. She might¡¯ve gone off-road if she thought it¡¯d throw me off her trail. My bike had a tracker


    My wolf stirred restlessly. <i>She thinks she¡¯s smart, but she doesn¡¯t know how sharp we are. </i>


    I nced at my phone mounted on the dashboard. The tracking system on the bike was live, but for some reason, the signal was static. <i>Damn forest interference.</i> I smirked despite my frustration¡ªof course, she¡¯d take off into the thickest part of the woods. She probably thought she¡¯d lose me there.


    "<i>Alpha</i>," one of my patrols linked back<i>, "no sign of her on the main road heading north or east." </i>


    I opened the mind-link again, my tone sharp andmanding.


    "<i>All patrols currently off duty, listen up. I want every avable wolfbing the forest to the west of my estate immediately. She¡¯s likely abandoned the bike and is on foot or in wolf form. Spread out in teams, sweep every inch of the area. Report back the second you find anything, even the smallest clue. I¡¯m heading there now.</i>"


    <i>"Yes, Alpha,"</i> came the immediate responses.


    The forest to the west was dense, thick with underbrush, and sprawling with miles of hidden paths and blind spots. If she¡¯d gone there, she was clearly trying to buy herself time. <i>Smart move, Elena. But you forget¡ªI know this territory better than anyone.</i>


    I turned the car sharply at the next intersection, my tires skidding briefly before gripping the road. The forest came into view, dark and ominous, as the sun crept higher in the sky. My grip on the wheel tightened, and I sped toward the edge of the treeline.

 Chapter 55: Lost Her

    <h4>Chapter 55: Lost Her</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV:</strong>


    Where the hell is she?


    It¡¯s been hours¡ªhalf the damn day, and still, no sign of her. I clenched my fists, feeling the frustration boil over, threatening to snap the tenuous control I had over my wolf.


    We found the motorbike. Just sitting there, abandoned against a tree in the middle of the dense forest, like a mocking reminder of her defiance. Her scent had been strong around it at first, faint traces of her panic and determination still lingering. But after that? Nothing. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.


    I paced around the area where the bike was found, my wolf restless and snarling. He wanted to tear through the forest, to howl until she heard us, but it wouldn¡¯t do any good. <i>She¡¯s hiding. And she¡¯s good at it.</i>


    "How the hell did she pull this off?" I muttered to myself, kicking at the dirt. My jaw clenched so tight it hurt. "She¡¯s one woman, one stubborn, frustrating, maddening woman, and yet..."


    I trailed off, ncing up at the treetops as if she might suddenly appear. No sign of her. Nothing but the whispers of leaves in the wind and the asional sound of my patrolsbing through the forest.


    "Alpha," a voice came through the mind-link. "<i>We¡¯ve checked the northern edge of the forest and found nothing. It¡¯s like she disappeared."</i>


    "<i>Keep searching,"</i> I snapped. "<i>She¡¯s here somewhere. Double back if you have to, check under every damn rock if you must. She¡¯s not leaving this forest without me."</i>


    The wolf on the other end stammered a quick acknowledgment and cut the link.


    I leaned against the motorbike, taking a deep breath to calm myself. Think, Kane. Where would she go?


    Elena wasn¡¯t the type to act without a n. She didn¡¯t just bolt into the forest without knowing what she was doing. She had something up her sleeve; she always did. My mate was cunning, resourceful...and apparently, far too good at evading me for myfort.


    My thoughts raced as I reyed the events in my head. The way she bolted out of the house, the way she panicked when I caught sight of her near the gate. She must¡¯ve been nning this for longer than I realized. My wolf growled low in my chest. <i>She thinks she can get away from me? She doesn¡¯t understand who she¡¯s dealing</i> with. My wolf was hurt by the betrayal of our mate. He couldn¡¯t understand how a mate wouldn¡¯t want to be with his other mate.


    Doubt gnawed at me. Her scent disappearing entirely wasn¡¯t normal. She couldn¡¯t mask her scent without help. Could she?


    I froze as a thought hit me like a freight train. <i>Wolf Intoxia.</i>


    The nt was rare but potent. It could mask a wolf¡¯s scent entirely if used properly, and the forest was one of the few ces it grew naturally. My mate was stubborn, but she wasn¡¯t stupid. If she found any, it would exin how her trail went cold so suddenly.


    "Fuck," I muttered under my breath. "Of course, she¡¯d think of that."


    I opened the link again. "<i>All units, listen up. She might be using Wolf Intoxia to mask her scent. Stop sniffing her out try looking for broken branches other things that can track her." </i>


    I got a series of acknowledgments, but the tension in my chest only tightened. It was almost half a day now, and I was on the verge of losing my mind. My wolf was wing at the surface, restless and enraged.


    For fuck¡¯s sake, Elena. Where are you?


    I mmed my fist against the motorbike¡¯s seat, the sting of it doing nothing to ease the frustration. Every possible ce she might hide, I¡¯d already searched. Every logical trail, every instinct, had led me nowhere. And now, the thought of her out there alone¡ªvulnerable, reckless, angry¡ªmade me want to tear through the forest until I found her.


    "Dammit," I growled, pushing off the bike and stalking toward the treeline. I wasn¡¯t giving up. Not now, not ever.


    Although I gotta admit¡ªshe had me this time. She fucking managed to evade me.


    I¡¯ve hunted rogues who were skilled at hiding, dealt with spies and traitors trying to slip through my territory, but her? My mate? She outsmarted me. Completely.


    I sat in my car, parked near the edge of the forest, gripping the steering wheel so hard I thought it might snap. My wolf was pacing inside me, furious and frustrated. He hated this¡ªhated the fact that we couldn¡¯t find her, that she was out there somewhere, alone, with no one to protect her.


    "I have a mate," I muttered to myself. "A mate who can¡¯t just sit still or talk things out. No, she has to run. Has to fight me at every turn." I let out a humorlessugh, shaking my head.


    My phone buzzed in the console, but I didn¡¯t need to look to know what it was¡ªanother patrol reporting nothing. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. She¡¯d covered her tracks so well, I almost wanted to apud her. <i>Almost</i>.


    I leaned back, staring at the trees, the sun beginning to dip lower in the sky. She could be anywhere, and I had no idea where to look next. She¡¯d beaten me this time, and my pride didn¡¯t like it one damn bit.


    But the truth? Beyond the anger and the frustration, there was something else¡ªsomething I didn¡¯t want to admit. I was worried. Genuinely worried. What if she got hurt out there? What if something happened to her while I was busy chasing shadows?


    "Fucking hell," I muttered under my breath, mming my fist against the dashboard.


    The bond between us tugged at me, a constant reminder that she was out there. That she was mine. I couldn¡¯t shake the image of her riding off on my bike, flipping me off with that damn smirk on her face. <i>Defiant. Bold. Beautiful.</i>


    She had no idea what she did to me.


    I closed my eyes, exhaling sharply. "Alright, Elena," I murmured to myself. "You got me this time. But don¡¯t think for a second this is over."


    I grabbed my phone, dialing a number I rarely used.


    "Alpha Kane," came the voice on the other end.


    "Pull the trackers in. I want them sweeping the forest west of my estate. I don¡¯t care if it takes all night¡ªfind her scent, find <i>anything</i>. She¡¯s out there, and I want her brought back."


    "Yes, Alpha," the voice responded quickly before the line went dead.


    I tossed the phone onto the passenger seat, my mind already racing with ns. She thought she could outrun me, that she could hide. But I wasn¡¯t the type to give up.


    I was going to find her.


    And when I did, she¡¯d have a lot to answer for.


    <i>No one escapes me, Elena. Not even you.</i>

 Chapter 56: A Little Rest

    <h4>Chapter 56: A Little Rest</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV:</strong>


    The hell... I was scared. <i>Scared shitless</i>. And I don¡¯t get scared. Not me. Not Alpha Kane.


    But right now? With the sun dipping lower and the forest turning into a shadowy maze, my chest was tight, my breathing uneven, and my mind spiraling into ces I didn¡¯t want it to go.


    I can¡¯t believe this is happening. I can¡¯t believe I found her¡ªmy long-awaited mate¡ªonly to lose her.


    My grip on the steering wheel tightened, knuckles turning white. The cracks of the leather under my fingers were grounding me, barely keeping my wolf from bursting out. The anger that burned inside me wasn¡¯t just at her stubborn defiance¡ªit was at myself.


    How the hell could I let this happen?


    She had been right there. <i>Right there</i>. My arms had been around her, my wolf had been content, finally calm for the first time in years. And then... she was gone.


    She slipped away, like sand through my fingers.


    My jaw clenched as the memory hit me hard: her riding off on my bike, her scent fading, that damned smirk on her face. She had no idea what she was doing to me. No idea how close I was to losing my mind, my control.


    For the first time in a long time, I felt powerless.


    <i>I¡¯m not supposed to feel like this.</i>


    My chest burned with the weight of the mate bond. It was a constant tug, a reminder of her. Of what she meant. Of what she could be to me if she¡¯d just stop running.


    But now? Now she was out there, and I had no idea where.


    The fear wed at me, mingling with frustration and a level of desperation I wasn¡¯t used to. She had survived death, walked away from the ident that should have taken her life. She was supposed to be safe now¡ªwith me. Protected. Cared for.


    Instead, she was running from me too.


    I mmed my fist into the dashboard, the crack loud in the silence of the car. My wolf growled in agreement, restless and on edge. He wanted her back just as much as I did.


    I should¡¯ve known she¡¯d pull something like this. She was stubborn, fiery, unpredictable. But this? Disappearing into thin air, covering her scent like a damn rogue?


    She was mine.


    And the thought of her out there, alone, without me to keep her safe or what she might face... It was unbearable.


    I mmed the car door open, stepping out into the cool evening air. My patrols were scattered,bing the forest, but so far, they¡¯d found nothing. Not a trace. Not a clue.


    "Where the fuck are you, Elena?" I muttered under my breath.


    The bond tugged at me again, faint and elusive, but it was there. She was out there somewhere. My mate. My little thief. My infuriating, stubborn, impossible mate.


    The fear churned in my gut, but I shoved it down.


    No. I wasn¡¯t going to lose her. Not like this.


    I turned back to the forest, eyes narrowing as my wolf surged forward, ready to take over.


    "She¡¯s ours," I growled to myself, to my wolf, to anyone who would listen. "And no one¡ªnot even her¡ªis taking her away from us."


    I had shifted, letting my wolf take overpletely. If anyone could find her, it would be him. His senses were sharper, his instincts stronger. But as the night stretched on and the forest remained silent, frustration built like a storm in my chest.


    We searched everywhere. Sniffed every trail, checked every possible hiding spot. <i>Nothing</i>.


    By the time dawn broke, the weight of failure sat heavy on my shoulders. My trackers, weary and dragging their feet, nced at me hesitantly as I finally growled out the order to head home, freshen up, and rest. They needed the break. They weren¡¯t as tied to this as I was.


    But me? I couldn¡¯t stop. My wolf wouldn¡¯t let me stop.


    Even as exhaustion wed at me, even as my muscles ached and my paws felt like lead, I pushed on. My wolf was relentless, sniffing the ground, the trees, the air. His frustration mirrored mine, growling low every time we caught nothing but faint traces of her that led nowhere.


    She was smart, I¡¯d give her that. Covering her scent wasn¡¯t easy, but she¡¯d done it. And now she was out there somewhere, alone, and the thought gnawed at me.


    <i>What if she gets hurt? What if she¡¯s in danger and I¡¯m not there?</i>


    The morning sun climbed higher, casting dappled light through the trees, but it brought nofort. By noon, I was barely functioning, running on pure adrenaline and the mate bond that screamed at me to keep going.


    But even I had limits. My wolf snarled when I forced him to shift back, his reluctance clear as day. He didn¡¯t want to stop. Neither did I. But we had to.


    Dragging myself back to the house felt like a defeat in itself. My clothes clung to me, my skin sticky with sweat and dirt. The air-conditioning hit me as soon as I stepped inside, but it did nothing to cool the burning frustration that bubbled just under my skin.


    I made my way to the bathroom, stripping down and stepping into the shower. The water was scalding hot, but I barely noticed. My mind was else where -my mate, was she fine had she eaten?


    The water pounded against my skin, but it didn¡¯t wash away the weight in my chest. My mate was out there, and I was here, showering like I didn¡¯t have a care in the world. Guilt twisted in my gut, but I knew I needed this break. If I didn¡¯t rest¡ªdidn¡¯t recharge¡ªI¡¯d be useless to her. Still, it didn¡¯t make it any easier.


    After scrubbing myself clean, I stepped out, dried off, and threw on a pair of sweats and a in T-shirt. My wolf was pacing in the back of my mind, restless and pissed that I wasn¡¯t back out there already. I shoved the thoughts down, trying to ignore the ache that came with his frustration.


    I trudged to the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of water, and drained it in one go. My stomach growled, but food was thest thing on my mind. The couch in the living room caught my eye as I passed through. It looked so inviting, and the exhaustion I¡¯d been ignoring hit me like a freight train.


    <i>Just a minute</i>, I told myself. <i>Just sit down for a second</i>.


    I sank into the couch, the cushions swallowing me whole. My muscles immediately rxed, and I let out a breath I hadn¡¯t realized I was holding. My mind was still racing, reying every moment from the chase, every scent trail that had gone cold, every possible hiding ce I might have missed.


    My eyes drooped, but I fought to keep them open. I couldn¡¯t afford to rest, not when she was out there. But my body had other ns. The next thing I knew, I was lying down, the soft fabric of the couch pulling me deeper into its embrace.


    "I¡¯ll just close my eyes for a moment," I murmured to no one, my voice slurred with fatigue.


    Thest thing I heard before I drifted off was the faint sound of the clock ticking on the wall and the distant hum of the air conditioning. For the first time since I¡¯d shifted to chase her, my mind went quiet, and sleep imed me.


    But even in sleep, she haunted me. Dreams of her curses, her scent, her defiant gaze filled the darkness, and I swore I could still feel her slipping away from me, just out of reach.


    In my drowsiness I opened my eyes to see her heading to the kitchen but I knew it was my mind ying a cruel joke on me.

 Chapter 57: Doomed

    <h4>Chapter 57: Doomed</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    <i>Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.</i>


    What the hell was I thinking? Why did Ie downstairs? I should¡¯ve stayed hidden. I should¡¯ve been smarter. The storage room had been the perfect hiding ce¡ªdusty, dark, and so inconspicuous that even his overly obsessive wolf wouldn¡¯t think to look there. But no, my stupid stomach had to ruin everything.


    I hadn¡¯t eaten since the shopping spree. Last night after I sneaked in Kane ce, I had woken up starving, my stomach growling like a rogue wolf, but I hadn¡¯t dared to step out of my hiding spot. What if he was back? What if he was prowling around, waiting to catch me? No way. I was determined to wait until midday, when I was sure he¡¯d be out, probably hunting me down in the forest.


    So, this afternoon, I finally worked up the courage. Quietly, carefully, I¡¯d crept down the stairs, moving like a shadow. My heart was pounding in my chest, but I¡¯d convinced myself he was still out there searching. My luck had held up this long, hadn¡¯t it?


    I was halfway to the kitchen when I nced at the living room¡ªand froze.


    There he was. Kane.


    The stupid alpha was sprawled out on the couch, looking far too rxed for someone who was supposed to be losing his mind over me. His head was tilted back, his lips slightly parted, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Then still in his slumber he opened his eyes.


    Shit. Shit. Shit. Did he see me?


    I ducked into the kitchen so fast I almost tripped over my own feet. My breath came in quick, shallow gasps as I pressed my back against the cold wall, trying to steady myself.


    The hunger that had driven me out of my hiding spot was gone now, reced by a wave of pure, unadulterated panic. I couldn¡¯t tell if my heart was beating too loud or if I was just imagining it, but either way, I was terrified he¡¯d hear me.


    <i>Why is he here?</i> I thought frantically. <i>Shouldn¡¯t he be out there looking for me? What the hell is he doing lounging around like this is some vacation? </i>


    My fingers tightened around the edge of the counter as I debated my next move. Should I try to sneak back upstairs? Should I stay hidden here in the kitchen and hope he goes back to sleep? Or should I grab a knife and make a break for it?


    Goddess, why didn¡¯t I just stay in the storage room? The hunger was manageable. The fear of being caught? Not so much.


    I peeked around the corner, just enough to catch a glimpse of him. He hadn¡¯t moved, but that didn¡¯t mean he was asleep. For all I knew, he could be lying there, listening for me, waiting to pounce the second I made a noise.


    My hands trembled as I reached for a loaf of bread on the counter. I didn¡¯t bother looking for a te or anything to go with it¡ªno time for that. I just grabbed a slice, stuffed it into my mouth, and hoped it would be enough to keep me alive for the next few hours.


    I was just about to sneak back to my hiding spot when I heard it¡ªa low growl, rumbling from the living room.


    "Elena," his voice called, low and dangerous, like he was trying to lure me out. "Why can¡¯t we be like normal loving mates"


    Fuck.


    <i>Oh, goddess, what do I do?</i>


    My heart pounded so loudly in my ears that I could barely hear anything else. That voice¡ªlow,manding, dangerous¡ªsent a shiver of dread crawling down my spine. I¡¯d been so close. So damn close to pulling off the perfect escape. I had a n, I had the space, and I thought I had the time. But now, in this moment, everything was unraveling faster than I could stop it.


    <i>It can¡¯t be happening like this. Not now. Not when I was so close</i>.


    I cursed under my breath, eyes darting around the kitchen. The bread was still in my hand, but it was thest thing on my mind. I couldn¡¯t even chew anymore, my throat tight with fear. I needed to think. I needed to do something, anything, to get out of here before he came for me.


    His growl echoed in my mind, a constant reminder that he was no fool. He knew I was here, hiding somewhere, waiting for me to make a mistake. And, of course, like an idiot, I had given myself away. The slightest sound. The rustle of my breath as I tried to steady myself, or worse¡ªthe fact that I¡¯d been stupid enough to go for food in the first ce.


    I could feel his presence just beyond the kitchen doorway, even though I couldn¡¯t see him. It was like I could imagine the heat of his gaze on me, a pressure in the air that made my skin crawl. My hand tightened on the counter, my mind racing. I needed a way out, and fast.


    Think, Elena. Think. What can I do?


    I cursed again, this time more bitterly. My n was ruined. The freedom I¡¯d fought for was slipping away in the blink of an eye. I¡¯d gotten cocky, thinking I could outsmart him. But I wasn¡¯t just up against any guy¡ªhe was an alpha. He wasn¡¯t like any alpha, whether I liked it or not. And he wasn¡¯t going to let me get away so easily.


    I forced myself to breathe slowly, steadying my thoughts as much as I could. There had to be a way out. He couldn¡¯t keep me here forever.


    But <i>what the hell do I do now?</i>


    I peeked around the corner, just enough to see him¡ªKane. He was still lounging on the couch, his form stretched outzily, his eyes closed. Was he sleeping? Or was he pretending to sleep? I swore I had seen his eyes flicker open, just for a second, almost like he was aware of my every move.


    My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly ducked back into the kitchen, pressing my back against the cold cab door. My breath was shallow, my pulse hammering in my ears.


    <i>He knows. He knows I¡¯m here.</i>


    I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that he was watching me, even when I couldn¡¯t see him. His presence was overwhelming, suffocating. He had that kind of power over me, didn¡¯t he? Even now, when I thought I had him cornered, I was the one who felt trapped.


    I cursed under my breath, fighting the panic rising in my chest. <i>Stay calm, Elena. Think. Just think!</i>


    My eyes darted around the kitchen, looking for something¡ªanything¡ªthat I could use to my advantage. There was a knife on the counter, but that wasn¡¯t the answer. No, I wasn¡¯t about to make things worse by doing something stupid. I just needed to find a way out.


    <i>There¡¯s gotta be a way.</i>


    But where could I go? The house was huge, and Kane was probably waiting for me to make a move, just like he always did. If I tried to sneak past him again, I would only end up making it worse. He was relentless. Always watching. Always waiting.


    I leaned against the counter, trying to steady myself, but my mind was a mess of racing thoughts. If he found me, there was no telling what he¡¯d do. He wouldn¡¯t let me leave again. Not without consequences.


    Then, something in me snapped.


    <i>Fuck it.</i>


    I wasn¡¯t about to let him win. Not like this. Not after everything I¡¯d been through to get this far.


    I had to find a ce to hide and hope the wolf intoxia still worked it was only my chance for survival. <i>I just have to be smater</i><i> than him.</i>


    I moved quickly, silently, my feet barely making a sound as I backed away from the kitchen door. I knew this was myst chance. If I waited too long, I¡¯d be spotted in here with him. And I couldn¡¯t let that happen.


    I took a deep breath and darted for the supply door. My hand was on the handle when I heard it¡ªhis voice, calm and low.


    "Elena," he called, and my heart stopped.


    I froze, my hand still gripping the door handle. Had he seen me? Had he caught me?


    No. No, I couldn¡¯t let it be over yet. I pushed the door open as quietly as possible and slipped into the the room it has barely any ce to hide, just a room with shelves filled with canned food and other kitchen supplies.


    My fingers trembling as I crouch down the little room with no where to hide. I prayed desperately that the wolf intoxia I¡¯d applied on me earlier would do its thing¡ªmask my scent, confuse his wolf enough to keep me hidden. <i>Please, Moon Goddess, just this once, spare me. Let me get away.</i>


    My breath was shaky. I took a small peek through the hole on the door, half expecting to see Kane storming in the kitchen, his wolf¡¯s eyes zing with that infuriating determination. But the kitchen remained quiet, the hum of the refrigerator the only sound to apany my frantic thoughts.


    The intoxicating nt I¡¯d scavenged from the forest had to work. I¡¯d rubbed it over my arms, my legs¡ªanywhere I thought he could track me. But would it really be enough? Kane wasn¡¯t just any wolf. He was an alpha with heightened senses, and his obsession with finding me bordered on terrifying.


    Still, I had to try.


    But then, that voice. His voice again.


    "Elena."


    It came from the living room¡ªsoft butmanding, almost like a whisper that carried a weight of inevitability. My entire body froze. My knees threatened to buckle, and I felt my breath hitch. <i>No. He knows. He always knows.</i>


    My heart sank. Had he smelled me? Heard me? Or was this just another one of his mind games, trying to draw me out like prey?


    I bit down hard on my lip to stop myself from making a sound. I had to think fast. The intoxicant should still be working. If I stayed quiet, if I stayed calm, there was still a chance I could slip away unnoticed.


    "Elena," he called again, this time more firmly. There was something in his voice¡ªa dangerous mix of frustration and amusement. As if he was toying with me, enjoying the thrill of the chase.


    I clenched my jaw, forcing my feet to move, inching my way out of the door. Every little step felt agonizingly slow, but I couldn¡¯t go any further the moment he opened the door I would be doomed.


    Then I heard it¡ªthe sound of movement. He was off the couch, and he wasing.

 Chapter 58: Floozy Seduction (I)

    <h4>Chapter 58: Floozy Seduction (I)</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV:</strong>


    <i>I found her. She was right there¡ªso close yet still maddeningly out of reach. </i>


    <i>"Elena," I called out, my voice low and dangerous as I tried to steady the desperation rising in my chest. Her eyes met mine, wide with defiance, but there was fear there too. I hated that look, hated that she saw me as something to run from. When she shifted her weight to step back further into the shadows, my heart twisted painfully. </i>


    <i>"Why can¡¯t we be like normal, loving mates?" I asked her, my voice softer this time, pleading. I wanted her to see¡ªto understand. I didn¡¯t want anyone else. Just her. Always her. </i>


    <i>I took a step forward, trying to close the distance, but she matched me, retreating another step. The gap between us never shrank. </i>


    <i>"Elena," I growled, frustration bleeding into my tone. My wolf stirred restlessly inside me, its cries for our mate echoing in my mind. Each step she took away from me was like a knife to the chest. Couldn¡¯t she see? Didn¡¯t she realize how much I wanted her, needed her? Why did she fight so hard against this bond? </i>


    <i>Then she froze. Her attention shifted, her body tense as a new presence entered the clearing. I followed her gaze and saw her¡ªAshley. She emerged from the left, her expression smug, her voice sickly sweet as she called me, "Master." </i>


    My stomach churned. I didn¡¯t even spare Ashley a nce; my eyes were glued to Elena. I watched as her face hardened, her lips pressing into a tight line. She gave Ashley a quick, dismissive look before turning away from me entirely.


    <i>"Elena!" I shouted, my voiceced with anger, frustration, and panic as I took another step forward. But she ignored me, walking away with her head held high, as though I meant nothing to her. </i>


    <i>The pain was unbearable. I couldn¡¯t move. I couldn¡¯t breathe. Couldn¡¯t she see that I wanted only her? That I didn¡¯t care about anyone else? </i>


    <i>"Elena," I tried again, my voice cracking this time. She didn¡¯t even look back. </i>


    <i>And then everything shattered, plunging me into darkness. </i>


    My wolf¡¯s voice broke through the haze, frantic and distressed.


    "Mate. Mate."


    The word was a constant chant in my mind, pulling me out of the dream¡ªthe nightmare.


    I woke up with a start, my chest heaving as my eyes flew open. Reality hit me like a ton of bricks, and I found myself sprawled on the couch, my body heavy and my mind reeling.


    "Fuck," I muttered under my breath, running a hand through my hair.


    The memory of Elena escaping flooded back, and guilt washed over me in waves. How could I have let myself fall asleep? How could I have been so stupid, wasting time dreaming about her when I should be out there searching?


    My wolf whimpered in my mind, a mirror of the anguish I felt.


    I sat up quickly, determination flooding every inch of my body. That dream¡ª<i>that nightmare</i>¡ªwas not going to be my reality. I wouldn¡¯t let her slip through my fingers again.


    "I¡¯ming for you, Elena," I muttered, standing up and rolling my shoulders. I wouldn¡¯t stop. Not until I found her.


    I was heading to the kitchen, nning to grab something quick to eat before continuing the search, when a sharp knock interrupted my thoughts. I froze mid-step, turning toward the door.


    "Alpha!" one of my patrols called out from the other side.


    My heart raced, and for a brief moment, I forgot all about food. Had they found something? Anything? Without wasting another second, I strode to the door and yanked it open.


    "We might¡¯ve found something," he said, his tone careful. "But we¡¯re not sure if it¡¯s hers."


    I didn¡¯t wait for any more details. "Lead the way," I barked, stepping out without bothering to lock the door behind me.


    Elena. It had to be her. There wasn¡¯t any other option.


    I followed him, adrenaline overriding my hunger as we made our way toward the edge of the forest. The further we walked, the more unease crept up my spine.


    "Where exactly did you find this?" I demanded as we moved deeper into the woods.


    The patrol hesitated before answering. "Near the neutral territory...right where our border ends."


    My stomach twisted violently at his words.


    <i>Neutral territory.</i>


    My mind raced with possibilities, none of them good. My heart skipped a beat, then pounded faster, harder. She wouldn¡¯t. She couldn¡¯t.


    But what if she had?


    What if she¡¯de out of hiding and made a run for it¡ªright past our borders? My breath hitched as a new, horrifying thought struck me: *What if rogues caught her?*


    "Fuck," I muttered under my breath, my fists clenching at my sides as my pace quickened.


    "Are you certain this is where you found it?" I demanded, already imagining the worst. My wolf growled low in my mind, his fury and worry fueling my rising panic.


    The patrol nodded quickly. "Yes, Alpha. It was right on the edge, but..." He hesitated, ncing at me nervously before continuing, "We didn¡¯t pick up her scent there. There wasn¡¯t any scent...it was just there."


    My wolf howled in my head, desperate and enraged. The idea that she was out there, unprotected, vulnerable, was driving him insane. And it was doing the same to me.


    "Send word to the rest of the patrols," I growled. "I want the entire neutral zonebed. Every inch. And..." My voice faltered for a moment before I regained myposure. "Send someone to check for rogue activity. I don¡¯t care how small or insignificant it seems¡ªreport everything."


    "Yes, Alpha."


    As he took off to ry my orders, I stood at the edge of the forest, staring into the wolf footsteps going out of the park boarders . My wolf wed at me, restless, angry, and heartbroken all at once.


    She¡¯d escaped me again.


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    One minute, I thought my end hade¡ªcornered and with no escape. But then I heard it: a knock, faint and muffled. My ears perked, straining to catch every sound. There were muffled voices, and then the unmistakable m of the front door.


    I waited.


    And waited.


    Nothing.


    No footsteps. No growls. No angry Alpha charging toward me.


    Was he...gone? Like <i>really</i> gone?


    At first, I thought it was a cruel trick, a twisted game he was ying. But twenty minutes passed, and there was still no movement¡ªno noise at all. The house felt eerily lifeless. My anxiety roared louder than my wolf¡¯s protests as I tried to make sense of it. Could he actually have left?


    Summoning all the courage I had, I dared to peek out. First, into the kitchen. Empty.


    My heart hammered as I tiptoed toward the living room, my bare feet making no sound. I peeked again. Empty.


    If I wasn¡¯t trembling with leftover fear, I¡¯d have done a full-on victory dance right there. Instead, I was shaking from the adrenaline rush of anxiety and relief.


    Taking advantage of my luck, I darted back to the kitchen. I grabbed as much food as I could without making it obvious: a loaf of bread, a jar of peanut butter, a few cans of soup. Then I slipped into the pantry to grab more supplies¡ªcanned beans, dried fruits, a small bottle of water¡ªand made my way back upstairs as fast as I could, my arms full like a squirrel hoarding for winter.


    But just as I reached half the staircase, the sound of the front door opening froze me mid-step.


    I turned slowly, my breath caught in my throat.


    And there she was. <i>Ashley</i>.


    The fucking bimbo.


    She strolled in like she owned the ce, dressed in barely-there shorts and a crop top that screamed desperation. A bottle of wine dangled in her hand like a prop.


    "Master! Master!" her syrupy, annoying voice echoed through the house, and I had to dig my nails into my palm to keep myself from lunging down the stairs and pping her fake, overly made-up face.


    I crouched low, peeking through the stair railings as she wandered into the living room. She looked around like she was inspecting her domain, then ced the wine bottle on the coffee table and sauntered off to the kitchen.


    I bit back a growl. <i>She knows her way around here,</i> I thought bitterly, feeling Zena pacing in my mind, her ws itching toe out. The sight of her knowing exactly where the wine sses were kept was like a p to my face.


    <i>Stupid, cheating bastard,</i> I muttered to myself, my jealousy and anger bubbling dangerously close to the surface.


    Ashley came back into view, carrying two sses, which she ced on the table with the precision of someone who had done it countless times before.


    And then, she did the unthinkable.


    She started undressing.


    Down. To. Her. Panties.


    I felt my blood boil, and Zena snarled so loudly in my mind that I thought I might lose control right there.


    The bimbo sprawled out on the couch in a pathetic attempt to look seductive, her half-naked body on full disy.


    It took every ounce of my willpower not to shift and leap down the stairs to w her smug, fake face off. My wolf was snapping and snarling inside me, desperate for a fight. <i>She thinks she can seduce my mate? While I¡¯m still here?!</i>


    I didn¡¯t love Kane¡ªhell, I didn¡¯t even like him most of the time¡ªbut this was too much. She couldn¡¯t even wait until I was truly gone? No, she had to pull her desperate little tricks now.


    I turned away, forcing myself to head back up the stairs. If I stayed any longer, Zena would take over, and there would be nothing left of Ashley but shredded lingerie and a faint memory.


    Reaching my hiding spot, I threw the food down and sank to the floor, seething.


    "That arrogant Alpha better not take the bait," I muttered darkly, pacing back and forth in the small room. "If I hear anything, Zena, I swear to the goddess, we¡¯re going down there."


    Zena growled her agreement. Her bloodlust wasn¡¯t helping.


    "Your hormones are going to be the death of us," I muttered at her, trying to calm myself down. But it was useless.


    That bimbo. It was all her fault.

 Chapter 59: Drugged

    <h4>Chapter 59: Drugged</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV:</strong>


    The patrols had brought me to the tracks¡ªa wolf¡¯s paw prints pressed into the dirt near the border of the forest. My chest tightened as I stared down at them.


    It could only mean two things: either Elena had shifted and crossed out of my pack¡¯s borders, or a rogue had managed to slip in and out undetected.


    Neither option felt like anything less than a stab to the heart.


    If it was Elena, it meant she¡¯d gone farther than I ever thought possible, right into danger, where rogues or worse could harm her. If it was a rogue...then who¡¯s to say she hadn¡¯t already encountered one?


    But if I had to choose between the two, I found myself desperately hoping it was a rogue. That would mean she hadn¡¯t gotten far, that she wasn¡¯t entirely lost to me yet.


    The patrols stood silently behind me, waiting for my orders. I knelt down, inhaling deeply to catch a scent, <i>any</i> clue that might tip the scales. But the trail was faint, barely there, like it had already been masked by the earth and trees.


    "Keep searching," I ordered, my voice a low growl. "Follow the tracks as far as they go. I want every inch of the borderbed."


    For the rest of the day, we searched. I led the trackers deeper into the forest and also to the neutral boarder, my wolf on edge, snarling and snapping at the scentless trails. But the farther we went, the colder the trail became. It was as if she¡¯d vanished into thin air.


    Again.


    By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, I was defeated, bitter, and exhausted. My wolf was wing at my mind, howling with frustration, but even he couldn¡¯t deny we were at a dead end.


    "Elena..." her name left my lips in a whisper as I stood on the edge of the forest, staring out into the ck expanse of trees. "Where are you?"


    The patrols trickled back one by one, reporting nothing of value. No sign of rogues. No sign of Elena. Just the empty, quiet forest mocking me.


    When thest of my trackers returned, I dismissed them all, telling them to get some rest and start again in the morning. Meanwhile, I shifted back into my human form and began the long walk back home, each step heavier than thest.


    By the time I reached the house, the weight of failure pressed down on me. My mate¡ªmy one, irreceable mate¡ªwas still out there, and I had no idea where to look next.


    The house was dark and silent when I stepped inside, just as it had been when I left.


    Closing the door behind me, I leaned back against it and exhaled a long, shuddering breath.


    Exhaustion wed at me, but sleep wouldn¡¯te easy tonight. My wolf was restless, pacing in the back of my mind, snarling at me for stopping the search, for letting her slip through our fingers.


    Standing at the door, the moment I stepped inside, her scent hit me¡ªAshley¡¯s. A low growl rumbled from my chest as my wolf instantly stirred, irritated and agitated. Then, a rustle on the couch caught my attention.


    There she was, sprawled out and naked. The sight was anything but appealing.


    Ashley shot up, her eyes wide as she locked onto me, startled, and quickly fell into a submissive position, lowering her gaze and folding her hands in front of her. She waspletely naked.


    "Master," she whispered, her voice dripping with submission.


    I clenched my fists so tightly my nails bit into my palms. My wolf growled louder, the sound reverberating in my chest. The sight of her bare body disgusted me to my core. My wolf snarled in my head, furious at her audacity. My mate¡ª<i>my mate</i>¡ªwas out there, alone, scared, possibly hurt. And this...<i>this</i> was what I came home to?


    "What the fuck are you doing here?" I growled, my voice low and dangerous.


    Ashley flinched but didn¡¯t move. Her gaze darting to the floor as she whimpered. I was seconds away from losing control and snapping her neck right then and there. she had the nerve to open her mouth.


    "I..." she began, but her words were cut short by a snarl that came from deep within me. My wolf surged forward, eager to rip her throat out, but I held him back¡ªbarely


    "Get. Out." My voice was sharp,manding, dripping with venom. "Before I kill you."


    She whimpered softly, but instead of leaving, she stretched out her hand, holding the stupid, <i>stupid</i> contract.


    <i>Fuck.</i>


    <i>She extended it toward me, and my wolf¡¯s anger surged.</i>


    My wolf surged forward, wing to take control, wanting to rip her throat out. In his eyes, this woman was trying to rece our mate¡ªa mate he would never allow anyone to take the ce of.


    "You need to leave. Now," I barked, my Alpha tone forcing her body to tremble as she scrambled to get up.


    Ashley hesitated, her voice shaking but still daring to speak. "You forgot Chapter 3, use 5 of the contract, sir."


    Her audacity made my blood boil, and my wolf snarled loudly in my head. As she stood there, slowly dressing, taking her time with her bra as if trying to tempt me. I snatched the folder from her hands and flipped through it, my vision tunneling as I searched for the use she referred to, switching on the light to read the specific use.


    The sudden brightness disrupted the dim, seductive atmosphere she had been trying to create. My eyes skimmed over the words, and my rage only grew as I read.


    The words jumped out at me: <i>"The dominant is responsible for providing satisfaction to the submissive if they feel neglected, upon request.</i>


    <i>Motherfucker.</i>


    She¡¯d cornered me with the one use I had barely paid attention to when signing the contract¡ªa use meant to give her a measure of control. It stated that the Dominant was responsible for fulfilling the Submissive¡¯s needs if they felt neglected. She had manipted this to her advantage, using it to force my hand.


    I could barely see straight, anger and disgust clouding my vision. It was my own damn fault for including that use, thinking it was a way to keep the arrangement bnced. But now? Now it was a weapon she was wielding against me.


    Ashley poured herself a ss of wine, and one for me, which she slid across the table. She leaned against the couch, her eyes glinting with triumph as I read the use again, as if daring me to challenge it.


    "For fuck¡¯s sake," I muttered under my breath, my frustration mounting.


    I grabbed the ss of wine she had poured and downed it in one go, hoping the alcohol would dull the anger that was threatening to take overpletely. But even as I did, I turned back to her and growled, "I said I want out of this fucking contract, not to fuck you."


    She didn¡¯t flinch this time, her lips curling into a small, knowing smirk.


    That smirk was thest straw.


    She opened her mouth to respond, but she didn¡¯t get the chance. My hand shot out, wrapping around her throat as I lifted her off the ground.


    Ashley struggled in my grip, her hands wing at my wrist, but I didn¡¯t care. My wolf was on the brink of taking over, his bloodlust demanding retribution for her audacity. Her hands wed at my wrist, her eyes wide with fear as I held her there, suspended.


    "I fucking told you to leave," I snarled, my voice barely human. "You should have done that when you had the chance."


    My wolf was on the brink of taking full control, and I was struggling to hold him back. But then, something strange happened.


    Heat.


    A burning sensation spreading through my entire body, consuming me.


    Ashley slipped from my grasp as I doubled over, clutching my stomach.


    "What the fuck did you put in my drink, you stupid bitch?" I growled through gritted teeth.


    Ashley stood, her eyes gleaming with victory as she reached behind her back and unhooked her bra, letting it fall to the floor. She didn¡¯t answer me; instead, she slid her panties down her legs and stepped out of them,pletely naked now.


    My wolf growled in fury and desire, the lines between the two blurring as the fire inside me intensified. She crawled toward me.


    "Let me take care of you, sir," she purred, her voice dripping with false innocence as she lowered herself onto the couch, spreading her legs for me.


    Fuck.


    I could feel the arousal building, the heat driving my body to betray my mind. My wolf was wing at me, confused, furious, but unable to fight the primal urges overtaking us.


    The heat in my body intensified, and my mind screamed in fury and panic. I knew what she had done¡ªshe had drugged me with something, something that was forcing my body into heat.


    I tried to back away, to fight the primal urge surging through me, but my body wasn¡¯t cooperating. My wolf was confused, torn between rage and the uncontroble desire that the drug was amplifying.


    I stumbled back, gripping the edge of the table for support as I tried to fight it off. "You..." I growled through gritted teeth, "You drugged me."


    Ashley just smiled, a triumphant, predatory smile, as she reached out to me.


    But even through the haze of heat and arousal, one thought remained clear: <i>Elena.</i>


    My mate. My <i>only</i> mate.


    Ashley reached for my pants, her hands brushing against my hardened length, and I nearly lost it. The drug was working its dark magic, pushing me closer and closer to the edge.


    But then, something snapped inside me¡ªa desperate,st-ditch effort to resist. I shoved her back, putting just enough distance between us to keep her filthy hands off me.


    "Stay the fuck away from me," I growled, though my voicecked the usual force.


    But the bitch was persistent. She crawled forward again, her eyes gleaming with triumph as she reached for me.


    And just when I thought I wouldn¡¯t be able to hold out any longer, a blur of movement came from the side.


    Ashley was yanked away from me and thrown to the side with such force that she skidded across the floor.


    I blinked, my vision hazy from the drug, and then I saw her.


    <i>Elena.</i>


    She stood there, radiating power and dominance, her eyes zing with fury as she red at Ashley.


    <i>Mate.</i>


    My wolf howled in triumph, surging forward with renewed strength.


    <i>Mine.</i>


    I could only stare, my mind reeling as Elena turned her gaze to me, her presence washing over me like a storm. She was here. She hade back.

 Chapter 60: Cornered

    <h4>Chapter 60: Cornered</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    Okay. Call me a bitch. I deserve it. After all, I was the one running away from him, trying to put as much distance between us as possible. And yet, here I was, crouched on the stairs, watching him. Stalking him, almost. Why? Why did I care? Why was I watching him, knowing full well I nned to leave?


    And worse, why did I want to march down there and murder that stupid floozy sprawled across his couch?


    I <i>know</i> I shouldn¡¯t care. I don¡¯t even want to admit it to myself, but the jealousy? It was eating me alive. I me Zena¡ªmy wolf. She couldn¡¯t keep her emotions in check, always pushing me to stay with him, to im him. Her feelings were overriding mine, and I hated it. Ohh Goddess help me, I peeked again.


    Kane stood at the door, looking exhausted and worn down, like he hadn¡¯t slept in days. My chest twinged. Almost¡ªI repeat, <i>almost</i>¡ªI felt sorry for him.


    And then, his eyes opened.


    I saw the shift immediately. His entire demeanor changed as anger rolled off him in waves, his Alpha aura pressing down on the room. I could practically feel it even from where I crouched. He wasn¡¯t just mad¡ªhe was <i>furious.</i> And it didn¡¯t take a genius to figure out why. He¡¯d noticed her. The <i>stupid bitch.</i>


    A small, dark part of me felt happy about his anger. Why? Because it meant he wasn¡¯t aroused. He wasn¡¯t pleased to see her, and that mattered more than I wanted to admit.


    Ashley scrambled off the couch in a panic, falling into what I could only describe as a submissive kneeling position. <i>What the hell was she doing?</i>


    "Master," she whimpered, her voice sugary and low, her eyes cast downward.


    <i>Master?</i> Seriously? <i>Master?</i> My wolf snarled at the word, and I couldn¡¯t help but wrinkle my nose. Why the hell did all his women call him that? Was it some kind of weird fetish? A power y? Or was this just another way to show what a control freak he was?


    Don¡¯t get me wrong, I was a virgin¡ªpure as snow¡ªbut even I knew that love and intimacy weren¡¯t supposed to look like this. And the position she was in? Kneeling, head down, her voice dripping with fake submission? It was downright <i>weirding me out.</i>


    Kane, to his credit, looked disgusted. He growled, his voice sharp and biting. "What the fuck are you doing here?"


    The stupid bitch actually tried to answer him, but his growl cut her off before she could finish. Hismand to leave was firm,ced with anger. If it were me, I¡¯d have run out the door without looking back. But Ashley? She stayed.


    <i>Stupid, stupid bitch.</i>


    Instead of leaving, she held something up to him¡ªa piece of paper. A document.


    "You forgot Chapter 3, use 5 of the contract, sir," she said sweetly, as if that justified her being there.


    I frowned. <i>What contract?</i>


    Kane¡¯s entire body tensed as he snatched the paper from her hands, scanning it quickly before cursing under his breath. He was livid¡ªhis rage so palpable I could almost taste it.


    He reached for the ss of wine she had poured and downed it in one gulp, mming the ss back onto the table. His fury radiated off him in waves, but Ashley still wasn¡¯t moving.


    "Get out," he growled again, but she stayed put, her smirk barely hidden.


    Kane¡¯s restraint finally snapped.


    In an instant, his hand was around her neck, lifting her clean off the ground. Her hands wed at his, her face a mask of panic as he snarled, "I fucking told you to leave. You should have done that when you had the chance."


    His voice wasn¡¯t fully his anymore¡ªit was deeper, darker. His wolf was taking over, and for once, I agreed with him. <i>Rip her throat out.</i>


    Okay, that wasn¡¯t me. That was Zena. But still, the bitch had iting.


    Zena was practically vibrating with excitement, pacing in my mind, begging me to let her out. She was thrilled at the disy of dominance, while I was...conflicted.


    Kane¡¯s wolf deserved a treat for this one.


    One moment, Kane was choking the life out of Ashley; the next, he was doubling over, clutching his stomach in obvious pain.


    "What the fuck did you put in my drink?" he growled, his voice raw.


    Ashley didn¡¯t answer. Instead, she started stripping.


    <i>The audacity.</i>


    My stomach churned as Zena growled in my mind, her chant of "mate, mate" growing louder. Kane¡¯s scent shifted¡ªanger mixed with something else. Lust. Arousal.


    What. The. Fuck.


    How could someone radiate fury one moment and lust the next? The waves of desire rolling off him were driving Zena insane, and I was losing my grip on her.


    Ashley started crawling toward him, her movements slow and deliberate. "Let me take care of you, sir," she purred, her voice like nails on a chalkboard.


    <i>Take care of him my foot!</i> Stupid, stupid bitch.


    She reached for his pants, her hand brushing against him, and I lost it.


    Before I knew what I was doing, I was moving¡ªrunning down the stairs and crossing the room in seconds. Kane managed to push her off, but the stubborn bitch came at him again, her filthy hands reaching for what wasn¡¯t hers.


    And then, it happened.


    I grabbed her by the shoulder and threw her aside with more force than necessary. She skidded across the floor like a ragdoll, her wide eyes filled with shock as she looked up at me.


    I stood there, trembling with rage, my chest heaving as I red down at her.


    <i>Mine.</i>


    The word echoed in my mind, a im, a promise.


    Kane¡¯s gaze snapped to me, and for a moment, everything else faded away. His eyes were locked on me, filled with something I couldn¡¯t quite name. Relief? Anger?


    But all I could think was one thing.


    <i>No one touches my mate.</i>


    I wasn¡¯t done with that bitch. Not by a long shot.


    How dare she? How <i>fucking</i> dare she?


    She drugged <i>my</i> mate¡ª<i>my</i> mate¡ªand tried to take advantage of him while I was right here. The audacity! My blood boiled, Zena snarling in my head, pushing me to shift, to rip her apart, to make her suffer.


    Ashley scrambled back, trying to crawl away from me, her eyes wide with fear. Good. She <i>should</i> be afraid.


    "What the fuck is wrong with you?" I hissed, my voice trembling with rage. "You drugged him? <i>Drugged him?!</i> You vile, disgusting little¡ª"


    "Elena," Kane¡¯s voice broke through my anger, deep and strained, but I barely registered it.


    She didn¡¯t get to walk away from this. Not unscathed. Not after what she¡¯d done.


    Ashley¡¯s lips trembled as she stammered, "I-I was just¡ª"


    "Shut up!" I roared, my voiceced with fury and Alpha dominance, something I wasn¡¯t even aware I was capable of. "Do you think I don¡¯t know what you were doing? Do you think I didn¡¯t see you? Smell your lies, your desperation? You thought you could rece me?"


    Her gaze flickered to Kane, as if she thought he would save her. But he didn¡¯t move. He just stood there, watching me with a strange expression on his face.


    "You will <i>never</i> be me," I snarled, stepping closer, my ws itching toe out. "You¡¯re nothing but a desperate, pathetic little bitch, clinging to scraps that don¡¯t belong to you."


    "Elena." This time Kane¡¯s voice was firmer, but I ignored him.


    My wolf was pacing furiously, demanding blood, and I was barely holding her back. The line between me and Zena was blurring, my rage feeding hers, and I wanted nothing more than to make Ashley bleed.


    "I should rip you apart for what you¡¯ve done," I growled, my voice dropping lower. "For daring to touch what¡¯s mine."


    Ashley whimpered, her face pale as she tried to push herself further away. "I¡ªI didn¡¯t¡ª"


    "You didn¡¯t what?" I snapped, cutting her off. "Didn¡¯t drug him? Didn¡¯t try to seduce him while he was <i>clearly</i> resisting you? Didn¡¯t strip like some cheap, desperate¡ª"


    "Elena!" Kane¡¯s voice snapped like a whip, his Alphamand mming into me like a brick wall.


    I froze, my breathing heavy, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. My wolf growled in protest, furious at being stopped, but I forced myself to take a step back, even though every fiber of my being screamed at me to finish what I¡¯d started.


    "She¡¯s not worth it," Kane said, his voice rough, his breathing uneven.


    Not worth it? I nced at him.


    He was sweating, his chest rising and falling heavily, and he looked like he was about to devour me. His eyes¡ªpitch ck, swirling with lust¡ªwere locked on mine. The air in the room was suffocating, charged with something primal and dangerous, and I suddenly felt like prey.


    "Scam," Kane growled, his voice low and guttural, filled with the promise of destruction.


    Ashley bolted like a scared pup, whimpering as she fled, her pathetic cries echoing faintly as the door mmed shut behind her. And just like that, I was alone with him.


    Shit.


    Zena, whose fury had been an inferno mere moments ago, was now giddy and utterly useless, her anger reced by a needy, insistent chant of <i>mate, mate, mate</i> in my head.


    <i>Stupid, horny wolf.</i>


    I took a step back instinctively, but Kane didn¡¯t move. He just stood there, towering over me, his dark eyes pinning me in ce, his chest still heaving. He looked wild, untamed, like he was barely holding himself together. And worse, I could feel it¡ªthe heat rolling off him in waves, his desire hitting me like a physical force.


    How the hell did I get into this situation?


    "Kane," I started, my voice shaky, unsure of what I was even going to say. <i>Back off? Calm down? Don¡¯t eat me alive?</i> None of those seemed like great options, given the current circumstances.


    "Elena." My name came out in a growl, dark and dangerous, and my knees nearly buckled at the sound of it.


    This was bad. This was very, very bad.


    I forced myself to stand tall, to meet his gaze despite the way it made my heart race and my wolf practically wag her imaginary tail. I couldn¡¯t afford to show weakness, not now, not when he was looking at me like I was the only thing keeping him sane.


    "You should sit down," I blurted, my voice more panicked thanmanding. "You¡¯re¡ªuh¡ªyou¡¯re still under the influence of whatever that¡ªthat <i>bitch</i> gave you."


    He took a step toward me.


    Nope. Nope, nope, nope.


    I took a step back, and his eyes darkened even more, if that was even possible.


    "Running again?" he rasped, his voice low, guttural, and thick with suppressed emotion. "You¡¯re always running, Elena."


    I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "I¡¯m not running," I lied, even as I edged further away.


    His lips curled into a dark, humorless smirk. "Liar."


    Another step. Another retreat.


    I was almost at the stairs, but it didn¡¯t feel like an escape. Not when he was looking at me like that. Not when his presence felt so overwhelming, so consuming.


    "You came down to protect me," he said, his tone softening just a fraction, though his eyes were still wild. "I felt it."


    I froze, my back brushing against the bannister. "I¡ª"


    "You¡¯re mine, Elena," he said, his voice dropping even lower, his words a raw, possessive growl that sent a shiver down my spine. "And you can run, you can hide, but you¡¯ll never change that."


    My breath hitched. <i>Goddess, help me.</i>


    Zena,pletely useless now, was practically purring in my head, chanting <i>mate, mate, mate</i> like she¡¯d forgotten all the reasons we were trying to leave him in the first ce.


    "Kane," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, "you need to back off."


    His eyes softened, just for a moment, and then he stepped closer. Too close.


    I was trapped.

 Chapter 61: Zena My Horny Wolf

    <h4>Chapter 61: Zena My Horny Wolf</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    Stupid, stupid wolf and her stupid, wolfish <i>mate im</i>.


    I wanted to scream. Zena¡¯s uncontroble emotions over her mate had gotten the best of me, forcing me to expose myself when I should¡¯ve stayed hidden. My carefullyid ns to escape were now dangling by a thread, but even that wasn¡¯t the current issue.


    No, my <i>real</i> problem right now?


    An alpha mate¡ªwho was very much on heat¡ªhad cornered me, his towering form radiating power and raw, unfiltered desire.


    My back was pressed against the bannister, nowhere else to go, and Kane was standing a breath away, his ck, lust-fueled eyes pinning me in ce. He was practically vibrating with tension, the veins in his arms straining, his fists clenched at his sides like he was fighting every instinct to reach out and touch me.


    Zena was no help. None at all. She was practically prancing in my head, her smug little chant of <i>mate, mate, mate</i> echoing with no sign of stopping. <i>I hate you,</i> I snapped at her, but she just growled in satisfaction.


    "I¡¯m not going to hurt you, Elena," Kane rasped, his voice gravelly, thick with emotion. The way he said my name sent shivers down my spine, and I hated myself for the way my body reacted to it, for the way my knees wobbled just a bit.


    <i>Get it together,</i> I scolded myself.


    "Really? Because you don¡¯t look like someone who¡¯s <i>not</i> about to hurt me," I said, trying to sound defiant, though my voice betrayed my nerves.


    His lips curved into a dark, humorless smirk. "Hurt you? No. Never."


    He took a step closer, and I flinched despite myself. That seemed to make him pause, a flicker of something¡ªguilt? restraint?¡ªcrossing his features. But it was gone in a blink, reced by the intense hunger that poured off him in waves.


    "But," he added, his voice dropping lower, rougher, "I can¡¯t promise I won¡¯t make you <i>mine.</i>"


    That was it. Thest straw.


    "Goddess," I hissed, trying to force myself to sound braver than I felt, "you¡¯re insufferable."


    "I¡¯m yours," he growled, his tone unapologetic, "so maybe you should get used to it."


    My cheeks flushed, abination of frustration, embarrassment, and something far too dangerous to acknowledge.


    "Back off," I snapped, even though my voice trembled. "You¡¯re not thinking straight. Whatever she drugged you with¡ª"


    "Do you think that¡¯s why I want you right now?" he interrupted, his voice dangerously soft, sending a thrill of both fear and something else skittering down my spine. "The drugs, Elena?"


    My mouth opened, then closed, at a loss for words.


    "It¡¯s you," he said, taking another step forward. I had nowhere to go, the bannister digging into my back. "It¡¯s <i>always</i> been you."


    I swallowed hard, ring up at him despite the way my heart was racing. "You don¡¯t even know me, Kane."


    "I know enough," he said without hesitation. "I know you¡¯re mine."


    "Stop saying that!" I snapped, my frustration outweighing my fear for a moment.


    "You can¡¯t fight this, Elena," he said, his voice dropping so low it was almost a growl. His hand lifted, slowly, cautiously, like he didn¡¯t want to scare me, but the sheer intensity in his eyes was doing a damn good job of that anyway.


    My breath hitched as his fingers brushed a strand of my hair, tucking it behind my ear. His touch was warm, almost gentle, but it sent a shiver through me all the same.


    "I¡¯m not running away because I¡¯m scared of you," I said, my voice shaky but firm. "I¡¯m running because I¡¯m <i>not</i> yours. I don¡¯t belong to you, Kane."


    His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought I¡¯d gotten through to him. But then his lips curled into a dark smile, one that sent a chill racing through me.


    "You can say that all you want," he murmured, his breath ghosting over my skin, "but your scent, your wolf, your <i>soul</i>¡ªthey all say otherwise." His voice was darker primal. Shit I¡¯ve been talking to his wolf all this while. Hell....his wolf on heat not going to end well.


    And just like that, I knew I was royally screwed.


    And for a brief moment, his eyes cleared of the haze. The Kane I knew¡ªwell, the arrogant, self-absorbed one¡ªsurfaced, recing the dangerous, primal predator from moments ago.


    "Fuck, Elena," he rasped, his voice strained and almost... pleading? "You need to get away from me. As fast as possible."


    My breath caught in my throat as he continued, his fists clenched like he was barely holding himself together. "My wolf... he wants to mark you. The drug¡ªit¡¯s taken a toll on him."


    For a second, I just stood there, stunned, unsure if I¡¯d heard him right. Then, to myplete surprise, he shifted slightly, brushing aside just enough to create a narrow path for me to slip past him.


    I didn¡¯t need to be told twice. I ducked under his arm, every muscle in my body coiled, ready to sprint the moment I got a chance. My heart was pounding so hard I could barely hear anything over the rush of blood in my ears.


    But just as I thought I was in the clear¡ªjust as I slipped past him¡ªa low, dangerous growl rumbled through the air.


    "Mate," Kane growled, the word so guttural it sent a shiver down my spine.


    "Mine."


    I froze for half a second, ncing over my shoulder.


    And there he was. His eyes were pitch ck again, swirling with a feral, uncontroble hunger. The Kane who had warned me to run? Gone.


    Instead, the predator¡ªthe one who imed me, hunted me, and <i>wanted</i> me¡ªwas back.


    Fuck. Fuck. <i>Fuck.</i>


    Before I could even process it, my legs moved on instinct, bolting up the stairs like my life depended on it. Because maybe it did.


    "<i>Tsk tsk, little mate,</i>" his voice called after me, low and dripping with amusement. It wasced with a desire so potent that it rolled off him in waves, crashing into me like a tsunami.


    The aura he exuded... Goddess, it was overwhelming. If there were any female wolves around, they¡¯d already be on their knees, begging to please their Alpha. Hell, even <i>I</i> struggled to hold my footing, and I was supposed to hate him¡ªor at least, I kept telling myself I did.


    "What the hell was in that drug?" I whispered to myself, my hands gripping the banister as I bolted up the stairs.


    It wasn¡¯t just him who was losing control. <i>Zena</i> was practically wing at my mind, screaming at me to turn around, to go to our mate.


    <i>"Go back to him! Let him love us, im us, mark us!"</i> she howled, her voice filled with desperate longing.


    She was relentless. Every instinct she had screamed that Kane was ours, and we needed to submit to him, to let him do whatever he wanted to us. My skin felt like it was on fire, heated by his aura and Zena¡¯s incessant chanting.


    But no, no way in hell. I was the only sane one left here. I couldn¡¯t give in, not like this.


    "Zena, shut up!" I snapped internally, pushing her back as hard as I could. It wasn¡¯t easy; she was strong, and her emotions were tied to his. Every growl, every wave of desire he sent out only made her stronger.


    I took a sharp turn at the top of the stairs, my breathing in quick, panicked gasps. I needed to hide, <i>needed</i> to get away before Zena won¡ªor worse, before Kane caught up with me. Because if he did...


    If he did, I wasn¡¯t sure I¡¯d be able to stop him.


    Or myself.


    The big bad wolf hade to y, and oh, did he want to y.


    I reached the door of one of the guest bedrooms, my hand fumbling for the handle, but I wasn¡¯t quick enough. Kane¡¯s hand shot out, grabbing my arm.


    The mate tingles I¡¯d always heard about¡ªthe ones everyone always made such a big deal over? Yeah, they were <i>nothing</i>pared to the surge that rippled through me from his current touch. It was like an electric shock, but instead of pain, it was pure, molten heat.


    His touch wasn¡¯t just on my arm; it was as if his heat poured into me, spreading from that single point of contact and shooting straight to my core. My knees almost gave out under the force of it, and to make matters worse, Zena, my horny traitor of a wolf, was there to fan the mes.


    <i>"Imagine if his hand was somewhere else..."</i> she purred suggestively.


    Oh, Goddess, could someone exchange wolves? Because Zena was about two seconds away from handing me over to Kane on a silver tter.


    "Chicks before dicks, Zena!" I snapped at her, grasping for some form of sanity.


    Her reply? A smug, <i>"Sorry, hon, mate dick is calling me."</i>


    Seriously? This was my wolf? How did I end up with <i>her</i>?


    But the worst part? I could feel the lust coursing through her, amplified by the bond and Kane¡¯s drug-induced alpha aura. And if she was this insane now, I couldn¡¯t help but dread the day <i>I</i> went into heat.


    Because if this was what it felt like with just him being drugged, I wasn¡¯t sure I¡¯d survive the real thing.

 Chapter 62: Raw Passion

    <h4>Chapter 62: Raw Passion</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    Looking at his face was my worst mistake.


    Those eyes¡ªdark, dangerous, and full of promises¡ªpulled me into a ce I couldn¡¯t escape. A ce where passion reigned, where he whispered promises of things I¡¯d never experienced but desperately craved. And then he touched me.


    Goddess, his touch. It was gentle, almost reverent, but the fire it ignited in me was anything but. His fingers brushed against my skin, and it was like he was spreading molten desire throughout my body. My wolf, already teetering on the edge of sanity, was pushing her horniness onto me in waves.


    Yep. I was a goner. A lost cause. A burning train wreck hurtling toward a cliff, and the brakes were nowhere to be found. I was going to regret this when I was sober because now?


    Now, I was <i>definitely</i> not sober.


    His scent¡ªrich, potent,ced with the heady pull of desire¡ªwrapped around me like a, his alpha aura dragging me closer to the edge of reason. It called to every primal part of me, beckoning me to give myself away. And on top of it all, my traitorous wolf was practically begging to submit, screaming in my head about how we were made for him.


    "Why don¡¯t I show you just how much you¡¯re mine," he whispered, his lips brushing against my ear, his voice raw and dripping with seductive promise. "As much as I am yours."


    Damn. That voice. The sexiness in it was like a battering ram against the already weak wall of my self-control.


    And then he bit my earlobe, soft but possessive, sending a shiver down my spine that made my knees tremble. That was it. The final nail in my coffin.


    I was sold.


    When his lips imed mine, all coherent thought evaporated. A wildfire of desire erupted inside me, spreading fast and consuming everything in its path. His lips were firm,manding, yet they moved against mine with a sensuality that was impossible to resist.


    I me myself for staying celibate all this time. Maybe if I hadn¡¯t, I wouldn¡¯t have been this far gone, this... <i>needy</i>. But then again, I also me the Moon Goddess for giving me a mate this damn sexy. A mate with a voice that could seduce the very stars out of the sky and eyes that could bring even the strongest to their knees.


    He whispered against my lips, his voice low and sinful, painting vivid pictures in my mind of how much he wanted me and exactly what he was going to do to show me. Dirty, seductive words that shattered thest pieces of my restraint.


    His hands found my waist, pulling me closer, so close that I could feel the solid heat of his body against mine. And my wolf, that horny little traitor, chanted, <i>Yes, yes, yes,</i> like a mantra.


    There was no saving me now. Kane had mepletely, utterly, irrevocably lost.


    The kiss.


    Goddess, the kiss.


    This was only my second kiss, but damn, I didn¡¯t think I could ever get used to something like this. It was overwhelming¡ªan electric storm of sensations that left me breathless. For a brief, blissful moment, I chose to forget why I was running from him, why I hated him, why I wanted to get away.


    Right now, I wanted to pretend. Pretend that we were just... mates. Noplications, no betrayals, no anger¡ªjust the pull of the bond.


    I knew Kane wasn¡¯t entirely himself, that his wolf was partially in control, his rational mind clouded by the drug coursing through his veins. But the heat, the passion, the sheer <i>power</i> of his touch made me surrender. I gave in to the whirlwind of desire, letting it sweep me off my feet, letting it consume me.


    When he bit my lower lip, a sharp yet teasing nip, it sent a shiver down my spine. I gasped, and that¡¯s exactly what he wanted. His tongue slipped into my mouth, teasing me, tasting me, exploring me. He was in control, and the way he moved made it clear he knew exactly what he was doing.


    He reached for my hands, guiding them up and around his neck. The movement brought us closer¡ªso close that I was forced to stand on my tiptoes to keep up with him. My body pressed against his, my breasts crushed against the hard nes of his chest.


    And then I felt it.


    The solid, unmistakable evidence of his arousal pressing against me. A wave of heat coursed through me, pooling low in my stomach. My cheeks burned, but my body betrayed me, responding to him in ways I couldn¡¯t control.


    His hands¡ªoh, his hands. They moved so slowly, deliberate and confident, as they slid from my waist down to the curve of my hips, then further still, settling on my ass. When he squeezed, firm and possessive, I couldn¡¯t help the moan that escaped my lips.


    His mouth swallowed the sound, deepening the kiss as if he couldn¡¯t get enough of me.


    I was on fire.


    Every nerve in my body was lit up, every part of me hyperaware of his touch, his scent, his dominance. I didn¡¯t know where I ended and he began. The mate bond was a force of nature, and right now, it was a force I couldn¡¯t fight.


    And goddess help me... I didn¡¯t want to.


    Kane continued to kiss me, his tongue teasing mine in a dance that left me breathless. He¡¯d slip in just enough to taste me, then retreat to nip and suck on my lower lip, igniting every nerve ending in my body. His hands, thoserge, confident hands, roamed my body with purpose, squeezing and caressing my ass as if he was iming every inch of me.


    And then he started to grind into me.


    Oh, goddess.


    The slow, deliberate roll of his hips sent a spark shooting straight through me. I could feel the hard, unmistakable evidence of his arousal pressing into my lower stomach, and it drove me insane. His movements weren¡¯t rushed¡ªno, they were calcted, intentional, designed to set me on fire.


    I was so lost in this feeling, in him. Every part of me was consumed by the moment, by the overwhelming heat and the electric connection between us. My body reacted on instinct, pressing closer, meeting his grinding with my own subtle movements, seeking more friction, more of him.


    And I was so ready.


    So ready that the slick heat pooling between my thighs was undeniable. I could feel it, the dampness soaking through my panties, evidence of just how much he affected me. My legs trembled slightly under the weight of my desire, but his hands on my hips and ass kept me steady, grounding me even as he drove me to the brink of madness.


    "Kane..." I whispered, barely recognizing my own voice, thick with need.


    His response was another deep growl, primal and possessive, as he pulled me even closer, grinding harder against me. My core ached with a need I¡¯d never experienced before, and every touch, every movement of his body against mine only made it worse.


    I knew I should stop this¡ªhe wasn¡¯t in his right mind, and neither was I. But gods, it felt so good, so right, that the thought of pulling away was impossible. I was drowning in him, and for the first time, I didn¡¯t want to be saved.


    Kane growled low in his throat, the sound reverberating through my body as he grabbed one of my legs and hooked it around his waist. The shift in position brought me even closer to him, exposing my most sensitive center to the hard length of his bulge pressing against me.


    Damn.


    The sensation was overwhelming. The heat radiating from him,bined with the deliberate grind of his hips, sent shockwaves of pleasure coursing through me. I clung to him, my arms wrapped tightly around his neck as he pressed me against the door, each movement of his body driving me further into the haze of desire.


    My body responded with abandon, my juices flowing freely, soaking through my already drenched panties at an rming rate. The friction, the pressure¡ªeverything about this moment was pure fire. I could feel every inch of him through the thinyers of fabric that still separated us, and it was driving me insane.


    "Kane..." I moaned, my voice trembling with need as he shifted slightly, grinding against me with more purpose. The way he moved, the way his hands gripped my ass and his lips trailed along my jawline¡ªit all left me spiraling out of control.


    "Mine," he growled again, his voice low and dangerous, butced with something almost tender. His teeth grazed my neck, sending another jolt of heat straight to my core.


    I could barely think, let alone resist. My body waspletely at his mercy, every nerve alight with need, every instinct screaming for me to surrender.


    Kane¡¯s grinding against my core was maddening, even with the barrier of clothes between us. The pressure, the friction¡ªit was almost unbearable. My body felt hypersensitive, every nerve lit up like wildfire. The leg hooked around his waist gave him better ess, and he used it to his full advantage, his movements slow yet deliberate, each grind pulling a whimper or moan from my lips.


    His hand gripping my thigh that was hooked on him sent shivers down my spine, his fingers digging into the soft flesh as if staking his im. The other hand on my ass squeezed and kneaded, pulling me closer into him with every roll of his hips. I clung to him desperately, my arms wrapped around his neck, fingers threading through his hair for some semnce of control¡ªbut control was a losing game.


    Each ripple of pleasure had me tugging on his hair, which only seemed to spur him on further. His breaths were ragged against my neck, his lips brushing hot trails along my skin, and I could feel the low growl building in his chest vibrating through me.


    "Fuck, Kane," I moaned, my voice shaky and unrecognizable. I was losing myself, and I didn¡¯t care. I wanted more. No, I needed more.


    The heat of his body against mine wasn¡¯t enough¡ªI wanted to feel his bare skin, his strength, his everything. "Take it off," I whispered, almost pleading, my fingers tugging at the back of his shirt. The intensity in his dark, lust-filled eyes burned into me as he pulled back just enough to look at me.


    He grinned wickedly, his wolf had definitely taken over or was it the drugs, he leaned in and whispered, "Anything for you."

 Chapter 63: Marking?

    <h4>Chapter 63: Marking?</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    As Kane stepped back to yank off his t-shirt, exposing those perfectly chiseled abs that looked like they were sculpted by the gods themselves, my breath hitched. For a moment, I waspletely mesmerized¡ªhis muscles flexed with every subtle movement, his skin glistening faintly under the soft light. The sheer masculinity radiating off him was utterly intoxicating.


    But then, that small step back, that tiny sliver of distance between us, gave me just enough room to breathe. The cool air hit my face, cutting through the oppressive heat that had consumed me. The thick, heady mixture of his scent and dominant aura that had been clouding my mind thinned ever so slightly.


    And that was all it took.


    Reality came crashing down like a bucket of ice water. <i>What the hell am I doing?</i> The heat of the moment had nearly swallowed me whole, but with the temporary rity, mymon sense finally pped me across the face. This wasn¡¯t me. I wasn¡¯t some girl who got swept away by lust, drugged mate or not.


    "Kane..." I stammered, trying to step back further, my pulse racing for apletely different reason now.


    But the look in his eyes¡ªthose swirling pools of ck, zing with desire and raw need¡ªmade it clear that hesitation wasn¡¯t something he was going to entertain. His wolf was still in control, and it wasser-focused on one thing: me.


    I barely managed to m the bedroom door halfway shut before Kane¡¯s booted foot wedged itself in the frame, halting it with terrifying ease. My heart hammered in my chest as I threw my weight against the door, but it was no use. His strength was unparalleled, and the slow, ominous growl that rumbled from his chest sent a shiver down my spine.


    "Elena," he said, his voice low and dangerous, dripping with unrestrained lust and frustration. "Open the door before I break it down."


    Panic surged through me, drowning out the lingering warmth from his touch. Zena, however, was furious, pacing in my mind and howling insults. <i>"Coward! You tease him and then run? He¡¯s our mate¡ªour alpha! Let him im us!"</i>


    "Not helping, Zena!" I snapped internally as I bolted away from the door, my feet carrying me straight to the bathroom. I heard the door creak and groan under his pressure as I dashed inside and mmed it shut, locking it with trembling fingers.


    "Elena," Kane¡¯s voice called from the other side of the bathroom door, sharper now, tinged with the edge of his wolf¡¯s dominance. "You¡¯re making this harder than it needs to be."


    I pressed my back against the cool tiles, my chest heaving as I tried to steady my breathing. My body was still alight with the remnants of his touch, but my mind was racing with the absurdity of what had just happened. What the hell was I doing?


    A loud thud against the door startled me, followed by an even darker growl. "You think you can run from me, little mate? You think I don¡¯t know exactly how much you want me?" His tone was a mixture of seductive promise and primal warning.


    I swallowed hard, my cheeks flushed with a mix of shame and desire. He wasn¡¯t wrong, but that didn¡¯t mean I was going to admit it. "Kane," I called back, trying to inject some steel into my voice. "You¡¯re not in your right mind. That drug is messing with you!"


    Hisugh was low and predatory. "The drug only amplifies what¡¯s already there, Elena. Don¡¯t use it as an excuse. You feel it too. You¡¯re mine, and you know it."


    I groaned, sliding down to the floor, trying to ignore Zena, who was screaming at me to stop resisting. "You¡¯re impossible," I muttered under my breath.


    "Impossible?" Kane repeated with a smirk in his voice. "We¡¯ll see how long you keep saying that, little mate."


    The door rattled again, and I knew it was only a matter of time before his strength¡ªor his patience¡ªwould win out. I was trapped in more ways than one, and Kane was hellbent on proving there was no escape.


    I knew the door wasn¡¯t going to stop him. Who was I kidding? This was Kane¡ªthe deranged, out-of-control Alpha with his wolf practically foaming at the mouth.


    And true to form, he didn¡¯t even try to pretend patience. The pounding on the door started almost immediately, each m rattling the hinges, making my heart leap with every deafening thud. It was like he was trying to rip the damn thing off its frame.


    "Elena!" His voice was a guttural snarl,ced with both anger and unrelenting hunger. The sound sent a shiver down my spine.


    The banging didn¡¯t stop, but now there were sharp, grating noises. <i>Scratches?</i> My stomach dropped. Yep, definitely scratches¡ªdeep, wed lines ripping through the wood as if the door was made of paper.


    My breath hitched. He had shifted. His wolf was fully in control now, and it was pissed. Really pissed.


    Low, menacing growls rumbled from the other side, vibrating through the door. The sound alone sent waves of tension through my body, my wolf, Zena, whining in submission.


    <i>Great.</i> Not only was I trapped in here with no escape route, but now I was cornered by an enraged, drugged Alpha wolf. And judging by the noise outside, that door wasn¡¯t going to hold much longer.


    "Zena, you better have a n!" I hissed internally, panic creeping in.


    Her reply was a traitorous purr. <i>"Let him in. Let him im us."</i>


    "Are you insane?!"


    My wolf will be my Doom.


    The scratching stopped, and for a moment, I dared to hope. Maybe, just maybe, he had tired himself out. Maybe he¡¯d gone away to cool off, giving me some damn space to breathe and think.


    But why the hell did I have to intervene? <i>Why couldn¡¯t I just let Ashley deal with the mess she¡¯d created?</i> I should¡¯ve left her to her own demise and run as far away as possible. Instead, I¡¯d given in to whatever this <i>connection</i> was between us, and now I was stuck in this nightmare.


    Just as my heart started to settle, and I foolishly thought that maybe this was over, a deafening crash rang through the room.


    The door¡ªmyst line of defense¡ªwas ripped off its hinges like it was nothing.


    And there he stood.


    Kane.


    In all his naked glory. His massive frame blocking the doorway, dark eyes shing with raw intensity. His muscles were rippling with every movement as he prowled into the room, his body covered in sweat and still glistening from the earlier heat. His cock¡ªhard and hungry¡ªswung freely between his legs. He looked like a damn beast in human form, a predator who¡¯d caught the scent of his prey and was ready to im it.


    My breath caught in my throat as the air between us thickened, his scent overwhelming every other thought in my mind. The same intoxicating mix of desire, dominance, and power swirled around me, forcing my wolf to stir, to <i>want</i> him even more.


    But I couldn¡¯t let myself give in to this madness. Not like this. Not while he was so... <i>lost</i>.


    .....


    He shifted back to his human form after weakening the door with his wolf ws, tearing it down easily. The look in his eyes was clear: this time, he was going to finish what he had started. My wolf was a hopeless case. There was no point in relying on her. Just the sight of his cock made her pant like the animal she was. And that was the problem with creatures like her¡ªwolves thought with their emotions, not their reason.


    She was fighting me for control, wanting to im him, to show our mate that he was ours too. I couldn¡¯t even bring myself to look at it¡ªmy face flushed just from ncing in his direction. And I couldn¡¯t help wondering if it would fit. No, Elena. Don¡¯t go there.


    He started to close in on me, and I had nowhere to go. I had backed up against the bathroom wall. He smirked, his voice low and hoarse. "You¡¯ve been a bad little mate."


    God, it was so fucking hot. Especially now that his Greek-shaped body was fully exposed, every muscle trembling as he moved closer.


    Fuck, I was turning into a slut. I looked into his eyes¡ªbig mistake. I quickly closed mine, hoping that if I couldn¡¯t see him, maybe he¡¯d go away. But the opposite happened. My senses heightened, and I felt every inch of him as he closed in. His hands pressed against the wall on either side of me, trapping me in ce. I could feel his breath on my skin, hot and heavy.


    "That wasn¡¯t nice of you, little mate. Makes me want to mark you right now."


    I opened my eyes and found myself staring into his dark, dangerous, lust-filled gaze. He was really going to mark me.


    I heard pissed off a horny drugged Alpha wolf-my mate- now i was going to face the consequence.

 Chapter 64: Together

    <h4>Chapter 64: Together</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    He leaned in, his nose tracing a slow, deliberate path along my jawline. I instinctively turned my face away, but he took the opportunity to dip his face into the curve of my neck, inhaling deeply before his lips began trailing kisses along my skin.


    "I so want to fuck you everywhere in this bathroom, starting right here," he murmured possessively, his voice dark and husky. "But first, I need to mark you, so you¡¯ll know you can¡¯t run or hide from me."


    His words sent a shiver down my spine, both from fear and an undeniable spark of desire. His mouth moved to the spot where his mark should go, and he began sucking on it, the sensation pulling a gasp from my lips.


    <i>Fuck.</i> I was wavering, my resolve slipping. A part of me reconsidered everything¡ªwhether to just let this happen. But no. I clung desperately to the rational part of my mind. This was <i>not</i> the way I wanted to be marked. Not like this!


    My hands frantically searched for anything I could use¡ªanything at all to stop him. My fingers finally found a switch¡ª<i>the shower tap</i>. Just as he leaned in, his lips brushing dangerously close to my neck, I turned it on.


    A gush of icy water poured down, soaking us both instantly. "What the fuck!" he growled, recoiling as the freezing spray hit him.


    The deep, lust-filled haze in his eyes seemed to ease slightly, softening ever so slightly into a mixture of shock and frustration. Thank the goddess¡ªit worked. Well, at least a little.


    He just stood there, the cold water pooling at his feet, his dark, lust-filled eyes gradually clearing. The heavy haze of his wolf faded, reced by the man I knew¡ªKane. "You came back," he said, his voice no longer dark and dangerous, but rough with emotion. Kane was in control now, not his wolf.


    I didn¡¯t reply. I couldn¡¯t. I just stood there, watching him. The water streamed over his body, gliding over every taut muscle of his broad chest, down the carved ridges of his abs, before dripping lower, vanishing beneath the V shaped.... <i>Don¡¯t look,</i> I told myself. <i>Don¡¯t.</i> But my eyes betrayed me, flicking downward, tracking every tantalizing movement of the droplets. <i>Fuck, Elena, stop!</i>


    Zena, my shameless wolf, growled in frustration at me for stopping him earlier. <i>Our mate was ready to mark us, and you stopped him?</i> she hissed, her anger simmering as she pushed shes of desire into my mind.


    He stood there a moment longer, his wet hair stered to his face, water trickling down the curve of his strong jaw. My soaked clothes clung to me, turning translucent, and I noticed the flicker of heat in his eyes as they briefly dipped to take in the sight. His jaw clenched, and he tore his gaze away, taking a steadying breath.


    Without a word, he turned to leave, and that was when I saw it¡ªthe smooth expanse of his hard back, every muscle shifting with his movements, the way the water glistened on his bronzed skin. Then my eyes traveled lower, catching the firm curve of his perfectly sculpted butt before he disappeared through the door.


    <i>Fuck. How is this guy even real?</i><i></i>


    I stood in the shower for a while after Kane left, the cold water pooling at my feet as my thoughts spiraled. With a sigh, I turned off the water, ncing at the ruined door. There was nothing to lock anymore, no barrier to keep him out. My chest tightened at the thought of him walking in again, so I moved quickly.


    I peeled off my wet clothes, the fabric clinging stubbornly to my skin. Grabbing a towel, I rubbed my hair dry and then wrapped it up before slipping on a robe. The entire time, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of his presence, like he could reappear at any moment. My eyes darted over my shoulder constantly, nervous and shy, even though I knew it was irrational. I mean, it wasn¡¯t like Kane hadn¡¯t already seen me naked. But still... <i>I¡¯m shy, okay?</i>


    Wrapping the robe tightly around me, I stepped out of the bathroom and froze. Kane was sitting on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands, wearing only a pair of shorts. His broad shoulders were slumped, his usually powerful frame looking smaller somehow, like the weight of the world was pressing him down. My heart clenched painfully at the sight.


    <i>This is it, isn¡¯t it? I can¡¯t run anymore,</i> I thought as I took a tentative step toward him. Kane¡¯s head lifted slightly, and his tired eyes locked onto mine. For a moment, I saw something raw and vulnerable in his expression¡ªguilt, maybe even shame. He looked utterly dejected, and it broke something inside me.


    When he beckoned me closer, I didn¡¯t hesitate. My feet carried me to him before I even had a chance to think. As soon as I was within reach, he pulled me into his arms, wrapping them securely around my waist. I didn¡¯t resist.


    Kane buried his face against my chest, holding me as though I might disappear again. His strength surrounded me, but his vulnerability hit me harder than anything else. He was so tall that even sitting, his head rested against my corbone, his breath warm against my skin.


    We stayed like that for a while, silent but connected, before he spoke. His voice was low and raw with emotion.


    "I¡¯m sorry," he murmured, his grip tightening. "I¡¯m sorry I drove you away. I was so worried I¡¯d never see you again... worried something terrible had happened to you. And then you saw me with Ashley, and... and I came onto you. I almost marked you without your consent. I¡¯m so sorry."


    I felt his body tremble slightly against mine as he continued, his words pouring out like a desperate confession.


    "But please... don¡¯t leave me. Don¡¯t leave me again. I¡¯ll try to be better, I swear. I¡¯ll be the mate you deserve. Just don¡¯t run from me. Promise me, Elena. Punch me, yell at me, throw something at me, but please, just... don¡¯t run from me again."


    His voice cracked, and the plea in his words struck me dumb. I stood there, frozen, my hands hovering awkwardly by my sides as I tried to process everything he¡¯d just said. This... this was not how I¡¯d expected this day to end.


    I didn¡¯t know what to say, didn¡¯t know how to respond. But as I looked down at him, vulnerable and pleading, I knew one thing for sure¡ªthis man, my mate, wasn¡¯t the arrogant alpha I thought he was. He was broken, too. And right now, he was putting all his broken pieces in my hands.


    I felt my chest tighten as Kane¡¯s words settled into me, each one a vulnerable, raw plea that left me shaken. He was still holding me tightly, his face buried against my chest like he was afraid I¡¯d disappear if he let go. His warmth seeped into me, but so did his fear, his guilt, and his hope.


    For a long moment, I stayed frozen, not knowing what to say or do. Then, something deep inside me cracked, and I finally wrapped my arms around him. My fingers gently threaded through his damp hair, and I let out a shaky breath.


    "I won¡¯t run again," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I promise, Kane. I¡¯ll try, too. I¡¯ll try to be a better mate."


    He went still at my words, like he was holding his breath. Slowly, he pulled back just enough to look at me, his dark eyes searching mine. For the first time in what felt like forever, I saw the man behind the Alpha¡ªsoft, vulnerable, human. His lips parted as though he wanted to say something, but he didn¡¯t. Instead, his arms tightened around me again, pulling me back into his chest.


    Relief radiated from him, and I could feel it in the way he held me, in the way his breathing slowed. He pressed a soft kiss to the top of my head, and for a moment, we just stood there, wrapped in each other.


    After a while, Kane pulled back and cupped my face in his hands, his thumbs brushing against my cheeks. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You don¡¯t know what that means to me."


    I gave him a small, hesitant smile. "It means a lot to me, too."


    He kissed my forehead gently, and the tenderness of the gesture sent a warmth blooming in my chest. Without another word, he stood and led me to the other said of the bed. His grip on my hand was firm but not demanding, like he was afraid to let go but didn¡¯t want to push me.


    When we reached the other side of the bed, Kane pulled back the covers and gestured for me to lie down first. I hesitated for just a second before sliding under the nkets. He followed, settling in behind me, and I felt his strong arms wrap around my waist as he pulled me against his chest.


    His warmth enveloped mepletely, and I let myself rx into his hold. It felt safe here, despite everything. His steady breathing tickled the back of my neck, and I could feel his heartbeat against my back.


    "I¡¯ll keep my promises, Elena," he murmured, his voice soft and sincere. "I¡¯ll never hurt you again."


    I didn¡¯t respond, but I covered his hand with mine, letting him know I¡¯d heard him. Slowly, my eyes fluttered shut as the tension in my body drained away.


    Kane held me close, spooning me protectively, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt at peace. As sleep began to pull me under, I whispered, "We¡¯ll figure this out. Together."


    I felt his lips press a soft kiss against my shoulder, and his grip on me tightened slightly. "Together," he echoed, and I fell asleep in his arms, feeling safer than I ever thought possible.

 Chapter 65: Morning After Promises

    <h4>Chapter 65: Morning After Promises</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    The morning light seeped through the curtains, soft and warm, casting a golden glow across the room. My eyes fluttered open to the quiet sound of Kane¡¯s steady breathing behind me. His arm was wrapped securely around my waist, the weight of it grounding and protective, while my back pressed firmly against his broad chest. His warmth seeped into me, and for a moment, I simply stayed still, savoring the quiet intimacy.


    Everything about him was overwhelming¡ªhis sheer size, the solid, unyielding feel of his body against mine, and the way his hand syed across my stomach as if he were afraid I¡¯d vanish in the night. His breathing was deep and even, but his hold tightened slightly when I shifted, pulling me closer, as if he instinctively knew I was awake and thinking about moving.


    I smiled softly to myself, recalling the promises we had made to each otherst night. To try, tomunicate, to be better mates. The memory of his broken voice as he pleaded with me not to leave still echoed in my chest, tugging at my heart. I knew then that no matter how terrifying this bond felt at times, I wasn¡¯t going anywhere.


    When I moved again, trying to adjust my position, I heard a low growl rumble from deep within his chest. It wasn¡¯t threatening or angry¡ªmore of a sleepy, possessive sound. I froze, surprised, and felt the tip of his nose nuzzle against the curve of my neck.


    "Don¡¯t move," he mumbled, his voice thick and raspy with sleep. "Just stay here a little longer."


    "Kane," I whispered, biting back a smile, "it¡¯s morning. I need to get up."


    "No," he muttered stubbornly, tightening his grip on my waist. "Morning can wait."


    I felt his lips brush lightly against the back of my neck, warm and soft, sending shivers down my spine. His hand slid slightly upward, resting just under my ribs, his thumb absentmindedly stroking small circles on my skin. I swallowed hard, my resolve to get out of bed melting with every touch.


    "Kane," I tried again, my voice weaker this time. "I have things to do."


    "Not right now, you don¡¯t," he murmured, his voice quieter but no lessmanding. He shifted slightly, and I felt the scruff of his jaw graze my shoulder as his lips continued their gentle exploration. "You¡¯re mine for a little longer."


    Heat bloomed across my cheeks, and I couldn¡¯t help but let out a softugh. "You¡¯re impossible."


    "And you¡¯re perfect," he countered without missing a beat, his lips now trailing down the side of my neck. "Now stop arguing and let me hold you."


    I didn¡¯t have much of a choice, not with the way his body enveloped mine sopletely, keeping me cocooned in his warmth. And honestly, I wasn¡¯t sure I wanted to leave his arms. There was something intoxicating about being this close to him, about the way he touched me like I was something precious.


    His kisses grew bolder, lingering on the sensitive spots just below my ear and along my corbone. Each press of his lips sent little sparks of electricity shooting through me, making it harder and harder to think straight. My hand instinctively reached back, tangling in his hair, and I heard a satisfied hum rumble from him in response.


    "You¡¯re distracting me," I said weakly, though my words held no real conviction.


    "Good," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You distracted me first. You distracted me the moment you walked into my life, Elena. And now you¡¯re stuck with me."


    I turned slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse of his face. His dark eyes were soft but still carried a smoldering intensity that made my heart skip a beat. His messy hair fell slightly into his face, and his lips curved into azy, half-awake smile that was almost boyish, if not for the raw heat in his gaze.


    "Stuck with you?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow. "That¡¯s one way to describe it."


    He grinned, and before I could say anything else, he leaned in, capturing my lips in a slow, tender kiss. It wasn¡¯t rushed or demanding¡ªit was deliberate, as though he wanted to savor every second, every touch. His hand moved up to cradle my face, his thumb brushing against my cheek, and I melted into him without a second thought.


    When we finally pulled apart, he rested his forehead against mine, his eyes searching mine with an expression so open and vulnerable it made my chest ache.


    "You¡¯re not just stuck with me," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "You¡¯re my everything, Elena. My mate. My home. I don¡¯t think I could survive losing you."


    I reached up, cupping his face in my hands. "You¡¯re not going to lose me, Kane," I said softly. "I¡¯m here. I¡¯m not going anywhere. And... I¡¯ll try to be better too. For us."


    His eyes softened even more, and for a moment, he just looked at me, like he was memorizing every detail of my face. Then, without warning, he wrapped both arms around me, pulling me into a tight embrace that made me feelpletely and utterly safe.


    "You have no idea how much that means to me," he murmured against my hair. "No idea."


    We stayed like that for what felt like hours, wrapped up in each other, the rest of the world fading away. His fingers tracedzy patterns along my back, and I let myself rx fully for the first time in what felt like forever. For once, I wasn¡¯t overthinking or worrying. I was just... present, in this moment, with him.


    Eventually, Kane shifted slightly, leaning back against the pillows and pulling me with him so that I was resting against his chest. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head, his hand still holding me securely by the waist.


    "You¡¯re not getting up anytime soon," he announced, a teasing note creeping into his voice. "I¡¯ve decided this is where you belong. Right here. With me."


    I rolled my eyes but couldn¡¯t suppress the smile tugging at my lips. "Is that so?"


    "Absolutely," he said, his tone smug. "The world can wait. Right now, it¡¯s just us."


    And for once, I found myself agreeing. There was nowhere else I wanted to be.


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    The first thing I became aware of was her warmth. Not just her body against mine, but her presence¡ªsoft, steady, grounding. My arm was draped around her waist, fingers brushing the curve of her stomach, holding her close like I might wake up and find her gone. Except this time, she didn¡¯t pull away. She wasn¡¯t trying to leave.


    That alone sent a surge of emotion through me so strong I didn¡¯t know how to name it. Relief? Gratitude? Possession? Maybe all of it, twisted together in a way only she could make me feel.


    I shifted slightly, pressing my face into the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent. It was faintly sweet, warm, and so distinctly Elena it made my chest tighten. My wolf stirred, not in agitation this time, but with a deep, rumbling satisfaction. She was ours. She¡¯d stayed.


    My hold on her tightened reflexively when she moved, her body tensing for a moment before rxing again. The wolf in me growled low in contentment, and I buried my nose against her skin, letting her scent calm every restless part of me.


    And then it hit me¡ªthe memories ofst night, of her standing there drenched and vulnerable telling me to get a grip of myself when I was on the verge of marking her. I hade to my senses with the help of the cold water and I had been so ashamed of what I might have done. I had beg for her forgiveness and promised to be a better mate. Her response had been hesitant but honest, her eyes full of a hope I hadn¡¯t dared let myself believe in until then. I¡¯d held her, whispered my own desperate promises, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I¡¯d gone to bed without the fear that she¡¯d slip away.


    She was still here. My mate, my everything, lying in my arms without running, without fighting me.


    I wanted to stay like this forever, but then I felt her shift again, this time more deliberately. The loss of her warmth, even for a second, was uneptable. A growl slipped from my throat, quiet but enough to make her still.


    "Don¡¯t move," I muttered, my voice rough with sleep. "Just stay."


    "Kane," she whispered, her voice soft and teasing, but I could hear the smile in it. "It¡¯s morning. I need to get up."


    "No," I said firmly, pulling her even closer, my arm tightening around her waist. "Morning can wait. You¡¯re not going anywhere."


    She let out a quietugh, and the sound was like a balm to the raw edges of my soul. I felt her rx again, and I took the opportunity to press a kiss to the soft skin just below her ear. She shivered, and my lips curved into a smile against her neck.


    "Impossible," she muttered under her breath, but she didn¡¯t try to move again.


    "Maybe," I murmured, my voice quieter now, more intimate. "But you¡¯re still mine, Elena. And I¡¯m not letting you go."


    The words came out possessive, raw, but I didn¡¯t regret them. They were the truth, and I¡¯d stopped trying to hide how much I needed her. I trailed kisses along the side of her neck, slow and deliberate, savoring the way her breathing hitched.


    "Stop distracting me," she said weakly, her voicecking any real conviction.


    "Never," I replied, grinning against her skin. "You distracted me first, you know. Ever since the moment Iid eyes on you, you¡¯ve been all I can think about."


    She turned slightly, just enough for me to catch a glimpse of her face. Her eyes met mine, and for a moment, I couldn¡¯t breathe. The way she looked at me¡ªlike I was something worth staying for¡ªundid mepletely.


    I cupped her face in my hand, brushing my thumb along her cheek. "You have no idea how much this means to me," I said softly. "Waking up with you here, in my arms, not trying to run or push me away... It¡¯s everything, Elena. You¡¯re everything."


    Her cheeks flushed, and I couldn¡¯t resist leaning in to kiss her. It was slow and gentle, a far cry from the desperate passion ofst night. This was something else entirely¡ªsomething deeper, more real.


    When I pulled back, I rested my forehead against hers, my fingers threading through her hair. "I¡¯ll never stop proving myself to you," I murmured. "Never."


    Her hand came up to rest against my chest, right over my heart. "And I¡¯ll try too," she said quietly, her voice steady despite the vulnerability in her eyes. "I¡¯ll try to be better. For us."


    Those words undid me all over again. I kissed her once more, harder this time, pouring everything I felt into it¡ªgratitude, love, and the overwhelming need to protect and cherish her for as long as I had breath in my body.


    When we finally pulled apart, I pulled her back against my chest, wrapping both arms around her like I could shield her from the world.


    "You¡¯re not getting up anytime soon," I said, my voice lighter now, teasing.


    Sheughed, the sound vibrating through me. "You can¡¯t keep me here forever."


    "Watch me," I replied smugly, nuzzling the top of her head. "This is where you belong. Right here, with me."


    She rolled her eyes, but I could hear the smile in her voice when she said, "Is that so?"


    "Absolutely," I said, pressing another kiss to her temple. "The world can wait. Right now, you¡¯re all that matters."


    And for the first time in my life, I felt like everything was exactly as it should be.


    Only to remember the contract was still lying in the sitting room shit!

 Chapter 66: Chattered Breakfast

    <h4>Chapter 66: Chattered Breakfast</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV</strong>


    I needed to move fast. That damn contract had been haunting me for weeks, but now, with Elena back in my arms, it felt like a ticking time bomb. If she saw it¡ªif she knew¡ªI wasn¡¯t sure we¡¯d recover. Not after all the progress we madest night.


    Elena stirred slightly in my arms, and I immediately tightened my hold, not ready to let her go just yet. Her warmth against me, her soft breathing, the way she smelled like everything good in the world¡ªit was enough to calm the chaos in my mind.


    Until she started grumbling.


    "Do you always squeeze people this hard in the morning?" she muttered, her toneced with mock irritation.


    I smirked against her hair. "Only when they¡¯re mine."


    She rolled her eyes, though she didn¡¯t try to pull away. "You¡¯re irritating, you know that?"


    "So I¡¯ve been told," I said lightly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. But even as I tried to focus on her, the nagging thought of that contract wouldn¡¯t leave me alone. I needed to act, and I needed to act now.


    A few momentster, she shifted again, her irritation starting to build. "Kane," she said, her voice sterner this time, "as much as I appreciate the possessive cuddling, I¡¯m starving. And I¡¯m still mad at you."


    I stifled augh. Of course she was mad; Elena always had a fire in her that kept me on my toes. But I also knew her anger wasn¡¯t directed at me right now¡ªat least, not entirely. It was the aftermath of everything we¡¯d been through, everything she¡¯d been holding inside.


    "I know, sweetheart," I said softly, brushing her hair back from her face. "But you¡¯ll feel better after a hot shower and some breakfast."


    She tilted her head, narrowing her eyes at me suspiciously. "You¡¯re being unusually agreeable this morning. What¡¯s the catch?"


    "No catch," I said quickly, giving her my most innocent smile. "I just figured you could freshen up while I go make us something to eat. Thought I¡¯d do something nice for my mate."


    Her brow arched, and I could see the wheels turning in her head. Damn it, she was too smart for her own good.


    "You? Cook?" she asked, her skepticism clear.


    "I¡¯m capable of more than you think, Elena," I said with mock offense. "Besides, I owe you a good meal after everything."


    She stared at me for a moment longer, clearly debating whether to push the issue. Finally, she sighed and got up, muttering something about how she¡¯d believe it when she saw it.


    The moment the bathroom door clicked shut behind her, I sprang into action. My heart pounded as I moved swiftly through the room, my eyes scanning for where I¡¯d stashed the damn thing. The contract wasn¡¯t just a piece of paper¡ªit was a symbol of all the mistakes I¡¯d made, all the ways I¡¯d tried to control what couldn¡¯t be controlled.


    I found itying on the floor next to the table the stupid wine Ashley had brought was still there and the sses. I folded the contract carefully, my mind racing with options. Burn it? Destroy it? Hide it somewhere she¡¯d never find it? None of those felt right. This was something I¡¯d eventually have to face¡ªsomething we¡¯d have to face together. But not today. Today, I just wanted to keep the peace.


    I took the contract tucked it in the bottom drawer of the below the TV. I sure hope she wouldn¡¯t bring it up.


    I didn¡¯t want her to see this. Not yet. Not when we were finally starting to find our footing. She¡¯d think I am a freek, a .....gosh I don¡¯t know but it wouldn¡¯t be Mr. Charming. And maybe I she might feel it impossible to please me sexually and all those nasty things Ashley had told her before wille back taunting her. But it was never about fulfilling my desires ¡ªit was all about her.


    After tucking the contract into a more secure hiding spot, I let out a breath I hadn¡¯t realized I was holding. The tension in my shoulders eased slightly, but the guilt lingered.


    The sound of the shower turning on snapped me back to reality. I nced toward the guest room door, imagining her standing under the water, her hair wet and clinging to her skin. My wolf growled softly, a possessive edge to the sound.


    "Not now," I muttered under my breath, trying to focus.


    I headed toward the kitchen, determined to make good on my promise of breakfast. Cooking wasn¡¯t exactly my specialty, but I¡¯d figure it out. Anything to keep her happy, to keep her from asking too many questions.


    As I started pulling out ingredients, I couldn¡¯t shake the nagging thought that this was only a temporary solution. The contract woulde back to haunt me eventually, and when it did, I¡¯d have to face the fallout.


    But for now, I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the simple act of making breakfast for my mate. Because for once, I didn¡¯t want to dwell on the mistakes of the past or the uncertainties of the future.


    For once, I just wanted to enjoy this fragile, fleeting peace we¡¯d found. And I¡¯d do whatever it took to protect it.


    <strong>.....</strong>


    Okay, I know it wasn¡¯t good for me to forget about my pack members. They¡¯re my responsibility, my family. But in my defense, when you finally get your stubborn, fiery mate to agree to be with you¡ªto <i>really</i> try¡ªit can carry your mind to apletely different world. And I¡¯ll admit, with everything that happenedst night and this morning, I was so wrapped up in Elena that I didn¡¯t send out the usual morning instructions to my trackers.


    That was a mistake.


    The reminder came when my beta, Lucas, stormed in mid-morning, all business, wondering why the hell I wasn¡¯t out there with them like I always was. But the funny part? He found me in the middle of the kitchen, ring at the burnt pancakes I¡¯d just pulled off the skillet. The stupid things were ckened on one side and mushy on the other, and smoke was trailingzily toward the ceiling.


    I didn¡¯t even bother exining myself when he walked in¡ªI was too irritated with my so-called "cooking skills."


    Lucas raised a brow, his nose wrinkling as he sniffed the air. "What the hell is that smell?"


    "Breakfast," I grunted, tossing the ruined pancakes into the trash and grabbing for the bowl of batter again.


    "<i>That¡¯s</i> breakfast?" he asked, crossing his arms and leaning casually against the doorframe. He was enjoying this too much, the bastard. "You trying to kill someone, or are you just sabotaging yourself?"


    "Do you have a reason for being here, or are you just here to judge my cooking?" I snapped, pouring another toorge dollop of batter into the skillet.


    Lucas shrugged. "The trackers. They are already out looking for leads, thinking we were still on high alert and searching for your run away mate. Only, no one bothered to tell them to stand down. When you didn¡¯t show up this morning, I figured something was up." His eyes flicked to the pancakes. "Didn¡¯t think it¡¯d be <i>this</i>, though."


    I sighed, scrubbing a hand down my face. Damn it, he was right. The trackers had been working themselves to the bone since Elena had run, searching every inch of the surrounding area for any sign of her. And now that she was back, I should¡¯ve informed them immediately that there was no need to keep looking.


    "Fine. I¡¯ll handle it," I muttered, flipping the pancake¡ªwhich promptly tore in half. "Just... give me a minute."


    Lucas raised an eyebrow at me, his gaze sweeping over the mess I was making in the kitchen. "You sure you¡¯re handling anything right now?"


    I shot him a re. "Don¡¯t you have something better to do than stand here and annoy me?"


    He smirked but pushed off the doorframe, clearly deciding not to push his luck. "Sure thing, Alpha. Just don¡¯t burn the ce down. "


    After Lucas¡ªmy ever-so-helpful beta¡ªleft me to my pancake disaster earlier, I knew I couldn¡¯t avoid my responsibilities much longer. Elena was freshening up, and while I was trying my best to make something edible for her, I also needed to tie up loose ends with my trackers. They¡¯d been scouring the area for days, pouring every ounce of energy into finding her. It was time to let them know their search was over¡ªand maybe salvage whatever dignity I had left before Lucas came back with more sarcasm.


    So, I called Marcus, the lead tracker.


    The line rang only once before his gravelly voice came through. "Alpha."


    "Marcus," I started, keeping my tone steady, "you can call the search off. My mate is back, safe and sound. There¡¯s no need to keep looking."


    There was a pause on the other end, long enough for me to picture the smirk that was undoubtedly spreading across his face. "So, she¡¯s back, huh?" he drawled, his voiceced with amusement. "And here I thought we¡¯d be searching till the next full moon. Guess that exins why you¡¯ve been... preupied."


    I gritted my teeth. "What¡¯s that supposed to mean?"


    "Oh, nothing," Marcus said, far too casually for my liking. "Just heard from Lucas that you¡¯ve been busy... torturing pancakes this morning."


    Of course. Lucas and his big mouth.


    "Is there a point to this conversation, or are you just enjoying yourself at my expense?" I growled.


    He chuckled, unbothered by my tone. "No point, Alpha. Just saying, it¡¯s good to hear things are getting better. Sounds like she¡¯s warming up to you."


    The warmth of his words caught me off guard, softening the edge of my frustration. Marcus wasn¡¯t just a tracker; he was one of my most trusted pack members. His loyalty and blunt honesty were qualities I valued¡ªeven if they grated on my nerves sometimes.


    "Things are... improving," I admitted after a moment, my voice quieting.


    "Well, that¡¯s good news. We¡¯ll spread the word to the others. No need to keepbing through the woods for someone who¡¯s already home."


    I replied with "Go home to your mate before she startining to me that I took you away from her."


    "Understood, Alpha," he replied, his tone immediately serious. "But if I were you, I¡¯d focus on making her breakfast edible before worrying about anything else."


    I didn¡¯t bother replying to that. Instead, I hung up and tossed my phone onto the counter, muttering under my breath about insufferable betas and smug trackers.


    Still, I couldn¡¯t deny the flicker of relief that settled in my chest. The search was officially over, and Elena was safe. That was all that mattered.


    As I turned back to the pancakes, I caught sight of myself in the reflective surface of the microwave. My hair was slightly disheveled, and there was a streak of batter on my arm. Great. I looked as much a mess as I felt.


    I cleaned up quickly, determined to at least look somewhat presentable when Elena came out. Just as I finished setting the table¡ªthis time with a stack of pancakes that were only slightly charred¡ªI heard her soft footsteps behind me.

 Chapter 67: Burnt Breakfast

    <h4>Chapter 67: Burnt Breakfast</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV</strong>


    Mrs. Parker, the staff member in charge of cleaning my ce, arrived. She was efficient, quiet, and knew how to keep out of my personal business, which was exactly why I liked having her around.


    When she walked into the kitchen and saw me standing over the mess of batter, her eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Alpha," she greeted, bowing her head respectfully.


    "Morning, Mrs. Parker," I said, trying to sound casual as I flipped another pancake¡ªand promptly overcooked it.


    She looked at me, her expression carefully neutral. "Would you like me to prepare breakfast for you today?"


    It would¡¯ve been easy to say yes, to let her take over and fix the disaster I¡¯d created. But something in me refused. This wasn¡¯t about just making breakfast¡ªit was about doing something for Elena. Something small but meaningful.


    "Not today," I told her, forcing a smile. "Actually, I was going to suggest you take the day off. Go home, rest. Tomorrow, though, I¡¯ll need you to bring someone in to fix the guest room bathroom door."


    Her brows lifted slightly, but she didn¡¯t ask questions. That was another thing I liked about her¡ªshe didn¡¯t pry. "As you wish, Alpha," she said, gathering her cleaning supplies.


    I walked her to the door, watching her leave before returning to the kitchen to confront my nemesis: breakfast.


    I wasn¡¯t going to give up. Not today. Not when this was for her.


    By the time I heard the shower stop, I¡¯d managed to make a passable stack of pancakes¡ªonly slightly overcooked¡ªand had scrambled some eggs. It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it was edible.


    Hearing her soft footsteps approaching, I quickly set the tes on the table, brushing my hands on my jeans to try and look moreposed than I felt.


    When Elena walked into the kitchen, her hair still damp and her cheeks flushed from the shower, she paused, her eyesnding on the table.


    "You... cooked?" she asked, her voiceced with surprise and, I hoped, a little bit of admiration.


    "Don¡¯t sound so shocked," I said, pulling out a chair for her. "I told you I¡¯m capable of more than you think."


    She smirked, sitting down and examining the food. "Hmm. We¡¯ll see."


    Despite her teasing tone, I could see the softness in her eyes, the way her lips curved into a small smile. And in that moment, as we sat down together for a breakfast I¡¯d poured my heart into, I knew it had been worth the chaos of the morning.


    She examined the te in front of her, poking one of the pancakes with her fork. "But I might have a point. These look... interesting."


    "Elena," I warned, narrowing my eyes.


    "What? I¡¯m just saying, they¡¯re... unique." She bit back augh, but I could see the sparkle of amusement in her eyes.


    Despite her teasing, she took a bite, and her expression softened almost instantly.


    "They¡¯re good," she said after a moment, her tone quieter.


    I raised an eyebrow. "Really?"


    She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Really. Thank you, Kane."


    Her words, simple as they were, sent a surge of warmth through me. It wasn¡¯t just about the pancakes¡ªit was the fact that she appreciated the effort. That she saw me trying.


    "You¡¯re wee," I said, my voice softer now.


    As I watched her, the sunlight catching in her hair and illuminating her face, I couldn¡¯t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. For the first time in a long while, things were starting to feel... right.


    And I¡¯d be damned if I let anything ruin that.


    Whatever it took to make her happy, I¡¯d do it. Burnt pancakes and all.


    As we sat at the table, the tension was finally easing, even with my failed attempt at breakfast staring us in the face. Elena had been picking at her pancake more than actually eating it, but I figured maybe she was just being shy. It wasn¡¯t until she started looking <i>too</i> focused on chewing, her expression tightening like she was fighting for her life, that I realized something was wrong.


    Trying to salvage the moment, I leaned back in my chair and said casually, "You know, I could cook lunch for you too if you¡¯d like."


    The words were barely out of my mouth when she shot up from her chair. "No, no, no. Absolutely not. No more cooking for you," she said, waving her hands in front of her like I¡¯d just suggested something catastrophic.


    I froze, blinking up at her. Her reaction was... dramatic, to say the least. The pieces began to click together, and my stomach sank. <i>The pancakes. They¡¯re awful, aren¡¯t they?</i>


    I cleared my throat, trying to y it cool but failing miserably. "Wait a second," I said slowly, narrowing my eyes at her. "Are they... are they <i>that</i> terrible?"


    Elena hesitated, her expression caught between guilt and humor, like she wasn¡¯t sure how to break the news without crushing me. "Uh... well," she started, and then gave me the weakest, most apologetic nod I¡¯ve ever seen.


    I stared at her, dumbfounded. "But you said they were good!"


    She winced, and her voice softened like she was trying tofort a wounded animal. "I didn¡¯t want to hurt your feelings."


    That was it. The confidence I¡¯d been clinging to shattered. "Oh, fuck," I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck. "I¡¯m really stupid, aren¡¯t I?"


    Elena gave me a small, sheepish smile. "No, not stupid. Just... maybe not the world¡¯s greatest cook."


    "Gee, thanks," I grumbled, leaning forward to re at the offending pancakes. My pride demanded I at least <i>try</i> them myself, so I grabbed a fork, cut off a piece, and shoved it into my mouth.


    The second it hit my tongue, I regretted every decision that led me to this moment. <i>Yuck</i>. It was like eating soggy cardboard with a hint of burnt sadness. I forced it down with difficulty and red at the te. "So much for my romantic breakfast," I murmured under my breath.


    I heard Elenaugh softly, and when I looked up, she was standing beside me, her arms crossed and a teasing smirk on her face. "Well," she said, tilting her head slightly, "I¡¯ll let you assist me with lunch. <i>Maybe</i>. But only if you promise not to touch the stove."


    Her words, yful as they were, sent a small flicker of hope through me. "You¡¯d actually let me help?" I asked, looking up at her with a raised eyebrow.


    She rolled her eyes but smiled. "I¡¯ll <i>allow</i> it. But we¡¯re keeping things simple."


    I couldn¡¯t stop the grin that tugged at the corners of my mouth. It wasn¡¯t the sweeping romantic gesture I¡¯d envisioned, but the fact that she was willing to let me be part of something¡ªeven something as simple as making lunch together¡ªfelt like a win.


    As she walked to the fridge, she pulled out a loaf of bread and a carton of juice. She ced them on the table and began pouring two sses of juice. "For now," she said, handing me one of the sses, "let¡¯s just stick to something safe for breakfast. Bread and juice."


    I chuckled softly, taking the ss from her. "Safe, huh? You don¡¯t trust me to redeem myself with something else?"


    She gave me a pointed look. "Not unless you n on taking cooking lessons in the next five minutes."


    I shook my head, grinning despite myself. "Harsh."


    "Honest," she corrected, taking a sip of her juice.


    We sat back down at the table, sharing a quiet moment as we munched on the makeshift breakfast. It wasn¡¯t fancy or borate¡ªjust bread and juice¡ªbut somehow, it felt... good. Comfortable.


    "You¡¯re really serious about this, huh?" I asked after a while, breaking the silence.


    She raised an eyebrow. "Serious about what?"


    "Letting me help with lunch," I rified, leaning forward slightly. "You¡¯re not just saying that to make me feel better?"


    Elena¡¯s lips quirked into a small smile, and she shrugged. "I figure if we¡¯re going to be mates, we might as well learn how to tolerate each other in the kitchen. Besides," she added, her tone light and teasing, "someone¡¯s gotta make sure you don¡¯t poison yourself."


    Iughed, a deep, genuine sound that even surprised me a little. "Fair enough."


    As we finished our simple breakfast, I found myself watching her more than I cared to admit. There was something about the way she moved¡ªeffortless and unguarded¡ªthat made my chest feel lighter. She didn¡¯t even seem to realize how much she affected me, how much every little thing she did seemed to draw me in further.


    For years, I¡¯d been searching, waiting for the mate that was supposed toplete me. And now, here she was¡ªfiery, stubborn, and entirely unlike anyone I¡¯d ever known. She wasn¡¯t perfect, and neither was I, but maybe that was the point. Maybe we didn¡¯t have to be perfect, as long as we were willing to meet each other halfway.


    "So," I said as we stood up to clear the table, "what¡¯s the n for lunch?"


    Elena turned to me, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Something easy. Something you <i>can¡¯t</i> mess up."


    "Challenge epted," I said with a smirk, following her into the kitchen.


    And as we started rummaging through the fridge together, herughter filling the room as I tried to sneak a piece of cheese and failed miserably, I realized something.


    It didn¡¯t matter if I wasn¡¯t the world¡¯s greatest cook. It didn¡¯t matter if my first attempt at a romantic breakfast had been a total disaster. What mattered was this¡ªtheughter, the banter, the small steps we were taking to build something together.


    And I¡¯d dly burn a hundred more pancakes if it meant seeing that smile on her face again.


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 Chapter 68: The New Beginning Tainted By The Ghost Of The Closet

    <h4>Chapter 68: The New Beginning Tainted By The Ghost Of The Closet</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV</strong>


    Okay, I¡¯ll admit it¡ªKane can be charming when he wants to be. Sometimes infuriating, sure, but when he softens up like he did this morning, he¡¯s almost impossible to resist. I knew the second he said he¡¯d make breakfast that the results would probably be disastrous, but it was the effort that mattered. And honestly? It was kind of endearing.


    He was so proud, watching me as I ate those god-awful pancakes. I had to tell him they were great, even though every bite felt like I wasmitting some sort of culinary crime against my taste buds. The way his face lit up at my half-heartedpliment was enough to make me bite back the truth. I mean, who am I to crush his spirit after he went through all that trouble?


    But then¡ª<i>then</i>¡ªhe had to go and ruin it by suggesting lunch.


    I didn¡¯t mean to overreact, but the thought of enduring another one of his "creations" was more than my poor stomach could handle. I jumped up so fast to shut the idea down that I didn¡¯t realize how obvious I was being until it was toote. His face fell, confusion flickering in his eyes as he asked, "Are they... are they <i>that</i> terrible?"


    I froze, caught in the act. For a second, I debated whether to double down on my lie, but his hopeful expression broke me. Reluctantly, I gave him a small, apologetic nod.


    His entire demeanor shifted. His shoulders slumped, and he ran a hand through his messy hair, looking downright devastated. "But you said they were good..." he murmured, like a kid finding out their favorite superhero wasn¡¯t real.


    "I didn¡¯t want to hurt your feelings," I admitted quietly, feeling a pang of guilt.


    He looked at the te, then at me, then back at the te. "Are they really that bad?"


    I didn¡¯t say anything, but my expression must¡¯ve given me away because he grabbed a fork and took a bite himself. The second the pancake hit his tongue, his face twisted into a grimace soically horrified that I had to bite my lip to keep fromughing.


    "<i>Yuck</i>," he muttered, pushing the te away like it had personally offended him. "So much for my romantic breakfast," he mumbled, more to himself than to me.


    That¡¯s when the guilt hit me again. I stood up and walked over to him, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Tell you what," I said, trying to sound upbeat. "I¡¯ll let you <i>help</i> me make lunch. How about that?"


    His head shot up, a flicker of hope reigniting in his eyes. "You mean it?"


    I rolled my eyes but couldn¡¯t help the small smile tugging at my lips. "Yes, but only if you promise to stay away from the stove."


    His lips twitched into a grin. "Fair deal."


    I walked back to the counter, grabbing a loaf of bread and a carton of juice. "For now," I called over my shoulder, "let¡¯s just stick to something safe for breakfast. Bread and juice sound good?"


    "Safe, huh?" he teased, leaning back in his chair. "You don¡¯t trust me to redeem myself with something else?"


    "Not unless you n on taking a crash course in cooking between now and lunch," I shot back, setting the items on the table.


    Heughed, the sound deep and warm, and for a moment, I found myself smiling along with him. It was easy to forget the walls I¡¯d built around myself when he was like this¡ªopen, genuine, and maybe even a little vulnerable.


    As we sat and shared our makeshift breakfast, I couldn¡¯t help but feel... lighter. Like some of the tension between us had finally started to ease. He wasn¡¯t perfect¡ªfar from it¡ªbut I could see he was trying. Really trying. And that meant something.


    Still, I couldn¡¯t shake the nagging feeling that I was forgetting something important.


    I nced at Kane as he took a sip of his juice, his dark eyes meeting mine over the rim of the ss. For a moment, I thought about bringing it up, asking if he remembered anything we might¡¯ve missed. But then he smiled, that soft, lopsided grin that made my heart do an annoying little flutter, and the words caught in my throat.


    Maybe it wasn¡¯t anything. Maybe, for once, I could just let myself enjoy this moment without overthinking everything.


    As I stood up to clear the table, I nced back at Kane, who was already pulling open the fridge and inspecting its contents like a man on a mission. "So," he said, turning to me with an exaggeratedly serious expression, "what¡¯s the n for lunch?"


    I raised an eyebrow. "Something easy. Something you <i>can¡¯t</i> mess up."


    "Challenge epted," he said with a smirk, and for the first time in a long while, I found myselfughing.


    Maybe, just maybe, this new Kane¡ªthe one whoughed, who tried, who wasn¡¯t afraid to burn pancakes for me¡ªwas here to stay. And if that was the case, then maybe I could finally start to let go of the past and meet him halfway.


    For now, though, I had a kitchen to supervise. God help us if Kane got any bright ideas without me.


    <strong>...</strong>


    The day passed in a blur, with neither of us setting foot outside. It felt surreal, spending the entire day just... talking to Kane, peeling backyers of a man I¡¯d only seen asmanding, harsh, and at times, impossible. But as the hours slipped by, I began to see the man behind the title, the mate who was trying¡ªtrying for us, for me.


    At first, our conversation was lighthearted. We exchanged stories about our childhoods. I told him about the time I¡¯d climbed a tree so high I couldn¡¯t get down and had to be rescued by the vige healer, and he teased me mercilessly for it. He shared tales about his mischievous antics as a pup¡ªhow he and his beta, Lucas, used to sneak out of lessons to y tricks on the elders. Hearing about his younger, freer self made me smile. It was hard to reconcile the ruthless alpha with the yful boy he described, but it gave me a glimpse of who Kane used to be before life had hardened him.


    Eventually, the conversation turned more serious. It started with me asking something I¡¯d always wondered but hadn¡¯t dared to voice before: "Why are you like this, Kane? So... ruthless?"


    He stiffened slightly, his yful smirk fading into something heavier, darker. For a moment, I thought he wouldn¡¯t answer, that I¡¯d pushed too far. But then he sighed, running a hand through his dark hair, and his eyes softened as they met mine.


    "It¡¯s because of my father," he said, his voice quieter than usual. "He was a good man. Too good."


    I tilted my head, curious but cautious. "What do you mean?"


    Kane leaned back against the couch, his gaze distant as he spoke. "He believed in peace, in unity among the packs. He thought if he showed enough kindness, enough fairness, others would follow his lead. And for a while, it worked. Our pack thrived under his rule. He opened our borders, offered aid to smaller packs, even negotiated peace treaties with rivals. Everyone admired him¡ªrespected him."


    His voice hardened, and I saw his jaw clench as memories seemed to wash over him. "But respect doesn¡¯t always mean loyalty. When the time came for them to stand by him, to return the favor, they turned their backs on us. On <i>him</i>. When rogues attacked our territory, he called on those same allies for help, but none came. They saw us as weak¡ªan easy target. They thought we were too soft to fight back."


    I swallowed hard, my chest tightening at the raw pain in his voice.


    "What happened?" I asked softly.


    Kane¡¯s gaze darkened. "We fought. We fought with everything we had, but it wasn¡¯t enough. We lost warriors, families, homes. I lost <i>him</i>¡ªmy father." His hand clenched into a fist on his thigh. "I swore that day I¡¯d never let it happen again. I wouldn¡¯t be the weak alpha others took advantage of. I wouldn¡¯t make the same mistakes he did."


    Silence fell between us, heavy and full of unspoken emotion. I didn¡¯t know what to say. Part of me wanted tofort him, to tell him he didn¡¯t have to carry all that weight alone. But another part of me understood why he¡¯d built those walls, why he¡¯d chosen to rule with an iron fist. He¡¯d lost so much¡ªmore than I¡¯d realized.


    "Kane..." I began, but he shook his head, cutting me off.


    "I know what you¡¯re going to say," he murmured, his voice softer now. "That I don¡¯t have to be like this. That I can be different. And maybe you¡¯re right, Elena. Maybe I don¡¯t have to rule the way I do. But I don¡¯t know how to let that part of me go. It¡¯s what¡¯s kept us safe. It¡¯s what¡¯s kept <i>me</i> safe."


    I reached out, cing my hand over his. "Maybe you don¡¯t have to let it gopletely. Maybe there¡¯s a bnce¡ªbeing strong without being cruel. Protecting your pack without closing yourself off to them."


    He didn¡¯t say anything for a long moment, but I could see the gears turning in his mind. Finally, he gave a small nod, his hand turning toce his fingers with mine.


    "I¡¯ll try," he said quietly. "For you. For us."


    Those words settled something deep inside me, something I hadn¡¯t even realized was weighing me down. For the first time, I felt like we were on the same page, like we were moving toward something better¡ªtogether.


    The rest of the day passed in a quiet sort of peace. We cooked lunch together, and to my surprise, Kane actually listened to my instructions this time. He wasn¡¯t great in the kitchen, but his effort was sweet, and we ended up with a halfway-decent meal.


    We spent the afternoon talking more, delving into topics we¡¯d never touched before. I learned about his favorite childhood memories, his secret love for ssic novels (a fact that made me tease him endlessly), and his dreams for the future¡ªdreams he admitted he hadn¡¯t thought about in a long time.


    By the time the sun began to set, I felt like I knew Kane in a way I never had before. He wasn¡¯t just the intimidating alpha or the overbearing mate I¡¯d butted heads with so many times. He was a man shaped by loss and love, by fear and hope. And he was mine.


    As we sat together on the couch, his arm draped around my shoulders and my head resting against his chest, I couldn¡¯t help but think that maybe this was the start of something new. Something real.


    I just hoped the new Kane¡ªthe one whoughed, who tried, who opened up¡ªwas here to stay.


    Kane stood up with a rare, easy smile, his eyes glowing with warmth as he excused himself, saying he¡¯d be right back. "I¡¯m going to make a toast to our new beginning," he announced, heading toward the kitchen. The sincerity in his voice, the softness in his gaze, made my heart clench.


    It was a moment I should have savored¡ªus, finally reaching a ce where we could begin again without the weight of mistrust and tension dragging us down. But as soon as he disappeared around the corner, a cold shiver crept down my spine. Something nagged at me, wing its way to the forefront of my mind.


    And then it hit me.


    <i>Ashley. The contract. The way they called him ¡¯Master¡¯ instead of Alpha.</i>

 Chapter 69: The contract

    <h4>Chapter 69: The contract</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV</strong>


    As Kane walked back into the room with a bottle of champagne in one hand and two sses in the other, I couldn¡¯t stop the flood of memories that surged through my mind. The way Ashley had enteredst night, carrying that cursed bottle of wine, setting sses on the table with a practiced grace that made me instantly uneasy. I remembered the way she moved, how she had slipped out of her dress with such shameless ease, leaving herself in nothing but hercy panties, her eyes dark with seduction. She hadid there on the couch, waiting for Kane, her body posed as if she were some kind of offering.


    It wasn¡¯t just her audacity¡ªit was the <i>way</i> she had done it, the strange submissiveness in her actions, the way she positioned herself on seeing him enter the room. It wasn¡¯t the confidence of a woman teasing her equal. No, it was something darker, more unsettling, as if she were ying a role¡ªa role she knew all too well.


    And then she¡¯d called him <i>Master.</i>


    The word had sent a chill down my spine, even in the heat of the moment. That wasn¡¯t a normal term of respect, not even in a pack as stern and hierarchical as Kane¡¯s. It wasn¡¯t what an Alpha was supposed to be called. And yet, it had slipped from her lips so naturally, like it was second nature.


    I remembered Kane¡¯s reaction, the sh of fury in his eyes as hemanded her to leave. His voice had been sharp, cutting through her seduction like a de. But she hadn¡¯t gone quietly. She¡¯d stood her ground, mentioning something about a use in a contract¡ªa use that seemed to make Kane even angrier, his control barely holding as his fists clenched at his sides. For a moment, I had thought he might actually strike her. That was how far she¡¯d pushed him.


    I hadn¡¯t understood it then, and I still didn¡¯t now. But it was clear that this "contract" wasn¡¯t just a business agreement. It was something deeper, something tied to whatever kind of hold these women¡ªwomen like Ashley¡ªseemed to think they had on him.


    And Ashley wasn¡¯t the only one.


    My thoughts drifted back to that eventful shopping spree, when Kane and I had stopped at that boutique. That young woman, her cheeks flushed as she all but tripped over herself to please him, had also called him <i>Master.</i> At the time, I had brushed it off as some kind of over-the-top respect for his authority as Alpha. But now, looking back, it felt wrong.


    It wasn¡¯t respect. It was something else entirely.


    These women¡ªthey weren¡¯t just members of his pack. They were clearly his former lovers. That much was obvious from the whispers I had overheard, the sly smiles and veiledments from women who imed he was the best lover they¡¯d ever had. The rumors about Kane were endless, and as much as I hated to admit it, some of them had always gotten under my skin.


    I wasn¡¯t blind to the reputation he carried¡ªnot just as a ruthless leader but also as a charmer, adies¡¯ man. That reputation had been one of the many reasons I¡¯d despised him for so long. It wasn¡¯t just the way he treated people, his cold, calcted ruthlessness. It was the stories, the way women spoke about him as if he were some untouchable god, someone they¡¯d never get over.


    And then there was my father. Kane¡¯s treatment of him had been the spark that had ignited my hatred for him all those years ago, the reason I had spent my younger days dreaming of a life far away from him.


    Even now, as I watched him set the sses down with a soft clink and pour the champagne with careful precision, I couldn¡¯t shake the bitterness that lingered beneath the surface. It wasn¡¯t as strong as it once was¡ªespecially after everything that had happened yesterday¡ªbut it was still there, simmering when thinking about the past.


    I tried to push the thoughts aside, tried to focus on the present. But Ashley¡¯s voice echoed in my head, the way she had hissed about the contract, the way she had looked at him like she owned a piece of him.


    <i>What exactly was this contract?</i>


    I needed answers. And yet, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to ask him¡ªnot yet. He looked so... hopeful, so different from the man I¡¯d spent years loathing. The way he had been with me all day¡ªgentle, patient, almost tender¡ªwas a side of him I¡¯d never seen before. It made me hesitate, made me wonder if confronting him now would shatter whatever fragile truce we had managed to build.


    But I couldn¡¯t ignore it forever. The memories ofst night¡ªthe whispers, the seductive poses, the title of <i>Master</i>¡ªwere like a thorn in my side, impossible to forget.


    Kane raised his ss, his lips curving into a small smile. "To us," he said softly, his deep voice cutting through my swirling thoughts.


    I managed a weak smile in return, lifting my ss to meet his. The champagne fizzed and sparkled, its sweet scent lingering on my nose but I still didn¡¯t attempt to drink it.


    "To new beginnings," I said quietly, though the words felt hollow.


    Because even as I said them, a voice in the back of my mind whispered that this wasn¡¯t the end of the questions. It was just the beginning.


    Kane must have noticed the shift in my demeanor as I sat there, champagne ss untouched, my mind clearly elsewhere. He tilted his head, his dark brows furrowing as he asked softly, "Elena, what¡¯s wrong?"


    I swallowed hard, knowing that this was the moment I had to confront him. The memory of Ashley¡¯s actionsst night¡ªthe wine, the way sheid herself out so brazenly, the contract, and that unsettling title of <i>Master</i>¡ªwas weighing heavily on me. If we were truly going to have a fresh start, I couldn¡¯t let these questions fester.


    I put the ss down and met his gaze, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me. "What was that contract Ashley mentionedst night, the one she presented when she tried to seduce you?"


    Kane¡¯s entire demeanor shifted. His shoulders stiffened, and his jaw tightened, as though I¡¯d hit a nerve. His uneasiness was palpable, and I could see the way his eyes darted, searching for an escape, for a way to deflect the question. But I wasn¡¯t about to let him wriggle out of this. Not now.


    "Elena..." he began, his voice low, but I cut him off sharply.


    "No, Kane," I said firmly, my tone brooking no argument. "I need to know. We can¡¯t start fresh, we can¡¯t have a new beginning, with ghosts in our closets. If this is going to work, there can¡¯t be any secrets between us."


    His frustration was evident as he rubbed the back of his neck, letting out a long, weary sigh. For a moment, I thought he might refuse, but then his eyes softened, and he nodded, almost to himself. Without another word, he stood and walked over to the cab beneath the mounted TV. He opened a drawer, his movements tense, and pulled out a familiar-looking document.


    It was the same one Ashley had been holdingst night, the one that had sent his temper into overdrive.


    He hesitated, holding the document in his hand, his grip firm as though he wasn¡¯t quite ready to let it go. Then he turned to me, his gaze locking with mine. "I will change for you," he said softly, his voice filled with quiet determination. And then he extended the document toward me.


    As I reached for it, he didn¡¯t release it immediately. His fingers lingered, and I could feel the weight of what he was about to share. Finally, he let go and moved to the other side of the couch, sitting down heavily. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, watching me closely as though bracing for my reaction.


    My heart pounded as I unfolded the document, its pages crisp beneath my fingertips. I didn¡¯t know what to expect, but the sinking feeling in my stomach told me it wasn¡¯t going to be good. The title on the first page made my breath catch in my throat.


    <strong>BDSM Contract: Agreement Between Dominant and Submissive.</strong>


    <i>What the actual hell?</i> My eyes widened as I scanned the first few lines, my mind reeling. The first page exined the nature of the agreement, detailing roles, responsibilities, and boundaries between the Dominant and the Submissive.<strong></strong>


    I nced at Kane, who was now watching me like a hawk, his expression unreadable. "What is this?" I asked, my voice sharp with confusion and disbelief.


    "It¡¯s exactly what it says," he replied quietly, his tone steady but strained. "A BDSM contract. Ashley was one of my submissives... before you."


    The room felt like it tilted slightly as I tried to process his words. <i>Submissives?</i> My heart thudded painfully as I thought back to the women who had called him <i>Master,</i> their demeanor so deferential, their actions so practiced. It all suddenly made a disturbing kind of sense.


    "You... you¡¯re into this?" I managed to ask, my voice cracking slightly. I didn¡¯t know what I was expecting, but this wasn¡¯t it.

 Chapter 70: The Contract (II)

    <h4>Chapter 70: The Contract (II)</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    Kane ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. "I was," he admitted. "Before I met you, before the mate bond changed everything." He looked away, his jaw tightening. "It was a way for me to... control something in my life. To let off steam, to keep myself from losing itpletely."


    His words hung heavy in the air, and I struggled to reconcile this side of him with the man I was beginning to know. "So Ashley... and the others," I said, my voice quieter now. "They were your... submissives?"


    He nodded, his expression grim. "Yes. But it wasn¡¯t love, Elena. It wasn¡¯t even close. It was... transactional. Rules, boundaries, agreements. Nothing more."


    I looked back at the contract in my hands, the neatly typed uses and stiptions blurring together as my mind raced. "And this contract Ashley brought upst night?" I asked. "She said something about a use."


    Kane let out a bitterugh, shaking his head. "She thought it still bound me to her. That I couldn¡¯t reject her advances because of some stupid use about fulfilling her ¡¯needs.¡¯" His eyes darkened, a flicker of anger crossing his face. "But that contract became void the moment I found you. The mate bond trumps everything."


    The mate bond. The words were supposed tofort me, to reassure me of his loyalty. But they only added to the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me.


    "Why didn¡¯t you tell me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Why did I have to find out like this?"


    "I didn¡¯t want you to see me that way," Kane said, his voice breaking slightly. "I didn¡¯t want you to think less of me. And after Ashley pulled that stunt, I didn¡¯t want to burden you with it. I was going to destroy the contract, but... I guess I didn¡¯t do it fast enough."


    Silence stretched between us as I tried to make sense of everything. The man I had despised for so long, the man who had been my enemy, my reluctant mate¡ªhe was so much moreplicated than I had ever realized. And while part of me wanted tosh out, to demand why he hadn¡¯t told me sooner, another part of me knew this was his way of trying to protect me and all the time I was trying to run away from him.


    "Is this..." I started, my voice faltering. I cleared my throat and tried again. "Is this contract still intact? Are the six months with Ashley over?" I knew the answer already¡ªhad pieced it together from all the little clues¡ªbut I needed to hear it from him. No more half-truths or deflections. I needed him to say it out loud.


    Kane shifted ufortably, his usual confidence reced by a tension that tightened his jaw and shoulders. He wouldn¡¯t meet my eyes as he croaked out a single word. "Yes."


    I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat growing heavier. "Have you been with her... after we met?" The question slipped out, even though I already knew the answer to that one too. The memory of him returning one day with her scent still lingering on him shed in my mind like a cruel reminder.


    "Yes." His voice was quieter this time, filled with regret, but he still wouldn¡¯t look at me.


    Each admission felt like a stab, sharp and deep, but I forced myself to keep going. I couldn¡¯t stop now; I needed to know everything. "Why haven¡¯t you terminated it yet?" My tone was sharp, almost using, but I couldn¡¯t help it. I was hurt, frustrated, and desperate for rity.


    This time, he looked at me¡ªreally looked at me. His eyes were dark, filled with a mix of guilt and determination that made it impossible to look away. "Because I cannot fulfill her request as the contract states," he said, his voice steady butced with tension.


    I blinked, confused. "What request?" My voice wavered, and I wasn¡¯t sure if I truly wanted to know. But I had to. For us to have any kind of future, I needed everything out in the open, no matter how much it hurt. My gaze fell to the floor, unable to meet his eyes as I asked, "What is her request?"


    The silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating. For a moment, I thought he wouldn¡¯t answer, that he¡¯d deflect or change the subject like he¡¯d done before. But then he spoke, his voice firm and resolute.


    "That I should have a session with her... while you watch," he said, the words slow and deliberate, like he was forcing himself to get them out. "I can¡¯t¡ªand I won¡¯t¡ªdo that to you."


    The room suddenly felt smaller, the air thicker, as his words hung between us. <i>That I should have a session with her while you watch.</i> My stomach churned, and I couldn¡¯t quite wrap my head around what I¡¯d just heard. I tore my gaze from his, staring at the crumpled contract in my hands as though it held answers to questions I didn¡¯t even know how to ask.


    My breath hitched, my heart pounding in my chest. The thought of it made me feel sick, a wave of nausea rolling through me as I tried to process what he¡¯d just said. Ashley¡¯s request wasn¡¯t just maniptive¡ªit was cruel, designed to humiliate and hurt.


    I gripped the edge of the couch, my knuckles turning white as I tried to steady myself. "She... she asked you to do <i>that</i>?" I finally managed to whisper, my voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and anger.


    "Yes," he said quietly, his eyes never leaving mine. "It¡¯s her condition for terminating the contract. But, Elena..." He reached out, his hand brushing against mine, a desperate plea in his touch. "I would never do that to you. Never."


    Something in his tone¡ªhis unwavering certainty, the way he said it like it was the most absolute truth¡ªsoftened the sharp edges of my anger. I looked up at him, searching his face for any sign of deceit, but all I saw was sincerity and... love? He meant it. He truly meant it.


    "And you¡¯re willing to stay bound by this contract just to avoid fulfilling her request?" I asked, my voice steadier now.


    He nodded. "Yes. If that¡¯s what it takes to protect you from her, then yes. I¡¯ll stay bound by it." He let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "But I promise you, Elena, I¡¯m doing everything I can to find another way out of it. She¡¯s using that use to hold power over me, and I won¡¯t let her win. Not when ites to you."

 Chapter 71: I Can Be All Sweets And Roses For You

    <h4>Chapter 71: I Can Be All Sweets And Roses For You</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    I know I shouldn¡¯t panic. I know. But damn it, how could I not? Sitting here with that contract in my hands, reading words that practically leapt off the page like some kind of horror story¡ªit was too much. I am a <i>virgin</i>. A na?ve, clueless virgin who¡¯d grown up fantasizing about fairytale romance and the gentle kind of love that left you breathless, not bruised. And this? <i>This</i> scared the ever-loving hell out of me.


    Okay, so I knew the first time wasn¡¯t all roses and fireworks. It was supposed to hurt a little, right? Fine, I could deal with that. But spanking? Gagging? Whipping? <i>Bounding</i>? My heart raced just thinking about it. I mean, what the hell had I gotten myself into? I¡¯d always thought sex was about soft touches, whispered words, and that heart-thumping intimacy you see in all the cheesy romance movies. I never imagined it would be... <i>this</i>. Torture dressed up as pleasure.


    I could feel the blood drain from my face as the images of what I¡¯d read swirled in my mind. No way. No <i>freaking</i> way. I hadn¡¯t saved myself all these years just to be tied up and used like some kind of... I don¡¯t even know what to call it! And sure, I knew there were people who loved this kind of thing¡ªhell, they probably lived for it¡ªbut me? I wasn¡¯t one of them. I couldn¡¯t be.


    Kane said he was done with all of it. He¡¯d promised he wanted <i>me</i> and not whatever twisted games he used to y with women like Ashley. But was that really forever? Could a man like Kane¡ªa man who had apparently thrived on control and pain¡ªjust flip a switch and change? What if, one day, he got bored with me? What if he started craving... <i>that</i> again? Would I ever be enough for him?


    The thought made my chest tighten, fear creeping in like an unwee guest. This wasn¡¯t just about the contract or Ashley or any of the women who had called him "Master." This was about <i>us</i>. About me. About whether I could ever truly give him what he needed without losing myself in the process.


    I dropped the contract onto the couch, my hands shaking as I tried to take a steadying breath. Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe I was being a judgmental bitch about someone else¡¯s desires. But no amount of rationalizing was going to change how I felt. I was terrified. Absolutely, gut-wrenchingly terrified.


    And Kane... he was watching me. His dark eyes filled with a mixture of concern and something else¡ªsomething I couldn¡¯t quite ce. He didn¡¯t say anything, didn¡¯t try to exin or defend himself. He just <i>waited</i>. It was as if he knew I needed to work through this on my own, to sort through the storm of thoughts and emotions swirling inside me.


    I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to imagine a world where I could embrace all of this. Where I could ept every part of him, even the parts that scared me. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn¡¯t see it. I couldn¡¯t see <i>me</i> tied up or gagged or whipped. I couldn¡¯t see myself bing the kind of woman he used to crave.


    I opened my eyes and met his gaze, my voice trembling as I finally spoke. "Kane... I can¡¯t do this. I can¡¯t be that for you. I don¡¯t even know if I¡¯ll ever be enough for you."


    His face softened, and for a moment, I thought he might reach for me. But he didn¡¯t. Instead, he just said, "You¡¯re more than enough for me, Elena. I don¡¯t need any of that anymore. I need <i>you</i>."


    His words sounded so sincere, so final. But the doubt still lingered, gnawing at the edges of my mind. Could I really believe him? Could I trust that the man who¡¯d lived this way for so long would never want to go back? I didn¡¯t know. And that uncertainty scared me more than anything else.


    "What if you desire it again?" The words tumbled out before I could stop them, raw and trembling with fear. "What if, at some point, you want that kind of life again? I wouldn¡¯t¡ªI <i>can¡¯t</i>¡ªbe this for you. Does that mean you¡¯ll look elsewhere?" My voice broke, and I hated the vulnerability in it, but it was impossible to keep it hidden. The weight of the fear pressing down on my chest made it hard to breathe.


    Kane¡¯s expression shifted, his jaw tightening, but his eyes... they were filled with something I couldn¡¯t quite ce. Regret? Guilt? Maybe both. He didn¡¯t speak right away, and the silence felt deafening, my thoughts spiraling as I tried to fill in the gaps his hesitation left behind.


    "I know we said we¡¯d give us time," I continued, my voice growing quieter but no less frantic, "but I can¡¯t help it, Kane. I can¡¯t stop trying to foresee whates next, to prepare myself for what might happen. Ashley¡¯s words keep echoing in my head. About how I could never fulfill your desires, how you needed something I could never give you. She was right, wasn¡¯t she? Your desires... they¡¯re dark. And they¡¯re scaring the <i>shit</i> out of me."


    Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away, refusing to let them fall. I didn¡¯t want to cry, didn¡¯t want to appear even weaker than I already felt. I wasying my soul bare in front of him, terrified of what his answer might be.


    Kane finally leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he dragged a hand through his hair. "Elena," he said softly, his voice low and hoarse, "I know this is hard for you to understand. Hell, it¡¯s hard for me to even exin. But that part of my life... it¡¯s over. I don¡¯t need it. I don¡¯t <i>want</i> it. Not anymore."


    I shook my head, frustration bubbling to the surface. "But what if you do one day? What if, years from now, you start craving it again? What if I¡¯m not enough for you, Kane? Because I can¡¯t be that. I can¡¯t be tied up or whipped or¡ª" I broke off, choking on the words as the images from the contract shed through my mind again.


    He moved then,ing to kneel in front of me, his hands reaching for mine but stopping just short, as if he was afraid to push me further away. "You <i>are</i> enough," he said firmly, his voice filled with a quiet intensity that made my heart ache. "You¡¯re more than enough, Elena. I don¡¯t want the things I used to. I don¡¯t need the control, the... darkness. I need <i>you</i>. Just you."


    I searched his face, desperate to believe him, to trust the sincerity in his words. But the doubt still lingered, a shadow I couldn¡¯t quite shake. "How do I know that, Kane? How do I know this isn¡¯t just temporary? That you won¡¯t wake up one day and realize you¡¯ve made a mistake? That I¡¯m not what you really want?"


    He exhaled sharply, his hands finally closing over mine as he looked me directly in the eyes. "Because I¡¯ve already made that mistake, Elena. I¡¯ve lived that life, and it left me empty. It left me cold. I¡¯ve been searching for something real, something that makes me feel alive, and I¡¯ve found it. I¡¯ve found <i>you</i>. You¡¯re my mate, my everything. And I¡¯m not going to screw this up."


    I wanted to believe him. God, I wanted to believe him so badly. But the fear wouldn¡¯t let go, the images of Ashley and the contract and all the whispers about Kane¡¯s past swirling in my mind like a storm. "I don¡¯t know if I can do this," I whispered, my voice barely audible.


    "You can," he said softly but with an edge of determination. "And I¡¯ll prove it to you. Every day, for the rest of our lives, I¡¯ll prove it to you. You don¡¯t have to be afraid, Elena. I¡¯m not that man anymore. I swear to you, I¡¯m not."


    I looked into his eyes, searching for any hint of deception, but all I saw was sincerity. Still, the fear was there, lurking in the background, whispering doubts into my ear. But for now, I chose to hold on to his words, to the hope that maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªhe was telling the truth. That maybe I really could be enough for him.


    As Kane knelt before me, his words hung heavy in the air, carrying a mixture of promise and reassurance that I desperately wanted to believe. But my doubts refused to let go. "What if I do something wrong," I whispered, my voice trembling, "and you feel the need to punish me? Like the times you promised to... to punish me when I got better?"


    His expression softened, and for a moment, the weight of his gaze felt almost unbearable. "Yeah, you can be infuriating most of the time," he admitted with a small smirk that only made me more anxious, "but if it were to happen, I promise you, I wouldn¡¯t do anything to hurt you."


    I opened my mouth to speak, but he silenced me by leaning forward and pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. "I¡¯m always creative," he murmured, his tone light yet tinged with sincerity. "You need to stop worrying that pretty head of yours. I¡¯ve told you, and I¡¯ll tell you again¡ªno matter how scary you think that stuff is, it¡¯s never is, the fear it is all in your head. It¡¯s about trust, Elena. And with you? It¡¯s about so much more than that."


    I looked down at him, his words washing over me like a soothing balm, but the tension in my chest didn¡¯tpletely dissolve. "But... I don¡¯t want to be someone who has to constantly live up to some ideal or... or..."


    He cut me off again, this time with a slightly firmer tone. "Elena," he said, his hands gently cupping mine, grounding me in the moment, "I can always be that perfect prince charming you want. All of it¡ªdown to the rose petals if that¡¯s what makes you happy." His lips twitched in a half-smile, but his eyes held a quiet determination that made my heart ache. "It¡¯s <i>you</i> I want and need. Not the idea of you, not just the mate bond. You. And I definitely don¡¯t want you for sex."


    I blinked at him, startled by the bluntness of his words.


    "Yeah, the sex is good," he added with a small chuckle that made heat rise to my cheeks, "but I don¡¯t need you for that. You¡¯ve got to understand that first. It¡¯s about more than that with you. It¡¯s always been more than that."


    For a moment, the storm inside me quieted. His words were raw, honest, and unlike the Kane I¡¯d known before. Maybe he really had changed, or maybe I was seeing the side of him he¡¯d always hidden. Either way, the walls I¡¯d built to protect myself felt just a little less solid, and I found myself holding on to his promises just a bit tighter.


    But how far can he go?

 Chapter 72: A Test Or Prank

    <h4>Chapter 72: A Test Or Prank</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV:</strong>


    What had started as a near-perfect day¡ªdespite the disastrous pancakes¡ªwas now unraveling into my worst nightmare. I¡¯d spent the entire morning basking in her presence, thinking maybe, just maybe, we were finally on the same page, finally moving toward a fresh start. But then Elena had asked the one question I¡¯d been dreading, the one thing I thought I had managed to escape, at least for a little while.


    The contract with Ashley.


    I felt my stomach twist into knots the moment her eyes darkened, filled with suspicion and something else I couldn¡¯t quite ce. Fear? Betrayal? She was trying so hard to mask it, but I could see it clear as day. And then the words came tumbling out of her mouth: <i>"What was that contract about? Is it still intact?"</i>


    I wanted to lie. I wanted to tell her it was nothing, that it didn¡¯t matter, that it had already been dealt with. But as much as I wanted to shield her from the truth, I couldn¡¯t. Not anymore. Not after we¡¯d promised each other honesty, a clean te. I had thought¡ªno, <i>hoped</i>¡ªthat by the time I had toe clean about this mess, I would¡¯ve already terminated the damn thing. But here we were, and I hadn¡¯t.


    I swallowed hard, unable to meet her eyes as I croaked out the truth. <i>Yes.</i> The contract was still intact. Her expression didn¡¯t falter, but the tension in her shoulders betrayed her. And when she asked if I¡¯d been with Ashley since meeting her, the memory of that night¡ªthe scent of Ashley clinging to me like a taunt¡ªrushed back, and I had to admit that, too. <i>Yes.</i>


    Her silence was deafening, a weight that pressed down on my chest. I couldn¡¯t take it anymore, so I forced myself to meet her gaze. Her voice was quieter now but no less piercing. <i>"Why haven¡¯t you terminated it yet?"</i>


    My throat tightened as I answered, my voice barely above a whisper. "Because I can¡¯t fulfill her request, as the contract states."


    I could see the conflict in her eyes¡ªthe need to know versus the fear of the answer. I braced myself as she asked the inevitable: <i>"What is her request?"</i>


    And there it was, the moment I had been avoiding. My jaw tightened as I forced the words out. "She wants a session with me... while you watch." My voice was sharp,ced with disgust¡ªnot at Elena, but at the mere idea of it. "I can¡¯t. I won¡¯t do that to you."


    Her reaction was immediate, her eyes widening in a mixture of shock and horror. And I hated myself for being the one to put that look on her face. My hands clenched into fists as I sat back on my heels, watching her struggle to process what I had just said.


    The truth was, this wasn¡¯t just about the contract or Ashley anymore. It was about everything¡ªthe shadows of my past, the mistakes I¡¯d made, and the fear that I could lose the one person who mattered most. Elena deserved better than this, better than me, but I couldn¡¯t bring myself to let her go. I <i>needed</i> her to believe me when I said I was done with that part of my life, that I¡¯d walk away from it all for her. Because it was true.


    "I swear to you, Elena," I said, my voice steady butced with desperation, "I don¡¯t want that life anymore. I don¡¯t want <i>her.</i> It¡¯s you. Only you. I¡¯ll figure out a way to end this, to fix it. Just... just don¡¯t give up on me."


    She didn¡¯t say anything, her silence more painful than any words she could¡¯ve thrown at me. But I stayed where I was, kneeling before her, hoping against hope that she¡¯d find it in her heart to believe me. That she¡¯d see the man I was trying to be for her, even if I wasn¡¯t there yet.


    As she stood up, still not saying a word, a cold knot of panic formed in my chest. Dusk had crept in, painting the room in muted shadows, and I hadn¡¯t even noticed until now. My eyes stayed glued to her, my nerves fraying with every passing second of silence. I was walking on eggshells, barely breathing, terrified of what she might do next.


    Would she run again?


    She¡¯d promised me she wouldn¡¯t¡ªthat she was done running. But that promise was made before she learned the truth, before she saw the darker parts of meid bare in that contract. I had no illusions about how she saw me right now: a monster, maybe, or at the very least, a man who had desires so far removed from her own that they seemed toe from another world. She looked at the contract as if it were a cursed artifact, something pulled straight from the pits of hell. And if I wasn¡¯t worried that she might bolt, I might¡¯ve found her innocence endearing¡ªeven amusing.


    But this wasn¡¯t the time for amusement.


    I knew what scared her the most: pain. The idea of it, the imagery her mind conjured when she read those words. And she wasn¡¯t wrong; BDSM could involve pain, but it was never just about that. Not for me. Sure, the desire to dominate ran deep in me, a part of my DNA, intensified by the very nature of what I was¡ªan Alpha. It was ingrained in who I was, in how I operated, in the way Imanded control over my world. But BDSM wasn¡¯t just about pain; it was about trust, about connection, about surrendering to one another in a way most people would never understand.


    I couldn¡¯t expect her to understand that now, not with fear written all over her face. Not yet.


    I clenched my fists at my sides, steadying myself. She wasn¡¯t running¡ªnot yet¡ªbut her silence was deafening, and it cut deeper than I cared to admit. If I had any hope of keeping her here, of convincing her that this thing between us was worth fighting for, I needed to tread carefully. For once, I couldn¡¯t rely on brute strength or stubborn will. This wasn¡¯t a battle I could win by force or dominance; this was a fight that required patience and understanding¡ªtwo things I wasn¡¯t exactly known for. But for her? For Elena? I¡¯d try. I¡¯d do whatever it took.


    "Elena," I said softly, my voice breaking the silence like a tentative knock on a locked door. "Please... just talk to me. Don¡¯t keep it all bottled up. Tell me what you¡¯re thinking."


    She finally looked at me, her wide, uncertain eyes piercing through the dim light of the room. The fear was still there, but so was something else¡ªsomething that looked a lot like hope, though it was faint and fragile, like a candle flickering in the wind. Itched onto that flicker, holding onto it like a lifeline.


    "I know this is a lot," I continued, my voice steadier now, though my heart was racing. "I know it¡¯s overwhelming, and it¡¯s nothing like what you expected. But I swear to you, Elena, I¡¯m done with that life. I don¡¯t need it. I don¡¯t want it. Not if it means losing you."


    She didn¡¯t respond right away, her gaze shifting back to the contract in her hands. I hated the sight of it, hated the way it loomed between us like a physical wall. But I stayed where I was, kneeling on the floor like a man begging for redemption, because that¡¯s exactly what I was. If I could just make her see, if I could just get her to understand... maybe, just maybe, we¡¯d have a chance.


    She sighed¡ªa long, heavy one that made my heart stop. I braced myself, certain that whatever she was about to say would either shatter me or give me the tiniest sliver of hope to hold onto. And then, out of nowhere, she dropped the contract onto the table like it was nothing and said, "Let¡¯s go out for dinner. I¡¯m hungry."


    I blinked.


    Wait. What?


    Was this... a test? Some kind of trap? Women wereplicated, sure, but this felt like some next-level mystery I wasn¡¯t equipped to solve. Here I was,ying myself bare, my heart practically in my hands, ready to fight for her, and she¡¯s... hungry?


    "Uh... dinner?" I asked, my voiceced with confusion.


    "Yes," she replied, her tone casual, almost dismissive. "I want food. Something other than burnt pancakes or depressing conversations. Let¡¯s just... go out, Kane."


    I stared at her for a moment, trying to figure out if there was a hidden message in her words, some deeper meaning I wasn¡¯t catching. But her face gave nothing away except impatience.


    "Are you messing with me?" I asked cautiously.


    Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she crossed her arms. "Do I look like I¡¯m messing with you? I¡¯m hungry, Kane. I want to eat. Outside. With you. Can we do that, or are you going to keep staring at me like I just spoke in tongues?"

 Chapter 73: Drunk

    <h4>Chapter 73: Drunk</h4>


    <strong>KANE POV:</strong>


    "I can¡¯t think straight on an empty stomach," she said, almost as if exining her odd request. I watched as she grabbed her jacket, her movements quick and decisive, giving me no room to argue or analyze her mood further.


    She wore a casual ck dress, not too fancy but just enough to hug her figure in all the right ways. It ended just above her knees, revealing smooth legs that made it hard not to stare. Hell, let¡¯s be honest¡ªshe could¡¯ve worn a potato sack and still looked stunning. But tonight, even though I was still mentally shaken, I couldn¡¯t help but admire how effortlessly she carried herself.


    Still, I wasn¡¯t sure if I was off the hook or just walking into the next stage of her silent judgment. I kept ncing at her, looking for any clues¡ªanything that might indicate whether this was her way of putting the conversation about the contract on pause or if I was digging my own grave by not addressing it further.


    Not forgetting my manners, I opened the door for her, earning a small nod of acknowledgment. At least she wasn¡¯t pushing me away entirely. I couldn¡¯t risk screwing this up, so I took extra care driving to a nearby restaurant¡ªnot one of the upscale ces I usually preferred, but something quieter. A cozy, not-too-crowded spot with good food. Most importantly, it was the kind of ce where the chances of running into one of my former subs were slim to none.


    Thest thing I needed was for Elena to see anyone who might worsen my already precarious standing with her. My reputation wasn¡¯t exactly angelic, and Ashley¡¯s stunt had already set me back enough.


    As I parked the car, I turned to look at her. She was gazing out the window, her expression unreadable. I could feel my nerves bubbling again, but I forced myself to stay calm. "This ce okay?" I asked, trying to gauge her mood.


    She nced at the restaurant and then at me, giving a faint smile. "Yeah, it¡¯s fine. Let¡¯s just eat."


    Her tone was casual, but it still felt like a warning¡ªa subtle reminder that while we were here to eat, our conversation wasn¡¯t over. I could only hope this dinner wouldn¡¯t turn into anotherndmine.


    I got out of the car, hurried around to open her door, and led her inside. Whatever came next, I was ready to face it. Because losing her? That wasn¡¯t an option.


    If my beta could see me now, the so-called ruthless Alpha turned into a lovesick, nervous puppy, he¡¯d probably never let me live it down. Hell, even my wolf¡ªnormally the embodiment of dominance and authority¡ªwas an absolute mess, was practically wagging its metaphorical tail, desperate to do whatever it took to keep our mate happy and, most importantly, stop her from running again. It was pathetic, really. Here I was, ready to bend over backward just to make her stay, terrified of her leaving like she had before.


    But speaking of leaving, how in the hell had she managed to show up at the exact moment Ashley pulled her little stunt? I still couldn¡¯t wrap my head around it. She¡¯de to my aid, furious and fierce, just when Ashley had poisoned me and was attempting to seduce me with that ridiculous contract in her hand. Elena had burst in like a damn storm. But <i>how</i>?


    She didn¡¯te through the front door¡ªthat much I knew. And there was no way word of the contract or Ashley¡¯s scheme had reached her outside the estate. My trackers had scoured every inch of the forest, and I¡¯d been out there myself, desperate, tearing through the wilderness like some deranged fool searching for her. Yet, all along, Elena had been...<i>where exactly</i>?


    The realization hit me like a punch to the gut: she must have been in my house the entire time. <i>In my house.</i> While I was losing my damn mind,bing through trees and brush, barking orders at my trackers, and generally making a spectacle of my insanity, she had been hiding <i>right under my nose.</i>


    Typical Elena. She didn¡¯t just think outside the box¡ªshe made the box irrelevant. She¡¯d stayed close enough to watch everything unfold, waiting for the perfect moment to swoop in and blow up my life. Again.


    I should¡¯ve felt angry at being yed¡ªhell, furious even¡ª, but I didn¡¯t. All I felt was relief that she came back at all. Relief and something else¡ªa gnawing sense of vulnerability. Because if she was in the house the whole time, it meant she¡¯d seen me without my armor. She¡¯d seen my desperation, my unfiltered panic at the thought of losing her.


    I felt something entirely different. Admiration. And frustration. And maybe just a touch of awe. My mate was clever, resourceful, and far too stubborn for her own good.


    None of it mattered now. She was here. She hadn¡¯t bolted again¡ªat least not yet. But if I wanted to keep it that way, I had to tread carefully. My mate wasn¡¯t just any woman. She was fiery, stubborn, and smart enough to keep me on my toes. She¡¯d run circles around me before, and she could do it again if I wasn¡¯t careful.


    And now, as we sat in this quiet restaurant, with her casually sipping water as if she hadn¡¯t flipped my world upside down in less than 24 hours, all I could think was: how the hell am I supposed to keep up with her?


    Dinner had started off perfectly fine, even though I was still on edge from the events of the day. Elena had seemed...calm, almost too calm, which kept me watching her like a hawk. Was this the calm before the storm? Or was she genuinely letting go of all the tension from earlier? Either way, I wasn¡¯t about to take any chances.


    She ate like someone who hadn¡¯t seen a meal in days¡ªwhich, in hindsight, might have been true given the emotional rollercoaster we¡¯d been on. I watched her enjoy every bite of her meal, her face lighting up at the vors. It was mesmerizing. I almost forgot to eat my own food, too distracted by the way her lips curved into a content smile after every forkful.


    "This is really good," she said, her eyes twinkling as she took another bite.


    I grinned, proud of my choice of restaurant. "Told you it¡¯d be better than my pancakes."


    She gave me a yful look, one eyebrow raised. "Let¡¯s not talk about those...things. My stomach still hasn¡¯t fully recovered."


    "Hey!" I feigned offense, though I couldn¡¯t helpughing. "I tried, okay? Cooking is harder than it looks."


    "Maybe leave the cooking to me," she teased, smirking as she sipped her water.


    Everything seemed normal. Peaceful, even. But of course, that was before she ordered the wine.


    "Let¡¯s get a bottle," she said suddenly, looking at the menu with interest.


    I hesitated. "Do we really need wine? We just had a long day¡ªmaybe we should take it easy tonight."


    She gave me an unimpressed look. "Take it easy? You¡¯ve been walking around on eggshells all day. Rx, Kane. It¡¯s just wine."


    I sighed, knowing I wasn¡¯t going to win this one. "Fine. But just a ss or two, okay?"


    She nodded, shing me a smile so radiant that I momentarily forgot why I was even worried.


    The wine arrived shortly after, a deep red that she swirled in her ss like a professional sommelier. "To new beginnings," she said, raising her ss.


    I clinked mine against hers, murmuring, "To new beginnings," though a small part of me still wondered what kind of ¡¯beginning¡¯ we were diving into with her holding a drink like that.


    The first ss went down smoothly. She sipped, smiled, and seemed genuinely at ease. I thought, <i>Okay, maybe this won¡¯t be so bad.</i>


    Then came the second ss. And the third.


    "Elena, maybe slow down a bit," I said as she poured herself yet another ss.


    "I¡¯m fine," she said, waving me off with a carefreeugh. "This wine is amazing. You should try keeping up."


    "I¡¯m good with one ss," I said, watching as she tilted her ss back and emptied it like it was water.


    "That¡¯s boring," she dered, slurring slightly. "You¡¯re so serious all the time. Rx, Alpha." She emphasized thest word dramatically, like she was mocking me.


    "Elena, I¡¯m serious. That¡¯s enough."


    She leaned across the table, her eyes narrowing mischievously. "What are you gonna do, Kane? Tie me up and punish me?"


    My face flushed instantly, and I nced around nervously. Thank the Goddess the restaurant wasn¡¯t crowded. "Elena, keep your voice down," I hissed.


    But she just giggled, clearly enjoying my difort. "Oh,e on, Kane. You¡¯re no fun. Live a little!"


    Before I could stop her, she gged down the waiter and ordered another bottle.


    "Elena," I said firmly, trying to keep my tone calm, "that¡¯s enough wine. We¡¯re leaving after this ss."


    She pouted, crossing her arms like a petnt child. "You¡¯re such a buzzkill. No wonder Ashley¡ª" She cut herself off, her eyes going wide.


    My jaw tightened. "Don¡¯t even finish that sentence."


    She grinned sheepishly, taking another sip of her wine. "Oops."


    By the time we finished (or rather, by the time <i>she</i> finished), I was practically dragging her out of the restaurant. She wobbled slightly as we walked to the car,ughing at absolutely nothing.


    "Did you see the waiter¡¯s face when I asked for another bottle?" she said, giggling uncontrobly. "He looked so confused, like, ¡¯Ma¡¯am, you¡¯ve had enough.¡¯"


    "That¡¯s because you <i>did</i> have enough," I muttered, opening the car door for her.


    She flopped into the seat, stillughing. "Rx, Kane. I¡¯m fine. Totally fine."


    On the drive home, she alternated between singing off-key to the music on the radio and asking me increasingly ridiculous questions.


    "Do wolves get drunk?" she asked suddenly.


    "No," I replied, keeping my eyes on the road.


    "Liar. I¡¯m drunk right now."


    "Elena, you¡¯re the one who drank half a vineyard tonight, not me."


    She gasped dramatically. "Are you saying I have a problem?"


    "Yes," I said bluntly.


    She burst outughing again,pletely unfazed. "You¡¯re mean, Alpha. But you¡¯re also cute, so I forgive you."


    By the time we got back to the house, I was exhausted. She, on the other hand, was still in high spirits, twirling around in the driveway like it was some kind of dance floor.


    "Elena, get inside before you fall," I said, trying to guide her toward the door.


    "You¡¯re no fun, Kane!" she dered, spinning around to face me. "You¡¯re always so serious. Lighten up a little!"


    I pinched the bridge of my nose, counting to ten. "Elena, if you don¡¯t go inside right now, I swear¡ª"


    She poked me in the chest, cutting me off. "You swear what, Alpha? Huh? Gonna punish me?"


    I stared at her, speechless, as she burst outughing again.


    Goddess help me. This woman was going to be the death of me.

 Chapter 74: Drunk Elena

    <h4>Chapter 74: Drunk Elena</h4>


    <strong>KANE POV:</strong>


    The night had gone from bad to worse in record time. Elena waspletely sloshed, teetering between hriously annoying and dangerously tempting. If there was a Goddess of Self-Control, I needed her intervention immediately.


    We were barely halfway through the front door when she stopped, tugging at the neckline of her dress. "It¡¯s hot," she dered, her words slightly slurred.


    "It¡¯s not hot, Elena," I replied, exasperated. "You¡¯re just drunk."


    She waved me off dismissively. "Nope. Hot. Way too hot."


    And then, to my horror, she began tugging at the hem of her dress. "Elena, stop!" I barked, reaching for her hands, but she swatted me away with the agility of someone who had <i>clearly</i> drunk too much.


    "I¡¯m just¡ª" She paused to hup. "¡ªgettingfortable, Kane. Rx."


    Comfortable? She was about to strip naked in the middle of the living room!


    Before I could so much as say, "don¡¯t do it" she grabbed the hem of her dress and yanked it over her head, tossing it onto the floor like it had personally offended her. My jaw dropped.


    "Elena!" I hissed, ncing around even though we were already inside. "What the hell are you doing?"


    "It¡¯s <i>hot,</i> Kane," she slurred, kicking off her heels and reaching for her bra strap next. "I can¡¯t¡ªugh¡ªbreathe in all this...fabric prison!"


    "Fabric prison?" I repeated, blinking in disbelief as she started fumbling with the sp at her back.


    "Whoa, whoa! Stop that!" I snapped, grabbing her hands before it could go too far.


    "Why? You¡¯ve seen me before!" she said,ughing as if this was all some great joke.


    "No, Elena. <i>Not like this.</i>" My voice was firm, but the sight of her flushed face and bare skin was doing things to my already fraying self-control.


    I had crossed the room in three strides, grabbing her hands before she couldpletely strip in the middle of the damn living room. She pouted up at me, her cheeks flushed, her eyes ssy, and her lips curving into what I assumed was meant to be a seductive smirk.


    Seeing she wasn¡¯t going to listen, I scooped her up into my arms, carrying her princess-style toward our bedroom. "Alright, you¡¯re going to bed before you embarrass yourself any further."


    She gasped, then started giggling again. "Oh my gosh, Kane! You¡¯re carrying me like I¡¯m a princess!"


    "You are my princess," I muttered under my breath, though she probably didn¡¯t catch it.


    She reached up and pinched my cheek with surprising uracy for someone so drunk. "You¡¯re so serious all the time, Alpha. Why are you so serious? Smile! Life is fun!"


    "Life is <i>exhausting,</i>" I grumbled, maneuvering us through the hallway.


    "Why are you so grumpy?" she asked, her fingers still tugging at my cheek.


    "Because you¡¯re drunk and impossible to deal with," I replied.


    She reached up and pinched my cheek, her fingers soft but insistent. "Aw, look at you, Kane. All serious and grumpy, but deep down, you¡¯re a big ol¡¯ softie, aren¡¯t you?"


    "Elena, stop pinching me," I grumbled, adjusting my grip on her so she wouldn¡¯t slip.


    "You¡¯re so cute when you¡¯re mad," she teased, her giggles spilling into the air like music. "Do it again. Say something bossy. It¡¯s hot."


    I ignored her, focusing on getting her upstairs and into the room before she got any more ideas.


    "Do you ever smile?" she asked, her voice dripping with mock usation. "You should smile more. You¡¯d be even hotter."


    "Elena..."


    "I¡¯m serious!" she insisted, poking my face like she was trying to force my lips into a smile.


    By the time we reached the bed, she was humming some unrecognizable tune and ying with my hair like a toddler who¡¯d just discovered something fascinating.


    "You¡¯re hair¡¯s so soft," she murmured, her voice dreamy. "Do you use conditioner? What¡¯s your secret?"


    "Elena," I said firmly, lowering her onto the bed. "Stay here. Don¡¯t move. Don¡¯t strip. Don¡¯t do anything. Just...stay."


    She gave me a mock salute. "Yes, sir, Alpha, sir!"


    I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. How did my life turn into this circus? All I wanted was a quiet dinner and some time to figure out where we stood. Instead, I was babysitting a drunk mate who was one step away from starting a striptease.


    She grinned up at me like I¡¯d just told her the funniest joke in the world. "You¡¯re so bossy. I like it."


    Goddess help me.


    I ran a hand through my hair, trying to steady myself. "I¡¯m going to the bathroom. <i>Stay.</i>"


    I didn¡¯t wait for a reply, heading straight to the adjoining bathroom to ssh cold water on my face. I needed to cool off¡ªliterally and figuratively. Elena was drunk,pletely out of her mind, and I couldn¡¯t¡ªno, <i>wouldn¡¯t</i>¡ªtake advantage of that, no matter how tempting she made it.


    I sshed water on my face and took a deep breath. <i>You¡¯re an Alpha, Kane. Get a grip.</i>


    When I stepped back into the room, I froze.


    "Elena," I groaned, dragging a hand down my face.


    She was standing in the middle of the room,pletely undressed, her hands on her hips and a challenging glint in her eyes.


    "What part of ¡¯don¡¯t strip¡¯ did you not understand?" I asked, my voice strained as I fought the urge to look anywhere but at her.


    She tilted her head innocently, as if she had no idea what she was doing. "You said not to strip on the <i>bed.</i> I wasn¡¯t on the bed."


    I groaned again, closing my eyes. "Elena, put your clothes back on."


    Instead of answering, she sauntered¡ªyes, <i>sauntered</i>¡ªover to me, stopping so close I could feel the heat radiating off her skin.


    "Do you not like what you see?" she asked, her voice sultry, though the slight slur ruined the effect.


    "Goddess, Elena, don¡¯t do this," I said, backing up until I hit the wall. "You¡¯re drunk."


    "And you¡¯re sexy," she shot back, her lips curving into a mischievous smile.


    "Elena," I warned, my hands gripping the edge of the dresser behind me. "This isn¡¯t funny."


    "Who¡¯sughing?" she asked, stepping closer. Her fingers trailed up my arm, sending shivers down my spine. "You¡¯re always so serious, Kane. Don¡¯t you ever just...let go?"


    She stood on her tiptoes, her lips brushing against my jaw. "I¡¯ll be good, Kane. I promise. Just tell me what you want, and I¡¯ll do it."


    I growled low in my throat, every fiber of my being screaming at me to pull her closer, to im her, to show her exactly how much I wanted her. But she was drunk, and I couldn¡¯t¡ª<i>shouldn¡¯t</i>¡ªdo this.


    "Elena, stop," I said, my voice rough as I grabbed her wrists gently, holding her at arm¡¯s length.


    But she didn¡¯t stop. She ced her hands on my chest, her touch sending a jolt through me, and leaned in closer, her lips brushing against my jaw. "Come on, Alpha," she whispered, her voice a sultry purr. "Don¡¯t you want me?"


    I stared at her, stunned. "What?"


    Did I want her? For fuck¡¯s sake, <i>of course,</i> I wanted her. The scent of her skin, the warmth of her body pressed against mine¡ªit was taking everything I had not to throw her onto the bed and im her right then and there.


    Tears welled up in her eyes, and she sniffled, her lower lip trembling. "I¡¯ll try, Kane. I¡¯ll try to endure the pain if that¡¯s what it takes to make you want me."


    For fuck¡¯s sake.


    "Elena, stop," I said, my voice firm but gentle. "You don¡¯t need to ¡¯endure¡¯ anything for me to want you. I already want you, okay? I¡¯ve wanted you since the moment I saw you."


    "Then why won¡¯t you¡ª"


    "Because you¡¯re drunk," I interrupted, my voice rising slightly. "And I¡¯m not that kind of man. I¡¯m not going to take advantage of you when you¡¯re like this."


    She stared at me, her tears spilling over, and I felt my heart crack.


    "You don¡¯t get it," I said, my voice softer now. "I don¡¯t need you to be submissive or to do anything crazy to make me want you. Hell, Elena, I¡¯m already so damn aroused just looking at you. You don¡¯t need to prove anything to me."


    Her lip quivered, and before I knew it, I was kissing her.


    It was supposed to be a soft kiss, a reassurance that she didn¡¯t need to do anything to earn my affection. But the moment our lips met, it was like a dam broke.


    My hands found her waist, pulling her closer as her arms wrapped around my neck. She kissed me back with a hunger that matched my own, and for a moment, I forgot everything¡ªher drunken state, my own resolve, the promises I¡¯d made to myself.


    I reached for her thighs, lifting her effortlessly as she wrapped her legs around my waist. She gasped against my lips, her fingers tangling in my hair as I carried her to the bed.


    Iid her down gently, hovering over her as my lips trailed down her neck, her breathy moans fueling the fire raging inside me.

 Chapter 75: Crazy Drunk

    <h4>Chapter 75: Crazy Drunk</h4>


    <strong>KANE POV:</strong>


    Her hands roamed over my shoulders, down my back, pulling me closer. "Kane," she murmured, her voice breathless, "I want you."


    Goddess help me, I wanted her too. More than anything. But this wasn¡¯t right. Not like this.


    I pulled back slightly, resting my forehead against hers. "Elena, you¡¯re drunk," I said, my voice hoarse.


    She looked up at me, her expression somewhere between frustration and heartbreak. "I don¡¯t care. I want you, Kane. Please."


    I clenched my jaw, fighting every primal instinct screaming at me to take her. "You¡¯ll thank me in the morning," I muttered, forcing myself to pull away.


    She sat up, tears streaming down her face. "Do you not want me?" she asked, her voice trembling.


    My heart shattered at the sight of her crying. "Of course I want you," I said, my voice firm. "But not like this. Not when you won¡¯t even remember it tomorrow."


    She sniffled, wiping her eyes. "I don¡¯t want to be a disappointment to you."


    I sat on the edge of the bed, pulling her into my arms. "You could never disappoint me, Elena," I said softly. "You¡¯re everything I¡¯ve ever wanted."


    She leaned against me, her tears soaking into my shirt. "Promise?"


    "I promise," I said, pressing a kiss to her forehead.


    But as I held her, trying to calm her down, I couldn¡¯t ignore the fact that my body was still on fire, every nerve ending screaming for her touch. This woman was going to be the death of me.


    Her sobbing quieted in my arms, but the emotional rollercoaster wasn¡¯t something I¡¯d anticipated dealing with tonight. One moment she was seducing me with drunken bravado, and the next, she was crying like I¡¯d just crushed her world. I sighed deeply, brushing a stray lock of hair from her tear-streaked face.


    "Why are you crying now?" I asked gently, though my voice carried a trace of exasperation.


    She sniffled, looking up at me with wide, ssy eyes. "Google said women are emotional creatures, Kane!" she wailed, as if that exined everything.


    I blinked at her. "Google? You¡¯re ming this on <i>Google</i> now?"


    "Yes!" she said with a dramatic huff, crossing her arms over her chest like a petnt child. "It said women are emotional, so I¡¯m just being...what¡¯s the word? Oh, yeah! Normal! I¡¯m normal, Kane!"


    I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to suppress augh. It wasn¡¯t funny. Okay, it was a little funny, but the situation was also aplete disaster. "Elena, you can¡¯t trust everything you read on the inte."


    "But it was on the <i>first page,</i> Kane! The first page of Google!" she insisted, waving her hands in the air like that made it gospel truth.


    "First page or not, you¡¯re drunk, and you¡¯re overthinking everything," I said, trying to sound reasonable. "You¡¯ll feel differently in the morning."


    She narrowed her eyes at me, clearly not convinced. "Are you saying I¡¯m irrational because I¡¯m drunk <i>and</i> a woman?"


    Oh, Goddess. This was a trap.


    "No!" I said quickly, holding up my hands in surrender. "I¡¯m saying you¡¯re irrational because you¡¯ve had half a bottle of wine in ten minutes and are now quoting Google like it¡¯s the damn Bible."


    She stared at me for a moment before bursting intoughter. "You¡¯re funny, Kane. Did anyone ever tell you that? Funny and cute. Like a big, grumpy teddy bear."


    I groaned, leaning back against the headboard as she flopped onto the bed beside me, giggling to herself. "I¡¯m not a teddy bear," I muttered.


    "Yes, you are," she said, poking my chest. "A big, alpha teddy bear."


    "Elena, you really need to sleep this off," I said, trying to sound firm, though her antics were starting to crack through my stoic exterior.


    She sat up suddenly, her expression serious. "Wait. Do teddy bears even have feelings? Or are they just soft? Kane, do you think I¡¯m soft?"


    "What?" I was genuinely losing track of this conversation.


    "Soft. Like, do you think I¡¯m all fluff and no substance?" she asked, peering at me with drunken intensity.


    I shook my head, a reluctant smile tugging at my lips. "You¡¯re plenty substantial, Elena."


    "Good," she said, nodding sagely. "Because I don¡¯t want to be a boring mate. I want to be the best mate you¡¯ve ever had. Even better than all those other women who call you ¡¯Master.¡¯"


    My amusement vanished instantly, reced by a mix of guilt and irritation. "Elena, you don¡¯t need topare yourself to anyone. You¡¯re...you¡¯re it for me, okay?"


    She blinked at me, her eyes wide. "Really?"


    "Yes, really," I said, my tone leaving no room for doubt.


    She smiled, the kind of smile that could melt the coldest of hearts, before promptly throwing herself onto myp. "You¡¯re the best, Kane," she mumbled, resting her head against my chest. "Even if you¡¯re not a teddy bear."


    I sighed, wrapping my arms around her. "Go to sleep, Elena."


    She hummed softly, her breath evening out as she began to drift off. As I sat there holding her, I couldn¡¯t help but think about how utterly unpredictable she was. But as exhausting as she could be, I wouldn¡¯t trade her for anything in the world.


    Still, next time, <i>no wine.</i>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    Waking up naked in Kane¡¯s arms was absolutely <i>not</i> on my to-do list. And yet, here I was, sprawled across him like a starfish, while he held onto me like I was some oversized body pillow. His arms were wrapped tightly around my waist, and his face was buried in my hair. For Goddess¡¯s sake, how did I even get here?


    I cracked one eye open, wincing as the sunlight stabbed directly into my retinas. Ugh, my head. It felt like a war drum was being beaten right between my temples. Wine was definitely off the table for eternity¡ªlesson learned.


    I nced up at Kane¡¯s face, which was somehow <i>annoyingly perfect</i> even in sleep. His strong jawline, slightly scruffy from the night before, was rxed, and his lips were parted ever so slightly. He looked...peaceful. Meanwhile, I was panicking.


    Oh, Goddess, what happenedst night? My mind was hazy, like someone had thrown a thick fog over my memories. There were snippets¡ªsomething about wine, me feeling "hot," Kane carrying me...oh, no. <i>Oh, no.</i>


    I groaned softly, burying my face in my hands. Did I really strip in front of him? Did I...<i>did I try to seduce him?!</i>


    My cheeks burned so hot I thought I might actually ignite. "Kill me now," I whispered to no one in particr.


    Kane stirred beneath me, his arms tightening as he muttered something incoherent. My heart stopped for a moment, and I froze like a deer caught in headlights. Was he awake? Please, no. I wasn¡¯t ready for this.


    "Good morning," came his deep, groggy voice, rumbling against my ear like a thunderstorm rolling in.


    Nope. Nope, nope, nope. Abort mission.


    I tried to wiggle out of his hold, but his grip only tightened further, pinning me against his chest.


    "Where do you think you¡¯re going?" he asked, his voice still rough from sleep.


    "Uh...away?" I mumbled, refusing to look at him.


    Kane chuckled, the sound vibrating through my entire body. "Not happening."


    I groaned again, feeling every bit as ridiculous as I probably looked. "Why am I naked?"


    "You don¡¯t remember?" he asked, his tone far too amused for my liking.


    I peeked up at him through my fingers, narrowing my eyes. "I remember <i>wine.</i> Lots of wine. And...you carrying me. After that, it¡¯s a blur."


    He smirked, one eyebrow quirking up. "You dered it was ¡¯too hot¡¯ and started undressing. I had to carry you upstairs before you gave the neighbors a show."


    Oh, Goddess.


    "And then," he continued, his smirk widening, "you tried to seduce me. Drunkenly, I might add."


    I groaned loudly, smacking my palm against my forehead. "I didn¡¯t."


    "You did," he confirmed, clearly enjoying my mortification.


    I wanted to crawl under a rock and nevere out. "Please tell me I didn¡¯t say anything stupid."


    "Well..." Kane drawled, his smirk turning downright devilish. "You did say something about trying to endure the pain if that¡¯s what I needed to want you."


    I froze, my heart sinking into my stomach. "I¡ªI said that?"


    "Yeah," he said softly, his teasing tone suddenly gone. He reached up to cup my cheek, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Elena, I told youst night, and I¡¯ll tell you again¡ªyou don¡¯t need to do anything like that to make me want you. I already want you. Hell, I <i>need</i> you, just the way you are."


    My throat tightened, and I bit my lip to keep from crying. Damn emotions. Damn wine.


    "You¡¯re not just saying that, are you?" I asked, my voice small.


    His thumb brushed against my cheek, his eyes softening. "I mean every word. And for the record, I didn¡¯t touch youst night, no matter how tempting you were. I want you, Elena, but not like that. Not when you¡¯re not yourself."


    I blinked back tears, suddenly overwhelmed by how much this man cared about me¡ªeven if he was a bossy, overbearing alpha half the time.


    "Thank you," I whispered, my voice cracking slightly.


    He smiled, his lips brushing against my forehead. "Always."


    And just like that, my mortification was temporarily forgotten. That is, until he added, "But you do owe me an exnation for all the cheek-pinching."


    I groaned, burying my face in his chest. "I¡¯m never drinking again."

 Chapter 76: Morning Embarrassment

    <h4>Chapter 76: Morning Embarrassment</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    The fact that I was still very much naked and sprawled across Kane like a human nket was bothering me to no end. My brain was doing cartwheels trying to figure out how to gracefully extract myself from this situation. Spoiler alert: there was no graceful way to deal with this.


    How did I even end up in this position? Oh, right¡ªwine. Lots of it. And now here I was, pressed against a wall of muscle, practically glued to him. His arms were still firmly wrapped around me, like I was some prized possession he refused to let go of. It was sweet...in an <i>incredibly mortifying</i> kind of way.


    My body was pressed against his in a way that was...way too intimate. Every muscle, every inch of him was right there. I couldn¡¯t even think properly. And of course, <i>he</i> didn¡¯t seem to care at all. In fact, he was looking at me like this was the most normal thing in the world.


    "Kane," I mumbled, barely peeking up at him through myshes.


    "Hmm?" His deep, rumbly morning voice made my stomach flip in ways I wasn¡¯t prepared to admit.


    "I, uh...I need to get up," I stammered, awkwardly gesturing to the fact that I was naked. "You know...clothes?"


    He smirked, his grip tightening for just a moment before he loosened his hold. "If you¡¯re embarrassed, don¡¯t be. I told you¡ªI didn¡¯t do anything. You stripped on your own, remember?"


    "Don¡¯t remind me," I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "This is all your fault. Who even lets someone drink that much wine?!"


    "My fault?" His smirk turned into an amused grin as he arched an eyebrow at me. "You¡¯re the one who insisted you could handle it. Should I remind you how you told the waiter you could ¡¯drink me under the table¡¯?"


    I winced. "Okay, fair point. But you could¡¯ve stopped me."


    He chuckled, the sound sending a warm shiver down my spine. "Oh, I tried. You told me I was ¡¯no fun¡¯ and that you were a ¡¯free wolf.¡¯"


    Oh. My. Goddess. I was never leaving this bed¡ªor this room¡ªever again.


    "Just...stop talking," I muttered, attempting to wiggle out of his arms. But Kane, being the overgrown Alpha that he was, decided that was the perfect moment to hold me tighter.


    "You¡¯re going to have to face me eventually, you know," he teased, his voice low and filled with amusement.


    I shook my head, my face still buried in my hands. "Nope. I¡¯ll stay right here. Forever."


    Heughed softly, the sound vibrating through his chest and against my cheek. "Elena, it¡¯s not like I haven¡¯t seen you naked before. Last night wasn¡¯t exactly subtle."


    "That¡¯s not the point!" I snapped, finally lifting my head to re at him. Big mistake. His stupidly handsome face was just inches away, and his eyes were filled with a mix of amusement and...something softer. Something that made my stomach twist in knots.


    "Then what¡¯s the point?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.


    "The point is...I don¡¯t know!" I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest. Oh, great. Now I was pouting like a child. Real mature, Elena.


    Kane grinned, his gaze dropping briefly before flicking back up to meet mine. "If it helps, you look adorable when you¡¯re flustered."


    I groaned, burying my face in his chest again. "You¡¯re impossible."


    "And you¡¯re perfect," he said, his voice softer now. The sudden sincerity caught me off guard, and I found myself ncing up at him again. His expression had shifted, the teasing gone and reced by something far more serious. "Elena, you don¡¯t have to be embarrassed. Not with me."


    His words hit me square in the chest, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. How was this man¡ªthis overbearing, infuriating, <i>perfectly annoying</i> man¡ªso good at disarming me?


    Kane shrugged,pletely unbothered. "You weren¡¯tiningst night."


    I stared at him, utterly mortified. "Kane!"


    Heughed, sitting up and ruffling his already messy hair. "Rx, Elena. I told you, nothing happened. And believe me, it wasn¡¯t easy keeping my hands to myself."


    The way he said it, his voice low and rough, sent a shiver down my spine. Damn him for being so effortlessly sexy.


    "Right," I muttered, trying to focus on <i>not</i> ogling him. "Well, thanks for...you know, not taking advantage of me."


    His expression softened, and he leaned closer, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "I¡¯d never do that, Elena. You mean too much to me."


    My heart did that annoying fluttery thing again, and I hated how much his words affected me. I wanted to stay mad at him¡ªor at least embarrassed¡ªbut it was impossible when he looked at me like that.


    "Still," I said, trying to regain some control of the situation, "maybe next time, let¡¯s avoid the whole <i>drunken nakedness</i> thing, yeah?"


    He grinned, leaning back on his elbows. "Agreed. But for the record, I think you look beautiful either way."


    I gaped at him, unsure whether to be ttered or furious. "Kane!"


    "What?" he said,pletely unapologetic. "Just being honest."


    I groaned, throwing a pillow at his head. He caught it effortlessly,ughing as he tossed it aside.


    "Okay, fine," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I¡¯ll stop."


    "Fine," I muttered, still avoiding his gaze as I shifted off him and tugged the nket around me like a makeshift toga. "But I¡¯m still getting dressed."


    Kane smirked, leaning back against the headboard with an infuriatingly smug look on his face. "Take your time. I¡¯m enjoying the view."


    I grabbed a pillow and chucked it at his head. Unfortunately, his reflexes were annoyingly good, and he caught it with ease,ughing like the cocky Alpha he was.


    "Keep that up, and I might start thinking you like me," he teased.


    I huffed, turning on my heel and marching toward the bathroom. "Don¡¯t push your luck, Kane."


    As I closed the door behind me, I could still hear hisughter echoing through the room. Stupid Alpha. Stupid wine. Stupid everything. But as I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I couldn¡¯t stop the small smile that tugged at my lips. Maybe waking up in his arms wasn¡¯t <i>entirely</i> terrible after all.


    <strong>Kane POV:</strong>


    Waking up with Elena sprawled across me, soft and warm, was one of those rare moments I¡¯d call perfect. Or at least it would¡¯ve been if she weren¡¯t so tense, her body practically vibrating with embarrassment as she realized her current...undressed predicament. It took everything I had not tough outright because, knowing her, she¡¯d probably knee me somewhere I¡¯d rather not think about.


    She shifted slightly, her head nestled against my chest, and muttered something incoherent. I tilted my head to catch her words. "What was that?" I asked, keeping my voice low so I didn¡¯t spook her.


    She peeked up at me, her face pinker than the dawn outside. "Kane...I, uh, need to get up. Clothes. I need clothes."


    Ah, so we were back to shy Elena. I¡¯d be lying if I said I didn¡¯t find it adorable. But instead of teasing her like I wanted to, I smirked and tightened my hold around her, just for a moment. "If you¡¯re embarrassed, don¡¯t be," I said casually. "I told you¡ªI didn¡¯t do anything. You stripped on your own, remember?"


    Her groan was muffled as she buried her face in her hands, and I had to bite my tongue to keep fromughing. "Don¡¯t remind me," she muttered. "This is all your fault! Who even lets someone drink that much wine?!"


    "My fault?" I raised an eyebrow, genuinely amused now. "You¡¯re the one who insisted you could handle it. Or did you forget telling the waiter you could ¡¯drink me under the table¡¯?"


    The re she shot me could¡¯ve melted steel. "Okay, fine. Fair point. But you could¡¯ve stopped me."


    I chuckled, shaking my head. "I tried. You told me I was ¡¯no fun¡¯ and dered yourself a ¡¯free wolf.¡¯" That earned me another groan from her, and I couldn¡¯t help it¡ªIughed. She was impossibly cute when flustered.


    "Just stop talking," she muttered, wriggling in my arms like a trapped kitten. Of course, I tightened my grip again, because why make this easy for her?


    "You¡¯re going to have to face me eventually," I teased, my smirk widening as I watched her squirm.


    "Nope," she said, her voice muffled against my chest. "I¡¯ll stay right here. Forever."


    I let out anotherugh, the sound vibrating through both of us. "Elena, it¡¯s not like I haven¡¯t seen you naked before. Last night wasn¡¯t exactly subtle."


    "That¡¯s not the point!" she snapped, finally lifting her head to re at me. And damn, she was beautiful¡ªeven with her messy hair and a scowl that could scare lesser wolves. But I wasn¡¯t lesser, and I couldn¡¯t stop the grin that spread across my face.


    "Then what is the point?" I asked, genuinely curious now.


    "The point is..." She hesitated, her face going redder by the second. "I don¡¯t know!"


    I chuckled again, shaking my head at her adorable frustration. "If it helps," I said, leaning in slightly, "you look adorable when you¡¯re flustered."


    Her groan of frustration this time was louder, and she dropped her face back onto my chest. "You¡¯re impossible," she muttered.


    "And you¡¯re perfect," I replied softly, the teasing edge leaving my voice. Because as much fun as it was to rile her up, the truth was I meant every word. She was perfect¡ªws, awkwardness, and all. And I needed her to know that.


    Her head lifted slightly, her gaze meeting mine for a brief moment before darting away. "Fine," she muttered, clearly flustered. But instead of facing me, she shifted off me, yanking the nket around her like she was preparing to fight off an army. "But I¡¯m still getting dressed."


    I leaned back against the headboard, smirking as I watched her. "Take your time. I¡¯m enjoying the view."


    Her reaction was immediate. She grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it at my head. Unfortunately for her, I caught it with ease,ughing as her scowl deepened. "Keep that up, and I might start thinking you like me," I teased.


    She huffed, turning on her heel and stomping toward the bathroom. "Don¡¯t push your luck, Kane," she snapped, mming the door behind her.


    Iughed to myself, shaking my head. Goddess, she was something else. Feisty, stubborn, and so damn easy to fluster. But as much fun as it was to tease her, I couldn¡¯t help the warmth spreading through my chest. She was mine¡ªand not just in the mate bond sense. I wanted her in every way, not just for her body, but for everything she was.


    As I settled back against the bed, a small smile tugging at my lips, I couldn¡¯t help but think about how lucky I was. Sure, she¡¯d probably kill me for thinking it, but waking up with her like this¡ªeven if it was a bit chaotic¡ªfelt right. And for once, I wasn¡¯t worried about the past or the future. All I cared about was keeping her here, in my arms, for as long as she¡¯d let me.

 Chapter 77: My Ex

    <h4>Chapter 77: My Ex</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    So here I was, sitting in Kane¡¯s ridiculously pristine kitchen, sipping on orange juice like it was my life support, and trying toe to terms with the fact that my mate¡ªmy <i>mate</i>¡ªwas not only capable of being Prince Charming but also the poster boy for a...whipping-and-gagging romance novel? Because apparently, that¡¯s a thing. A thing I <i>almost</i> threw myself intost night in my drunken stupor. What is wrong with me? Who gets drunk and decides, "Hey, maybe I¡¯ll try being tied up for fun"? I mean, really, Elena. <i>Really.</i>


    Okay, deep breaths. Positive thoughts. Happy thoughts. Or at least sane ones.


    First off, I¡¯d like to thank my mate for not taking advantage of my very questionable judgmentst night. Gentlemanly? Sure. A big bad alpha? Absolutely. But a saint? Debatable. Still, he didn¡¯t try anything, which, considering how much I embarrassed myself, was probably a miracle. Second, I¡¯d like to formally request that my wolf <i>not</i> abandon me the next time I decide to drown my nerves in alcohol. Where was she when I needed her? Supposedly, our wolves are there to help us make better decisions. Mine clearly decided to clock out early and leave me to fend for myself, probably hoping I¡¯d finally getid. Sorry, sister. Our mate is a gentleman, and we¡¯re still sitting on a big fat zero in that department.


    Speaking of our mate, let me catch you up on the delightful <i>morning after</i>. Picture this: me, naked, sprawled on top of Kane like a pancake that had somehow glued itself to the te. Mortifying doesn¡¯t even begin to cover it. Add to that the strange, heated tingling I felt between my thighs when he held me (which, by the way, I am <i>not</i> over), and you¡¯ve got yourself one hell of a mess. A horny, confusing, emotionally charged mess.


    But I digress. Let¡¯s fast-forward to breakfast, where we had a little chat about the, uh, status of our "rtionship." And by rtionship, I mean the absolute rollercoaster that is whatever we¡¯re doing right now. I didn¡¯t want to call it a rtionship because that felt too official, but "this thing" also seemed too casual. So, we settled on terms, and I guess you could say we agreed to take it slow. No rushing, no pressure, and most importantly, no BDSM unless I explicitly wanted to try it.


    Kane, in his ever-patient tone, exined that BDSM wasn¡¯t the horror movie I¡¯d conjured up in my head. "It¡¯s not all pain, Elena," he said, and honestly, the way he said my name in that low, gravelly voice made me think pain might not be the worst thing in the world. "It¡¯s about trust, pleasure, andmunication. It¡¯s for the submissive¡¯s benefit as much as the dominant¡¯s." He even offered to show me¡ªnot in a <i>do it now</i> kind of way, but more like a "here¡¯s what it¡¯s actually about" kind of way.


    And because I am a masochist in my own right (pun intended), I found myself curious. Curious enough to consider it? Not yet. But curious enough to admit that maybe, just <i>maybe</i>, I¡¯d painted it worse than it was. Still, I wasn¡¯t about to sign up for a spanking anytime soon. I¡¯m not exactly a sucker for pain, you know?


    After our surprisingly constructive conversation, Kane stood up, looking all alpha-like and serious, and announced that he needed to go deal with pack issues. Apparently, my little runaway stunt had set him back on some very important alpha business. He assured me that I was free to go anywhere I wanted, as long as I promised to be home by the time he got back. "It¡¯s a gesture of trust," he said, though I couldn¡¯t help but hear the unspoken <i>don¡¯t run away again</i>. I rolled my eyes but nodded, because honestly, where was I even going to go?


    That brings us to the present, where I¡¯m sitting here trying to figure out what the hell to do with my day. Kane said I could go anywhere, which is nice and all, but what does a girl do when she¡¯s just agreed to <i>not</i> run away from her very confusing mate who has a penchant for both rose petals and leather cuffs? I mean, talk about conflicting vibes.


    I decided to do what any self-respecting woman would do in my position: explore the house. And by explore, I mean snoop.


    Kane¡¯s house was huge, as you¡¯d expect from an alpha. It had that whole modern-rustic aesthetic going on, with lots of wood, steel, and neutral tones. Very bachelor-chic. The living room had a massive firece, and the couch looked sofortable I was tempted to take a nap right then and there. But no, I was on a mission. A mission to understand the man I¡¯d promised to give a chance.


    The kitchen was spotless, of course, except for a single mug in the sink. I smirked, imagining Kane being all flustered because he forgot to wash it. The dining room was equally immacte, though it felt more like a showpiece than a ce where people actually ate.


    Then I found his office. Jackpot.


    The room was lined with bookshelves, each one filled with books that looked like they¡¯d never been touched. The desk was sleek and organized, with a stack of papers neatly piled on one side and aptop on the other. I hesitated for a moment before opening one of the drawers. Nothing too scandalous¡ªjust some pens, a notepad, and a half-empty bottle of whiskey. Figures.


    I was just about to leave when something caught my eye: a photo frame tucked away in the corner of the desk. It was a picture of Kane and an older man who I assumed was his father. They were standing side by side, both looking serious but proud. It was the first glimpse I¡¯d had of Kane¡¯s past, and it made me wonder what kind of man he¡¯d been before life turned him into the alpha I knew now.


    I put the frame back and closed the door, feeling a little guilty for snooping but also strangely satisfied. I still had no idea what I was going to do about this whole mate situation, but at least I felt like I understood him a little better. And maybe, just maybe, that was a good ce to start.


    By the time Kane got home, I was curled up on the couch with a book I¡¯d found in his library. He raised an eyebrow at me, clearly surprised to find me there. "You stayed," he said, and there was something in his voice that made my chest tighten.


    "Yeah, well," I said, trying to sound nonchnt, "you did say you trusted me."


    He smiled¡ªa real, genuine smile¡ªand for a moment, I forgot why I was so scared of this whole mate thing. Maybe, just maybe, we were going to be okay.


    "It¡¯s still early. Thought you had a lot to do?" I asked Kane, my eyebrow raised in mild suspicion. It was only 2 PM¡ª<i>14:00</i> for you time-sticklers¡ªand way too early for him to be back from whatever "alpha duties" he had on his to-do list. I had pegged him for a 5 or 6 PM return, maybe 7 at thetest. Yet, here he was, standing in front of me with a sheepish smile that practically screamed <i>busted.</i>


    "I came for lunch," he said casually, but the way he scratched the back of his neck gave him away. Sure, Kane. Lunch. Because we all know what you really came for: <i>to check if I¡¯d bolted.</i> Let¡¯s be honest, the man probably ran halfway through his pack meeting the moment someone said, "Alpha, your..." because <i>Elena might have left.</i>


    I folded my arms, narrowing my eyes at him. "Lunch, huh?"


    He nodded, that sheepish smile transforming into something a little more boyish, a little more <i>Kane.</i>


    I sighed, deciding not to call him out. What was the point? He was here, and I was still here, so technically, he didn¡¯t need to know that I¡¯d caught onto his little "just checking in" excuse. "Well, I madesagna earlier," I said, turning toward the kitchen. "There¡¯s some left if you¡¯re interested. I could warm it up for you."


    Before I could even finish my sentence, his grin grew so wide it was almost goofy. "Really? That¡¯d be great," he said, looking like I¡¯d just offered him a five-star meal instead of reheated leftovers. Honestly, the man acted like I¡¯d agreed to hand-feed him or something.


    I made my way into the kitchen, and of course, he followed me. Because why wouldn¡¯t he? Kane was like a giant shadow, leaning on the wall with his arms crossed, watching me like I was the most fascinating thing in the world. That stupid grin was still stered on his face, and it made me feel...weird. Not bad weird. Just weird. Like maybe I was getting used to him being around, which was a whole new level of <i>what the hell is happening to me.</i>


    "Why are you smiling like that?" I asked, grabbing thesagna and popping it into the microwave. I set the timer and turned around to find him still staring at me.


    "Like what?" he asked, tilting his head. His voice was casual, but there was something mischievous in his tone.


    "Like you just won the lottery."


    He chuckled, his grin softening into something less ridiculous but no less disarming. "Maybe I did."


    I rolled my eyes, but I couldn¡¯t fight the small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "You¡¯re impossible, you know that?"


    "And you¡¯re adorable when you¡¯re pretending not to like me," he shot back smoothly.


    Oh, <i>that</i> did it. I grabbed a dish towel and lightly swatted him with it. "Don¡¯t push your luck, Alpha."


    "Is that a challenge?" he teased, grabbing the edge of the counter like he was considering closing the distance between us.


    I pointed a finger at him. "Sit down before you don¡¯t get yoursagna."


    Heughed but obeyed, taking a seat at the small kitchen table. When the microwave beeped, I pulled the te out, grabbed a fork, and set it in front of him. He looked at the food like it was a masterpiece, which, okay, maybe it was. Mysagna was pretty damn good.


    "You didn¡¯t have to make this," he said, his tone softer now as he picked up the fork. "Thank you."


    "Don¡¯t mention it," I replied, leaning against the counter with my own te in hand. "But seriously, Kane. You didn¡¯t have to rush back just to check on me. I told you I wasn¡¯t going anywhere."


    He looked up at me then, his expression serious but warm. "I know. I trust you, Elena. I just...I wanted to see you."


    Oh. Well, what was I supposed to do with that? My heart did this stupid little flutter thing, and I cursed it for betraying me. I busied myself with pouring him a ss of water, hoping he couldn¡¯t see the heat creeping up my neck.


    I nced at him out of the corner of my eye and saw that he was rxed, maybe even happy. It was strange to see him like this¡ªjust a guy enjoying lunch with me, not the intimidating alpha or theplicated mate with a penchant for leather cuffs.


    "So," I said after a while, breaking the silence. "Did you at least get some of your pack stuff done before you decided to ditch it forsagna?"


    He smirked. "Some of it."


    I raised an eyebrow. "That doesn¡¯t sound very convincing."


    He shrugged, not looking the least bit guilty. "What can I say? I have priorities."


    I rolled my eyes again but couldn¡¯t stop the smallugh that escaped me.


    Just then there was a knock on the front door. I left him eating as I went to answer it and boy I wasn¡¯t prepared to see Derick!

 Chapter 78: Finding A Footing

    <h4>Chapter 78: Finding A Footing</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV</strong>


    The scent of pancakes wafted through the air as I stepped out of the shower, droplets of water still clinging to my skin as I grabbed a towel. I had told her to wait for me, that we¡¯d make breakfast together, but of course, she had her own ns. Elena was stubborn like that¡ªindependent to the core¡ªand while it asionally annoyed me, I couldn¡¯t deny how much I admired her for it.


    By the time I walked into the kitchen, she was flipping pancakes onto a te, her movements rxed and confident. "You¡¯re impatient," I said, leaning against the doorway and crossing my arms.


    She didn¡¯t even look up. "I figured I¡¯d save us both the misery of waiting for you to try and poison me with whatever it was you madest time."


    I chuckled, shaking my head as I pulled a chair out at the table. "They weren¡¯t <i>that</i> bad."


    "They weren¡¯t pancakes either," she quipped, setting a te in front of me. Her lips twitched into a yful smirk as she slid into the chair across from me, fork in hand. "Now <i>this</i> is what pancakes are supposed to taste like. Try not to embarrass yourself again, okay?"


    I took a bite, and damn it, she was right¡ªthey were good. Edible and perfectly golden, not the disaster I¡¯d somehow managed to create the other day. "Fine," I said between bites, a reluctant smile tugging at my lips. "You win this round."


    We ate infortable silence for a while, the tension between us lighter than it had been in days. But I knew we couldn¡¯t avoid the inevitable forever. The talk.


    When the tes were cleared, I decided to bite the bullet. "Elena," I started, leaning back in my chair. "We should talk. About us."


    Her expression shifted slightly, her guard going up as she crossed her arms over her chest. I knew she wasn¡¯t the kind of person who enjoyed having these conversations, but it needed to happen.


    "I know we¡¯ve had a rough start," I said carefully, trying to find the right words. "But I think we can make this work. If we take it slow. See where it goes."


    She looked at me for a long moment, her eyes searching mine for something I couldn¡¯t quite ce. Finally, she nodded. "Slow sounds... good. I¡¯m not promising anything, Kane. But I¡¯m willing to try."


    Relief washed over me, though I kept it from showing too much on my face. "That¡¯s all I¡¯m asking for."


    Then came the harder part of the conversation¡ªthe one I¡¯d been dreading even more. The subject of my... desires.


    "I know you¡¯re worried about... you know," I began, awkwardly rubbing the back of my neck. "My sexual needs, or whatever you want to call it. But I need you to know, Elena, it doesn¡¯t have to be that way. I¡¯m not going to pressure you into anything."


    Her brow furrowed slightly, her curiosity warring with her caution. "When I read about it, it sounded like it¡¯s some big, terrifying thing," she said, her toneced with skepticism.


    "It¡¯s not," I assured her, leaning forward slightly. "It¡¯s just... different. Intense. And honestly, not as bad as you¡¯re making it out to be."


    Her lips twitched, and I could tell she was debating whether or not to ask more questions. Eventually, curiosity won out. "So, what? You¡¯re saying it¡¯s just this thing you do? Like a kink or something?"


    I chuckled at her bluntness, though I could see she was genuinely trying to understand. "Something like that," I said. "But look, I¡¯m not expecting you to try it out or even entertain the idea. I¡¯m just... exining."


    She tilted her head, her curiosity ring again. "I could show you," I said, though MY tone was cautious.


    She raised an eyebrow, unsure if I was joking or serious. "Show me?"


    "Not <i>doing</i> anything," she rified quickly, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. "Just... I don¡¯t know. Exin it better or whatever."


    I held her gaze, gauging her reaction carefully. She was curious, but not in the way that suggested she wanted to dive into anything headfirst. That was fine with me. I wasn¡¯t going to push her.


    "Alright," I said finally. "If you¡¯re ever curious, I¡¯ll exin as much as you want. But only if you¡¯refortable. I mean that, Elena."


    She nodded, her expression softening slightly. "Thanks, Kane. For not... you know, being weird about it."


    I smirked at that, leaning back in my chair. "I told you¡ªI¡¯m trying to be better. For you."


    We sat there for a moment, the tension between us easing just a bit more. It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it was progress.


    Unfortunately, the peace didn¡¯tst long. My beta¡¯s voice suddenly echoed through my mind via our pack link, his tone exasperated.


    <i>"Alpha Kane, you need to cut this ¡¯honeymoon¡¯ short. Whatever it is, and it¡¯s definitely not a honeymoon if your mate keeps trying to run away. The pack needs you."</i>


    I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose as the weight of responsibility came crashing back down on me. He wasn¡¯t wrong¡ªI¡¯d been neglecting pack business for far too long, trying to focus on repairing the fragile bond between Elena and me. But I couldn¡¯t ignore my duties forever.


    "Trouble?" Elena asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "Pack business," I admitted reluctantly. "I¡¯ve been putting it off, but I can¡¯t anymore. They need me to step up and be the leader I¡¯m supposed to be."


    She nodded slowly, her expression unreadable. "You should go, then. They¡¯re your people."


    "I¡¯ll be back," I promised, standing up and reaching for my jacket. "And I¡¯ll keep trying to be a better mate. For you and for us."


    She didn¡¯t say anything, but the look in her eyes told me enough. She wasn¡¯t ready to trust mepletely yet, but she was willing to give me a chance. And that was more than I could have hoped for.


    Before I walked out the door, I turned to her. She was standing near the kitchen counter, her arms loosely crossed, a guarded expression on her face. I knew I couldn¡¯t chain her down, and I wouldn¡¯t want to¡ªnot after everything. But I needed her to know where I stood.


    "I¡¯ll be gone for a while," I said carefully, keeping my tone neutral. "Pack business needs my attention, and I can¡¯t avoid it any longer."


    She didn¡¯t respond immediately, just gave me a slight nod, her lips pressed into a thin line.


    I hesitated, debating how much to say. Finally, I decided to speak from my heart. "Elena," I began, stepping closer but leaving enough space between us so she wouldn¡¯t feel cornered. "You¡¯re free to go anywhere. You¡¯ve always been free. But..." I paused, rubbing the back of my neck, the vulnerability in my voice surprising even me. "I¡¯d love it if I could find you here when I get back."


    Her eyes flickered with something I couldn¡¯t quite name¡ªsurprise, maybe, or uncertainty. For a second, I thought she might argue, tell me she didn¡¯t owe me anything, and she¡¯d go wherever she wanted. But instead, she gave a small nod.


    "I¡¯ll think about it," she said, her tone nomittal.


    I smiled faintly, knowing that was as much of a win as I was going to get. "That¡¯s all I¡¯m asking."


    Her gaze lingered on mine, and for a moment, there was something unspoken between us, something fragile but real. Then she looked away, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.


    "I¡¯ll see youter, Kane," she said softly.


    I nodded, grabbing my keys and heading out the door. As I walked to my car, I couldn¡¯t help but nce back at the house. It wasn¡¯t just a ce to me anymore¡ªit was where she was. And for the first time in a long while, I hoped that when I returned, it would still feel like home.


    Okay, call me impatient or a nervous freak¡ªwhatever fits¡ªbut I need to see her. I know I haven¡¯t been at the office long, but I¡¯ve already handled the pressing issues that couldn¡¯t wait. Half my work is done, and the rest can wait. My head isn¡¯t in it anyway, not when I keep wondering what she¡¯s doing at home.


    So I made the executive decision to head back. Was it because I wanted to see her? Absolutely. Was it also to assure myself she hadn¡¯t bolted? Maybe just a little. Not that I think she would anymore¡ªwe¡¯re past that, right? But I¡¯ve learned not to take anything for granted.


    She¡¯ll probably ask why I came back so soon, and honestly, I¡¯ve already got my answer lined up. Simple. Straightforward.


    "Came to eat lunch."


    Perfectly reasonable, right?


    As I drove, my thoughts drifted to her¡ªherugh, her scent, the way she teased me this morning over the pancakes I made the other day. Not my finest culinary moment, sure, but her grin had been worth it. We¡¯d talked about us, really talked, and decided to take things slow. That gave me hope.


    And then there was the other conversation¡ªthe one about my... desires. I¡¯d tried to exin it wasn¡¯t as overwhelming as she thought, that I wasn¡¯t some uncontroble beast ready to pounce. She¡¯d been curious but cautious, and I respected that. Hell, I¡¯d practically volunteered to show her without pushing her into anything. I wanted her to feel safe with me, not pressured.


    The road blurred as I focused on the thought of her. Being a mate meant more than just protecting her¡ªit meant being patient, giving her the space to growfortable with me and this whole new world she¡¯s stepped into.


    But yeah, patience isn¡¯t exactly my strong suit. Hence why I¡¯m on my way back, probably earlier than she¡¯d expect.


    I parked outside the house and took a steadying breath before heading to the door. I didn¡¯t want her to think I was hovering, even if, let¡¯s be real, I kind of was.


    When I stepped inside, the familiar scent of her hit me immediately. Relief flooded me¡ªnot that I doubted she¡¯d still be here. Okay, maybe I doubted a little, but seeing her shoes by the door and hearing faint movement in the kitchen eased that lingering fear.


    She turned when she heard me, her brows lifting in surprise. "You¡¯re back already?"


    I shed her my best sheepish grin. "Came to eat lunch."


    Her lips quirked, and I could see the question in her eyes. But for now, she let it slide, and I was grateful.


    Because honestly? I didn¡¯t juste back for lunch. I came back for her.

 Chapter 79: Her Ex

    <h4>Chapter 79: Her Ex</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV</strong>


    So, the idea ofing home for lunch wasn¡¯t as bad as I thought. She had madesagna. And had she kept some for thinking of me? I wish. But still, she offered to serve me, and that was enough to make my wolf settle a little.


    I followed her into the kitchen, watching as she moved with that quiet confidence, her fingers deftly setting the te and popping it into the microwave. I leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, trying to look cool when, in reality, my heart was thudding louder than it had any right to.


    As I stood there, I couldn¡¯t help but send a silent thanks to the Moon Goddess. Truly, I owed her for touching Elena¡¯s heart and giving me this chance¡ªgiving us this chance.


    Because, honestly, who would¡¯ve thought?


    Who would¡¯ve imagined that the same mate who once looked at every escape route to get away from me was now here, warming up food, acting like it was the most natural thing in the world?


    She nced over her shoulder, her lips twitching with the hint of a smile. "You don¡¯t have to just stand there, you know. The table¡¯s not going to bite you."


    I grinned, shaking my head. "I¡¯m good here. Watching you cook is the highlight of my day."


    She snorted, rolling her eyes, but I caught the faint blush on her cheeks. It was those little things that drove me crazy¡ªthe way she¡¯d let her guard down for just a second, giving me a glimpse of the woman behind all the walls she¡¯d built.


    When the microwave beeped, she turned, te in hand, and set it on the counter. "Here you go," she said, sliding it toward me.


    I stepped forward, my fingers brushing hers as I took the te. Sparks. That ever-present bond between us. It didn¡¯t matter how many times it happened; it always left me a little breathless.


    "Thank you," I said softly, holding her gaze.


    She nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before busying herself with wiping down the already clean counter. "It¡¯s justsagna. Don¡¯t get all sentimental on me."


    I chuckled, taking a bite. The vors exploded on my tongue, rich and perfect. "Justsagna?" I teased. "This is amazing. Way better than what I would¡¯ve whipped up."


    Her lips curved into a small, satisfied smile, though she tried to hide it. "Well, at least one of us can cook."


    I couldn¡¯t stop theughter that escaped me, the sound filling the kitchen. And for a moment, everything felt... right. No pack politics, no lingering doubts or fears¡ªjust her and me, sharing a meal and a moment that felt like the start of something real.


    Who would¡¯ve thought? My runaway mate was finally here with me, and I was never letting her go.


    Just when I thought things were finally getting better¡ªwhen the bond between Elena and me seemed to be growing, however slowly, and the future didn¡¯t look so bleak¡ªthere was a knock on the front door.


    Elena immediately offered to check who it was. "I¡¯ll get it," she said, wiping her hands on a towel and heading toward the door without waiting for me to respond.


    At first, I didn¡¯t think much of it. My mind was still preupied with how natural it had felt to share this time with her. The sound of herughter earlier, the softness in her eyes¡ªit had been more than I could¡¯ve hoped for.


    But as the minutes ticked by and she didn¡¯t return, unease began to settle in my chest.


    I stayed seated for a moment, convincing myself she¡¯d simply been caught in some neighborly conversation or a mundane delivery. But then my wolf stirred.


    And then I caught it.


    A scent.


    It hit me like a punch to the gut¡ªsharp, foreign, and unmistakable. A wolf. But not one of mine. Not a single member of my pack carried that scent, and whoever it was, they weren¡¯t supposed to be here.


    My instincts kicked in. My wolf bristled, his growl reverberating in my chest, and I was already halfway to the door before I even realized I¡¯d stood.


    "Elena?" I called out, but there was no answer.


    Stepping into the living area, the scene unfolded before me.


    Elena stood at the door, her posture tense, one hand gripping the edge of the frame as if she were keeping herself grounded. Standing across from her, just outside the threshold, was a man¡ªa wolf. His face was pale, his hands raised slightly in what I recognized as a pleading gesture.


    The moment I stepped into the room, his gaze flicked to me, and I saw the color drain from his face.


    He knew.


    He¡¯d scented me the moment I arrived.


    And by the look on his face, he¡¯d been hoping I wouldn¡¯t.


    "Who the hell are you?" My voice was low,ced with a growl that I didn¡¯t bother suppressing. My wolf was on edge, pacing within me, eager to pounce on this intruder who dared to enter my territory uninvited.


    The man opened his mouth to speak, but the words seemed to stick in his throat. His fear was obvious, and it fueled my anger even more.


    Elena turned to me then, her expression conflicted, her lips parting as if she were about to exin¡ªbut the hesitation in her eyes set me on edge.


    "Elena?" I said, my voice a little sharper now.


    She swallowed hard, ncing between me and the man before finally murmuring, "He¡¯s... he¡¯s my ex."


    Her words hit me like a blow to the chest.


    "What?" I barked, unable to hide the incredulity¡ªand fury¡ªin my tone. My wolf snarled, loud and clear in my mind, and I took a step closer to them, my fists clenching at my sides.


    Elena flinched slightly, but the man¡ªher <i>ex</i>¡ªstayed frozen in ce, his fear radiating off him in waves.


    "Let me get this straight," I said, my voice cold as ice. "You¡ª" I pointed a finger at him, "¡ªare her ex, and you thought it was a good idea to just waltz into my territory without permission?"


    He stammered, his words tripping over each other as he tried to exin. "I... I didn¡¯t mean to... I didn¡¯t know¡ª"


    "Didn¡¯t know what?" I snapped, cutting him off. "That you¡¯d be trespassing? That you¡¯d be facing <i>me</i> if you came anywhere near her?"


    "Kane¡ª" Elena¡¯s voice was soft, but I could hear the tension in it.


    I turned to her, my jaw tight. "You know him?"


    She nodded, her eyes flicking to the floor. "Yes. Like I said... he¡¯s my ex. We... it¡¯splicated."


    Complicated? That was thest thing I wanted to hear right now.


    I took a deep breath, trying to reign in my wolf, who was practically wing at my skin to be let loose. "Elena," I said, my voice quieter but no less firm, "what is he doing here?"


    She hesitated for a moment, then said, "He just showed up. I didn¡¯t invite him, Kane. I swear."


    That was enough to calm me¡ªslightly. I could tell she was telling the truth, but that didn¡¯t exin why this guy thought he had the right toe here in the first ce.


    "Why are you here?" I demanded, turning back to him.


    He shifted ufortably, his gaze darting between me and Elena. "I just... I needed to see her. I didn¡¯t mean any harm."


    I narrowed my eyes at him, my wolf growling low in my chest. "You needed to see her?" I repeated, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "You needed to see <i>my mate</i>?"


    He winced at the word, and I could tell he hadn¡¯t expected to hear it.


    Elena stepped between us then, her hands raised slightly as if to keep us from tearing into each other. "Kane, please," she said softly. "Let me handle this."


    I stared at her, my chest heaving with barely contained anger. Thest thing I wanted to do was let her deal with this alone, but the pleading look in her eyes made me hesitate.


    "Fine," I said through gritted teeth. "But I¡¯m not going far."


    I stepped back, giving her space but keeping my eyes locked on her ex. If he so much as looked at her the wrong way, he¡¯d regret it.


    Elena turned to him, her voice low and steady as she spoke. "What do you want, Derick?"


    So, that was his name. Derick It didn¡¯t matter. All I saw was an intruder.


    "I just..." Derick hesitated, ncing nervously at me before continuing. "I wanted to talk. To exin. To apologize."


    Elena crossed her arms over her chest, her expression hardening. "There¡¯s nothing to apologize for. Whatever we had is over, Derick. It¡¯s been over for a long time."


    "But¡ª"


    "No," she said firmly, cutting him off. "You don¡¯t get toe here and disrupt my life. I¡¯ve moved on."


    Her words sent a surge of satisfaction through me, but I kept my face neutral, watching the interaction carefully.


    Derick looked like he wanted to argue, but the weight of her words¡ªand my presence¡ªseemed to crush whatever hope he had.


    "I¡¯m sorry," he muttered, his shoulders slumping. "I¡¯ll go."


    "Good idea," I said coldly, stepping closer. "And don¡¯t let me catch you anywhere near her¡ªor my pack¡ªagain."

 Chapter 80: Ex Was Mate Sub

    <h4>Chapter 80: Ex Was Mate Sub</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV</strong>


    Just as I thought the drama at the door was over and Derick¡ªElena¡¯s ex¡ªwas about to slink off, the universe decided to throw another curveball my way. Because, of course, why would things ever be simple?


    Before Derick could fully disappear, another scent hit me¡ªa familiar one that made my stomach churn.


    And my ghost stepped through.


    Ashley.


    My sub.


    The one person who had been the bane of my rtionship with Elena. Her presence was a constant shadow, a reminder of mistakes made and trust broken. And now, of all times, she was here, standing at the threshold with that familiar defiant look in her eyes.


    Before I could demand an exnation, her attention wasn¡¯t on me.


    "Derick?" she said, her voiceced with disbelief and irritation. "What are you doing here?"


    The way she said his name¡ªit was personal. Too personal.


    Ashley crossed her arms, her expression hardening. "I thought we agreed mutually that we weren¡¯t going to interfere in one another¡¯s lives."


    My mind froze, gears grinding to a halt as I processed her words.


    <i>Agreed? Interfere?</i>


    Derick stiffened, his pale face now somehow even paler. "Ashley," he stammered, "I didn¡¯t mean to... I didn¡¯t know you were here."


    I narrowed my eyes at both of them, my wolf practically snarling now. Whatever this was, I needed answers.


    Turning to Ashley, I demanded, "Who is he to you?" My voice was low and dangerous, every word edged with the power of an alpha¡¯smand.


    She hesitated, and for a brief moment, I saw a flicker of something in her eyes¡ªregret? Guilt? It was enough to make my blood boil.


    Finally, she looked down, unable to meet my gaze, and mumbled, "He was my mate."


    <i>What.</i>


    Her mate?


    Ashley lifted her gaze then, her expression shifting to one of desperation¡ªpleading, almost, but not for Derick. No, it was directed at me.


    "But we agreed on rejection," she said quickly, as though it would absolve her. "Can¡¯t you see, sir? I rejected <i>him</i> for <i>you.</i>"


    The words hung in the air like a bomb waiting to explode.


    My jaw tightened, my fists clenching at my sides as I stared at her. "You rejected your mate... for me?"


    Before Ashley could respond, Derick stepped forward, his expression darkening as realization seemed to hit him all at once. "So <i>he¡¯s</i> the reason," he spat, his voice shaking with rage. "It was for <i>him</i> that you agreed to reject me."


    Ashley flinched but said nothing.


    Both Ashley and Derick fell silent, their eyes turning to me.


    This wasn¡¯t my mess to clean up. They clearly had their own issues to sort out, but I wasn¡¯t about to let them do it on my doorstep. Especially not in front of Elena.


    Elena, who had been watching the entire exchange with wide eyes, her confusion and difort growing with every word.


    I reached out, taking her hand in mine and pulling her gently but firmly behind me. My focus was on Ashley and Derick now, my voice cold and unyielding.


    "You two clearly have your own problems to deal with," I said, my tone leaving no room for argument. "But you¡¯re not going to deal with them here. This is <i>my</i> territory, and I won¡¯t have it tainted with your unresolved drama."


    Ashley¡¯s eyes widened, her lips parting as if she wanted to protest, but I didn¡¯t give her the chance.


    "And you," I said, my gaze locking onto Derick, "are trespassing. You should have been gone the moment you knew whose territory this was. Don¡¯t make me repeat myself."


    Derick¡¯s jaw clenched, but he nodded stiffly, his gaze dropping to the ground. "I¡¯ll leave," he muttered.


    Ashley hesitated, looking at me as though hoping for some kind of reprieve. When she saw she wasn¡¯t going to get it, she sighed and turned to follow him.


    As soon as they were both out of the doorway, I mmed the door shut behind them, the sound echoing through the house.


    I stood there for a moment, my chest heaving, trying to push down the anger that threatened to boil over.


    Turning back to Elena, I saw her watching me, her expression a mix of concern and... something else I couldn¡¯t quite ce.


    The moment I mmed the door shut, I hoped I¡¯d left the mess of their drama outside. But their raised voices, barely muffled by the thick walls, told me otherwise.


    Derick¡¯s using tone sliced through the air like a de. "You rejected me for him?" he demanded, his voice dripping with bitterness.


    And then Ashley, who I rarely ever saw lose herposure, snapped. Her voice rang out loud and clear.


    "You dare act like the innocent one in all this?" she yelled, her tone venomous. "You told me¡ª<i>you told me</i>¡ªthat you were involved with an alpha¡¯s daughter. That the mate bond wasn¡¯t going to stop you from doing whatever it took to be an alpha yourself!"


    I froze at those words, my wolf stirring with a mixture of disbelief and fury.


    Ashley wasn¡¯t finished. "Don¡¯t you dare y the victim now," she spat. "I said we should reject each other because it was clear neither of us wanted the bond! And guess what, you agreed. <i>You agreed,</i> Derick!"


    Her voice cracked slightly, but the anger didn¡¯t waver.


    Inside, Elena moved closer to me, her expression confused but wary. "What¡¯s going on?" she asked quietly, but I held up a hand to signal for silence. I needed to hear this.


    Derick¡¯s response came, his voice no longer loud but sharp enough to cut. "I agreed because I thought you wanted out just as much as I did. I thought it was mutual!"


    Ashley¡¯s bitterugh followed, tinged with mockery. "Mutual? Oh, please. Don¡¯t lie to yourself, Derick. You agreed because you thought rejecting me would make her"¡ªthere was no doubt who <i>her</i> referred to¡ª"yours. You thought you could swoop in, charm Elena, and be the alpha of her pack through her father."


    Elena stiffened beside me, and I saw her hands curl into fists.


    Ashley wasn¡¯t done yet. "And don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re here now," she added, her tone dripping with scorn. "You¡¯re not here because of me. You¡¯re here because Elena chose someone else. Because she chose Kane. And now, you¡¯re left with nothing."


    I exhaled slowly, my mind piecing together the tangled threads of their deceit.


    So, this was what it boiled down to.


    This idiot, Derick, had agreed to the rejection not because he wanted freedom or independence, but because he thought it would clear a path to Elena. He¡¯d been plotting to use her, her family, and her legacy to secure a title he could never earn on his own.


    And Ashley? She¡¯d yed her own game, thinking she could twist the rejection into an opportunity to win me over. It was all clear now¡ªthe calcted nces, the way she always lingered too close, the subtle maniption. She¡¯d thought I¡¯d fall for her eventually.


    But the one thing neither of them ounted for was <i>me</i>.


    I wouldn¡¯t have let Elena reject me, not even when she wanted to. And I definitely wouldn¡¯t have agreed to a rejection, not when I knew the mate bond was too precious to squander.


    Elena and I would¡¯ve been left mateless, vulnerable to the scheming of these two maniptive fools. Ashley would have clung to me, and Derick would have sunk his ws into Elena.


    But fate¡ªor perhaps the goddess¡ªhad other ns.


    "Unbelievable," I muttered under my breath, running a hand through my hair as I stared at the door.


    Outside, Ashley and Derick¡¯s voices grew quieter as their argument continued. But I was done listening.


    Pulling Elena into my arms, I pressed a kiss to her forehead and whispered, "Let them sort out their mess. It¡¯s not our problem anymore."


    She nodded, resting her head against my chest.


    A thought gnawed at me like an itch I couldn¡¯t scratch. I tried to push it aside, to focus on the warmth of Elena in my arms, but the doubt lingered in the back of my mind.


    Elena had said she¡¯d try to make this work¡ªto give me, us, a chance¡ªbut the arrival of her ex had shaken something loose in me.


    If I hadn¡¯t been here, would that fool Derick have managed to charm her, to remind her of what they once shared? Would she have run off with him?


    I clenched my jaw at the thought, my wolf snarling inside me. <i>Childhood sweethearts</i>. The words had been casually thrown at me by her father the day I found out she was my mate. He¡¯d told me about their history like it was some harmless little detail, something I should brush off. But how could I?


    I remember that conversation vividly.


    I looked down at her now, still resting in my arms, unaware of the storm raging inside me.


    I wanted to believe that she was past all of that¡ªthat whatever connection she and Derick once had was nothing more than a distant memory. But the doubt lingered.


    It wasn¡¯t just about Derick. It was about me.


    I wasn¡¯t blind to the fact that I¡¯d made mistakes¡ªmistakes that had pushed Elena further away instead of bringing her closer. I hadn¡¯t always been the mate she needed. Hell, I¡¯d probably been the opposite of what she wanted for a long time.


    But things were different now. I was trying. She was trying. And yet, the fear that it might not be enough was like a weight pressing down on my chest.


    I couldn¡¯t lose her. Not to Derick. Not to anyone.


    My wolf growled, the sound echoing in my mind. <i>She¡¯s ours. She chose to stay. Trust her.</i>


    Easier said than done.


    But as I held her, as I felt the steady rhythm of her heartbeat against me, I forced myself to breathe. To push the doubts aside.


    She¡¯d told me she¡¯d try. She¡¯d told me she was willing to give us a chance.


    And I¡¯d be damned if I let anyone, least of all Derick, take that away from us.


    Still, the thought of their shared history left a bitter taste in my mouth. Childhood sweethearts. The idea of someone else knowing her so intimately, of someone else sharing parts of her life that I would never get to experience, made my wolf bristle with possessiveness.


    But it wasn¡¯t just about her past. It was about her future. <i>Our</i> future.


    Derick was a threat, yes. Not because I thought Elena would willingly go back to him, but because he clearly thought he still had a chance. And people like him¡ªarrogant, maniptive, and opportunistic¡ªwere dangerous.


    I¡¯d seen it in the way he looked at her when I stepped into the room earlier. The way he pleaded with her, like he thought he could convince her to leave with him if he just said the right words.


    But what he didn¡¯t understand was that Elena wasn¡¯t the same person she¡¯d been back then. She wasn¡¯t some naive girl who could be swayed by sweet talk and empty promises.


    She was stronger now. Smarter.


    And she was mine.


    I tightened my arms around her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.


    "Everything okay?" she murmured, looking up at me with those wide, curious eyes.


    "Yeah," I said, forcing a small smile. "Just thinking."


    "About what?"


    "About how lucky I am," I said, the wordsing out more easily than I expected.


    She rolled her eyes but smiled softly. "You¡¯re ridiculous."


    "Maybe," I admitted. "But it¡¯s true."


    She rested her head against my chest again, and for a moment, the tension eased.


    Derick could try all he wanted. He could plead, manipte, and scheme until he was blue in the face.


    But at the end of the day, Elena was here. With me.


    And I wasn¡¯t going to let her go. Not now. Not ever.

 Chapter 81: A Little Distraction

    <h4>Chapter 81: A Little Distraction</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV</strong>


    Wow. I knew Derick had told me he had rejected his mate, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it would be Ashley. The same Ashley who had caused such a rift between Kane and me. It was like the world had decided to shrink just to throw this mess in my face. A small, cruel world indeed.


    As I stood there, trying to process the whirlwind of revtions, anger bubbled in my chest. How could I have been so blind? So foolish? I had trusted Derick, believed in the promises he whispered when we were younger. He¡¯d told me I was his world, that he couldn¡¯t wait to build a life with me.


    But now, the truth hit me like a p. He hadn¡¯t wanted me¡ªElena. He¡¯d wanted what I came with. Being the daughter of an alpha wasn¡¯t just a title; it was a ticket to power. If we had stayed together, if I had been naive enough to let him, he would¡¯ve used me to take over my father¡¯s pack. Every sweet word¡ªit was all maniption. He¡¯d yed me, and I fell for it.


    I clenched my fists at the thought, my nails digging into my palms. The anger was a wee distraction from the ache of betrayal. How could I have let myself be made into such a fool?


    But before I could drown further in my spiraling thoughts, a warmth enveloped me. Kane. His strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me into his chest. My cheek pressed against the solid wall of muscle, and I couldn¡¯t help but inhale deeply, his scent grounding me. The storm inside me slowed to a murmur as I felt the sparks flicker wherever his hands touched my skin.


    It was unnerving how quickly his presence could settle me. I¡¯d spent so long trying to keep him at arm¡¯s length, to shield myself from the bond we shared. Yet here I was, engulfed in him, findingfort in his embrace as if it was the most natural thing in the world.


    "Are you okay?" His voice was low, soothing, yet tinged with worry. He pulled back just enough to look at me, his golden eyes searching mine for answers.


    I nodded, though I wasn¡¯t sure if it was true. "I¡¯m just... processing."


    Kane¡¯s expression softened, and he brushed a strand of hair from my face. The gesture was so gentle, so unlike the fierce alpha I¡¯d thought him to be. "You don¡¯t have to do it alone," he murmured. "Not anymore."


    Those words pierced through me, breaking down the walls I¡¯d so carefully constructed. He wasn¡¯t just saying them to win me over; he meant them. Kane had proven time and again that he wasn¡¯t going to give up on me, no matter how much I pushed him away.


    "I just..." I struggled to find the words. "I feel so stupid. I didn¡¯t see it. I let him manipte me, and I¡ª"


    "Stop," Kane interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. He cupped my face, forcing me to meet his gaze. "You¡¯re not stupid. He¡¯s the one who was blind, Elena. Blind to how amazing you are. And as far as I¡¯m concerned, he¡¯s nothing but a bad memory now."


    His words sent a shiver through me¡ªnot from fear, but from something deeper. Something I wasn¡¯t ready to name.


    I looked away, biting my lip. "It¡¯s not that easy, Kane. He... he was my first love. And finding out that it was all a lie¡ª"


    "¡ªhurts," Kane finished for me. He stepped even closer, his body practically shielding me from the world. "I get it. I do. But you¡¯re more than what he tried to make you believe. And you don¡¯t have to face him, or this, alone."


    I didn¡¯t know what to say. Part of me wanted to argue, to push him away like I always did when he got too close. But another part of me¡ªthe part that was tired of fighting, tired of holding everything in¡ªwanted to believe him.


    "I don¡¯t know how to let this go," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper.


    "You don¡¯t have to figure it out today," Kane said. "Just... trust me. Let me help you."


    I looked up at him, searching his face for any sign of hesitation or deceit. There was none. Only sincerity. Only Kane.


    Before I could stop myself, I nodded. "Okay."


    His lips curved into a small smile, and for a moment, the tension between us faded. He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, and my heart skipped a beat. The sparks danced between us again, stronger this time, and I knew there was no escaping them.


    As Kane pulled me closer, I allowed myself a moment to breathe. A moment to trust that maybe, just maybe, this bond could be something good. Something real.


    "Why don¡¯t we finish where we left off?" Kane said softly, his deep voice grounding me amidst the whirlwind of emotions. Before I could fullyprehend his words, he guided me back to the kitchen to the chair in the dining area where he had been eating, sat down, and effortlessly pulled me onto hisp.


    My breath hitched as he reached for his spoon and resumed eating like it was the most natural thing in the world. I squirmed slightly, trying to get up, but his arm tightened around me, keeping me firmly in ce.


    "You know, about this morning... what we talked about," he began, his voice calm butced with a trace of heat.


    I nodded, though my mind was elsewhere¡ªdistracted by where his hand rested on my waist and the tingling sparks it sent coursing through my body.


    "I want to show you something else," he continued, his golden eyes meeting mine. "Something that doesn¡¯t involve any pain... to take your mind off the incident with your ex."


    His suggestion caught me off guard. My heart fluttered as his words sank in. I didn¡¯t know how to respond. Was I curious? Yes. Did I want to try whatever it was he had in mind? Absolutely. Was I scared? A little.


    He chuckled softly, the sound low and almost sinful. "Rx, love. I¡¯m not going to eat you¡ªat least not yet."


    I gasped, heat rushing to my cheeks at his boldness. He smirked, clearly enjoying the effect he had on me. Slowly, he released me from his hold, and I assumed that meant I could move. But as soon as I tried to stand, his hand shot out to grab mine.


    "Not so fast," he said, his voice thick with amusement.


    Before I could protest, Kane effortlessly picked me up and set me on the table. The cool surface against my legs made me shiver, though the warmth of his presence was enough to keep me from feeling the chill for long.


    "Remember, no peeking, no touching. Okay?" His voice was firm yet teasing, making my pulse race.


    I nodded, though my curiosity and nerves battled within me. Kane reached into his pocket and pulled out his tie, holding it up for me to see. "May I?" he asked, his tone softer now.


    I swallowed hard but nodded again, the idea of being blindfolded both thrilling and nerve-wracking. "Yes," I whispered.


    "Good girl," he murmured, and I felt a flutter of warmth at his words.


    Gently, he tied the soft fabric over my eyes, blocking out all light. Without my sight, every other sense seemed heightened. I could hear the faint clink of his te as he picked it up, the sound of his footsteps as he moved across the room.


    "I¡¯m going to clean my te," he said casually, "and then I¡¯ll be back. Don¡¯t move. And no peeking."


    I nodded again, my voice seemingly lost. But this time, Kane¡¯s warm hand cupped my chin, tilting my face upward. His touch was unexpected, and a sudden thrill coursed through me.


    "From now on, use words, love," he said, his voice low andmanding.


    "Yes," I managed to reply, my voice shaky and barely above a whisper.


    Kane leaned in, and before I could prepare myself, his lips captured mine in a kiss. It was soft at first, teasing, but it quickly deepened, making me forget where I was or why I was even hesitant in the first ce.


    Just as I was about to raise my arms to wrap them around his neck, he pulled away abruptly, leaving me breathless and yearning for more.


    "Remember, love¡ªno touching," he said hoarsely, his voiceced with desire.


    My lips tingled from the kiss, and I could barely form a coherent thought. "Okay," I said, my voice barely recognizable, a throaty whisper filled with anticipation.


    He chuckled again, the sound vibrating through the air between us. "Good girl."


    As I sat there, blindfolded and waiting, every nerve in my body felt alive. The air around me seemed charged, and my heart raced with both excitement and anticipation. What was Kane nning?

 Chapter 82: Teasing

    <h4>Chapter 82: Teasing</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV</strong>


    I heard the tap running, and I guessed he was washing his te. The sound of water sshing and clinking dishes filled the air before the tap was turned off likely washing his te. Then came the faint hum of the fridge opening and closing. Momentster, I heard the soft <i>glug</i> of him drinking something. My senses were on high alert, each sound amplified in the silence as I sat there blindfolded.


    Finally, I heard his footsteps approaching, measured and deliberate. Each step seemed to reverberate through my chest.


    "You remember the rules, love?" he asked, his voice low and velvety.


    I almost nodded instinctively but caught myself just in time. "Yes," I replied softly, my voice shaky but clear.


    "Good," he said, his tone carrying a hint of approval. "Now rx."


    I exhaled slowly, willing myself to do as he said. My body was tense, but his words carried a soothingmand I found hard to resist.


    I felt his hands lightly part my thighs, his touch warm against my skin as he positioned himself between them. Even without sight, every sensation felt heightened¡ªevery small shift, every brush of his fingers sent a thrill coursing through me.


    Without warning, I felt him push back the hair draped over my shoulder, baring the skin of my neck. The cool air kissed my exposed skin, but it was nothingpared to the sudden rush I felt when he leaned closer.


    Kane leaned in, so close I could feel his breath ghosting over my skin. It was warm and steady, a stark contrast to the sudden coolness that followed when he blew gently against the nape of my neck. A tremor ran through me, but it wasn¡¯t from the cold¡ªit was something far deeper, something primal.


    He paused for a moment, as if hesitating, and I wondered what was going through his mind. Then, I felt his warm breath against my neck, steady and tantalizing.


    My breath caught in my throat, the anticipation almost unbearable. Then, I felt it¡ªhis lips brushing against my neck, followed by a sensation I hadn¡¯t expected.


    His tongue? No, it wasn¡¯t just his tongue¡ªit was something cold and slick, gliding over my skin. The contrast between the warmth of his breath and the icy sensation was dizzying, sending shockwaves of pleasure and confusion through me.


    I gasped, my body instinctively leaning toward him, craving more even as I tried to process what was happening. The cold object trailed slowly along my neck, deliberate and unhurried, leaving a tingling path in its wake.


    "Rx, love," he murmured again, sensing my initial tension. His voice alone was enough to make me let go, to trust him implicitly.


    I nodded slightly, my trust in him overriding the nervous energy coursing through me. Whatever this was, whatever he was doing, I couldn¡¯t deny how it made me feel¡ªalive, electrified,pletely at his mercy.


    The cold, slick sensation trailed along the curve of my neck, sending ripples of heat and anticipation through me. I tried to focus on the sensations, to let go of my nervousness and simply feel. Every move he made, every touch, every sound, seemed designed to drive me further into a state of blissful surrender.


    "Kane... what is that?" I asked breathlessly, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.


    "Shh, love," he whispered, his voiceced with amusement and something deeper¡ªsomething that made my stomach flutter. "Just feel. No questions."


    I swallowed hard, nodding, though I knew he couldn¡¯t see it. The blindfold heightened everything. Not being able to see him made every touch, every movement, a mystery. My senses seemed to sharpen in response, making the experience even more intense.


    The cold object trailed lower, brushing against the sensitive hollow of my corbone before making its way back up to the curve of my neck. It was maddening, the slow, deliberate way he moved, keeping me on edge.


    Whatever it was¡ªbe it ice, or something else entirely¡ªit wasn¡¯t just cold. It was Kane. And thebination of his warm breath, his low chuckle, and the contrast of the cool sensation on my skin was enough to leave me utterly undone.


    I tilted my head slightly, granting him more ess, my body betraying my need for him. His breath warmed the cool trail he left behind, and I couldn¡¯t suppress the soft moan that escaped my lips.


    "You¡¯re doing so well, love," he murmured against my skin, his voice filled with a mix of pride and something darker, something possessive.


    He paused, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still. I felt the lingering chill on my skin from whatever cold object he had used, the contrast still tingling through me. And then, just as I was about to question what he was doing, I felt the warmth of his lips¡ªsoft, firm, and purposeful¡ªpress against each spot where the cold sensation had lingered.


    The first kissnded on my neck, gentle but deliberate, and I couldn¡¯t stop the gasp that escaped my lips. The sensation was overwhelming, the contrast of warmth and chill leaving me breathless. Slowly, methodically, his lips moved across my skin, tracing the same path as before. Each kiss ignited a spark that traveled down my spine, settling low in my belly and making my thighs tremble.


    He kissed the hollow of my corbone, lingering there just long enough to make me squirm. I could feel him smiling against my skin,pletely aware of the effect he was having on me.


    Then, his hands started moving¡ªslow, deliberate, and maddening. I felt him begin to unbutton my blouse, each button slipping free with an agonizing slowness. My breaths quickened with every passing second, and I fought so hard to keep my hands at my sides as the rules dictated. I wanted to touch him, to pull him closer, to erase the space between us that felt far toorge despite him being right there.


    "Kane..." I breathed, my voiceced with need and desperation.


    He paused briefly, his lips brushing against my ear. "What is it, love?" His voice was deep, husky, and so intoxicating that I almost whimpered.


    I bit my lip, fighting the urge to break his rule and touch him. "You¡¯re... you¡¯re teasing me," I whispered, panting lightly.


    He chuckled softly, a sound that sent a jolt of heat straight through me. "Patience, mate," he murmured, his hands continuing their slow work on my blouse. "You¡¯re doing so well for me. Don¡¯t ruin it now."


    His words made my cheeks flush, but I was too far gone to care. The anticipation was unbearable, a delicious tension building with every moment.


    Finally, my blouse was unbuttoned, the cool air brushing against my skin and making me shiver. I felt him step back slightly, his presence still close, and I knew he was looking at me¡ªadmiring me in a way that made my heart race.


    I couldn¡¯t help myself anymore. My legs moved of their own ord, wrapping around his waist as I tried to pull him closer, desperate for the relief I knew only he could give me.


    But Kane had other ns. He stilled for a moment before gently prying my legs apart, spreading them wider as he chuckled low in his throat.


    "You¡¯re really naughty, mate," he said, his voice full of amusement and something darker¡ªsomething that made my whole body heat up even more.


    I groaned softly in frustration, biting my lip to keep from begging. "You¡¯re torturing me, Kane," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.


    He leaned forward again, his lips brushing the edge of my jaw, his breath warm and teasing. "Oh, love, this is just the beginning," he murmured against my skin.


    The promise in his words sent a fresh wave of anticipation coursing through me, leaving me breathless and aching for more. I could feel every touch, every kiss, like fire against my skin. I was helpless under his hands and his voice, and I didn¡¯t want him to stop.


    And the worst part? I trusted him. Completely. Every ounce of doubt and hesitation I¡¯d once felt about him was slipping away, reced by a yearning that I couldn¡¯t deny anymore.


    But Kane, being Kane, wasn¡¯t going to let me off that easily.


    "Keep your hands to yourself, love," he reminded me, though his tone was far too smug for my liking.


    I growled softly, my frustration spilling out before I could stop it. "You¡¯re impossible," I muttered.


    He onlyughed, the sound deep and utterly unrepentant, and continued his slow, intoxicating torment.


    My breath hitched when Kane¡¯s hands moved, his palm cupping my center through my shorts, sending a shockwave through my body. My legs trembled, the sensation both relieving and infuriating at the same time. He wasn¡¯t pushing hard enough, wasn¡¯t giving me what I desperately needed, and yet it was too much all at once.


    I squirmed slightly, my body reacting instinctively to his touch. Then, with deliberate slowness, I felt his finger trace a line¡ªagonizingly light¡ªdown the center of my now-soaking shorts. A shiver ran through me, and I bit my lip, trying to hold in the whimper that threatened to escape.


    The fabric was damp, soaked with my arousal, and I knew he could feel it too. There was no hiding it¡ªnot with the way my shorts clung to me, or with the unmistakable scent of my desire hanging heavy in the air between us.


    "Kane..." I whispered, my voice trembling. I wasn¡¯t sure if I was pleading for him to stop or begging for more.


    He chuckled softly, the sound low and full of satisfaction. "So wet already, love," he murmured, his tone making me feel hot all over. "And I¡¯ve barely touched you."


    His words sent a jolt of heat straight to my core, and I squirmed again, my hands gripping the edges of the table tightly to keep myself from reaching for him. Why had I agreed to this?


    "Rx," Kane whispered, his hand still pressed against me, his finger continuing itszy path up and down the damp fabric. It wasn¡¯t enough¡ªnot nearly enough¡ªbut it still made my head spin.


    I fought to keep my breaths steady, but it was impossible. The anticipation, the teasing¡ªit was driving me insane. My hips moved on their own, seeking more friction, more of him, but Kane stilled me instantly, pressing down just slightly to hold me in ce.


    "Easy, mate," he said, his voice deep and firm. "You¡¯re not in charge here."


    Themand in his voice made me freeze, but the warmth of it¡ªthe way it made me feel like I could trust himpletely¡ªwas just as overwhelming as his touch. I closed my eyes beneath the blindfold, focusing on the sound of his voice, the feeling of his hands, and the slow-burning fire building inside me.


    He leaned closer, his lips brushing against my ear. "Do you feel that, Elena?" he whispered, pressing his palm against me just a little harder.


    "Yes..." I breathed, my voice shaky and desperate.


    "That¡¯s just me showing you," he continued, his tone dark and intoxicating, "that pleasure doesn¡¯t have to hurt."


    His words made something inside me twist and unravel all at once. My body felt like it was on the verge of shattering, and all he was doing was teasing me through my clothes. My breathing turned ragged, my thighs trembling as his finger traced over me again, a deliberate pace that had me teetering on the edge of frustration and bliss.


    "Kane..." I whispered again, my voice breaking with need.


    He hummed softly, as though pleased with himself, but didn¡¯t move any faster. "Patience, love. I told you¡ªno rushing."


    I bit down on my lip hard, trying to suppress the desperate sound that threatened to escape me. The teasing, the slow pace, the not enough¡ªit was driving me wild.


    But at the same time, I didn¡¯t want him to stop.

 Chapter 83: Torturing Myself

    <h4>Chapter 83: Torturing Myself</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV</strong>


    I knew I was ying a dangerous game¡ªa form of self-torture, really. Her scent, thick with arousal, was already driving me insane, clouding my thoughts and making my wolf restless. Every moan, every shaky breath she let out only stoked the fire within me. But I wasn¡¯t going to rush this. I wasn¡¯t going to lose control and make this about me. No. This was all for her.


    I watched her, perched on the edge of the table, blindfolded, her blouse unbuttoned and her chest rising and falling in quick, unsteady movements. Her hands clenched at her sides, clearly fighting the urge to touch me, and I couldn¡¯t stop the satisfied smirk tugging at my lips.


    "Rx, love," I murmured, my voice low and husky, stepping closer until I was between her parted legs again. "I told you, no touching. Just <i>feel</i>."


    Her lips parted as though to protest, but nothing came out except a shaky breath. Good. I leaned forward, just close enough that my lips brushed against the sensitive shell of her ear.


    "You¡¯re doing so well," I praised softly, and I felt her body shudder in response.


    I trailed my fingertips up her thighs, deliberately slow, avoiding the ce where I knew she craved me the most. The damp fabric of her shorts brushed against my hand, and I growled low in my chest, barely keeping myself in check. She was soaking for me, her body already responding to every teasing touch.


    Still, I wouldn¡¯t give in. Not yet.


    "You have no idea what you do to me, Elena," I whispered against her ear, my lips brushing her skin as I spoke. "But this evening, it¡¯s all about you. I want to hear every sound you make. Every single one."


    Her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard, and I saw her fists tighten again as she fought to keep them still. Her obedience made my wolf purr in satisfaction.


    Slowly, I kissed down her neck, each press of my lips lingering on her warm skin. I made sure to return to every spot I¡¯d teased earlier with the cold object, soothing the lingering sensitivity with the heat of my mouth. She arched toward me unconsciously, a soft, frustrated whimper escaping her lips.


    "Patience," I murmured, pulling back to look at her. She was beautiful like this¡ªher cheeks flushed, her lips parted, and her body trembling slightly as she fought the tension building within her.


    I brushed a finger along her jaw, tilting her face slightly upward. "Tell me what you want, love," I said, my voice gentle but firm.


    Her lips trembled, and for a moment, she didn¡¯t answer, too lost in the sensations I was creating.


    "Use your words, Elena," I prompted, themand soft yet dominant. "Tell me."


    "I...I don¡¯t know," she whispered finally, her voice breathy and unsure, but the need in her tone was unmistakable.


    I smirked. "You <i>do</i> know. You¡¯re just shy."


    Her blush deepened, and I rewarded her with another kiss, this time lingering longer than before, coaxing a soft moan from her. My hands moved to her waist, tracing slow, torturous circles with my thumbs over her bare skin where her blouse had parted. Her body jerked slightly at the contact, and I chuckled.


    "So sensitive," I murmured, my voiceced with satisfaction. "You¡¯re perfect, you know that?"


    Thepliment earned me another soft gasp, and her lips pressed into a tight line, as though trying to suppress the sounds threatening to spill out.


    I couldn¡¯t have that.


    "Don¡¯t hold back, Elena," I warned, my voice dropping. "I want to hear every single sound you make. That¡¯s the rule."


    She exhaled shakily, and I smiled, my wolf practically glowing with pride. I could sense her giving in, allowing herself to be vulnerable¡ªsomething I knew was hard for her.


    My hand trailed down again, ghosting over her thighs, teasing her until I felt her shift slightly, trying to chase my touch. My restraint was hanging by a thread, but I¡¯de this far, and I wouldn¡¯t break now.


    I kissed her again¡ªsoft, slow, and deliberate¡ªthen pulled back to whisper against her lips, "This is only the beginning, love."


    Her breathing hitched, and her fingers twitched at her sides as though fighting every instinct to reach for me. The sight made something primal re inside me, but I shoved it down. I would take my time.


    Because she deserved <i>everything</i>, and I was going to give it to her.


    I opened her thighs wider, watching as she gasped softly, her breath catching in her throat. My fingers teased her mercilessly, drawing a slow, deliberate line over the fabric of her now visibly damp shorts. My touch was light, almostzy, but I knew exactly what I was doing. I was pushing her to the edge, testing her resolve while carefully holding onto my own.


    The scent of her arousal was intoxicating, overwhelming my senses and making my wolf growl in frustration. My instincts screamed at me to im her, to take what was mine. My mate, trembling beneath my hands, aching for more¡ªaching for <i>me</i>.


    But I couldn¡¯t.


    As much as I wanted to¡ªno, as much as I <i>needed</i> to¡ªI knew this wasn¡¯t the right way. Not yet. It was her first time, and I wouldn¡¯t let my desire or my wolf ruin this for her.


    "Fuck," I growled under my breath, my voice rough with restraint as I pressed my forehead against her shoulder. I took a moment to steady myself, inhaling her sweet scent, which only made it harder to control the raging storm inside me.


    "Kane?" she murmured softly, her voice shaky but curious.


    I pulled back slightly to look at her, her blindfold still in ce, her lips parted as though she were trying to catch her breath. She looked so beautiful like this¡ªflushed, vulnerable, and trusting mepletely. It was almost enough to make me lose it all over again.


    I cupped her face gently, my thumb brushing over her bottom lip, which was swollen from how she¡¯d been biting it. "You¡¯re driving me insane, love," I admitted, my voice hoarse andced with desire. "But this isn¡¯t how I want your first time to be."


    Her lips parted slightly, and I saw her brows knit together beneath the blindfold. "Why...why not?" she whispered.


    I chuckled softly, though there was no humor in it¡ªonly a deep, aching need that I was barely holding at bay. "Because, Elena," I said softly, leaning in close so my lips brushed against her ear, "I want it to be perfect for you. Not on a fucking table. No doubts. Just you and me. And trust me when I say..." I paused, allowing my words to linger, my tone dropping into something dark and full of promise, "I¡¯ll make sure you never forget it."


    Her breath hitched, and I could see the effect my words had on her. Her body trembled, her lips parting in a silent gasp.


    "But..." she started, her voice uncertain, and I smirked, knowing what she was going to say. She wanted more. She was just as lost in this moment as I was.


    "Shh," I murmured, cing a gentle kiss at the corner of her mouth. "Not yet." I let my lips linger there for a moment before pulling backpletely.


    The small whimper she let out nearly undid me. I clenched my fists at my sides, forcing myself to take a step back, creating space between us even though it felt impossible.


    "Why are you stopping?" she asked, her voice soft, almost embarrassed, and fuck, I almost caved.


    I swallowed hard, forcing a chuckle as I ran a hand through my hair. "Because if I don¡¯t, love, I won¡¯t be able to hold back."


    She sat there for a moment, still blindfolded, her chest rising and falling as she processed my words. Finally, she whispered, "Okay."


    That single word made something in me settle¡ªa mix of relief and pride. She trusted me, and that meant everything.


    "Good girl," I murmured, unable to resist cing onest kiss on her forehead before reaching to untie the blindfold. As it fell away, her beautiful eyes blinked up at me, dazed and full of emotion.


    "I meant what I said, Elena," I told her, my tone serious this time. "When we do this, it¡¯ll be on your terms, when you¡¯re ready. I¡¯m not going to rush you."


    She stared at me for a long moment, her expression softening before she nodded. "Thank you, Kane."


    Hearing her say that¡ªseeing the trust in her eyes¡ªmade every ounce of restraint worth it. I leaned down to kiss her onest time, soft and lingering, before I pulled her off the table and into my arms.


    "Come on," I murmured, holding her close as I brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Let¡¯s rx for a bit. I think I¡¯ve teased you enough for one day."


    She let out a softugh, her cheeks still flushed, and for the first time in a long time, I felt peace settle in my chest.


    She was mine.


    And I would wait as long as it took to prove that she would always be safe in my arms.

 Chapter 84: Long Night

    <h4>Chapter 84: Long Night</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV</strong>


    Another day, another attempt at ying Alpha while my mind was elsewhere¡ªspecifically on my mate. I¡¯m supposed to be handling pack duties, signing papers, and addressing disputes, yet all I can think about is <i>her</i>. Waking up with Elena in my arms has be something dangerously addictive, a habit I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll ever want to break.


    Let¡¯s talk aboutst night. Torture. Pure, sweet torture. After my little "lesson" on how a bit of kink could be more pleasure than pain, I was a mess. Her arousal had practically consumed me, and it took every ounce of my willpower not to let things escte. Don¡¯t get me wrong¡ªI <i>wanted</i> her. Hell, I¡¯ve wanted her from the moment I realized she was my mate, but I¡¯m trying to be better for her.


    Call it self-control, call it torment¡ªeither way, I refused to go all the way. Not because I didn¡¯t want to, but because I need her to <i>choose</i> it. I want her to agree when she¡¯s clear-headed, not just swept away by my ministrations. I don¡¯t want her to wake up regretting anything or thinking I manipted her with my touch. Nah, when I take herpletely, I want her begging me for it¡ªsober, aware, and willingly mine.


    And here I am, supposed to be reviewing reports, but my mate is the only thing I can think about. Can you me me? This morning... good goddess, this morning. Let me tell you about it.


    Let¡¯s start with how yesterday ended.


    After dinner¡ªwhich, by the way, was a team effort since I helped her cook (who knew my mate was so cute with a spat?)¡ªwe decided to y poker. Mistake number one. Turns out, Elena is a card shark. I swear the woman had beginner¡¯s luck¡ªor maybe she¡¯d been hustling me. Either way, she won, and I didn¡¯t even care. Watching her smug little grin as she collected her "winnings" was worth it.


    After poker, we decided to watch a movie. Her pick. Big mistake number two. Of course, she chose something with a prince. A <i>prince</i>, people. And not the kind of movie where the lovers can¡¯t keep their hands off each other. Nope. These characters shared a "kiss," and I use that word loosely because it was nothing more than a stupid, innocent peck. And you know what? My innocent little mate had the audacity to <i>blush</i> at it.


    I almostughed out loud. Elena, my sweet mate, was blushing at something so tame it could y on daytime television. Goddess help me, I¡¯ve got a long road ahead. You¡¯d think by now I¡¯d corrupted her a little¡ªwhat with the kisses, the touches, and all the teasing¡ªbut no. She¡¯s still too pure, too sweet. And now I¡¯m on a mission.


    First things first: I¡¯m choosing the next movie. Forget this fairytale prince nonsense. I¡¯m picking something with a real kiss¡ªa toe-curling, heat-inducing kind of kiss that¡¯ll make my innocent mate squirm in her seat. It¡¯ll be fun, watching her reactions, seeing that shy blush creep across her face.


    And maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªit¡¯ll start her down the path of realizing that <i>I</i> can do better than any so-called Prince Charming.


    She¡¯s already mine. Now it¡¯s just a matter of time before she epts every part of me¡ªthe good, the bad, and the wickedly sinful.


    For now, though, I¡¯ve got to survive another day at this desk without going crazy thinking about her. Goddess knows how I¡¯ll manage that.


    Okay, so let me tell you how this day officially ended¡ªwith me plotting revenge on my mate. A little <i>PDA</i> movie marathon ising her way, and I¡¯ll make damn sure it¡¯s thorough and effective. If she¡¯s gonna blush at the most innocent peck of a kiss, then, by the goddess, I¡¯m going to expose her to the real stuff. The kind of stuff that¡¯ll have her squirming in her seat, cheeks redder than cherries, and looking anywhere but the screen. Payback is sweet, and I¡¯m looking forward to it.


    Oh, but that wasn¡¯t even the worst torture of my day. No, the real problem started when we went to bed. You see, I¡¯vee to the unfortunate realization that sharing a bed with Elena¡ªmy sweet, innocent little mate¡ªis a recipe for self-destruction.


    Let me set the scene. I showered (cold water, of course, because temptation is a bitch), put on only my shorts, and crawled into bed. Elena? She shows up in these baggy shorts and an oversized t-shirt that she <i>thinks</i> is innocent but fails miserably. Why, you ask? Because the shirt makes it painfully obvious that she¡¯s not wearing a bra. Yeah, you heard me. And my stupid eyes saw and then my body likey.


    So, there we are. I spoon her¡ªsweet, right? It starts out innocent enough, but here¡¯s the problem: spooning is a dangerous game. <i>Too</i> intimate. And this little mate of mine decides she¡¯s gotta wiggle and adjust to getfortable. Does she realize her round, sweet little ass is pressed right against me? <i>Does she?</i> Because my body sure as hell noticed, and¡ªwell¡ªlet¡¯s just say I was already sporting a hard-on that could rival steel.


    Now here¡¯s where it gets tricky. The second she felt it¡ªyeah, <i>that</i>¡ªshe froze. Completely stiff, like a deer caught in headlights. I swear I could practically <i>see</i> her face heating up even though her back was still to me. Did she do it on purpose? Was she teasing me? Or was she really just innocent and trying to find her best spot? Honestly, I still don¡¯t know. She¡¯s too pure for her own good¡ªcan¡¯t be that naughty... right?


    But the real hell didn¡¯t even start there. No, my mate eventually fell asleep¡ªlike <i>dead asleep</i>¡ªwhile I was lying there wide awake, praying to every deity I could think of for sleep toe. Spoiler alert: it didn¡¯t. I spent what felt like hours just lying there, rock hard, trying not to breathe too deeply because every little shift she made only made things worse.


    And then¡ªbecause apparently the universe is out to kill me¡ªshe shifted positions. My innocent, cuddly mate turned to face me, her leg flopping on top of me like I was her personal pillow. And oh, it gets worse. Her crotch? Right on top of my now <i>raging</i> cock.


    I swear, this had to be some kind of sick joke.


    At this point, I was half a second away from getting up and taking my <i>third</i> cold shower of the night. But I didn¡¯t move. Why? Because she was <i>hugging</i> me¡ªlike I was some fluffy damn teddy bear. She was fast asleep, blissfully unaware of the living hell she was putting me through.


    I don¡¯t know whether tough or cry. My mate was using me as a giant pillow while I was lying there, fighting for my sanity and praying for dawn toe so I could escape the torture. The irony of it all? She probably woke up this morning feeling refreshed while I looked like a sleep-deprived maniac.


    By the time morning rolled around, I was a mess. You can imagine the state I was in after an entire night of torture. I had a hard-on so intense it was bordering on painful, I was hanging on by a thread. You¡¯d think after hours of sleeplessness, and praying for control, things would settle¡ªbut no. My mate, my sweet, innocent mate, had other ns.


    It started with her soft, breathy little sounds. Little whimpers. Sweet moans that slipped from her lips as she moved in her sleep and my sweet little mate, blissfully unaware, was making it worse with these soft, sinful noises she let out in her sleep. Little sighs, whimpers¡ªeach sound only tightened the knot of need twisting inside me. I swear, she has no idea what she does to me.


    I froze, every muscle tensed as I listened, my body betraying me even further. Was she dreaming? Of <i>me</i>? She had to be¡ªwho else would be corrupting her innocent little mind? I was the only devil in her life, and as twisted as it sounds, I was proud of it. Proud that even in her dreams, I was driving her crazy. <i>Hell,</i> it had to be me. Who else could it be? I was the only corrupt influence in her life, the only one who had been teasing her relentlessly and introducing her to this kind of wicked craving. The noises she made? They were cute, maddening, andpletely wrecking me. Every breath she took, every sound she made, sent a jolt straight through me, tightening the coil of need that had been torturing me all night. But as cute as those sounds were¡ªsounds I could honestly listen to forever¡ªthey were doing absolutely nothing to ease my frustration. In fact, they were making it ten times worse.


    That... <i>broke</i> me.


    Before I even realized it, I was kissing her.


    My self-control snapped, and before I knew it, I was leaning in, kissing her¡ªsoft at first, just testing the waters. What¡¯s the best way to wake up your sleeping mate? By stealing her breath away.

 Chapter 85: Intense

    <h4>Chapter 85: Intense</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    I leaned in, capturing her soft lips in a kiss that started out gentle but quickly spiraled into something more urgent¡ªmore desperate. My tongue teased the seam of her mouth until she gasped softly, just enough for me to slip inside and im her fully. The taste of her was intoxicating, sweet and innocent, and it only fueled the fire inside me.


    Her eyelids fluttered as she stirred awake beneath me. Her sleepy, wide-eyed gaze made me smirk against her lips, and when I finally pulled back, I let my words pour over her like a dark confession.


    "You¡¯ve been <i>very</i> naughty this whole night, little mate," I whispered, my voice rough with the desire I could no longer hide.


    She blinked in confusion for half a second¡ªadorable, really¡ªuntil realization hit. I watched as she registered her position, her body tangled with mine, my hard-on pressing against her soft warmth. Where we were, <i>how</i> we were positioned. Her leg had been thrown over me all night, and her sweet, soft body had been pressed up against me like she belonged there. The blush that crept across her cheeks made her all the more tempting. Flustered, she scrambled to move her leg off me... but it was far toote.


    "Where do you think you¡¯re going?" I growled yfully, rolling us so she was pinned beneath me, my arms bracing me above her. Her breath hitched as I stared down at her¡ªher hair a mess from sleep, her lips swollen from my kiss, her chest rising and falling quickly as her body betrayed her.


    "What were you dreaming about, little mate?" I teased, my voice dipping lower as I leaned in closer.


    "N-Nothing," she squeaked, looking away in embarrassment.


    "Liar." I chuckled darkly, trailing my lips from her jaw down to her neck, leaving a heated path of kisses in my wake. The second my mouth reached the sensitive spot near her corbone, she released the softest whimper, her body arching instinctively beneath me.


    "Yes, those noises," I murmured against her skin, pleased with myself as I grazed my teeth along her neck. Her scent surrounded me¡ªher arousal, already building, made my cock throb painfully in my shorts.


    Unable to resist, my hand slid down her body, over the baggy shirt that did absolutely nothing to hide her curves and harden nipples. I found her breast¡ªfirm, soft, and just the right size for my palm¡ªand gave it a gentle squeeze. Elena gasped, arching into my touch, her hands clutching at the sheets beside her. Goddess, they were perfect. Firm, soft, and the perfect size to fit into my hand, like they were made just for me. I squeezed gently again, earning a sharp intake of breath that made me grin against her skin.


    "Were you dreaming about me?" I asked, my thumb grazing over her hardened nipple through the thin fabric of her shirt. She didn¡¯t answer. She couldn¡¯t. Her lips parted, little whimpers escaping as I continued my slow, torturous assault. Her response came in the form of a soft moan, her back arching again as I teased her further.


    "Was it me, love?" I asked again, my patience wearing thin. I shifted my hips, pressing myself against her as I positioned myself perfectly between her legs. Even with our clothes on, the friction was <i>divine</i>.


    Elena gasped loudly, her head falling back as I ground against her.


    "Answer me, little mate," I demanded softly, rolling her nipple between my thumb and forefinger as I shifted, grinding my hips into her. Even though we were both still clothed, the friction was enough to send a wave of pleasure rushing through me. Fuck, that felt <i>good.</i> It had been torture all night, and now... I was giving us both a taste of the fire.


    "Was it me?" I asked again, grinding into her once more. Her moan turned into a gasp, her hands clutching at the sheets beneath her.


    "You..." she finally choked out, her voice breaking as I pressed harder against her.


    "Huh? Who, love?" I teased, slowing my movements just to frustrate her further.


    "For fuck¡¯s sake, Kane," she growled in frustration, her voice desperate and needy. "Don¡¯t <i>fucking</i> stop!"


    I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle darkly.


    "So demanding," I murmured, loving the way she was unraveling beneath me.


    I resumed my movements, grinding my aching cock into her clothed center as she spread her legs wider, giving me more ess. The friction was almost too much¡ªher heat, her scent, her soft gasps and cries. I waspletely lost in her, my self-control hanging by a thread. I ground into her harder, faster, reveling in the way she clung to me and moaned my name like I was the only thing keeping her alive.


    Before I lost itpletely, I rolled her onto her stomach, my hands sliding beneath her shirt to grip her bare breasts as I positioned myself behind her. Her perfect ass was arched into the air, pressing into my cock as I resumed the slow, delicious grind.


    "Fuck, Elena," I groaned, my voice raw as I gripped her breasts tighter, squeezing them harder enough to draw another sharp gasp from her lips.


    Her body went taut, and then she cried out, her release crashing over her. The sound of her pleasure, the feel of her shaking beneath me¡ªit pushed me over the edge. Watching her fall apart¡ª<i>because of me</i>¡ªwas my undoing. I ground into her onest time, my cock throbbing as I spilled into my shorts, a low growl rumbling from my chest as I came harder than I ever had before¡ªwithout even <i>being inside her.</i> It was insane. She was insane. My perfect little mate had mepletely undone.


    Breathless and trembling, I copsed beside her, pulling her into my arms before she could even process what had happened. Her face was buried in my chest, and I could feel the heat radiating off her cheeks.


    No pration. No nudity. And yet, that had been the most intense, most satisfying experience of my life.


    "That... that doesn¡¯t count as breaking any rules, right?" I teased, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. She let out a frustrated groan, swatting at my chest.


    "You¡¯re impossible, Kane."


    I grinned wickedly, holding her tighter.


    "And you, my little mate, are mine."


    So here I am now, at the office again, trying to do my duties as an Alpha while my brain is still reyingst night on a damn loop. I need to get a grip. I¡¯m supposed to be the Alpha¡ªstrong, in control, a leader. But my sweet little mate? She¡¯s unknowingly turning me into a damn mess.


    I¡¯ve got two choices here:


    Take another hundred cold showers until I develop hypothermia, Is it even possible?


    Find a way to rein in this crazy temptation before I lose my mindpletely.


    But let¡¯s be real, with Elena? I¡¯m <i>already</i> losing it.


    <strong>...</strong>


    Work did little to calm my wolf, Ash¡ªmy wolf¡ªwas in thend of pure <i>fuckery</i>, and you can already guess who the center of his fantasies was. Our mate. Sweet, innocent Elena. He was still growling in my head, pissed that we hadn¡¯t marked her yet, and no amount of reasoning could get him to calm down. But then again, it wasn¡¯t just him. I wasn¡¯t much better. Growling at me every damn hour as if I wasn¡¯t already feeling the same. But at least the little indulgence this morning had reined in his foul mood, for now.


    That didn¡¯t stop the issue of having a horny, restless wolf snarling at the back of my mind. I swear, I was on the verge of losing it entirely. How the hell was I supposed to focus on running a pack, on meetings, on anything, when all I could think about was her¡ªsoft, flushed, <i>mine</i>¡ªand the little moans she made as I brought her to the edge this morning?


    I sighed, dragging my focus back to the towering stack of paperwork in front of me. I tried¡ª<i>tried</i>¡ªto push her out of my mind and do the job that brought me to this cursed office. But how the hell was I supposed to think straight when my wolf kept reying everything about her? Her soft little noises, the feel of her body beneath mine, the way she whispered my name like it was a prayer.


    Ash wasn¡¯t helping either. He was pacing in my mind like a horny, frustrated bastard, barking in irritation at my self-control. <i>"We should have marked her. imed her. She¡¯s ours."</i>


    "Shut it," I growled quietly.


    Goddess, <i>fuck.</i> My thoughts spiraled, and I scrubbed my face with my hands, trying to pull it together. My brain, that one little brain cell that hadn¡¯t switched off into fantasynd, fought hard to keep me focused.


    I was hanging on by a thread. Myst brain cell¡ªthe <i>single</i> one not hijacked by fantasies of my mate¡ªwas desperately trying to keep me focused. I tried. I really did. But just as I started making progress with the pile of paperwork in front of me, there was a knock at the door.


    Distraction. Good. I weed it with open arms because I needed something, <i>anything,</i> to pull me out of the pit of temptation I kept falling into.


    Only the second I looked up, I realized it was not a <i>nice</i> distraction.


    Ashley.

 Chapter 86: Stupid Fly That Refuses To Go Away

    <h4>Chapter 86: Stupid Fly That Refuses To Go Away</h4>


    <strong>KANE POV:</strong>


    My wolf perked up, hoping it was <i>her.</i> For a moment, I did too. Any distraction at this point would¡¯ve been wee, and if it was Elena, I would¡¯ve dly abandoned this mountain of work to pull her into myp and...well. You get the idea.<strong></strong>


    But no. Of course, my luck wasn¡¯t that good.


    "Come in," I said, my voice gruff, already regretting it.


    And that¡¯s when she walked in.


    Ashley.


    <i>Fucking hell.</i>


    Goddess, why on earth did I ever let myself get tangled up with this bitch?


    My wolf snarled in disgust, his mood souring instantly. The moment her perfume hit me¡ªsomething cloying and overly sweet¡ªI fought back the urge to wrinkle my nose. Goddess, why on earth did I get myself tangled up in this mess?


    Ashley sauntered in with that practiced sway of her hips, the one she probably thought was seductive. It wasn¡¯t. Not anymore. Not when I had a mate whose very existence put every other woman to shame. She perched herself in front of my desk like she owned the damn ce, giving me a look that I¡¯m sure she thought was sultry.


    "Busy, Kane?" she purred, dragging out my name like nails on a chalkboard.


    I leaned back in my chair, pinching the bridge of my nose as I counted to ten. My wolf was already growling. He hated the sound of her voice now, and I couldn¡¯t me him. "What do you want, Ashley?"


    She pouted. "You¡¯re still as cold as ever, Alpha. It¡¯s been weeks since¡ª"


    "Don¡¯t," I cut her off sharply, my tone leaving no room for argument.


    Ashley¡¯s expression faltered for a second, but she recovered quickly, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder and fixing me with a coy look. "We still have a contract, remember? Or has that sweet little mate of yours made you forget all about it?"


    I froze, my wolf snapping to attention. <i>Mate.</i> Hearing her even mention Elena made my jaw tick with barely contained anger. "Watch what you say," I warned, my voice low and dangerous.


    Her eyes narrowed, but she didn¡¯t back down. "I¡¯m just saying, Kane. You¡¯ve been neglecting your end of the bargain."


    I bit back a growl, the sound rumbling deep in my chest. <i>Neglecting.</i> That was rich. She wasn¡¯t wrong¡ªI <i>had</i> been avoiding her like the gue¡ªbut the thought of touching Ashley now was repulsive. My wolf wouldn¡¯t let me, and my body had zero interest in anyone who wasn¡¯t Elena.


    I still had a month and a half left on the contract I had stupidly signed¡ªa contract binding me as her dominant, to provide protection, money, and...other things. I had been a neglectful dominanttely, and I knew it wasn¡¯t fair to her, but <i>fuck.</i> I had found my mate.


    The thought of touching her¡ªhell, of even <i>looking</i> at her that way¡ªmade my skin crawl now. Elena was the only woman my body ached for. The only one I <i>would</i> ache for.


    She leaned against my desk, trying to look seductive as she trailed a perfectly manicured nail along the edge. "You know the contract¡ª"


    "I know what the contract says," I cut her off, my voice sharp enough to make her flinch. "And I¡¯ve upheld every part of it except one. You¡¯re getting your money. You¡¯re getting protection. The rest? It¡¯s not happening."


    She tilted her head, her lips curling into a sly smile. "You know what I want, Kane. It¡¯s what you promised me in the beginning. A <i>real</i> Alpha-submissive rtionship."


    My wolf bristled, practically lunging at the mention of it. "Not gonna happen," I growled, my voice dropping into a menacing snarl. "That part of the contract is done. Over. I won¡¯t touch you, Ashley. Not now. Not ever."


    She narrowed her eyes, the smile finally slipping from her face. "That¡¯s not how it works, Kane. You don¡¯t get to pick and choose which parts of the contract you want to honor."


    I leaned back in my chair, my eyes locking on hers, unbothered by her attempt to intimidate me. "I¡¯m not picking and choosing. I¡¯m telling you it¡¯s over."


    "You don¡¯t get to decide that." Her voice rose slightly, a note of desperation breaking through her otherwise calm demeanor. "We have a contract¡ª"


    "Which can be terminated at any time with mutual agreement," I interrupted coolly. "And I¡¯m offering to terminate it right now. I¡¯ll pay whatever¡¯s left. Double, if that¡¯s what you want."


    Her lips curled into a sneer. "This isn¡¯t about the money, Kane."


    I tilted my head, letting a dark, humorless smile cross my face. "Then what is it about, Ashley? Because I¡¯m telling you right now, whatever game you think you¡¯re ying, you¡¯re not going to win. I¡¯ve found my mate."


    Her smile faltered again, her confidence cracking for the briefest moment. "Is this about her?" she asked, her voice sharper now.


    "Yes." I didn¡¯t even hesitate. I wasn¡¯t going to y games with her anymore. Elena was my mate¡ª<i>my everything</i>¡ªand I wouldn¡¯t allow this woman to try to manipte me. "I¡¯ve found my mate, Ashley. You knew this arrangement would end the moment I found her."


    "But the contract¡ª"


    "The contract is bullshit," I snapped, mming my hand down on the desk hard enough to make her jump. I stood, looming over her as I let my Alpha aura fill the room. "I¡¯m done ying games. I gave you what you asked for¡ªprotection, status, resources¡ªbut you will not get more from me. I won¡¯t break my mate¡¯s trust because of a stupid deal I made before I knew she existed."


    "The only reason I haven¡¯t ripped up that contract is because I don¡¯t break my promises. I¡¯m trying to be <i>civil.</i> But don¡¯t push me, Ashley."


    Ashley¡¯s eyes widened, a mix of anger and fear flickering across her face. "You¡¯re throwing me away for <i>her</i>?"


    "Yes," I said coldly. "And you¡¯re lucky I¡¯m letting you walk away with everything I¡¯ve already given you."


    Her fists clenched at her sides, and she red at me like she wanted to w my eyes out. "You think she¡¯s going to want you?" she snapped. "When she realizes what kind of man you are¡ªwhat you¡¯ve done¡ªshe¡¯ll run. She¡¯ll leave you just like everyone else. she is too innocent for you."


    "Why don¡¯t you let your mate <i>fuck</i> you? That¡¯s all you want right? Because honestly, I¡¯m not going to touch you," I said coldly, barely holding my temper in check. All she wanted was a fuck and I gave her money and security, she should go find someone else with all the money she is getting she can go and try buying someone or something to fulfil her needs, just not me. My wolf was pacing, snarling at the very presence of this woman who dared to speak about Elena¡ª<i>our mate.</i>


    Ashley looked up at me with those spiteful eyes of hers, the ones she always tried to mask as seductive, but they had no effect on me anymore. "That wuss won¡¯t give me what I want, Kane. Only you know how I like it," she said, her voice taking on that whiny edge I¡¯d grown to loathe.


    I didn¡¯t answer, just stared at her nkly as her words hung in the air like poison.


    She took a step closer, as if she thought she could sway me, but her voice dropped lower, more bitter now. "I <i>rejected</i> him for you, Kane. So we can be together."


    My wolf stilled. My patience snapped.


    I cut her off with a low growl that echoed through the office, vibrating in the very air between us. It was a warning¡ªa clear one. She was barking up the wrong fucking tree, and she didn¡¯t even realize how close she was to real danger. My canines ached to elongate, my ws begging to tear into something, but I held them back.


    "You¡¯re walking on thin ice, Ashley," I said, my voice deadly calm.


    Her expression faltered, but she quickly masked it with a scoff. "Why don¡¯t you just reject your <i>mate</i> too? We could still¡ª"


    I mmed my fist onto the desk, the sound echoing through the office like a crack of thunder. Ashley jumped back, her face pale for the first time since she walked in here. My wolf was wing at me to let loose, to show her how dangerous it was to speak about <i>our mate</i> like that.


    "Don¡¯t you <i>dare</i> finish that sentence," I growled, my voice low and lethal. I took a step toward her, slow and deliberate, until there was barely a foot of space between us. "You think I¡¯d reject <i>her</i> for <i>you</i>?" I spat, disbelief and disgust dripping from every word. "You¡¯re delusional. And let me make one thing perfectly clear: the only thing keeping you safe right now is the fact that you¡¯re a woman. <i>That¡¯s it.</i>"


    Ashley¡¯s bravado cracked, and for a second, real fear shed in her eyes. She should be afraid. She had no idea how much restraint it was taking me not to let my wolf rip through my control.


    "You¡¯re nothing to me," I said, my voice ice cold, my words hitting her like a p. "You never were. That contract was a mistake, and you know it."


    "You didn¡¯t seem to think it was a mistake when you begged to dominate me," she hissed, her voice shaking with anger and desperation.


    Iughed darkly, humorless. "<i>Begged?</i> I¡¯ve never begged for anything in my life, and you know it. Don¡¯t rewrite history just because you can¡¯t stand the truth."


    Her mouth opened, but I wasn¡¯t done. I took another step forward, leaning in close enough for her to see the barely restrained rage in my eyes.


    "You rejected your mate? That¡¯s your problem, not mine. I don¡¯t give a damn what he did or didn¡¯t give you. Don¡¯t you <i>ever</i>pare him to me. And don¡¯t you <i>ever</i> bring my mate into this again. She¡¯s not someone you¡¯ll ever speak about."


    "Why, Kane?" she said, her voice cracking now. "You <i>love</i> me. You know you do!"


    The word <i>love</i> left her lips like acid, and my wolf roared so loudly in my head I thought I¡¯d go deaf from the noise. Iughed again¡ªlow, bitter, dangerous.


    "I don¡¯t love you, Ashley. I never did." I leaned back, shaking my head with a disgusted sigh. "The only reason you were in my life was because I was too blind and too fucking stupid to realize what I was missing. But now? I¡¯ve found her. My mate. My <i>forever.</i> You are nothing but a mistake in my past."


    Her face crumbled, tears welling in her eyes, but I couldn¡¯t find it in me to care. Not anymore.


    "You should leave," I said finally, my tone calm again butced with warning. "And don¡¯te back.


    I stilled, my wolf snarling viciously at the insult to our mate bond. Slowly, I rose to my feet, towering over her as I let my dominance roll off me in waves. Her confidence wavered immediately, her bravado crumbling under the weight of my power.


    "Get out," I said softly, dangerously.


    She didn¡¯t move.


    "I said, <i>get out.</i>" My voice was low, a growl rumbling in my chest.


    Ashley took a step back, her face pale as she realized she¡¯d pushed too far. "This isn¡¯t over," she hissed, her voice shaking slightly.


    I met her re with an icy stare of my own. "It is for me. You have two options: you can agree to terminate the contract now, or you can keep fighting me and walk away with nothing. Your choice.


    She red at me, her lip curling in a sneer. "You¡¯ll regret this, Kane."


    Iughed bitterly, my wolf snarling behind my eyes. "The only thing I regret is getting tangled up with you in the first ce."


    She stared at me for a long moment, her jaw tight, before finally spun on her heel, storming out of the office with a huff, mming the door behind her. I sank back into my chair, exhaling a long, heavy breath as I rubbed my temples. My wolf was still pissed, pacing in my head, but at least Ashley was gone.


    I needed to end this contract once and for all. And when I did, nothing¡ªno one¡ªwoulde between me and my mate.


    The second she was gone, I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair as I tried to calm the storm raging inside me. My wolf was still on edge, still furious that she¡¯d dared to insult our mate.


    <i>Elena.</i>


    I closed my eyes and let her face flood my mind¡ªher shy smile, the way she blushed, the soft noises she made when I touched her. She was <i>mine,</i> and no one¡ª<i>no one</i>¡ªwas going toe between us.


    Ashley had no idea who she was dealing with, and I wasn¡¯t about to let her¡ªor anyone else¡ªruin the one good thing the Goddess had given me.


    I grabbed my phone and sent a quick text to my Beta. "Make sure Ashley doesn¡¯t cause any trouble. I¡¯m done ying nice."


    Then I sat back down, my lips curling into a slow, satisfied smile.


    My mate was waiting for me at home, and <i>nothing</i> was going to keep me from her.

 Chapter 87: Becoming

    <h4>Chapter 87: Bing</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    Okay, I take it back. Being blindfolded and restrained isn¡¯t as bad as I imagined. Alright, not exactly restrained, but being told not to touch him? Close enough, right? That¡¯s why the wrists are usually bound, after all. I thought I¡¯d hate it. I thought it would feel too much, too vulnerable, but I was wrong. So wrong. In fact, I couldn¡¯t help but enjoy it, maybe more than I should have. It was thrilling, not being able to touch him, not knowing exactly what he was doing, but feeling every shift of his body next to mine.


    So, with that said, I¡¯m not ashamed to admit I kind of want to do it again. To experience the same wild tension, the slow-burning desire that lit up between us. With him not holding back this time, like I knew he had done. I mean, I get it. He stopped midwayst time, pulling away when things started getting heated, and I didn¡¯t me him. It was my first time, after all. The romance books always said the first time hurts. I definitely didn¡¯t want that to happen at the dining table. Can you imagine?


    And I have to give him credit¡ªhe¡¯s got some serious self-control. If he hadn¡¯t stepped back when he did, I would¡¯ve been lost, wanting him like a wolf in heat, wing at him until I couldn¡¯t breathe. <i>Okay, Elena, forget about that.</i>


    After the whole restraint thing, we ended up making dinner. I did most of the cooking, of course, but Kane was there, hovering around me. He was all over the ce, trying to help, his hands brushing mine every time I reached for something. I¡¯d be stirring the sauce, and there he was, just behind me, his breath warm on the back of my neck, making it hard to concentrate. The way he leaned into me, pressing his body against mine, was enough to make my heart race. I could feel his chest against my back, and every time his hand grazed mine, it sent a jolt through me. I could tell he was just trying to get close, just trying to touch me.


    "Do you need any help?" he asked, his voice husky. I could hear the amusement in it, but there was an edge to it too, something that made my skin flush.


    "No, I¡¯ve got it," I replied, but he wasn¡¯t backing off. Instead, he stood behind me, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body, his presence overwhelming.


    As I chopped vegetables, I could feel his eyes on me, following every movement. His gaze was hot, and even though I was busy with the task in front of me, I could sense him moving closer. He reached over, cing a hand on my waist, just for a moment. It wasn¡¯t a gentle touch. It was deliberate, his fingers skimming across my skin, leaving a trail of heat. I couldn¡¯t help but shiver, feeling a mix of desire and frustration building inside me. I knew he wanted more, and I wasn¡¯t sure how much longer I could pretend I wasn¡¯t feeling it too.


    "Are you sure you don¡¯t need help?" he asked again, his voice lower this time, the words almost a whisper against my ear. He knew I didn¡¯t, but he was pressing, and I didn¡¯t know how much longer I could resist.


    I couldn¡¯t even focus on the food anymore. All I could think about was him¡ªhis hands, his lips, the way his presence consumed me. He was always so close, like he couldn¡¯t stay away. When I turned to grab the salt, he was there, his body pressed up against mine, and his breath fanned across my neck. I felt his lips brush the sensitive skin there, a soft, teasing kiss that made my knees go weak.


    I was trying so hard to focus on dinner, but it was getting harder and harder to ignore the way his fingers lingered on my skin, the way his body was practically molded to mine. I could feel the pressure building, my arousal rising, and I wasn¡¯t sure how much longer I could keep it together. My shorts, already snug, started to feel ufortably tight as I could feel the wetness between my legs. I couldn¡¯t deny it any longer¡ªI was turned on.


    And then there was the game of poker.


    After dinner, we ended up ying cards. Kane didn¡¯t think I could handle poker, assumed I¡¯d be too girlish to know how to y. I had a feeling he was underestimating me. I wasn¡¯t one to spoil the fun, so I kept my cool, ying my cards carefully, letting him think I was just a novice. But the truth was, I knew exactly what I was doing.


    I could tell Kane wasn¡¯t expecting me to be good at it. He tried to throw me off with his smirking, his yful teasing, but I wasn¡¯t about to let him win. I yed my hand with precision, letting him think he had the upper hand until the very end. He thought I was bluffing, and when he went all in, I dropped my cards and showed him I had him beat.


    "Looks like I win," I said, trying to keep the smugness out of my voice, but it was hard not to.


    So, yeah, I ended up beating him t, and I got to choose the movie. Kaneined, saying it didn¡¯t have enough action, but you know what? There were still some inappropriate scenes that made me blush. I couldn¡¯t stop imagining how Kane would handle those moments if he were the one in the scene.


    Now, I¡¯m not into dirty movies, but hear me out¡ªI usually watch with my parents. And, well, you know how parents are. So, I¡¯m used to family-friendly films. With Derrick, though, when we watched movies, it felt more... real. Like the one I was watching with Kane. But with Derrick, I didn¡¯t feel embarrassed, because, well, I didn¡¯t know what a kiss could <i>really</i> feel like. All the kisses I¡¯d seen on screen were nothing like Kane¡¯s dirty kisses. And I¡¯m not saying "dirty" in a bad way.


    The movie I picked had a few inappropriate scenes, ones that made me blush more than I cared to admit. I tried to act like I wasn¡¯t affected, but every time a kiss or a touch appeared on screen, my mind wandered to Kane. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder how he would react, what he would do if he were the one in the scene. Would his touch be that slow, that deliberate? Or would he be rough, taking control in a way that always drive me crazy?


    Kaneined again, but I could tell he wasn¡¯tpletely against it. Maybe he was just pretending, acting like he didn¡¯t care. But the way his eyes kept drifting to me, the way his hand kept finding mine, told a different story. Every time I nced over at him, he was looking at me in a way that made my heart race.


    After the movie, it was gettingte. Kane and I went to bed, and even though it was a normal routine, tonight felt different. He took the shower first, leaving me alone to think. When he came out, I couldn¡¯t help but notice how good he looked. He was dressed in his sleepwear¡ªif you could even call it that. Just a pair of shorts that didn¡¯t hide much, especially not the fact that his <i>little friend</i> wasn¡¯t so little, even in a resting state.


    I went into the bathroom and came out in a baggy t-shirt and shorts. When I saw him already lying in bed, his upper body naked, I couldn¡¯t stop my gaze from roaming over his chest. His abs were toned, every line of his muscles defined. The tattoos that ran down his arm only added to his appeal. I couldn¡¯t stop looking at him.


    But it seemed like I wasn¡¯t the only one appreciating the view. Kane¡¯s eyes moved directly to my chest. Yeah, I wasn¡¯t wearing a bra, and maybe it was a little daring, I wasn¡¯t used in sleeping in them and i wasn¡¯t about to start sleeping in one, . He didn¡¯t seem to mind, his gaze lingering just long enough for me to notice. I could feel the heat rise in my face, but I didn¡¯t look away.


    I walked over to the bed andy down beside him. He immediately pulled me close, his body heat surrounding me as he spooned me. His bare chest was warm against my back, and his breath fanned across my skin.


    "Breathe, Elena," he murmured softly. "We¡¯re just sleeping."


    It wasn¡¯t the first time we¡¯d shared a bed, but it felt different now, the tension between us undeniable. I tried to adjust my position, to getfortable, but something pressed against my backside. Something firm. Something undeniable.


    I froze. I wasn¡¯t dumb. I knew exactly what it was. His cock, hard and ready, pressing into me, and it made my body ache with desire. I stopped moving, bing still, trying to control my breathing, but it was impossible.


    I stayed like that, unable to move, the heat between us growing by the second.

 Chapter 88: He Knows

    <h4>Chapter 88: He Knows</h4>


    <strong>(Mature Content Ahead)</strong>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    I don¡¯t even know when it happened, but somewhere in the middle of all that tension, the electricity running between us, my mind finally started to blur. I was too tired to think about the pressure of his cock pressed against me, that unmistakable feeling of desire, his warmth radiating into me like a furnace. I had been so aware of it, so hyper-focused on every sensation¡ªevery breath, every heartbeat¡ªbut eventually, my body started to shut down, the need for sleep creeping in.


    Maybe it was the exhaustion from the long day, or maybe it was the sheer overload of emotions, but I stopped thinking. I stopped worrying about the heat that had built up between us, that undeniable tension. The sensation of him so close, so <i>right</i> there, pressing against my back, started to fade into the background as my eyelids grew heavier. His presence was still a constant, warm weight against me, but I stopped caring about what had been poking me a few minutes ago. It wasn¡¯t that I stopped feeling it, but the ache turned into a soft hum in the distance.


    I think I just needed to let go.


    With every passing second, the exhaustion pulled me deeper. His steady breath against my neck became a luby, his arms wrapped around me, keeping me safe, close. Even though my body still trembled from the desire that had consumed me earlier, sleep tugged at my consciousness, soothing the overwhelming sensations until all that was left was the quiet rhythm of our breaths in sync.


    I had forgotten about everything¡ªthe kiss, the touch, the ache of him pressed against me.


    I closed my eyes, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath me, the way he molded himself to my body, his heat seeping through my thin shirt, making me feel warm and protected. He was there, holding me, and for a moment, I didn¡¯t want to think about anything else.


    Sleep came like a wave, and I let it drown me.


    <i>"I want you," Kane whispered in my ear, his deep, husky voice sending shivers down my spine. He was still spooning me, his hard body pressed firmly against mine. "I know you can feel it... how much I want you," he said seductively, his hips shifting as he rubbed himself against my ass.</i>


    <i>And oh, boy, did I feel it.</i>


    <i>The heat of him, the hardness growing with every deliberate movement, made my breath hitch. His arm, which had been wrapped around my waist to keep me close, slowly began to trail upward, tugging my oversized T-shirt along with it.</i>


    <i>The cold air brushing against my skin as the fabric slid higher made me shiver, contrasting sharply with the growing heat from behind me. The anticipation was unbearable, my body hypersensitive to every touch, every movement. I could feel the slow, teasing pace of his hand as it worked its way upward, setting my nerves alight.</i>


    <i>When his hand reached my chest, it didn¡¯t hesitate. Kane cupped my breast firmly, hisrge hand squeezing and fondling me, pulling a mess of moans from my lips. With every squeeze, his hips pressed harder against me, his thick length grinding against my ass. I could feel him twitching, pulsing, as though the heat between us was fueling him.</i>


    <i>My head was spinning. I¡¯d never felt this way beforepletely out of control and at his mercy, yet somehow desperate for more.</i>


    <i>Just when I thought I might lose myself entirely, his hand left my chest, and I whimpered at the loss. But then it traveled down to my waist, his fingers hooking into the waistband of my shorts. Slowly, agonizingly slowly, he began to tug them down, the fabric brushing over my heated skin.</i>


    <i>Still spooning me, I couldn¡¯t see his face, but his hot breath against my ear sent a fresh wave of desire coursing through me. His dirty whispers, the way his lips brushed against the sensitive shell of my ear, made me shiver.</i>


    <i>With my shorts finally gone, I waited, my heart pounding. I thought he¡¯d pull my panties off next, but no¡ªhe didn¡¯t. Instead, I felt his cock, heavy and hot, slip out of his own shorts, sliding between my thighs.</i>


    <i>He didn¡¯t push inside me. Not yet.</i>


    <i>Instead, he started to move, thrusting his hips slowly, deliberately, his length gliding against the slickness of my inner thighs. The thin fabric of my panties did little to dull the sensation, and every stroke sent sparks of pleasure shooting through me. My clit throbbed with every rub, the friction almost too much, yet not enough to satisfy the aching need building inside me.</i>


    <i>I couldn¡¯t help myself. I looked down, my breath catching as I saw the head of his cock poking through my thighs with every thrust. The sight alone was enough to make my cheeks burn, but it also filled me with a daring sort of excitement.</i>


    <i>Before I could think twice, I reached down, letting my fingers brush against him.</i>


    <i>The groan that tore from his throat was loud and guttural, his voice rasping as he said, "Do that again."</i>


    <i>His reaction made me giddy, the way he cursed under his breath and twitched against my fingers telling me I¡¯d done something right. Emboldened, I fondled the tip of him again, feeling the slickness there, and his grip on my waist tightened.</i>


    <i>"Fuck, you¡¯re my undoing," he growled, his voice raw and filled with need.</i>


    <i>Suddenly, he pulled away, sitting up and rolling me onto my back in one swift motion. My heart raced as he positioned himself between my legs, his dark, intense gaze locking onto mine.</i>


    <i>With one hand, he gripped the waistband of my panties, and with a sharp, fluid motion, he tore them apart. The sound of the fabric ripping made my breath catch, and the look on his face¡ªpossessive and predatory¡ªmade my thighs tremble.</i>


    <i>"You¡¯re mine," he said, his voice low andmanding, the smirk on his lips sending a thrill through me.</i>


    <i>Before I could respond, he leaned down, capturing my lips in a kiss that was anything but gentle. It was consuming, his tongue iming my mouth as if to remind me exactly who I belonged to.</i>


    <i>I melted into him, my body arching toward his, desperate for more of the heat, the pressure, the overwhelming sensation of beingpletely wrapped up in him.</i>


    <i>But just as I was about to lose myself entirely...</i>


    I woke up.


    Blinking, I found myself still lying in bed, my shorts very much still on. My heart was racing, my skin flushed, and my breathing was ragged. For a moment, I tried to convince myself it had all been a dream. But before I could process anything, warm lips captured mine, pulling me into the present and shattering the fragile barrier between dream and reality.


    Kane.


    His kiss was just as possessive and toe-curling as it had been in my dream. It was demanding, iming, leaving no room for questions or hesitation. His hand was firm on my waist, pinning me in ce as his lips moved over mine with an intensity that made my thoughts scatter.


    My fingers instinctively fisted the sheets beneath me, my mind screaming for some rity even as my body leaned into him, desperate for more. Was I still dreaming? Goddess, I needed a therapist¡ªor perhaps an exorcist to get this maddening man out of my head.


    Kane pulled back just enough for his breath to brush against my lips, his dark, knowing eyes locking onto mine. The smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth was almost as infuriating as it was intoxicating.


    It had all been a dream.


    But before I could process the mortifying realization, Kane¡¯s voice broke through my thoughts, low and smug as he whispered in my ear, "You¡¯ve been very naughty all night, little mate."


    I froze, heat flooding my cheeks as I turned my head to look at him.


    He was propped up on his elbow, his dark eyes glinting with amusement and something far more dangerous as he smirked at me.


    Oh, Goddess.


    That smug look. He <i>knew</i>.


    Shit, shit, shit.


    I tried to y it cool, but the way his gaze lingered on my flushed face, the way his smirk widened, told me there was no use denying it.


    I blinked up at him, my heart still racing as my body warred with my brain. "W-what are you doing?" I stammered, still trying to separate the remnants of my dream from the all-too-real man hovering over me.


    "What does it look like?" he asked, his voiceced with amusement. His thumb brushed over my waist, drawing azy circle on my exposed skin. "You were making such sweet little noises in your sleep... I thought I¡¯d wake you up properly."


    "Did you... hear anything?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.


    Kane chuckled, the sound deep and rumbling. "Oh, I heard plenty."


    I buried my face in my hands, groaning in embarrassment as he leaned closer, his lips brushing against my ear.


    "And I gotta say, little mate," he murmured, his voice dripping with mischief, "I <i>really</i> liked what I heard."

 Chapter 89: Waking Up With Kane

    <h4>Chapter 89: Waking Up With Kane</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    I woke up to warmth, to a heat that coursed through my body in a way that left me both confused and yearning. At first, I thought I was still dreaming. The tingling pressure on my lips was too vivid, too <i>real</i>. But when I opened my eyes and saw Kane hovering over me, his lips pressed to mine in a possessive, toe-curling kiss, my heart stopped.


    This wasn¡¯t a dream. <i>This was real.</i>


    My body reacted before my mind could catch up. My lips parted instinctively, letting him deepen the kiss as his tongue slid against mine in a way that made my toes curl. His hands gripped my waist, firm andmanding, and his body pressed against mine, pinning me to the bed.


    I was a mess¡ªbreathless, confused, and far too aroused for someone who had literally just woken up. And Kane? He was relentless. Every movement, every touch, every kiss was designed to unravel mepletely.


    "You¡¯ve been <i>very</i> naughty all night, little mate," he murmured against my lips, his voice low and rough, sending shivers down my spine.


    I blinked up at him, dazed andpletely unprepared for his words. Naughty? What was he talking about?


    Then it hit me. The dream. <i>Oh, Goddess.</i> Heat rushed to my face as the memories flooded back. The vivid, erotic dream where Kane had whispered filthy promises in my ear and touched me like I was his to im.


    I prayed¡ª<i>begged</i>¡ªthat I hadn¡¯t said anything incriminating in my sleep, but the smug look on Kane¡¯s face told me I was screwed.


    Realizing the position we were in, I tried to move, to create some distance between us, but Kane wasn¡¯t having it. He rolled us over effortlessly, pinning me beneath him, his strong arms braced on either side of my head. His dark, predatory eyes locked onto mine, and I feltpletely exposed under his gaze.


    My face burned at his words, the memories of my dream flooding back with a vengeance. Oh no. No, no, no. Had I said anything in my sleep? Had he <i>heard</i> anything?


    "I wasn¡¯t¡ª" I started, but Kane cut me off with a low chuckle.


    "Don¡¯t even try to deny it, Elena," he said, leaning in closer until his lips were just a whisper away from mine. "I know exactly what¡ªor should I say <i>who</i>¡ªyou were dreaming about."


    My mouth opened and closed, no wordsing out as I gaped at him, utterly mortified. His smirk only deepened, his confidence and smugness radiating off him in waves.


    "Goddess, you should¡¯ve seen yourself," he continued, his voice dropping to a sinful purr. "The way you were squirming, the little whimpers you were making... Do you have any idea what you do to me, little mate?"


    I wanted to disappear. To sink into the mattress and nevere back. "I¡ªI don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about," I finally managed to squeak, even though we both knew it was a lie.


    Kane¡¯s eyes darkened, his smirk softening into something more predatory. "Oh, you don¡¯t, huh?" His hand slid from my waist, trailing down to rest on my hip. "Then maybe I should remind you."


    Before I could protest¡ªor even think of a protest¡ªhe was kissing me again, stealing the breath from my lungs and every coherent thought from my mind. This kiss was slower, deeper, his lips and tongue exploring mine with a tenderness that made my chest ache even as my body melted beneath him.


    "What were you dreaming about, love?" he asked, his voice dripping with amusement and something far more dangerous.


    "N-Nothing!" I squeaked, my voice embarrassingly high-pitched.


    He chuckled, a deep, dark sound that sent a thrill through me even as I tried to deny the effect he had on me. "Liar," he murmured, leaning down to press soft, teasing kisses along my jaw.


    His lips were warm and insistent, moving with a deliberate slowness that made it impossible to think straight. When he reached my neck, he nipped at the sensitive skin, drawing a gasp from my lips before soothing the spot with his tongue.


    "You were making these little sounds," he whispered, his voice husky as his lips lingered against my throat. "Like this."


    As if on cue, a soft, involuntary moan escaped me, and Kane¡¯s smirk widened against my skin. My face burned with embarrassment, but the way he was looking at me¡ªlike I was the only thing in the world that mattered¡ªmade it impossible to feel anything but want.


    His hand slid down my body, trailing over the baggy shirt I had worn to bed. The thin fabric did nothing to hide the way my body was reacting to him¡ªhow my nipples had hardened under his touch, how my breathing had quickened. His hand found my breast, firm and unyielding, and he gave it a gentle squeeze that sent a jolt of pleasure straight through me.


    I gasped, arching into his touch as my hands fisted the sheets beneath me.


    "You were dreaming about me, weren¡¯t you?" he asked, his voice rough and demanding.


    I couldn¡¯t answer. I couldn¡¯t think. All I could do was moan as his thumb brushed over my nipple, teasing me through the fabric of my shirt.


    "Was it me, love?" he asked again, his patience clearly wearing thin.


    Before I could respond, he shifted his hips, pressing himself against me in a way that made me gasp loudly. The hard length of him was unmistakable, and even through theyers of clothing, the friction was <i>intense.</i>


    "Answer me," he demanded softly, grinding against me again. The sensation was overwhelming, and I could feel my body trembling beneath him.


    "Yes!" I cried out finally, my voice breathless and desperate. "You!"


    "Who, love?" he teased, pausing just long enough to make me squirm.


    "For f-fuck¡¯s sake, Kane, don¡¯t stop!" I blurted out, the words slipping past my lips before I could even think.


    His deep, rumbling chuckle sent shivers down my spine. "Such a naughty little mouth," he murmured, his tone filled with both amusement and something far darker.


    He ground against me harder this time, and I instinctively spread my legs wider to give him more. The pressure, the friction¡ªit was too much, and yet not enough. I wanted more. I <i>needed</i> more.


    "Good girl," he whispered, his voice filled with approval as I trembled beneath him.


    Before I could process what was happening, he rolled me onto my stomach, his hands sliding beneath my shirt to cup my breasts again. His touch was firm, possessive, and the way his fingers teased and kneaded my sensitive flesh had me gasping and arching my back.


    "Kane," I whimpered, his name falling from my lips like a prayer.


    "Mine," he growled, his voice low and feral as he pressed himself against me, his hips moving in a slow, deliberate rhythm. The feel of him grinding against me, the roughness of his breath in my ear¡ªit was driving me insane.


    My body tensed, the pressure building to a breaking point as he continued his slow, torturous assault. And then it hit me. Pleasure crashed over me like a tidal wave, and I cried out, my body shaking as my release consumed me.


    Kane followed momentster, his hips snapping against me onest time as he buried his face in my neck, a low growl rumbling from his chest.


    When he finally pulled back, I was a panting mess, my cheeks flushed and my lips tingling from his assault. His forehead rested against mine, his dark eyes boring into me with an intensity that made it impossible to look away.


    "You¡¯re mine, Elena," he murmured, his voice low and possessive. "Every thought, every dream, every part of you. <i>Mine.</i>"


    For a moment, neither of us moved. Our breathing was ragged, our bodies tangled together as we came down from the high.


    Finally, Kane rolled off me, pulling me into his arms and holding me close. His lips pressed against my temple in a gentle, almost tender kiss.


    "See what you do to me, little mate?" he murmured, his voice soft but stillced with that possessive edge that made my heart race.


    I swallowed hard, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. "Kane..." I whispered, not even sure what I wanted to say.


    But before I could find the words, he rolled onto his back, pulling me against his chest and wrapping an arm securely around my waist. His other hand brushed a strand of hair from my face as he pressed a kiss to my temple.


    "Rx, little mate," he said, his voice softer now, though still carrying that undeniable edge of authority. "We¡¯ve got all the time in the world. No need to rush."


    I nodded against his chest, my body still buzzing from the dream¡ªand the reality that followed. As his heartbeat steadied beneath my ear, I tried to focus on calming my own, though it was impossible with the way his scent surrounded me, warm andforting and utterly addictive.


    This man was going to drive me insane. And the worst part? I wasn¡¯t even sure I minded.


    This chapter is updated by freew(e)bnovel.(c)om

 Chapter 90: Falling

    <h4>Chapter 90: Falling</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV</strong>


    So, yeah. After... well, you know what happened¡ª<i>that</i>¡ªI thought maybe, just maybe, things would settle down. My face was still burning, my breathing hadn¡¯t fully calmed, and I couldn¡¯t even look at Kane without reying everything in my head. Every single detail of what he¡¯d done, of how he¡¯d made me feel, was fresh, raw, and... overwhelming.


    But of course, Kane being Kane, wasn¡¯t done with me yet.


    He was grinning at me like a smug, overconfident wolf who¡¯d just cornered his prey. His dark eyes sparkled with mischief, and I could see it¡ªthe gears turning in his head as he nned his next move.


    "You¡¯re all flushed, love," he said, his voice teasing and low as he brushed a strand of hair from my face. "Maybe you need a bath to cool down."


    I blinked up at him, still trying to string together coherent thoughts. "A... a bath?"


    He nodded, the smirk on his face growing wider. "Mhm. A nice, rxing bath. I¡¯ll join you, of course. Help you wash off."


    <i>Help me wash off?</i> My brain short-circuited for a moment, and then my face went nuclear. I swore I felt steam rising from my skin as his words fully registered.


    "Wh-what?! No! Absolutely not!" I stammered, scrambling to sit up and put as much distance between us as possible.


    Kane¡¯s deep chuckle rumbled through the room, and he leaned back against the headboard, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "Why not?" he asked innocently, though the devilish glint in his eyes betrayed him. "We¡¯ve already gotten close, haven¡¯t we? What¡¯s a little bathing between mates?"


    I gaped at him,pletely at a loss for words. <i>A little bathing?</i> Was he out of his mind? I was already teetering on the edge ofplete emotional and physical meltdown, and now he wanted to throw that into the mix?


    "No," I said firmly, crossing my arms over my chest. "Absolutely not. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m... I¡¯m..." I couldn¡¯t even finish the sentence. Just the <i>thought</i> of us in a bath together was enough to send my brain spiraling.


    Kane tilted his head, his smirk softening into something more yful. "You¡¯re blushing again, little mate," he teased, reaching out to tug me closer by the waist. "What are you so shy about? It¡¯s not like I haven¡¯t already seen the effect I have on you."


    My mouth opened and closed like a fish,pletely useless against his teasing. "That¡¯s... that¡¯s not the same thing!" I finally managed to sputter, batting his hand away as he tried to pull me into hisp.


    "Isn¡¯t it?" he asked, his voice dropping into that husky, sinful tone that made my knees weak.


    I stood up abruptly, backing away from the bed as if distance alone could save me from his wicked ns. "You¡¯re incorrigible!" I used, pointing a trembling finger at him. "And stop trying to trick me into doing... into doing <i>things</i>!"


    Kaneughed¡ªa deep, rich sound that made my stomach flip¡ªand stretched out on the bed like azy predator. "It¡¯s not a trick, love. Just an invitation. But if you¡¯re not ready, I can wait."


    His words were simple, but the way he said them¡ªthe heat in his eyes, the promise in his tone¡ªmade it clear that his patience had limits.


    "Y-you¡¯re impossible," I muttered, turning on my heel and all but fleeing to the bathroom.


    Once I was behind the safety of the closed door, I let out a shaky breath, pressing a hand to my chest as if that would somehow calm the frantic pounding of my heart.


    <i>This man is going to be the death of me.</i>


    I leaned against the sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks were still flushed, my hair was a mess, and my lips were swollen from his kisses. I lookedpletely and utterly wrecked¡ªand all he¡¯d done was <i>kiss me</i>.


    The memory of his hands on me, the way he¡¯d whispered in my ear, the way he¡¯d made me feel like I was the center of his entire world¡ªit all came rushing back, and I groaned, burying my face in my hands.


    How was I supposed to deal with this? With <i>him</i>?


    I turned on the faucet, sshing cold water on my face in a desperate attempt to cool down. It helped¡ªbarely. The heat in my body wasn¡¯t just physical; it was deeper than that, a slow, smoldering burn that I couldn¡¯t seem to shake.


    When I finally feltposed enough to leave the bathroom, I opened the door cautiously, half-expecting Kane to be waiting on the other side with some new mischievous n. But the room was empty, and I let out a small sigh of relief.


    Or so I thought.


    As I stepped into the room, Kane appeared out of nowhere, grabbing me by the waist and pulling me flush against him. I let out a startled squeak, my hands flying to his chest to steady myself.


    "You were in there for a while," he said, his voice low and teasing as he leaned down to brush his lips against my ear. "Were you thinking about me, little mate?"


    "No!" I lied, my voice a little too high-pitched to be convincing.


    Kane smirked, his hands tightening on my waist as he pressed a kiss to the corner of my mouth. "Liar," he murmured, his lips brushing against mine.


    I tried to push him away, but it was half-hearted at best. The truth was, I didn¡¯t really want him to stop. His touch, his kisses¡ªthey were addictive, and no matter how much I tried to resist, I couldn¡¯t help but crave more.


    "Kane," I whispered, my voice trembling.


    "Say the word, love," he said softly, his lips ghosting over mine. "Say the word, and I¡¯ll stop."


    I opened my mouth to respond, but the words wouldn¡¯te. My body betrayed me, leaning into him, my fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt.


    Kane took that as his answer, capturing my lips in a slow, deliberate kiss that left me breathless. His hands roamed over my body, possessive and firm, and I melted against him,pletely at his mercy.


    I didn¡¯t know how this man had such a hold on me, how he could reduce me to a trembling, needy mess with just a touch. But as his lips trailed down my neck, leaving a trail of fire in their wake, I realized that I didn¡¯t really care.


    Kane was mine, and I was his. And as terrifying as that was, it was also the most exhrating feeling in the world.


    I escaped to the kitchen like my life depended on it¡ªbecause honestly, it probably did. Kane had just disappeared into the bathroom to take a shower, and the moment I heard the water running, I bolted from the room, my cheeks still burning from everything that had happened.


    There was no way I could face him right now¡ªnot afterst night, and <i>definitely</i> not after this morning. His teasing, his kisses, the way he touched me like he owned every inch of me... It was too much. I needed a breather, and cooking seemed like the safest distraction.


    I padded into the kitchen, still wearing his oversized shirt, which hung halfway down my thighs. Every time I looked at it, I felt a new wave of heat rise in my face. It smelled like him¡ªlike cedarwood and something inherently <i>Kane</i>¡ªand that didn¡¯t help my situation at all.


    <i>Focus, Elena. Breakfast. Eggs. Bacon. Something to keep your hands busy.</i>


    I rummaged through the fridge and cabs, pulling out everything I needed. My hands worked on autopilot, cracking eggs into a bowl and whisking them together while my mind wandered back to <i>him.</i>


    The sound of his deep, raspy voice still echoed in my ears, sending shivers down my spine. <i>"Say the word, love, and I¡¯ll stop."</i> Goddess, how was I supposed to deal with a man like Kane? He was relentless¡ªteasing me, tempting me, and making it nearly impossible to think straight.


    I poured the eggs into a hot pan, the sizzle snapping me out of my thoughts. <i>Right. Breakfast. Not Kane. Definitely not his stupidly perfect abs or the way his lips felt on my neck.</i>


    I flipped the bacon next, trying to focus on the task at hand. But then my mind betrayed me again, reying the way he¡¯d whispered in my ear this morning, his hands roaming my body like he was staking a im.


    I let out a frustrated groan, mming the spat down onto the counter. <i>Get a grip, Elena.</i>


    I finished cooking in record time, ting everything and setting the table. It actually looked decent¡ªa proper breakfast. Maybe this would help me feel more normal, more grounded.


    When he returned a few minutester¡ªfully dressed, thank the Goddess¡ªI had already set the tes on the table and poured us both some coffee.


    "Looks amazing," he said as he sat down, giving me one of those devastating smiles that made my heart do stupid, fluttery things.


    "Eat," I muttered, taking my own seat and stabbing at my eggs with far more force than necessary.


    He chuckled, but thankfully didn¡¯t push me any further. For once, we ate in rtive silence, the tension easing with every bite.


    By the time we finished, I almost felt normal again. Almost.


    But then Kane leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes gleaming with that familiar predatory glint. "So, love... about that bath."


    I choked on my coffee, sputtering as heughed, clearly enjoying every second of my misery.


    <i>This man is going to drive me insane.</i>


    After breakfast¡ªand after Kane had thoroughly enjoyed teasing me into a near meltdown¡ªhe finally announced he had to head to his office to handle his Alpha duties.


    I had to admit, the shift in his tone when he spoke about his responsibilities was kind of mesmerizing. The yful, teasing Kane transformed into someone serious andmanding, a man who carried the weight of an entire pack on his shoulders. It was... impressive, and maybe a little intimidating.


    But, of course, he couldn¡¯t leave without onest parting shot.


    "Don¡¯t miss me too much, little mate," he said, leaning down to kiss my forehead. His lips lingered for just a moment, enough to make my stomach flip, and then he straightened with a smirk. "I¡¯ll be back early tonight."


    I rolled my eyes, trying to hide the way my face heated under his gaze. "Go do your Alpha business, Kane."


    He chuckled, shaking his head as he turned to leave. "Try to stay out of trouble while I¡¯m gone."


    And with that, he was gone, leaving me standing in the kitchen, my emotions a whirlwind of frustration, flustered excitement, and something deeper that I wasn¡¯t quite ready to name.


    I let out a long breath, running a hand through my hair as I stared at the empty doorway. "What am I going to do with you, Kane?" I muttered to myself.


    Shaking off the lingering tension, I started cleaning up the kitchen. It was a small, simple task, but it gave me a chance to ground myself and push aside the chaos Kane always seemed to leave in his wake.


    Still, even as I scrubbed tes and wiped down the counters, my mind wandered back to him. To the way he looked at me, like I was the only thing in the world that mattered. To the way he touched me, like he was iming me with every caress.


    He was so frustrating, always pushing my boundaries and testing my limits. But then he¡¯d go and do something sweet, like making sure I was safe and cared for, and all my anger would evaporate.


    He was impossible.


    And yet... I couldn¡¯t stop thinking about him.

 Chapter 91: Forbidden Book

    <h4>Chapter 91: Forbidden Book</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    After Kane left for his Alpha duties, I decided to keep myself busy. I wandered around the house for a bit, straightening up here and there, but nothing really held my interest. That¡¯s when I stumbled into Kane¡¯s study room.


    Curiosity got the better of me as I ran my fingers along the spines of the books lining the shelves. Most of them looked like heavy Alpha business-type stuff¡ªstrategy guides, pack histories, leadership manuals. But then, tucked away in the corner of one shelf, I found something... different.


    It was a novel, the kind with a glossy cover and a half-naked couple locked in a passionate embrace. I picked it up, my curiosity piqued, and flipped it open to a random page.


    Big mistake.


    The words jumped out at me, each one more scandalous than thest. My cheeks burned as I realized exactly what kind of book this was. Kane had <i>this</i> in his study? Why? Was this even his? Or maybe someone left it here?


    I told myself I¡¯d just skim a little. Just to see. For research.


    Before I knew it, I was sprawled on the couch, fully engrossed. And let me tell you, this book was <i>not</i> age-appropriate. Not even remotely. Every word had my heart racing, my skin heating, and my mind spiraling.


    The worst¡ªor best¡ªpart? I couldn¡¯t help but imagine Kane in every scenario. It wasn¡¯t just the hero in the book anymore. No, it was Kane¡¯s rough,manding voice whispering those sinful words, his strong hands doing those things.


    <i>Goddess, what was wrong with me?</i>


    I could practically feel the heat radiating off my skin as I got to a particrly intense scene. My pulse was pounding, my thighs clenched together as I bit my lip, trying to keep myself calm.


    Then, out of nowhere, there was a sharp knock at the door.


    I jolted so hard I almost dropped the book. My heart leaped into my throat as I stared at the door like it was about to burst open.


    <i>Great. Just great.</i>


    And, of course, it had to be when I was at the best part. The absolute <i>best</i> part.


    I scrambled to hide the book under a pillow, my hands shaking as I smoothed out my hair and pped my face lightly to try to shake off the flushed, guilty look I was sure I was wearing.


    <i>What if it was Kane?</i>


    The thought made my stomach twist in panic. What if he somehow knew what I¡¯d been reading? Or worse, <i>what I¡¯d been thinking about him while reading it?</i>


    Taking a deep breath, I stood up and walked toward the door, trying to act like I wasn¡¯t on the verge of a meltdown. Whoever was on the other side, they¡¯d better have a damn good reason for interrupting.


    As I opened the door, I was met with thest person I wanted to see: Ashley. She stood there, ring at me with such fury that, for a moment, I thought she might actually lunge at me. Her cheeks were flushed, her arms crossed, and her eyes were burning with unrestrained anger.


    Great. Just great. <i>What now?</i>


    "You..." she snarled, her voice dripping with venom. "It¡¯s all your fault!"


    I blinked, momentarily stunned. <i>My fault?</i> What on earth was she talking about? I hadn¡¯t even done anything!


    "Excuse me?" I asked, crossing my arms and trying to keep my tone calm, though my patience was already wearing thin. "What exactly is my fault, Ashley?"


    Her lips curled into a sneer. "Don¡¯t act all innocent with me, Elena! Ever since <i>you</i> came along, everything¡¯s been falling apart!"


    I raised an eyebrow, feeling the heat of my own frustration starting to bubble up. "Falling apart? I think you¡¯re being a little dramatic, don¡¯t you?"


    She stepped closer, jabbing a manicured finger in my direction. "Dramatic? Oh, please! Kane barely looks at me anymore because of you. He doesn¡¯t touch me, he doesn¡¯t <i>need</i> me, and it¡¯s all because of <i>you</i>! He was mine, and then you just¡ªjust waltzed in here like you own the ce!"


    Her words made my stomach twist. I hated confrontation, and dealing with her was exhausting. But this? This was ridiculous.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Ashley," I said slowly, trying to keep my voice steady, "but Kane isn¡¯t an object you can just im. He¡¯s his own person. If he doesn¡¯t want to be with you, that¡¯s <i>his</i> decision. Not mine."


    Her eyes widened, and for a second, I thought she might actually p me. Instead, she let out a humorlessugh, shaking her head as if she couldn¡¯t believe what I was saying.


    "You really don¡¯t get it, do you?" she hissed. "I rejected my mate for him! I gave up <i>everything</i> for Kane! And now you think you can just walk in here and take him from me? What do you even have to offer him, huh? You¡¯re nothing!"


    The words stung more than I wanted to admit, but I squared my shoulders and refused to let her see it. "I don¡¯t have to justify myself to you, Ashley," I said firmly. "And for the record, I didn¡¯t ¡¯take¡¯ anything. Kane is my mate. Whether you like it or not, that¡¯s the truth. Maybe it¡¯s time you ept it and move on."


    That did it. Her face turned an rming shade of red, and she actually stomped her foot like a petnt child. "Move on?" she repeated, her voice shrill. "You think I¡¯m just going to step aside and let you ruin everything? Kane deserves better than someone like you!"


    I took a deep breath, trying to keep my temper in check. "Ashley, I¡¯m not going to argue with you. If you have a problem, take it up with Kane. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me¡ª"


    But before I could step back and close the door, she moved forward, blocking my path. "Oh, I¡¯m not done with you yet," she said, her tone icy. "You think you¡¯ve won just because you¡¯re his mate? Let me tell you something, Elena. Mates can be rejected. Markings can be undone. And if you think Kane won¡¯t eventually see through whatever spell you¡¯ve cast on him, you¡¯re delusional."


    Her words hit like a p, but I refused to show any weakness. Instead, I met her re head-on, my voice calm but firm. "That¡¯s enough, Ashley. You can say whatever you want about me, but Kane made his choice. And it wasn¡¯t you."


    Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, the room was thick with tension. Then, she let out a bitterugh, shaking her head. "You can¡¯t give him what he needs...you¡¯re too innocent, childish, and can¡¯t withstand his raw passion, We¡¯ll see how long thatsts," she muttered, turning on her heel and storming off.


    As soon as she was gone, I let out a breath I hadn¡¯t realized I¡¯d been holding. My hands were trembling, my heart racing from the confrontation.


    <i>What the hell was her problem?</i>


    I closed the door, leaning against it for a moment to gather myself. Part of me wanted to march straight to Kane and tell him about this, but another part of me didn¡¯t want to give Ashley the satisfaction of knowing she¡¯d gotten under my skin.


    As Ashley¡¯s words hung in the air, I felt the heat of anger rise to my cheeks, my hands curling into fists at my sides. <i>Who the hell does she think she is?</i> Her voice, dripping with condescension and venom, reyed in my mind like a broken record.


    "You can¡¯t give him what he needs...you¡¯re too innocent, childish, and can¡¯t withstand his raw passion," she¡¯d said, her smug smile making me want to smack it right off her face.


    I let out a frustrated growl, pacing the room as I tried to calm myself. <i>Stupid bitch,</i> I thought, imagining all the ways I <i>could</i> have put her in her ce. A well-deserved punch to her arrogant face would¡¯ve been satisfying, but people would¡¯ve probably frowned upon me decking someone at the Alpha house.


    "She has some nerve," I muttered to myself, my anger bubbling just beneath the surface. "Coming here, spouting all that crap like she knows anything about me¡ªor Kane."


    My chest tightened as her words reyed in my mind again, this time hitting a little too close to home. <i>Too innocent...childish...can¡¯t withstand his raw passion.</i> Was that true? I couldn¡¯t help but second-guess myself. Kane was unlike anyone I¡¯d ever been with¡ªhis intensity, his dominance, his raw, unfiltered passion¡ªit was overwhelming sometimes, in the best way possible. But what if Ashley was right? What if I wasn¡¯t enough for him?


    <i>No,</i> I thought, shaking my head and standing straighter. <i>She¡¯s just trying to get in your head.</i>


    Kane had chosen me. Not her. No matter what she said, he was mine, and I was his. Her bitterness and jealousy were <i>her</i> problem, not mine. Still, a small part of me couldn¡¯t shake the nagging doubt she¡¯d nted.


    I sat down on the couch, my hands gripping my knees as I took a deep breath. <i>You¡¯re overthinking this,</i> I told myself. Kane wouldn¡¯t have imed me, kissed me, and looked at me the way he did if I wasn¡¯t enough for him. He was all in, and I needed to trust that.


    But damn, Ashley was insufferable.


    "I should¡¯ve punched her," I muttered under my breath, imagining the scene. The satisfaction of wiping that smug look off her face would¡¯ve been glorious.


    I groaned, flopping back against the cushions and staring at the ceiling. She was lucky I had some self-control, but if she pushed me again, all bets were off.


    For now, I needed to focus on what mattered¡ªmy mate. Ashley could stew in her bitterness all she wanted, but it wouldn¡¯t change the fact that Kane wasn¡¯ting back for her. Not now. Not ever.


    <i>Let her choke on that reality,</i> I thought with a small, satisfied smile.


    I made my way back to the study, flopping onto the couch and ring at the pillow where I¡¯d hidden the novel. The scene I¡¯d been reading before Ashley¡¯s interruption felt like a distant memory now.


    Still, as I sat there, my mind wandered back to Kane. His presence, his touch, his possessive kisses¡ªit was enough to make my cheeks flush all over again. <i>Maybe I¡¯ll just start the Chapter over...</i> I thought, picking up the book with a small, defiant smile.


    Ashley might be determined to ruin my day, but I wasn¡¯t going to let her win. If Kane was mine, then I was his¡ªand no amount of bitterness or jealousy was going to change that.

 Chapter 92: Naughty Book

    <h4>Chapter 92: Naughty Book</h4>


    <strong>KANE POV:</strong>


    By the time I finally got home, it was well past 10 p.m., and exhaustion clung to me like a second skin. The day had been far longer than I anticipated. What was supposed to be a quick assessment at the office had turned into hours of dealing with rogue attacks, inspecting the damage they caused, and nning strategies to strengthen our defenses. Not forgetting Ashley tantrums.


    I should¡¯ve called. Goddess, I <i>knew</i> I should¡¯ve called Elena to let her know I¡¯d bete, but with everything going on, it slipped my mind. Stupid mistake. I¡¯d promised her I¡¯de home early, and now I was worried about how she¡¯d taken my absence. Would she be upset? Disappointed? Or worse, would she think I¡¯d brushed her off?


    As I stepped into the house, her scent immediately hit me¡ªa soft,forting blend of sweetness and warmth that always made my wolf settle. But she wasn¡¯t in the living room waiting for me.


    I checked the kitchen first, expecting to find her there, maybe cleaning up after dinner or waiting up for me. Empty.


    Our bedroom was next, but it was dark, the bed untouched. My chest tightened as I nced around the empty room. She wouldn¡¯t have run away again, right? No. We were good. We were <i>better than good</i>.


    But the worry gnawed at me anyway, pushing me to search the other rooms in the house. I called out for her softly, my voice echoing through the quiet halls, but there was no response.


    Finally, I found her.


    In my study.


    As I stepped into the study room, my mate¡¯s scent hit me like a warm embrace, soothing the tension in my muscles from the long day. The sight of her stopped me dead in my tracks. There she was, curled up on the couch, her chest rising and falling softly in sleep, the faintest hint of a pout on her lips. She was clutching a book to her chest, her body wrapped in one of the oversized nkets she must¡¯ve dragged in here.


    My heart clenched at the sight.


    She was curled up on the couch, fast asleep, a book resting against her chest. Relief washed over me, and I let out a breath I hadn¡¯t realized I was holding. There she was, my mate, peaceful and adorable as ever, her face serene in sleep.


    I crossed the room quietly, crouching down beside the couch to get a better look at her. Even in her sleep, her brows furrowed slightly, like she was still mad at me. <i>Damn it.</i> I should¡¯ve called her, told her I¡¯d bete. It had been stupid and thoughtless of me not to, especially after promising her I¡¯d be home early.


    She looked so small and vulnerable like this, tucked into the corner of the couch with the book cradled against her like it was a lifeline. She looked so small and vulnerable curled up like that, her soft, steady breathing filling the silence. Her lips were slightly parted, her hair falling in loose waves over her face.


    But then my eyes fell on the book in her hands. My gaze drifted to the title, and I stilled, a slow smirk spreading across my face.


    Curiosity got the better of me, and I carefully slid it out of her grasp, making sure not to wake her. <i>So, my little mate had been entertaining herself with something spicy, huh?</i>My brows lifted as I looked at the title. <i>Well, well, what do we have here?</i>


    My innocent little mate was full of surprises.


    I flipped to the page she¡¯d been reading, and my smirk widened instantly. The scene was <i>very</i> intense¡ªdrenched in vivid descriptions of raw, unrestrained passion. The kind of scene that would leave even the most seasoned reader hot under the cor.


    <i>So this is what¡¯s been keeping her busy while I¡¯ve been gone?</i> My chest rumbled with a low chuckle as I skimmed the page, imagining her reading this. My sweet Elena, getting all hot and flustered in my study, probably picturing us in the characters¡¯ ce.


    My wolf growled in approval, his interest piqued.


    I nced back at her sleeping form, my smirk softening into something more tender. Even in her sleep, her cheeks had the faintest pink flush, and I couldn¡¯t help but wonder just how much the book had affected her.


    Goddess, she was perfect. My mate was full of contradictions¡ªinnocent yet curious, shy yet brave enough to dive into something so...explicit.


    I leaned in closer, my smirk turning into a grin as I took in the faint blush on her cheeks. She must¡¯ve fallen asleep reading it. Knowing her, she was probably mortified by whatever was in that book. I could only imagine what was running through her innocent little mind while reading something so... <i>inappropriate.</i>


    I ced the book on the side table and crouched beside her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. My fingers lingered on her soft skin as I took her in, my heart swelling with possessive pride.


    "Such a naughty little mate," I murmured under my breath, my voice low and teasing.


    As I crouched there, watching her peaceful, flushed face, a wicked idea took root in my mind. The kind of idea that made my wolf growl in approval and my lips curve into a slow, devious smirk.


    <i>What if I made her fantasiese true?</i>


    The thought of her reading that book, her innocent mind filled with such explicit scenes, only to realize that I was going to turn them into her reality... It was too tempting to resist. She wouldn¡¯t just be reading about passion anymore¡ªshe¡¯d be living it.


    And the best part? I could make her read those very words while I did the same things to her.


    I know, I know. I¡¯m wicked. But that¡¯s what mates are for, right? To be a little wicked together?


    I reached for the book again, flipping through the pages to find the scene she¡¯d been reading. My smirk deepened as I skimmed over the words. <i>Oh, sweetheart, you really didn¡¯t know what you were getting yourself into with this, did you?</i>


    My hand itched to brush a stray strand of hair from her face, but I hesitated, not wanting to wake her just yet. Instead, I leaned in closer, inhaling her soft, sweet scent, letting it wash over me. Goddess, she smelled like home, like everything I¡¯d ever wanted.


    She stirred slightly, her lips parting as a soft sigh escaped her. My chest tightened, my wolf pacing restlessly in my mind. He wanted to wake her, to im her, to make sure she knew just how much we missed her today. But I held back.


    "You¡¯re going to be the death of me, little mate," I murmured softly, my voice low and rough.


    I brushed a gentle hand over her hair, my fingers threading through the soft strands. "You¡¯ve been waiting for me, haven¡¯t you?" I whispered, guilt creeping into my voice.


    She shifted, her head turning slightly toward my touch, and I took that as my cue. Sliding one arm under her legs and the other behind her back, I lifted her easily into my arms. She murmured something incoherent, her head lolling against my chest as I held her close.


    "You shouldn¡¯t have waited so long," I said softly, pressing a kiss to her temple.


    She smelled like warmth andfort, like something sacred, and I had to fight the urge to bury my face in her neck. Instead, I carried her to our bedroom, taking my time, savoring the feel of her in my arms.


    As Iid her down on the bed, her eyes fluttered open, hazy with sleep.


    "Kane?" she mumbled, her voice soft and groggy.


    "I¡¯m here, love," I said, brushing my fingers over her cheek. "Go back to sleep."


    "You¡¯rete," she mumbled, her brows furrowing as she tried to scowl at me, but it only made her look adorable.


    "I know," I said, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. "I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll make it up to you, I promise."


    "Better," she whispered, already drifting back to sleep.


    "Shh, love," I murmured, brushing my lips over her forehead. "Go back to sleep for now."


    She sighed, her body rxing into the pillows, and I watched her drift back into slumber. My hand lingered on her cheek, tracing the soft curve of her face.


    Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I¡¯d show her just how much her fantasies meant to me. And by the time I was done, she wouldn¡¯t need any book to set her imagination on fire.


    <i>She¡¯d have me.</i>


    And that was more than enough.


    I couldn¡¯t wait to tease her about this when she woke up, to see her blush and stammer as she tried to exin herself. But more than that, I couldn¡¯t wait to show her that no book could everpare to the real thing.

 Chapter 93: Following The Script

    <h4>Chapter 93: Following The Script</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV</strong>


    The next morning, I woke up early, earlier than usual, with the n fully formed in my mind. I leaned on my elbow, watching Elena sleep, her chest rising and falling with each peaceful breath. Her hair was tousled, a few strands falling over her face, and she looked so pure, so utterly mine


    The warm, quiet stillness of the morning wrapped around us. She looked peaceful, her features rxed in sleep, her baggy t-shirt rumpled from her restless shifting in the night. She always tried to keep a little distance between us when we slept, but somehow, by morning, she always ended up tangled in me anyway.


    I leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her temple, breathing in her familiar, intoxicating scent. She stirred, letting out a small sigh, and I smiled against her skin. I didn¡¯t mind waking her up gently¡ªit was better than her rm ring across the room. My lips brushed down to her cheek, then her jawline, trailing kisses that were meant to coax her awake.


    "Mmm..." she murmured, her voice heavy with sleep. She shifted slightly, her body instinctively pressing closer to mine.


    "Good morning, little mate," I murmured against her ear, my voice low and teasing. She hummed in response, but her eyes stayed closed, her body still toozy to fully wake up.


    Sliding out of bed quietly, I moved to the nightstand and picked up the book she¡¯d been reading. I thumbed through the pages to the dog-eared one where she¡¯d left off. <i>How adorable. She marked the exact scene where things got heated.</i>


    I skimmed the text again, my smirk growing wider. The words described the man pinning the heroine down, kissing her breathless, teasing her until she was begging for more. <i>Yeah, I could do that. And more.</i>


    I ced the book back on the nightstand and got to work.


    "Elena," I drawled, flipping to a particrly steamy part, "you¡¯ve been keeping secrets."


    Her eyes fluttered open, still bleary with sleep, and she blinked at me. "What¡¯re you talking about?" she mumbled, her voice thick and groggy.


    "This," I said, holding up the book. "Didn¡¯t know you were into this kind of thing."


    Her face turned bright red in an instant. "W-what? I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about! I¡ªI¡¯ve never read that before in my life!"


    "You had quite the adventurous reading session yesterday." I replied.


    Her eyes widened, and she stiffened, realizing I was referring to the book. "W-What are you talking about?" she stammered, her voice high-pitched and defensive.


    I raised an eyebrow, the corner of my mouth lifting in amusement. "Don¡¯t y coy with me, Elena. I know what you were reading." I reached over and grabbed the book, holding it up. "This, little mate. I believe you were imagining me in these scenes, weren¡¯t you?"


    Her face turned crimson, her hands flying to cover her cheeks. "I¡ªI wasn¡¯t!"


    "Liar," I said, my tone yful but firm. "You left the bookmark in the middle of a very interesting scene."


    Her hands dropped to herp, and she looked away, refusing to meet my eyes. "It¡¯s just a book..."


    "A book full of ideas," I interrupted, leaning closer until our faces were mere inches apart. "Ideas that I fully intend to bring to life for you."


    "wha...what do you mean?"


    I raised an eyebrow, enjoying the way she squirmed under my gaze. "Oh, really? So you really weren¡¯t reading thisst night?"


    Her eyes snapped to mine, wide and startled. "Noo?"


    I chuckled softly, brushing my lips against her ear as I whispered, "You¡¯ll see soon enough."


    I set the book down in herp, flipping it open to the page she¡¯d been reading. "Start reading, Elena. Out loud."


    Her jaw dropped, and she stared at me like I¡¯d just grown a second head. "What? No way!"


    "Yes way," I replied, my voice leaving no room for argument. "If you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll read it to you myself. And trust me, you¡¯ll be blushing a lot harder if I¡¯m the one saying the words."


    I opened the book and read a passage aloud, my tone teasing. "¡¯His lips trailed down her body, tracing a path of fire from her neck to her breasts, where he lingered, worshiping every inch of her.¡¯ Sound familiar?"


    She gasped and lunged forward, pping her hand over my mouth. "Stop it!" she squeaked, her voice a mix of horror and embarrassment. Her wide eyes met mine, and I could see the panic in them. "You¡¯re making that up!"


    I pulled her hand away, smirking. "Am I? Or are you just embarrassed because I caught you?"


    Her lips parted as she tried toe up with a response, but nothing came out. She looked so adorably flustered that I couldn¡¯t resist pushing her a little further.


    "Tell you what," I said, leaning in close, so close that our noses almost touched. "Why don¡¯t you read it to me?"


    "What?!" she practically shrieked, pulling back as if I¡¯d just suggested something outrageous.


    "You heard me," I said, my voice low and challenging. "Read it aloud. Let¡¯s hear how your little book describes it."


    "No way!" she said, shaking her head so hard that her hair whipped around her face. "Not a chance."


    I let out a dark chuckle, enjoying the way her cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red. "Alright then," I said, flipping through the pages until I found the one I was looking for. "I¡¯ll just read it again for you."


    Her eyes widened as I started to read again, my voice deliberately slow and deep. "¡¯He kissed a trail down her chest, lingering at the peak of her breasts, his tongue flicking over her sensitive skin. Her breath hitched as he continued his journey downward, his lips brushing over her stomach, teasing her with every movement.¡¯"


    "Kane, stop!" she cried, her voice high-pitched with embarrassment. She tried to grab the book from me, but I held it out of reach, my grin widening.


    "Oh, I¡¯m just getting to the good part," I said, ignoring her protests. "¡¯He settled between her thighs, spreading her legs wide as he looked up at her, his eyes filled with hunger. His tongue darted out, tasting her, and she cried out, her fingers tangling in his hair as he¡ª¡¯"


    "Kane!" she yelled, her face so red I thought she mightbust.


    I couldn¡¯t stop theughter that bubbled up. "Fine," I said, closing the book and setting it aside. "But if you don¡¯t want me to read it, then you¡¯ll have to do it yourself."


    She froze, staring at me like I¡¯d just spoken in anothernguage. "What? No!"


    I leaned in, my lips brushing her ear. "Read it, Elena," I whispered, my voice low andmanding. "Or I¡¯ll make you."


    Her breath hitched, and I could see the conflict in her eyes. She wanted to refuse, but she knew I wouldn¡¯t back down. Finally, she let out a shaky sigh and grabbed the book, flipping to the scene I¡¯d just read.


    Her voice was soft and shaky as she began to read. The words were hesitant at first, but as she continued, she became more absorbed in the text. Her cheeks were pink, and she avoided looking at me, but I could see the effect the words were having on her.


    I moved closer, my hand resting on her thigh. She stumbled over her words, her breath hitching as I let my fingers trace slow circles over her skin.


    Her voice was shaky as she continued to read, her cheeks burning bright. "¡¯He kissed a trail down her chest, lingering at the peak of her breasts...¡¯" Her voice faltered, and she nced at me, her eyes wide with mortification.


    "K-Kane..." she whispered, her voice trembling.


    "Keep reading," I murmured, leaning in to press a kiss to her neck.


    Her voice faltered, and she turned to look at me, her eyes wide with a mixture of embarrassment and arousal. "I can¡¯t..."


    "You can," I said firmly, sliding my hand higher up her thigh. "I want to hear it. And I want to see how you react when I do the same things to you."


    Her lips parted, but no sound came out. She was too flustered, too overwhelmed by my proximity and the heat building between us


    "Keep going," I said, my voice a low rumble.


    She swallowed hard and continued, her words trembling. "¡¯...His tongue flicked over her sensitive skin. Her breath hitched as he continued his journey downward, his lips brushing over her stomach...¡¯"


    I let my hands mimic the actions in the book, trailing down her body just as the male lead did. She gasped, her voice cutting off as she felt my touch.


    "Kane, what are you doing?" she whispered, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and anticipation.


    "Just following the story," I said, smirking. "Now keep reading."


    Her breath hitched, but she kept going, her voice even shakier than before. "¡¯...teasing her with every movement. He settled between her thighs, spreading her legs wide...¡¯" Her words trailed off as I did exactly that, pulling her legs apart and settling between them.


    "Kane¡ª"


    "Keep reading," I said firmly, my lips brushing her inner thigh.


    She let out a shaky breath and continued, her voice turning into a soft moan as I followed the book¡¯s instructions to the letter. "¡¯...His tongue darted out, tasting her, and she cried out...¡¯"


    Her moan echoed in the room as I did exactly what the book described, my tongue teasing her in the same way the male lead teased the female lead.


    "Don¡¯t stop," I murmured against her skin. "I want to hear the rest."


    She stopped as I did my ministrations. Moaning my name as she clutched the bed sheets tightly.


    Taking the book from her hands, I read the next line aloud. "¡¯He pinned her to the bed, his hands roaming her body, leaving no inch untouched...¡¯" I set the book down and smirked at her. "Sound familiar?"


    Before she could respond, I pressed her back against the pillows, my hands bracketing her face as I kissed her deeply. Her gasp gave me the opportunity to deepen the kiss, my tongue sliding against hers in a slow, deliberate dance.


    I pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. "I¡¯m going to make every word of that booke true for you, Elena. And when I¡¯m done, you won¡¯t need to read about passion¡ªyou¡¯ll know it."

 Chapter 94: Turning Friction Into Reality

    <h4>Chapter 94: Turning Friction Into Reality</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    Just like the book said. That damn book. Its pages had painted a vivid picture in my mind, but nothing could have prepared me for the reality of her beneath me¡ªElena, flushed and trembling, her soft gasps filling the air as I pinned her wrists above her head. Her eyes flicked to mine, wide with a mix of anticipation and nervous energy, and it sent a surge of heat coursing through me.


    The thought ran through my mind as I pinned her wrists above her head, my lips brushing against her soft skin before trailing down to her chest. Her body arched beneath me, her breath hitching as my tongue teased the peak of her breast. God, she was perfect¡ªevery inch of her.


    "You¡¯re stunning," I murmured, leaning in to capture her lips in a kiss that was slow and deliberate, a prelude to what I had nned. My mouth left hers to trail down her jaw, then lower, until my lips found the soft, full curve of her breast. goddess, she was perfect. My tongue flicked over her nipple, drawing a sharp gasp from her, and I smiled against her skin, savoring the way her body responded to every touch, every movement.


    I took my time, letting my tongue circle her nipple before sucking it into my mouth, my free hand sliding down her side to where her thighs parted for me. My free hand traveled downward, fingers brushing over her bare thigh before slipping beneath the hem of that oversized T-shirt she wore. It was almost unfair, how easy she made this¡ªhow essible she was to me. I pushed the fabric higher, exposing her bare skin inch by inch until her breasts were fully revealed to me, round and beautiful, begging for attention. My hand found her panties, sliding them aside to touch her slick, tight heat.


    She gasped when my fingers found her wet, slick heat, "Gods, Elena," I whispered, the wetness coating my fingers sending a jolt of raw need through me. "You¡¯re so ready for me." Her body trembling as I slipped one finger inside her. I started with one finger, sliding it slowly inside her. She was tight, impossibly tight, her inner walls gripping me as if she were made for me. I worked her carefully, watching her face for every reaction¡ªthe way her brows knitted together, the way her lips parted as a moan escaped her. It was intoxicating, addictive, and I wanted more. She was tight¡ªso tight¡ªthat it took all my restraint not to lose myself right then and there.


    "You¡¯re incredible," I murmured against her skin, my voice rough with need. I added a second finger, curling them slightly as I moved in and out of her, my thumb pressing against her clit, curling them just enough to draw those beautiful, breathless moans from her lips. My thumb brushed over her clit in rhythm, coaxing her higher as her hips began to move instinctively, chasing the pleasure I was giving her.


    Her body arched beneath me, a symphony of gasps and moans spilling from her lips. She was a beautiful mess, writhing in pleasure,pletely lost to the sensations I was giving her.


    I didn¡¯t stop my attention to her breasts, alternating between them as I sucked and nibbled, my lips and tongue worshiping her, my tongue flicking and teasing, my lips sucking and nibbling her sensitive peaks. I made sure to give each one equal attention, alternating between them, delighting in the way her moans grew louder, more desperate. She writhed beneath me, her gasps turning into soft cries as I pushed her closer and closer to the edge. Her oversized, baggy T-shirt made it easy¡ªtoo easy¡ªto ess her body, and as I pushed the fabric higher, I drank in the sight of her, her perfect curves bared to me.


    Sliding her panties to the side, I kept up the pace, my fingers working her as her juices coated them. She was exquisite, a moaning mess beneath me, her head tossing against the pillow as she rode my fingers. Just like the book described, but better¡ªso much better. This wasn¡¯t just fiction. This was real.


    She clung to me, her hands twisting in the sheets as her hips began to move of their own ord, meeting the rhythm of my fingers. "Kane," she whimpered, her voice broken and breathless.


    "That¡¯s it," I murmured, my voice low and hoarse. "Let go for me."


    "Come for me," I urged again, my voice low andmanding.


    And she did. Her body tensed, her back arching as she came apart, her climax washing over her in waves that left her trembling. I kept moving my fingers, drawing out everyst ounce of her release until she slumped against the bed, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to catch her breath. Her face was a masterpiece¡ªflushed, radiant, utterly lost in pleasure¡ªand I burned the image into my memory, knowing I¡¯d never forget it.


    I let go of her wrists and cupped her face, brushing a thumb over her flushed cheek. "You¡¯re breathtaking," I said, my voice filled with genuine awe. I wanted to remember every detail of this moment¡ªher flushed skin, her half-lidded eyes, the way her lips trembled as she tried to form words.


    Reaching for the book, I handed it to her, my lips curving into a teasing smile. "Your turn," I said, a teasing edge in my tone. "Do you want to continue, or should I?"


    She shook her head, taking the book with trembling hands. Her eyes skimmed the pages, but she didn¡¯t read aloud, her blush deepening as her gaze darted to me.


    "Read it aloud, Elena," I coaxed, a chuckle escaping me when she buried her face in the book. "It can¡¯t be that bad."


    Taking it from her, I flipped to the passage and started reading. "He flipped her onto her stomach, spread her legs wide, and rammed into her with one thrust, making her cry out as he groaned..."


    I nced down at her, only to find her face hidden behind a pillow. Chuckling, I set the book aside and pulled the pillow away. "Now that won¡¯t do," I teased, brushing her hair back as her flushed face came into view. "Hiding from me? You know I¡¯ll find you."


    Her wide eyes and the deep red blush spreading across her cheeks only fueled my desire. "I know you¡¯re not ready," I murmured, my voice softening. "But that doesn¡¯t mean we can¡¯t improvise."


    Before she could respond, I moved. In one smooth motion, I turned her onto her stomach, drawing a gasp from her lips. I settled above her, careful not to press my full weight against her, and began kissing my way down her back, following the curve of her spine. Her body responded immediately, soft moans spilling from her lips as I reached her lower back, my hands sliding over her perfect, round ass. She shivered beneath me, her breathsing faster.


    I gave it a gentle squeeze, eliciting another gasp, but I held back the urge to spank her¡ªnot yet. I gave it a another gentle squeeze, drawing a startled gasp from her. God, I wanted to do more. To im her, to leave my mark on every inch of her, but I held myself back. Not yet. My cock throbbed painfully against her, the friction of my shorts almost unbearable, and I couldn¡¯t resist sliding her panties down to reveal more of her to me. I let my hand glide over her exposed skin. "You¡¯re so innocent," I murmured, my voice thick with desire. "So perfect."


    "Rx," I whispered when she turned her head to look at me, her expression questioning. "I¡¯m not going to prate you¡ªnot yet." The word made her blush even deeper, and I couldn¡¯t suppress a grin. "So innocent."


    I freed myself, my cock heavy and aching as I positioned it between her cheeks, rubbing slowly groaning at the sensation. The friction was almost too much to bear. The sensation was electric, and I groaned, my self-control hanging by a thread. I began moving instinctively, dry-humping against her as my lips found her neck, kissing and nipping at her sensitive skin.


    "God, Elena," I groaned, my voice thick with need. I couldn¡¯t stop. The way her body moved beneath me, the soft sounds she made¡ªit was too much.


    "Elena," I breathed, her name a prayer on my lips. She moaned softly, her body moving in sync with mine, and I knew I was dangerously close to losing control.


    Rolling her onto her back, I spread her legs and rubbed myself against her folds, her slickness driving me wild. Her juices coated me, and I leaned down to kiss her, my lips demanding, consuming. I rocked against her, building both our pleasure until I couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. My hips moved instinctively, grinding against her as I pushed us both closer to release.


    When I felt myself teetering on the edge, I slid my fingers back inside her, curling them just right to send her over again. Her cries were my undoing, and I came hard, my release spilling between us, hot and messy.


    Panting, I rested my forehead against hers, my body still trembling from the intensity. "Next time," I whispered, my voice dark with promise, "I won¡¯t hold back."


    Her flushed face, her wide, dazed eyes¡ªit was almost enough to undo me all over again. I pulled back reluctantly, scooping her into my arms and carrying her to the shower. Wrong move....

 Chapter 95: Luna

    <h4>Chapter 95: Luna</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    It¡¯s official. Kane is going to be the death of me. And here I am, still technically a virgin¡ªalthough, can I even call myself that after everything he¡¯s done to me? He hasn¡¯t yet "popped my cherry," as people say, but with all the sinful things Kane has done to my body, I¡¯m not so sure thatbel even applies anymore.


    I mean, yeah, I was reading <i>that damn book</i>st night, imagining every scene in vivid detail, but reality? Reality with Kane is on a whole other level. The way he knows exactly where to touch, how to tease, how to unravel me with just his fingers and lips... no book could ever prepare me for that. And the morning? Oh, this morning. It¡¯s almost too much to think about.


    After proving, quite thoroughly, that fantasies could never hold a candle to the real thing, he had the audacity to carry me to the shower. And let me tell you¡ª<i>that</i> was a mistake. I should have known better. The way the water cascaded over us, washing away the evidence of our earlier... activities, I could see it in his eyes. Kane was fighting a losing battle. His gaze was dark, hungry, and when I dared to nce downward, I saw his arousal growing again.


    I should stop thinking about that.


    With a frustrated groan, I snap the book shut and push myself off the couch. The very same book that got me into this mess. Yeah, okay, fine¡ªI¡¯m still reading it. What? Despite the inappropriate scenes (and there are <i>plenty</i> of those), the plotline is actually really good. I want to know how it ends. Is that so bad?


    I nce at the clock. It¡¯s almost noon. Kane had left for work earlier, pressing a lingering kiss to my lips before promising that he¡¯d be back as early as possible. He also mentioned something about arranging a day this week to officially introduce me to the pack as his mate and their Luna.


    The thought makes my stomach twist. Anxiety prickles under my skin, and I pace the length of the living room.


    Kane makes it sound so easy¡ªlike it¡¯s no big deal. But to me, it¡¯s everything. Despite being the only child of an Alpha, I¡¯ve never been one for the spotlight. I always preferred staying in the background, doing what needed to be done without drawing too much attention to myself. Being thrust into the role of Luna, with everyone¡¯s eyes on me, judging me, evaluating whether I¡¯m worthy of standing by Kane¡¯s side... it¡¯s overwhelming.


    What if I mess it up? What if I¡¯m not what they expect?


    I shake my head, trying to push the doubts away. No. I can¡¯t think like that. This isn¡¯t about me¡ªit¡¯s about the pack. My pack now, too. And if I¡¯m going to do this, I need to step up. Luna duties aren¡¯t about vanity or appearances; they¡¯re about leadership,passion, and strength.


    Taking a deep breath, I decide to channel my nerves into productivity. I head to the kitchen to tidy up the breakfast dishes Kane and I left behind. The simple, repetitive task helps calm my racing thoughts. By the time I¡¯m done, I feel a little more grounded.


    I return to the couch, eyeing the book I abandoned earlier. It¡¯s sitting there, almost mocking me. I hesitate, biting my lip. I know I shouldn¡¯t. I <i>shouldn¡¯t.</i> But... curiosity gets the better of me. With a resigned sigh, I pick it up again.


    Settling back into the cushions, I flip to the page where I left off. My cheeks heat as my eyes scan the words, the scene pulling me in once more.


    "His lips trailed down her body, leaving a scorching path of fire in their wake. She gasped, her fingers tangling in his hair as he¡ª"


    I m the book shut, my face burning. <i>Why am I doing this to myself?!</i>


    I toss the book onto the coffee table like it¡¯s suddenly caught fire. Kane would absolutely <i>tease me to death</i> if he caught me reading this again. The memory of him finding me asleep with itst night shes through my mind, and I groan, burying my face in my hands.


    Yeah, I definitely need a distraction.


    Determined to do something productive, I head to Kane¡¯s study. If I¡¯m going to take on the role of Luna, I should at least familiarize myself with the pack¡¯s records, projects, and issues. Kane had mentioned a few areas where they needed extra support, and I want to be ready to help wherever I¡¯m needed.


    The study is just as I left itst night: tidy, organized, and distinctly <i>Kane.</i> His scent lingers here,forting and intoxicating all at once. I run my fingers over the edge of the desk, then sit down and start sorting through some papers.


    Minutes turn into hours as I immerse myself in the pack¡¯s affairs. I lose track of time until my stomach growls, reminding me that I haven¡¯t eaten since breakfast.


    Stretching, I head to the kitchen to grab a snack. As I pass the living room, my eyes dart to the book on the coffee table.


    "Nope," I mutter to myself, walking faster.


    I¡¯m halfway through a sandwich when my phone buzzes with a text from Kane:


    "Won¡¯t be long. Miss you."


    A small smile tugs at my lips. No matter how overwhelming everything feels, knowing Kane is by my side makes it all seem a little less daunting.


    I nce at the clock. It¡¯s just past 2 PM. I still have a few hours to myself before Kane gets home. Maybe I¡¯ll tackle the rest of the study papers¡ªor maybe I¡¯ll finally finish that damn book.


    Here¡¯s the continuation with your idea of Elena deciding to get some fresh air:


    Or instead... maybe I just need some fresh air.


    I toss the rest of my sandwich in the trash, brush the crumbs off my hands, and head to the bedroom. I grab a pair of sneakers from the closet, slipping them on with ease, and throw on a baseball cap to hide my messy hair.


    I haven¡¯t had a chance to explore much of this estate, and what better time than today?


    It¡¯s not that I¡¯ve been avoiding going out¡ªit¡¯s just that Kane has been so... <i>distracting</i>. Between adjusting to this new life, our budding rtionship, and everything else, the days seem to blur together. But today, I feel like I need to breathe, to get out of the house and clear my head.


    As I step outside, the warm afternoon sun greets me, casting a golden glow over the sprawling estate. The soft rustle of leaves in the breeze and the distant chirping of birds create a calming atmosphere.


    The estate is beautiful, even more so than I remembered from when Kane first brought me here. The gravel path crunches softly beneath my sneakers as I walk, taking in the manicured gardens, towering trees, and the distant sight of what looks like ake shimmering in the sunlight.


    I pass by a group of flower beds, the vibrant colors catching my eye. Roses, tulips, and lilies bloom in perfect harmony, their fragrance wafting through the air. I pause to admire them, crouching down to run my fingers lightly over the delicate petals of a white rose. It¡¯s moments like this that remind me how peaceful life can be¡ªhow different it is from the chaos of my past.


    Continuing down the path, Ie across a small gazebo nestled among the trees. It looks like the perfect ce to sit and unwind, so I make my way over. The wooden structure is simple but elegant, with ivy climbing up its sides. I settle onto one of the benches, leaning back and closing my eyes as I let the gentle breeze wash over me.


    How am I supposed to live up to the expectations of being his mate? His Luna? The pack is going to scrutinize every move I make, every decision, every word.


    I sigh, opening my eyes and staring up at the sky. Wisps of clouds driftzily across the blue expanse. Maybe I¡¯m overthinking it.


    The sound of footsteps on the gravel path pulls me from my thoughts. My heart skips a beat, but when I look up, it¡¯s not Kane.


    It¡¯s an older woman carrying a basket of flowers. Her warm smile puts me at ease instantly.


    "Good afternoon," she says, her voice gentle but strong.


    "Good afternoon," I reply, standing to greet her.


    "You must be Kane¡¯s mate," she says, her smile widening. "Wee to the estate. I¡¯m Martha, the head gardener."


    I blink in surprise. "Oh, thank you. It¡¯s lovely to meet you, Martha. The gardens here are stunning. You¡¯ve done an amazing job."


    Her cheeks flush slightly, and she waves a hand dismissively. "Oh, it¡¯s not just me. It¡¯s a team effort. But I¡¯m d you like it."


    We chat for a few minutes, and I learn that Martha has been working on the estate for decades. She tells me about the history of the gardens, how they¡¯ve evolved over the years, and even shares a few funny stories about Kane as a child.


    "He was always the troublemaker when they were young," she says with augh. "But he¡¯s grown into a fine young man unlike the other one. And now, with you by his side, I have no doubt he¡¯ll be even better."


    Her words warm my heart, and I can¡¯t help but smile.


    After we say our goodbyes, I continue my walk, feeling lighter than before. The estate feels less intimidating now, and the idea of being Luna doesn¡¯t seem as overwhelming.

 Chapter 96: Giving up

    <h4>Chapter 96: Giving up</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting warm orange and pink hues across the sky, I started making my way back home. The walk had done wonders for clearing my mind, but as I approached the house, a sound caught my attention.


    It was faint at first¡ªsoft noisesing from a yground I hadn¡¯t noticed before. My footsteps slowed as I turned toward the source, curiosity getting the better of me. The sounds wereing from behind the slide, muffled but unmistakable.


    My first thought was kids¡ªmaybe someone was hurt or in trouble. These days, you couldn¡¯t trust anyone, and the idea of a child needing help made my heart race. Without hesitation, I quickened my pace toward the yground, determined to make sure everything was okay.


    But as I got closer, the noises grew louder, more distinct... and then it hit me. These weren¡¯t cries for help. They were <i>moans</i>.


    My stomach churned as the realization dawned on me, but some foolish part of me clung to the hope that I was mistaken. Maybe I was overthinking it. Maybe¡ª


    No.


    The moment I rounded the corner, my world stopped. It was worse than I thought.


    There, in the dimming light of day, was Kane. His pants pooled at his feet, his hips thrusting relentlessly against a blonde woman bent over the edge of the slide. Her skirt was hiked up to her waist, her shirt half-open, breasts spilling out shamelessly.


    I froze, the scene burning itself into my mind like a cruel nightmare I couldn¡¯t wake from.


    "What the <i>fuck</i>?" I cursed, the words leaving my lips before I could stop them.


    The two of them turned at the sound of my voice, their heads snapping in my direction as though they¡¯d been caught red-handed. And then I saw her face.


    <i>Ashley.</i>


    Her smug expression faltered for only a moment, but Kane? He didn¡¯t even flinch. His eyes met mine, but instead of stopping, instead of pulling away in shame or guilt, he <i>kept going</i>. His thrusts didn¡¯t falter, his hands still gripping her hips like I wasn¡¯t even there.


    "You can join if you like," he said, his voice cool and detached as if he were inviting me to dinner instead of watching my heart shatter.


    That was it.


    I didn¡¯t even think. My legs carried me forward before I could register what I was doing. Kane¡¯s smirk grew wider, clearly mistaking my approach for something else, but he couldn¡¯t have been more wrong.


    With every ounce of strength I had, I swung my fist andnded a punch square on his jaw. The impact jolted through my arm, and the satisfying crack of bone meeting bone reverberated in my ears. Kane stumbled back, finally pulling out of Ashley, who shrieked and tried to cover herself.


    But I didn¡¯t stay to see what happened next. I turned on my heel and ran, tears blurring my vision as my heart pounded in my chest.


    How could he? How could the man who imed to want me, who made me believe in us, betray me so shamelessly?


    The image of them together burned in my mind, reying over and over like a cruel loop. His hands on her, his body pressed against hers, the arrogant smirk on his face as he dared to invite me to join.


    I didn¡¯t stop running until I was far enough away that the sounds of their betrayal faded into the background, reced by the thundering of my own heartbeat. My breath came in ragged gasps as I finally slowed, copsing onto a bench by the side of the road.


    The tears came then, hot and relentless, streaming down my face as I buried my head in my hands.


    How could I have been so blind?


    How could I have ever believed that Kane¡ª<i>my Kane</i>¡ªwould be different?


    But he wasn¡¯t. He was just like the rest of them. And now, the pieces of my shattered hearty scattered at my feet, and I had no idea how to pick them up again.


    I was so stupid. Stupid to believe that I could ever satisfy him. Me¡ªthe naive, innocent girl who thought love was enough. I convinced myself that his desires didn¡¯t matter as long as he loved me. That we were past all the hurdles and were finally trying for <i>us</i>.


    But maybe I was wrong.


    Maybe it was because of this morning in the shower. Maybe that was the trigger¡ªthe fact that I hadn¡¯t let him go all the way. Was that why he ran to someone else? Why he chose <i>her</i>?


    And what hurt the most wasn¡¯t just the betrayal. It wasn¡¯t just seeing him buried inside Ashley like I didn¡¯t exist. It was theck of remorse¡ªtheplete and utter disregard. He didn¡¯t stop. He didn¡¯t pull away. He didn¡¯t even have the decency to look guilty. Instead, he had the audacity to keep thrusting into her, to smirk at me and suggest I <i>join</i>.


    Was I really that naive?


    Was I so blind to think we could ovee everything? That we could live past our differences?


    I thought about his promises¡ªhow he had begged for forgiveness, swearing to change and make things work between us. Were all those words empty? A lie? A well-yed act to keep me tethered?


    What about the way he looked at me, like I was the only woman in the world? Was that fake too? Was it all just a ploy to fool me into believing I was special?


    And the intimacy we shared¡ªthe moments we indulged in each other, the touches, the kisses, the heated passion that always stopped before it consumed us entirely¡ªwas that all an act? A tactic to get what he wanted? If that was the case, why didn¡¯t he go all the way? Why did he always hold back?


    Was it my fault? Was I not enough?


    I tried to piece it together, but my mind was a storm of anger, pain, and disbelief. Maybe this morning had been his breaking point. Maybe the moment I hesitated, the moment I held onto thest shred of innocence I had, he decided it wasn¡¯t worth waiting anymore.


    So he went to her.


    The realization made my chest ache, but then anger bubbled up, hot and fierce. How could I have been so stupid? How could I have believed that a snake could ever change after all a snake is still a snake no matter the color?


    "Stupid. Stupid," I muttered under my breath, wiping the tears that streaked down my cheeks.


    Why was I even crying for someone like him?


    He wasn¡¯t worth it.


    To think I¡¯d kept myself for him. To think I had dreamed of giving him my first time¡ªthat it would be special, something just for us. How foolish was I to believe in a forever with him?


    No. Not anymore.


    If he could betray me so shamelessly, if he could so easily turn to someone else, then to hell with him. To hell with his promises, his lies, and his damn possessiveness.


    Two could y this game.


    If he wanted to ruin everything we had, then fine. But he wasn¡¯t going to take my pride down with him. I wasn¡¯t going to let him break me. If he could find satisfaction elsewhere, then so could I.


    I¡¯ll find someone¡ªsomeone who will make me forget about him, someone to fuck the hell out of me. Someone who¡¯ll make me feel desired, cherished, and alive. If Kane thinks I¡¯ll stay broken and weeping over him, he has no idea who he¡¯s messed with.


    To think I kept myself for him, that I wanted my mate to be my first and forever. Stupid, right? Well no more I am going to find myself a hunk of a male and go stupidly wide before dropping him. I am also going to reject him, If he ept the rejection or not I don¡¯t give a fuck. Whether it¡¯s going to work or not I won¡¯t give a shit. I was done ying house with two timing bastard!


    With that vow, I stood taller, brushing away thest of my tears. I wasn¡¯t going to shed another drop for that bastard. He didn¡¯t deserve my pain.


    The sky had turned dark by now, the moonlight spilling across the path as I began walking back. I could see perfectly in the dark, my senses heightened by the emotions coursing through me. The cool night air did little to soothe the fire burning inside me.


    <i>Home.</i>


    If I could even call it that anymore. The house was just a shell now, a ce that held memories I no longer wanted to revisit.


    But I wasn¡¯t going to let him push me out. If he thought for one second that I¡¯d leave with my tail between my legs, he had another thinging.


    With every step, I felt my resolve harden. Kane might have thought he had all the power, but he didn¡¯t. Not anymore.


    He¡¯d made his choice, and now, I was going to make mine.

 Chapter 97: Morning Showers

    <h4>Chapter 97: Morning Showers</h4>


    <strong>KANE¡¯S POV:</strong>


    Sometimes, life as an Alpha feels like it¡¯s all contracts, disputes, and endless meetings. But no matter how chaotic my day gets, one thought always brings me back to calm: Elena. My mate. My stubborn, beautiful, innocent mate who somehow has me wrapped around her little finger without even realizing it.


    A low growl of frustration rumbled in my chest as I stared at the contract in front of me. Alpha responsibilities¡ªthey could be rewarding, but sometimes they were nothing more than a time-consuming burden, pulling me away from my most precious treasure: my mate.


    I sighed, signing off on the agreement that would offer financial assistance to yet another struggling pack. But my thoughts? They weren¡¯t here. They were back with her, with the memory of her flushed cheeks and soft gasps as we reenacted one of the steamy scenes from her book.


    That book. My naughty little mate had bookmarked every single page with those explicit scenes¡ªprobably thinking she was being subtle. But it only made my job easier. We¡¯d already gone through one, and it was incredible. And yes, we were going to work our way through every single one of them.


    Showering with her was probably a mistake. A dangerous temptation. Yet, I¡¯d done it anyway, unable to resist the allure of being close to her. It had started as a harmless joke¡ªor at least, that¡¯s what I told myself. She wouldn¡¯t even look at me at first, her shyness making her even more adorable.


    "Help me wash my back," I¡¯d teased, handing her the scrubber. "Be a good little mate."


    She¡¯dplied, of course, but the way she scrubbed¡ªit was as if she was washing a child. My child, no less. Oh, sweet, innocent Le. The sensation was anything but romantic, and I couldn¡¯t hold back the chuckle that bubbled out.


    "You, my little mate," I said, turning around to face her, "are the only person who can make washing your mate feelpletely unromantic."


    Her blush deepened, her eyes widening slightly as I took the scrubber from her hands. "Let me show you how it¡¯s done," I murmured, turning her gently so her back faced me.


    I started slowly, rubbing her shoulders with deliberate care, my fingers gliding over the soft curve of her shoulder des. Her gasp was quiet but unmistakable, and a wicked smile tugged at my lips. I took my time, letting my hands travel downward, following the delicate curve of her spine. Her breaths grew shallow, and when I reached her perfect, round ass, I had to fight to keep myself in check.


    <i>Focus, Kane.</i>


    I massaged her softly, her soft moans spurring me on, but I kept my pace teasingly slow. "Yes," I whispered against her ear, my voice low and thick, "this is how you wash your mate."


    Her knees trembled slightly as I sank to mine, rubbing her thighs in slow, deliberate strokes. She widened her stance instinctively, her silent invitation loud and clear. I smirked, deliberately ignoring the heat radiating from her center and continuing my slow journey down her legs. Her scent¡ªher arousal¡ªwas thick in the air, and it took everything in me not to bury my face between her thighs right then and there.


    When I finally looked up, her lips were pouting, her frustration written all over her face. I chuckled, standing abruptly and wrapping one of my arm around her waist. Her back rested against my chest, and her gasp sent a shiver through me as she felt the unmistakable hardness pressing against her.


    With the scrubber still in my other hand, I began to rub her front, starting at her shoulders and trailing down. Her skin was soft, her body pliant as she melted into me. My movements slowed as I reached her chest, my hand brushing over her full, round breasts. Her nipples were already hard, and the soft moan she let out as I teased them which made my cock twitch against her.


    She tilted her head back, resting it on my chest, her eyes fluttering closed as I fondled her breasts, alternating between them to give each the attention they deserved. My lips found the curve of her neck, cing soft kisses there as my hand ventured lower, trailing down her belly.


    Her breath hitched when I reached her folds, her eyes snapping open to meet mine. She was flushed and beautiful, her arousal evident in every trembling breath and every soft moan. I pressed a teasing kiss to her temple as my fingers explored her, rubbing her folds gently, savoring every second of her surrender.


    Her body trembled against mine, her breathing in soft, uneven gasps as I continued to caress her. The water cascaded over us, warm and soothing, but the heat between us was an inferno. My hand, firm but gentle, rubbed the curve of her hips before sliding lower, teasing her just enough to draw a needy whimper from her lips.


    I couldn¡¯t help but smirk at her reaction. "Patience, my little mate," I murmured, my voice low and teasing, the rumble of it vibrating against her back. She turned her head slightly, her eyes half-lidded and full of want, but I wasn¡¯t done yet. Not even close.


    Dropping to my knees behind her, I ran my hands down the backs of her thighs, my thumbs brushing the sensitive skin there as I marveled at how perfect she was. Her legs widened instinctively, and though her scent¡ªrich and heady with arousal¡ªthreatened to drive me insane, I deliberately avoided the ce I knew she wanted me most.


    She let out a soft, frustrated groan, looking down at me with a pout that only made my smirk widen. "You¡¯re such a tease," she used, her voice breathless.


    Chuckling softly, I kissed her inner thigh, letting my lips linger just long enough to leave her wanting more. "You should know by now, little mate," I replied, my voice husky, "I like taking my time."


    Her hands braced against the wall as I kissed my way higher, my lips trailing a path up her thigh until I reached the apex where her heat radiated. Her scent was intoxicating, and when I looked up, I saw the anticipation and desire etched on her face.


    Without breaking eye contact, I hooked one of her legs over my shoulder, opening her to mepletely. She gasped at the motion, her fingers curling into fists against the tiled wall. My hands gripped her hips, holding her steady as I leaned in, my lips brushing over her folds in the lightest of touches.


    She moaned, her head falling back as her body arched slightly, pressing herself closer to me. "Kane," she whispered, her voice a plea that went straight to my core.


    Not wanting to tease her any longer, I finally let my tongue slip out, parting her folds and tasting her fully. The first taste was enough to make me groan against her, the sound vibrating through her sensitive skin. She was sweet, her juices a divine nectar that I couldn¡¯t get enough of.


    I licked her slowly at first, my tongue sliding up her slit and circling her clit in gentle, teasing motions that made her shudder. Her hands found my hair, gripping tightly as I increased the pressure, flicking my tongue over the sensitive bud until her legs trembled against me.


    "Fuck, Kane," she whimpered, her voice shaky as her hips bucked against my mouth. I tightened my grip on her hips, holding her still as I delved deeper, my tongue sliding inside her and curling to taste her from within. Her walls clenched around me, and I groaned again, the sound mingling with her soft cries of pleasure.


    Her leg on my shoulder tightened, her heel pressing into my back as she rode the waves of sensation I was giving her. I alternated between thrusting my tongue into her and sucking on her clit, my rhythm relentless as I worked her toward the edge.


    Her breathing became erratic, her moans louder as her body tensed. "Kane," she cried, her voice breaking on my name as her orgasm crashed over her. Her thighs trembled around me, and her juices gushed onto my tongue, which I eagerlypped up, savoring every drop.


    I didn¡¯t stop, letting her ride out the aftershocks as I continued to flick my tongue over her, coaxing everyst bit of pleasure from her trembling body. When her hands slid from the wall, too weak to hold her up, I caught her, pulling her into my arms as I stood.


    Her head rested against my chest, her breathsing in short, uneven pants as she clung to me. "You¡¯re going to be the death of me," she whispered, her voice shaky but full of satisfaction.


    I chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Not before I¡¯ve had my fill of you," I murmured, my lips curving into a wicked smile as I carried her out of the shower.


    The night was far from over.


    So yeah our to be shower ended up in a steamy sexual indulges and that wasn¡¯t the end of the matter

 Chapter 98: Almost

    <h4>Chapter 98: Almost</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    Before I knew it, instinct and desire had taken over. Her body was still trembling from her release, her moans lingering in the steamy air around us. She was a vision¡ªher flushed cheeks, parted lips, and the way her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath. And yet, I wasn¡¯t done with her. Not even close.


    I slid my hand down her thighs, feeling the slick heat of her skin, the way her muscles quivered under my touch. Gently, I guided her legs closed together, positioning myself between them. She gasped softly, her eyes fluttering open to meet mine, curiosity and desire warring in her gaze.


    "Trust me," I murmured, my voice low and husky. She nodded, her lips parting as another soft gasp escaped her when she felt the heat of me pressed against her inner thigh.


    The sensation was electric¡ªher soft, supple skin rubbing against me as I began to move, slowly at first, letting her feel every inch of my length sliding along her thigh. She whimpered, her body arching toward me, her hands gripping my arms as she instinctively rolled her hips. The sound of her pleasure spurred me on, my movements growing more deliberate, more intense.


    The friction was exquisite, her slick arousal only heightening the sensation. I groaned, the deep sound vibrating in my chest as I pushed harder, feeling her body respond to me. My hands gripped her hips, anchoring her as I guided her movements, pressing her thigh closer to me.


    "You feel so good," I growled, my voice raw as my eyes locked onto hers. Her pupils were blown wide with lust, her lips forming silent pleas that I could feel in the way her body trembled beneath me.


    The sound of our breaths mingled with the steady rhythm of my movements, and I could feel myself edging closer to release. She reached for me, her nails digging into my back as she pulled me down for a kiss.


    I don¡¯t know how I lost control¡ªmaybe it was her, looking so tempting with the steam curling around her, or maybe it was the relentless need of my wolf wing at the edges of my restraint. Either way, my judgment had clouded, overtaken by the primal urge that simmered just beneath the surface, my judgment slipping through my fingers like water.


    Her thighs were clutched close around me as I moved against her, the slick heat of her skin driving me mad. her inner thighs were soft and slick with her arousal, cradling me in a way that had my mind spiraling. The friction was intoxicating, and for a moment, I surrendered to it, letting my instincts take over. My movements quickened, driven by the raw, primal hunger that my wolf amplified. For a moment, it was as if the world had narrowed to just the two of us¡ªher gasps, her moans, the way her body arched into mine. But then my wolf, damn him, slipped through the cracks in my control.


    And then it happened.


    I don¡¯t even remember the exact moment my control faltered, but I felt it¡ªthe head of my cock slipping past her folds, into her. It happened too quickly, I felt the head of my cock press against her entrance. Before I could stop myself, it slipped just inside her, the overwhelming heat and tightness hitting me like a lightning bolt. Just barely, but enough to make her gasp and jump in shock. Her wide, startled eyes met mine, and before I could fully process it, she pulled herself out of my hold, her body trembling.


    She jumped, startled, pulling away from me in an instant, her wide, shocked eyes meeting mine. Panic shot through me as I wrestled back control from my wolf, who was growling low in frustration. <i>I want to fuck her,</i> he snarled in my mind, unashamed and unrepentant. His words sent a fresh wave of guilt crashing over me, and I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fought to suppress him.


    The words sent a bolt of shame through me. I shoved him back, hard, forcing myself to regain control. My eyes shifted color, the glow of my wolf¡¯s influence fading as I murmured, "I¡¯m sorry," my voice barely audible over the sound of the water. Without waiting for her response¡ªtoo ashamed to face her¡ªI turned and dashed out of the bathroom, my chest tight with humiliation.


    I didn¡¯t stop until I was far enough away to catch my breath, my hands braced against the wall as guilt and embarrassment washed over me. My chest heaved as I tried to calm the storm raging inside.


    What had I done?


    Guilt twisted in my gut like a knife. I leaned against the nearest wall, dragging a hand down my face. My wolf had tried to go too far, and even if it was him in control for that split second, it didn¡¯t absolve me. He was still <i>me</i>. My responsibility. My actions. And I had almost.... he¡¯d crossed a line¡ª<i>we¡¯d</i> crossed a line. The memory of her startled face, the way she¡¯d pulled away, was seared into my mind.


    And yet, the worst part? I couldn¡¯t forget the feeling of her. The briefest, fleeting moment of her warmth, her tightness, had branded itself into my senses. It felt so good, so right, that it made me hate myself all the more.


    I groaned, the sound filled with frustration and self-loathing. I¡¯d known from the start that showering with her was a bad idea. I¡¯d told myself it was a mistake, and yet here I was, proving myself right in the worst way possible.


    "Stupid," I muttered under my breath, raking a hand through my hair.


    She trusted me. And I¡¯d nearly crossed a line she wasn¡¯t ready for. I needed to stay away, to gather myposure and leash the wolf that hade so dangerously close to iming her before she was ready.


    I paced the room, my wolf sulking but unapologetic in the corner of my mind. I needed to make this right, to apologize properly, to prove to her that she was safe with me. She had to know that I would never intentionally hurt her or push her boundaries.


    But right now? I wasn¡¯t sure how I could face her again, not with the weight of my guilt pressing down on me.

 Chapter 99: Wreck

    <h4>Chapter 99: Wreck</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    After barricading myself in my room and throwing on some clothes, I paced back and forth, the weight of my actions settling heavier with each step. My wolf was subdued now, quiet but unapologetic, leaving me alone to wrestle with the guilt. I ran a hand through my hair, tugging at the roots in frustration.


    <i>How could I let that happen?</i>


    When I finally heard the bathroom door creak open, my heart leaped to my throat. I turned instinctively but stopped myself before meeting her gaze. Shame coiled tightly in my chest, and I couldn¡¯t bring myself to face her. Instead, I stared at the floor, my hands clenching and unclenching at my sides.


    "I¡¯m really sorry," I started, my voice low and strained. "I didn¡¯t mean¡ª"


    "It¡¯s fine," she cut in, her tone soft, forgiving. Too forgiving.


    I chanced a nce at her, and there it was¡ªa smile meant tofort me, to put me at ease. But instead of easing my guilt, it only made it worse. She shouldn¡¯t have to reassure me. I was the one who¡¯d faltered, who¡¯d almost betrayed her trust.


    Her kindness was unbearable.


    "I¡¯ll, uh... I¡¯ll start making breakfast," I mumbled, looking away quickly. I didn¡¯t wait for her to respond, already moving toward the kitchen, desperate to give her space¡ªand to escape the suffocating guilt that had me in a chokehold.


    As I busied myself with pans and ingredients, the mundane act of cooking gave me something to focus on, a small reprieve from the storm in my mind. But even then, shes of her startled expression haunted me, her gasp echoing in my ears.


    "Stupid," I muttered under my breath, flipping a pancake with more force than necessary.


    I needed to do better. To be better. For her.


    When I heard her footsteps behind me, I stiffened for a moment before forcing myself to rx. "Coffee or tea?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral, casual, as though my heart wasn¡¯t racing and my stomach wasn¡¯t in knots.


    "Coffee," she said softly, her voice carrying a tentative warmth.


    I nodded, not turning around. I needed to gather myself before I could face her again.


    She moved around the kitchen with an ease that made everything else fade into the background. The sight of her flipping pancakes while I worked on her coffee and cracked eggs into a bowl was oddly domestic, a stark contrast to the chaos of my thoughts. It was grounding, soothing.


    Then she spoke, her voice tinged with amusement. "Hey, for an obnoxious alpha, you sure look and behave like a child," she teased, her chuckle light but her words cutting through my lingering guilt.


    I nced at her, about to respond, but she added, "Can you rx? I said it¡¯s fine. I¡¯m not mad..." Her voice softened, and then she murmured, almost to herself, "Rather, I¡¯m mad at myself for not being ready for you."


    Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I froze, catching the vulnerable edge in her tone. <i>She¡¯s ming herself?</i>


    I turned to her, closing the distance in a few quick steps. Gently, I grasped her shoulders, urging her to face me. "No," I said firmly, my voice leaving no room for argument. "It¡¯s not your fault. It¡¯s mine. I said we¡¯d take it slow, and I meant it. Don¡¯t you dare me yourself for this."


    Her eyes searched mine, the faintest shimmer of uncertainty lingering there. "Okay," she said softly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Then if you stop ming yourself, I won¡¯t either."


    I exhaled a long sigh, the weight on my chest easing slightly. She always had this way of leveling me, of pulling me back from the edge. "Deal," I said, my lips quirking into a half-smile.


    The atmosphere shifted then, the tension dissipating as we returned to the mundane task of finishing breakfast. She teased me a few more times, poking fun at my "alpha seriousness," and for the first time since the shower, I found myself genuinelyughing.


    By the time we sat down to eat, the air was light again, and we fell into easy conversation. For a moment, everything felt right.


    Later that day, back in my office, the memory of herughter lingered, carrying me through the endless stack of contracts and pack matters. But the hours dragged on, and by the time I nced at the clock, my heart sank.


    "Shit," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. It was already 5 PM, and I¡¯d promised myself I¡¯d head home early to make it up to her.


    The desk was still cluttered with papers I hadn¡¯t finished, but I made a quick decision. I¡¯d tackled the most pressing issues already¡ªthese logistical details about pack operations could wait. I grabbed my keys, reassuring myself. "They can handle a few things without me."


    With that, I was out the door, my mind already at home with her. My little mate.


    As I pulled into the driveway, a familiar sense of calm washed over me. Home. Her scent was faint but still lingered in the air, wrapping around me like aforting embrace. I stepped out of the car, eager to see her¡ªhalf expecting to find her curled up on the couch with that book of hers.


    But the couch was empty.


    I checked the kitchen, the soft hum of the refrigerator the only sound greeting me. Nothing. Frowning, I headed to our room, then to the study where I¡¯d found herst night having fallen asleep reading that naughty book.


    Still nothing.


    I paused, rubbing the back of my neck, trying not to jump to conclusions. <i>Where could she be?</i>


    If this had happened before this morning, before we talked and cleared the air, I would¡¯ve panicked. My mind would¡¯ve spiraled into worst-case scenarios¡ªthinking she¡¯d gotten scared again and bolted like she used to whenever things got too intense. But not now.


    We¡¯d sorted everything out earlier, hadn¡¯t we? Even kissed before I left for work. I reyed the moment in my mind¡ªher small smile, the way she looked at me with trust. <i>No, she wouldn¡¯t run again. She wouldn¡¯t.</i>


    Maybe she¡¯d taken my advice and gone out. I¡¯d suggested it plenty of times before, encouraging her to explore, to getfortable with the pack and the territory. The thought brought some relief, but then my mind snagged on something else¡ªthe conversation about officially introducing her to the pack as my mate and their Luna.


    She hadn¡¯t been thrilled.


    No, that¡¯s an understatement¡ªshe¡¯d looked terrified.


    I told myself it couldn¡¯t have driven her away. It was just nerves, right? Everyone felt that way before a big step. Still, the thought clung to me like a thorn, sharp and persistent.


    With a heavy sigh, I stepped out onto the porch and sat down, staring out at the fading light. I¡¯d wait. She¡¯de back. She had to.


    But as the minutes stretched into hours, doubt began to creep in, its ws digging deeper with every passing second. If I¡¯d marked her, I could¡¯ve linked with her, reaching out across that invisible bond to find her. But I hadn¡¯t. My wolf, Ash, had made sure to remind me of that on more than one asion.


    <i>If you¡¯d marked her, you wouldn¡¯t be sitting here like a fool,</i> he growled in my head, pacing restlessly. <i>We could feel her. We¡¯d know she¡¯s safe.</i>


    <i>Not the time, Ash,</i> I snapped back, though his frustration mirrored my own.


    The sky turned from amber to dusky purple, and still, I waited, my heart a tangled knot of worry and guilt.


    <i>What if she ran?</i>


    The thought sliced through me like a de, and I clenched my fists. No, she wouldn¡¯t. She couldn¡¯t.


    The growing darkness around me felt suffocating, and my patience was thinning. But I stayed put, resolute. Wherever she was, she¡¯de back. She had to.


    And I¡¯d be right here, waiting.


    Just then I spotted her figure as she came in through the gate. My face light up, a smile finding itself on my lips but it dropped immediately I spotted her face. she¡¯d been crying.

 Chapter 100: Going Wild

    <h4>Chapter 100: Going Wild</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    My mind was made up. I wasn¡¯t going to cry anymore over Kane or let myself wallow in the pain he caused. If he didn¡¯t care enough to stop himself from disrespecting me like that, then I had no reason to keep holding on. I deserved more¡ªsomeone who would cherish me and only me. And if I couldn¡¯t have love, I could at least have control.


    Having made up my mind, I strode through the gates, my n solidifying with every step. A shower, something sexy¡ªsomething that screamed <i>untouchable</i>¡ªand then the club. What better ce to find someone willing to help me drown my frustration in a night of no-strings-attached pleasure?


    The thought filled me with a mix of resolve and rebellion. If he thought I¡¯d roll over like a beaten pup, he had another thinging.


    As I neared the house, I spotted him sitting on the porch. Kane. His posture was tense, his head snapping up the moment he saw me. Was that relief on his face?


    <i>Relief?</i> I wanted tough, but there was nothing funny about the situation. My nails dug into my palms as I walked closer, trying to keep my anger simmering under the surface. He stood quickly, his brows knitting together as if he was...worried?


    "Hey, love," he said, his voice soft, almost panicked. "What happened? Why were you crying?"


    I froze mid-step, disbelief washing over me. <i>Is he for real? Or did he hit his head while screwing his lousy bitch?</i>


    He reached out, his hand moving toward my face as if tofort me. I stepped back sharply, my re freezing him in his tracks. Every ounce of pain I¡¯d felt earlier churned inside me, boiling over into pure, unfiltered rage.


    "Don¡¯t you dare touch me with those filthy hands," I spat, my voice icy enough to cut through the tension between us.


    I saw the confusion in his eyes, the way his brows furrowed as if I¡¯d just grown a second head. Did he really think I am that stupid? Did he think he could just stand there, say something sweet, and I¡¯d fall into his arms, forgetting everything?


    Pathetic.


    Without another word, I brushed past him, ignoring the way he called after me. My chest heaved with suppressed emotion, every breath a struggle to keep myself from spinning around and tearing into him¡ªverbally or otherwise.


    As I stepped inside the house, I kept my steps deliberate, my back straight. He didn¡¯t deserve my tears. Hell, he didn¡¯t deserve my time.


    Upstairs, I mmed the bathroom door behind me, leaning against it for a moment as the adrenaline coursed through me. My reflection in the mirror stared back, eyes burning with a fire I hadn¡¯t seen before.


    "Fuck him," I muttered to myself, pushing off the door.


    Tonight wasn¡¯t about wallowing. It was about taking back control. Letting him know just how receable he was.


    After my shower, I¡¯d go to that club. I¡¯d find someone¡ªanyone¡ªwho could help me forget, even if just for a little while.


    And when I came back, I¡¯d make sure to reek of another wolf, just to drive the point home. Then I¡¯d reject his sorry ass.


    He wanted to y games? Fine. But I wasn¡¯t going to lose.


    After my shower, I wrapped myself in a robe and stepped out into the room, only to find Kane pacing, his hands running through his hair like he was grappling with some great tragedy. What the hell was his problem? If he was so bothered, he could go back to his stupid bitch and screw her some more.


    I headed straight to the closet, yanking it open to find the outfit I had in mind.


    "Elena, talk to me," he said, his voice almost pleading.


    I froze for a moment before spinning around to face him. My eyes locked onto his, sharp as daggers.


    "And tell you what?" I hissed. "That I fucking hate you? That I can¡¯t stand to look at your stupid face?"


    He flinched, but I didn¡¯t care. He deserved worse. Turning back to the closet, I grabbed the dress¡ªa short, body-hugging number with an open back and a plunging neckline. It was bold, scandalous even, and exactly what I needed tonight.


    Before he could say another word, I stormed back into the bathroom. Kane, being the insufferable alpha he was, followed me. He barely opened his mouth to speak before I mmed the door in his face, cutting him off mid-breath.


    I slipped into the dress, the fabric clinging to me like a second skin. Perfect. Next, I styled my hair, rolling it into soft curls and leaving bangs to frame my face. A bit of makeuppleted the look¡ªjust enough to enhance what I already had. <i>wless.</i>


    When I finally stepped out of the bathroom, Kane was still there, leaning against the doorframe like a guard dog. His eyes raked down my body, lingering a little too long on every curve. His Adam¡¯s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.


    <i>Good. Let him look. Let him want.</i>


    But he would never touch me again.


    I brushed past him without a word, heading straight for the shoe rack. The white heels I¡¯d picked out were waiting for me, and as I slid them on, I felt his presence behind me.


    "You¡¯re not going anywhere dressed like that," he finally growled, his voice low,manding.


    I couldn¡¯t help butugh¡ªa short, bitter sound. I turned to him with a smirk that didn¡¯t reach my eyes.


    "And who¡¯s going to stop me? You?" I asked, arching a brow.


    "Elena," he started, his tone warning, but I cut him off.


    "Your words mean <i>nothing</i> to me, Kane," I spat. "They lost all meaning the moment you fucked that lousy bitch."


    I didn¡¯t wait for his response. I didn¡¯t care what excuse or apology he had lined up. With my head held high, I walked out of the room, my heels clicking against the floor, never sparing him another nce.


    <i>Tonight, I¡¯m reiming myself. And there¡¯s nothing you can do about it.</i>

 Chapter 101: Terrible Temptation

    <h4>Chapter 101: Terrible Temptation</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    What the fuck is happening? Seriously, can someone tell me what I¡¯m missing here?


    My mate¡ªyes, the same one who kissed me this morning, told me to have a good day, and looked at me like I hung the damn moon¡ªis now ring at me as though she wants to bury me six feet under.


    And hates my guts.


    She¡¯s practically spitting venom with every word, and the worst part? I have <i>no idea</i> what I did wrong.


    The usations keep flying, too¡ªshe ims I was fucking someone else. What the hell? Me? When? Where? I¡¯d been at the office all day, dealing with boring alpha responsibilities and counting the seconds until I coulde back home to <i>her</i>.


    And yet here she is, walking around like the embodiment of rage, looking at me like I¡¯m supposed to know what I did. Like it¡¯s written in bold letters across my forehead.


    I¡¯m wracking my brain for answers, but there¡¯s nothing. Nada. Zip.


    And my wolf isn¡¯t helping either. In fact, he¡¯s making things worse.


    "This is your fault," he growls in the back of my mind. "If we¡¯d marked her already, we¡¯d know what¡¯s going on. We¡¯d be able to read her emotions, probe her thoughts, understand her better."


    I snarl internally, shutting him up. This isn¡¯t the time for his lectures, and honestly, it¡¯s not like he¡¯s been a beacon of wisdomtely.


    Still, his words sting because, deep down, I know he¡¯s right. If I¡¯d marked her, this wouldn¡¯t be happening. But I didn¡¯t want to rush her. I didn¡¯t want to scare her off. I wanted to give her time, space¡ªwhatever she needed to feel ready.


    And now? Now I¡¯m standing here in the middle of this storm, clueless and frustrated out of my mind.


    She won¡¯t talk to me. Won¡¯t exin what¡¯s going on.


    She¡¯s shutting me outpletely.


    And damn it if that doesn¡¯t hurt more than her anger.


    What the hell just happened?


    Shees homete, her eyes red and swollen¡ªclearly, she¡¯s been crying. Before I can even say a word, she marches straight past me, heading to our room like a storm ready to tear everything apart.


    I follow her, bewildered, only to find her digging through the closet. She pulls out a dress¡ªa dress so stunning, so sinful, that it feels like a p to my face just imagining anyone else seeing her in it.


    <i>That dress is for my eyes only.</i>


    She strides to the bathroom, mming the door shut behind her. I¡¯m left standing there, jaw tight, trying to piece together what the hell is going on.


    By the time she walks back out, my mind goespletely nk.


    She¡¯s breathtaking. Her skin glows, her hair tumbles in loose curls that scream perfection, and that dress¡ªfuck, it hugs her curves like it was made for her.


    I can¡¯t even form a coherent sentence as I watch her bend down to put on those white heels.


    <i>God help me, I¡¯m a goner.</i>


    But then reality ps me in the face, hard.


    She¡¯s not seriously nning on going out dressed like that, is she? Not with the tension in the air, not when she looks like she¡¯s trying to y every man in sight with one look.


    Hell no. Not happening.


    "You¡¯re not going anywhere dressed like that," I growl finally, my voice low, sharp,manding.


    She freezes for a moment, then turns to me with augh¡ªaugh that isn¡¯t lighthearted or amused. No, this one is dark and full of mockery.


    It¡¯s like a de to my chest.


    "And who¡¯s going to stop me? You?" she throws back, arching a brow, her defiance cutting through the room.


    "Elena," I say, my tone a warning now. I¡¯m losing my patience. I¡¯m fed up with the guessing games. Can¡¯t she just tell me what the fuck is wrong so we can sort this out like adults?


    But no.


    She cuts me off with a venomous re and words that leave me frozen.


    "Your words mean nothing to me, Kane," she spits, her voice full of venom. "They lost all meaning the moment you fucked that lousy bitch."


    <i>What the actual fuck is she talking about?</i>


    I stand there stunned, my mind reeling as she brushes past me like I¡¯m nothing more than a piece of furniture. She doesn¡¯t even look back.


    Fine. You want to y it this way, Elena? Fine.


    I¡¯m done trying to figure out what the hell is going on. If she won¡¯t tell me, then I¡¯ll just follow her.


    Let¡¯s see where this goes.


    <i>Nope. Nope. I¡¯m not liking where this is going. Not one bit.</i>


    The moment she steps outside, I see it¡ªa damn cab pulling up to the driveway. She¡¯s called a cab? Really?


    I move quickly, sliding into my car and starting it up just in time to follow the stupid yellow vehicle as it pulls away with my mate inside.


    My mate.


    My grip tightens on the wheel as I remember watching the driver¡¯s eyes flick to the to her when she walked over to the car and his gaze linger a second too long. His gaze had slide over her figure, taking her in, and it was enough to make my blood boil.


    A low growl had rumble up from my chest, a sound deep and dangerous, even in my own ears.


    The cab driver flinched visibly, his shoulders stiffening as though he heard it through the space between us. Good.


    It takes every ounce of restraint I have not to throw the car door open, storm over, and yank the bastard out of his seat for daring to admire what is mine. But no, I keep my cool¡ªfor now.


    And it¡¯s only the cab driver.


    <i>What the hell am I going to do when she steps out of that car and walks into a sea of men? Drunk, leering men who won¡¯t even try to hide their interest.</i>


    My wolf stirs restlessly beneath my skin, urging me to take control, to im her and remind her who she belongs to.


    "Not now, Ash," I murmur through clenched teeth, gripping the wheel tighter as I trail the cab from a safe distance.


    This is going to be a long night.


    A very long night.


    And if a single one of those bastards so much as looks at her the wrong way...


    I take a steadying breath, but it does little to calm the storm raging inside me.


    I just hope I can keep myposure long enough not to end up killing any of my male pack members tonight.

 Chapter 102: Going wild (II)

    <h4>Chapter 102: Going wild (II)</h4>


    <strong>E¡¯s POV:</strong>


    <i>Stupid alpha. He thinks I don¡¯t notice him following me? Let him. Let him watch.</i>


    I settle back in the cab, crossing my legs and pretending not to care that his car is practically glued to the one I¡¯m in. If he¡¯s so determined to trail me like a lovesick puppy, fine. What¡¯s better revenge than feeding him his own damn medicine?


    <i>Let him simmer in his possessive rage. Let him see exactly how it feels to be on the other side¡ªjealous, paranoid, powerless.</i>


    I catch a glimpse of his car in the side mirror, his headlights ring like the eyes of a predator stalking its prey. Good. Let him stew in his frustrations.


    The cab driver nces at me again, sneaking another look through the mirror. I roll my eyes. <i>What is it with men tonight?</i> But it¡¯s perfect, really. Kane¡¯s probably already fuming, ready to rip this poor guy apart just for existing.


    <i>Let him.</i>


    When we finally pull up to the club, I can practically feel Kane¡¯s eyes boring into me from behind the windshield of his car. I don¡¯t even nce back as I pay the driver and step out, letting the dress do its job¡ªhugging every curve, the slit teasing just enough leg.


    The line to the club is buzzing with energy, men and women alike turning to look at me as I saunter past. The bouncers don¡¯t even make me wait¡ªthey let me in with a smirk and a nod.


    <i>Perfect.</i>


    I can already imagine Kane¡¯s reaction, his jaw clenching as he watches me disappear into the crowd of shing lights and ring music.


    Tonight, I¡¯ll dance,ugh, and maybe even let someone else¡¯s hands linger a little too long on my waist¡ªjust enough to drive him mad.


    Let him taste the bitterness of his own betrayal.


    Let him see how it feels to be cast aside.


    And maybe, just maybe, he¡¯ll finally understand how much he hurt me.


    The thrum of the music vibrated through me as I downed the strongest drink the bartender could offer. It burned, but I weed the fire. <i>Perfect.</i> I needed the edge dulled, the sting of betrayal numbed.


    ss emptied, I made my way to the dance floor, letting the crowd swallow me whole. Before the lights and bodies fully obscured me, I caught sight of him¡ªKane¡ªhis tall frame prowling through the crowd, scanning for me like the predator he was. <i>Good luck, Alpha. Let¡¯s see how it feels to be ignored.</i>


    The music pounded in my veins as I started to move, swaying my hips in time with the beat, my body melting into the rhythm. The alcohol did its work, loosening every tense muscle. For the first time in what felt like forever, I let go.


    Then I felt it¡ªhands on my waist, strong but tentative, testing boundaries. I turned, ready to push whoever it was away, but the sight of a handsome stranger with a cheeky grin stopped me. His dark eyes sparkled under the club lights, and he tilted his head as if asking for permission.


    <i>Guess he¡¯ll do.</i>


    Smiling coyly, I turned fully to him, moving closer, and his hands tightened around my waist. He wasn¡¯t Kane¡ªdidn¡¯t have his dominating presence or the smoldering heat of his touch¡ªbut that was the point. This man was a distraction, a symbol of my rebellion.


    We started dancing, bodies pressed together, moving as one. The stranger¡¯s hands roamed my sides, respectful but possessive enough to make my point clear: <i>I¡¯m not Kane¡¯s, not anymore.</i>


    The heat of the room, the thrum of the music, and the alcohol in my system melded into a heady mix of defiance and exhration. The stranger leaned down, his lips brushing close to my ear as he whispered something I couldn¡¯t hear over the music.


    I didn¡¯t care what he said. All that mattered was that Kane would see this¡ª<i>see me</i>¡ªand know that his betrayal had cost him everything.


    For the first time, I felt the faintest hint of power return to me, and I reveled in it.


    The music was deafening, the lights shing in wild, erratic patterns, and the crowd moved in a chaotic rhythm around me. The club reeked of alcohol, sweat, and desperation, but I didn¡¯t care. I was here for one reason and one reason only: revenge.


    The music thumped so loudly it felt like my heartbeat synced with the bass. The shing lights of the club created a kaleidoscope of colors, and the air was thick with sweat, alcohol, and the scent of bad decisions. Bodies writhed together in every corner, pressed too close to care about personal space.


    The handsome guy on the dance floor was all too willing to help with my mission. His hands roamed, squeezing my ass as we moved together. I closed my eyes, letting myself sink into the reckless freedom, but the moment shattered as his hands were ripped away from me.


    Opening my eyes, I found Kane. His fists were already flying, pummeling the poor guy into the ground. The fury on his face was a stark contrast to the earlier confusion he¡¯d shown. <i>Stupid Alpha and his possessiveness. </i>His expression was a deadly mix of fury and possessiveness, his fists colliding with the guy¡¯s face in a brutal punch.


    The crowd parted to watch the scene unfold, but I didn¡¯t stay. Kane could beat up every man in the club for all I cared; it wouldn¡¯t stop me. My mission wasn¡¯tplete.


    I didn¡¯t care about the audience. I cared that he had the audacity to show up here, at <i>my</i> moment of escape, and act like he had some im over me after what he did. My chest burned with rage.


    Turning on my heel, I walked out of the main area and slipped through the back door into a dark alley.


    I pushed through the back exit of the club, stumbling into a dimly lit alleyway. The air outside was cool and a wee relief from the stifling heat inside. As I leaned against the wall to catch my breath, I noticed him¡ªa guy in a leather jacket, leaning against the wall and smoking a cigarette.


    Normally, I wasn¡¯t into smokers, but something about the way he held himself screamed confidence. He turned his head when he noticed me, his eyes dragging slowly over my body in a way that sent a shiver up my spine. He was handsome¡ªnot as handsome as the other guy, but still enough to make my pulse quicken.


    "Hey, beautiful," he called, flicking the cigarette to the ground and stepping on it. His voice was rich and smooth, with a hint of danger that made my heart race¡ªbut not like Kane¡¯s did.


    I shed him a sultry smile, the kind I knew would make him bite. "Hey," I replied, shing another seductive smile.


    "What¡¯s a beauty like you doing back here?" he asked, dropping his voice to a husky whisper.


    "Looking around,"I said casually, tilting my head and letting my hair fall over my shoulder in a move I knew was irresistible.


    His grin widened, and he stepped closer, his eyes roaming my body with tant admiration. "Damn, you¡¯re gorgeous."


    "Thanks," I said, my voice soft but teasing as I stepped closer. His confidence faltered for a second as he took me in, but then he smirked, regaining hisposure.


    "Wanna go somewhere else?" he asked, his smirk full of promise.


    This was it. The moment I came here for. I didn¡¯t hesitate. "Sure," I replied, a mischievous smile curving my lips.


    His smirk widened as he leaned in, his hand brushing my hip as he tilted his head down toward me. I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin ,his lips brushing mine as he whispered, "Great." He captured my lips in a kiss, and I let myself get lost in it for a moment.


    But once again, I didn¡¯t get to enjoy it.


    The guy was ripped away from me, his startled yelp echoing in the alley.


    I didn¡¯t need to look to know who it was.


    "What the¡ª" I started, snapping my head up to see Kane standing there, his chest heaving, his eyes burning with fury as he shoved the guy against the wall.


    "Stay the hell away from her," Kane growled, his voice low and dangerous.


    The guy held up his hands in surrender, clearly intimidated by Kane¡¯s size and presence. "I didn¡¯t know she was yours, man," he stammered, backing away slowly.


    "She¡¯s not!" I snapped, but it was toote. The guy was already retreating down the alley, muttering curses under his breath.


    "Kane," I hissed, turning to face him. His chest was heaving, his eyes zing with fury and something else¡ªsomething primal.


    "What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing?" he growled, his voice low and dangerous, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.


    My blood boiled. "What <i>I¡¯m</i> doing? What the hell do you think <i>you¡¯re</i> doing?"


    "This," he said, motioning to the guy he¡¯d just tossed aside like a ragdoll, "stops now."


    His words were a challenge, but I wasn¡¯t backing down. Not tonight.


    I turned on Kane, my fists clenched at my sides. "What the hell is wrong with you?! You don¡¯t get to do this, Kane! You don¡¯t get to act like you care after everything you¡¯ve done!"


    "Well brother didn¡¯t know you have search a fine taste in women" a voice that was oddly familiar spoke. Turning my face to where the voice came from. I saw huh.....

 Chapter 103: Who Fucked Ashley

    <h4>Chapter 103: Who Fucked Ashley</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    My head spun as I stood frozen in the alley. One moment, Kane had just yanked the leather-jacket guy away from me, looking as furious as I¡¯d ever seen him. The next moment, <i>there were two Kanes.</i>


    I blinked rapidly, sure the alcohol was ying tricks on me. But no, there they were¡ªone standing in front of me, his fists clenched, his whole body vibrating with rage, and the other just a few feet away, leaning casually against the alley wall with an infuriatingly smug smile.


    "What the hell..." I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper.


    Kane¡ªthe one who had stopped me earlier¡ªwhipped his head around, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of the other Kane. His already furious expression somehow darkened even more, his entire frame stiffening with tension.


    The second Kane chuckled lowly, his voice eerily simr but tinged with amusement. "Surprise, surprise," he said, pushing off the wall. His tone was smooth and mocking, like he¡¯d been waiting for this moment.


    "What the fuck are you doing here?" my Kane growled, stepping forward, shielding me instinctively.


    The other Kane smirked, his eyes flicking to me for a brief second before returning to the real Kane. "Oh, rx. I¡¯m not here to fight you. Not yet, anyway."


    My heart raced as I stared at the two of them. They were identical, down to the way their muscles tensed, their stances, and even the slight twitch of their jaws. But there was something different about the second Kane¡ªsomething darker, colder.


    "What¡¯s going on?" I demanded, my voice shaking slightly. "Why... why are there two of you?"


    "Ask him," the second Kane said, nodding toward the real one. "I¡¯m just here to make things a little more... interesting."


    The real Kane stepped forward, his voice low and threatening. "You¡¯re not supposed to be here."


    "And yet, here I am," the second Kane said with a grin. "Face it, Kane. You can¡¯t keep running from me."


    "Who <i>are</i> you?" I demanded again, my frustration and confusion mounting.


    The second Kane¡¯s eyes met mine, and for a moment, they seemed to glow faintly. His smile widened as he gave me a mocking bow. "Let¡¯s just say I¡¯m... the part of Kane he¡¯d rather not talk about."


    "What does that even mean?" I snapped, my fists clenching.


    "It means you¡¯ve got a front-row seat to the show, darling," the second Kane said with a wink. "But don¡¯t worry¡ªI¡¯ll y nice. For now."


    Before I could respond, the real Kane lunged at him, fists flying. The alley erupted into chaos as the two identical men collided, their growls and grunts echoing in the confined space.


    I stumbled back, my heart pounding in my chest. What the hell had I gotten myself into?


    I¡¯d had it. My night had gone from frustrating to outright insane, and now, these two knuckleheads¡ª<i>two</i> Kanes, for crying out loud¡ªwere pummeling each other like rabid animals. Questions burned in my mind, but neither of them seemed remotely interested in answering them.


    Fine. If they wouldn¡¯t stop willingly, I¡¯d make them.


    nting my feet firmly on the ground, I took a deep breath and let out the loudest, most ear-piercing whistle I could muster. Not the kind you¡¯d use to call a dog¡ªno, this was a "I-will-burst-your-eardrums-and-make-you-regret-existing" kind of whistle.


    The effect was immediate. Both Kanes flinched mid-swing, clutching their ears as though I¡¯d just fired a gun right next to them. Their growls turned into pained groans, and they staggered apart, ring at me with matching expressions of annoyance.


    "Finally," I said, crossing my arms over my chest. "Are you two done acting like cavemen, or do I need to whistle again?"


    The real Kane¡ªat least, I <i>hoped</i> he was the real Kane¡ªstraightened up first, his jaw clenching as he red at the other one. "Stay out of this, Elena. This is between me and <i>him.</i>"


    "Uh, no," I shot back, my re bouncing between the two of them. "You don¡¯t get to drop this level of crazy on me and then tell me to ¡¯stay out of it.¡¯ One of you better start exining <i>right now,</i> or I swear I¡¯ll¡ª"


    The second Kane smirked, interrupting me. "She¡¯s got fire. I like that."


    "Don¡¯t. Talk. To. Her," growled my Kane, stepping forward.


    "Both of you, <i>shut up!</i>" I snapped, my voice cutting through their tension. "I¡¯m not here for your macho crap. Who are you, and why do you look exactly like him?" I jabbed a finger toward the second Kane.


    The smirking one tilted his head, looking amused. "You really don¡¯t know? Oh, this is going to be fun."


    "Enough with the games!" I shouted, my patience snapping.


    The real Kane took a deep breath, his fists still clenched. "He¡¯s... a part of me," he admitted reluctantly. "A part I¡¯ve been trying to suppress."


    "Suppress?" I repeated, my stomach sinking. "What does that mean?"


    The second Kane grinned, his eyes glinting. "It means, sweetheart, I¡¯m the side of Kane he doesn¡¯t want you to see. The side that¡¯s darker, more primal. The side that doesn¡¯t give a damn about rules or holding back."


    I stared at him, my heart racing. "And what does that mean for me?"


    "Oh, don¡¯t worry," he said, his grin widening. "I¡¯m not here to hurt you. Quite the opposite, actually. I¡¯m here to make things... interesting."


    My Kane stepped in front of me protectively, his voice a low growl. "Stay the hell away from her."


    The second Kane chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "Good luck with that."


    I was officially in over my head.


    "Wait," I said, holding up a hand to keep them from diving at each other again. "Before either of you throw another punch, I need an answer to one simple question."


    Both of them looked at me, tension radiating off them like heat waves.


    "Who," I said slowly, my voice sharp enough to cut through steel, "did I see fucking Ashley?"


    The second Kane¡¯s smirk turned into a full-blown grin. "Oh, you mean that hottie blonde?" he asked, his tone dripping with mockery.


    My stomach dropped. <i>I messed up.</i>

 Chapter 104: Worst Nightmare

    <h4>Chapter 104: Worst Nightmare</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV:</strong>


    This is officially a nightmare.


    First, my mate is furious with me over something I don¡¯t even understand. Then she storms off to a club, dressed in a way that only I should ever get to see. The cab drops her off, and she disappears into the throng of people before I can even catch up.


    By the time I reach the entrance, the bouncer nods and bows his head, calling me Alpha. I don¡¯t even acknowledge him; my eyes are too busy scanning the chaos inside, searching for her. I stood in the middle of the chaotic dance floor, my eyes scanning the throng of sweaty bodies grinding against each other, my heart racing with a mixture of panic and fury.


    The stench of alcohol, sweat, and heavy perfume is overwhelming, making it impossible to pick up her scent. I push my way through the crowd but quickly realize I won¡¯t find her like this. Spotting a staircase, I climb to the first floor to get a better vantage point.


    And that¡¯s when I see her.


    She¡¯s in the middle of the dance floor, moving to the beat of the music, surrounded by strangers. My blood boils as I see her body sway, her curves highlighted in that dress meant for my eyes alone. I spotted her in the middle of it all, dressed in <i>that</i> dress¡ªthe one meant for my eyes alone¡ªI felt the control I¡¯d been hanging onto all night snap.


    She moved with a grace that was both effortless and maddening, her body swaying to the rhythm of the music.


    Then, as if the night hadn¡¯t already spiraled into disaster, I saw some asshole snake his hands around her waist.


    As I start descending the stairs, I notice him¡ªa man sliding up behind her. He ces his filthy hands on her waist, pulling her closer to him.


    No.


    My vision blurred with red.


    She didn¡¯t push him away. She didn¡¯t flinch. She just kept dancing, her body pressing against his like it was the most natural thing in the world. That was all it took for me to see nothing but pure, unfiltered rage.


    The asshole had no idea what hit him.


    I stormed through the crowd, shoving bodies out of my way, ignoring the protests and drunken jeers.


    I shove my way through the crowd, people stumbling and ring at me as I push past. I don¡¯t care. She¡¯s my mate, and no one else has the right to touch her.


    Just as I¡¯m a few steps away, I see him move his hands lower, down to her hips, and then¡ª


    He squeezes her ass.


    Red.


    That¡¯s all I see.


    By the time I reached them, the guy had crossed the line, squeezing her ass like he thought he had the right.


    He didn¡¯t.


    Before he even realized I was there, I yanked him away from her. His startled yell was music to my ears. The guy stumbles, his hands flying up in surprise as he turns to face me. His confusionsts only a second before I deliver the first punch.My fist connected with his face with a sickening crack, and I didn¡¯t stop there.


    My knuckles connect again with his jaw, and the satisfying crack echoes in my ears. The man staggers back, clutching his face, but I don¡¯t stop. He dared to touch her. <i>My mate.</i>


    "You think you cany your hands on her?" I snarl, throwing another punch, this one to his stomach. He doubles over, coughing. "She¡¯s mine!"


    I punched him again.


    And again.


    And again.


    People were shouting, forming a circle around us, but I couldn¡¯t care less. All I could see was this bastard¡¯s hands on her, his smug grin as he thought he could take what was mine. I made sure he understood the depth of his mistake, each punch reinforcing the message that Elena was off-limits.


    When I was done, the guy was barely conscious, his face swollen and bloodied. I stood over him, chest heaving, my knuckles throbbing, but my anger far from spent. "Touch her again, and I¡¯ll do worse," I growled, grinding my heel into his hand for good measure before stepping away.


    The crowd began to disperse as a few of his friends dragged him off. Finally, I turned to Elena, ready to demand what the hell she was thinking.


    But she was gone.


    "Fuck," I muttered under my breath, my fury mounting. Where the hell had she gone now?


    I asked around, and one of the bartenders pointed me toward the back door. The <i>back door</i>. Every instinct in me screamed that nothing good coulde from her wandering into a dark alley dressed like that.


    I sprinted to the door, throwing it open with enough force to rattle the hinges. And there she was.


    Kissing another guy.


    I saw red again.


    She was pressed against the wall, her hands tangled in his jacket, her lips on his. And the bastard? He had the audacity to grin like he¡¯d won some kind of prize.


    No.


    Not tonight.


    Not <i>ever</i>.


    I was on him before either of them could register my presence. My hand shot out, grabbing the back of his jacket and yanking him away from her. He stumbled, a look of shock crossing his face before he realized who had interrupted his little moment.


    "The fuck?" he started, but I didn¡¯t let him finish.


    My fist connected with his jaw, cutting off whatever pathetic excuse he was about to make.


    "Stay the hell away from her," I snarled, shoving him against the brick wall.


    The guy raised his hands in surrender, his eyes wide with fear. "I didn¡¯t know she was yours, man!" he stammered, backing away like the coward he was.


    "She¡¯s not!" Elena snapped, but the guy didn¡¯t stick around to hear the rest of her outburst. He bolted down the alley, muttering curses under his breath.


    Good riddance.


    "Kane," she hissed, turning to face me, her eyes zing with anger. Her chest was heaving, her lips swollen from that asshole¡¯s kiss. It made me want to punch the wall¡ªor maybe him again.


    "What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing?" I growled, my voice low and dangerous.


    "What <i>I¡¯m</i> doing?" she shot back, her tone dripping with venom. "What the hell do <i>you</i> think you¡¯re doing?"


    "This," I said, motioning to the now-empty alley, "stops now."


    Her fists clenched at her sides, and for a moment, I thought she might actually take a swing at me. "You don¡¯t get to do this, Kane," she snapped. "You don¡¯t get to act like you care after everything you¡¯ve done!"


    Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. "What the hell are you talking about?" I demanded, my voice rising.


    She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, a slow, mocking p echoed through the alley.


    "Well, isn¡¯t this touching?" a voice drawled.


    I turned, and my stomach dropped.

 Chapter 105: My Dark Side

    <h4>Chapter 105: My Dark Side</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV</strong>


    Fuck.


    I knew that voice anywhere. It was mine¡ªtechnically¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t me. Yeah, I get it, I sound like I¡¯m talkingplete mambo jumbo. Bute on, my life has already gone to hell tonight. My mate is out here acting like she¡¯s auditioning for the next drama-filled soap opera, furious at me for reasons I still don¡¯t understand, and throwing herself at every idiot with a heartbeat. And now <i>him</i>.


    Yeah, <i>him</i>.


    The smirk on his face said it all. Too smug. Too cruel. Too... wrong. And the way he leaned against the wall, posturezy and taunting, made every cell in my body boil with rage.


    I call him Dean.


    Why? Because it makes it easier to distance myself from the truth: he¡¯s not just some random asshole who decided to copy my face. He¡¯s me. Well, the worst version of me, if you can even call it that. Think of him as my dark side¡ªif my dark side had arms, legs, and a psychotic personality to match. Imagine witchery gone horribly, <i>horribly</i> wrong, and voil¨¤, you have Dean. He¡¯s not my brother, though he likes to call me that. He¡¯s my blood, yes, but nothing about him screams <i>family</i>.


    Of all the days for him to crawl out of the shadows, he chose today. The worst possible day, when I already had more than enough to deal with. My mate was furious at me, running around as if she was hellbent on tearing my sanity apart. She¡¯d been flirting, dancing, and kissing every guy in sight just to spite me¡ªthough why she was angry, I still didn¡¯t know. And now <i>him</i>.


    The smirk on his face sent a fresh wave of rage coursing through me. It was smug, cruel, and unapologetically mocking. He leaned casually against the wall, like he hadn¡¯t just dropped into my nightmare of a night and made it exponentially worse.


    Dean. My so-called twin. My <i>dark side</i>.


    You¡¯d think having one version of me would be enough for the universe, but apparently, life had other ns. Dean wasn¡¯t a sibling in the literal sense. He wasn¡¯t my brother by bond or heart, but he <i>was</i> made of my blood. A curse gone catastrophically wrong¡ªa witch¡¯s magic twisting my very essence into two. Now, there was me...and <i>him.</i>


    "Brother," he said, his tone dripping with mockery, as if he wasn¡¯t currently thest person I wanted to see. "Didn¡¯t know you had such fine taste in women."


    Of course, he¡¯d make it about her. Dean was predictable like that, always looking for an opening to twist the knife deeper.


    There it was. That smirk. The one that had haunted me for years, right alongside every memory of the chaos and destruction he¡¯d left in his wake thest time I¡¯d seen him.


    Elena froze beside me, her eyes darting between the two of us, her confusion and fear rolling off her in waves. "What the hell...?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.


    Fuck.


    She wasn¡¯t supposed to know about this. About <i>him</i>. About <i>me</i>.


    I stepped in front of her without thinking, blocking her from his view, from his gaze that was already roaming ces it shouldn¡¯t.


    I stepped in front of Elena without hesitation, shielding her from his gaze. "What the fuck are you doing here?" I snarled, my fists clenching.


    Dean shrugged, his smirk widening. "Just having a little fun." His gaze flicked to Elena, lingering far too long, and my wolf roared to life, furious and ready to rip him apart.


    I saw red. My wolf roared inside me, the sound so deafening in my mind I barely registered the growl rumbling from my own chest.


    "You son of a bitch," I spat, taking a step toward him.


    Behind me, I heard Elena¡¯s sharp intake of breath. "Kane," she said, her voice shaky. Her hand reached for my arm, but I shrugged her off, unable to focus on anything but the smirking bastard in front of me.


    Dean chuckled, pushing off the wall withzy confidence. "Rx, brother. No harm, no foul, right?"


    "I¡¯m not your brother," I growled.


    "Semantics," he said, brushing me off like I hadn¡¯t just spoken.


    My fist connected with his jaw, and for a split second, it felt <i>good</i> to wipe that smirk off his face.


    He thought this was funny. He always did.


    I lunged at him again.


    But he was ready.


    He dodged easily, hisughter echoing in the alley. His voice full of dark amusement.


    I aim for him again, but Dean was fast, faster than I expected. He dodged the next blow, hisughter echoing through the alley like a taunt.


    "This is going to be fun," he said, grinning through bloodied teeth.


    "Somebody better start exining what the hell is going on," Elena demanded. Her voice cut through the chaos like a de. Her tone was sharp,manding. It made even my wolf pause for a moment.


    Both Dean and I froze for a moment, her words pulling us out of our standoff.


    Dean turned his gaze to her, his grin widening. "Oh, sweetheart, you¡¯re in for a treat," he said, his voice low and smooth.


    Before he could say anything else¡ªbefore he could <i>touch</i> her or even breathe too close to her¡ªI lunged again. My fist collided with his jaw, harder this time, sending him stumbling back against the wall.


    Dean wiped the corner of his mouth, his grin faltering for a moment before it returned, smug as ever. "That all you got?"


    I didn¡¯t let him say another word. My fist connected with his jaw, the impact wiping that damn smirk off his face. For a moment, satisfaction surged through me.


    But it didn¡¯tst.


    He staggered back but didn¡¯t go down. Instead, he straightened, rubbing his jaw, and then heughed. "Still got that temper, I see," he said, his tone infuriatingly casual. "But you¡¯ve lost your touch, brother."


    "Dean," I snarled. "Leave. Now."


    "Why would I do that?" he asked, his tone light, almost yful. "You¡¯re the one making a mess of things. I was just here to clean up."


    I charged at him again, but this time, he was ready. He met me halfway, his fist mming into my ribs with enough force to knock the air out of my lungs. Pain radiated through my side, but I didn¡¯t let it stop me.


    I swung again, catching him across the cheek, but he retaliated with a punch to my gut that made me stumble.


    "Clean up?" Elena snapped, stepping out from behind me. "Are you kidding me? Who <i>are</i> you?"


    Dean¡¯s eyes sparkled with amusement as he looked at her. "Didn¡¯t he tell you? I¡¯m the better version of him."


    "Shut the fuck up," I barked, stepping between them again. "Don¡¯t listen to him, Elena."


    "Oh, but she should," Dean said, circling us slowly. "After all, if you¡¯d been honest with her, she wouldn¡¯t be so confused now, would she?"


    Elena¡¯s eyes darted between us, her confusion giving way to something colder. "Honest about <i>what</i>?" she demanded, her tone icy.


    My chest tightened. This wasn¡¯t how she was supposed to find out about Dean, about the curse that had split me in two. I¡¯d kept it from her to protect her, to keep her from being dragged into the darkness that came with him. But now it was all unraveling.


    "Dean," I warned, my voice low and dangerous.


    He ignored me, his grin widening. "You mean to tell me he never mentioned me?" He feigned surprise, cing a hand over his chest. "I¡¯m hurt."


    "Dean!" I snapped, but it was toote.


    "Elena, get out of here!" I barked over my shoulder.


    "No," she snapped, and when I nced back, I saw the fire in her eyes. "Not until someone tells me what the hell is going on!"


    Dean used my distraction tond another hit, this time to my jaw. I stumbled back, tasting blood, but I didn¡¯t go down.


    "Elena, he¡¯s not¡ª"


    "Let me guess," Dean interrupted, his voice mocking. "You haven¡¯t told her about me yet, have you?"


    Elena¡¯s eyes widened, her gaze darting between us. "What is he talking about, Kane?" she demanded.


    "Shut up," I growled at Dean, lunging for him again.


    He sidestepped me easily, hisughter grating on my nerves. "Oh, this is <i>rich</i>. You¡¯ve been ying house, haven¡¯t you? Pretending like I don¡¯t exist. Like <i>this</i> doesn¡¯t exist."


    "Kane!" Elena shouted, her voice cutting through my haze of rage.


    "I¡¯m his dark side, sweetheart," Dean said, leaning casually against the wall as if this was just another game to him. "All the anger, the violence, the instincts he keeps locked up tight? That¡¯s me. And let me tell you, it¡¯s exhausting watching him screw everything up."


    Elena¡¯s eyes narrowed. "You¡¯re lying," she said, her voice steady despite the chaos around us.


    Dean chuckled. "Am I?"


    "Elena," I said, turning to face her, my tone urgent. "Don¡¯t listen to him. He¡¯s trying to mess with you."


    Her eyes flicked to mine, searching for answers. "Is he lying, Kane?" she asked, her voice quieter now, but no less demanding.


    I hesitated.


    That moment of silence was all Dean needed. Heughed, a low, rumbling sound that grated on my nerves. "See? He doesn¡¯t want you to know the truth. But don¡¯t worry, sweetheart. I¡¯m here now."


    That was it.


    I lunged at him again, this time with every intention of ending this once and for all. But Dean was ready, meeting me head-on. The impact sent us both crashing to the ground, fists flying as we grappled in the narrow alley.


    Elena¡¯s voice cut through the chaos again, sharp andmanding. "Enough!"


    She whistled, the sound piercing and painful, making both of us freeze as we clutched our ears.


    "That¡¯s enough," she said, her tone firm. "Both of you."


    Dean smirked, his hands dropping first. "Well, this has been fun," he said, stepping back with a mocking bow. "But I think I¡¯ll let you two lovebirds sort this out."


    "Dean," I growled, but he was already walking away, hisughter echoing down the alley.


    I turned to Elena, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. "We need to talk," she said, her voice cold.


    I froze, my chest heaving, my fists still clenched at my sides. "It¡¯s not what you think," I said, my voice low.


    Deanughed again. "Oh, it¡¯s exactly what she thinks. You just don¡¯t have the balls to tell her."


    Elena stepped forward, her gaze locked on mine. "Kane, what is he talking about?"


    I swallowed hard, my throat dry. "It¡¯splicated."


    She crossed her arms, her expression hardening. "Uplicate it."


    Fuck. This night just kept getting worse. I still had a bone to chew with Evil me after the staunt he pulled before disappearing leaving death in his wake.


    "Wait," Elena¡¯s voice rang out, sharp andmanding, slicing through the tense, suffocating air of the alley. Her hand shot up between me and Dean, stopping me just before I could lunge at him again.


    I froze, my fists still clenched, my blood boiling. My wolf growled in frustration, wanting nothing more than to rip the bastard apart. But her voice held an authority that I couldn¡¯t ignore. Not even in this state.


    "Before either of you throw another punch," she continued, her words slow and deliberate, her eyes darting between the two of us, "I need an answer to one simple question."


    Dean and I both turned to her, tension coiling around us like a living thing.


    Her gaze locked onto me, sharp and unforgiving, before shifting to him. "Who," she began, her voice dangerously low, "did I see fucking Ashley?"


    The words hit me like a freight train. My chest tightened, and the air seemed to still around us. She was ring now, her arms crossed, her fury unmistakable, and I could see the raw betrayal burning behind her eyes.


    Before I could say anything¡ªbefore I could even begin to piece together the shitstorm this night had turned into¡ªDean¡¯s smirk stretched wider, morphing into a full-blown, shit-eating grin.


    "Oh, you mean that hottie blonde?" he asked, his tone dripping with mockery, his eyes glinting with sadistic amusement.

 Chapter 106: His Fault

    <h4>Chapter 106: His Fault</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV</strong>


    What the actual fuck?


    The weight of his words sank in, dragging me down into a pit of disbelief and rage. He fucked Ashley? My wolf roared in my head, a visceral snarl of fury that rattled my skull.


    And <i>he</i> was the reason for all of this.


    The reason my mate¡ªmy Elena¡ªwas in a blind rampage, furious with me for something I didn¡¯t do. The reason she thought I had betrayed her, broken her trust, and crushed whatever fragile bond we were building.


    He was the reason she¡¯d been running around tonight, throwing herself into the arms of other men, kissing them in some twisted attempt at revenge.


    All because of him.


    Because of his stupidity, his recklessness, and his utter disregard for consequences.


    My reputation. My name. Everything I¡¯d worked to protect as alpha. It was all in shambles because of this piece of shit.


    "You absolute bastard," I growled, my voice shaking with barely controlled fury. My hands trembled, itching to close around his throat. "You¡¯re the reason she¡ª"


    Dean justughed, that same cocky, infuriating smirk stered on his face. "Oh, don¡¯t be so dramatic, brother. She¡¯ll get over it."


    "Get over it?" I roared, taking a step toward him. My wolf surged forward, desperate to rip him apart. "You used my face, my name, my fucking <i>life</i> to ruin everything! You¡¯ve put her through hell, you son of a¡ª"


    "Careful," he interrupted, holding up a finger as if scolding a child. "You¡¯re going to hurt my feelings."


    His mocking tone only fanned the mes of my anger. I lunged at him, but Elena stepped between us again, her hand on my chest stopping me in my tracks.


    "Kane, enough," she said, her voice low but firm.


    I looked down at her, my chest heaving, my wolf howling in frustration. She didn¡¯t meet my eyes, her gaze fixed on the ground.


    "You still don¡¯t trust me," I said, my voice quieter now, heavy with hurt. "You really thought I could do that to you."


    She flinched, but before she could answer, Dean¡¯s voice cut through the moment like a knife.


    "Oh, isn¡¯t this touching?" he sneered. "A lover¡¯s quarrel. How quaint."


    My fists clenched, my teeth grinding together as I turned back to him. "You¡¯re done here," I said, my tone deadly. "Get the hell out before I end you."


    Dean¡¯s smirk faltered for just a second, but then it was back, as smug and infuriating as ever. "Fine," he said, throwing up his hands in mock surrender. "I¡¯ll let you two lovebirds figure this out. For now."


    And with that, he turned and strolled down the alley, disappearing into the shadows like the ghost of my worst mistakes.


    I let out a shaky breath, the weight of the moment crashing down on me.


    Elena¡¯s voice broke through the silence. "So, are you going to exin, or do I get to keep piecing this mess together on my own?"


    I turned to her, my jaw tightening. "You¡¯re not going to like the truth."


    Her eyes met mine, zing with the same fire that had drawn me to her in the first ce. "Try me."


    I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "That wasn¡¯t me, Elena. That was Dean."


    "And Dean is...?"


    "My shadow," I said bitterly. "The worst parts of me. A mistake brought to life."


    Her brows furrowed, confusion and disbelief warring in her expression. "What the hell does that even mean, Kane?"


    "It means," I said, my voice low, "that tonight was just the beginning of a much bigger problem."


    Her lips parted, a question on the tip of her tongue, but I didn¡¯t let her finish.


    "Let¡¯s get out of here," I said, my tone leaving no room for argument. "We¡¯ll talk about it back at the house."


    I didn¡¯t wait for her response. If she wanted answers, she wasing with me. And if Dean wanted to keep messing with my life, he¡¯d have to face me first.


    I was angry. No¡ªscratch that¡ªI was fuming. Elena¡¯s words kept reying in my head like a broken record, each time stinging more than thest. How could she think that of me? After everything I¡¯d done, everything I¡¯d said, all the ways I¡¯d shown her she was the only one I wanted.


    What hurt the most wasn¡¯t just her usation. It was theck of trust.


    I had assured her time and again that she was it for me¡ªmy beginning, my middle, and my end. I¡¯d been patient, understanding, giving her space when she needed it, holding her close when she let me. And still, she thought I¡¯d throw all that away for some meaningless fling? Much less Ashley.


    Anger pulsed through me, hot and sharp, as I gripped the steering wheel tightly. The silence in the car was suffocating, pressing down on us like a heavy storm cloud. My knuckles turned white, my wolf snarling just beneath the surface, demanding answers, demanding <i>justice.</i>


    Elena sat beside me, her arms crossed, her eyes fixed on the window. She didn¡¯t look at me, didn¡¯t acknowledge the turmoil brewing in the air between us. Her silence was a dagger to the chest.


    I couldn¡¯t stop the images shing in my mind¡ªher on that dance floor, her body moving in ways only I should see. The way those men had touched her, kissed her, their hands where only <i>mine</i> belonged. Just thinking about it made my blood boil, my ws threatening to break through my skin.


    But beneath the fury, there was something else. Something deeper.


    <i>Hurt.</i>


    She thought so little of me, so little of the promises I¡¯d made to her, that she could believe I would betray her like that. That I would throw away everything I felt for her for someone like Ashley.


    I had reassured her time and time again that she was everything I wanted. That there was no one else. And yet, in one twisted moment, all of that trust had unraveled.


    I nced at her out of the corner of my eye. She looked so small, so fragile sitting there, but I knew better. Elena was a storm wrapped in human skin. Fierce, untouchable...and yet, tonight, I¡¯d seen cracks in her armor.


    She thought she¡¯d seen me with Ashley. Thought I¡¯d been the one she saw. And while I wanted to be furious with her for doubting me, I couldn¡¯t.


    Because I could imagine how she must have felt.


    How her heart must have shattered.


    Seeing her tonight, with her lips on someone else, her body pressed against strangers, had nearly driven me insane. The mere thought of her being intimate with another man sent rage coursing through me, sharp and unrelenting.


    But for her? Thinking she¡¯d caught <i>me</i> with Ashley? That I had betrayed her in the most intimate way? I couldn¡¯t even fathom the depth of her pain.


    My hands tightened on the wheel, the leather creaking under the pressure. I hated this. Hated the distance between us, the walls she¡¯d built to keep me out.


    "I didn¡¯t do it," I said finally, my voice low but firm.


    She didn¡¯t respond, didn¡¯t even flinch.


    "Elena," I said again, ncing at her. "I didn¡¯t. Whatever you think you saw...it wasn¡¯t me."


    She let out a bitterugh, shaking her head. "And I¡¯m just supposed to believe that? After everything I saw?"


    "Yes," I said without hesitation. "Because I would never do that to you. To us."


    Her head snapped toward me then, her eyes zing. "Do you have any idea what it felt like, Kane? To walk in and see¡ª"


    "It wasn¡¯t me," I interrupted, my voice louder now, more forceful.


    She blinked, startled by the intensity of my tone.


    "I don¡¯t know what you saw, Elena, but I swear to you, it wasn¡¯t me," I said, my voice softer now. "It was Dean. He¡¯s the one who¡¯s been doing all of this."


    Her brow furrowed, confusion flickering across her face. "Dean? You mean that...that thing back in the alley?"


    I nodded, my jaw tightening. "Yes. He¡¯s not just some random guy. He¡¯s...he¡¯s a part of me. A mistake from my past."


    Elena stared at me, her eyes searching mine for answers, for truth.


    "I didn¡¯t cheat on you," I said again, my voice breaking slightly. "I wouldn¡¯t. I couldn¡¯t."


    For a moment, she didn¡¯t say anything. The only sound in the car was the low hum of the engine and the distant rustle of trees as we sped down the road.


    Finally, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don¡¯t know what to believe anymore. I still can¡¯t believe that I saw an replica of you"


    Her words hit me like a blow to the chest, but I didn¡¯t falter.


    "Believe in me," I said, my eyes locking with hers. "That¡¯s all I¡¯m asking."


    She turned away again, her gaze fixed on the dark road ahead. And as the silence settled over us once more, I realized that tonight wasn¡¯t just about clearing my name.


    It was about proving to her that I was worth trusting.


    Even if it meant reviving that what was buried in the dark.

 Chapter 107: Crappy Answers

    <h4>Chapter 107: Crappy Answers</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    Before I could even process the implication of his words, the real Kane¡¯s eyes widened in horror. The second Kane smirked wider, clearly relishing the chaos he was stirring up. Meanwhile, my Kane¡ª<i>the real Kane</i>¡ªfroze, his expression shifting from fury to dawning realization. It was as if he¡¯d finally pieced together what had caused this entire mess.


    "Elena," he started, stepping toward me cautiously, like I was a skittish animal about to bolt.


    "Stop," I snapped, holding up a hand. My chest felt tight, my heart hammering against my ribs. "Are you telling me this whole thing was because <i>you</i>¡ª" I pointed at the second Kane, ring daggers¡ª"are the one who was screwing around with Ashley?"


    The second Kaneughed, a low, mocking sound that made me want to throw something at him. "Guilty as charged, sweetheart."


    I turned back to my Kane, my hands trembling with a mixture of rage and betrayal. "And you didn¡¯t think to tell me that there was another version of you running around doing... whatever the hell he wants?"


    "I didn¡¯t think¡ª" he started, his voice strained.


    "No," I cut him off, my voice rising. "You didn¡¯t think. You didn¡¯t <i>warn</i> me. You just let me walk into this blind, and now¡ª" I gestured between the two of them, my voice cracking¡ª"this!"


    "I didn¡¯t know he was going to¡ª" Kane tried to exin, his eyes pleading.


    "Does it matter?" I shouted, my anger spilling over. "He looks like <i>you</i>! Do you know how that felt? Do you even understand howpletely¡ª" I stopped, my voice choking on the words.


    Kane reached for me, his expression desperate. "Elena, please. I swear, I didn¡¯t¡ª"


    I took a step back, holding up my hand to stop him. "I don¡¯t want to hear it right now." My voice was ice. "Figure this out. Fix it. And when you do, maybe I¡¯ll be ready to talk. But until then..." I turned on my heel and started walking away.


    The second Kane¡¯sugh echoed behind me. "Ouch. Tough break, buddy."


    "Shut the hell up," my Kane growled, his voice thick with restrained fury.


    I didn¡¯t look back. Let them sort out their mess. I had enough of my own to deal with.


    I was just about to storm off, leaving Kane and his twisted doppelg?nger to sort out their <i>dickness</i>, when Kane¡¯s voice cut through the tension.


    "Let¡¯s get out of here," he said, his tonemanding and leaving no room for argument.


    Before I could protest, his hand was on my arm, firm but not forceful, guiding me toward his car. The sheer authority in his voice and the fire still burning in his eyes silenced whatever sharp retort was on the tip of my tongue.


    As we reached the car, he opened the door for me. I hesitated, looking at him, really looking at him, trying to figure out if this was <i>my</i> Kane or...the other one. But the frustration in his eyes, the faint, almost imperceptible pleading beneath his anger¡ªthat was mine.


    Sliding into the passenger seat, I crossed my arms and stared out the window as he got in on the driver¡¯s side. He didn¡¯t say a word as he started the car, and I didn¡¯t either.


    I didn¡¯t know how to feel.


    Relief coursed through me that it hadn¡¯t been <i>my</i> Kane with Ashley. That much was clear now. But the relief was drowned by a rising tide of anger, confusion, and a sickening feeling of betrayal.


    How could he not have told me? How could he keep something like this¡ªlike <i>him</i>¡ªfrom me?


    I turned to look at him as he drove, his jaw clenched, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles were white.


    My mind raced with questions.


    If there was another him out there¡ªa version that looked like him, smelled like him, sounded like him¡ªhow was I supposed to trust him? How was I supposed to ever look at him and <i>know</i> it was really him?


    The memory of the other Kane¡¯s¡ªDean¡¯s¡ªsmirk sent a shiver down my spine. He was cruel, predatory, like a shadowy reflection of Kane¡¯s worst instincts.


    And Kane had kept this from me.


    I let out a frustrated sigh, crossing my legs and leaning back into the seat.


    "You could¡¯ve told me, Kane," I finally said, my voice breaking the tense silence in the car.


    "I know," he said, his voice gruff.


    "That¡¯s it?" I snapped, turning to re at him. "You <i>know</i>? That¡¯s all you have to say?"


    His grip on the wheel tightened, but he didn¡¯t look at me. "I didn¡¯t want you to worry," he said after a moment. "Or get hurt."


    "Get hurt?" I scoffed, incredulous. "Kane, I thought you cheated on me. I thought you threw everything we had away for Ashley. Do you have any idea what that felt like?"


    His jaw tightened further, and I could see the muscles in his neck straining.


    "I never wanted this for you," he said quietly.


    "Well, congrattions," I said bitterly, turning back to stare out the window. "It happened anyway."


    The rest of the drive was suffocatingly silent.


    But my thoughts were anything but quiet.


    If this was what being with Kane meant, if this was the kind of chaos that came with loving him, then I wasn¡¯t sure how much more I could take.


    And the worst part?


    I wasn¡¯t even sure if the man driving this car was the real Kane.


    And that realization cut deeper than anything else.


    By the time we reached the house¡ªif I could even call it that anymore¡ªit didn¡¯t feel like home. Not after everything that had just happened.


    I threw open the car door, stepping out with all the force my frustration could muster, making sure to m it behind me. The sound echoed in the stillness of the night, sharp and angry.


    "Elena," Kane called after me as he got out of the car.


    "What?" I snapped, spinning around to face him. My tone was clipped, my patience long gone.


    "I hope the going-around-kissing-jerks episode is over," he said, his voiceced with irritation and something deeper, something raw.


    My eyes narrowed, my blood boiling all over again. "Yeah, it would be," I shot back, my tone dripping with venom, "the moment you tell me why and how exactly something with your scent and your face is running around wreaking havoc." I folded my arms across my chest, ring at him.


    "And while you¡¯re at it," I continued, my voice rising, "why don¡¯t you tell me how the hell I¡¯m supposed to know who¡¯s who? How am I supposed to trust that it¡¯s <i>you</i> standing in front of me?"


    Kane froze, his expression shifting from frustration to something closer to guilt.


    For a split second, he looked away, as if he couldn¡¯t meet my gaze. And that was all the confirmation I needed.


    "You should have told me," I said, my voice quieter now but no less furious. "You don¡¯t get to keep secrets like that, Kane. Not from me. Not when it could..." My voice cracked slightly, and I hated it. "Not when it could destroy everything."


    "Elena," he began, stepping closer, his hands held out like he was trying to cate a wild animal.


    I stepped back, keeping the distance between us. "No," I said firmly. "Not until you exin. Not until you make me understand how this is even possible."


    The man I loved, the man I thought I knew, looked utterly defeated. And yet, there was still so much he wasn¡¯t saying.


    I didn¡¯t know if I had the energy¡ªor the heart¡ªto drag it out of him.


    What the actual hell was Kane hiding from me?


    We¡¯d promised each other we¡¯d be better¡ªmore open, more honest. To actually try and make this rtionship work. But how was I supposed to trust him when he wouldn¡¯t tell me what the hell was going on?


    I paced in front of the house, my arms crossed tightly over my chest, trying to make sense of everything.


    They couldn¡¯t be twins. I knew that much. Even if they looked the same, talked the same, and moved the same, there was no way they¡¯d have the same scent. That wasn¡¯t how it worked. A wolf¡¯s scent was unique, a signature that couldn¡¯t be duplicated or faked.


    But if they weren¡¯t twins, then what the hell were they?


    Dean had called him "brother," but that word felt wrong¡ªforced. And the way Kane reacted to Dean, the pure hatred radiating off him, made it crystal clear that whatever bond they might¡¯ve once shared, it was long gone.


    So why?


    Why did Kane hate Dean so much?


    And why couldn¡¯t he just tell me the truth?


    I stopped pacing and looked back at the car, where Kane stood leaning against the hood, his head down, his hands buried in his hair. He looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, but that didn¡¯t make me feel any better. If anything, it pissed me off even more.


    I needed answers. I needed <i>honest</i> answers.


    I stormed over to him, my frustration boiling over. "Why won¡¯t you just tell me what¡¯s going on, Kane?" I demanded, my voice sharp and unwavering.


    He didn¡¯t look up.


    "Kane!" I snapped. "This¡ªwhatever this is¡ªit doesn¡¯t make sense! You don¡¯t get to keep me in the dark when I¡¯m the one caught in the middle of your mess!"


    Finally, he raised his head, his expression torn between anger and something I couldn¡¯t quite ce.


    "I¡¯m trying to protect you," he said, his voice low.


    Iughed bitterly, the sound hollow even to my own ears. "Protect me? From what? From <i>you</i>? Because that¡¯s what it feels like, Kane. Like you¡¯re the one I need protection from."


    He flinched, and for a moment, I thought I might¡¯ve gone too far. But then he straightened up, his jaw tightening.


    "I hate him because he¡¯s everything I don¡¯t want to be," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "And because no matter how hard I try to bury him, he alwayses back."


    I stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest. What the hell did that even mean?


    And more importantly... what did that mean for us?


    Still not giving me answers just stupid riddles I stomp into the house.


    "Took you long enough " Kane huh Dean said opening the door before i could unlock it.

 Chapter 108: Ours

    <h4>Chapter 108: Ours</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV</strong>


    "What the hell are you doing here?" I snapped, ring at Dean¡ªfake Kane¡ªwho was standing at the front door with a smug grin, holding it open like he owned the ce.


    His presence was unnerving, to say the least. Everything about him screamed Kane: the way he stood, the way his voice carried, even his scent. But there was something... off. A darkness that lingered around him, like a shadow that didn¡¯t belong.


    Dean smirked, unbothered by my tone. "That isn¡¯t a nice way to talk to your guest now, is it?" he said smoothly, stepping aside and motioning for me to enter.


    Behind me, I heard a low growl. Kane was off the car in an instant, closing the distance between us in a heartbeat. He was at my side, his eyes locked on Dean, every muscle in his body tense and coiled like a spring.


    I felt his anger like a wave crashing against me, but my attention remained on the imposter.


    Dean¡¯s smirk widened as he leaned casually against the doorframe, clearly enjoying the chaos he was causing.


    "Ushering me into <i>my</i> house? That¡¯s rich," I said, crossing my arms and holding my ground.


    "Your house?" Dean echoed, his tone mockingly innocent. "Sweetheart, this house belongs to Kane. And me, of course, seeing as we¡¯re essentially the same person."


    The venom in Kane¡¯s growl deepened, and his hand lightly brushed against my arm, as if silently reassuring himself that I was still there.


    Did I mention how utterly <i>weird</i> it was to see two people with the same looks, the same voice, and even the same scent? It was disorienting, like looking in a mirror that reflected not just one image but two ovepping realities.


    Kane stepped in front of me, his broad shoulders blocking my view of Dean. "You¡¯re not wee here," he said, his voice low and dangerous.


    Dean chuckled, the sound grating against my nerves. "Come on, brother. Don¡¯t be so hostile. I¡¯m just here to... catch up." His gaze shifted to me, and the way his eyes lingered made my stomach churn.


    "I swear, if you so much as look at her again¡ª" Kane began, his voice like thunder.


    Dean held up his hands in mock surrender, a devilish grin stered on his face. "Rx, Kane. I wouldn¡¯t dream of touching what¡¯s yours." His words carried a double-edged implication that made my skin crawl.


    I had no idea what I¡¯d just stepped into, but one thing was clear: whatever Kane was keeping from me, it was about to blow up in both of our faces.


    "I can¡¯t help but notice how overprotective you are with this one," Dean began, his voice dripping with amusement. His gaze darted between Kane and me, lingering on me like he was piecing together a puzzle. "She even calls this her home... Wait. Don¡¯t tell me... Is this¡ª?" His eyes lit up with dawning realization. "You really did find her, didn¡¯t you?"


    Kane¡¯s expression darkened. His body tensed, every muscle taut with restrained fury. Whatever Dean had figured out, Kane was <i>not</i> happy about it.


    Dean tilted his head, looking genuinely curious for once. "Is she our mate?" he asked, his tone smooth, but his eyes were locked on me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.


    "Our?" I repeated, the word catching in my throat. What the hell did he mean by that?


    Kane¡¯s growl rumbled low and menacing, shaking the room. "Mine. She¡¯s <i>mine,</i>" he snapped, his voice barely human. His wolf was close to the surface, his form trembling with the effort of holding back the shift.


    Dean, of course, didn¡¯t seem fazed in the slightest. He only smirked wider. "Oh, so she¡¯s <i>the one.</i>" He took a step closer, ignoring Kane¡¯s warning growl entirely. "Well, technically, that makes her my mate too, if we¡¯re being logical about it." He pointedzily at Kane, then back to himself. "You and I are one and the same, just... a different breed."


    That word¡ª<i>breed</i>nded like a p.


    Before I could process his words, Kane erupted into motion. A guttural roar tore from his throat, and heunched himself at Dean, shifting mid-air into his massive wolf form. His fur bristled with rage, and his golden eyes burned with feral intensity.


    Dean was faster than I expected. He moved like a shadow, zooming to the far side of the room with inhuman speed. Kane¡¯s ws shed through the air where Dean had stood moments before, leaving gouges in the hardwood floor.


    Dean smirked as he straightened, his voice calm despite Kane¡¯s feral growling. "Mine," Kane snarled, his wolf¡¯s voice thick with unrestrained possessiveness.


    Dean rolled his eyes. "Honestly, Kane, you¡¯ve always been so territorial. Calm down. I¡¯m just stating the obvious."


    But his fangs... That¡¯s when I saw them. Long, gleaming fangs that caught the dim light of the room. His eyes glowed red, his ws sharp as daggers. And his presence¡ªit wasn¡¯t just dark; it was suffocating, like the air itself recoiled from him.


    Different breed.


    The words clicked into ce with an almost audible snap in my mind. Dean wasn¡¯t a wolf. He was something else entirely¡ªsomething far worse.


    A vampire.


    The realization hit me like a freight train. My knees wobbled, and my breath came in short, shallow gasps. My chest tightened as my mind tried to catch up with the spiraling chaos around me.


    Kane, my mate, had a doppelg?nger¡ªa twisted reflection of himself that wasn¡¯t just a nuisance but a blood-sucking <i>vampire.</i> And he was iming me as his mate too.


    My world was crashing down, and I couldn¡¯t stop it.


    Dark spots danced in my vision as the weight of everything pressed down on me: seeing my mate¡ªno, Dean¡ªcheating on me with Ashley, learning about Dean¡¯s existence, his im to me, and now this¡ªthe revtion that he wasn¡¯t even a wolf but a wolf¡¯s natural-born enemy.


    The room spun.


    I couldn¡¯t breathe.


    The darkness came for me, cold and consuming.


    Before I sumbedpletely, I felt hands catch me. They carried the familiar tingling of the mate bond, but they didn¡¯t feel like Kane¡¯s. My mind barely registered the thought before the ckness took over entirely.


    I came to slowly, the soft surface beneath me cradling my body. My head throbbed, but the murmur of voices nearby sharpened my focus. I kept my eyes closed, feigning unconsciousness, trying to make sense of the words being exchanged.


    "Why did youe back?" one voice growled, low and venomous. The familiarity of the voice immediately gave it away¡ªit was Kane.


    "Ah, by now, you should have gotten over it," came the reply, equally familiar but carrying a cold, mocking edge. Dean.


    "No one gets over the fact that you were responsible for my parents¡¯ death," Kane spat, his voice filled with a fury that seemed to shake the walls.


    There was anotherugh, this one darker, more menacing. "<i>Our</i> parents," Dean corrected. "You always did love to sideline me, didn¡¯t you?" His tone was mock-hurt, but the malice beneath it was palpable.


    I held my breath, my heart pounding as I tried to make sense of what they were saying. My mind struggled to process it, but Dean¡¯s next words made my stomach drop.


    "I came to tell you the witch who tore me away from you is dead," he said, almost casually.


    My breath hitched, but I forced myself to stay still. <i>What witch? What does he mean by torn away?</i> I struggled to piece together the fragments of their conversation. Kane had said earlier that Dean was his darker side, split from him somehow. But how could that be, when one was a wolf and the other¡ªa blood-drinking <i>vampire?</i>


    "I told you," Kane said, his voice hard and unyielding, "we¡¯re not fusing back. Not now, not ever."


    Dean¡¯sugh was cut short by a knock at the door. Kane¡¯s footsteps moved toward it, each one deliberate and tense.


    <i>No, no, no. Don¡¯t leave me alone with him.</i>


    The moment the door clicked shut behind Kane, I felt it¡ªthe oppressive, suffocating energy Dean carried with him. It pressed against my skin like an unwee touch.


    "I know you¡¯re awake," Dean purred, his voice sending a shiver down my spine. I didn¡¯t move, hoping he was bluffing.


    But then I felt it¡ªa cold presence leaning closer, his breath brushing against my neck. "Your blood calls to me, little wolf," he murmured, his voice darkly amused.


    My eyes snapped open, panic surging through me.


    Dean was right there, his face inches from mine, his red eyes glowing with a predatory gleam. His lips curled into a smile that revealed sharp, gleaming fangs. He was leaned over me, close enough that I could feel the chill radiating from his skin.


    "What the fuck?" I gasped, jerking back instinctively, but I was pinned. Dean¡¯s hand pressed lightly against my shoulder, keeping me in ce with a strength that sent a wave of panic through me.

 Chapter 109: Ours (II)

    <h4>Chapter 109: Ours (II)</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    Dean straightened, watching me with azy smirk that only made my skin crawl more. "There she is," he said softly, his tone almost admiring. "The little wolf who¡¯s captured <i>our</i> heart."


    I shook my head, my voice shaky but defiant. "I¡¯m not yours. I¡¯m Kane¡¯s."


    His smirk widened. "Sweetheart, you still don¡¯t get it, do you? I <i>am</i> Kane. Just the parts he¡¯s too afraid to embrace."


    "You¡¯re nothing like him," I shot back, my voice firm despite the terror pounding in my chest.


    "Oh, but I am," he said, tilting his head as if considering me. "We share the same soul, the same memories, the same instincts. The only difference is I don¡¯t shackle myself to those silly little notions of morality."


    His words were calcted, each one designed to unsettle me.


    I red at him, my pulse racing. "Get the hell off me!" I snarled, struggling against his grip.


    Dean chuckled, tilting his head as he studied me with a disturbing curiosity. "Feisty. I can see why Kane is so taken with you." He leaned closer, his nose brushing against my neck as he inhaled deeply. "And that scent... intoxicating. The mate bond is fascinating, isn¡¯t it?"


    My wolf snarled within me, wing at my consciousness, but fear kept me frozen. "What do you want from me?" I demanded, my voice trembling despite my attempt to sound strong.


    Dean smirked again, pulling back just enough to look me in the eye. "Want? Oh, little wolf, I don¡¯t <i>want</i> anything. I¡¯m just intrigued."


    His words did nothing to ease my anxiety. His eyes bore into mine, and for a moment, I thought I caught a flicker of something... deeper. Sadness? Longing? But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, reced by his trademark arrogance.


    "Stay away," I hissed, my voice trembling despite my efforts to sound strong.


    Deanughed, a sound that was both chilling and oddly captivating. "Stay away?" he repeated mockingly, his eyes locking onto mine. "Oh, little wolf, I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s not that simple. You see, your bond with Kane...it¡¯s tied to me as well. We¡¯re two sides of the same coin, whether you like it or not."


    "That¡¯s bullshit," I spat, my fists clenching at my sides. "You¡¯re not him. You¡¯re nothing like him."


    His expression shifted, a flicker of something darker crossing his face before his grin returned. "True. But that doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t have a im on you."


    My stomach churned, a mix of fear and fury twisting inside me. "You don¡¯t have any im on me," I snapped. "Kane is my mate, not you."


    Dean tilted his head, his crimson eyes glinting with a dangerous light. "Are you sure about that?" he asked, his voice a soft taunt. "After all, I¡¯m part of him. Part of his soul. His darkness. Without me, there is no Kane."


    I stared at him, my breathing in short, shallow bursts. His words were like poison, sinking into my mind and spreading doubt.


    Before I could reply, his hand shot out, his fingers brushing against my wrist. The contact sent a jolt through me, the same electric sensation I felt when Kane touched me, but it was wrong. Twisted.


    I yanked my hand away, ring at him. "Don¡¯t touch me," I said through gritted teeth.


    He chuckled, low and dark. "Why would I do that? You¡¯re the most fascinating thing I¡¯ve encountered in all this pathetic existence. And your blood..." He inhaled deeply, his eyes darkening with hunger. "It¡¯s intoxicating."


    I felt my stomach churn, a mix of fear and anger boiling inside me. "Kane will kill you if you touch me," I spat.


    Dean¡¯s grin didn¡¯t falter. "Oh, I¡¯d love to see him try. He¡¯s already tried so many times, hasn¡¯t he?"


    Before I could respond, the door swung open with a loud <i>bang.</i>


    Kane stood there, his eyes zing gold, his chest heaving with barely contained rage. His wolf was right at the surface, his ws partially extended.


    "Get. Away. From. Her." Kane¡¯s voice was guttural, more beast than man.


    Dean turned his head slowly, his smirk never faltering. "Ah, rx, brother. I was just getting to know our lovely mate better."


    "She¡¯s mine," Kane growled, stepping into the room with deliberate, predatory steps.


    Dean¡¯s eyes glinted with amusement. "Ours," he corrected, his tone taunting.


    The air in the room became suffocating with the tension between them. My heart pounded, and I felt like I was trapped in the middle of a storm about to break.


    Kane¡¯s golden eyes flicked to me briefly, softening for the barest moment before locking back onto Dean.


    "Leave. Now," Kane snarled, his voice a dangerous promise.


    Dean simply chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Fine. For now."


    With a speed that made my breath catch, Dean vanished into the shadows, leaving the room as quickly as he had entered.


    Kane was at my side instantly, his hands gripping my shoulders as his wolf¡¯s scent enveloped me. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice still rough with fury.


    I nodded shakily, but my mind was spinning.


    What the hell had I gotten myself into?


    I crossed my arms over my chest, my gaze locking onto Kane with unflinching resolve. My patience, thin as it already was, had officially snapped.


    "Okay, Kane, first things first," I said, my tone sharp enough to cut ss. "You need to tell me what¡¯s really going on. Start from the beginning. And don¡¯t even think about giving me that ¡¯I¡¯m protecting you¡¯ bullshit excuse, because I swear, if you do, I¡¯ll reject you on the spot."


    Kane stiffened, his eyes narrowing. His wolf glimmered just beneath the surface, but I didn¡¯t flinch.


    "You¡¯ll ept it," I continued, my voice rising. "Whether you like it or not. I¡¯m not staying in this freaking ce with a lunatic version of you running around and not knowing the full story. And while you¡¯re at it," I added, stepping closer and jabbing a finger into his chest, "don¡¯t forget to tell me how all your fucking crazy personalities are going to affect me. If whatever that <i>thing</i> was is just one of them, are there more? Maybe a wizard version of you? A fairy version? Because I swear, Kane, I am not entertaining anything else!"


    The words tumbled out in a fiery tirade, each one fueled by the storm of emotions swirling in my chest¡ªanger, frustration, confusion, fear.


    Kane blinked, taken aback by my outburst. His mouth opened as if to respond, but he seemed to think better of it and mped it shut.


    "Well?" I demanded, my voice echoing in the room. "What the hell is going on?"


    He exhaled slowly, dragging a hand through his hair. "Elena, I¡ª"


    "No," I cut him off, shaking my head. "No more stalling. No more half-truths. Either you tell me everything, right here, right now, or I¡¯m done. With you, with this...this <i>bond,</i> with all of it."


    A muscle in his jaw ticked as he clenched it tightly. His golden eyes, usually so warm and full of emotion, were guarded, flickering with shadows I didn¡¯t understand.


    "Fine," he said atst, his voice low and rough. "You want the truth? Here it is."


    I braced myself, my heart pounding in my chest as I waited for him to continue.


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 Chapter 110: Unveiling The Truth

    <h4>Chapter 110: Unveiling The Truth</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV</strong>


    I knew Dean would be my utter ruin. I had fooled myself into believing, even for a moment, that maybe he was gone for good¡ªmaybe living with his own kind, far away from me and everything I cared about. But deep down, I always knew the truth.


    No matter the distance between us, there was a link that tethered us together. A cursed connection that let me know he was still alive. If I wanted, I could feel what he felt, see what he saw. After all, he was me, and I was him. But with a deranged, bloodthirsty creature like Dean, trust me¡ªyou don¡¯t want to feel or see what he does. So, I blocked it out. I always blocked it out.


    But it wasn¡¯t always like this.


    You see, I wasn¡¯t born normal, not by any measure. I was born a hybrid¡ªa cursed mix of wolf and vampire. An abomination.


    That wasn¡¯t the worst of it. My wolf and vampiric sides never aligned. They were constantly at war, tearing me apart from the inside. It wasn¡¯t just two natures shing¡ªit was three. My wolf, my vampiric instincts, and my humanity were locked in a never-ending battle for dominance. Each day, I was growing stronger, yes, but also more unhinged. More dangerous.


    My parents were desperate. They couldn¡¯t stand by and watch me destroy myself¡ªor worse, destroy everyone around me. They sought answers, solutions. And what better solution than magic?


    The witch they found promised to help. She suggested eliminating one side of me. My parents didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªthey wanted the vampiric part gone. They needed an heir, a wolf. The wolf in me was what they wanted.


    But witches don¡¯t always get it right.


    The spell wasn¡¯t just a failure; it was a disaster. Instead of erasing my vampiric side, she ripped it out of me and gave it flesh. Dean was created that day.


    My mother, despite her initial intentions, couldn¡¯t bring herself to end Dean¡¯s life. He looked too much like me. He <i>was</i> me, in a sense. So she raised us both, but not as equals. I was the beloved son, the wolf they had wanted all along. Dean, however, was treated as an afterthought. He absorbed every ounce of darkness that once resided in me.


    Everyone has darkness within them, but mine was given a body, a mind, and an insatiable hunger.


    As we grew, Dean¡¯s chaotic nature only worsened. He became a force of destruction, leaving devastation wherever he went. My father, tired of the chaos, decided that Dean had to be terminated once and for all. But the witch warned him: to kill Dean was to kill me. Our lives were bound, our essence shared.


    It was the ultimate curse.


    So, they let him live, but only just. Dean was exiled, kept far from the pack and society. But he didn¡¯t go quietly. Every time he returned, he left scars that never healed¡ªon my body, my mind, my soul.


    Now, he was here again, standing under the same roof as my mate. And if that wasn¡¯t bad enough, he was iming her as his.


    The truth weighed heavily on my chest, a truth I despised admitting even to myself: Elena was as much Dean¡¯s mate as she was mine.


    Sitting across from her now, her eyes boring into mine with a mix of anger and betrayal, I knew I couldn¡¯t avoid it any longer. She deserved the full truth, no matter how damning it was. So, I told her everything.


    I told her about Dean¡¯s exile, about how it wasn¡¯t enough to keep him away because he knew no one could kill or even harm him without it affecting me. I exined how hisst visit had ended in disaster¡ªhow he had orchestrated the rogue attack that wiped out half our pack. That attack hadn¡¯t just cost us numbers; it had cost me my parents, our Alpha and Luna, and left the pack broken and leaderless.


    Dean had been the mastermind behind it all. But as much as I wanted to point fingers solely at him, the truth was inescapable: it was <i>my fault too.</i> He was me, after all, no matter how much I tried to separate myself from the chaos he brought.


    I¡¯d spent years trying to find a way to sever the bond between us, searching for anything that could end the connection without destroying us both. All I managed to do was build a wall, blocking him out of my mind so I wouldn¡¯t have to feel his bloodlust or see the horrors he inflicted.


    But blocking him out wasn¡¯t the same as defeating him. I¡¯d underestimated how deeply intertwined we were. No matter how much I tried to hide, to bury parts of myself, Dean always found a way.


    The final blow came when I found out that he knew about Elena.


    I had tried so hard to keep her hidden from him. I didn¡¯t even fully let myself acknowledge that I had found <i>our mate,</i> knowing it would draw him back like a moth to me. But it hadn¡¯t worked. Somehow, Dean had found out. At first, he thought it was Ashley, which was why he¡¯d targeted her.


    That thought alone made me want to w out my own skin. I didn¡¯t think Ashley even realized it wasn¡¯t me she was with that night. She wouldn¡¯t have been able to tell the difference, not when Dean shared my face, my voice, even my scent. It was one of the reasons I had put strict limits on my rtionships before Elena. My three-month BDSM contracts weren¡¯t about pleasure¡ªthey were a precaution. I couldn¡¯t risk Dean turning his bloodthirsty attention to someone I was with.


    And now he was here, focused entirely on Elena.


    I watched her carefully as Iid it all out for her, from the moment of Dean¡¯s creation to the destruction he¡¯d left in his wake. How, despite my best efforts, my darker half was drawn to her just as I was.


    When I finished, I sat back and waited.


    I waited for the inevitable rejection, for her to tell me she wanted nothing to do with me or my cursed existence. I wouldn¡¯t me her if she did. Hell, I would even ept it. If it meant she could be free from the shadow of my dark side, from the danger Dean posed, I would let her go.


    But the thought of it¡ªthe idea of losing her¡ªtore at me like ws raking across my soul.


    If she left, she would take every shred of light I had left in my life. Dean would win. And I wasn¡¯t sure I would survive that.


    Now I was waiting for her response....more like her rejection....

 Chapter 111: A Sweet Stolen Kiss

    <h4>Chapter 111: A Sweet Stolen Kiss</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV</strong>


    I did say I wanted the truth.


    Now that I had it, I wasn¡¯t sure what to do with it.


    The weight of Kane¡¯s words pressed down on me, suffocating in their intensity. My mind reeled, trying to process everything he had justid bare: Dean wasn¡¯t just some rogue doppelg?nger¡ªhe was a part of Kane. A darker, unrelenting piece of him, stripped of humanity and consumed by chaos. The idea that this... <i>thing</i> shared a bond with me as my mate made my stomach churn.


    How was I supposed to handle this? How was I supposed to <i>feel</i>?


    I looked at Kane, sitting there with his head bowed, his hands sped tightly together like he was holding himself in check. He was waiting¡ªno, <i>bracing</i>¡ªfor my response, expecting me to reject him, to run as far away from him and the nightmare of his past as I could.


    And for a moment, I considered it.


    The thought of Dean¡ªof those cruel red eyes and that dark, bone-chilling smirk¡ªbeing connected to me, <i>iming</i> me, was almost too much to bear. And the fact that Kane had kept it all from me until now? It felt like a betrayal, one that cut deeper than I wanted to admit.


    But then I thought about everything I had seen of Kane, everything I <i>knew</i> about him.


    He had been nothing but protective of me, even when I was furious with him, even when I pushed him away. His guilt over Dean¡¯s existence was clear in every word he spoke, in every nce he cast my way. He wasn¡¯t just terrified of losing me¡ªhe was terrified of what Dean might do to me.


    Still, it didn¡¯t erase the fact that he had kept this from me.


    "How... how am I supposed to feel about this?" I finally said, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to steady it.


    Kane looked up at me, his golden eyes raw with emotion. "I don¡¯t know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I needed you to know. You deserve to know everything, even if it means you..." He trailed off, swallowing hard, unable to say the words.


    "Even if it means I leave?" I finished for him.


    His jaw clenched, and he gave a single, reluctant nod.


    I took a shaky breath, trying to sort through the storm of emotions swirling inside me. Anger. Fear. Confusion. And, to my surprise, an odd, stubborn flicker of... <i>understanding.</i>


    Kane didn¡¯t choose this. He didn¡¯t choose to be born a hybrid, to have his soul split in two, to carry the burden of Dean¡¯s actions. But he still took responsibility for it. He had spent his entire life trying to keep Dean in check, trying to shield the people he cared about from the monster that wore his face.


    I couldn¡¯t forgive him for keeping this from me¡ªnot yet. But I also couldn¡¯t ignore the fact that, in his own way, he had been trying to protect me all along.


    "Kane," I said softly, my voice firm despite the chaos in my head. "I don¡¯t know how to deal with this right now. I don¡¯t know if I can just... ept everything and pretend it¡¯s fine. But I also know that running away isn¡¯t going to fix anything."


    His head shot up, his eyes wide with a mix of hope and disbelief.


    "I¡¯m not saying I forgive you," I added quickly, holding up a hand to stop him from getting the wrong idea. "And I¡¯m not saying I¡¯m okay with... with Dean, or whatever this bond is supposed to mean. But I want to figure this out. I need to figure this out."


    The tension in his shoulders eased slightly, and he nodded. "Whatever you need," he said, his voice resolute. "I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to make this right. I promise."


    I nodded back, though a part of me wasn¡¯t sure if this was something that could ever truly be "right." But for now, it was enough.


    For now, I would try.


    And that¡¯s how the night passed¡ªback in the arms of my mate, his warmth wrapping around me like a fragile shield against the chaos.


    I tried, as hard as I could, to forget the truth that had unraveled before me. Tried to push aside the knowledge that there was another version of him out there¡ªa darker, crueler version¡ªwho imed my blood was intoxicating. The thought of Dean¡¯s smirk, his predatory gaze lingering on my neck, sent a shiver down my spine despite Kane¡¯s steady presence.


    Kane¡¯s hold tightened slightly, as though sensing my unease even in the silence. His breath was warm against my temple, his steady heartbeat a reminder that, at least in this moment, I was safe.


    But safety felt like such a fleeting thing now.


    I closed my eyes, willing myself to focus on the here and now. On the way Kane¡¯s fingers traced soothing circles against my back. On the way his scent, familiar and grounding, wrapped around me like aforting cocoon. But no matter how much I tried to lose myself in him, the questions lingered.


    How had my life spiraled into something so... surreal? So dangerous? One moment, I was just a woman trying to find her footing in this world, and the next, I was caught between a protective mate and his deranged other half.


    My mind drifted back to Dean¡¯s words, his casual im that I was as much his as I was Kane¡¯s. The very idea made my stomach twist, and yet I couldn¡¯t deny the unsettling truth in his voice. If he and Kane were two halves of the same whole, then what did that mean for me? For us?


    I bit my lip, my gaze shifting to Kane¡¯s face as he slept. He looked peaceful now, his features free of the torment I knew he carried. But the weight of his truth hung heavy between us, a reminder that the peace was only temporary.


    There was no escaping this. No running from the reality of what I had been pulled into.


    For now, I clung to Kane, trying to find sce in his presence. But deep down, I knew that this was just the beginning.


    The storm wasn¡¯t over¡ªnot by a long shot.


    The morning sunlight seeped into the room, casting warm golden hues on the walls. I stirred slightly, a faint smile gracing my lips as the scent of something savory wafted through the air. My body felt unusually heavy, the kind of rxed exhaustion that only came after being wrapped in Kane¡¯s arms all night.


    I turned over, my hand reaching out to his side of the bed, only to find it empty and cold. My eyes fluttered open as I blinked against the light. He was gone¡ªor so it seemed.


    Stretchingzily, I sat up, running a hand through my hair as my mind wandered to the events of the previous day. It was still hard to wrap my head around everything Kane had confessed. The revtion of Dean, the chaos he had caused, and the fragile bond tying us all together¡ªit was overwhelming. Butst night, in Kane¡¯s arms, I had found a strange sense of peace.


    The scent of food grew stronger, tugging me out of my thoughts. A momentter, the door creaked open, and there he was, holding a trayden with food: pancakes, bacon, and a steaming cup of coffee.


    "Morning, love," Kane said, his voice warm and smooth. He stepped into the room with a smile that made my heart flutter. He ced the tray carefully on the bedside table and turned to me, his golden eyes sparkling with an affection that made my breath hitch.


    "Good morning," I murmured, unable to keep the small smile from my lips.


    He reached over, plumped a few pillows behind me, and helped me sit up. The attention was sweet, and it sent a wave of warmth through me. "Thought I¡¯d surprise you with breakfast in bed," he said, gesturing to the tray with a proud smile.


    I nced at the tray, my stomach growling at the delicious aroma. "Well, you¡¯ve definitely surprised me," I admitted, chuckling softly.


    As I reached for the coffee, his voice stopped me. "Don¡¯t I get a morning kiss as a thank you?" he teased, leaning in with that signature smirk of his.


    Rolling my eyes, I couldn¡¯t help butugh. "Oh, so now you¡¯re demanding rewards?"


    "Always," he replied with a wink, his face inching closer.


    His lips brushed mine, gentle and soft, a stark contrast to the usual fiery passion that defined our kisses. This was different, slower, as if he were savoring the moment. It made my heart race in a new way, and I melted into him, letting the kiss deepen just slightly before he pulled away.


    "There. Now, eat up so we can y," he said with a mischievous grin, his voiceced with hidden innuendo.


    I blushed, biting my lip as I looked at him. "Aren¡¯t you going to work?" I asked, though I wasn¡¯t sure I really wanted him to leave.


    He shook his head. "Not today. Today is all about you," he said, his tone earnest. "Consider it my way of making up for yesterday."


    I smiled at his attempt to smooth things over. Who wouldn¡¯t be happy spending the whole day with their mate?


    Kane stood and ruffled my hair gently before heading for the door. "I¡¯ll be back in a moment," he called over his shoulder, leaving me alone with the tray of food.


    I picked up a fork and knife, cutting into the pancake. The first bite was heavenly, soft and fluffy with just the right hint of sweetness. The bacon was crispy, the coffee perfectly brewed. I couldn¡¯t help but hum in delight.


    But then, as I took another bite, something clicked.


    I froze mid-chew, my fork hovering in the air as my mind raced. Kane wasn¡¯t a good cook. He had admitted it himself on more than one asion, usually with a sheepish grin as we ordered takeout orughed over his attempts at simple dishes.


    And yet, here I was, eating a breakfast that could havee straight out of a professional kitchen.


    My blood ran cold as the realization dawned.


    If Kane didn¡¯t make this... who did?


    My eyes darted toward the door as my heart began to pound. Something wasn¡¯t right. Something felt off.


    And then it hit me.


    The way he kissed me¡ªgentle, unfamiliar, unlike how Kane usually was. The ease with which he prepared a meal he never could have managed before. The faint, nagging feeling I couldn¡¯t quite shake when he looked at me earlier.


    It wasn¡¯t Kane.


    I swallowed hard, dread pooling in my stomach as I stared at the empty doorway, waiting for him to return.

 Chapter 112: Trouble With The Return Of Dean

    <h4>Chapter 112: Trouble With The Return Of Dean</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV</strong>


    I wasn¡¯t sure Elena would stick with me after hearing the truth. Hell, I¡¯d prepared myself for her to bolt, to reject me without hesitation. But when she didn¡¯t run¡ªwhen she stayed, no matter how tense or quiet she was¡ªit filled me with a relief I hadn¡¯t felt in years.


    It gave me hope.


    Hope that she was finally learning to love me back the way I loved her.


    I had wanted to tell her so many times how much I loved her. The words lingered on the tip of my tongue every time we were together, but I always held back. Fear was a powerful thing. I was scared she¡¯d think I was moving too fast, that the weight of my feelings would be too much for her.


    But tonight, when she didn¡¯t reject me or pull away, it felt like maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªshe loved me too, or at least, that she could.


    If it hadn¡¯t felt so much like I was being overly grateful for the bare minimum of her not leaving, I might¡¯ve told her right then and there. Those three words itched to spill out of me, but I swallowed them down, knowing it wasn¡¯t the right time.


    Instead, I held her.


    We fell asleep, and, like always, having her in my arms felt like the world was steady again. With her pressed against me, her breathing soft and even, I felt invincible. It was the only time I ever let myself believe that maybe I could handle it all¡ªeven Dean.


    Dean.


    Just the thought of him made my jaw clench. He was the problem I couldn¡¯t shake, the shadow that lingered no matter how far I pushed him away. But for now, with Elena here and safe, I allowed myself to forget him for a while.


    Her warmth against my chest and the soft scent of her hair grounded me, reminding me why I needed to keep fighting, why I needed to find a way to deal with the chaos that came with being me.


    For her.


    For us.


    Tomorrow, I¡¯d face the mess. But tonight, with her here, everything else could wait.


    Waking up and seeing Elena sleeping so soundly next to me made my heart clench with an emotion I wasn¡¯t used to¡ªhappiness. A pure, undiluted kind of joy that I never thought I could feel. She looked so peaceful, her hair a soft mess framing her face, her lips slightly parted as she breathed steadily.


    Unable to resist, I leaned in and kissed her forehead gently, letting the warmth of her skin seep into my own. Just as I was about to settle back, content to soak in her presence for a little longer, my beta linked me.


    <i>Alpha, we need you at the northern border. There¡¯s a group of rogues trying to enter the territory.</i>


    Damn it.


    I clenched my jaw, torn. I wanted nothing more than to spend the day with Elena, especially after everything that had happened yesterday. But duty came first, no matter how much I wanted to ignore it. Protecting my pack¡ªprotecting <i>her</i>¡ªwas my responsibility.


    I sighed, ncing at her once more. She stirred slightly but didn¡¯t wake. I couldn¡¯t disturb her; she deserved this rest after everything.


    Carefully, I slid out of bed, moving as quietly as I could so I wouldn¡¯t wake her. Grabbing my keys from the table, I gave onest look at the door before closing it softly behind me.


    I¡¯d handle this situation quickly.


    Whatever the rogues wanted, I¡¯d make sure it didn¡¯t take long to deal with. The faster I got this over with, the sooner I could get back to Elena.


    Sliding into my car, I started the engine and drove toward the northern gate, my thoughts a mix of irritation at the interruption and anticipation to return to her side. For her, I¡¯d make today peaceful, no matter what it took.


    The moment I arrived at the northern border, my stomach dropped. I had expected maybe three or four rogues¡ªtypical numbers for an opportunistic attack. Instead, I was met with chaos.


    More than fifty rogues, a wild and rabid pack, swarmed the border. Their snarls and growls mixed with the shouts of my warriors, who were already engaged in a fierce fight. Blood sttered the ground, and the metallic scent filled the air, mingling with the sharp tang of fear and determination.


    <i>This isn¡¯t normal.</i>


    Rogues didn¡¯t band together like this. They were loners by nature, outcasts or wolves without a pack. To see this many in one ce, organized and attacking in unison, was more than just unusual¡ªit was a calcted move.


    And it was my fault we were caught off guard.


    The northern border had always been the quietest part of the territory, a ce I rarely had to worry about. I¡¯d stationed fewer guards there, thinking it was a safe move. A stupid, careless mistake.


    Growling low in my throat, I parked the car haphazardly and shifted mid-stride, my wolf taking over in a seamless transition. My bones cracked, fur sprouted, and my senses sharpened instantly. The moment I hit the ground on four paws, I was already charging into the fray.


    My warriors were doing their best, but they were outnumbered. I could see the strain on their faces, the desperation in their movements as they tried to hold the rogues back.


    <i>Not on my watch.</i>


    I leapt into the fight, ws extended, jaws snapping. The first rogue didn¡¯t even see meing before I ripped into his side, my teeth tearing through muscle and sinew. He yelped and crumpled, and I moved on to the next, a relentless force of fury.


    My wolf was in his element¡ªferal, powerful, and unstoppable. But even as I fought, my mind raced.


    <i>Why are there so many of them? Who¡¯s leading them?</i>


    This wasn¡¯t random. Someone had sent them. Someone who wanted to test my pack¡¯s strength, or worse, break through it entirely.


    I snarled, tearing through another rogue, his blood staining my fur. My beta, fought his way toward me, his wolf panting heavily.


    <i>"Kane! We¡¯ve got a problem. They¡¯re trying to surround us!"</i>


    I growled in response, my mind quickly analyzing the situation. We needed reinforcements¡ªand fast.


    <i>"Link the others! Get everyone here now!"</i> Imanded through our mental connection.


    Ryan nodded, retreating briefly to send the message, while I continued cutting through the rogues. Every second mattered.


    <i>Whoever nned this is going to regret it.</i>


    With each rogue I took down, my resolve only hardened. I¡¯d protect my pack, no matter what it took¡ªeven if it meant facing whoever was behind this head-on.


    The chaos momentarily halted as one of the rogues, still in human form, bellowed, "Bring us that filthy vampire you hide in your midst!"


    Wait, what?


    The words sent a shockwave through me, and I let out a deafening growl that silenced the battlefield. Wolves¡ªboth mine and theirs¡ªstopped mid-fight to stare, confusion and tension hanging thick in the air. I shifted back into my human form, standing tall amidst the blood and dust, my chest heaving.


    There were audible gasps from the rogues.


    "That¡¯s him! That¡¯s the vampire!" one of them shouted, their voice trembling with a mix of fear and fury.


    Great. Just great. They weren¡¯t wrong, but they had the wrong <i>Kane.</i>


    <i>This is Dean¡¯s fault. All of it.</i> Every time he slithered his way back into my life, he left a trail of chaos behind him. And now, it hade straight to my doorstep.


    "I think you¡¯ve got the wrong guy," I said, my voice calm but edged with authority. "As you can see, I¡¯m a wolf. Just like you. And not just any wolf¡ªI¡¯m the Alpha of this pack."


    The rogues exchanged hesitant nces, their confusion evident. One of them sniffed the air cautiously, their brow furrowing.


    "Yeah, but... you has the same scent," one of them murmured.


    "And even his voice is the same!" another added, their eyes narrowing as they studied me.


    "But he was a <i>vampire</i>!" a third insisted, their toneced with desperation, as if trying to convince themselves more than anyone else.


    I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes, though my irritation was simmering dangerously close to the surface.


    "You all saw me shift into a ck wolf not two minutes ago," I said, my voicemanding as I addressed the group. "If you¡¯d like, I can do it again, just to prove a point. There is no vampire here. None. You¡¯ve been misled."


    The rogues seemed to hesitate, their conviction wavering. But I knew better than to believe this would be the end of it. Dean had left enough breadcrumbs to lead them here, and they wouldn¡¯t back down easily.


    "You¡¯re wasting your time," I continued, taking a step forward, my stance daring any of them to challenge me. "If you want a fight, you¡¯ve got one. But I promise, not a single one of you will leave here alive. Or... you can leave now, and I¡¯ll pretend this never happened."


    They looked at each other, the tension palpable. Some seemed uncertain, while others growled low, clearly still spoiling for a fight.


    This wasn¡¯t just about Dean. There was more to this attack, and I needed answers. But for now, all I could do was stand my ground and show them why I was Alpha.

 Chapter 113: Distraction

    <h4>Chapter 113: Distraction</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV</strong>


    The rogues stood frozen in disarray, leaderless and uncertain. The absence of amanding voice left them scattered, their indecision ying out in the tense silence. I watched, my wolf pacing within me, ws itching for blood, as they wavered between retreating andunching a full-scale attack.


    Some of them began to back away, their fear evident in the way they avoided meeting my gaze. They knew better. They knew that taking on an Alpha¡ªespecially me¡ªwas a death sentence. But a stubborn few lingered, growling low, their resolve hardening with every second.


    One rogue stepped forward, baring his teeth. "Wolf or vampire, it doesn¡¯t matter," he spat, his tone defiant. "You¡¯re a monster either way."


    My eyes darkened, and a low growl rumbled in my chest.


    "Big mistake," I muttered, the words barely audible before my wolf surged forward, taking over.


    In the blink of an eye, I shifted back into my wolf form, the transformation fluid and seamless. My ck fur bristled, and I let out a ferocious snarl that echoed across the battlefield. The hesitation in their eyes told me they finally understood the gravity of their miscalction.


    The first rogue charged, a desperate move that sealed his fate. I met him head-on, my teeth sinking into his neck before he even had a chance to swipe at me. I tossed his limp body aside and turned to the others, who hesitated only briefly before attacking.


    The fight was brutal, but it didn¡¯tst long. They came at me, one after the other, and each met the same fate. My pack joined in, quickly dispatching those who dared to continue the assault. Blood stained the ground, the air thick with the metallic tang of it.


    For those who had retreated earlier, their instincts had been right. The ones who stayed behind paid the ultimate price for their defiance.


    When the dust settled, the battlefield was eerily quiet. My fur was matted with blood, some mine, but mostly theirs. I shifted back into my human form, breathing heavily as I surveyed the carnage.


    "They should¡¯ve taken the deal," I said to no one in particr, my voice cold.


    My Beta approached, his expression grim. "What now, Alpha?"


    "Burn the bodies," I ordered. "And double the patrols at the northern border. This won¡¯t be thest time theye looking for him."


    Dean¡¯s actions had brought them here, but it was my pack that paid the price. I clenched my fists, fury simmering beneath the surface.


    As much as I hated to admit it, this wasn¡¯t over. Dean¡¯s chaos would keeping until I found a way to end it¡ªfor good.


    Standing amidst the aftermath of the battle, the question burned in my mind like a searing me: <i>What in the hell had Dean done to piss off so many rogues that they¡¯d band together just toe after him?</i>


    It wasn¡¯t just unusual; it was unheard of. Rogues, by nature, didn¡¯t work together. They were solitary, chaotic, and unruly. The sheer number that had united against amon target meant one thing¡ªDean had done something monumental to draw their ire.


    I stared at the blood-soaked ground, my wolf still restless, my hands clenching and unclenching as I tried to piece it together. It wasn¡¯t enough that he¡¯d already caused havoc in my life and my pack. No, Dean always had to go a step further, dragging his darkness into every corner of existence.


    "Alpha?" My Beta, interrupted my spiraling thoughts. His face was hard-set, but there was curiosity there, too. "Do you have any idea what they were talking about? Why they were so focused on finding him?"


    I met his gaze, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "Knowing Dean? He probably ughtered someone important to them or made them an enemy just for the fun of it." My voice was bitter, each wordced with frustration.


    "But why now?" Liam pressed. "Whye here? They¡¯ve never mentioned him before. He¡¯s been gone for years."


    I shook my head, trying to make sense of it. "Dean¡¯s return must¡¯ve stirred something up. Maybe he crossed a line, even by rogue standards."


    That thought chilled me. Rogues weren¡¯t exactly known for their morals, so for Dean to do something so egregious that even <i>they</i> couldn¡¯t tolerate it... It had to be bad.


    And yet, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this wasn¡¯t just about Dean¡¯s usual trail of destruction. This was different. Coordinated. Personal.


    "Send scouts," I ordered, my voice firm. "I want to know where these rogues came from, who they were following, and why they thought they could find him here."


    He nodded and left to carry out mymand, leaving me alone with my thoughts.


    Dean had always been a loose cannon, but this was something else. He hadn¡¯t just pissed off a pack or a family¡ªhe¡¯d enraged an entire group of outcasts to the point where they were willing to die for the chance to kill him.


    And now, his enemies were bing <i>my</i> problem.


    I let out a frustrated growl, my ws itching to sink into something¡ªpreferably Dean¡¯s throat. Whatever he¡¯d done, I was sure it was selfish, reckless, and born out of his insatiable hunger for chaos.


    If he thought he could keep dragging his messes into my territory without consequences, he was dead wrong.


    <i>I would find out what he did. And when I did, he¡¯d wish he¡¯d stayed gone.</i><i></i>


    It had taken me half the day to deal with the aftermath of the rogue attack. I barked out thest of the orders, ensuring every gap in our security was sealed, every weakness fortified. But no matter how thorough I was, there was an itch at the back of my mind, something I couldn¡¯t shake. My instincts screamed at me that something wasn¡¯t right.


    And then it hit me.


    "Fuck!" I growled out loud, the realization like a dagger to my chest.


    This wasn¡¯t just a random attack. The rogues were here for the pack. They were the distraction¡ªbait. The real target had been her all along.


    Elena.


    Dean knew exactly what he was doing, keeping me upied while he went for my mate. Rage bubbled under my skin, threatening to consume me. My wolf, Ash, snarled furiously in my head.


    <i>"You let them pull you away. You left her unprotected!"</i>


    I shoved the guilt aside. There was no time for it. She was alive¡ªat least I thought so. The bond hummed faintly, a tenuous thread that told me she was still out there. But I couldn¡¯t feel her emotions, couldn¡¯t sense if she was scared or hurt. That damned bond wouldn¡¯t open fully until I marked her, and now it was like a cruel joke mocking my failure.


    I sprinted to where I had parked my car, ignoring the questioning stares of my warriors. mming the door shut, I punched the ignition, the engine roaring to life as if it sensed my desperation.


    "Ash, focus," I growled at my wolf as he howled angrily within me. "We¡¯ll find her. But I need you to think clearly."


    <i>"She¡¯s ours,"</i> Ash growled back. <i>"And you let her out of our sight. If he¡¯s touched her¡ª"</i>


    "I¡¯ll kill him," I snarled, gripping the steering wheel so tightly it groaned in protest.


    The roads blurred as I pushed the car to its limits, the scenery shing by in a mix of muted greens and grays. My mind raced, piecing together everything I knew about Dean, the slimy bastard. He was cunning, always working in shadows, pulling strings where no one could see them. He¡¯d used the rogues as pawns, risking lives like they were nothing to him.


    Ash was restless, pacing in my mind, his fury a burning inferno that matched my own.


    "We should¡¯ve marked her," I muttered under my breath. "I should¡¯ve¡ª"


    <i>"You didn¡¯t,"</i> Ash snapped. <i>"So now we can¡¯t find her, can¡¯t protect her. Fix this, Kane. Fix it now."</i>


    The guilt wed at me, but I shoved it aside. Regret wouldn¡¯t bring her back. I couldn¡¯t afford to waste time berating myself when she was out there, possibly in danger.


    As I neared the edge of the pack¡¯s estate, my phone buzzed. I snatched it up without looking, my voice a sharp bark of, "What?"


    "Alpha," one of my warriors stammered, the hesitation in his voice putting me on edge. "We found traces of rogue movement heading south. But... there¡¯s something else. A scent trail, faint, but it matches the you."


    "Dean¡¯s" i murmured, "keep looking," I told him.


    "Yes, Alpha."


    I ended the call without another word, mming my foot on the elerator. My pulse pounded in my ears as I tore through the narrow roads.


    My wolf howled again, his rage like a storm threatening to break free.


    <i>"She¡¯s strong,"</i> I told myself, gripping the wheel tighter. "She can hold on."


    But the truth was, I didn¡¯t know what I¡¯d find when I got there. And the not knowing was tearing me apart.

 Chapter 114: You Are Not Kane

    <h4>Chapter 114: You Are Not Kane</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV</strong>


    I couldn¡¯t believe how foolish I had been, even for a moment. That stupid jerk had actually fooled me into thinking he was Kane. How could I have fallen for it? Sure, they looked alike, sounded alike, even smelled alike¡ªbut there were things, small things, that set my Kane apart.


    Too bad I only figured it out after I¡¯d kissed the imposter.


    The worst part? He had cooked breakfast. And not just any breakfast¡ª<i>divine</i> breakfast. But my appetite had evaporatedpletely, the realization of his deception souring my stomach. My Kane didn¡¯t cook. Not like this.


    I shoved the te aside, the smell of the food mocking me. No matter how good it looked or tasted, it wouldn¡¯t change the fact that for a moment, I had let myself believe that phony was my mate. Disgust bubbled up in my chest, and before I could stop myself, I was storming into the bathroom.


    I turned the faucet on and scrubbed at my mouth, determined to erase the memory of that kiss. How had I let it happen? I had noticed the kiss was <i>different,</i> but I hadn¡¯t questioned it. I¡¯d stupidly thought maybe Kane was trying something new. Breakfast in bed? Sweet gestures? Of course, it wasn¡¯t him.


    "Stupid, stupid, stupid," I muttered, staring at my reflection in the mirror.


    Where was Kane, anyway? He never left in the morning without waking me up or waiting for me to wake on my own. Yet today, he was gone without a trace, leaving me vulnerable to this... <i>thing.</i>


    Just then, I heard the door to the room creak open. My body tensed instantly. I knew it was him¡ªthe imposter.


    "Hey, hon, why aren¡¯t you eating?" came his voice, light and casual.


    <i>Hon.</i>


    Another red g. Kane didn¡¯t call me "hon." He called me "love." Always.


    I stepped out of the bathroom, ring at him. There he stood, casual and infuriatingly smug, like he hadn¡¯t just made my skin crawl.


    "You¡¯re not Kane," I said coldly, my arms crossing over my chest.


    Dean¡ªbecause that¡¯s who it was¡ªtilted his head, that arrogant smirk growing on his face. "Oh,e on now. Don¡¯t be like that. You didn¡¯t seem to mind earlier."


    Rage bubbled up in my veins. "Earlier? You mean when you tricked me into thinking you were my mate? You¡¯re disgusting!"


    His smirk didn¡¯t falter, and he took a step closer. "Disgusting?" he echoed mockingly. "Is that what you really think? Because that¡¯s not what it felt like when you kissed me back."


    My stomach twisted in disgust. "You¡¯re lying."


    His smirk deepened. "Am I?" he asked softly, leaning just slightly closer. "Tell me, Elena¡ªwhen I touched you, didn¡¯t you feel it? That twinkle, that spark? It was exactly like the one you feel when Kane touches you, wasn¡¯t it? Because you know as well as I do..." He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper, "...I¡¯m just as much your mate as he is."


    I froze, his words mming into me like a wrecking ball. No. No, it wasn¡¯t the same. It couldn¡¯t be. Could it?


    Dean chuckled softly, clearly pleased with my reaction. "Oh, don¡¯t look so surprised, little wolf. You might not want to admit it, but you felt it. That connection, that pull. It¡¯s there because you¡¯re mine, just as much as you¡¯re his."


    "And ooh about the kiss just say it. You enjoyed it as much as I did." he taunt,


    His smirk didn¡¯t falter, and he took a step closer. "I didn¡¯t hear youining when I kissed you."


    That was it. My hand moved before I even thought about it, pping him across the face with all the strength I could muster. His head snapped to the side, but when he turned back to me, he wasughing.


    "Oh, feisty," he said, rubbing his cheek like it was a badge of honor. "I like that."


    I wanted to throttle him. "Where is Kane?" I demanded.


    Dean¡¯s smile faded slightly, a flicker of something darker shing in his eyes. "Out," he said simply. "Handling some... pack business."


    I narrowed my eyes. "What do you want, Dean? Why are you here?"


    He leaned casually against the wall, his smirk returning. "What I want, little wolf, is you. But you already knew that."


    My stomach twisted in disgust. "Well, that¡¯s never going to happen," I spat. "So you can take your breakfast and your fake charm and get the hell out of my sight."


    Dean chuckled, shaking his head like I was some amusing child throwing a tantrum. "Oh, Elena," he said, his tone mocking. "You don¡¯t get it, do you? Whether you like it or not, you¡¯re mine as much as you¡¯re his. You can fight it, scream about it, deny it all you want¡ªbut it won¡¯t change a damn thing."


    His words sent a shiver down my spine, but I forced myself to stand tall. "The only thing that won¡¯t change is that you¡¯re not Kane. You¡¯re nothing but a shadow. A mistake. And you¡¯ll never be my mate."


    Something shed in his eyes¡ªanger, maybe¡ªbut he masked it quickly. "We¡¯ll see about that," he said smoothly, pushing off the wall and heading toward the door. "Enjoy your day, little wolf. I¡¯ll be around."


    And with that, he was gone, leaving me alone to simmer in my rage and disgust.


    I sank down onto the bed, my heart pounding.


    I needed Kane back. Now.


    How was Kane going to react when he found out I had kissed Dean?


    My chest tightened at the mere thought. I paced the room, wringing my hands, unable to sit still. Kane wasn¡¯t just my mate; he was my everything. How was I supposed to exin what had happened? How could I tell him that, even for a moment, I hadn¡¯t realized it wasn¡¯t him?


    Would he be angry? Hurt?


    The thought wed at my mind, guilt sinking its sharp talons into me. I knew it wasn¡¯t entirely my fault¡ªDean had deceived me, tricked me into thinking he was Kane. But that didn¡¯t change the fact that it had happened. That, for a moment, I had believed it. And worst of all... a small, horrible part of me had <i>enjoyed it.</i>


    I hated myself for it.


    Kane would try to understand; I knew that about him. He wasn¡¯t the type to jump to conclusions, especially when it came to me. But even his understanding nature couldn¡¯t erase the truth: I had kissed his darker half. And no matter how I framed it, no matter how much I told myself it wasn¡¯t my fault, it still felt like a betrayal.


    I stood in the middle of the room, pacing back and forth, my thoughts racing a mile a minute. My fingers twisted together, and I bit down on my bottom lip as I tried toe up with a solution. Something. <i>Anything.</i>


    We couldn¡¯t let this happen again.


    This kind of mix-up¡ªit wasn¡¯t just confusing or embarrassing; it was dangerous. Dean was too clever, too maniptive, and now that he had found his way back, there was no telling what he would do next. He had proven that he was willing to exploit every advantage, and I couldn¡¯t risk falling into his trap again.


    I needed to talk to Kane as soon as he got back. We had toe up with a n¡ªa way to prevent Dean from ever deceiving me like this again.


    Maybe there was something Kane could do, some way to differentiate himself from Dean. A mark, a scent, something only he and I would know. Something that couldn¡¯t be faked or mimicked, no matter how identical Dean was to him.


    Because this wasn¡¯t just about protecting myself from further deception. It was about protecting us¡ªour bond, our trust.


    I sank onto the bed, burying my face in my hands.


    Whatever it took, we needed to find a way to stop this. I couldn¡¯t let Dean¡¯s presence tear us apart. And I couldn¡¯t let my guilt over what had happened consume me, even if it felt like it was already doing just that.


    <i>Kane, pleasee back soon.</i>


    <i>The image of Kane¡¯s face twisted in anger shed in my mind, and my heart broke at the possibility.</i>


    The worst part? Dean¡¯s words still lingered, taunting me. <i>That twinkle, that spark? It was exactly like the one you feel when Kane touches you.</i>


    "No," I whispered fiercely, shaking my head as if to dislodge the thought. Dean was wrong. Whatever I¡¯d felt wasn¡¯t real. It couldn¡¯t be.


    But how was I supposed to exin any of this to Kane when I couldn¡¯t even make sense of it myself?


    After hours of bashing myself for being so stupid. I finally sank down onto the edge of the bed, burying my face in my hands. The door opened suddenly, and I jumped, my heart leaping to my throat. Kane stood there, his presencemanding the entire room.


    His dark eyes swept over me, concern flickering across his face. "Elena? Are you okay?" he asked, his deep voice breaking the silence.


    My chest tightened, guilt and fear crashing over me in waves. I didn¡¯t know how to answer. I didn¡¯t know how to face him.


    Because sooner orter, he was going to find out. And I had no idea how he¡¯d react.

 Chapter 115: Mine or His

    <h4>Chapter 115: Mine or His</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV</strong>


    I drove like a madman, my foot heavy on the elerator as I pushed the car well past the speed limit. My mind was racing faster than the engine. That sly bastard, Dean. If he had done anything to hurt Elena¡ªif he had so much as touched her¡ªI¡¯d make him regret every moment of his miserable existence.


    The house came into view, and I mmed the brakes, not even bothering to park properly. I was out of the car and inside within seconds, my heart pounding in my chest.


    "<i>Elena,</i>" I called, my voice echoing through the house as I sprinted up the stairs.


    I found her in the bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed, her head bowed, looking anything but okay. My wolf stirred uneasily, sensing her distress.


    "Elena, are you okay?" I asked, my voice a mix of urgency and worry.


    I knelt in front of her, scanning her face and body for any signs of harm. My hands hovered over her, unsure where to touch, not wanting to overwhelm her but desperate to know she was unharmed.


    Her eyes met mine, and something flickered in their depths¡ªguilt? Pain? I couldn¡¯t ce it, but it tightened a knot in my chest.


    "Did he¡ª" I stopped myself, my jaw clenching as my voice dipped into a growl. "Did Dean do something to you?"


    I swore I¡¯d kill him if he had. Nothing could stop me.


    She shook her head, but her lips parted as if to say something, then closed again. My brows furrowed as I gently cupped her face, trying to coax the truth from her. "Elena, <i>talk to me.</i> Whatever happened, just tell me. I¡¯ll fix it. I swear."


    Her hesitation scared me more than any answer she could give. What had Dean done? And why did it feel like something was broken between us?


    "He... he... Kane, I¡¯m sorry, I... I kissed him... he pretended to be you before we..." Elena¡¯s voice cracked, and she broke down into sobs, her entire body trembling as if the weight of the confession was too much for her to bear.


    I froze. My mind went nk for a moment before the words sank in.


    What. The. Actual. Fuck.


    Dean. That <i>stupid bastard.</i>


    My fists clenched so tightly my nails dug into my palms, and a low growl rumbled in my chest. I could feel my wolf pushing for control, ready to tear him apart limb by limb. He¡¯d deceived her. Pretended to be me. He¡¯d crossed a line¡ªno, he¡¯d obliterated it.


    But as furious as I was, I knew this wasn¡¯t Elena¡¯s fault. She was crying her heart out, her tears soaking the front of my shirt as I pulled her into my arms. She was shaking, and her pain hit me harder than any rogue attack or battle ever could.


    "Elena," I said softly, trying to keep the rage from my voice. "Elena, look at me."


    She shook her head against my chest, her cries muffled.


    "It¡¯s not your fault," I said firmly, lifting her face so her tear-filled eyes met mine. "You couldn¡¯t have known. He¡¯s me in every way but the one that matters. You were <i>deceived.</i> This isn¡¯t on you, it¡¯s on him."


    "But I should have known," she sobbed. "I should¡¯ve realized it wasn¡¯t you. I feel so... stupid."


    "You¡¯re not stupid," I said, wiping her tears with my thumb. "You couldn¡¯t have known. He smells like me, looks like me, even talks like me. How could you possibly tell us apart?"


    I leaned my forehead against hers, trying to ground her, to calm her. Inside, I was a hurricane of fury. Dean had taken something precious¡ªher trust in me¡ªand twisted it for his sick games.


    "I¡¯m going to deal with him," I growled, my voice low and dangerous. "He won¡¯t get away with this. I swear to you, Elena. No one will ever hurt you like this again¡ªnot even him."


    Elena sniffled, looking up at me with wide, watery eyes. "You¡¯re not mad at me?"


    "Mad at you? No," I said, my tone softening. "I¡¯m mad at him. Furious at him. But you? Never."


    I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, letting her know that she wasn¡¯t alone in this.


    Dean might have thought he could y his games and walk away unscathed, but he had no idea who he was dealing with. He wanted to stir chaos? Fine. I¡¯d make sure it ended with him in ashes.


    "Did he... did he..." The words stuck in my throat, the question refusing to fully form, but Elena understood. She looked up at me with wide, tear-filled eyes and quickly shook her head.


    "I found out he wasn¡¯t you before... before it could spiral into anything like that," she said softly, her voiceced with shame and pain.


    Relief washed over me, but it was fleeting. For a brief, unbearable moment, I¡¯d feared that Dean had taken things too far¡ªfarther than even my worst expectations. While I was grateful Elena had figured it out before it escted, the fact that he¡¯d tried at all was enough to make my blood boil.


    "Good," I said, my voice low and strained. "But that doesn¡¯t excuse what he did. Not even close."


    I clenched my fists, the rage building with every second. First the BDSM contract mess, and now this? It felt like the universe was throwing one challenge after another at us, testing how much we could endure. The thought of Dean wearing my face, using my scent, and trying to manipte Elena made my wolf w at the surface, desperate to be unleashed.


    This couldn¡¯t keep happening. I needed to deal with Dean¡ª<i>permanently.</i>


    "Elena," I said, looking at her with all the seriousness I could muster, "I need you to trust me. I¡¯ll fix this. I¡¯ll make sure Dean never hurts you, or anyone else, ever again."


    She nodded, though her expression was still clouded with doubt.


    "And you?" she asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Are <i>you</i> okay? I mean, he¡¯s... he¡¯s you, isn¡¯t he? In some twisted way."


    Her words struck me like a blow. As much as I hated to admit it, Dean and I were connected, no matter how much I tried to separate myself from him. He was the embodiment of my darkness, the part of me I never wanted anyone¡ªespecially Elena¡ªto see.


    "I¡¯m fine," I lied. "This isn¡¯t about me. It¡¯s about keeping you safe."


    But as I looked into her eyes, I knew that wasn¡¯t entirely true. Dean wasn¡¯t just my burden; he was <i>ours</i> now. His presence in our lives threatened everything I cared about, and I couldn¡¯t let that stand.


    I would protect her, no matter what it took. Even if it meant confronting the darkest parts of myself.


    "He imed that I was his mate too... Kane, tell me that¡¯s not true," Elena pleaded, her voice trembling, eyes searching mine desperately.


    I froze. The truth hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. She deserved honesty, but how could I give it to her without tearing her apart? Without making her question everything about us?


    Before I could fully process my thoughts, Ash¡ªthe wolf¡ªtook over, surging to the surface with a feral growl that rumbled from deep within me.


    "You¡¯re mine," he growled, his voice guttural and fierce. "<i>Mine alone.</i> And I don¡¯t share."


    Ash¡¯s possessiveness wasn¡¯t new, but this time it burned hotter than ever, a visceral reaction to Dean¡¯s im. The wolf hated my vampiric side with every fiber of his being, and for good reason. They weren¡¯t just opposites; they were natural enemies. Oil and water. Fire and ice.


    The animosity between them was the very reason my parents had sought to rid me of one side. When both the wolf and vampire coexisted in a single body, it wreaked havoc¡ªnot just on me, but on anyone close to me.


    Ash¡¯s growl deepened, a clear warning to the memory of Dean¡¯s words. The idea of someone¡ªespecially <i>him</i>¡ªiming Elena was more than just a challenge to my wolf. It was a direct attack on our bond, an insult to everything we were building together.


    But beneath Ash¡¯s anger, there was another truth: Dean wasn¡¯t entirely wrong.


    "Elena..." I started, my voice strained as I fought to suppress Ash¡¯s dominance. "What he said... it¡¯splicated."


    Her face fell, and guilt hit me like a freight train. I reached out, gripping her hands tightly. "Listen to me. You¡¯re <i>mine,</i> Elena. My mate, my everything. Whatever connection Dean feels, it¡¯s twisted. He¡¯s not me. He¡¯s a shadow¡ªa monster. And I¡¯ll never let him take you."


    "But... he¡¯s part of you," she whispered, her voice breaking.


    "Yes," I admitted, my jaw clenching. "He¡¯s a part of me that I never wanted. A part I¡¯ve spent my entire life trying to keep buried. But he¡¯s not the part that matters. <i>I</i> am. And I will protect you from him, no matter what."


    She searched my eyes, her own filled with doubt and pain. I could see the war waging in her mind, the struggle to reconcile the man she loved with the darkness that came with him.


    "I¡¯ll find a way to stop him," I promised, my voice firm. "To end this once and for all."


    Ash growled in agreement, his fury simmering just beneath the surface. Dean had crossed the line, and the wolf wouldn¡¯t rest until he was dealt with.


    Elena nodded slowly, though her expression remained uncertain. "I trust you," she said softly.


    Her words were like a balm to my frayed nerves, but they also came with a heavy weight. I couldn¡¯t let her down¡ªnot now, not ever.


    Dean might have imed her as his, but he was wrong. Elena wasn¡¯t his. She was mine. And I would do whatever it took to make sure she stayed that way.

 Chapter 116: Getting A Mark

    <h4>Chapter 116: Getting A Mark</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV</strong>


    "We need to do something so I can differentiate you," she said, her voice trembling but determined. "I don¡¯t want to fall into that trap again."


    She was right.


    I couldn¡¯t me her. After what Dean pulled, it was no wonder she wanted to avoid ever being in that position again. The thought of her mistaking him for me again made my blood boil¡ªnot at her, but at him for exploiting her trust.


    I ran a hand through my hair, trying to think of a solution. "You¡¯re right," I said. "We need to make sure this never happens again."


    Her brows knitted together. "But how? He looks exactly like you... smells like you... even sounds like you. How am I supposed to tell the difference?"


    I sighed, hating that she had to deal with this at all. "Dean and I share the same base scent because we were once the same person. But there are subtle differences. You¡¯ve already noticed them¡ªlike how his behavior doesn¡¯t match mine."


    "Yeah," she murmured, her cheeks reddening. "But in the moment, it¡¯s hard to catch. Especially when he¡¯s pretending to be you."


    As much as it pained me to admit, Dean¡¯s ability to mimic me was terrifying. If he could conceal his differences¡ªhis mannerisms, his behavior¡ªthere¡¯d be nothing to stop him from deceiving her again.


    "Okay," I said after a moment, taking a deep breath to calm myself. "Let¡¯s say I get a tattoo. Something only you know about, so you can check."


    Elena tilted her head, considering it, but I could see the doubt flicker in her eyes. She didn¡¯t say it, but we both knew tattoos could be copied, removed, or hidden. It wasn¡¯t foolproof.


    I hesitated before continuing, my throat tight. "There¡¯s... another option. Something that would make it impossible for Dean to trick you. But..." I trailed off, unsure how to phrase it without it sounding maniptive.


    "What is it?" she asked, her brow furrowing.


    "The mate mark," I said quietly, avoiding her gaze. "If I mark you, the bond will be... unbreakable. You¡¯d be able to sense me¡ªknow if it¡¯s really me. And I¡¯d feel you too¡ªyour emotions, your thoughts."


    Her eyes widened, and I rushed to exin further. "It¡¯s not something to take lightly, Elena. The mark is sacred. It¡¯s meant to be a sign of love andmitment, not a... not a differentiator. I don¡¯t want you to feel pressured into this. I just¡ª"


    "Kane, stop," she interrupted, her voice soft but firm.


    I looked up, startled by the resolve in her expression.


    "I know what the mark means," she said. "And I know you¡¯re not using this as an excuse. But... it¡¯s a big step. I need time to think about it."


    Relief and disappointment shed within me, but I nodded. "Take all the time you need," I said sincerely.


    "Alright," I said finally. "I¡¯ll get a tattoo. Something meaningful, something that tells you it¡¯s me."


    Her face lit up with a mix of relief and hope. "Really?"


    I nodded, the corners of my mouth lifting in a small smile. "Yes. It¡¯s a small price to pay to make sure you never doubt me again."


    She stepped closer, cing her hand on my chest. "Thank you, Kane. I know it¡¯s not fair that you have to do this because of him, but..."


    I ced my hand over hers, cutting her off gently. "You¡¯re worth it, Elena. Every bit of it."


    "Kane... there¡¯s something else you should know." She hesitated, her hands fidgeting nervously. "When Dean touched me, his touch felt the same as yours. It had the... the sparks of a mate."


    Elena¡¯s words hit me like a sledgehammer. The thought of her being unable to tell the difference between me and Dean was unsettling enough, but hearing her say <i>his touch felt like mine</i>¡ªthat it carried the same mate sparks¡ªwas a punch straight to the gut.


    I clenched my fists, battling the storm of emotions swirling inside me. Ash was howling with rage, pacing restlessly, demanding we mark her right now to erase any chance of confusion. But I couldn¡¯t do that¡ªnot without her full understanding, not without her love.


    Ash erupted inside me, snarling and growling, his fury boiling over. I had to fight to keep him at bay, my fists clenching so tightly my knuckles turned white.


    "He¡¯s not your mate," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "He¡¯s a <i>parasite,</i> Elena. He might have my scent, my touch, my spark, but he¡¯s not me. He never will be."


    "I believe you, Kane," she said, stepping closer to ce her hand on my arm. "But I need to understand why. Why does he have those sparks? Why does he feel like... like he¡¯s mine too?"


    I sighed heavily, the weight of the truth pressing down on me. "Because he¡¯s a part of me," I admitted reluctantly. "He¡¯s not just some random creature, Elena. He¡¯s the vampiric side of me¡ªsplit from my body and given form. The mate bond we share... it recognizes him as a fragment of me."


    Her face paled, and I quickly reached out to steady her.


    "But he¡¯s not <i>you,</i>" she whispered.


    "No, he¡¯s not," I said fiercely, cupping her face with my hands. "You¡¯re mine, Elena. <i>Mine.</i> I¡¯ll protect you from him, no matter what it takes. And I¡¯ll find a way to make sure you never have to doubt it again."


    Even as I spoke, I couldn¡¯t ignore the lingering shadow of Dean¡¯s im. But no matter what, I would fight to prove that Elena¡¯s ce was by my side¡ªand mine alone.


    The moment hung between us, charged with unspoken promises. Dean might have tried to sow doubt and chaos, but I would do whatever it took to ensure Elena never questioned who her true mate was again.


    "Let¡¯s go," I said. "We¡¯ll find the best artist in town, and I¡¯ll get it done today."


    Her lips curved into a soft smile, and for the first time since Dean¡¯s return, I felt a spark of control over the situation. Dean might share my face, my scent, even my past¡ªbut he¡¯d never have what truly mattered.


    Elena¡¯s trust.


    As I opened the car door for her, Elena¡¯s lips curled into a mischievous smile, and she asked, "Do I also get to choose the tattoo?"


    I chuckled at her enthusiasm, nodding. "Sure, you pick, and I¡¯ll get it. Just don¡¯t go too crazy."


    That made her light up, her earlier worry momentarily pushed aside. "Deal!" she said with a grin before sliding into the passenger seat.


    After rounding the car and slipping into the driver¡¯s seat, I nced at her. She was staring out the window, her brows furrowed in thought.


    "A penny for your thoughts?" I teased, breaking the silence.


    She blinked and turned to me with a sheepish smile. "Oh, nothing," she said, shrugging. "I¡¯m just thinking about what would look cool on you. A wolf or a moon, maybe? Or both?"


    Her yful tone eased some of the tension I¡¯d been carrying since this morning. "Both?" I echoed, smirking. "You¡¯re aiming big, huh?"


    "Of course!" she said, her eyes twinkling. "If you¡¯re going to get a tattoo for me, it has to make a statement. Something bold, something that says, ¡¯Elena¡¯s mate.¡¯"


    Iughed, shaking my head. "I trust you to pick something that won¡¯t make me regret this. Just remember¡ªI¡¯m stuck with whatever you choose forever."


    She leaned back in her seat, pretending to consider. "Hmm, forever is a long time... Maybe I should go with something like a heart with my name in it. Super ssic, right?"


    I groaned dramatically. "Please, no hearts."


    She burst outughing, the sound like music to my ears. In that moment, seeing her happy, I knew I¡¯d do anything she asked¡ªwolf, moon, or even hearts. As long as it made her feel secure with me, it didn¡¯t matter what it was.


    By the time we were done, I was half expecting her to have gone with something drastic¡ªlike a dragon. Her eyes had practically sparkled the moment she saw a design of a dragon coiled around a sword. But in the end, she surprised me by choosing something far more meaningful.


    She settled on an image of a wolf howling to five moons, each moon containing a letter of her name etched subtly into its design. It was bold yet intricate, a perfect blend of strength and sentimentality.


    When the artist pulled out the needle, though, I had second thoughts¡ªnot about the tattoo, but about how I¡¯d underestimated the whole process. That needle was shiny, pointy, and far too helpful in delivering pain. Still, I wasn¡¯t about to let her see me flinch. Like the macho guy I am, I sat as still as a statue, enduring every jab with clenched teeth.


    Through it all, she stood by my side, her fingers brushing mine, a sly smile on her lips as if daring me to crack. Every now and then, she¡¯d tease, "You doing okay there, tough guy?"


    When it was finally over, I had barely nced at the finished work in the mirror before I was rewarded. Elena kissed me, her lips warm and soft against mine, and it made every sting worth it.


    "Oh my gosh, Kane, it¡¯s perfect!" she gushed, her excitement bubbling over as she ran her fingers over the bandaged area. "It¡¯s so you¡ªand us. I love it."


    Hearing her excitement and seeing her happiness was all I needed. Yeah, I¡¯d do it again. Over and over, just to see her like that. If enduring a little pain made her feel this safe and cherished, it was a no-brainer.

 Chapter 117: Deluded Ashley

    <h4>Chapter 117: Deluded Ashley</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    After Kane got the tattoo, we decided to go out for dinner, determined to set aside all our issues, if only for a night. It was nice to just <i>be</i>¡ªtough, eat, and pretend our lives weren¡¯t this chaotic mess of drama. For those few hours, it was just us, a couple enjoying an evening without the weight of the world pressing down on our shoulders.


    But the thought of the mate mark lingered in the back of my mind. I know it was selfish of me to not let Kane mark me, but I wasn¡¯t ready to take that monumental step when our rtionship was still so delicate, so precarious. It¡¯s not that I¡¯m half-hearted about us¡ªit¡¯s just...


    I¡¯ve always dreamed of love being this gradual, romantic journey, something that grows over time into an unshakeable bond. But my rtionship with Kane? It started on the rockiest of roads. From hating him for most of my childhood to realizing he had these <i>dark</i> fantasies¡ªBDSM contracts with Ashley, no less¡ªit was a whirlwind of revtions that I didn¡¯t know how to process.


    And just as I starteding to terms with all of that, I discovered the existence of Dean¡ªhis vampire side, his other <i>personality</i>, who also ims to be my mate. The sheer madness of it all is overwhelming.


    Adding a mate mark on top of all that chaos feels less like a deration of love and more like rushing into something I¡¯m not ready for. To me, it would be like jumping into bed with a guy on the first date¡ªa move I¡¯ve never beenfortable with.


    Kane has been patient, though. He hasn¡¯t pushed or pressured me about the mark, and I appreciate that more than I can say. But I know this can¡¯t be a permanent pause. At some point, I¡¯ll have to decide where I stand¡ªwith him, with Dean, with this entire twisted reality I¡¯ve stumbled into. But tonight? Tonight was about us, and I wasn¡¯t going to let anything else intrude on that.


    It was a beautiful delusion, this fragile dream we wrapped around ourselves, as if the world outside didn¡¯t exist. For a few precious hours, we let the weight of reality fade into the background, pretending the chaos wasn¡¯t just waiting for us to step back into it.


    Over dinner, Kane was just Kane¡ªnot the Alpha, not the man fighting the shadows of his past or the vampire tethered to him in the strangest of ways. Heughed freely, his eyes lighting up in a way I¡¯d rarely seen. And I allowed myself to bask in the warmth of it, to believe, if only briefly, that this was how things could always be.


    But deep down, I knew better.


    This wasn¡¯t real. Not the ease between us, not the lighthearted smiles or the way we felt like a normal couple on a simple date. It was a fleeting moment of calm, a mirage that couldn¡¯t withstand the storms waiting for us back home.


    Because the truth was, we were living in a house of cards, each piece carefully bnced but trembling with every breath we took. One wrong move, one gust of wind, and it would alle crashing down.


    The mate mark, Dean¡¯s im, the endless battles¡ªnone of that had disappeared. It was still there, lurking in the corners of my mind, waiting to remind me just how far from normal this all was.


    But tonight, under the soft glow of the restaurant lights and Kane¡¯s rare smile, I let myself indulge in the fantasy. Because sometimes, even a beautiful delusion is better than facing the cold, hard truth.


    I should have stayed at the table. Should have ignored the creeping difort that came with leaving Kane alone, even for a moment. If I¡¯d known stepping into that restroom would unravel the fragile peace of the night, I never would have gone.


    But there she was.


    Ashley. Of all people, washing her hands like she didn¡¯t have a care in the world. Her eyes lit up the moment she saw me, her smirk sharper than the dagger she was twisting in my night.


    "I knew you wouldn¡¯t be able to satisfy the Alpha. That¡¯s why he keepsing to me," she said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.


    I froze for a second. Not because I was angry¡ªno, that emotion didn¡¯t even surface¡ªbut because of the absurdity of it. I knew exactly who she was talking about, and it wasn¡¯t Kane.


    Dean.


    Ashley, in her deluded little bubble, had no idea she¡¯d been bedding the monster instead of the man. And I wasn¡¯t about to enlighten her. Why shatter her fantasy? Let her believe she was so irresistible that Kane, the Alpha, couldn¡¯t resist sneaking off to be with her.


    She kept going, her words more a performance for herself than anything else.


    "Looks like you¡¯ve been starving him," she said with a sly smile, "but don¡¯t worry¡ªI¡¯ll continue to take care of him for you."


    I didn¡¯t respond. I didn¡¯t flinch, didn¡¯t let her see even a flicker of emotion cross my face. If she was expecting a reaction, she wasn¡¯t going to get one. Instead, I calmly washed my hands and walked out, leaving her to bask in her delusion.


    But as I returned to the table, the weight of what she¡¯d said settled on me. It wasn¡¯t her I was worried about¡ªit was the whispers, the rumors. People wouldn¡¯t know it was Dean, wouldn¡¯t understand the truth.


    They¡¯d think Kane was cheating.


    And that thought hit me harder than I cared to admit.


    I wondered if the pack knew about Dean¡¯s existence, the full truth of it¡ªnot just as Kane¡¯s so-called "naughty twin," but as the dangerous, vampire half of him. I had to ask. And I had to tell Kane about how his lunatic other half was out there ruining his name.


    When I returned to the table, Kane immediately noticed my change in mood. His sharp eyes scanned my face, concern etched into his features.


    "What happened?" he asked, his voice low but tense.


    I sighed, debating how to phrase it. "I ran into Ashley."


    His expression darkened instantly. "What did she say?"


    I told him everything¡ªthe taunts, the sly remarks, her deluded belief that he was sneaking off to be with her. His jaw clenched tighter with every word, his fists curling on the table.


    "That lying¡ª"


    "Kane," I interrupted, cing my hand on his. "Let it go. Let her believe whatever she wants to believe. By the end of the next two weeks, her three-month contract will be over. She¡¯ll think you¡¯ve fulfilled your ¡¯obligation,¡¯ and she won¡¯t have a reason to sue you or tarnish your name."


    He took a deep breath, his shoulders dropping slightly. "You¡¯re not wrong," he admitted grudgingly. "But it still infuriates me that she¡¯s spreading lies."


    "I know," I said softly. "But we have bigger problems right now. Like Dean."


    His head snapped up, his expression shifting. "What about him?"


    "I was wondering," I began carefully, "how much does the pack know about him? Do they even know he exists?"


    Kane leaned back, running a hand through his hair. "It depends on who you ask," he said after a moment. "The older members, the ones who¡¯ve been with the pack for decades, they know. My age mates know, too, and maybe some of the younger wolves. But the newer members? The current younger generation? They have no idea."


    I frowned. "And the ones who do know¡ªdo they know the full truth? That he¡¯s not just your ¡¯twin,¡¯ but a vampire? Your vampire side?"


    He hesitated, his gaze turning distant. "Not all of them," he admitted. "The older wolves know he¡¯s a vampire. They lived through the chaos he caused before I learned to block him out. But for most of the pack, he¡¯s just...my twin with a bad attitude."


    I stared at him, processing that. "So you¡¯re saying a good half, maybe three-quarters of the pack, doesn¡¯t know the truth about him?"


    "More or less," Kane said. "To them, he¡¯s my mischievous, wild twin brother. They don¡¯t know he¡¯s my darker half. Or that killing him would kill me, too."


    Thatst part hit me harder than I expected. I leaned back in my seat, my mind racing. How could we possibly protect the pack from Dean¡ªor Dean from the pack¡ªwhen so many of them didn¡¯t even understand what they were dealing with?


    "And Dean?" I asked softly. "What does he think about all of this? Does he even care about the pack?"


    Kane¡¯s lips curled into a humorless smile. "Dean only cares about one thing¡ªchaos. The pack means nothing to him."


    I exhaled heavily, feeling the weight of the situation settle over me again.


    Something had to be done. But what?


    Kane took hold of my hand, his warm touch grounding me as I felt the storm of thoughts swirling in my mind. "Let¡¯s forget about him for tonight," he said, his voice soft yetmanding. His thumb brushed over my knuckles, sending a shiver up my spine. "Tonight, it¡¯s just me and you. Let¡¯s enjoy the night."


    He leaned in slightly, his lips tugging into a mischievous grin, the kind that always made my heart skip a beat. "Tomorrow, we¡¯ll deal with Dean," he added, his eyes sparkling with a promise that felt bothforting and dangerous.


    Then, with that signature wink of his, " We still got the naughty book to finish" he dropped a yful innuendo so effortlessly that it caught me off guard. Heat rushed to my cheeks as his grin grew wider, clearly reveling in the effect he had on me.


    "Kane," I started, feigning exasperation as I tried to suppress a smile.


    "What?" he asked, feigning innocence.


    "You know exactly what," I muttered, but I couldn¡¯t hold back a smallugh as he stood, pulling me to my feet with him.


    His hand slipped to my waist, and the intensity in his gaze softened as he looked down at me. "Tonight is ours, Elena," he murmured, his voice dropping to a tone that was both tender and resolute. "No worries, no rogues, no vampires¡ªjust us."


    I nodded, letting him guide me out of the restaurant and into the crisp night air. For the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself believe that, even if it was just for a few hours, we could have peace.

 Chapter 118: Little Wolf

    <h4>Chapter 118: Little Wolf</h4>


    <strong>ELENA¡¯S POV:</strong>


    <i>The kitchen was dimly lit, the faint glow of the moon filtering through the curtains. I stood there, sipping juice, trying to shake off the tension from the day. Suddenly, arms snaked around my waist, pulling me into a firm embrace. I stiffened, expecting to hear Kane¡¯s soothing voice.</i>


    <i>But what I heard instead made my blood run cold.</i>


    <i>"Why are you resisting me, little wolf?" a husky whisper tickled my ear,ced with menace. My breath caught. Kane never called me little wolf.</i>


    <i>I froze, dread washing over me like icy water as the realization struck. This wasn¡¯t Kane. It was Dean.</i>


    <i>I tried to twist out of his hold, to shove him off, but my limbs felt like lead, unresponsive to mymands. A sickening thought struck me¡ªhad he drugged me? Was it the juice I had just drank? Panic surged through me, but I was trapped, unable to fight back.</i>


    <i>His hand slid up to push my hair aside, exposing my neck. "You smell divine," he murmured, his lips brushing against my skin. "The pulse in your vein... it¡¯s calling to me. Tempting me to have just one bite."</i>


    <i>A shiver of horror rippled through me as his mouth descended on my neck, teasing the sensitive skin with soft nibbles. And yet, to my shame and utter terror, my body betrayed me. A shudder of... something foreign, electric, coursed through me, pooling heat where I least wanted it.</i>


    <i>"See?" His voice was velvet-wrapped steel, triumphant. "Even your body knows the truth. I am your mate, too. Why do you resist it?"</i>


    <i>I wanted to scream, to tell him to stop, to shove him away, but the paralysis held me captive. My body wasn¡¯t my own, and tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. I hated this. I hated him. And I hated myself for the way I reacted to his touch.</i>


    <i>"You know I wouldn¡¯t hurt you," he continued, his tone now deceptively soft, dripping with false sincerity. "That bastard is lying to you. Why would I hurt my beloved?"</i>


    <i>As if to prove his point, he pressed his lips to the crook of my neck and shoulder, the sensation sending a fresh wave of conflicting emotions crashing through me. The tears spilled over, hot and unstoppable, streaking down my cheeks.</i>


    <i>Dean turned me around then, his unnatural strength making resistance futile. The kitchen¡¯s darkness seemed to deepen, his predatory gaze cutting through the gloom as he tilted my chin up with a finger. His eyes glinted like a predator toying with its prey.</i>


    <i>"Shh," he cooed mockingly, leaning closer, his tongue flicking out to catch the tears trailing down my cheek. "Don¡¯t cry, little wolf. At least, not these kinds of tears."</i>


    <i>His grin widened, wicked and cruel, and for a moment, I swore I saw the faint gleam of fangs. "I want you," he said, his voice dripping with dark promise. "And I¡¯m going to have you. Sooner orter, you¡¯ll see. You¡¯ll ept it."</i>


    <i>I shook my head weakly, trembling with a cocktail of fear and fury. His grip tightened just enough to send a chill of helplessness through me.</i>


    <i>"It¡¯s just a matter of how long you want to keep pretending," he whispered, leaning in so close that his breath ghosted over my lips. "The truth is in your blood, little wolf. And I¡¯ll remind you of it... every chance I get."</i>


    <i>With that, he released me abruptly, my body sagging against the counter as he stepped back, his wicked grin still in ce. Then, like a shadow, he melted into the darkness, leaving me trembling and terrified, my tears falling silently onto the cold tile floor.</i>


    <i>"The truth is in your blood, little wolf. And I¡¯ll remind you of it... every chance I get," Dean whispered, his voice curling around me like a noose. My heart pounded erratically, my breath shallow as if the room itself conspired to suffocate me. </i>


    <i>Then, with a sickening smirk, he leaned back slightly, his eyes boring into mine. "It¡¯s time for me to leave," he said, his tone light, almost casual. But then his expression darkened, a cruel glint lighting up his features. "But I can¡¯t go without giving you something to remember me by."</i>


    <i>Before I could process his words, his hand curled around my neck, firm but not enough to choke. His other hand gently gripped my chin, tilting my face upward. My panic surged as his predatory gaze locked with mine, a silent promise of dominance and control. </i>


    <i>I tried to move, to jerk away from his grasp, to w at him¡ªanything¡ªbut my body refused to obey me. My arms remained limp at my sides, my legs frozen as though shackled by invisible chains. Even my voice, my one potential weapon, failed me. All I could do was let the hot, angry tears stream down my cheeks, their silent trail betraying the terror I felt inside. </i>


    <i>"Shh," he murmured mockingly, his thumb brushing over my jaw as if soothing a frightened child. "Don¡¯t cry. This isn¡¯t something to fear. It¡¯s something to ept." </i>


    <i>He leaned in slowly, deliberately, his lips descending on mine. The kiss was shockingly gentle¡ªso soft, so tender, that it felt like a mockery. It was a kiss meant to fool me into believing it was born of affection, not possession. It stood in stark contrast to the cold, ruthless way he¡¯d manhandled me moments ago. </i>


    <i>My tears mingled with his kiss, a salty testament to my silent battle against the storm raging inside me. He pressed against me like I was a delicate piece of ss that might shatter with too much pressure. But that gentleness was worse than force¡ªit was a calcted move to sow confusion, to make me question everything I thought I knew. </i>


    <i>When he finally pulled back, his eyes softened ever so slightly, though his smirk remained firmly in ce. He tilted my face up further and nted a chaste kiss on my forehead, as if sealing some dark promise. </i>


    <i>"Don¡¯t forget, little wolf," he murmured, his voice a velvety whisperced with danger. "You¡¯re mine too." </i>


    Suddenly, the world around me seemed to shift. My vision blurred, the edges of my reality fraying as though I were waking from a dream¡ªor a nightmare. The room spun, and just as abruptly as the paralysis had taken me, it released me.


    I gasped awake, sitting bolt upright in bed, my chest heaving. My body was slick with sweat, my pulse thundering in my ears. But it wasn¡¯t just me¡ªI wasn¡¯t alone. Someone was hovering over me, their hands gripping my shoulders as they tried to steady me.


    "Elena, wake up!" The voice was frantic, filled with concern. "It¡¯s me. Wake up, love!"


    I flinched instinctively, my hands flying out to shove the figure away. My body was no longer frozen, and adrenaline surged through me as if making up for all the helplessness I¡¯d just endured. "Don¡¯t touch me!" I snarled, my voice trembling with fury and fear as tears continued to streak my face.


    The figure stumbled back slightly but didn¡¯t retreat fully. "Elena, it¡¯s me¡ªit¡¯s Kane!" His voice broke with urgency. He raised his hands in a gesture of peace, then held out his wrist, revealing the intricate tattoo of the wolf howling at the moons with my name etched into it.


    The sight of it froze me in ce. That tattoo was the lifeline I clung to, the one thing I could use to separate my mate from the monster who shared his face. My breath hitched as I stared at it, and slowly, the fog of panic began to lift.


    "It¡¯s me," he repeated, his voice soft but insistent. "Your Kane."


    The dam broke, and I copsed into him, sobbing uncontrobly. My arms wrapped around his neck, clutching him as if he were the only solid thing in a crumbling world. His warmth, his scent, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my cheek¡ªit all anchored me, pulling me back from the abyss.


    "I¡¯m here," he murmured, his hands stroking my back in soothing circles. "I¡¯ve got you, love. You¡¯re safe now."


    For a long moment, neither of us said anything. I just clung to him, pouring all my fear, my confusion, and my anger into the embrace. And he held me, grounding me in a way only he could.


    After I calmed down, cradled in bed with Kane¡ªmy real Kane¡ªhe brushed his fingers gently through my hair, his touch soothing the lingering tremors in my body. His steady heartbeat against my cheek was aforting rhythm, a stark contrast to the chaotic whirl of thoughts in my head.


    "What were you dreaming about?" he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.


    I stiffened slightly but shook my head, not trusting myself to speak. "I don¡¯t want to talk about it," I said finally, my voice hoarse from crying.


    Kane studied me for a moment, his gaze searching mine. Then, with a nod, he said, "Okay. It¡¯s over. It was just a bad dream."


    I nodded against his chest, letting the lie hang in the air between us. But I knew it wasn¡¯t just a dream. It had felt so real, so terrifyingly vivid, like Dean had been right there with me in the kitchen. I could still feel the phantom weight of his hands on me, the way his breath had brushed against my skin, and even now, my lips tingled faintly where his had pressed against them.


    If it was a nightmare, then it was the cruelest my mind had ever conjured. But deep down, I didn¡¯t believe it was just my mind ying tricks on me. Somehow, Dean had been there¡ªhis presence, his words, his touch¡ªit was too real to dismiss.


    But what good would it do to tell Kane? He already had enough to deal with when it came to Dean. After the stunt his darker half had pulled earlier, pretending to be Kane to deceive me, thest thing I wanted was to pile more stress onto his shoulders. He didn¡¯t need to know that even in the safety of our bed, Dean had found a way to haunt me.


    Kane tightened his arms around me, kissing the top of my head as if sensing my lingering distress. "I¡¯m here," he said softly. "Whatever it is, you don¡¯t have to face it alone."


    His words brought fresh tears to my eyes, but I blinked them away, burying my face against him. For now, I would let him think it was just a nightmare. For now, I would hold onto thefort he offered, even as the shadows of Dean¡¯s presence lingered at the edges of my mind.

 Chapter 119: Rekindle

    <h4>Chapter 119: Rekindle</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV;</strong>


    After the incident of ashley with Elena at the restaurant we headed home I wanted to have a sweet alone time with her. Gods it feels like ages since I even kissed her. As we pulled into the driveway and the engine hummed to a stop, I nced over at Elena. She was staring out the window, her expression soft but distant, as though lost in thought. I reached over, brushing her hand with my fingers, and the contact seemed to pull her back. Her eyes met mine, and she offered a small smile that stirred something deep inside me.


    Tonight was about us. With all the chaos that had consumed our livestely¡ªDean¡¯s stunts, the rogue attack, and everything else¡ªwe¡¯d been robbed of the small, tender moments that made us <i>us</i>. Those quiet touches, the way herugh felt like sunlight breaking through a storm, or the way my name sounded on her lips when it wasn¡¯t weighed down by fear or tension. I missed those moments.


    We stepped into the house, and I closed the door behind us, leaning against it for a second. The air inside was warm and still, a stark contrast to the whirlwind that had been our livestely. "Stay right here," I said, holding up a finger before she could take another step.


    "What are you up to, Kane?" she asked, tilting her head with an amused smirk.


    "You¡¯ll see."


    I disappeared into the kitchen, opening the cupboard to grab the candles we rarely used. I lit a few and ced them around the living room, their soft, flickering light casting a warm glow over the space. It wasn¡¯t much, but it didn¡¯t have to be. What mattered was the intention behind it.


    When I returned, she was still standing by the door, her brow raised in curiosity. "Come on," I said, reaching out a hand to her. She hesitated for a moment before taking it, her soft palm fitting perfectly against mine.


    I led her to the couch, pulling her down beside me. "I know things have been... intensetely," I started, turning to face her. "And I hate how much of our time has been stolen by everything else. Tonight, I just want to focus on you. On us."


    Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked down, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "You¡¯re being romantic," she teased softly, though her voice betrayed the emotion my words had stirred in her.


    "Don¡¯t get used to it," I joked, leaning closer. "But tonight, yeah, I am."


    I reached up to cup her cheek, my thumb brushing along her skin as I tilted her face up to mine. The moment felt suspended in time, the world outside of this room fading into irrelevance.


    "I missed you," I said quietly, my voice thick with emotion.


    "I¡¯m right here, Kane," she whispered, her breath mingling with mine as I leaned closer.


    Our lips met, soft and slow at first, as though rediscovering each other. Then the kiss deepened, a blend of passion and tenderness that spoke of all the words left unsaid in the chaos of thest few weeks.


    When we finally pulled back, her eyes were glistening, and I could see the vulnerability there. It mirrored my own. "I missed this," she admitted, her voice barely audible.


    "Me too," I said, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her against my chest.


    For the rest of the evening, we stayed like that, lost in the simplicity of each other¡¯s presence. No interruptions, no rogue attacks, no Dean. Just us. And for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt like we were reiming a piece of what had been taken from us.


    As Elena rested against my chest, her breathing steady and warm, I couldn¡¯t help but marvel at how perfectly she fit against me. Her presence was a balm, soothing every raw edge in me. Tonight wasn¡¯t just about escaping the chaos; it was about reconnecting, about showing her how much she meant to me beyond the words I could say.


    I shifted slightly, brushing a strand of her hair away from her face. She tilted her head to look at me, her eyes filled with a softness that made my chest tighten.


    "Kane," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.


    "Yes, love?" I replied, letting the endearment slip without hesitation.


    She smiled at that, her hand moving to rest against my chest, right over my heart. "Nothing. Just... thank you for this. For making me feel like I¡¯m the only thing that matters tonight."


    "You <i>are</i> the only thing that matters, Elena," I said, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Always."


    Her cheeks flushed, and I could see the shy smile ying at her lips. I tilted her chin up, wanting to see every emotion flickering in her eyes. When our lips met this time, it was deeper, slower, filled with everything I couldn¡¯t put into words.


    Her hands slid up my chest, her touch igniting a fire under my skin. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her closer until there was no space between us. The world outside ceased to exist¡ªit was just her, her warmth, her scent, the way her lips moved against mine.


    I shifted, guiding her gently so that she was lying back against the couch. My weight hovered over her as I braced myself on one arm, the other trailing down her side, feeling the curve of her waist. Her hands tangled in my hair, and her soft sighs filled the space between us, each one pulling me deeper into her orbit.


    "Elena," I whispered against her lips, my voice hoarse with emotion and desire.


    She looked up at me, her eyes darkened with passion butced with something deeper, something more profound. It made me pause, my forehead resting against hers as I tried to steady the rapid beat of my heart.


    "We should stop," I said, though every part of me rebelled against the words.


    Her lips curved into a soft smile, and she nodded, her fingers brushing against my cheek. "I know," she whispered. "But that doesn¡¯t mean I want to."


    I chuckled softly, pressing onest lingering kiss to her lips before pulling back. "If we don¡¯t stop now, love, we might not stop at all."


    Sheughed, a sound so light and pure it felt like it could banish any lingering shadows in the room. "You¡¯re probably right," she admitted, her cheeks tinged pink.


    I helped her sit up, and she leaned against me, her head resting on my shoulder. We stayed like that for a moment, catching our breath and letting the tension ease.


    "Come on," I said after a while, standing and holding out my hand to her. "Let¡¯s get to bed before I lose all my self-control."


    Sheughed again, taking my hand as I led her to our room. Once inside, I pulled back the covers and waited for her to climb in before joining her. She curled into me, her head resting against my chest as my arms wrapped around her securely.


    "I love this," she murmured sleepily.


    "What¡¯s that?" I asked, brushing my lips against the top of her head.


    "Being with you like this," she said. "Just us."


    I tightened my hold on her, my heart swelling at her words. "Me too, love. Me too."


    As her breathing evened out, signaling that she¡¯d drifted off to sleep, Iy there, staring at the ceiling. The warmth of her body against mine, the steady rhythm of her breathing¡ªit was enough to make me feel like, for the first time in a long time, everything was going to be okay.


    Tonight was a start. A step toward reiming what we¡¯d almost lost. And as I closed my eyes, thest thing I thought was how grateful I was to have her, to hold her, to call her mine.


    When I came to, it was still deep in the night. The room was quiet, but something in the air caught my attention¡ªElena¡¯s arousal. It was thick, intoxicating, wrapping around me like a warm embrace. My little mate was dreaming, and from the scent of it, it wasn¡¯t about flowers and sunshine. Naughty mate, I thought with a chuckle, my lips twitching in amusement. Was she continuing what we left off earlier?


    The thought sent a rush of heat through me. Unable to resist the pull of her, I decided to wake her with a kiss. If she was already lost in dreams about us, why not make them a reality? Leaning closer, I gently turned her face toward mine, my fingers brushing against her soft cheek. But as I tilted her chin upward to press my lips to hers, I froze.


    Her cheeks were wet.


    What the¡ª? I paused, my amusement evaporating. Her scent was still heavy in the air, but it wasced with something else now¡ªfear. My gaze darted to her face, and I noticed how stiff she was. Too stiff, not the rxed, dreamy state she should have been in.


    "Elena?" I whispered, my voice low with concern.


    Her lips trembled, and a soft whimper escaped her. My chest tightened painfully. What the hell was going on? My wolf, Ash, stirred, his protective instincts roaring to the surface as he sensed her unease. She wasn¡¯t just dreaming¡ªshe was trapped in something, and it wasn¡¯t good. I cupped her face, my thumb brushing against her wet cheek as I tried again.


    "Elena, wake up," I urged, my tone more forceful. But she didn¡¯t respond. Her body remained stiff, her breaths shallow and uneven. My gut twisted as her whimpers grew louder, more desperate. It was tearing me apart to see her like this.


    Determined to bring her out of whatever hell her mind was trapped in, I started patting her face gently. "Elena, wake up! Come back to me, love," I said, my voice growing louder, moremanding. She needed to wake up¡ªnow.


    Her whimpers turned into soft cries, and I clenched my jaw, hating every second that I couldn¡¯t pull her out of it. My hands shook slightly as I continued to call her name, my wolf pacing furiously in the back of my mind.


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, hershes fluttered, and she gasped as if she¡¯d been drowning and finally found air. I let out a breath I hadn¡¯t realized I was holding, relief washing over me. But the relief was short-lived.


    The moment her eyesnded on me, they widened in sheer terror. Before I could say a word, she shoved me away with more strength than I expected, her voice sharp and trembling as she screamed, "Stay the fuck away from me!"


    I staggered back, my heart plummeting. "Elena?" I said softly, confusion and hurt mingling in my chest. "It¡¯s me. It¡¯s Kane."


    Her wild, teary gaze darted around the room, and for a second, she looked like she was ready to bolt. I raised my hands in surrender, my voice calm despite the storm brewing inside me. "Elena, love, look at me. It¡¯s Kane. Just look at me."


    Her breathing hitched, and her eyes fell to my wrist¡ªthe tattoo we¡¯d gotten earlier today. Her expression shifted, recognition flooding her features as her gaze lingered on the intricate wolf and moon design bearing her name. The tension in her shoulders eased, and the fear in her eyes began to fade.


    "Kane," she whispered, her voice breaking as tears spilled down her cheeks.


    In the next heartbeat, she was in my arms, clinging to me as if her life depended on it. "Kane," she sobbed again, burying her face in my chest.


    I held her tightly, one hand cradling her head as the other wrapped around her trembling form. "I¡¯m here, Elena," I murmured, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head. "I¡¯ve got you. You¡¯re safe now."


    Her body shook against mine, and I could feel her tears soaking into my shirt. My heart ached for her. What the hell had she gone through in that dream? It wasn¡¯t just a bad dream; it was something far worse¡ªsomething that had left her utterly broken in those moments.


    "It¡¯s okay, love," I whispered, my hand stroking her back in slow, soothing circles. "You¡¯re safe. Whatever it was, it¡¯s over now."


    She didn¡¯t say anything, just clung to me, her cries softening into quiet sniffles. I hated seeing her like this, and I hated not knowing what had caused it. But for now, all that mattered was making sure she knew she wasn¡¯t alone. That I was here, and I wasn¡¯t going anywhere.


    We stayed like that for a while, just holding each other. When she finally stopped shaking, I eased us both back onto the bed, pulling the covers over us. She curled into me, her head resting against my chest as her breathing slowly returned to normal.


    I pressed a kiss to her forehead, my fingers tracing soothing patterns on her back. "Get some rest, love," I murmured. "I¡¯ll be right here."


    She nodded, her eyes fluttering closed. But as Iy there, staring at the ceiling, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this wasn¡¯t over. Whatever had happened, whatever she¡¯d experienced.


    For now, though, she needed peace. And I would give her that, even if it meant pushing every dark thought and suspicion out of my mind. I held her tighter, listening to her soft breaths until they lulled me into sleep. But even in my dreams, I vowed to keep her safe, no matter what.

 Chapter 120: Going Into Heat

    <h4>Chapter 120: Going Into Heat</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV:</strong>


    Morning came softly, the golden rays of the sun filtering through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Normally, the start of a new day would bring a sense of purpose, but today was different. After Elena¡¯s awful nightmare, whatever torment she had endured in her sleep, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to leave her side¡ªnot yet.


    I grabbed my phone and texted my beta, instructing him to handle the pack for the day with the help of the gamma. They were more than capable, and my priority now was Elena. I needed to make sure she was okay, not just physically but emotionally. Whatever had happenedst night had shaken her to the core, and I wasn¡¯t about to let her carry that burden alone.


    After setting things in motion, I headed for the shower, letting the warm water cascade over me. The tension from the previous night lingered in my muscles, but as the water pounded against my skin, I tried to shake off the worry. She was safe now, with me. That was all that mattered.


    By the time I stepped out, toweling off quickly and pulling on a pair of jeans and a in shirt, the bed was empty. For a moment, panic flickered in my chest, but then I heard the faint sounds of movement downstairs¡ªthe shuffle of footsteps and the tter of dishes. My heightened senses caught the unmistakable aroma of something sweet mixed with the savory scent of eggs. Pancakes.


    A small smile tugged at my lips as I realized where she was. My mate was in the kitchen, likely trying to find some normalcy after the chaos ofst night. Dressing quickly, I made my way downstairs, the smell growing stronger with each step.


    When I entered the kitchen, the sight before me made my heart swell. Elena stood by the cooker, her hair slightly messy, a soft concentration etched on her face as she flipped a pancake in the pan. The table was partially set, tes stacked neatly, and a bowl of fresh fruit sat in the center. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her like a paintinge to life.


    I leaned against the doorframe for a moment, just watching her. This was my mate¡ªthe woman who had turned my world upside down and made it better for it. Despite everything we¡¯d been through, she was still here, still fighting for us. It was humbling.


    "Good morning," I finally said, my voice soft but enough to catch her attention.


    She turned, startled for a second, before her lips curved into a small smile. "Good morning," she replied, though there was a trace of weariness in her eyes that told me she hadn¡¯tpletely shaken off the remnants of her nightmare.


    I walked over to her, closing the distance in a few strides, and ced my hands gently on her hips. "You didn¡¯t have to get up so early," I said, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear.


    "I couldn¡¯t stay in bed," she admitted, her voice quiet. "I needed to do something... normal."


    My chest tightened at her honesty. "I understand," I said, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her forehead. "But you should¡¯ve let me make you breakfast for once."


    She chuckled softly, the sound light and soothing. "You? Cook? I wouldn¡¯t want to traumatize the kitchen."


    I feigned mock offense, clutching my chest. "Ouch, Elena. That¡¯s low."


    Sheughed, and the sound was music to my ears. I couldn¡¯t help but smile, relieved to see a flicker of her usual spark returning.


    "Alright, move over," I said, gently nudging her aside. "If you insist on doing the cooking, at least let me help."


    Her brows arched in surprise. "You? Help in the kitchen?"


    I gave her a yful smirk. "Hey, I¡¯m a fast learner."


    She shook her head but didn¡¯t protest as I grabbed a bowl and started whisking the eggs she¡¯d cracked earlier. We worked side by side, and for a little while, it felt like the weight of the world had lifted. She smiled more,ughed at my attempts to flip pancakes, and even teased me when I nearly dropped the syrup.


    When the food was ready, we sat down at the table together. The meal was simple, but it felt like a feast. Watching her eat, seeing the tension gradually leave her shoulders, filled me with a sense of contentment I hadn¡¯t felt in weeks.


    "You¡¯re not bad at this," she said, taking a bite of her pancake.


    "Don¡¯t sound so surprised," I teased. "I¡¯ve got skills you don¡¯t even know about, love."


    She rolled her eyes but smiled, and for a moment, I allowed myself to believe that things were normal again. But as much as I wanted to pretend, I knew the shadow of her nightmare still lingered. I could see it in the way her gaze asionally drifted to the window, as if searching for something unseen.


    As we sat at the table finishing breakfast, I was enjoying the rare peace of the morning, the warm scent of pancakes lingering in the air, when a blur zipped into the room, stopping abruptly at the table.


    "Aww, sorry foringte. I hope you¡¯ve spared some pancakes for me," Dean said, a smug smirk stered on his face.


    Elena flinched visibly, and my wolf growled low in my chest at her reaction. She quickly shifted in her seat, her body tense, while Dean moved to the kitchen with his vampiric speed. In mere seconds, he returned with a te piled high with pancakes and a ss of juice.


    "How are you able to eat?" Elena asked, her voice uncertain but tinged with curiosity.


    Dean chuckled as he took arge bite, chewing leisurely like he didn¡¯t have a care in the world. "I¡¯m not a normal vampire, Elena. You should know that by now." He gestured toward me with his fork. "I¡¯m a piece of him. All the weaknesses of vampires don¡¯t apply to me. I¡¯m like a human with the coolness of a vampire, minus the ws." He said it so casually, as if he were discussing the weather.


    The audacity of him. The smug tone, the way he acted like he belonged here. My wolf bristled, and I could feel the heat of my anger rise. I mmed my hand on the table, rattling the tes and sses. "Why the fuck are you here?" I growled, my voice low and menacing.


    Dean didn¡¯t flinch, didn¡¯t even look concerned. He shrugged, popping another piece of pancake into his mouth. "I came to see how <i>our</i> mate is faring," he said with a smirk that set my blood boiling.


    "She¡¯s <i>mine</i>!" I snapped, the words more a growl than a statement. My wolf surged forward, ready to take control, the possessiveness burning hot and untamed. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to hold on to some semnce of control.


    Dean raised an eyebrow, his smirk never wavering. "C¡¯mon, Mom would be disappointed. Don¡¯t you know sharing is caring?" he said, his voice dripping with mockery.


    The mention of my mother hit me like a physical blow. I shot up from my chair, my fists clenched so tightly that my nails bit into my palms. "Don¡¯t you dare call her that!" I roared, my voice shaking the room.


    Dean just ignored me, casually taking another bite of pancake as if I hadn¡¯t said a word. The casual dismissal only fueled my fury. My wolf wed at me, demanding to take over and rip him apart for his insolence.


    Elena¡¯s hand came to rest lightly on mine, pulling my attention back to her. "Kane," she said softly, her voice a tether to keep me grounded. "Please don¡¯t."


    Her eyes pleaded with me, and I forced myself to take a deep breath. For her. Only for her.


    "Dean," I growled, my voice low and full of warning. "You¡¯ve overstayed your wee. Leave. Now."


    He leaned back in his chair, leisurely sipping his juice. "Rx, Kane. I¡¯m not here to cause trouble. Just checking in on Elena." His gaze shifted to her, and his smirk softened into something more genuine. "You looked like you had a rough night. I just wanted to make sure you¡¯re okay."


    The tenderness in his tone made my blood run cold. It wasn¡¯t yful or mocking¡ªit was sincere. I didn¡¯t like it one bit.


    "She¡¯s fine," I snapped before Elena could respond. "And you can leave now."


    Dean sighed dramatically, standing up and grabbing his te. "Fine, fine. I¡¯ll leave. But you know, Kane, you can¡¯t ignore this forever. Whether you like it or not, Elena is <i>our</i> mate. The truth doesn¡¯t change just because you want it to."


    Dean was halfway to the door when Elena suddenly let out a sharp gasp, clutching her stomach. My attention snapped to her immediately, my wolf growling in rm.


    "Elena?" I called, rising from my chair.


    Before I could reach her, she swayed in her seat, her face twisting in pain. "Make it stop... it¡¯s burning," she whimpered, her voice trembling as she clutched at the edge of the table for support.


    Her body went rigid, and then she copsed, sliding out of the chair and onto the floor.


    "Elena!" I was at her side in an instant, scooping her up into my arms. Her skin was flushed, her breathing shallow and erratic. Her scent hit me like a freight train¡ªsweet and intoxicating, but overwhelming. It was stronger, more potent than ever before, and realization struck me like a lightning bolt.


    She was going into heat.

 Chapter 121: Heat

    <h4>Chapter 121: Heat</h4>


    "Shit," I muttered, holding her tightly as her body trembled against mine. This wasn¡¯t supposed to happen¡ªnot yet. She wasn¡¯t marked, and without the mate bond solidified, her heat would be unbearable. Painful. My wolf howled inside me, desperate to ease her suffering.


    Dean, who had paused mid-step, turned back toward us, his expression darkening as he sniffed the air. "Well, this is... unexpected," he muttered, though his tonecked his usual smugness.


    "Get the hell out," I snarled, my voice filled with barely restrained fury.


    Dean hesitated, his gaze lingering on Elena. The possessive growl that tore from my throat made it clear I wasn¡¯t in the mood for negotiation.


    As I held Elena in my arms, her trembling body radiating unbearable heat, I turned to head upstairs. Before I could take another step, Dean zoomed in, blocking my path. His dark eyes gleamed with that infuriating smirk on his face.


    "I don¡¯t think you should be the one handling her," he said, his tone dripping with smugness. "With her scent this tempting, your wolf will snap. Just let me take care of her."


    My grip on Elena tightened instinctively. <i>Like hell I¡¯d trust him.</i> "Fuck off, Dean," I growled, my voice low and dangerous.


    But he didn¡¯t back down, leaning closer instead. "Your wolf won¡¯t be able to resist the temptation, Kane. She¡¯s ours¡ª"


    I cut him off with a snarl, my wolf rising to the surface, challenging him. "She¡¯s <i>mine.</i> I don¡¯t need your help, so stay the fuck away from her."


    Dean didn¡¯t flinch. He cocked his head, his voice dropping into a low purr. "She¡¯s my beloved too, Kane. Ignoring that won¡¯t change it. Give her to me¡ª"


    "Shut the fuck up!" My roar echoed through the room, shaking the walls. I could feel my control slipping, my wolf and my own fury wing at the edges of my mind. But I wouldn¡¯t lose myself. Not now. Elena needed me. <i>Not him.</i>


    Without another word, I pushed past him, refusing to waste another second bickering while my mate was suffering.


    Her scent, sweet and maddening, was suffocating me, fueling every primal instinct I had. My wolf was on a rampage, wing at my sanity. The heat radiating from her skin, the way her body arched slightly as if seeking relief¡ªit was almost impossible to concentrate.


    Dean followed me up the stairs, his presence like a dark cloud at my back. I was this close to turning around and knocking him out of my damn house, but my priorities were clear: Elena came first.


    I carried her to the bathroom, ignoring Dean¡¯s muttered remarks, and ced her gently in the bathtub. Twisting the faucet, I let the cold water flow, hoping to cool her down.


    The shock of the cold made her gasp, her eyelids fluttering open briefly. Her soft whimper tugged at my heart, but I knew this was the only way to ease her heat without...plicating things further.


    "Kane," she murmured, her voice a mix of relief and desperation.


    "I¡¯m here, love," I said softly, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face. My fingers lingered for a moment too long, and my wolf growled in approval.


    Dean leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed, watching us like a predator. "You¡¯re fighting a losing battle, Kane," he said, his voice smug. "You know how this ends."


    I turned my head, baring my teeth at him. "Get out."


    He tilted his head, studying me as if debating whether to push further. After a moment, he shrugged and smirked. "Suit yourself. But don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you."


    With that, he finally disappeared, leaving me alone with Elena.


    I took a deep breath, focusing on the sound of the water and the sight of her calming down. Her breathing steadied, though her scent lingered, intoxicating me.


    When her eyes opened again, they met mine, and I saw the trust she ced in me¡ªeven in her vulnerable state. My wolf howled, not in anger or frustration this time, but in fierce protectiveness.


    "You¡¯ll be okay, love," I said, more to myself than to her. "I¡¯ve got you."


    No matter the struggle, no matter what Dean imed, I would never let her down. <i>She was mine.</i><i></i>


    I thought she was easing out of her heat. The cold shower seemed to help, her trembling subsiding as her breathing returned to something close to normal. Thinking it was safe, I lifted her out of the tub, her damp body curling into mine instinctively.


    Her skin was warm under my hands, and her scent was still maddeningly potent, but I forced myself to focus on drying her off. I grabbed a towel, gently running it along her shoulders and down her arms, trying to ignore how soft her skin felt beneath my fingers.


    But then she shifted, her breath hitching as her hands clung to my chest. Her eyes, half-lidded and heavy with need, locked onto mine, and I knew immediately what was happening.


    She wasn¡¯t calming down.


    Her heat was hitting her harder now, and her body¡ªtraitorous as it was¡ªwas seeking relief. She leaned into me, her fingers brushing over my chest, igniting a fire under my skin.


    "Elena," I whispered, trying to pull back. "This isn¡¯t you... it¡¯s the heat talking."


    But my wolf wasn¡¯t helping.


    Images started bombarding me¡ªdark, wicked visions of Elena beneath me, writhing in pleasure, her lips parted as she gasped my name. My mind conjured her in every position imaginable: pinned beneath me, bent over, on her knees, her body pressed against the wall as I took her.


    The worst were the images of her in submission¡ªher wrists bound, her body tied up in intricate knots, her eyes begging for more. My wolf growled in satisfaction, pushing these sinful fantasies deeper into my mind.


    I tried to shake it off, but then Elena¡¯s hand moved lower, brushing over my abdomen.


    "Elena," I warned, my voice rough and strained.


    But she didn¡¯t stop. Her delicate fingers found their way to my cock, and with an innocent yet utterly seductive touch, she began to stroke me.


    Fuck. That was it. My self-control snapped like a taut string.


    A guttural growl ripped from my throat as Iunched onto her, capturing her lips in a fierce, desperate kiss. She moaned into my mouth, her hands still stroking me, driving me further into madness.


    My hands roamed her body, caressing every curve, every inch of her that was mine. I squeezed her hips, then moved to her perfect ass, giving it a sharp spank that made her gasp.


    "Mine," I growled against her lips, nipping at her lower lip before trailing hot kisses down her neck. "You¡¯re mine, Elena."


    She whimpered, her body arching into me, her scent intoxicating me further. My wolf was in ecstasy, howling with approval as I imed her mouth again, my tongue exploring, tasting, savoring her like she was the sweetest thing I¡¯d ever had.


    Her hands tangled in my hair, tugging as she pressed herself closer, her heat radiating between us. I couldn¡¯t think anymore, couldn¡¯t hold back the fire roaring inside me. All I knew was that she was mine, and I needed her¡ª<i>now.</i>


    The lust was unbearable, a fire burning through me, and she was the only thing that could douse it. Her scent was intoxicating, drawing me closer until I was utterly lost to her.


    I reached for her, my hands sliding up her thighs, gripping them as I lifted her effortlessly. She gasped, her lips parting as her arms wrapped tightly around my neck, and her legs locked instinctively around my waist.


    Her body pressed against mine, and I could feel every curve, every soft, warm inch of her against my aching need. The tension between us was electric, and the pull of the bond made it impossible to think about anything else.


    We were still in the bathroom, but stopping wasn¡¯t an option. My wolf howled in satisfaction as she clung to me, her lips seeking mine, her fingers tangling in my hair.


    Somehow, I managed to carry her to the bedroom, my lips never leaving hers. Every step felt like an eternity, the desire between us growing hotter and heavier. By the time we reached the wall, I couldn¡¯t hold back.


    I pressed her back against the surface, my hands braced on either side of her to keep myself steady. Her breath came in soft gasps as I tore at the waistband of her panties, desperate to feel her, to have her.


    Sliding my fingers between her thighs, I found her wet and ready, her body reacting to mine in the most primal way. She moaned at my touch, her head falling back against the wall as her fingers tightened in my hair.


    "Mine," I growled, the sound low and guttural, more beast than man.


    I freed myself, my cock throbbing as I lined myself up. The need to im her, to make her mine in every way, was overwhelming.


    But just as I was about to take her, the door to the bedroom banged open with a crash that echoed like a thunderp.


    Dean.


    "Doing the naughty naughty without me?" he drawled, his voiceced with smug amusement.


    Before I could react, he used his vampiric speed to push me off her, his grip like steel as he yanked her from my arms. The sheer force sent me staggering back, my wolf roaring in rage and frustration as the fog of lust and heat began to clear from my mind.


    Dean had her.


    He zoomed away with her, vanishing before I could even regain my bnce.


    "Fuck!" I bellowed, mming my fist into the wall, the ster cracking beneath my knuckles. "Fuck, fuck, fuck!"


    My mind raced with fury and regret, the image of her in Dean¡¯s arms fueling my rage. I¡¯d been so lost, so consumed by her heat and scent, that I¡¯d almost...


    I sank to my knees, my hands trembling as I tried to collect myself. My wolf snarled, pacing in my head, demanding that I go after them, but I couldn¡¯t move.


    How could I have let this happen? How could I have let my instincts control me sopletely?


    My chest heaved as I forced myself to think. Dean had her, but he wouldn¡¯t hurt her¡ªnot physically. He was obsessed, possessive, but he wouldn¡¯t risk her wrath by crossing that line.


    Still, the thought of him near her, touching her, made my blood boil.


    I need to find them.

 Chapter 122: Heat(II)

    <h4>Chapter 122: Heat(II)</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    Breakfast with Kane had started off surprisingly normal, considering the chaos that was my lifetely. His goofy antics and warm presence helped me momentarily forget the horrors of the night before. The nightmare¡ªor more urately, the <i>vision</i>¡ªlingered at the edge of my mind, a constant, suffocating reminder of what had transpired.


    Then the star of that very nightmare appeared.


    Dean zoomed into the dining room without so much as a knock or an announcement. Of course, I shouldn¡¯t have expected him to. The air in the room shifted instantly, and a shiver ran down my spine. My hand gripped my fork tightly as I fought to stayposed.


    "What the fuck are you doing here?" Kane growled, his voice dripping with fury.


    Dean, as always, remainedpletely unbothered by Kane¡¯s rage. Instead, he zipped into the kitchen at vampiric speed, reappearing momentster with a te of pancakes and a ss of juice. He casually sat down at the table, acting like he owned the ce.


    "I came to see how our mate is faring," Dean said smoothly, his sharp gazending on me.


    That look¡ªGod, that knowing look¡ªset my blood on fire, but not in a good way. He knew. The bastard <i>knew.</i> He was talking about the nightmare, the one that wasn¡¯t really a nightmare. Somehow, someway, Dean had invaded my mind. He¡¯d turned me into a puppet, controlling me, trapping me, making me feel things I didn¡¯t want to feel.


    It had been too vivid, too real to dismiss as just a bad dream. The sensation of his hands, his voice, his kiss¡ªit all lingered, taunting me even now.


    I wanted to scream, to demand answers, but my throat felt dry, and my mind was spinning too fast. Instead, I found myself distracted by the oddest thing: Dean eating.


    One minute, I was casually eating pancakes and marveling at the absurdity of my life, and the next, I was staring at Dean as he gulped down pancakes like a starved man.


    Do vampires eat?


    The question slipped out before I could stop myself. "How are you even able to eat that?"


    Dean looked up mid-bite, his lips twitching into an amused grin. He chewed deliberately before answering, savoring the moment as if it was some grand joke. "I¡¯m not a regr vampire, sweetheart," he said, leaning back in his chair.


    I blinked, confused and irritated. "What does that even mean?"


    "It means," he continued, gesturing at Kane, "I¡¯m a part of him. All the vulnerabilities of vampires don¡¯t apply to me. Sunlight, garlic, holy water¡ªit¡¯s all meaningless to me. I¡¯m practically human, just with all the perks of being a vampire and none of the downsides."


    I stared at him, trying to wrap my head around his words. "So... you¡¯re like some sort of invincible vampire?"


    "Exactly," he said, his grin widening. "Pretty cool, huh?"


    Cool wasn¡¯t exactly the word I¡¯d use, but I didn¡¯t say that out loud. Instead, I tried to focus on my pancakes, ignoring the way he and Kane were practically bristling at each other across the table.


    Kane, on the other hand, looked ready to explode. His fists clenched, and his jaw tightened as he red at Dean. "You¡¯re not wee here," he spat.


    Dean shrugged,pletely unfazed. "C¡¯mon, Kane. Mom would be disappointed in you. Don¡¯t you know sharing is caring?"


    The casual way he mentioned <i>Mom</i> made my stomach churn. Kane¡¯s growl reverberated through the room, low and dangerous. "Don¡¯t you dare call her that," he snapped, his voice thick with rage and grief.


    Dean, as always, ignored him. He continued eating like nothing had happened, as if he wasn¡¯t the walking embodiment of chaos.


    I sat there, caught between the storm brewing between the two of them and the weight of my own turbulent thoughts. Dean¡¯s presence was a reminder ofst night, of the control he had over me, and the way he seemed to revel in it.


    I gritted my teeth, trying to block out his smug expression and the panic rising in my chest. Whatever Dean was nning, whatever game he was ying, I needed to find a way to stop him.


    But first, I needed to survive breakfast.


    By the way, did I mention how absolutely insane it is to have two people who look exactly the same sitting in the same room? It¡¯s like staring into a mirror with a distorted reflection. One side¡ªthe real Kane¡ªradiated warmth and steadiness, even when he was furious. The other¡ªDean¡ªwas all smirks and mischief, like a storm that could destroy everything in its path but looked damn good while doing it.


    It was unnerving.


    And honestly, exhausting.


    I thought breakfast would be the worst of it¡ªawkward and tense, with Dean pushing all the wrong buttons and Kane barely holding himself together. But I was wrong.


    So, so wrong.


    The first sign was subtle, like a flicker of warmth that didn¡¯t belong. I brushed it off as difort, given how tense the morning had been. But the warmth turned into heat, an unbearable ze that spread through my body like wildfire. My skin felt like it was burning¡ªnot the feverish kind of warmth, but something primal and consuming.


    I gasped, clutching the edge of the table, but the world tilted, and my knees gave out. I hit the floor hard, groaning, my body convulsing as the sensation intensified. My skin was slick with sweat, and every nerve in my body felt like it was on fire.


    "<i>Elena!</i>" Kane¡¯s voice broke through the haze, sharp and panicked. He was beside me in seconds, his hands on my shoulders as he tried to steady me.


    But I couldn¡¯t focus on him, on anything. The pain was overwhelming, but there was something else underneath it¡ªan unbearable need wing at my insides. My mind was a mess of conflicting sensations, torn between the agony and an inexplicable, insatiable desire to be imed, to be marked.


    "Fuck," I groaned, my voice raw and trembling. "I¡ªI think... I think I¡¯m going into heat."


    Kane froze for a moment, his wide eyes locking with mine as the realization dawned on him. His face contorted in a mix of concern, fear, and something darker¡ªsomething his wolf was clearly struggling to suppress.


    "Elena," he said hoarsely, his voice tight with strain, "I need to get you somewhere safe. Away from... him."


    Dean¡¯sughter echoed in the room, low and smug. "Well, well, looks like things just got interesting," he drawled, leaning casually against the counter like this was his favorite show.


    "Get the fuck out, Dean!" Kane snarled, his voice a deep, guttural growl that made the air in the room vibrate.


    But Dean didn¡¯t move. Instead, he watched me, his sharp, predatory gaze sending shivers down my spine. "She¡¯s in heat, brother," he said, his tone almost teasing. "You really think you can handle this without losing control? You¡¯re already struggling, and we both know it."


    Kane ignored him, his focus solely on me. He scooped me up effortlessly, cradling me against his chest as I whimpered, clutching at his shirt. His scent was intoxicating, and it only fueled the fire raging inside me. I pressed my face into his neck, desperate for relief, for something to ease the ache consuming me.


    "Kane," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "It hurts... please..."


    His body tensed, and I could feel the battle he was waging within himself. His wolf was wing at the surface, desperate to respond to my plea, but Kane¡¯s resolve was iron.


    "I¡¯ve got you," he murmured, his voice strained. "I¡¯ll take care of you, Elena. Just hold on."


    As he carried me toward the stairs, Dean¡¯s voice rang out behind us. "If you need help, you know where to find me," he said, his toneced with amusement.


    Kane didn¡¯t stop, didn¡¯t look back, but his growl reverberated through the house, a clear warning to stay away.


    I barely registered anything else. The heat, the ache, the overwhelming need¡ªit drowned out everything else. All I knew was that I needed Kane, needed his touch, his mark, to make it stop.


    But even through the haze, a small, terrified part of me wondered if Kane could hold on¡ªif either of us could.


    Wherever Kane¡¯s hands touched, the unbearable heat subsided, if only for a fleeting moment. It was like his touch held some magic, a balm against the raging inferno inside me. I clung to those moments of relief, even as they slipped away the second his hands moved.


    Through the haze of my burning need, I thought I heard Kane¡¯s voice¡ªangry, forceful,manding Dean to leave. My mind could barely hold onto the words, too consumed by the overwhelming sensations coursing through my body.


    The next thing I knew, I was submerged in cold water.


    The shock of it jolted me, dragging me back from the edge of madness. I gasped, my body shuddering as the icy chill pierced through the oppressive heat. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I could breathe.


    I blinked, trying to focus through the steam and the fog clouding my mind. The cool waterpped against my skin, a soothing contrast to the fire raging inside me. For a brief, blissful moment, it felt like I could think again, like I had a grip on myself.


    Kane knelt beside the tub, his hands resting on the edge as he watched me intently. His face was etched with worry, his jaw tight, his wolf barely contained. I could see it in his eyes¡ªthe struggle to stay in control, to protect me without sumbing to the primal instincts wing at him.


    "Elena," he said softly, his voice trembling slightly. "I¡¯m here. I¡¯ve got you."


    I nodded weakly, unable to form words, but my gaze met his, and I hoped he understood my silent gratitude.


    The relief didn¡¯tst long. The water cooled my skin, but it couldn¡¯t quench the inferno inside me. The heat red again, pulsing through me with renewed intensity. My back arched involuntarily, and a strangled cry escaped my lips.

 Chapter 123: Heat (III)

    <h4>Chapter 123: Heat (III)</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    Kane reached for me instinctively, his hand brushing against my arm, and Itched onto him like he was my lifeline. His touch offered that small measure of relief again, and I craved it, needed more of it.


    "Kane..." I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Don¡¯t leave me..."


    "I¡¯m not going anywhere," he said firmly, but I could hear the strain in his voice, see the battle in his eyes.


    I clung to him, my trembling hands grasping his arms as he tried to keep me steady. Every brush of his fingers against my skin sent a shiver of relief through me, and my body responded instinctively, craving more. I felt the heat rise in a different way, my need shifting from pain to something far more primal.


    I leaned into him, my hands sliding up to his shoulders as I buried my face against his neck. His scent, his warmth¡ªit was intoxicating, and I couldn¡¯t help but press closer, seeking thefort and the reprieve only he could offer.


    "Cold water isn¡¯t enough," I murmured, barely recognizing my own voice. "Please... Kane..."


    He froze, his breath hitching as my words sank in. I felt his muscles tense beneath my touch, his wolf surging closer to the surface.


    "Elena," he said, his voice low and strained. "You¡¯re not yourself right now. This is the heat talking."


    I didn¡¯t care. All I knew was that I needed him. My fingers tangled in his shirt, pulling him closer as I whispered, "I need you... please..."


    For a moment, he didn¡¯t move, his resolve wavering as his wolf fought for control. His hands gripped the edge of the tub so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and I could see the war raging within him.


    But then he shook his head, his jaw clenched as he forced himself to pull back. "I won¡¯t take advantage of you like this," he said firmly, his voice shaking with the effort it took to restrain himself.


    I whimpered, the rejection cutting through the haze of desire. But deep down, a part of me knew he was right. Even as the heat consumed me, I knew this wasn¡¯t how I wanted it to happen.


    Kane reached for a towel, his hands trembling slightly as he wrapped it around me. He lifted me out of the tub, cradling me against his chest as he carried me toward the bedroom.


    "I¡¯ll get you through this," he murmured, his voice soft but determined. "I promise."


    And despite the storm raging inside me, I believed him. Kane was my anchor, my protector, and I knew he would keep me safe¡ªeven from myself.


    The heat intensified, clouding my mind, blurring every thought except one¡ªKane. My body was no longer my own, driven entirely by the primal urges that the heat had unleashed. Every inch of me ached for him, and before I could even process what I was doing, my hands were exploring, trembling yet determined.


    My fingers found their way into his pants, the fabric barely concealing the hardness beneath. I gasped softly, the sheer size of him startling and thrilling me all at once. I¡¯d never done this before, but memories of the romance novel I¡¯d devoured flooded my mind, guiding me. I wrapped my fingers around him, tentative at first, then bolder as I felt his reaction.


    Kane groaned, his head tilting back slightly, his control slipping with each stroke of my hand. His breaths grew ragged, his body taut beneath my touch. He was impossibly hard, impossibly big, and the sound of his deep, guttural moans sent a thrill through me, feeding the fire that burned inside.


    "Elena," he growled, his voice a mix of restraint and desperate desire.


    One thing led to another, the heat between us too intense to resist. In a blur of movement, Kane had me pinned against the wall, his powerful frame pressing into mine. His lips imed mine with a hunger that matched my own, his kiss deep and thorough, stealing the very breath from my lungs.


    I kissed him back fervently, my fingers tangling in his hair as his hands roamed my body, igniting sparks wherever they touched. My wolf, Zena, howled with satisfaction, urging me on, reveling in the intimacy. I was too far gone, too consumed by the haze of lust to consider whether this was how I wanted my first time to be. All that mattered was the burning need and the man who could quench it.


    The heat was unlike anything I¡¯d ever experienced. It was as though I¡¯d been injected with pure aphrodite, a drug that only Kane¡¯s touch could soothe.


    His hands gripped the hem of my dress, pushing it up with a kind of frantic urgency. He tore away my panties with a growl, the sound reverberating through me and adding to the whirlwind of sensations. The cool air brushed against my bare skin, a stark contrast to the heat pulsing through my body.


    Kane¡¯s own restraint was slipping, his need mirroring mine. The intoxicating scent released by my heat, the pheromones designed to attract and drive a male wolf to the brink, had him trembling. His wolf was wing at the surface, demanding to im me, to satisfy the primal urges that neither of us could ignore.


    My body betrayed me, arching into him, my lips parting to whisper his name like a plea.


    In that moment, there was no logic, no hesitation¡ªjust need, raw and undeniable. My world narrowed to Kane, his touch, his presence. The heat consumed me, and I surrendered to it, to him,pletely.


    I was so ready goddess I was so wet and the moment his fingers went to inspect a shrill pleasure run through me from the small friction.


    The fire in my body was unrelenting, and as Kane¡¯s fingers explored me, a rush of pleasure ignited through my veins. Every nerve in my body screamed for him, for the release I so desperately craved. When I heard the faint sound of his zipper, my heart leaped in anticipation. This was it¡ªI was ready to be his, ready to be imed, to have this unbearable heat extinguished.


    But just as I braced myself, a sudden force wrenched Kane away from me. The absence of his touch was like a cold p to my fevered body. My knees buckled, and I nearly fell, but strong arms caught me, cradling me as if I were made of ss.


    Before I could even register what was happening, I was zooming through the house, the world around me a blur. My body, still aching from the heat, pulsed with frustration. I was so close¡ªso damn close¡ªand now it felt like I was being dragged away from salvation.


    I twisted in the arms that held me, ready tosh out at whoever dared to interrupt, but I froze when I looked up. A familiar face loomed over me, one that could have been Kane¡¯s if not for the wicked smirk and glint of mischief in his eyes.


    Dean.


    He carried me effortlessly zooming into a small cottage nestled deep within the woods. The air was cooler here, the space quiet, but the heat roaring inside me didn¡¯t care. My body didn¡¯t care. It recognized only one thing: the male before me.


    Deanid me gently on a couch, his hands lingering for a moment longer than necessary. My breath hitched as I stared into his eyes, a deep, dark mirror of Kane¡¯s.


    "No," I whispered, my voice trembling. My mind knew the truth, but my body¡ªtraitorous and consumed by the inferno of my heat¡ªdidn¡¯t care. The scent of a mate surrounded me, intoxicating and maddening. My wolf stirred, confused but willing, desperate for relief, for touch, for him.


    Dean crouched in front of me, his hand brushing a strand of hair from my flushed face. His touch sent shivers down my spine, and I hated how my body reacted. I should have been furious, but instead, I leaned into his hand, my skin craving the contact.


    "Your body knows, little wolf," Dean murmured, his voice smooth and low, dripping with confidence. "It doesn¡¯t care if it¡¯s me or him. You¡¯re ours, Elena. Both of ours."


    "No," I choked out again, trying to summon the strength to push him away, to fight the pull, but my body betrayed me. The heat, relentless and consuming, made every thought hazy, every movement sluggish.


    Dean¡¯s gaze darkened as he leaned closer, his breath warm against my lips. "It¡¯s okay," he whispered. "I¡¯ll take care of you. Let me take care of you."


    My wolf howled in confusion and need, torn between the familiar bond with Kane and the undeniable lure of Dean. My mind screamed to resist, but my body moved of its own ord, inching closer to him, desperate for the relief he promised.


    I hated myself for it.


    I hated how my body arched toward him, how his touch ignited sparks across my skin.


    And yet, in that moment, I couldn¡¯t stop it. The heat had mepletely under its spell, and all I could do was sumb.

 Chapter 124: Sinning With The Vampire

    <h4>Chapter 124: Sinning With The Vampire</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    As Dean leaned in, his breath warm against my lips, every fiber of my body betrayed me. The logical part of my brain screamed to resist, to push him away, but it was drowned out by the inferno of my heat. When his lips grazed mine, a shiver coursed through me, leaving me powerless to stop myself from leaning closer.


    And then he kissed me.


    It wasn¡¯t hesitant or testing¡ªit was confident, consuming, and utterly maddening. The moment his lips imed mine, something inside me snapped. My body responded without thought, without restraint. I kissed him back with a hunger I didn¡¯t know I possessed, my hands instinctively gripping his shirt as if anchoring myself to him.


    Dean pulled back for just a second, his forehead resting against mine. His breath came in shallow pants, his eyes darkened with desire as he stared down at me. "You¡¯re so tempting, little wolf," he murmured, his voice rough and dripping with raw need. "So tempting it¡¯s maddening."


    The next kiss wasn¡¯t on my lips but along my jaw, his mouth trailing down slowly, deliberately, as if savoring every inch of my skin. My body arched into him, the heat roaring within me making me crave every touch, every kiss.


    "Fuck," he whispered against my skin, his voice hoarse and tinged with desperation. "You have no idea what you do to me."


    I hated how much I wanted him. Or maybe I didn¡¯t. Maybe it was just the heat speaking, or maybe it was the fact that my body seemed to know no difference between Kane and Dean.


    I should have fought harder, but every nerve in my body screamed for release, for his touch. My fingers tangled in his hair as I pulled him closer, my wolf practically purring in approval.


    "Dean..." I whispered, my voice trembling with both need and hesitation.


    "Shh," he soothed, his lips brushing the sensitive spot just beneath my ear. "I know, little wolf. I know what you need."


    And I hated that he was right. My body craved him, yearned for the relief only he¡ªor Kane¡ªcould provide. The lines between them blurred in my heat-fogged mind, leaving me vulnerable to every touch, every whispered word.


    My heart ached with the confusion of it all, but my body didn¡¯t care. All it knew was that I needed to quench the fire consuming me, and at that moment, Dean was the only thing that offered a chance of salvation and the avable one.


    The sound of fabric tearing barely registered as Dean yanked my dress off, the cool air of the room brushing against my heated skin. His eyes roamed over me, dark and full of something primal, something dangerous. "Goddess," he breathed, his voice low and reverent. "You¡¯re more beautiful than I ever imagined."


    But his words were a distant echo. I couldn¡¯t focus on anything but the insatiable fire consuming me from the inside out. I didn¡¯t care about his awe, his words, or the way his gaze lingered on every inch of my exposed body. All I cared about was the maddening heat driving me to the brink of insanity.


    Iunched myself at him, desperate and feral, my hands clutching at his shirt, pulling him closer, needing him closer. Relief¡ªit was the only thing that mattered. My lips found his with unrelenting force, and I kissed him like a starving woman, pouring every ounce of my frustration and desire into the connection.


    As his hands gripped my waist, his touch ignited new mes that spread like wildfire. Every ce his fingers brushed felt like a spark catching on dry wood, stoking the inferno within me to an unbearable level.


    "Dean..." I panted, my voice trembling with need.


    He groaned against my lips, his hands tightening on my hips as if he was fighting his own battle to stay in control. "You¡¯re driving me insane, little wolf," he rasped, his lips trailing down my neck, leaving a path of scorching kisses in their wake.


    My wolf, Zena, howled in approval, reveling in the attention and urging me to surrenderpletely. I wed at his back, my nails dragging over his shirt in frustration, wanting¡ªno, needing¡ªmore. Every rational thought was drowned in the overwhelming haze of lust and heat.


    My mind, the part of me that wasn¡¯t consumed by the primal need, screamed that this wasn¡¯t right. That this wasn¡¯t how it was supposed to be. But that voice was distant, buried underyers of wanton desire and the relentless demands of my wolf.


    "Please," I whispered, though I wasn¡¯t sure if I was begging him to stop or to keep going.


    "You¡¯re mine," Dean growled against my skin, his voice dark and possessive. "You¡¯ll always be mine."


    And despite every shred of logic and reason that had abandoned me, I didn¡¯t deny it. Not as my hands clung to him, not as my body betrayed me again and again. I waspletely lost, consumed by the fire and the maddening, unrelenting lust that he seemed to feed with every touch.


    "Fuck, little wolf," Dean growled against my skin, his breath hot and his voice dripping with raw hunger. "I want to fuck you until you can¡¯t walk, until you forget everything but me. I¡¯ll make sure you never forget who you belong to."


    His words sent a jolt of electricity straight through me, igniting the mes of desire that already burned fiercely. My body arched into him as his hands roamed freely, caressing every curve, every sensitive spot that left me gasping. His mouth found my breast, and thebination of his tongue and teeth on my sensitive skin made my head spin.


    "Dean..." I whimpered, clutching at his shoulders, my nails digging into his skin as waves of pleasure coursed through me.


    His hands were everywhere¡ªpossessive, demanding, and worshipping all at once. "You love it, don¡¯t you?" he whispered, his voice low and sinful, as though he was reading every forbidden thought in my mind. "The way I touch you. The way I talk to you. It makes you crave me more, doesn¡¯t it?"


    I couldn¡¯t deny it. His filthy words, the way his mouth devoured my skin, the way his hands imed me¡ªit was maddening. My wolf, Zena, howled her agreement, urging me to let go, to give in to the heat and the primal pull.


    "Tell me you want it," he demanded, his voice rough as his hands moved to grip my hips, pulling me flush against him. His hardness pressed against me, and I gasped at the contact, the friction sending a new wave of heat crashing over me.


    "I... I want it," I admitted, breathless and trembling, my body betraying mepletely.


    His lips curled into a wicked grin against my skin. "Good girl," he murmured, his voice dark and filled with promise.


    The way he spoke, the way he moved¡ªit was like he was trying to brand himself onto me, to make sure I would never forget him. And Goddess help me, in that moment, I didn¡¯t care. I wanted him as much as he wanted me, the heat and lust drowning out any rational thought or hesitation.


    Dean¡¯s hands tightened on my hips, and his mouth returned to my breast, drawing a loud moan from my lips. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, needing more. Every touch, every word, every sensation pushed me further into the haze of desire.


    His voice was like a drug, intoxicating and irresistible. "I¡¯m going to make you mine in every way, little wolf," he promised, his hands sliding down to grip my thighs, his touch sending sparks dancing across my skin.


    And in that moment, lost in the fire and the overwhelming need, I couldn¡¯t find it in me to resist.


    Dean¡¯s groan reverberated through the room as his hot breath fanned over my trembling body. "Fuck, your arousal... it¡¯s intoxicating," he muttered, his voice raw and thick with desire. His lips hovered dangerously close to my center, and the anticipation was maddening. "I want to taste you," he dered before diving in, his tonguepping at me with a hunger that stole the air from my lungs.


    I cried out, my back arching as pleasure shot through me like a lightning bolt. His tongue was merciless, exploring and teasing every inch of me until my moans turned into desperate screams. I was so close to unraveling, my body taut like a bowstring, every nerve ending alight with fire.


    "You¡¯re so fucking ready," he growled, pulling away just long enough to undo his belt and shove his trousers down in one swift motion. His dark eyes locked onto mine, filled with a feral need that sent shivers cascading down my spine.


    But before he moved any closer, he paused, his gaze shifting to my thigh. A wicked grin spread across his face, and I barely had time to process his intent before he spoke again. "Before I enter you... I need to drink from you," he said, his fangs shing as he leaned down.


    "Dean¡ª" I gasped, but the words died on my lips as his teeth sank into the sensitive flesh of my inner thigh.


    The initial sting of the bite sent a sharp jolt through me, but it was quickly drowned out by a wave of ecstasy so powerful that I cried out, my hands gripping the sheets beneath me as my body quivered uncontrobly. It wasn¡¯t pain¡ªit was something far more potent, a twisted blend of pleasure and desire that left me breathless.


    A fire ignited deep within me, spreading through my veins and pooling low in my belly. The heat intensified, and I felt myself teetering on the edge, the sensation so overwhelming that I nearly came right then and there.


    Dean groaned against my skin, his mouth moving as he drank from me, his hands gripping my thighs to keep me still. "You taste... divine," he murmured between breaths, his voice filled with reverence and lust.


    My body was betraying me in the most deliciously sinful way, every sensation heightened to an unbearable degree. Thebination of his bite, his hands, and the heat coursing through me was too much to handle, and I could feel myself spiraling, losing controlpletely.


    "Dean," I whimpered, my voice trembling with need, my body aching for him to finish what he had started.


    He then position himself his cock aligning with my center as he slowly enter me an inch by inch.


    Dean¡¯s expression morphed from lustful determination to shocked restraint the moment he began to enter me. His hands trembled slightly as he paused, his dark eyes flicking to my face, searching for something. "Fuck... you¡¯re so tight," he groaned, his voice thick with desire. Then he stilledpletely, his brow furrowing. "Wait... are you a virgin?"

 Chapter 125: He Isn’t What He Claims To Be

    <h4>Chapter 125: He Isn¡¯t What He ims To Be</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    I bit my lip and nodded, heat rushing to my cheeks despite the fire of the heat coursing through me. The admission seemed to hit him like a freight train. "Shit," he cursed, his body going rigid. He withdrew instantly, retreating as if I¡¯d physically burned him. "You haven¡¯t... you haven¡¯t had sex with Kane?" he asked, though it was clear he already knew the answer.


    The intensity in his voice and the way he backed away sent a flicker of confusion through the haze of my heat. My body screamed in frustration, aching for relief, but Dean¡¯s demeanor had shiftedpletely. "Fuck," he muttered under his breath, quickly pulling his pants back on. He ran a hand through his hair, looking torn between a thousand conflicting emotions.


    "What... what are you doing?" I stammered, my voice thick with need. My mind was a swirl of desperation and confusion. All I knew was that my body craved to be imed, and the denial was driving me mad.


    Dean didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, he moved with lightning speed, scooping me up into his arms as though I weighed nothing. I barely registered the motion before he was zooming through the house, his speed making the world blur around us. In seconds, we were in the bathroom.


    He set me down in the bathtub and turned on the tap, the icy water sshing over my overheated skin. The shock of it jolted me slightly closer to sanity, though the relief was minimalpared to the inferno raging inside me.


    "I¡¯m sorry, little wolf," Dean murmured, his voice gentler now. "But this... this isn¡¯t how it should happen."


    Before I could respond, he vanished from the room, only to reappear secondster with a bucket of ice in his hands. Without hesitation, he dumped the ice into the tub, the freezing cold cutting through the haze of lust and bringing me a step closer to rity.


    He didn¡¯t stop there. Dean continued to zoom in and out of the bathroom, bringing more ice each time. With each addition, the water grew colder, the numbing sensation gradually taming the unbearable heat that had consumed me.


    The bath was nearly overflowing with ice by the time he stopped. My teeth chattered as the cold finally began to overpower the heat. I clung to the edge of the tub, my body trembling violently from the temperature shift.


    Dean crouched beside the tub, his eyes filled with a mix of guilt and something I couldn¡¯t quite ce. "You¡¯ll hate me for this," he muttered softly, almost to himself. "But it¡¯s better than the alternative."


    I was too exhausted to respond, my body caught between the lingering effects of the heat and the numbing cold. All I could do was close my eyes and let the icy water work its magic, hoping against hope that this torment would soone to an end.


    I didn¡¯t know how long I¡¯d been in the tub. Time had blurred, lost to the icy relief and the overwhelming exhaustion that had finally pulled me under. The heat that had burned through my body had dulled to an ember, but I still felt fragile, as if the slightest spark could reignite it.


    I stirred weakly, my senses returning in fragmented waves. The first thing I noticed was the chill; the ice in the water had numbed my body, leaving me shivering uncontrobly.


    The atmosphere in the room was electric with tension, thick enough to choke on. I sat in the tub, trembling¡ªnot just from the cold water but from the whirlwind of emotions battering at me from all sides. My body still ached with the remnants of the heat, but my mind was screaming at me to focus. The bathroom door mmed open, and the figure standing there was undeniably Kane. His face was contorted in rage, his wolf barely contained beneath his skin.


    I barely managed a gasp as his fiery gaze locked onto me for a fraction of a second, taking in my disheveled state and the ice-filled tub before whipping toward the other figure in the room.


    "Dean," Kane growled, his voice more animal than man. "What the fuck did you do?"


    Dean, lounging against the wall at the far end of the room, smirked casually, his posture rxed. "Kane, what a pleasant surprise," he drawled, the mocking tone in his voice only fueling Kane¡¯s fury.


    Kane¡¯s eyes darkened as they darted to me once more, then back to Dean. "You touched her!" he bellowed, his voice echoing off the bathroom walls.


    Dean chuckled, the sound infuriatingly smug. "And tasted her, might I add. She¡¯s quite divine, brother."


    That was it. Kane lunged at him with a roar that shook the room, but Dean moved with vampiric speed, dodging effortlessly and appearing on the other side of the room.


    "You son of a¡ª" Kane growled, turning to charge again.


    Dean¡¯sughter rang out, sharp and cruel. "What¡¯s the matter, Kane? Didn¡¯t peg you for a coward. You haven¡¯t even mate with her yet, have you? And you call her yours?"


    I saw Kane¡¯s body vibrate with barely restrained power, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. "You¡¯re going to regret every word, Dean," he hissed, his voice low and dangerous.


    "Oh, really? Regret what?" Dean taunted, sidestepping another attack with ease. "How I had her moaning beneath me? How tight her pretty little pussy was wrapped around my cock? She screamed my name, Kane. Screamed it while I filled her with my seed."


    Kane¡¯s roar of fury made me flinch, his wolf wing to the surface as he tried again and again tond a blow on Dean. But Dean was too fast, darting out of reach at thest possible second, hisughter grating and wicked.


    Kane¡¯s entire body was trembling with barely restrained rage, his wolf teetering on the edge ofplete control. His growls reverberated through the room, each one more guttural than thest, and I could see the feral glow in his eyes intensify with every taunt that spilled from Dean¡¯s mouth.


    "You¡¯re lying," Kane snarled, his voice a lethal promise. "You didn¡¯t touch her like that. I¡¯ll rip you apart for even saying it!"


    Dean, ever the provocateur, leaned casually against the wall, his smirk sharp and mocking. "Oh, Kane," he drawled, dodging another swing effortlessly. "Can¡¯t handle the idea, can you? She wanted me, begged me for it. She was dripping wet for me."


    The sound of a chair scraping violently across the floor filled the room as Kane lunged again, his fists swinging with deadly intent. Dean blurred out of his grasp at thest second,ughing in a way that made my stomach churn.


    "Stop it!" I screamed, but my voice was a whisper against the storm raging between them.


    Dean¡¯s taunts grew darker, each word designed to dig into Kane¡¯s very soul. "You think you¡¯re enough for her? You think she doesn¡¯t crave someone who can actually give her what she needs? She screamed for me, Kane. Screamed."


    Kane¡¯s roar shook the very walls, his control slipping with each passing second. His wolf was nearly visible now, his ws extending, and his muscles bulging under the strain of keeping the transformation at bay.


    Dean¡¯s voice slithered through the tension in the room like poison, each taunt sharper, darker, and meant to cut Kane to the bone. "You think you¡¯re enough for her, Kane? You think she doesn¡¯t crave someone who can actually give her what she needs? She screamed for me. <i>Screamed.</i>"


    Kane¡¯s roar was deafening, shaking the very walls of the bathroom as his wolf pushed against his fragile control. His ws extended, his eyes zing with an unearthly glow, and the veins in his arms bulged with the strain of holding back the transformation. Fury radiated from him like a storm, suffocating and electric.


    "So..." Dean¡¯s voice turned almost casual, dripping with mockery. "How are you going to punish her, Kane? Are we taking her to the yroom?"


    I tried to speak, to tell Kane that Dean was lying, that he was ying with him, but the words wouldn¡¯te. My body was trapped in this maddening heat, my mind drowning in a haze of lust and exhaustion. The sharp contrast between the icy bathwater and the fire zing inside me made me feel dazed, almost drugged. The ice Kane had filled the tub with was melting rapidly, a testament to the unnatural heat radiating off me.


    "Stop," I croaked weakly, but my voice was lost amidst their charged exchange.


    Dean smirked, his expression wicked and teasing, as he leaned against the doorframe like he had all the time in the world. "Maybe I should set her up for you," he mused, his tone light but deliberately provocative. "You know, so you can finally fuck her properly. What do you think? The bed, the wall... or suspended?"


    Kane¡¯s growl reverberated through the air, low and feral, but Dean didn¡¯t flinch. If anything, his grin widened.


    "You remember Laura, don¡¯t you, Kane?" Dean continued, circling Kane like a predator toying with its prey. "The way you punished her when she dared to get involved with me, thinking I was you? You didn¡¯t just teach her a lesson; you made sure she never forgot the difference between us. I seem to recall you even let me join in, just to hammer the point home, just for her to know the difference between your cock and mine. Back then, you weren¡¯t so uptight, so grim. Back then, you embraced your darker side. Back when we were brothers."


    Kane lunged, his movements fueled by rage and barely contained violence, but Dean blurred out of reach at thest second, hisughter cutting through the tension like a knife.


    "And now look at you," Dean taunted, his tone dripping with derision. "You¡¯re nothing but a shadow of who you were. You im her as yours, but you haven¡¯t even touched her. What are you waiting for? Permission? Or maybe you¡¯re afraid you¡¯ll lose control. That you¡¯ll scare her away."


    Kane¡¯s chest heaved, his fists trembling as his wolf wed closer to the surface. I could feel his fury, his frustration, like a living thing in the air. And yet, beneath it all, there was something else¡ªa war within him, between the man he wanted to be and the darker urges Dean was so expertly provoking.


    "Shut your damn mouth, Dean!" Kane bellowed, his voice raw and filled with unbridled rage.


    Dean only chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement and something darker, something dangerous. "Oh, but why would I? This is too much fun," he said smoothly. "Watching you squirm. Watching you deny who you really are. You think you¡¯re protecting her, but you¡¯re just holding back the inevitable."


    I tried to focus, tried to push past the fog in my mind, but my body was betraying me. The maddening heat was wing its way back, stronger and more insistent, making every inch of my skin ache for relief. And yet, I knew instinctively that stepping out of the tub, letting the icy water lose its hold on me, would plunge me back into the overwhelming need that had consumed me before.


    Dean¡¯s voice dragged me back to the present, sharp and cutting. "Maybe I should finish what you¡¯re too much of a coward to start," he said, his smirk widening as he nced at me, his words deliberately meant to provoke. "After all, I already tasted her and entered her tight pussy. It wouldn¡¯t take much to¡ª"


    Dean didn¡¯t get to finish. Kaneunched himself at Dean with a roar that shook the air, his ws extended as he swung with unrelenting fury. Dean dodged again, his vampiric speed making him infuriatingly untouchable, but even he couldn¡¯t entirely mask the flicker of caution in his eyes now.

 Chapter 126: Awakening Dom Kane

    <h4>Chapter 126: Awakening Dom Kane</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV:</strong>


    I didn¡¯t know what to feel. Grateful? Grateful that Dean had arrived in time to stop me from making the worst mistake of my life¡ªtaking advantage of Elena in her condition? Or furious? Furious that he had taken her away, leaving me to wrestle with the haunting guilt and a volcanic rage I couldn¡¯t seem to extinguish.


    She was mine. My mate. My responsibility. And yet, in her most vulnerable moment, I¡¯d nearly let my wolf consume her, nearly let the heat drive me to the brink of ruining everything.


    And Dean. That bastard. He didn¡¯t take her out of concern. No, he saw an opportunity to get under my skin, to y his twisted games, and he seized it with both hands. He always had a knack for exploiting weakness. And right now, my weakness was her.


    I needed to find them. The thought of Elena in his hands, in her vulnerable state, made my wolf howl in anguish.


    I began tracking him, piecing together every scrap of information I could. Dean didn¡¯t exactly hide his movements, and his arrogance meant he left a trail. He frequented Ashley¡¯s ce¡ªa known indulgence of his¡ªand often loitered around the pub. But it was the whispers about him being seen emerging from the eastern woods that set my instincts on edge.


    The cottage.


    Of course. Dean wasn¡¯t the type to settle anywhere permanent, but that damn cottage¡ªit was his yground for whatever debauchery he was indulging in at the moment.


    My fists clenched as I stormed out of the house, my determination burning hotter with every step. I could feel the bond to Elena pulsing faintly, a weak but unrelenting tug that fueled my need to protect her.


    Dean wouldn¡¯t get away with this.


    Not this time.


    The cottage loomed ahead, a ce I¡¯d sworn never to revisit. Dark memories wed at the edges of my mind, memories I had tried¡ªand failed¡ªto bury. Dean, ever the master of stirring chaos, had dragged me back here, to the very shadows I despised.


    I moved quickly, my wolf wing at me with urgency, driven by the faint bond pulling me toward her. The moment I stepped inside, her scent hit me¡ªa heady mix of her arousal and distress, thick in the air. My stomach churned, my heart pounding against my ribcage. Had Ie toote?


    Following the trail, I reached the bathroom door, her scent stronger now, almost overwhelming. My hand trembled as I pushed it open.


    There she was.


    Elenay naked in the tub, the ice melting around her fevered body. Her cheeks were flushed, her chest rising and falling rapidly, and her heat still clung to her like a tangible force. My heart shattered and roared all at once.


    And then I saw him.


    Dean stood there, his eyes fixed on her, his expression a mix of hunger and mockery. He was basking in the torment he¡¯d caused, reveling in the twisted power y that only he could find amusement in. The scent of her arousal clung to him too, and the rage that erupted within me was blinding.


    Filthy bastard. He¡¯d touched her.


    The guilt hit me first¡ªa crushing wave of failure. I hadn¡¯t been there to protect her. And now...now she was at the mercy of his twisted games. But the anger swallowed the guilt, turning into a burning inferno.


    Without a second thought, Iunched myself at him, my ws bared, my wolf surging forward with unrelenting fury. I wanted to tear him apart, rip him limb from limb for daring toy a hand on her.


    But Dean, always the slippery bastard, evaded me with his vampiric speed. He moved like a shadow, darting from one corner to the next, taunting me with every word that fell from his mouth.


    "She gave herself to me willingly, Kane," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "So sweet, so eager... Screaming my name while I made her mine."


    "Liar!" I roared, swinging at him again, but he was gone before my ws could make contact.


    "She¡¯s exquisite, isn¡¯t she?" Dean continued, his words slicing through me like des. "Her heat drew me to her like a moth to a me. And you? You were toote to stop it."


    I couldn¡¯t think, couldn¡¯t reason. All I saw was red, and all I felt was betrayal. Not from Elena¡ªI knew she wasn¡¯t herself, that the heat had consumed her. But from Dean. He had taken advantage of her vulnerability, used her against me in the cruelest way.


    "You touched her," I growled, my voice a guttural snarl.


    "And she wanted it," he sneered, his smirk widening as he dodged another attack. "Don¡¯t be so hard on yourself, brother. It¡¯s not your fault she found what she needed in me."


    Each word chipped away at my restraint, and though I knew he was lying¡ªhe had to be¡ªhis taunts burrowed into my mind like venom.


    I would make him pay. For every word, for every touch, for every second he stood there with that smug look on his face.


    As Dean¡¯s taunts continued, his words dug into old wounds I¡¯d tried to seal long ago. He mentioned Laura¡ªmy first submissive, the one who¡¯d unknowingly opened the door to my darker desires. Back then, Dean and I were inseparable, almost like twins, before the rift formed between us. He had been the one who urged me to explore the world of dominance and submission when I confessed my curiosity about it.


    Laura... She had been eager, na?ve, and captivated by the darkness I offered. But then, Dean had fooled her, using his uncanny resemnce to me to manipte her into believing she was submitting to me. The memory of discovering the betrayal still wed at me. Her cries of shame and fear when I punished her echoed in my mind, but it wasn¡¯t just her I was furious with¡ªit was him.


    Dean had always raveled in the chaos he caused, and back then, I let it slide more often than I should have. But Laura had been the line he crossed, the moment I realized how dangerous it was to let him too close to what was mine. Her punishment had been harsh, perhaps harsher than it should have been. But I¡¯d wanted to brand the lesson into her mind: I am not Dean. I am not to be confused with Dean.


    Now, as he stood before me in this cursed cottage, his voice was a knife twisting in that old scar.


    "Oh, Laura," Dean drawled, a wicked grin on his face as he darted out of my reach once more. "Do you remember her, Kane? How she screamed under your touch, under your discipline? You let me join in, didn¡¯t you? Back when we were brothers, before you became this uptight, self-righteous version of yourself."


    "Shut up," I growled, but my voice was strained.


    "Do you miss it, Kane?" he taunted, circling me like a predator. "The way you used to let the darkness take over, to consume you? I can see it now, wing its way to the surface. Don¡¯t fight it. Elena would thrive under that side of you. She¡¯d crave it, beg for it."


    I clenched my fists, my ws digging into my palms. I knew what he was doing. Dean was trying to trigger me, to awaken the dominant side of me that I kept locked away, the side that he had once encouraged me to embrace without limits.


    But Elena wasn¡¯t Laura. She wasn¡¯t anyone else I¡¯d known before.


    She was my mate.


    And I would protect her¡ªfrom her heat, from Dean, and most importantly, from the darkest parts of myself that he was so desperate to unleash.


    "You¡¯re wasting your breath, Dean," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "Elena is not yours to toy with. And you¡¯ll regret every second you spent trying."


    Dean¡¯s smirk faltered, just for a moment, and I seized the chance, lunging for him again. This time, I wouldn¡¯t miss.


    I managed tond one solid blow, my fist connecting with Dean¡¯s jaw. The satisfying crack of impact was short-lived, though. He recovered with that infuriating smirk, wiping the blood from his lip as if my hit was nothing more than an annoyance.


    And then, with his damned vampiric speed, he darted past me, scooping Elena into his arms.


    "Dean, don¡¯t you dare!" I roared, spinning to chase him, but he was already gone, zooming down the hall and into a room I had vowed never to bring Elena into.


    The yroom.


    My stomach churned as I stormed after them, dread and rage twisting together into a storm inside me. That room held memories I wanted buried, moments of darkness that were mine alone to carry. It wasn¡¯t a space for her¡ªit was a cage for the beast I kept chained within me.


    Dean was doing this on purpose. He wasn¡¯t just trying to provoke me; he was trying to drag me into the very shadows I fought so hard to keep at bay. He wanted me to be the man I¡¯d been before, the one he helped mold¡ªdominant, unyielding, and lost in a spiral of control and punishment.


    Bursting into the room, I was greeted by the sight of Deanying Elena gently on the padded bench, her body still weak and trembling from the heat. Her eyes fluttered open for a moment, ssy and unfocused, as she whimpered my name. The sound nearly broke me.


    Dean nced over his shoulder, his grin as wicked as ever. "Oh, look at her, Kane. She¡¯s perfect, isn¡¯t she? Ripe for the taking, begging to be imed. And this... this is the perfect ce for it. Don¡¯t you think?"


    My hands clenched at my sides, my ws cutting into my palms as I fought the urge to lunge at him again.


    "Get out of here, Dean," I growled, my voice shaking with restrained fury. "You have no idea what you¡¯re messing with."


    "Oh, but I do," he said, stepping aside to let me see Elena fully. "You can¡¯t hide what you are from her forever. She deserves to know. And you... you deserve to embrace it. Stop pretending you¡¯re better than this, Kane. She¡¯ll love it. She¡¯ll love you for it."


    His words were poison, sinking into my mind and coiling around my thoughts.


    But they were wrong.


    Elena wasn¡¯t a pawn in his twisted game, and I wasn¡¯t the man he wanted me to be anymore.


    "Touch her again," I snarled, stepping forward, "and I¡¯ll show you just how much of a monster I can be."

 Chapter 127: Opening The Sealed Bond

    <h4>Chapter 127: Opening The Sealed Bond</h4>


    <strong>(Not For The Faint Of Heart)</strong><strong></strong>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    And he did it. Within seconds, her arms were suspended above her, her legs bound to posts, widened her stance and to immobilize her movement. She was still deep in the throes of her heat, her intoxicating scent flooding the room and wing at my self-control. Her bare body in that position was a vision I could barely handle. Desire wed at me, wrestling my anger for dominance, and with each passing moment, the darkness seeped further into me.


    Damn it.


    I stood frozen, torn between fury and the overwhelming temptation flooding my senses. Elena¡¯s scent, thick and intoxicating, wrapped around me like a noose, making it impossible to think clearly. The sight of her, naked and suspended in that position, was beyond anything I could have imagined. She was perfection¡ªa vision of beauty and vulnerability that ignited every primal urge within me. My wolf, Ash, was snarling, wing to the surface, desperate to im her, to quench the maddening need that her heat was driving into both of us.


    I was an emotional wreck, so consumed by my turmoil that I hadn¡¯t focused enough to block Dean from my mind. In that briefpse, he flooded in like a tide, taking root in my thoughts. It was like sharing a body with another personality¡ªhis voice, his influence, everywhere, as if he were part of me.


    When we were younger, I had loved this connection. Dean had always had this uncanny ability to slip into my mind, to act like an extension of my wolf, a darker mirror of myself, while still controlling his own body. I had tried to reciprocate, to invade his mind as he did mine, but I could never manage more than basicmunication. His mastery over it was unmatched.


    I remembered how we used it as kids. The first time was when my father forced me into interrogation lessons of rogues¡ªlessons I wasn¡¯t ready for. Dean had been there in my mind, his influence like a shield, his resolve steadying mine until I could endure it alone. Another time was my first session as a Dom. His voice had been the courage I needed, coaxing me toward the dark desires I¡¯d been too timid to embrace on my own.


    But that bond, the one I had sealed off so tightly, was wide open now.


    He wasn¡¯t just in my mind; he was there with me, looking through my eyes, feeding the chaos within. My wolf, Ash, driven by primal instinct, was already teetering on the edge, desperate to mate, to im our mate, and to quench her unbearable thirst. With Elena naked and her scent thick in the air, my resolve was shattering.


    And then there was Dean, stoking the fire.


    The bastard stood behind her, far too close forfort, his hands hovering just shy of her skin as if to taunt me further. His voice was everywhere¡ªout loud, in my mind, a dual assault that I couldn¡¯t block out no matter how hard I tried.


    "She¡¯s exquisite," Dean murmured, his voice dripping with dark amusement. His words echoed in my mind, the same tone, the same infuriating taunt. "You¡¯ve always imagined her like this, haven¡¯t you? Bound, waiting for you, desperate for your touch."


    His words echoed twice¡ªonce in the room and again in the hollow of my mind.


    I clenched my fists, my ws biting into my palms as I fought to rein in the storm within me. The ckness was seeping in, darker than I¡¯d felt in years, and I knew why. Dean.


    This connection we shared, one I thought I¡¯d buried long ago, was now wide open. When we were younger, I used to rely on him, letting him act as my courage, my darker half, when I couldn¡¯t find the strength to face my own fears. He¡¯d been there in my first interrogation, his influence the steel in my spine when I thought I would falter. He¡¯d been my guide during my first session as a Dom, coaxing out desires I hadn¡¯t even known I possessed.


    But this wasn¡¯t childhood.


    This wasn¡¯t a bond of trust and shared strength.


    Now, he was a poison in my mind, stoking the embers of my darkest desires until they threatened to consume me entirely.


    I tried to focus, to push down the storm within, but my wolf snarled in rebellion. I couldn¡¯t stop myself from thinking it: I <i>had</i> imagined Elena like this. Suspended. Vulnerable. A masterpiece of temptation. And seeing her now, surpassing every dark fantasy I¡¯d ever conjured, left me paralyzed, teetering on the brink of losing control.


    I stood there like a fool, torn between the primal pull of desire and the smoldering anger threatening to explode. Dean, always the opportunist, pushed further.


    "She¡¯s everything you¡¯ve ever wanted, Kane," he said, stepping closer to her. "And she¡¯s ready. Her heat is begging for you to take her. Why are you hesitating?"


    His words were a poison, slipping into every crack of my self-control, his influence feeding my darkest impulses.


    "Stop," I growled, though my voice wavered under the weight of my own desires.


    Dean only smirked, his confidence unshaken. "You can¡¯t deny it forever, brother. She¡¯s here, waiting for you. Perfect, isn¡¯t she?"


    Elena whimpered softly, her heat making her helpless, and the sound cut through me like a knife. My gaze snapped to her, her flushed skin and parted lips making her need so painfully obvious.


    Dean leaned in, whispering just loud enough for me to hear. "She¡¯s a masterpiece, Kane. One you¡¯ll ruin if you don¡¯t act. Or do you want me to do it for you?"


    Hisughter echoed, dark and taunting, and I knew I was losing this battle.


    "She¡¯s everything you¡¯ve ever wanted, isn¡¯t she?" Dean continued, his words a velvet knife. "And look at her, Kane. She¡¯s ready. Begging for you, even if she doesn¡¯t realize it. Your wolf knows it. I know it."


    I could feel him in my mind, slipping through the cracks, his presence like oil on water¡ªimpossible to grasp or block. He was feeding the storm within me, weaving my wolf¡¯s instincts and my own suppressed cravings into something darker, something harder to resist.


    Elena whimpered softly, her voice barely audible over the pounding of my pulse. My gaze snapped to her face, flushed and glistening with the sheen of her heat. Her lips parted, her breaths shallow and quick, and the sound cut through me like a de.


    I wasn¡¯t winning this battle.


    Dean leaned closer to her, his lips brushing against her ear. "You should thank me," he said, his smirk audible even in his tone. "For giving you the courage to finally take what¡¯s yours. You¡¯ve wanted this, Kane. Wanted her like this. And now, here she is¡ªperfect, waiting. What are you going to do?"


    Dean kissed her neck with slow, deliberate intent, his eyes locking onto mine with a fiery, unrelenting gaze. It was a silent deration, a challenge he didn¡¯t need to voice. His lips brushed over her skin with an intimacy that sent Elena arching into his touch, her body responding instinctively to the pull of her heat.


    "Kane," she moaned, her voice breathless and desperate, a sound that sent a ripple through the air.


    Her hardened nipples, the flush of her skin, and the intoxicating mixture of her arousal and heat scent filled the room like a drug. It wrapped around me, clouding my thoughts, tugging at every dark impulse I had tried to bury.


    That was it.


    The thin thread of restraint I had clung to snapped.


    I looked at her again¡ªnot as Kane, the conflicted man battling his wolf and the influence of his other half, but as the other part of me. The part I had locked away for too long.


    I looked at her with the eyes of what I truly was¡ªa Dom.


    Her bound form, her helplessness, and the undeniable need radiating from her body awoke something primal andmanding within me. My wolf growled its approval, the sound reverberating through my chest like a drumbeat of inevitability.


    "Yes, there you are," Dean drawled, his voice dripping with satisfaction as if he¡¯d won a battle I didn¡¯t even know we were fighting. His hand came down with a sharp crack against Elena¡¯s bare skin, the sound reverberating through the room like a whip. She gasped, her body jerking forward as her heat-addled mind struggled to make sense of the sensations bombarding her.


    Dean¡¯s smirk deepened, his hands settling on her hips as if he were presenting her to me like some twisted offering. "She¡¯s exquisite, isn¡¯t she? Everything you¡¯ve ever wanted, Kane. Everything you¡¯ve denied yourself."


    My fists clenched at my sides, nails biting into my palms as my wolf snarled in approval, its hunger for her overwhelming. Her scent¡ªher heat¡ªwas a tempest that pulled at every primal instinct I possessed.


    Elena¡¯s head lolled to the side, her lips parted in a soft, broken moan. "Kane..." she whispered, her voice a plea that tore through whatever scraps of restraint I had left.


    Dean¡¯s gaze bore into mine, sharp and knowing. "Go on. She¡¯s yours. You know she is."


    I took a step forward, my breath heavy and uneven as I tried to keep my emotions in check. But as my eyes swept over Elena¡ªbound, vulnerable, and so desperately in need¡ªI knew there was no going back.


    Not now.


    Not ever.

 Chapter 128: Succumbing

    <h4>Chapter 128: Sumbing</h4>


    <strong></strong><strong>(MATURE CONTENT AHEAD)</strong>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    This was turning out to be the longest day of my fucking life. And the so-called people who were supposed to help me? Absolutely useless. In the fog of this maddening heat, I pieced together bits of their infuriating little game¡ªDean was pushing Kane, egging him on to do something. What exactly? I couldn¡¯t say for sure, but it had to be along the lines of iming me. And let me tell you, I was more than willing at this point.


    You try being in my shoes¡ªlike being force-fed gallons of Aphrodite¡¯s nectar without a single ounce of release. It was torture. Pure, unrelenting torture. My body was hyper-aware, and I knew that even the slightest friction or brush against my core would send me spiraling over the edge. That¡¯s how pathetic my state had be. And yet, no one, <i>no one</i>, seemed inclined to put me out of my misery.


    The ice tub was a distant memory now, though the lingering chill still clung to my skin in patches. I wasn¡¯t sure how long it had been since they¡¯d dragged me out of that icy hell, but the heat was back, tenfold, surging like moltenva through my veins.


    I tried to focus, but it was impossible to ignore my surroundings. The room was dim, lit just enough for me to see the humiliating position I¡¯d been ced in. Naked. Completely, utterly bare. My arms were stretched above my head, held up by some kind of rope that cut into my wrists with every shift.


    The worst part? My legs. Oh, Goddess, my legs. They were bound wide apart, secured to separate posts, leaving mepletely exposed, vulnerable, and unable to close them to seek even a fraction of relief. It was maddening. My hips ached from the tension, but worse than the physical difort was the infernal, relentless pulse of need radiating from my center.


    I tugged weakly at the restraints, but they held firm. My breath hitched as I realized just how dire my situation was. My heat-addled mind couldn¡¯t decide if this was punishment, preparation, or some cruel game between the two idiots in my life. All I knew was that I needed relief. Desperately. And no one seemed willing to give it to me.


    The sound of footsteps pulled my attention. Dean¡¯s smooth, cocky voice echoed in the room, but his words blurred in my ears. Something about Kane needing to "step up," about me being "exquisite." I didn¡¯t care. Not about their stupid rivalry, their unspoken battles, or whatever twisted dynamic had brought me to this moment. I only cared about one thing.


    "Someone..." My voice came out hoarse, barely a whisper. I cleared my throat and tried again, stronger this time. "Someone, <i>please</i>, help me."


    For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air, and then Dean chuckled darkly. "Hear that, Kane? She¡¯s begging. Begging for you."


    Through the haze of my desperation, I caught the sharp intake of breath that could only be Kane¡¯s. His presence was like a storm¡ªdark, brooding, and charged with energy. I strained to see him through the dim light, my body arching instinctively toward the sound.


    "Kane," I moaned, his name a plea, a demand, a prayer. My heat was too much, my body trembling, aching. I didn¡¯t care anymore about pride or propriety. I needed him. <i>Now</i>.


    He stepped closer, his shadow looming over me, and for the first time, I thought¡ªmaybe, just maybe¡ªhe would finally end this unbearable agony.


    Kane stepped up to me, his eyes zing with something dark and all-consuming. Lust, yes, but there was more¡ªan unyielding dominance that sent a shiver racing through my already fevered body. He didn¡¯t hesitate, didn¡¯t falter. His lips crashed into mine with a ferocity that made my knees weak, though they were already bound. It wasn¡¯t just a kiss; it was a im¡ªa starved, deranged wolf taking what was his.


    His hands found their way to my back, sliding down with purpose until they cupped my bare ass. The heat of his touch seared into me, and when his fingers dug into the flesh, I let out a wanton moan that echoed in the room. My body arched into him, seeking more of his touch, more of him.


    He wasn¡¯t gentle. Kane squeezed, patted, rubbed, and then squeezed again, each action a rhythm, a mantra that set my nerve endings alight. I whimpered, my head falling back as his lips left mine to trail down my neck, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin.


    Then, without warning, he spanked me. The sharp crack of his palm against my skin sent a jolt through my entire body, igniting something primal deep within me. The sting was brief, reced almost instantly by a flood of pleasure that was too much for my overwhelmed senses to handle.


    And just like that, I came. My body shuddered violently, writhing against the bonds that held me in ce. The release was intense, but it wasn¡¯t enough¡ªnot nearly enough. The insatiable hunger of the heat still wed at me, demanding more, begging for him.


    But Kane wasn¡¯t done. Not by a long shot. His hands gripped me tighter, his breath hot against my skin as he whispered, "That was just the beginning, little mate. You¡¯re mine to break...and to put back together."


    His words sent a fresh wave of heat pooling in my core, and I knew¡ªwhatever came next, I wouldn¡¯t be the same.


    Kane¡¯s eyes glinted with raw hunger as his hands moved to my chest, each palm iming a breast as though they were his prize. He kneaded and fondling them with deliberate pressure, his fingers teasing and exploring every inch of soft flesh, sending shocks of pleasure straight to my core. My breath hitched, my body arching into his touch as if offering itself fully to his control.


    His lips found their way back to my neck, hot and possessive. He kissed, licked, and nipped along the sensitive skin, eliciting a series of helpless gasps from me. Every action felt deliberate, like he was savoring me, marking me with his touch. <i>Good lord, yes. Ten thousand times yes. What the hell took him so long?</i>


    Then, his head dipped lower, and my heart hammered in anticipation. When his warm mouth closed around one breast, I couldn¡¯t stop the cry that escaped me. His tongue flicked over the hardened peak, licking and swirling before he began to suck, his mouth hot and greedy. The pull of his lips was maddening, each motion sending electric currents through my entire body.


    His other hand wasn¡¯t idle, either. It remained on my other breast, pinching and rolling the already sensitive nipple between his fingers. The dual sensations¡ªhis mouth working one peak while his hand teased the other¡ªwas too much, and yet, not nearly enough.


    I was a trembling, moaning mess, my body arching against the restraints. The heat raging through me intensified, my hips instinctively bucking in search of more. "Kane," I gasped, my voice barely recognizable as I begged, "please...please..."


    His mouth released my breast with an audible pop, and he looked up at me with dark, hooded eyes, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Not yet, little wolf," he murmured, his voice dripping with dominance. "I¡¯m just getting started."


    Kane¡¯s lips trailed a slow, torturous path to my other breast, his breath hot against my skin. The anticipation built with every second, and when his mouth finallytched onto the hardened peak, a shudder rippled through my entire body. He sucked with the same fervor as before, his tongue swirling and teasing, making me cry out in bliss.


    His hand wasn¡¯t idle, either; it found its way back to my other breast, mirroring the earlier ministrations. He kneaded and squeezed, his thumb flicking over the sensitive nub, sending jolts of pleasure straight to my core. The dual sensations left me panting, my body writhing as I strained against the restraints.


    But it wasn¡¯t enough. It could never be enough.


    Then his free arm moved again, sliding down to grab a handful of my ass. He squeezed firmly, hisrge hand iming the curve as if it belonged solely to him. He kneaded and massaged the soft flesh, his movements rough but deliberate, igniting a new wave of heat within me.


    I moaned wantonly, my body reacting instinctively to his touch. My hips bucked forward, seeking friction, anything to quell the insatiable fire consuming me. But Kane wasn¡¯t in a rush. He maintained his pace, keeping me on edge, making me feel every single touch, every stroke, every pull of his lips.


    "You¡¯re so responsive," he growled against my skin, his voice low and filled with dark satisfaction. "Every sound, every movement¡ªyou¡¯re mine tomand."


    The possessiveness in his tone made my stomach flip, and a desperate plea escaped my lips. "Kane...please..."


    He smirked against my skin, his grip on my ass tightening as he delivered a sharp, stinging spank that echoed through the room. "Patience, little wolf," he said, his toneced with dominance. "I¡¯ll give you everything you need¡ªbut only when I¡¯m ready."

 Chapter 129: Taken

    <h4>Chapter 129: Taken</h4>


    <strong>(MATURE CONTENT)</strong>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    Kane¡¯s hand, warm and deliberate, finally began its descent, sliding down the curve of my stomach with agonizing slowness. Every inch of movement left a trail of fire on my skin, anticipation building until I thought I might explode. And then¡ªfinally¡ªhis fingers reached the ce I craved him most.


    But he didn¡¯t dive in, didn¡¯t give me the relief I so desperately needed. No, he was a man who thrived on control, and he was determined to savor every second of my torment. His fingers brushed over my clit with the lightest of touches, teasing and tormenting me until I was gasping, trembling,pletely undone.


    "Look at you," he murmured, his voice a rich, dangerous drawl. "So sensitive, so ready. You¡¯re already a mess, and I¡¯ve barely touched you."


    I whimpered, my hips jerking forward of their own ord, seeking more pressure, more friction¡ªanything to soothe the ache consuming me. But Kane was having none of it. His other hand pressed against my pelvis, pinning me in ce, ensuring I couldn¡¯t move.


    "Patience," he growled, his breath hot against my ear. "You¡¯ll take what I give you. Nothing more."


    His fingers resumed their torturous exploration, circling my clit with a maddeningly slow rhythm. The sensation was electric, sending shockwaves through my body with every deliberate movement. My moans grew louder, my breathing erratic as the tension inside me coiled tighter and tighter.


    "Kane...please," I begged, my voice breaking with desperation.


    He chuckled darkly, clearly reveling in my need. "That¡¯s it," he said, his fingers quickening their pace just enough to bring me to the edge without pushing me over. "I want to hear you beg for it."


    "Please!" I cried out, tears of frustration pricking at the corners of my eyes. "I need you¡ªplease!"


    His smirk was wicked, his fingers finally applying the pressure I craved. "Good girl," he murmured, his voice dripping with dominance. And then, with a skill that left me utterly shattered, he pressed against my clit with just the right amount of pressure, sending me hurtling over the edge.


    Pleasure consumed me, a tidal wave crashing through every nerve in my body. My cries echoed in the room, my body trembling in the restraints as Kane¡¯s fingers worked me through the release. And even as the orgasm subsided, the fire inside me remained, burning hotter than ever.


    Kane¡¯s fingers moved with unrelenting precision, curling inside me just right, grazing that perfect spot that sent ripples of ecstasy coursing through my body. Every thrust, every deliberate stroke, seemed calcted to drive me higher, to push me closer to the brink of madness.


    I was a mess, writhing in my restraints, my moans growing louder with each passing second. He watched me with an intensity that made my skin tingle, his gaze dark and full of something primal¡ªsomething possessive.


    "You¡¯re so close, aren¡¯t you?" he murmured, his voice rough with desire. "I can feel it."


    I could only nod, unable to form words as the pleasure built and built, threatening to shatter me.


    And then, just as I was teetering on the edge, his fingers stilled. For a moment, I thought he was going to deny me entirely, but instead, his free hand came down with a sharp, sudden spank against my clit.


    The shock of it sent me spiraling.


    The release hit me like an explosion, different from anything I¡¯d ever felt before. My body arched, my cries raw and unrestrained as wave after wave of pleasure tore through me, leaving me trembling and breathless. It was overwhelming, almost too much to bear, and yet I craved more¡ªneeded more.


    Kane didn¡¯t stop. His fingers slowed but remained inside me, coaxing everyst aftershock from my body as I came down from the high. His smirk was dark and knowing, his eyes locked on mine as he leaned in, his breath warm against my ear.


    "That," he said, his voice low andmanding, "was just the beginning."


    I knew no matter how many times I came the heat won¡¯t stop until I mate with him. and that why I beg him.


    "Please...."


    "You¡¯re certain, love?" His voice was low, but there was an edge of tenderness beneath themanding tone. "Once I take you, there¡¯s no turning back."


    I nodded.


    A flicker of something dark and possessive passed through his eyes as he took my chin between his fingers. "Words, Elena. I need to hear you say it properly."


    "Yes, Kane," I said breathlessly, desperation dripping from my words. "I want your cock. I need you."


    His lips curled into a wicked smirk as he let go of my chin and stepped back just enough to remove his pants. The sight of him fully exposed made my breath catch. He wasrge, hard, and ready, and the anticipation made the heat within me burn even brighter.


    "Your wish," he murmured, positioning himself between my legs, "is mymand."


    He untied my legs, freeing them from their restraints, but left my arms suspended above my head. Kane moved with a deliberate intensity, his eyes never leaving mine as he settled between my thighs. His hands gripped my hips, lifting me slightly to angle me just right. The warmth of his body pressed against mine, and I felt an electric anticipation thrumming through me. With a firm grip on my thighs, he wrapped them around his waist and leaned in, aligning himself at my entrance.


    "This is going to hurt, love," he warned gently, his gaze softening for just a moment. "But not as much since you¡¯ve alreadye so many times."


    And then, with one deliberate thrust, he entered me.


    I gasped as he broke through, the slight sting of my virginity being taken quickly reced by a deep, overwhelming fullness. He was big¡ªso much bigger than his fingers had prepared me for¡ªbut it was oddly pleasurable, as though my body had been waiting for this moment, for him, my entire life.


    Kane stilled, his hands gripping my hips tightly as he let me adjust. His lips brushed my forehead, then my cheeks, his warmth grounding me as the initial difort faded into something much sweeter.


    "Good girl," he murmured against my skin, his voiceced with approval. "You¡¯re taking me so well."


    When he felt me rx, he began to move, slow and steady at first. Each thrust sent ripples of pleasure through me, building with every motion. My head fell back, a moan escaping my lips as he kissed and licked along the sensitive skin of my neck.


    This. This was what my body had craved, what the heat had demanded. And as Kane imed me, I knew I would never want anyone else. He was mine, and I was hispletely and irrevocably.


    Kane¡¯s hands gripped my hips firmly, his strength guiding me as he lifted me up and down along his thick shaft. Every time he thrust up into me, a guttural moan escaped my lips, each movement sending waves of pleasure through my already trembling body. I clung to him, my legs wrapped tightly around his waist, feeling every inch of him stretch and fill mepletely.


    "You feel so damn good," he growled, his voice heavy with lust, his pace quickening as he drove deeper.


    Kane¡¯s grip on my hips was unrelenting as he bounced me up and down on his cock, each deep thrust drawing a moan from my lips. The stretch, the fullness, the way he filled mepletely¡ªit was overwhelming, consuming every part of me.


    "You¡¯re so tight, love," he growled against my ear, his voice raw and dripping with lust. His teeth grazed my neck, adding a delicious sharpness to the pleasure.


    My head fell back, and I let out a broken cry, the coil in my stomach tightening unbearably as I teetered on the edge of release.


    Just when I thought I woulde undone, Kane stilled, a wicked smirk ying on his lips as he gently unwrapped my legs and set me down. My breath came in short, desperate pants, but he wasn¡¯t finished.


    Just as the coil in my belly tightened, my release teetering on the edge, Kane stopped abruptly. He lifted me off him, my legs trembling as he set me down. My arms, still suspended above my head, kept me upright as my body quaked with need.


    "Not yet," he said, his voice dark andmanding, a smirk ying on his lips.


    Before I could process the change, he moved behind me, as he circled behind me. His hands slid over my waist, gripping me possessively.His body was hot and unyielding against my back, and I shivered as his hand trailed down my spine.


    "Stay just like this," hemanded, his voice deep andmanding, sending a shiver of anticipation through me.


    Before I could catch my breath, Kane positioned himself behind me, his hands guiding my hips back toward him. Without warning, he entered me, this time from behind, his angle even deeper, more intense. He entered me again, deeper than before, forcing a sharp cry of pleasure from my throat.


    "Good girl," he praised, his voice thick as he drove into me with unrelenting precision. Each stroke sent shockwaves through my body, the angle making me feel him in ces I didn¡¯t know could be touched.


    My release mmed into me unexpectedly, my walls clenching around him as I cried out his name. The sensation was overwhelming, and I cried out as my release hit me hard and fast, my body trembling uncontrobly as he continued to move within me.


    "You¡¯re so perfect," he groaned, his grip tightening on my hips as he drove into me with renewed fervor. Even as my body spasmed from the aftershocks, I could feel him still hard, unrelenting inside me, drawing out every ounce of pleasure I had to give.


    Kane wasn¡¯t done with me yet¡ªand deep down, I didn¡¯t want him to be.

 Chapter 130: MINE

    <h4>Chapter 130: MINE</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV: </strong>


    I had let go of all my restraint. Dean had already pushed me past the edge, and there was no turning back. Her scent, that intoxicating blend of heat and arousal, had obliterated thest vestiges of my control. I¡¯d imagined this moment countless times, yed it over and over in my head, but nothing could have prepared me for the reality.


    Her tightness was like nothing I¡¯d ever felt before¡ªhot, slick, and utterly perfect. It was as if her body was made for me, and every thrust drove that realization deeper into my bones. My wolf howled in triumph, primal and possessive. This wasn¡¯t just sex; this was a iming, a bonding that burned hotter than anything I¡¯d ever experienced.


    I could still feel Dean lingering in my mind, though he¡¯d gone quiet now, merely watching through my eyes, feeling every surge of pleasure as if it were his own. He didn¡¯t speak, but I could sense his satisfaction, his smugness at what he¡¯d unleashed in me.


    I nced toward where he had been moments ago, finding him standing with his eyes closed, his hand moving over himself. A flicker of irritation surged through me, but it dissipated as quickly as it came. My focus was solely on her, on Elena, and the way her body writhed and arched beneath me.


    My thrusts deepened, each one drawing another scream of my name from her lips. The sound was intoxicating, a melody I could listen to every day for the rest of my life. I released her waist, letting my hands travel upward, finding her perfect, arched breasts. My palms molded around them, squeezing and kneading, and her scream turned into a high-pitched moan that sent a shiver through me.


    "Good girl," I growled, my voice rough with dominance and desire.


    Her head fell back, her hair cascading around her as her body submitted to every touch, every thrust, everymand. Her moans were a symphony, each sound stoking the fire inside me until I was lost to the raw, animalistic need to make her minepletely.


    "You¡¯re perfect," I murmured, leaning down to press a kiss to her damp neck, my tongue tracing the pulse that pounded wildly beneath her skin. "Mine, Elena. All mine."


    Her body trembled with each thrust, her cries of pleasure filling the room and driving me to the brink of madness. My lips traveled down her neck, teeth grazing her sensitive skin as my growl rumbled in my chest. She was mine, every inch of her, and I would make sure she never forgot it.


    Her moans shifted, growing louder and more desperate. I could feel her tightening around me, her body on the verge of another release. Her head tilted back further, exposing the delicate column of her neck.


    As she reached her peak, her cries pulling me into my own release, I buried myself deep within her, groaning as my climax surged through me. But my body, far from satisfied, regenerated almost instantly, my arousal reigniting like a firestorm. I stayed inside her, still hard, my mind spinning with the overwhelming need to continue.


    Reaching up, I released her wrists from their restraints, catching her trembling form in my arms. She looked up at me, her lips parted, her eyes hazy with exhaustion and lingering heat. Without a word, I scooped her up and carried her over to the bed, cing her down carefully.


    But my restraint didn¡¯tst. I flipped her onto her stomach, her body pliant under my touch. Her body was perfection¡ªevery curve, every inch of her skin called to me. I climbed onto the bed, positioning myself above her. My hands roamed over her wless ass, kneading and caressing until she whimpered beneath me. I smirked at the sound, leaning down to kiss her spine, trailing my tongue along her back. My hands roamed over her fine curves, caressing and molding her perfect ass. Each squeeze drew soft moans from her lips, the sound driving me further into madness.


    "Perfect," I murmured, my voice rough with raw need.


    I flipped her hips slightly to align her perfectly, guiding myself to her tightest entrance. The sensation of her warmth enveloping me as I slid into her was maddening, her gasping cries spurring me on. My thrusts were deep and deliberate, my hips meeting the soft curve of her ass with every movement.


    "You¡¯re irresistible," I murmured, my voice dark and hoarse, as I positioned myself behind her. My hands gripped her hips, holding her steady as I entered her again, this time deeper, harder, with a pace that had her crying out my name over and over.


    The rhythmic p of our bodies filled the room, each thrust sending waves of pleasure through both of us. Her ass was perfect against me, and the way her body clenched and molded to my every movement made it impossible to hold back.


    "Mine," I growled, leaning over her, my chest brushing her back. "Every inch of you belongs to me, Elena."


    Her muffled cries turned to screams, and I felt her tighten around me, her body sumbing to another climax. Her surrender pushed me over the edge, and I came hard, growling her name into her shoulder as I filled her again.


    A low, guttural groan behind me reminded me of Dean¡¯s presence, and I nced back briefly to see him, spent, his eyes heavy with satisfaction. A snarl of annoyance left my lips, but before I could react, he faded from my mind entirely, leaving behind a sense of hollow relief.


    Exhausted and utterly spent, Elena copsed onto the bed, her body ck and trembling from the relentless pleasure. Her breathing evened out as sleep imed her, her features softening in peaceful rest.


    I stayed above her for a moment, brushing damp hair from her face and watching her. My chest ached with a mix of satisfaction and guilt¡ªsatisfaction from finally iming her as mine, and guilt for pushing her so far.


    Elena¡¯s body was limp now, her soft breaths and murmurs signaling her exhaustion. I pulled out gently, rolling to lie beside her, watching her drift into a deep, contented sleep.


    "Well that was fun but next time I¡¯ll be the one taking her....I just didn¡¯t want to take her first time like....no matter that is in the past" dean said before zooming off to gods knows where, even if he choose not to take elena first time from me there was no way in hell I was going to let him have her.


    Dean¡¯s words echoed in my mind long after he¡¯d zoomed off, his smug tone grating on every nerve I had left. His insinuation¡ªthat he¡¯d even have the <i>audacity</i> to consider taking Elena from me¡ªwas enough to make my wolf snarl in warning. I clenched my fists, my jaw tight as I forced myself to breathe and let the rage subside.


    Not in this lifetime. Not ever.


    Elena was mine, and the thought of sharing her, even with someone who had once been my closestpanion, was unthinkable. Dean could dream, taunt, and toy all he wanted, but I¡¯d ensure that every fiber of her being was imed, bound to me in ways no one else could ever touch.


    His audacity knew no bounds, but this time he had crossed a line I couldn¡¯t ignore. Sharing Elena? Over my dead body. She was mine¡ªmind, body, and soul¡ªand I had no intention of letting anyone, not even Dean,y im to her.


    Shaking off the frustration he¡¯d left behind, I turned my attention back to Elena. Shey sprawled across the bed, her body rxed in the kind of exhaustion that only true satisfaction could bring. Her cheeks were flushed, and a faint sheen of sweat clung to her skin, glistening in the dim light of the room. She looked beautiful, even in her weariness. She was still sound asleep, her body glowing with the aftermath of what we¡¯d just shared. My wolf stirred at the sight of her¡ªsated but still possessive, protective. I knew she needed care, even if her wolf would eventually heal any difort.


    I slipped out of bed, heading to the adjoining bathroom. Filling a basin with warm water, I grabbed a soft towel and returned to her side. She barely stirred as I sat beside her, gently cleaning the marks of our passion from her skin. Her body was a canvas of flushed skin and faint bruises, evidence of how deeply we¡¯d connected. I couldn¡¯t help the surge of pride and protectiveness as I tended to her.


    Once she was clean, I pulled the nkets over her, tucking her in carefully. The idea of running a hot bath crossed my mind, but I knew her wolf would do most of the work. Still, I made a mental note to ensure she had everything she needed when she woke up.


    Standing by the bed, I watched her for a moment, marveling at the fact that she was truly mine now. The bond between us was undeniable, stronger than ever. But Dean¡¯s presence was a shadow I couldn¡¯t ignore. He had already pushed too far, and his insinuations about taking her next time were a challenge I wouldn¡¯t tolerate.


    I clenched my fists, my wolf growling low in my chest. No matter what it took, I would protect Elena¡ªfrom Dean, from anyone. She was mine to love, mine to cherish, mine to keep. And I wasn¡¯t nning on sharing. Ever.


    Sliding into bed beside her, I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close. Her body instinctively curled into mine, her warmth seeping into me like a balm.


    "Mine," I whispered against her hair, the word both a promise and a vow.


    Dean could try all he wanted, but he¡¯d never have her. Elena was mine¡ªnow and forever.


    The only thing that remained was marking her....


    This chapter is updated by freew(e)bnovel.(c)om

 Chapter 131: Marking Or Markings

    <h4>Chapter 131: Marking Or Markings</h4>


    <strong>ELENA POV:</strong>


    <i>I was naked, suspended in the air, my arms bound to posts fixed high on the ceiling, my legs spread wide and tied to separate supports. Panic coursed through me, battling with the haze of confusion and heat clouding my mind.</i>


    <i>"Mine," Kane¡¯s voice rumbled from in front of me, a possessive edgecing the single word.</i>


    <i>"Ours," another voice chimed in from behind, eerily simr to Kane¡¯s but tinged with danger. Dean. His tone sent a shiver of both fear and something darker through me.</i>


    <i>Kane held a leather whip in his hand, trailing it lightly along my skin. It grazed my jaw, down my neck, then to my breasts. When the whip tapped one of my nipples, a sharp cry escaped my lips. Pain and pleasure collided in a way that left me gasping. I hated how my body reacted, but I couldn¡¯t deny the heat pooling low in my stomach.</i>


    <i>He dragged the whip lower, over my stomach, down to the ce that throbbed and ached for release. "You love it, mate," Kane murmured, his voice dark and filled with certainty. "I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re so reluctant to ept me this way."</i>


    <i>My voice trembled as I pleaded, "Don¡¯t. Please, Kane."</i>


    <i>But his smile was cruel, amused by my desperation. He lifted the whip, and I barely had time to register the motion before it struck the sensitive skin of my inner thigh. I screamed, the sting sharp and biting, but his chuckle infuriated me more than the pain.</i>


    <i>"I can smell your arousal," he said, stepping closer. His fingers dipped into my core, sliding in with maddening ease, and when he pulled them away, they glistened with evidence of my betrayal. "See?" He held them up, his grin wicked. "I told you."</i>


    <i>"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I spat, my voiceced with anger and humiliation. "Put me down, Kane! Put me down right now!"</i>


    <i>But before Kane could respond, Dean¡¯s voice came from behind me, low and mocking. "You don¡¯t know what you want, little wolf. Let us show you."</i>


    <i>His hands slid over my bare ass, the contrast of his soothing caress and firm kneading making me moan involuntarily. "You like it, don¡¯t you?" he whispered against my ear, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine. I bit my lip to keep another sound from escaping, but it didn¡¯t stop him. He spanked me sharply, the impact reverberating through me, forcing a cry from my lips.</i>


    <i>Kane, now in front of me, took one of my breasts in his hand, fondling it while his mouthtched onto the other. His tongue and teeth tormented the sensitive peak, drawing out cries of pleasure that I couldn¡¯t suppress. My rational mind screamed at me to resist, to fight, but the sensations overwhelmed me, drowning out all reason.</i>


    <i>This wasn¡¯t what I had agreed to. Kane had promised me he¡¯d control his darker desires, that he wouldn¡¯t put me in a situation like this unless I wanted it. And Dean¡ªDean wasn¡¯t even supposed to be here. What the hell was happening?</i>


    <i>My thoughts shattered as Dean¡¯s fingers plunged into my aching center. "Goddess," I whimpered, my voice barely above a whisper. If I were to die from pleasure, it would be here and now. He pulled his fingers away, only to deliver another sharp smack to my ass, then returned to tormenting me with his touch.</i>


    <i>While Kane continued tovish attention on my breasts, Dean¡¯s fingers thrust in and out of me, driving me closer and closer to the edge. "Just a little more," Dean whispered, his voice a seductive promise. "What¡¯s left is a bite to seal our mark."</i>


    <i>Dean¡¯s words barely registered as Kane¡¯s mouth left my nipple, trailing up to my jaw. Their lips, teeth, and tongues explored my neck, each kiss and nibble sending shockwaves through my body. My moans were unending now, a symphony of surrender and desperation.</i>


    <i>Dean¡¯s pace quickened, his fingers driving me higher until, with a scream, I came undone. But at the peak of my release, they both sank their fangs into my neck.</i> Shit. I open my eyes only to find I was on bed not suspended it was a fucking dream. Hell it felt real or not because on top of me in the bed was Kane looking at me lustfully his lips coated with blood and my neck stinging.


    Fucking mother fucker marked me. I push him off me only to find myself naked under the bed covers then clutching my neck I scrambled out of the bed.


    The stinging pain on my neck burned with a growing intensity, but it was the fire in my chest that truly consumed me. Panic wed its way into my mind as the realization of what Kane had done settled like a heavy stone in my gut.


    The room around me was unfamiliar, dimly lit, and filled with dark, menacing objects that looked like they belonged in some twisted pleasure dungeon. Cuffs, ropes, and whips adorned the walls, a mockery of the trust I¡¯d once ced in Kane. My heart raced, each beat hammering louder in my ears as the haze of heat, pleasure, and pain began to untangle itself into sharp rity.


    I clutched at the sheets wrapped around my naked body, my other hand shooting to my neck where the faint sting still lingered. My fingers brushed over the sensitive skin, and my worst fear solidified. The mark. Kane had <i>marked</i> me. My wolf stirred within me, strangely ted, but I felt anything but joy. Betrayal, anger, and confusion surged through me like a tidal wave.


    My eyes shot to Kane, who had just picked himself up from the floor after I shoved him off the bed. His expression was a mixture of guilt and something else¡ªsatisfaction. He didn¡¯t even try to deny what he¡¯d done. His lips were still faintly stained with blood¡ª<i>my</i> blood.


    Panic surged through me like wildfire. My heart was a drumbeat of chaos as I scrambled backward, clutching the sheet to my chest, my fingers trembling over the raw sting on my neck. My mind screamed at me to make sense of what had just happened, but nothing felt real. The dream¡ªor was it a memory?¡ªblurred and twisted with the reality of the room around me.


    Kane stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable. The faintest hint of blood glistened on his lips, confirming the very thing I didn¡¯t want to believe. <i>He marked me.</i>


    "You¡ª" My voice cracked, barely audible over the sound of my own erratic breathing. "You <i>marked</i> me?"


    Kane stepped forward cautiously, as if I were a cornered animal about to bolt. His eyes, dark with a mix of emotions I couldn¡¯t decipher, locked onto mine. "Elena, listen¡ª"


    "Don¡¯te near me!" I snapped, my voice rising in pitch as fear and anger intertwined into a storm inside me. I pressed myself against the headboard, holding the sheet tighter. "What the fuck did you do, Kane?!"


    "You... you marked me," I choked out, my voice trembling with disbelief.


    He stepped forward, his hands raised as if to calm me, but the movement only made my rage bubble hotter.


    "Elena, listen to me¡ª"


    "Don¡¯t you <i>dare</i>," I snapped, retreating until my back hit the cold, hard wall. "You promised me, Kane. You <i>promised</i> you¡¯d never cross this line without my consent!" My voice broke, tears threatening to spill as the betrayal sunk its ws deeper into my heart.


    "I had no choice," he said, his voice low but firm, as if that was supposed to make it better. "You were in heat. You were suffering. You needed me¡ª"


    "I needed you to help me through it, <i>not</i> take advantage of me!" I shouted, the anger breaking free. "You think marking me without my consent is some kind of mercy? Do you have any idea what you¡¯ve done?!"


    His jaw tightened, his eyes shing with something primal, but he quickly masked it. "I couldn¡¯t let Dean¡ª"


    "Oh, don¡¯t you dare me Dean for <i>your</i> choices!" I cut him off, pointing a shaking finger at him. "This is all you. You made the decision to im me, and for what? To stake your territory like some animal?"


    Kane¡¯s gaze darkened at my words, but he held his ground. "Because you¡¯re <i>mine,</i> Elena!" he growled, his voice dropping to a dangerous timbre. "You¡¯ve always been mine. I¡¯ve waited for this, fought against my instincts for as long as I could. But when I saw him¡ªDean¡ªhere, enjoyed watching you, pushing me to the edge... I couldn¡¯t hold back anymore."


    I flinched at his words, my heart twisting painfully. "And you think that justifies what you¡¯ve done? You think iming me when I was too weak to even fight back makes this okay? You marked me when I was asleep!"


    Kane ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. "You don¡¯t understand¡ª"


    "No, <i>you</i> don¡¯t understand!" I shot back. "This wasn¡¯t your decision to make, Kane. You¡¯ve taken something from me¡ªsomething I can never get back. Do you even realize how much trust you¡¯ve shattered?"


    His face softened for a moment, a flicker of regret crossing his features, but it wasn¡¯t enough to soothe the storm inside me. "Elena, I¡¯m sorry if you feel¡ª"


    "Don¡¯t," I hissed, cutting him off. "Don¡¯t you dare act like this is just about how I <i>feel.</i> You marked me, Kane. That¡¯s permanent. You¡¯ve bound me to you for life without giving me a choice, and you expect me to just ept it?"


    Silence fell between us, heavy and suffocating. I could see the conflict in his eyes, the struggle between the man and the beast within him. My wolf, traitorous as she was, purred in satisfaction at the bond, but I couldn¡¯t let that cloud my judgment. I wouldn¡¯t let Kane¡¯s actions go unchecked.


    Finally, he spoke, his voice low and strained. "I did what I thought was right. I¡¯ll take responsibility for that. But don¡¯t pretend you didn¡¯t want this, Elena. I felt it¡ªevery moan, every cry, every time you begged me for more. Your body wanted me just as much as mine wanted you."


    His words hit like a p, and I recoiled, tears stinging my eyes. "You don¡¯t get to twist this into something mutual," I said, my voice shaking. "Yes, I was in heat. Yes, my body was out of control. But that doesn¡¯t mean I wanted to be marked against my will."


    Kane¡¯s shoulders sagged, the weight of my words sinking in. For the first time, he looked unsure, vulnerable. But I wasn¡¯t ready to let my guard down. Not yet.


    "I need space," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "I can¡¯t be around you right now."


    His eyes widened in rm. "Elena, please¡ª"


    "No," I cut him off, raising a hand. "You¡¯ve done enough. Just... leave me alone."


    Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked toward the adjoining bathroom, locking the door behind me. The moment the lock clicked, I slid to the floor, burying my face in my hands as the tears finally fell.


    The mark on my neck throbbed faintly, a cruel reminder of what had been taken from me. My wolf, ever loyal to the bond, whimpered in protest at the distance I was putting between us, but I ignored her. I needed time to process, to figure out where we stood after this betrayal.


    Because no matter what my wolf wanted, one thing was clear: Kane had broken something between us, and I wasn¡¯t sure it could ever be fixed.

 Chapter 132: Enough

    <h4>Chapter 132: Enough</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    I didn¡¯t know how long I had been in the bathroom, pacing back and forth, my mind racing with fury. Every breath I took felt like a thousand volts coursing through me, and the only thing I could think about was how much Kane had betrayed my trust. The heat had been bad, yes¡ªgod, it had been unbearable, but it had ended after we fucked. That didn¡¯t mean he had the right to do this. To go ahead and <i>mark</i> me while I was unconscious, asleep, vulnerable... having sex with him didn¡¯t mean I also wanted to be marked!


    I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms, but the sharp pain wasn¡¯t enough to distract me from the simmering rage building up inside me. I didn¡¯t give a damn about mating. I didn¡¯t care if it was a bond, some sort of primal instinct or connection we couldn¡¯t control. What mattered was <i>consent</i>, and Kane had taken that away from me.


    He had crossed a line.


    How could he? I trusted him. I thought he understood me¡ªthought he cared. But here I was, trapped in a twisted situation I hadn¡¯t asked for.


    I had never agreed to this. I didn¡¯t agree to be his property or for him to stake his im on me like some possession. The anger I felt was white-hot, burning deep into my chest. I was <i>done</i>. I didn¡¯t care what he said, or how he justified it. There was noing back from this.


    I needed to get out. I had to leave.


    I quickly wiped the wetness from my face, ignoring the way my heart felt like it was being ripped in two. The scent of him¡ªthe warmth of his presence¡ªstill lingered in the back of my mind, but I refused to let it control me. He had taken enough from me. He had taken my choice, my dignity in that moment, and now he was going to feel the weight of that mistake.


    I opened the bathroom door with a sharp breath, ring at the space beyond. Kane¡¯s scent was heavy in the air, and I knew he was somewhere close. It only made me angrier. I wasn¡¯t going to let him hold me here.


    I stormed out of the bathroom, no longer caring about the consequences. I needed distance. I needed to be far away from him, from all of this.


    I headed toward the door, my heart pounding in my chest. But just as I reached for the handle, I heard his voice behind me.


    "Elena, wait."


    His voice was low, husky with the remnants of whatever we had just shared. But I wasn¡¯t listening to that. I wasn¡¯t listening to anything but the pounding in my head.


    "No," I snapped, my voice harsh, raw with the bitterness of betrayal. "You <i>don¡¯t</i> get to tell me what to do, Kane. Not anymore."


    "Please, just let me exin¡ª"


    "Exin?" I whirled around to face him, the anger shing in my eyes. "You don¡¯t get to exin away what you did! You <i>marked</i> me while I was asleep, Kane. You took away my choice. How could you do that? After everything we¡¯ve been through, you just¡ª"


    I shook my head, feeling the weight of all the emotions crashing into me at once. "I trusted you."


    His expression faltered for just a moment, guilt shing across his face, but then it was gone, reced by something harder¡ªsomething I didn¡¯t recognize.


    "Elena¡ª"


    "No!" I shouted, my voice shaking with fury. "You¡¯ve crossed a line. I¡¯m not your mate unless I <i>choose</i> to be, and you¡¯ve made that decision for me. You¡¯ve <i>ruined</i> everything."


    I felt my chest tighten as my breath quickened, but I wasn¡¯t backing down. Not this time.


    I turned back to the door, ready to leave, but Kane moved quickly, blocking my way. His presence loomed over me like a storm, but I wasn¡¯t intimidated anymore.


    "Don¡¯t try to stop me," I hissed. "I¡¯m leaving. I¡¯m done with all of this."


    "Elena, you¡¯re angry, I get it, but¡ª"


    "No, Kane!" I cut him off, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and defiance. "You think you can just take control of everything? Of <i>me</i>? I¡¯m not some object you can im whenever it suits you. You don¡¯t own me, and I will <i>never</i> ept that."


    The silence that followed was suffocating. He didn¡¯t speak, didn¡¯t try to touch me, and that, in itself, spoke volumes. For the first time since the heat, I saw a flicker of regret in his eyes. But that didn¡¯t make up for what he had done.


    "I¡¯m leaving, Kane," I said again, quieter this time, but still with determination. "And there¡¯s nothing you can say to make me stay."


    With that, I pushed past him, ignoring the ache in my chest and the tears threatening to fall. I couldn¡¯t let him see my weakness. Not now.


    I wasn¡¯t looking back. Not for him, not for anything.


    I just needed to get away.


    My heart pounded in my chest as I stepped outside the cottage, the air cool and biting against my bare skin. The forest stretched endlessly around me, the towering trees casting long, haunting shadows. A deep sense of istion washed over me, and the reality of the situation began to sink in. I didn¡¯t know where I was, how I had ended up here, or how to find my way back. I wasn¡¯t even sure where "back" was anymore.


    Kane had promised things would be different. He¡¯d sworn that we could make it work, that he would be patient, that he wouldn¡¯t push me into anything. But now, everything was different. He wasn¡¯t the man I had trusted. He was a stranger¡ªan arrogant, entitled stranger who hadpletely crossed a line. The anger burned within me, hot and furious, twisting my insides with the intensity of it. The betrayal stung more than I wanted to admit.


    I had thought I understood him, that there was a bond between us that couldn¡¯t be broken, but now, it all felt like lies. His actions had shattered whatever fragile trust I¡¯d had left. I had tried to hold on, tried to convince myself that we could figure it out, but his selfishness had taken over, leaving me exposed, vulnerable, and hurt.


    "I can¡¯t believe he did that," I muttered under my breath, a bitterugh escaping my lips as I wiped away the tears I hadn¡¯t realized had fallen.


    My mind raced, desperately trying to find some way to piece together what had happened. I had thought I could trust him, that he would respect me¡ªrespect my boundaries. But instead, he had taken advantage of me in my most vulnerable moment, marking me as if I were some possession, some object for his own gain. It felt like a vition, not just of my body, but of everything I had hoped our connection would be.


    I took a deep breath, my chest tightening with the overwhelming pressure of my emotions. "I can¡¯t stay here. I can¡¯t be around him anymore."


    The decision was made. I needed to leave. I needed to find a way out of this nightmare, to get as far away from him as possible.


    The forest around me was dense, the trees thick and dark, but that only made me feel more trapped. There were no signs of civilization, no road, no trail to follow. It was just the endless sea of green, stretching in every direction, suffocating me in its istion.


    I tried to steady my breath, pushing past the panic rising within me. "Think, Elena. Think."


    My mind began to race through the options, and slowly, an idea began to form. I wasn¡¯t helpless. I had been trained, had learned how to survive on my own. I could do this.


    I nced down at the ground, trying to gauge the direction I should take. The moonlight barely pierced the canopy above, but the faint glow of the stars illuminated the path ahead. I started walking, each step feeling heavier than thest. The frustration bubbled up inside me, and I couldn¡¯t stop the scowl from spreading across my face. How had things gone so wrong?


    My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of movement behind me. I froze, my muscles tensing, and instinctively, my eyes darted around the darkness.


    Was it him? Had he followed me?


    A chill ran down my spine, and my pulse quickened. I spun around, heart racing, ready to face whatever wasing.


    But there was nothing. The forest remained still, silent, save for the rustling of leaves and the distant call of an owl.


    I exhaled slowly, forcing my body to rx. "You¡¯re losing it, Elena. Get it together."


    My mind, however, refused to calm. Every noise, every creak of a branch, felt like it was him¡ªKane¡ªlurking in the shadows, watching, waiting. My anger surged again, and I clenched my fists at my sides, unwilling to let him have the power to control my fear, too.


    "I won¡¯t let him do this. I won¡¯t let him break me," I whispered fiercely to myself, my voice low and filled with defiance.


    But even as I said the words, a part of me doubted. Could I really escape? Could I really break free from this twisted bond he had forced upon me?


    And then, just as the weight of uncertainty threatened to drag me down, a voice¡ªcold and steady¡ªcut through the stillness of the night.


    "You¡¯re not going anywhere."


    My breath hitched. It was him. Kane.


    I turned sharply, my body tense with anger and fear as he stepped from the shadows, his figure looming in the dim light. His eyes were dark, unreadable, his posture strong, almost predatory.


    "Let me go, Kane," I snapped, my voice trembling despite the fury in my chest. "I¡¯m done. You¡¯ve crossed the line, and I don¡¯t care what you think you have¡ªwhat we have¡ªI¡¯m not staying here with you."


    His expression didn¡¯t change, but there was a shift in his stance, something colder in his gaze.


    "You think you can just walk away? You can¡¯t run from this, Elena." His voice was low, controlled, but there was an edge to it, a possessiveness that made my stomach turn.


    "I¡¯m not your property," I hissed, stepping back, trying to put some distance between us. "You don¡¯t get to decide what happens to me. Not anymore."


    Kane¡¯s jaw tightened, and for a moment, I saw the sh of something¡ªhurt? Regret?¡ªbut it was gone before I could process it. His eyes softened just a fraction, but it was almost worse, that fleeting moment of vulnerability. It made my heart ache in a way I didn¡¯t want it to.


    "You don¡¯t understand, Elena," he said, his voice quieter now. "I didn¡¯t mark you because I wanted to control you. I did it because I¡ª"


    "Stop!" I interrupted, my voice rising with the frustration I could no longer hold back. "Stop making excuses. You vited me, Kane. You took away my choice, my agency, without even thinking about what I wanted. That¡¯s not love. That¡¯s not respect. And you damn well know it."


    I could see the conflict sh across his face, but I didn¡¯t care. I was done with the excuses, done with trying to make sense of his actions.


    "I can¡¯t be around you anymore," I whispered, more to myself than to him, but the finality of my words hung in the air, heavy and undeniable.


    Kane didn¡¯t move. He didn¡¯t even speak.


    The silence stretched on between us, thick and suffocating. And for a moment, I almost felt like I could breathe again. I had made my decision.


    I turned and walked away, each step taking me farther from him, from the life I thought I would have, but now knew I could never return to.

 Chapter 133: Dark Kane

    <h4>Chapter 133: Dark Kane</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    I had spent the night beside her, my heart beating softly as I drifted into an uneasy sleep. The moment I woke, something was wrong¡ªdeeply wrong. It wasn¡¯t just the tension in the air. It wasn¡¯t the cold sweat clinging to my skin. It was her. Elena was dreaming, restless in her slumber. The sounds that escaped her lips affected me in a way I couldn¡¯t exin. They stirred something inside of me¡ªsomething primal. Something I didn¡¯t fully understand but knew I couldn¡¯t ignore.


    She looked so vulnerable, tangled in her sheets, twisting in her dream as if she was trapped in a world she couldn¡¯t escape. A world I wished I could make real. I wanted to hold her, to give herfort, to make those nightmares disappear, but something snapped in me.


    My wolf was restless¡ªaggressive, irrational¡ªand that pull, that overwhelming need to possess her, surged up like a wildfire, unstoppable and suffocating. I could feel him pushing at the edges of my mind, wing his way through my thoughts. It was like a storm in my head, and the more I tried to fight it, the stronger it became.


    I had always prided myself on control, but now, all of that seemed like a distant memory. He was in charge now.


    It was as if my wolf had be a separate entity, a dark reflection of myself. An alpha, driven by instinct, driven by dominance. And in that moment, nothing else mattered. Nothing but marking her.


    My mind screamed to stop, to fight it, but my wolf was unrelenting. His rage was deafening, overpowering. I could feel his every thought, his every desire, and all he wanted was to im her¡ªto mark her as ours. And I, the man who had always been in control, was powerless against him.


    Before I knew it, I was above her, my fangs bared, ready to im what I thought was mine. Her soft breathing, her delicate form beneath me¡ªshe was our mate. Our bond. She <i>belonged</i> to us. And the more I thought about it, the more the darkness inside me surged. This was right. This was inevitable.


    But then something shifted. A fragment of rity pierced the haze of my wolf¡¯s rage. I saw her face turn, saw the vulnerability, the fear¡ª<i>her fear</i>. And that was when it happened. My wolf acted.


    The sudden violence of the bite startled even me. In my mind, I begged for control, but it was gone, reced by that dark, feral version of myself. The second I sank my fangs into her skin¡ª<i>our mark</i>¡ªit was like a floodgate opened. Her eyes shot open in shock, her gaze locking with mine, full of confusion and horror.


    In that moment, I realized what I had done.


    Her hand reached for me, her palm pressing against my neck as she tried to make sense of what was happening. But before I could say anything, before I could even apologize, her eyes filled with fury. The pain in them¡ª<i>it gutted me</i>.


    "What did you do?" she demanded, her voice sharp,ced with disgust and fury.


    I couldn¡¯t answer. I was still in a daze, still battling with the wolf inside me who just <i>wouldn¡¯t stop</i>. She was touching the spot where the mark had been, already healing, but it didn¡¯t matter. The bond was there now, too real to ignore, too much to undo.


    Before I could react, she pushed me off of her. I wasn¡¯t prepared for it. I wasn¡¯t ready for her anger to physically shove me away. My body hit the floor with a thud, my heart pounding, my mind a whirlwind of chaos.


    She scrambled out of the bed, clutching the sheets around her, looking at me with those hurt, pained eyes. Eyes I couldn¡¯t bear to look into, knowing what I had just done. I tried to get up, to speak, to apologize, but the words wouldn¡¯te. Not with her looking at me like that¡ªlike I had just shattered everything.


    Her voice cracked through the air again, and it felt like a de against my chest.


    "What did you do?" she repeated, her words seething with pain.


    I opened my mouth to respond, but the guilt, the regret, the darkness inside me¡ªit all made it hard to form the words. She was healing now, but I knew this was far from over. I had crossed a line. I had hurt her. And there was no going back.


    I wanted to tell her that I never meant for this to happen, that I hadn¡¯t wanted it like this. I wanted to exin to her that it wasn¡¯t me¡ªit was the wolf inside me, the darkness, the madness of Dean messing with my head. But in that moment, I knew none of that mattered. I had marked her without her consent. I had forced myself on her in a way that could never be undone.


    I wasn¡¯t sure what to do anymore.


    The pain in her eyes was like a dagger to my soul. Every instinct in me screamed to go to her, to beg for forgiveness, but I knew it was toote for that.


    I had lost her. And I had no idea how to get her back.


    The door mmed shut with a force that sent a jolt through me, and I heard her lock herself in the bathroom. The sound echoed in the silence of the room, leaving me frozen in ce, my mind racing. Elena¡ªmy mate¡ªhad justshed out at me, pushing me away, rejecting me in the most painful way possible. I had never imagined things would go this way. Not after everything we had shared, everything we had built.


    But now? Now, I was left standing there, feeling the weight of her fury pressing down on me. And deep inside, the mate bond began to hum¡ªa deep, pulsing sensation that radiated through me, forcing me to feel everything she was going through. Her anger, her pain, her disgust¡ªit all sliced through me like a thousand des.


    I wanted to reach her. I wanted to fix this, to exin what had happened, to make her understand. My instincts screamed at me to push through, to try tofort her, to make things right. But no matter how hard I tried to probe into the mate bond, she blocked me. It was like hitting a brick wall¡ªevery attempt to reach her was met with a cold, unyielding force.


    It terrified me, how easily she cut me off, how easily she shut me out. She had blocked mepletely, leaving me in the dark, unable to understand what she was feeling.


    And then it hit me¡ªwhat really horrified me: I didn¡¯t feel sorry for marking her.


    The realization sent a chill down my spine. I should have felt regret. I should have been desperate to apologize, to make things right. But no. My dominant side¡ªthe alpha in me¡ªwas unyielding, unrepentant.


    I couldn¡¯t bring myself to regret it. The bond between us, the mark, it was <i>mine</i>. She was <i>mine</i>¡ªcreated for me, by the Moon goddess herself.


    My wolf¡¯s voice roared inside my head, filling me with a twisted sense of pride. The mark, the bond, it wasn¡¯t a mistake. She was my mate, and I would im her. No one¡ª<i>not even Elena</i>¡ªcould take that away from me.


    She was mine.


    I didn¡¯t care what she thought, or how angry she was. This was destiny. This was fate. The world had aligned, and she belonged to me.


    And that thought settled deep within me¡ªlike an anchor in my soul. I wouldn¡¯t apologize. I wouldn¡¯t back down.


    She was mine. And nothing, not even her rejection, would change that.


    The small, rational voice inside my head, the one that whispered that this wasn¡¯t <i>me</i>, was quickly drowned out by something darker, something far more primal. I shut it down with ease, because deep down, I knew the truth. I didn¡¯t care if this wasn¡¯t me. I didn¡¯t care if the person I had been before had been consumed by something else. The darkness felt right. It was part of me now, and I wasn¡¯t going to fight it.


    There was no room for second-guessing, no room for apologies. I had made my choice, and now she would, too. Elena had no say in this anymore. She was mine. She belonged to me. It didn¡¯t matter if she thought she could walk away, if she thought she could make her own decisions. She had already made the only choice that mattered the moment she became my mate.


    I had been a fool to even think that she could walk away from me. No. The bond between us¡ª<i>my</i> bond with her¡ªwas unbreakable. She didn¡¯t need to choose. There was no decision. She was mine, and that was the end of it.


    When she emerged from the bathroom, wearing that oversized shirt and shorts, something inside me tightened. I had wanted to dress her myself. I had nned it, but I hadn¡¯t wanted to disturb her, so I had ced the clothes somewhere I couldn¡¯t quite recall. It didn¡¯t matter. Seeing her like this, dressed in my chosen clothing, made something inside me stir. A strange satisfaction rippled through me. She looked... calm, almost too calm.


    It dawned on me then¡ªshe still didn¡¯t understand. She still didn¡¯t realize that she had no choice in the matter.


    She opened her mouth, and I could already feel iting. The words she would say¡ªwords that would be as stupid as they were futile.


    "I¡¯m leaving," she said, her voice steady. But underneath it, I could hear the tremor¡ªthe uncertainty, the fear she was too proud to show.


    My mind went cold. The bond between us pulsed beneath my skin, dark and thick, like a looming storm. She was gravely mistaken if she thought I would let her go. There was no chance. No way in hell.


    I watched her as she moved toward the door, walking out of the cottage as if she could just leave without consequence. As if I would just let her walk away from what we had, from <i>me</i>.


    But I didn¡¯t chase her, not yet. There was no need to rush. She just needed to see it for herself. She needed to understand.


    I could feel her anxiety bleeding through the bond, her desire to escape, to breathe. She thought she could take control, that she could force her way out of this situation. I could feel the doubt in her mind as she stepped into the open air, away from the safety of the cottage, her heart racing, her breath unsteady.


    I didn¡¯t follow immediately. I wasn¡¯t in a hurry. I knew that in time, she would realize. She would understand that no matter how far she went, no matter how much she tried to resist, she would always be mine.


    I smiled darkly, my gaze fixed on her retreating form.


    I didn¡¯t need to rush. She¡¯d be back.


    They always came back.

 Chapter 134: Turning Dark

    <h4>Chapter 134: Turning Dark</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV</strong>


    A slow, predatory smile curled on my lips as I watched her move through the trees,pletely unaware of the eyes following her every step. She thought she was leaving. She thought she could escape me. Foolish, naive little mate.


    She didn¡¯t even sense me. Pathetic.


    If I had been an enemy, she would already be dead. Her breathing was uneven, her movements uncoordinated, ruled by emotions rather than instinct. Weak. Vulnerable. Mine. She needed me. She didn¡¯t realize it yet, but she did. She needed me to protect her, to keep her from making reckless, idiotic decisions like this.


    I moved soundlessly through the shadows, my steps light, my presence nothing more than a whisper against the night. She didn¡¯t even flinch, didn¡¯t even hesitate,pletely oblivious to the danger that lurked just behind her. She was supposed to be a wolf, my mate, yet she couldn¡¯t even sense when she was being hunted.


    I let her get further, let her believe she was getting away. It was almost amusing, watching her stumble through the thick forest, her frustration growing with every passing second. She had no idea where she was going. She was just running¡ªdesperate, blind.


    Pathetic.


    She needed me.


    And yet, she was stupid enough to think I would let her go.


    Did she really believe she had a choice?


    I clenched my jaw, suppressing the growl that threatened to rise in my throat. She was mine. Mine to im. Mine to keep. Mine to protect.


    A darker satisfaction curled through me as I moved closer, still silent, still unseen. It was almost too easy. She was lost, helpless, and yet she still clung to the delusion that she could free herself from me. From us.


    I could hear the rapid beat of her heart, the shallow breaths she took, the tremor in her fingers as she pushed branches aside. She was afraid. Not of me¡ªnot yet. But of the unknown, of the forest, of whaty beyond the thick walls of trees.


    Good.


    Fear would keep her cautious. Fear would make her see reason.


    Still, I was growing tired of this game.


    With deliberate slowness, I let a single branch snap under my boot.


    She froze.


    Her head jerked up, her body stiffening as she turned sharply, scanning the darkness.


    "Who¡¯s there?" she demanded, her voiceced with defiance. But I could hear it¡ªthe fear.


    I said nothing.


    She took a step back, her fingers curling into fists. "I know you¡¯re there."


    No, little mate, you don¡¯t.


    If you truly did, you would already be on your knees.


    I watched as she swallowed hard, as she squared her shoulders, trying to mask her growing unease. She was brave, I¡¯d give her that. But bravery without strength was just foolishness.


    Another step. Another mistake.


    She wasn¡¯t running anymore. No, now she was hesitating. Doubting.


    <i>Good.</i>


    And then, just as she turned¡ªas she thought she was alone¡ªI finally spoke.


    "You¡¯re not very good at this, are you?"


    Her sharp inhale was intoxicating. The way she spun around, eyes wide, searching, desperate, powerless.


    I stepped out of the shadows slowly, deliberately, letting her see me¡ªletting her see what she could never run from.


    "Did you really think I wouldn¡¯t follow?" I murmured, my voice dangerously soft. "Did you really think you could leave me?"


    She took a step back, her pulse erratic, panic creeping into her expression.


    "I told you," she whispered, her voice trembling despite the fire in her eyes. "I told you I¡¯m done."


    I tilted my head, amused. "And I told you, you¡¯re mine."


    She clenched her fists. "You don¡¯t own me, Kane!"


    I smiled then. A slow, cold smile that held no warmth, no softness¡ªonly darkness.


    "But I do, little mate."


    And with that, I took another step forward.


    She ran.


    And I let her.


    For now.


    Because this game was far from over


    A twisted satisfaction coiled inside me as I ran after her, silent as the night. She had no idea. No idea that I was watching, that I was trailing her every step. That I was <i>hunting</i> her.


    She thought she could escape me.


    Foolish little wolf.


    She didn¡¯t even sense me lurking in the shadows earlier. Not a flicker of awareness. What if I had been an enemy? What if something else had found her before I did? She would have been dead before she could take her next breath. She needed me to protect her. She was weak, fragile¡ªmine to shield. Mine to control.


    She had always belonged to me.


    Her defiance was pointless. She could run, she could fight, she could rage against the bond all she wanted, but the truth was absolute. The mark on her neck sealed her fate. She was bound to me, whether she wanted it or not. Whether she <i>epted</i> it or not.


    And yet, she was trying to leave.


    A growl rumbled in my chest, low and dangerous, as I watched her push deeper into the forest, her breathing in short, sharp bursts. Was she panicking? Good. She should be. The bond between us trembled, alive and raw, and I <i>felt</i> her¡ªher fear, her fury, her stubborn resolve.


    She still thought she had a choice.


    How <i>amusing</i>.


    A slow smirk tugged at my lips as I stalked closer, moving through the trees with a predator¡¯s grace. She was fast, but not fast enough. She was strong, but not stronger than me.


    This was inevitable.


    I let a single branch snap beneath my boot, letting the sound echo through the quiet night. To know that I had caught up with her. Again.


    Darkness slithered through me, consuming everyst shred of restraint I had left. It wasn¡¯t just hunger¡ªit was possession. A primal, malevolent urge to im her, to show her exactly who she belonged to. The forest floor would be her altar, and I¡¯d be the one to iming her again and again as mine.


    The moment she heard meing, she ran.


    Smart girl.


    But I loved a good chase. And this? This was the sweetest hunt of all¡ªbecause the reward was <i>her</i>.


    I stalked through the trees, my muscles coiled, my senses tuned to the sound of her pounding heartbeat, the sharp, quick gasps of her breath. She was fast, but I was faster. Her scent¡ªwild and intoxicating¡ªlingered in the air, guiding me straight to her.


    I could already see it in my mind¡ªher beneath me, her body trembling, her eyes wide with the realization that running had been futile. That no matter how far she went, how fast she ran, I would <i>always</i> catch her.


    Her heartbeat spiked, a rapid, frantic rhythm that sent a dark thrill through me. Then, as if realizing what it meant, she increased her speed.


    Oh, I was loving this chase.


    I slowed down to let her believe, just for a moment, that she had a chance. That she could slip away from me. That she could <i>escape</i>.


    Then I moved.


    The wind howled around me as I surged forward, the trees nothing but a blur in my vision. I could already taste victory, could already imagine the moment she realized there was no running from me.


    I was closing in.


    Her breath hitched. She knew. She <i>knew</i>.


    And just as I was about to reach for her, to remind her who she <i>belonged</i> to¡ª


    A force mmed into me from the side, knocking me off course, sending me skidding across the forest floor.


    A blur. A shadow.


    A snarl ripped from my throat as I twisted, ready to tear apart whatever dared to <i>interfere</i>.


    Dean.


    The vampire stood between me and my prize, his eyes cold, unyielding.


    "Run, little wolf," he said, his voice calm, deliberate.


    Elena hesitated for only a second before she turned and did just that.


    My entire body tensed, rage flooding through my veins. She was getting away. She was¡ª


    I turned my fury onto Dean. "What the <i>hell</i> do you think you¡¯re doing?"


    He didn¡¯t flinch. Didn¡¯t waver. He just stared at me, that ever-infuriating calm of his only fueling my anger.


    A growl ripped from my throat, my fangs elongating as fury zed through me.


    Dean had spent <i>years</i> trying to pull me into his darkness, whispering in my ear, urging me to <i>let go</i>. And now that I had¡ªnow that I had <i>finally</i> embraced the beast inside¡ªhe was telling my mate to <i>run</i>?


    Stupid fucking vampire.


    His eyes flickered with something unreadable. "You¡¯re losing yourself, Kane. And you don¡¯t even see it."


    A snarl tore from my lips. "She is <i>mine</i>."


    "She is <i>herself</i>," he countered. "And if you keep going down this path, you¡¯ll destroy her."


    I lunged.


    He was ready.


    The night erupted into chaos as we shed, the force of our collision shaking the trees around us. Fists, ws, fangs¡ªI didn¡¯t care. I would rip him apart for getting in my way.


    But even as the battle consumed me, one single thought remained, burning at the edges of my mind like a brand.


    She was getting away.


    And I would find her again.


    No matter what it took.


    She would <i>never</i> be free of me.

 Chapter 135: Getting Away

    <h4>Chapter 135: Getting Away</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV</strong>


    I don¡¯t know what the <i>fuck</i> is wrong with Kane, but he is scaring the <i>shit</i> out of me.


    This isn¡¯t him. This isn¡¯t the man I trusted, the one who used to be gentle, soft¡ª<i>loving</i>. That Kane is <i>gone</i>, reced by something dark, something dangerous. Now, he¡¯s possessive, obsessive, <i>dominant</i> in a way that makes my skin crawl. And if I wasn¡¯t so terrified, I¡¯d also add <i>asshole</i> to the list.


    He wasn¡¯t just chasing me.


    He was <i>hunting</i> me.


    Like this was some kind of sick, twisted game and I was the prey.


    My heart pounded against my ribs as I pushed forward, feet barely touching the forest floor. The night air burned in my lungs, my legs ached, but I didn¡¯t dare stop. Not when I could feel him closing in.


    I wasn¡¯t imagining it¡ªI <i>felt</i> him. His presence was everywhere, thick and suffocating, like the darkness itself was bending to his will. The mate bond pulsed in my veins, screaming at me, warning me, <i>binding</i> me to him no matter how much I wanted to rip it away.


    But I <i>wasn¡¯t</i> his.


    Not like this.


    Not when his touch made me shudder with something other than longing. Not when the warmth I once felt in his presence had turned into ice-cold terror.


    A branch snapped somewhere behind me.


    I bit down a whimper, shoving my panic down as I forced my legs to move faster. <i>Don¡¯t look back. Don¡¯t look back. Don¡¯t¡ª</i>


    I looked.


    And I <i>saw</i> him.


    A shadow moving through the trees, fast, effortless, <i>unstoppable</i>. His eyes glowed in the darkness, burning with something primal, something unhinged.


    I¡¯d seen Kane angry before. I¡¯d seen him fight, seen his dominance re up when he needed to prove himself.


    But this?


    This wasn¡¯t him.


    This was <i>something else</i>.


    Something <i>wrong</i>.


    I turned my focus forward, lungs burning, my mind racing for a n¡ªany n. But what was I supposed to do? I was running blind, deeper into unfamiliar terrain, with <i>him</i> at my back, gaining on me.


    Panic wed at my throat. I wasn¡¯t fast enough. I <i>knew</i> it.


    And neither did he.


    Because Kane <i>wasn¡¯t</i> in a hurry.


    He was toying with me.


    Drawing this out.


    Like he <i>wanted</i> me to think I had a chance. Like he <i>wanted</i> to savor my fear before finally catching me.


    A broken sob tore from my lips, but I didn¡¯t stop. I <i>couldn¡¯t</i> stop.


    Then¡ª


    A blur of movement.


    A sh of silver.


    And suddenly, Kane was <i>gone</i>.


    I stumbled forward, nearly falling, my mind struggling to catch up. What¡ª?


    Then I heard <i>him</i>.


    "Run, little wolf."


    Dean.


    I didn¡¯t think. I didn¡¯t hesitate. I <i>ran</i>.


    My entire body screamed at me to keep going, to push past the exhaustion, the terror, everything¡ªjust <i>run</i>.


    Because I didn¡¯t know what had happened.


    I didn¡¯t know why Dean had stepped in, or if he could even <i>stop</i> Kane in whatever monstrous state he had fallen into.


    All I knew was that if Kane caught me...


    I didn¡¯t want to know what would happen next.


    And I wasn¡¯t about to find out.


    I ran and ran, never daring to look back, but the snarls and feral growls behind me told me all I needed to know¡ªKane and Dean were fighting.


    The sounds were brutal, raw, like two beasts ripping each other apart. And yet, I couldn¡¯t stop, couldn¡¯t turn around, no matter how much my heart clenched at the thought of what was happening behind me.


    Zena, my wolf, hadpletely <i>retreated</i>, vanishing deep within my mind like a petnt child throwing a tantrum.


    She was <i>furious</i> with me.


    Furious that I had hated Kane for marking us. Furious that I had fought against the mate bond she had craved for so long.


    She <i>hated</i> me for running away from him¡ª<i>our</i> mate, <i>her</i> half.


    And to punish me, she had retracted everything¡ªher strength, her speed, her heightened senses. Every ability that could have aided me in my escape was <i>gone</i> because she was <i>against</i> me leaving.


    That was why I was stumbling like some helpless human in the darkness, my legs shaking, my vision too weak to properly adjust to the night. It was like she was staging a boycott against me, sulking in the depths of my mind while I struggled to survive.


    I <i>understood</i> her, in a way.


    Zena was an <i>animal</i>, driven by instinct, by raw emotion.


    She didn¡¯t care about reason, about logic. She wasn¡¯t thinking about the <i>monster</i> Kane had be, about the darkness twisting through his soul like a poison.


    All she cared about was the bond.


    The connection.


    Her half.


    The <i>mate</i> that she had waited for, longed for, <i>ached</i> for.


    And I was tearing it apart.


    So, she had turned her back on me.


    Abandoned me.


    Left me <i>alone</i> in the dark, with nothing but my own fear and exhaustion weighing me down.


    And yet, despite it all¡ªdespite the distance I¡¯d put between Kane and myself¡ªsomething deep inside me <i>ached</i>.


    Because I could <i>feel</i> him.


    Through the mate bond.


    Through the primal pull that connected us, no matter how much I wished I could sever it.


    And what I felt wasn¡¯t just rage.


    It wasn¡¯t just possessiveness, or darkness, or hunger.


    It was <i>pain</i>.


    Twisting, searing pain.


    And I didn¡¯t know if it was his.


    Or mine.


    I got lucky.


    One moment, I was tripping over roots, my breath ragged, my legs weak, the darkness swallowing me whole. The next¡ªI tumbled forward, crashing onto solid ground.


    I barely had time to register the sudden change when bright headlights cut through the night, blinding me.


    A road.


    A highway.


    And a car wasing straight for me.


    I scrambled to my feet, my heart pounding, my body trembling from exhaustion. This was it. <i>This was my chance.</i>


    If I could g them down, if I could just get in that car, I could disappear. I could get far, far away from Kane. <i>Unless he finds me. Unless he tracks me down.</i>


    A shiver ran down my spine at the thought.


    I knew he would.


    I <i>knew</i> he wouldn¡¯t stop.


    But I didn¡¯t care.


    I raised my arms, waving frantically as the vehicle sped closer, its tires screeching as the driver hit the brakes. The harsh glow of the headlights illuminated my bruised and dirt-covered form, and for a brief moment, I felt the weight of everything crashing down on me.


    I had made it.


    I had escaped.


    Now I just had to pray that I could stay <i>gone</i>.

 Chapter 136: The Shadow Also Have A Voice

    <h4>Chapter 136: The Shadow Also Have A Voice</h4>


    <strong>Dean¡¯s POV</strong>


    I go by many names.


    The evil twin.


    Kane¡¯s darkness.


    Kane¡¯s shadow.


    Rejected vampire.


    Or, the mostmon one¡ªDean.


    You¡¯ve heard of me. You¡¯ve whispered about me in the dead of night, cursed my name under your breath, and med me for every misfortune that befalls Kane. You think you know who I am. You think you understand the monster lurking in the shadows.


    But tell me, have you ever stopped to consider that maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªyou¡¯ve been fed lies?


    That your perception of me is nothing more than carefully crafted bias?


    That just because I am a vampire¡ªa <i>wolf¡¯s worst enemy</i>¡ªit¡¯s easier to me me for the darkness festering inside Kane rather than ept that it was always there, waiting to be unleashed?


    I won¡¯t waste my breath trying to convince you I¡¯m a saint. <i>Please.</i> I wouldn¡¯t even make it as a decent gentleman.


    But I¡¯m not here to beg for understanding. I don¡¯t care how the world sees me. I don¡¯t care about redemption, forgiveness, or whatever moral nonsense you cling to.


    I just want to set the record straight.


    This is <i>my</i> story.


    Yes, I am a part of Kane.


    The vampire part of him.


    Just like he has his wolf, Ash.


    I wasn¡¯t always a separate entity, lurking in the dark, whispering in his mind like a cursed shadow. No, once upon a time, we were one. Three in one¡ªa tribrid. Kane, the human. Ash, the wolf. And me, the vampire.


    A tribrid.


    His human side.


    His wolf.


    And me¡ªthe vampire.


    I know what they say. The same tired story, repeated like a prayer:


    <i>"His wolf and his vampire side shed, turning him feral, making him deranged, a threat to the pack..."</i>


    <i>h, h, h.</i>


    Lies.


    That¡¯s nothing but glorified fairytales to make people feel better about their ignorance.


    Even Kane and Ash¡ªhis own wolf¡ªbought into that nonsense.


    Idiots.


    Let me tell you the truth.


    Vampires aren¡¯t <i>born</i>¡ªthey¡¯re <i>turned</i>. Everyone knows that. Well, unless you¡¯re an <i>Original</i>, but that¡¯s another story. The thing is, I don¡¯t know <i>how</i> I came to be. One moment, I was nothing, and the next¡ªI <i>was</i>.


    A vampire, but trapped inside the body of a child.


    I don¡¯t know how I came to be, only that I <i>was</i>.


    Not like Ash, who was a pup. Not like Kane, who was a baby. <i>Me</i>? I was <i>just there</i>. Fully aware, fully conscious. No growing, no developing, no learning how to walk or talk.


    Me? I was <i>me</i>.


    There was no growth, no childhood, no foolish dreams of running through fields or learning how to shift under the moonlight.


    I simply <i>was</i>.


    Like my soul¡ªno, vampires don¡¯t have souls, do they? Let¡¯s call it my <i>essence</i>¡ªhad found refuge in a newborn wolf. It had somehowtched onto the little wolf pup Kane was when he was born. Like something ancient and broken had crawled inside Kane the moment he took his first breath.


    I remember the weakness, the exhaustion, the deep slumber I fell into. I was <i>buried</i> inside him, silent, dormant... until I wasn¡¯t.


    Until I awoke inside a little boy¡¯s body.


    Not just Kane. <i>Me</i>.


    Three minds.


    A child¡¯s wonder.


    A pup¡¯s instincts.


    And something else. Something older, darker, lurking beneath the surface. Me.


    I think we were two years old when it happened. Maybe younger. Maybe older. Time was meaningless to me.


    But I do remember <i>this</i>:


    The moment they realized what he was.


    What <i>we</i> were.


    A tribrid.


    And that was when everything started to fall apart.


    I was always there.


    Silent. Watching. Keeping to myself as the <i>child¡¯s</i> mind interacted with the <i>pup¡¯s</i> mind.


    Kane and Ash¡ªtwo halves of a growing whole,pletely oblivious to the <i>other</i> presence lingering in the shadows of their consciousness. <i>Me</i>.


    I didn¡¯t interfere. Not at first.


    I just observed. Ensured we didn¡¯t <i>die</i> because of Kane¡¯s ridiculous, reckless childhood curiosity. Do you know how many times I had to stop him from tumbling off ledges or wandering too close to danger? A wolf pup and a toddler together? <i>Disaster waiting to happen.</i>


    And that¡¯s when I noticed it.


    A <i>fourth</i> presence.


    Malevolent. Insidious. A creeping <i>darkness</i> that slithered through the cracks of our growing mind. It wasn¡¯t me. It wasn¡¯t Kane. It wasn¡¯t Ash.


    It was <i>something else entirely.</i>


    At first, it was nothing more than stray thoughts. Strange emotions. Fleeting urges that made no sense to a child. <i>Hurt that rabbit. Push that other pup. Watch it suffer.</i>


    I fought it.


    <i>I</i>, the only one with any sense of reason, <i>tried</i> to keep it at bay.


    But Kane was a child. He didn¡¯t understand control. He didn¡¯t understand <i>restraint</i>. And whatever this <i>thing</i> was, it took advantage of that.


    Sometimes it took overpletely, twisting Kane into something... <i>wrong</i>. Turning his innocent mischief into <i>something darker</i>. Something that made the other pups cower, that made the adults whisper.


    And because I was the <i>vampire</i>¡ªthe unnatural part of him¡ªthey assumed <i>I</i> was the cause.


    They were idiots.


    They thought Kane¡¯s wolf and vampire sides were <i>shing</i>, tearing him apart from the inside. That I was at war with Ash.


    As if.


    I <i>adored</i> that little pup, especially when he took over to hunt rabbits. Why the <i>hell</i> would I, a millennium-old vampire¡ªsomething Iter came to understand¡ªwaste my time <i>fighting</i> with a cute, furry pup personality?


    No, the <i>real</i> problem was the darkness.


    It was a drug.


    An addiction neither Kane nor Ash understood, something that dragged them into <i>feral madness</i>. They didn¡¯t <i>want</i> to be cruel¡ªbut sometimes they were. They didn¡¯t <i>want</i> to hurt others¡ªbut sometimes they did.


    And all I could do was <i>fight</i> to hold it back.


    Until the pack decided <i>I</i> was the enemy.


    They sought out a witch. A <i>pathetic, feeble little thing</i> who thought she could just rip me out of Kane like I was nothing more than a parasite.


    To kill the <i>vampire side</i>, thinking that would <i>fix</i> their precious heir.


    Yeah. Right.


    Too bad for them¡ªI wasn¡¯t just <i>in</i> Kane. I <i>was</i> Kane. I was fused to him, as much a part of him as his own heartbeat. To kill me they would have to kill him too.


    But they found another way.


    Not to kill me. No, no. That would¡¯ve been <i>too tricky.</i>


    They <i>ripped</i> me out.


    Tore my essence from his body like a butcher carving flesh from bone.


    And <i>hell</i>¡ªthe pain was <i>excruciating.</i>


    For a moment, I thought I would simply <i>cease</i>. That I¡¯d be nothing but a <i>ghost</i>, lingering in the void.


    But no.


    I <i>solidified.</i>


    My own body. My own <i>form</i>.


    A mirror image of the boy who had once contained me. Same face. Same essence. Same power.


    The connection remained¡ªI <i>was</i> still him. In every sense.


    Just... different.


    And for the first time, I was <i>on my own. Can I call that free?</i>

 Chapter 137: Protecting In The Dark

    <h4>Chapter 137: Protecting In The Dark</h4>


    <strong>Dean¡¯s POV</strong>


    So there I was.


    A vampire.


    Inhabiting a body <i>simr</i> to the kid¡¯s¡ªbut not quite.


    At first, I wasn¡¯t as <i>solid</i> as I am now. No flesh. No true form. I was more like a shadow¡ªhence the oh-so-creative name <i>Kane¡¯s Shadow.</i>


    A wraith. A ck smoke with a voice.


    Drifting. Watching. Lurking just beyond reach, whispering into the night.


    I couldn¡¯t <i>touch</i>.


    I couldn¡¯t <i>feel</i>.


    I was <i>there</i>, but not <i>there</i>. A half-existence. A curse.


    Until I learned the truth.


    I needed <i>blood</i>.


    The moment I drank, I <i>became</i>.


    The ck smoke condensed, twisted, took <i>shape</i>.


    Flesh. Bone. Strength. <i>Power.</i>


    The more I fed, the more <i>real</i> I became.


    And oh¡ªhow <i>hungry</i> I was.


    And where else to get the blood, if not from the <i>pack</i>?


    I was careful. Precise. A little here, a little there¡ªnever enough for them to <i>notice</i>. Just enough to sustain me.


    And slowly, I became <i>whole</i>.


    Solid. Real.


    At first, they didn¡¯t understand. How could they? One day, I was just Kane¡¯s <i>shadow</i>, a whisper of something they feared. Then suddenly, I had form. Flesh. A face identical to his.


    Some thought we were twins. Identical. Two sides of the same coin.


    Even his parents... they <i>allowed</i> me to stay. But not because they <i>wanted</i> me. No.


    To them, I was nothing more than an <i>unwanted mistake</i>¡ªa parasite they couldn¡¯t get rid of.


    They never treated me like a son.


    More like a burden. A nuisance. A shadow that refused to fade.


    But <i>Kane</i>?


    Kane saw me differently.


    He didn¡¯t see a monster.


    He didn¡¯t see a curse.


    He saw a <i>brother</i>.


    And that... <i>that</i> was why I stayed.


    But there was something else. Something deeper.


    A bond.


    It tethered me to Kane, allowed me ess to his mind as if it were my own. His thoughts, his emotions¡ªI could <i>feel</i> them all.


    And for a moment... it felt <i>right</i>. Like this was how it was <i>meant</i> to be.


    Two halves of a whole.


    But there was more to it than just a connection. There was the <i>darkness</i>.


    That malevolent force lurking within us, wing at the edges of Kane¡¯s sanity, whispering vile things into his soul. It was always there. And Kane, in his <i>innocence</i>, didn¡¯t understand it. Couldn¡¯t <i>control</i> it.


    So I did.


    I took it. Absorbed it. Let it <i>fester</i> inside <i>me</i>.


    I made it <i>mine</i>.


    Because if I didn¡¯t, Kane wouldn¡¯t survive it.


    And maybe... maybe a part of me thought that was my <i>purpose</i>. To be his <i>shield</i>. To bear the burden of the darkness so he wouldn¡¯t have to.


    But the problem with darkness?


    It doesn¡¯t like to be contained.


    Resisting it became... <i>harder</i>.


    At first, I fought it. I <i>tried</i>. But it was always there¡ªwhispering, coaxing, <i>waiting</i>.


    And with everything bashing me down¡ªKane¡¯s parents, the pack, the constant reminder that I was an <i>unwanted mistake</i>¡ªI found myself leaning into the darkness more and more.


    It felt like an addiction.


    Anytime I did something wicked¡ªsomething <i>cruel</i>¡ªthe darkness would <i>ease</i>. Just a little. Like a beast momentarily <i>sated</i> after a fresh kill.


    But it neversted.


    It always came <i>back</i>, gnawing at me with an even deeper hunger.


    And the more I gave in, the more it <i>took</i> from me in return.


    My joy. My warmth. My <i>humanity</i>.


    Until all that was left was a hollow, reckless shell.


    And I embraced it.


    Because why the hell <i>shouldn¡¯t</i> I?


    The world had already <i>decided</i> I was a monster.


    So I became one.


    And I made damn sure that if they were going to call me evil¡ª


    I would give them something to <i>fear</i>.


    Then, of course, there was the <i>hunger</i>.


    The need to <i>feed</i>.


    Unlike any vampire, my body was... <i>different</i>.


    Maybe it was because I had <i>regenerated</i> it, or maybe it was something else entirely. Either way, I found myself possessing abilities no other vampire had.


    I could walk in the sun.


    I could eat regr food.


    I could pass for <i>normal</i>.


    But the hunger never left.


    I needed blood¡ªat least <i>twice</i> a week¡ªor the darkness inside me would w its way to the surface, twisting my mind, <i>demanding</i> to be fed.


    At first, it was easy. When I was still more shadow than flesh, I could sneak around, taking small sips from the pack members while they slept. A little here, a little there¡ªjust enough to survive. They never noticed.


    But with a <i>physical</i> body, things changed.


    I couldn¡¯t sneak into homes anymore.


    I couldn¡¯t go unnoticed.


    And the wolves... they were <i>too aware</i>. Their senses too sharp. If I took from one of them, I¡¯d be caught.


    So I had to adapt.


    For a while, I lived off animals. It was disgusting. Their blood was <i>weak</i>, barely enough to keep me from spiraling. But I endured.


    Until I grew older.


    Until I was <i>strong</i> enough.


    And then, I ventured beyond the pack¡¯s borders.


    There was a human vige miles away¡ªisted, unaware of the <i>creature</i> running through the woods.


    With my speed, the distance meant <i>nothing</i>.


    And humans?


    They were <i>easy prey</i>.


    I learned quickly that teenage girls and women were the simplest targets.


    All I had to do was pretend to be a <i>lost child</i>.


    Innocent. Helpless.


    And without fail, some <i>sweet, naive woman</i> would stop.


    Would kneel down.


    Would try to <i>help me</i>.


    And that¡¯s when I¡¯d <i>strike</i>.


    This went on for years.


    By the time I reached my teenage years, I was <i>strong</i>. The weak, shadow-like form I once had was long gone. Now, I was <i>solid</i>. A true predator.


    Kane and I were the same age in body¡ªtwins in appearance¡ªbut in mind?


    He was still <i>young</i>. Na?ve. Soft.


    And me?


    I was <i>older</i>. <i>Darker</i>. I had lived through things he never had to.


    We were still close then. He still <i>cared</i> for me, still saw me as his brother. But that¡¯s when things <i>changed</i>.


    That¡¯s when he started <i>listening</i> to them.


    To his <i>parents</i>.


    To the <i>pack elders</i>.


    To all the voices whispering in his ear, telling him that I wasn¡¯t <i>his brother</i>, that I wasn¡¯t even a <i>person</i>. That I was the <i>evil inside him</i> given form.


    At first, he ignored them.


    He defended me.


    But doubt... doubt is a <i>poison</i>.


    And once it takes root, it spreads.


    He started to <i>pull away</i>.


    Started to <i>question</i>.


    And eventually, he began to <i>block</i> the bond we shared¡ªthe bond that had once made us <i>one</i>.


    But here¡¯s what he never knew.


    What no one <i>ever</i> knew.


    The reason Kane was considered <i>good</i>, the reason he was able to be their <i>perfect son</i>, their <i>noble alpha</i>...


    Was <i>because of me</i>.


    Because all these years, I had <i>absorbed</i> his darkness.


    All the rage.


    All the anger.


    All the <i>malevolence</i> that should have consumed him? I took it. I bore it.


    I made sure <i>he never had to feel it</i>.


    And now?


    Now he was <i>abandoning me</i>.


    Turning his back on the very thing that had kept him <i>pure</i>.


    And for the first time...


    I started to wonder.


    What if I <i>stopped</i>?


    What if I let him feel the <i>full weight</i> of what he truly was?


    Would he still be their <i>golden boy</i> then?

 Chapter 138: Once Upon A Time

    <h4>Chapter 138: Once Upon A Time</h4>


    <strong>Dean¡¯s POV</strong>


    I shouldn¡¯t have stopped.


    I shouldn¡¯t have let Kane feel <i>all</i> of it.


    But I did.


    I kept <i>absorbing</i> the darkness.


    And the more I took in, the <i>harder</i> it became to control.


    I remember the first time I let a little slip through the cracks. Giving him just a fraction of what he was <i>meant</i> to feel.


    He came to me that night, his voice unusually quiet, his expression guarded.


    <i>"I want to try something,"</i> he said. <i>"Something... different."</i>


    I didn¡¯t give much of a fuck. Kane was always so damn <i>proper</i>, so <i>controlled</i>. So, if he wanted to dip his toes into something darker? Why the hell not?


    "Go for it."


    That¡¯s how Laura came to be.


    His first sub.


    His first taste of <i>control</i>.


    And I didn¡¯t mind.


    I let him <i>y</i>. Let him explore that side of himself.


    Until she threw herself at me.


    And let¡¯s be honest¡ªwho <i>turns down</i> an easy fuck?


    Certainly <i>not</i> me.


    So, yeah. I fucked her.


    And when Kane found out, he was <i>furious</i>.


    Raging. Snarling.


    And I?


    I didn¡¯t give a single damn.


    Not until he <i>called me</i> during one of his punishment sessions.


    That¡¯s when I knew something was <strong>wrong</strong>.


    Because I could <i>feel</i> it.


    The darkness inside him.


    It was wing its way up, creeping in, tainting his every thought.


    Laura had disobeyed him, and instead of the usual punishment, he had <i>snapped</i>.


    I remember walking into that room, the scent of leather and sweat thick in the air, the flickering candlelight casting shadows across Kane¡¯s face.


    He was <i>gone</i>.


    His eyes¡ªusually sharp, calcting¡ªwere empty.


    And Laura?


    She was trembling.


    On her knees.


    Tears staining her cheeks as she <i>pleaded</i>.


    Begging him to stop.


    But he didn¡¯t even <i>hear</i> her.


    Because he wasn¡¯t <i>Kane</i> anymore.


    The darkness had him.


    And if I didn¡¯t step in?


    She was going to <i>die</i>.


    So, I did what I always did.


    I <i>took</i> it.


    I absorbed every ounce of his rage, his sadistic hunger, his <i>need</i> to break her.


    And just like that¡ª


    He <i>sobered up</i>.


    The fog lifted.


    He looked down at Laura, at the <i>damage</i> he had done, and guilt swallowed him whole.


    He let her go.


    Forgave her.


    And <i>I</i> was left carrying the weight of what he had <i>almost</i> be.


    That night, I made a decision.


    I could <i>never</i> afford to let my guard down again.


    Because if I did?


    Kane wouldn¡¯t survive it.


    But the problem with absorbing darkness is that it needs an <i>outlet</i>.


    And with the entire <i>pack</i> against me, with his parents whispering their poison, I had no reason to care anymore.


    So, I found an outlet.


    I left the pds.


    I went to the rogues.


    I <i>drank</i> from them.


    Filthy, desperate bastards.


    Nothing like pack wolves.


    But it worked.


    I could drain them dry, and no one would give a damn.


    I could take their rage, their hatred, their sins¡ªand for a moment, it felt <i>good</i>.


    But I <i>forgot</i> something.


    Rogues and vampires have <i>never</i> been friends.


    It was a humiliation unlike any other.


    To have a vampire drink from them?


    To be nothing more than <i>prey</i>?


    They were <i>furious</i>.


    And when they found out where I was from?


    When they saw my face and realized I looked exactly like Kane?


    They wanted <i>revenge</i>.


    They stormed the pack.


    ughtered Kane¡¯s parents.


    Burned down half of what he called home.


    And who did he me?


    Me.


    Even now, after all these years.


    He still mes <i>me</i>.


    <strong>*******</strong>


    Kane never forgave me.


    Not for Laura.


    Not for the rogues.


    Not for the deaths of his parents.


    And honestly? I never asked him to.


    Because deep down, I knew the truth.


    He needed someone to me. Someone to bear the weight of his sins. Someone to carry the darkness so he could stay <i>clean</i>.


    And that someone had always been <i>me</i>.


    I was the monster lurking in the shadows, the curse that tainted his bloodline, the evil twin, the abomination. The thing that should have <i>never</i> existed.


    At least, that¡¯s what they told me.


    What <i>he</i> told himself.


    But Kane had always been a fool.


    He thought he was better than me, stronger than me, <i>purer</i> than me.


    But what he refused to see¡ªwhat he could <i>never</i> ept¡ªwas that we were the same.


    Two halves of a whole.


    He could fight it all he wanted. Could pretend he was the noble Alpha, the protector of his pack, the loving mate.


    But at the end of the day?


    He had <i>my</i> darkness inside him.


    He had always <i>needed</i> me.


    Because without me?


    He was nothing.


    And I think, somewhere in the back of his mind, he <i>knew</i> that.


    That¡¯s why he never truly pushed me away.


    No matter how much he hated me, no matter how many times he cursed my name, no matter how many bodies piled up between us, Kane could never <i>erase</i> me.


    I was the shadow he could never outrun.


    And when the darkness finally came for him¡ªwhen it wrapped around his soul and whispered in his ear¡ªI was the only one who understood.


    Because I had <i>always</i> been there.


    Waiting.


    Watching.


    Knowing, sooner orter, he would finally break.


    It had started subtly.


    The small cracks in Kane¡¯s carefully built facade.


    He liked to pretend he had control, that he had mastered himself. But I saw the way his hands clenched too tightly during training, the way his eyes lingered too long on a fresh wound, the way his breath hitched at the scent of blood.


    He wanted to tell himself he was different from me.


    That he was stronger.


    That he would <i>never</i> let the darkness win.


    But then came Laura.


    His first taste of control.


    His first taste of <i>power</i>.


    The first time he let himself indulge in that darker side of him¡ªthe side I had always known was there, lurking beneath the surface, waiting to be freed.


    I didn¡¯t push him into it.


    I didn¡¯t <i>need</i> to.


    It was already in him.


    That hunger.


    That <i>need</i>.


    The need to break something. To im something. To <i>own</i> something.


    And I watched, from the shadows, as he explored that need.


    It started with little things.


    A p here. A whisperedmand there. Laura fell to her knees at his feet, eager to obey, eager to please. And Kane¡ªoh, sweet, naive Kane¡ªthought he had it all under control.


    Until he didn¡¯t.


    Until one day, he called me.


    I found him in his private chamber, standing over Laura¡¯s trembling form. His hands were shaking, his pupils blown wide, his breathing ragged.


    He had <i>hurt</i> her.


    Not in the way she had wanted.


    Not in the way she had begged for.


    No, this had been something <i>else</i>.


    Something raw.


    Something <i>ugly</i>.


    And he hadn¡¯t been able to stop himself.


    The darkness had taken hold of him, had wrapped around him like a vice, and he had lost control.


    I had seen iting.


    I had <i>felt</i> iting.


    Because he had started blocking me from our bond, refusing to let me take his darkness, refusing to let me be his filter.


    And now, he was paying the price.


    I could see it in his eyes¡ªthe horror, the <i>guilt</i>.


    And I knew what had to be done.


    So I did what I always did.


    I absorbed it.


    Took his sins into myself, let the darkness sink into my bones, let it <i>consume</i> me instead.


    And just like that, Kane was himself again.


    Just like that, he was the noble Alpha again, the protector, the man his pack needed him to be.


    And I... I became the monster once more.


    After that, I <i>knew</i>.


    I couldn¡¯t stop absorbing it.


    Because if I didn¡¯t, Kane would lose himself.


    He would fall into the abyss.


    And no one¡ªnot even me¡ªwould be able to pull him back out.


    So I took it all.


    Every violent impulse.


    Every dark craving.


    Every twisted thought.


    And I buried them deep inside myself.


    But the thing about darkness?


    It doesn¡¯t just disappear.


    It festers.


    It <i>grows</i>.


    And with every ounce of Kane¡¯s sin I absorbed, the harder it became to control.


    The hungrier I became.


    So I did what I had to do.


    I fed.


    I sought out the rogues¡ªthe filth of the supernatural world¡ªand I drank them dry.


    I let their blood stain my hands, let their screams echo in my ears, let their suffering be my release.


    Because I had to.


    Because if I didn¡¯t, the darkness would consume me, just as it had almost consumed Kane.


    But I made a mistake.


    I let them see my face.


    I let them <i>know</i> who I was.


    And when they realized that I shared Kane¡¯s face, that I carried his scent, that I was of <i>his</i> pack...


    They took their revenge.


    They came in the dead of night, their fangs bared, their ws drenched in blood.


    They tore through the pack like beasts, like rabid animals, like the monsters they had always been used of being.


    And when the night ended, Kane¡¯s parentsy dead.


    ughtered.


    Ripped apart.


    And Kane...


    Kane med <i>me</i>.


    Because of course he did.


    Because it was easier than ming himself.


    Easier than epting that he had <i>made</i> me this way.


    That every dark impulse he had ever buried, every wicked thought he had ever suppressed, every ounce of <i>sin</i> he had ever refused to acknowledge¡ªhe had given it all to <i>me</i>.


    And I had carried it willingly.


    For him.


    For <i>us</i>.


    But it was never enough.


    I was never <i>enough</i>.


    And so he cast me out.


    Told me I was a mistake.


    Told me I should have <i>never existed</i>.


    Told me that if he ever saw me again, he would kill me.


    And maybe... maybe part of me wished he had.


    Because living without him?


    Without the bond that had once made us whole?


    It was worse than death.


    It was hell.


    But here¡¯s the thing about hell.


    Once you¡¯ve been there long enough...


    You stop fearing the mes.


    And now?


    Now the darkness <i>is</i> me.


    I don¡¯t fight it anymore.


    I don¡¯t hide from it.


    I let it in.


    Let it <i>consume</i> me.


    Because I finally understand.


    I was never the monster Kane feared.


    I was the monster he <i>created</i>.


    And one day, he¡¯ll have to face the truth.


    One day, he¡¯ll have to <i>pay</i> for what he did.


    And when that dayes...


    I¡¯ll be waiting.


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 Chapter 139: My Little Wolf

    <h4>Chapter 139: My Little Wolf</h4>


    <strong>Dean¡¯s POV</strong>


    In the case of Elena... let¡¯s just say it¡¯splicated.


    Hah. Who am I kidding?


    It¡¯s notplicated at all.


    It¡¯s simple. She¡¯s <i>mine.</i>


    The first time I saw her, I was busy entertaining myself with a blonde¡ªsome eager little thing who had thrown herself at me, desperate to please. I didn¡¯t even bother remembering her name; she was just another distraction, another way to pass the time. She was all moans and submission, calling me "Master" as she ground against me, trying to please me. I barely paid attention.


    Because that¡¯s when I saw <i>her.</i>


    Elena.


    Fiery. Beautiful. Angry.


    She looked at me like I hadmitted some heinous crime. Like I had <i>wronged</i> her in some irredeemable way.


    For a second, I was amused.


    I thought she had mistaken me for Kane.


    The way she stormed toward me, fists clenched, fury shing in those golden eyes¡ªI almost <iughed.</i> I knew she was Kane¡¯stest ything. Another toy for him to break. Another girl who would call him <i>Alpha</i> with devotion in her voice.


    She proved me wrong.


    She didn¡¯t drop her gaze like the others did. She didn¡¯t stammer apologies or blush when she caught me in the middle of my pleasure.


    No.


    She punched me.


    Hard enough that my nose shattered before it healed back into ce.


    And fuck, if that wasn¡¯t the most exciting thing to happen to me in years.


    Her fire was intoxicating. Unlike the submissive little things Kane kept around, she was fierce, untamed. She wasn¡¯t like the others who giggled and begged for attention. No, she was the kind of woman who would fight to the bitter end, even if she knew she¡¯d lose.


    I admired that.


    I <i>wanted</i> that.


    I wanted <i>her.</i>


    Of course, I didn¡¯t realize just how deep it ran untilter. At the time, I assumed it was lust, amplified by the ever-growing darkness inside me. A momentary obsession. Nothing more.


    Or so I thought.


    The next time I saw her, she was with another man.


    Some pathetic little worm in a leather jacket, his hands on <i>her,</i> his lips pressing against <i>her mouth.</i>


    Rage.


    Blinding, unrelenting <i>rage</i> burned through me.


    I had already moved before I even processed it, my fingers curling into a fist, ready to <i>destroy</i> him. To rip him away from her and remind him exactly who the fuck I was.


    But Kane beat me to it.


    He punched the bastard so hard he crumpled to the ground, scrambling away like the coward he was.


    Elena, though¡ª<i>my</i> little wolf¡ªshe wasn¡¯t pleased.


    She turned on Kane, fire in her eyes, anger dripping from every word as she shoved him, <i>shoved</i> him, demanding an exnation.


    That¡¯s when I revealed myself.


    The moment she saw me, I saw the realization click in her eyes.


    Kane hadn¡¯t told her about me.


    She was confused. Shocked.


    But I wasn¡¯t.


    Because the second sheid eyes on me, the second our gazes locked, I <i>knew.</i>


    She wasn¡¯t just Kane¡¯s mate.


    She was <i>mine.</i>


    She belonged to both of us.


    And for the first time in my existence, I understood what the universe had done.


    She was bound to us.


    Two souls.


    Two monsters.


    One mate.


    I should have let Kane have her.


    I should have walked away.


    But I had already spent my life taking the darkness from Kane, absorbing his sins, carrying his burdens.


    This?


    This was the first thing I ever <i>wanted</i> for myself.


    And I wasn¡¯t going to let him keep her from me.


    So I did something I had never done before.


    I reached for her mind.


    I had only ever been able to do that with Kane, slipping into his consciousness, pulling his essence into a ce of my own design. A dark ce where I could speak to him, where I could <i>touch</i> him.


    But when I tried it with Elena...


    It <i>worked.</i>


    I pulled her into my domain¡ªinto a vision of a kitchen, warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the chaos of reality. She stood frozen, wide-eyed, confused.


    I stepped closer, savoring the way she inhaled sharply.


    "Do you feel it?" I whispered.


    Her lips parted.


    She didn¡¯t speak, but she didn¡¯t need to.


    Because I felt it too.


    Something primal. Something ancient.


    Something that <i>could not be undone.</i>


    I kissed her then. Not physically¡ªno, our bodies were still separate. But our <i>essences</i> collided, crashing together like a storm.


    And fuck, if I hadn¡¯t been certain before, I was <i>now.</i>


    She was mine.


    The next day, I made a decision.


    I wasn¡¯t going to let Kane keep me from her. I choose to visit her the next morning to see if she would say something about the vision but she was just terrified. I served myself breakfast pancakes they were heavenly and I guessed it wasn¡¯t kane who made them the jerk couldn¡¯t boil eggs.


    she was curious I could see it in her eyes, and I waited for her to ask. She did and I happily answered but someone wasn¡¯t happy.


    He would fight it, of course. He would deny me, reject me, pretend that I wasn¡¯t part of this equation.


    So I did what I did best.


    I created <i>chaos.</i>


    I slipped into the northern borders of the pack, stirring up the rogues that lingered too close.


    It was easy.


    Wolves and vampires had always hated each other. I knew exactly which buttons to press, exactly which words to say to provoke them.


    And when they took the bait, when they howled and charged toward the pack¡¯snds, Kane had no choice but to respond.


    Because Kane was the noble one.


    The protector.


    The good twin.


    And while he was busy saving his precious pack...


    I would be busy with <i>her.</i>


    Elena.


    My mate.


    My little wolf.


    Kane could fight it all he wanted.


    He could deny it.


    He could curse me, threaten me, promise to kill me.


    But it wouldn¡¯t change the truth.


    We were the same, he and I.


    Two halves of a whole.


    And now?


    We <i>shared</i> her.


    He could try to keep me away.


    He could try to stop me.


    But sooner orter...


    Elena would be mine.


    The next morning, when Kane left to deal with the rogue issue, I went straight to her.


    She was still asleep, her face peaceful, her lips slightly parted. For a moment, I just stood there, watching her. She looked so delicate, so unaware of the storm inside me.


    I had been patient¡ªso damn patient.


    This time, I wanted more.


    So, I did something I had never done before¡ªI made her breakfast in bed.


    When she finally stirred awake, her eyes fluttered open, still heavy with sleep. And then, she whispered... "Kane?"


    She thought I was him.


    I should have corrected her. I should have told her the truth.


    But I didn¡¯t.


    Because for the first time, she didn¡¯t push me away.


    She didn¡¯t tense or flinch like she usually did around me.


    So, I let her believe the lie.


    And when I leaned in and kissed her¡ªreally kissed her¡ªshe responded.


    It was soft at first, hesitant. But then, she melted into me, and I felt something inside me snap.


    Like a man stumbling upon light after years of darkness.


    She may have thought she was kissing Kane, but I didn¡¯t care.


    Because someday, she would see me.


    And when that day came, she wouldn¡¯t pull away.


    So, of course, I invited myself to their breakfast again.


    Kane wasn¡¯t pleased. He never was when it came to me.


    His jaw ticked, his grip on his fork tightened like he was debating whether to stab me with it.


    I smirked. Annoying him was my favorite pastime.


    "You¡¯re persistent," he muttered, eyes dark with irritation.


    "And you¡¯re boring," I shot back, grabbing a slice of toast from the te in front of me.


    We went back and forth like that¡ªquarreling over nothing and everything.


    She sighed, probably used to this by now. But then¡ªit happened.


    One second she was rolling her eyes at us, the next, she let out a strangled gasp.


    And before either of us could react¡ªshe fell off her chair.


    She hit the ground with a soft thud, groaning, her breathing erratic.


    Panic shot through me like lightning.


    Kane was already at her side, his face twisted in concern, but I knew what this was before he could even piece it together.


    The way her scent thickened, the way her body trembled¡ªshe was on heat.


    Fuck.


    I felt it immediately¡ªthe way the air shifted, the way kane wolf Ashed stirred in recognition.


    Kane tensed, his jaw clenching, but his eyes flickered with something deeper.


    Possession.


    I clenched my fists.


    This was bad.


    Kane waspletely overtaken.


    The second her scent thickened in the air, something inside him snapped. His control? Gone. His logic? Shattered. His restraint? Nowhere to be found.


    He scooped her up in his arms without hesitation, his possessiveness rolling off him in suffocating waves. His wolf was in charge now, and he didn¡¯t care who was watching.


    I followed.


    He didn¡¯t like it. Not one damn bit.


    But at that moment, he had bigger problems than me.


    I wasn¡¯t going to let him have her all to himself, though. Not when I was burning too.


    He stormed into the bathroom, practically kicking the door open. I leaned against the frame, watching as he set her down in therge tub and twisted the faucet.


    Ice-cold water poured over her trembling form, soaking through her clothes instantly.


    And that¡¯s when things got worse.


    Her already tempting scent mixed with the sight of her drenched clothing clinging to every soft curve. The heat radiating from her skin mixed with the cold water, creating a maddening contrast.


    Lust. Darkness. Hunger.


    A deadlybination.


    Kane stiffened, his breathing ragged. His pupils were blown wide, his wolf wing at the surface, wanting¡ªno, demanding¡ªto im.


    And I... I wasn¡¯t doing much better.


    Her scent was intoxicating. A drug. A fucking curse.


    Kane growled low, his voice thick withmand. "Get. Out."


    I smirked. "What, afraid you¡¯ll lose control?"


    Another growl, darker this time. He was barely holding it together.


    And fuck if I wasn¡¯t two seconds away from stepping into that water with her, from seeing just how soft she felt under my hands, from giving in to the madness wing at my insides.


    But I wasn¡¯t stupid.


    Kane was barely keeping his wolf at bay. And if I didn¡¯t leave, this room was going to turn into a warzone.


    So, I did.


    Not because I wanted to.


    Not because I wasn¡¯t tempted.


    But because if I stayed, I wasn¡¯t sure either of us would be able to stop.


    Still, I didn¡¯t go far.


    Just enough to rein in the darkness wing at my soul.


    Because Kane had stopped releasing some of it.


    And if he wasn¡¯t letting it out through his twisted, sinful desires, then all of that built-up darkness was festering in me.


    And soon, it was going to explode.

 Chapter 140: The Current Situation

    <h4>Chapter 140: The Current Situation</h4>


    <strong>Dean¡¯s POV: </strong>


    So, you all know I helped Elena escape from a deranged Alpha¡ªKane.


    Was it my fault he was deranged?


    Debatable.


    Technically, the darkness is his. I just help him out. I take it from him, absorb it, let it fester inside me so he can y pretend¡ªso he can be the good Alpha, the noble leader, the protector. But sure, let¡¯s all me Dean, the evil twin, the monster, the shadow lurking in the night.


    But back to the issue at hand.


    So yeah. I took Elena. Stole her right from under him.


    And honestly?


    I <i>didn¡¯t</i> n to get intimate with her.


    I really didn¡¯t.


    I swear.


    It wasn¡¯t the n.


    I just needed to get her <i>away</i> from him, let her breathe, she was after all on heat


    But her scent... her <i>blood.</i>


    It was intoxicating.


    And the darkness¡ªthe <i>fucking</i> darkness¡ªit clouded my judgment. It wrapped around my mind like a noose, urging me to <i>im</i> her, to take what was mine, what Kane didn¡¯t deserve.


    Her scent¡ªit was intoxicating, wrapping around me like a drug, numbing my senses, pulling me under. And the darkness in me, the thing I had been holding back for <i>years</i>, wed its way to the surface, whispering, <i>Take her. Make her yours. She belongs to you too.</i>


    And fuck, I wanted to.


    The moment I tasted her blood, I almost lost my fucking mind.


    It was unlike anything I¡¯d ever had before¡ªpowerful, <i>sweet</i>,ced with something that made my entire body hum with need.


    I didn¡¯t just <i>want</i> her.


    I <i>needed</i> her.


    She was trembling underneath me, lips parted, breath hitching, but she <i>wasn¡¯t</i> fighting me.


    She should have.


    She should have screamed.


    She should have <i>run.</i>


    But she didn¡¯t.


    Because she <i>felt</i> it too. Or was it the heat?


    The pull. The bond. The undeniable, inescapable <i>connection</i> between us.


    I had kissed her, drank from her, felt her pulse weaken as her body rxed under me. My fangs sank into her delicate skin, and fuck¡ªher blood was unlike anything I had ever tasted before.


    It was warm, sweet, <i>alive.</i>


    It was <i>power.</i>


    It made the bond between us surge like wildfire, burning hotter, more violent.


    And I almost <i>lost</i> myself.


    For the first time in my existence, I almost <i>gave in.</i>


    But then¡ª


    Even through the haze, through the hunger, through the primal urge to <i>im</i> her, I managed to pull myself back.


    Because she was still a virgin.


    Her innocence.


    Her <i>fucking</i> innocence.


    She was a virgin.


    And that realization mmed into me harder than any punch Kane had ever thrown.


    Because despite everything, despite how much I <i>wanted</i> to im her, despite how much my darkness whispered for me to ruin her for anyone else¡ª


    I <i>couldn¡¯t do it.</i>


    Not to her.


    Not like this.


    And maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªbecause Kane had found her first.


    And despite everything, despite how much I enjoyed fucking with him, I <i>couldn¡¯t</i> take that from him.


    That bastard may have rejected me, may have spent his life pretending he wasn¡¯t just as fucked up as I was, but he was still <i>me.</i>


    And she was still <i>ours.</i>


    So, yeah. I pulled back.


    Barely.


    But I still needed to be her first.


    Even if I wasn¡¯t the one to be intimate with her.


    And there was only one way to do that.


    By sharing Kane¡¯s body.


    By merging with him.


    By taking what belonged to <i>both</i> of us.


    And that¡¯s what I did.


    What I <i>forgot</i>, though, was that when I entered Kane¡¯s body¡ªthe darkness I had taken from him <i>followed me back to its owner.</i>


    And just like that, Kane snapped.


    It wasn¡¯t entirely my fault.


    Which, apparently, was a fucking problem.


    He <i>snapped.</i><i></i>


    Apparently, sensing Elena¡¯s distress through the mate bond¡ªbecause yes, the bond was <i>very</i> much active after I drank from her¡ª so after the best sex ever I left not knowing stupid Kane would wake up deranged from the darkness.


    Too bad she wasn¡¯t a vampire.


    If she had been, she could¡¯ve drunk from <i>me</i>, and the bond would¡¯ve been a two-way street instead of a one-way pull, drowning her in emotions she didn¡¯t know how to control.


    But she wasn¡¯t a vampire.


    She was a wolf.


    And now?


    Now she was at the mercy of an Alpha who had just had his darkness returned to him in full force.


    Oops.


    I would have said not my problem.


    ...Okay, maybe a <i>little</i> my problem.


    So yeah, I came to her beck and call the moment I felt her distress.


    What? You think I wouldn¡¯t?


    Even <i>I</i> have my limits.


    So yeah.


    The moment I felt Elena¡¯s distress through the bond, I came running.


    Not because I was a hero.


    Not because I wanted to save the day.


    But because something inside me <i>demanded</i> that I go to her.


    That was the thing about this bond¡ªit was a fucking <i>curse</i>. It didn¡¯t give a damn about logic or reason. It just <i>was</i>.


    And let¡¯s be real¡ªthis wasn¡¯t just some ordinary cry for help.


    This was full-blown <i>terror.</i>


    Her fear mmed into me through the bond like a freight train, a sharp, searing jolt that rattled my entire being. It was raw, <i>unfiltered</i> panic.


    And that¡¯s how I found her.


    Running.


    Panicked.


    Heart hammering, breath ragged, eyes wild with fear as she tore through the forest like a rabbit in the presence of a starving wolf.


    And Kane?


    He was hunting her.


    Like she was prey.


    Like she was <i>his</i> prey.


    Hunting!


    Like a fucking <i>predator.</i><i></i>


    The idiot probably didn¡¯t even realize how much he was scaring her.


    Or maybe he did.


    Maybe he <i>liked</i> it.


    Hell, maybe that was the <i>point</i>.


    Like some beast out of a nightmare, his eyes dark with fury, his movements sharp, calcted, <i>feral</i>.


    And his stupid wolf¡ªoh, <i>his stupid wolf</i>¡ªdidn¡¯t even <i>realize</i> that he was scaring the <i>hell</i> out of her.


    No.


    He thought this was a <i>game.</i>


    A chase.


    A thrilling little hunt where he could y the relentless Alpha and she would eventually submit, fall into his arms, <i>ept</i> her fate.


    But Elena?


    She wasn¡¯t <i>ying.</i>


    She was running for her goddamn life.


    The darkness I had returned to him was working its way through his veins now, twisting him, warping him, amplifying every primal, possessive instinct until there was nothing left but hunger and <i>need</i>.


    And Elena?


    Elena was the thing he <i>needed</i>.


    Too bad she didn¡¯t see it that way.


    And Kane, in all his glorious fucking <i>insanity</i>, didn¡¯t even see it.


    I couldn¡¯t sense her wolf, her stupid wolf had retreated, leaving her vulnerable¡ªleaving her human side to deal with the Alpha that hadpletely lost his mind.


    She wasn¡¯t even using her senses.


    She didn¡¯t <i>smell</i> me when I approached.


    She didn¡¯t <i>hear</i> me when I followed.


    She didn¡¯t <i>feel</i> me watching.


    I almost wanted to let it y out.


    Almost.


    Let him chase her, let him <i>catch</i> her, let her see the monster he was bing.


    But then I saw the look in her eyes.


    The sheer, absolute terror.


    And something inside me <i>snapped.</i>


    I moved before I could think.


    A blur. A force. A <i>shadow</i>.


    One second, Kane was mid-lunge, about to tackle her to the forest floor.


    The next?


    I <i>mmed</i> into him like a wrecking ball, knocking him off-course and sending us both tumbling into the dirt.


    "Elena, <i>run</i>."


    I barely got the words out before Kane snarled, twisting beneath me like a wild animal, his ws swiping dangerously close to my face.


    His eyes weren¡¯t just dark anymore.


    They were ck.


    Fully.


    Completely.


    <i>Consumed.</i>


    Oh, <i>fuck</i>.


    I had really done it this time.


    And that¡¯s how we ended up <i>fighting for hours</i>.


    Yeah, <i>hours</i>.


    Kane had never fought me like this before.


    Sure, he always <i>imed</i> he would end me one day, that he¡¯d rip me apart and finally be <i>free</i>¡ªbut our fights had never been this <i>toxic</i>.


    This time?


    He was truly fighting to draw blood.


    To kill.


    To <i>eliminate</i> me.


    Too bad for him, that was impossible.


    Because for all his rage, for all his dominance, for all the Alpha fury burning inside him¡ªhe <i>couldn¡¯t</i> kill me without killing himself.


    I was him.


    He was me.


    And he was just <i>wasting his damn energy</i>.


    Still, I had to admit¡ªthis wasn¡¯t like before.


    This wasn¡¯t Kane losing his temper. This wasn¡¯t his usual push-and-pull between morality and instinct.


    This was <i>something else entirely</i>.


    The darkness had him now.


    Fully.


    Completely.


    And it wasn¡¯t <i>letting go</i>.


    He fought like a beast <i>unleashed</i>, no restraint, no hesitation¡ªjust raw, unfiltered rage.


    His ws sliced through the air, missing my throat by inches.


    His fangs snapped dangerously close to my face.


    His strength? Unhinged.


    His movements? Wild.


    This wasn¡¯t just <i>Kane fighting me</i>.


    This was the darkness fighting back.


    And for the first time in centuries, I felt something I rarely ever did.


    A flicker of something cold.


    Something foreign.


    Something dangerously close to fear.


    Because I had <i>seen</i> Kane¡¯s darkness before¡ªI had spent a lifetime absorbing it, drowning in it, <i>bing</i> it.


    But this?


    This was something <i>else</i>.


    Something <i>older</i>.


    Something far worse than I ever anticipated.


    And if I didn¡¯t end this fight <i>soon</i>...


    We were both going to lose.

 Chapter 141: A Common Enemy

    <h4>Chapter 141: A Common Enemy</h4>


    <strong>Dean¡¯s POV: </strong>


    I knew fighting Kane was useless. Stupid, even.


    It was never a real fight¡ªnot in the way he thought. Kane wanted blood. He wanted to tear me apart, to destroy the thing he med for all his sins.


    But he wasn¡¯t thinking. He wasn¡¯t Kane anymore.


    His movements were wild, his strikes reckless. The darkness had its ws in him, too deep this time, sinking into his bones, warping his mind. And I?


    I did what I should have done a long time ago.


    I let him swing. Let him chase me. Let him waste his strength while I focused on something else entirely.


    The darkness.


    It was everywhere now, like thick tar clinging to him, oozing from his pores. He had no idea what he was doing¡ªhe was too far gone, a rabid wolf frothing at the mouth.


    But I? I handled it better.


    I pulled it back into me. Slowly. Carefully. Each time he lunged, I dodged. Every time he threw a punch meant to shatter my ribs, I stepped just out of reach. And with every breath, I absorbed more of the darkness, siphoning it away from him.


    It was a delicate bnce¡ªone mistake and I¡¯d drown in it myself.


    Kane didn¡¯t notice. His vision was too clouded, his instincts too sharp. He thought I was just running from him, ying weak, ying prey.


    Good. Let him think that.


    Because the longer he fought, the lighter he became.


    And the heavier <i>I</i> felt.


    The game of cat and mouse continued¡ªexcept Kane didn¡¯t realize he wasn¡¯t the predator anymore. He was the one being saved.


    I felt it the moment it happened. The exact second thest shred of himself snapped back into ce.


    Kane stilled.


    He stood there, chest heaving, muscles tensed like a coiled spring. His hands trembled¡ªwhether from rage or confusion, I couldn¡¯t tell.


    And his eyes?


    No longer just pitch-ck voids.


    His irises flickered back to their usual stormy gray¡ªclouded with something almost like... horror.


    He staggered back. "What...?" His voice was hoarse, like he¡¯d been <i>screaming for hours and just realized it.</i>


    I smirked, exhaling as the weight of his darkness settled in me once more. It wed at me, whispering the same <i>sweet, vicious</i> things it had whispered to him.


    <i>Give in.</i>


    <i>Let go.</i>


    <i>You like it, don¡¯t you? The power. The hunger. The control.</i>


    I pushed it down. Hard. I was used to this game. Kane wasn¡¯t.


    "Wee back, Alpha," I muttered, stretching out my stiff fingers. "Had a nice little trip to the edge of insanity?"


    Kane¡¯s gaze snapped to me. His fists clenched. I braced for another fight¡ªonly this time, it wouldn¡¯t be feral rage. This time, it would be cold, calcted anger.


    But then¡ª


    Elena.


    Her scent hit both of us at the same time.


    My head snapped to the side. Her scent was still fresh, but there was something off about it. It wasn¡¯t just fear¡ªit was wrong.


    Kane smelled it too. He went still. "She¡¯s¡ª"


    "Gone," I finished. "And she¡¯s not alone."


    Something else had touched her. Another scent lingered on her scent¡ªone I recognized.


    And for the first time in a long time, I felt something cold settle in my gut.


    Kane turned to me, his expression unreadable.


    "We need to get her back," he said.


    And for once?


    I didn¡¯t argue.


    Because for the first time in years, we wanted the same thing.


    Elena.


    I got there first.


    Of course, I did¡ªvampire speed always wins.


    But it didn¡¯t matter.


    Because by the time I reached the edge of the highway, where her scent vanished, she was gone.


    And she hadn¡¯t just run. She¡¯d been taken.


    The second scent was unmistakable. A scent I knew better than I knew my own. The scent of a nightmare Kane and I shared.


    Ace.


    The bastard had her.


    I stood there, fists clenched, rage boiling under my skin. The asphalt still smelled like burned rubber¡ªa car had sped off, fast. I could picture it: Elena, tumbling out of the woods, desperate, terrified, running right into his hands.


    Kane arrived a secondter, skidding to a halt beside me. He barely looked at me before his nostrils red, taking in the scent I had already confirmed.


    And then¡ª


    He lost it.


    A vicious snarl tore from his throat. He punched the ground, cracking the pavement, sending shockwaves through the air.


    "FUCK!" His voice was raw, self-loathing bleeding into every syble. He raked a trembling hand through his hair, his breathing erratic, like he was barely keeping himself from ripping apart the entire fucking world.


    And maybe he should.


    Because this was his fault.


    If he hadn¡¯t let the darkness take him¡ªif he had just fought harder, stayed sane¡ªwe wouldn¡¯t be here. We wouldn¡¯t be standing on the side of the fucking road, staring at the empty space where our mate used to be.


    I could have told him that. Could have shoved it in his face, could have made him choke on the guilt already eating him alive.


    But I didn¡¯t.


    Because for once, it wasn¡¯t satisfying.


    Elena was gone.


    And Kane and I?


    We both wanted her back.


    "Why the fuck would he take her?" Kane growled, pacing back and forth. His hands were still shaking, his entire body radiating barely controlled violence.


    I ran a tongue over my teeth, thinking.


    Ace.


    That son of a bitch.


    It had been years since we¡¯d seen him. Years since we¡¯d crossed paths, since he¡¯d nearly destroyed everything we had.


    Ace wasn¡¯t just another random enemy. He wasn¡¯t just some enemy lurking in the shadows.


    No¡ªhe was personal.


    He had been one of us.


    Once.


    Back when Kane and I were still learning to survive, back when we were still figuring out what we were. Back before the betrayal.


    Before he showed us that some monsters are worse than us.


    And now he had Elena.


    "She¡¯s leverage," I muttered, rubbing my temples as the darkness inside me twisted and burned. "You know what he¡¯s like. He doesn¡¯t take¡ªhe ys. He¡¯ll make her a piece in whatever sick little game he¡¯s running."


    Kane¡¯s eyes shed. "Then we end the game."


    I let out a sharpugh. "Oh, sure. And how do you n to do that, Alpha? You gonna track him with your wolf nose? Because in case you haven¡¯t noticed¡ª" I gestured at the empty road. "We have <i>nothing</i>. No trail. No leads. Just a whole lot of fuck-all."


    Kane bristled, his rage dangerously close to snapping.


    But then¡ª


    A scent.


    Faint. Almost invisible under theyers of rubber and gasoline.


    My head snapped to the side at the same time Kane¡¯s did.


    We inhaled¡ª


    And we smelled blood.


    Not Elena¡¯s.


    But Ace¡¯s.


    A slow, sharp grin spread across my face. "Well, well," I murmured. "Looks like our mate isn¡¯t as helpless as you thought."


    Kane¡¯s shoulders tensed. His expression was a mixture of pride and absolute fucking terror.


    Because if Elena had hurt Ace¡ªreally hurt him¡ªthen that meant one thing.


    He wouldn¡¯t let it go.


    This wasn¡¯t just a kidnapping anymore.


    This was war.


    And for the first time in years¡ª


    Kane and I?


    We were on the same side.


    "What had possessed me back there...I know you know what was wrong with me" Kane asked? used? I don¡¯t know but I guess it about time he knows how the fuck I sacrificed for him with me absorbing his darkness while he got to run around a good perfect alpha he thought himself to be. So I told him the fucking truth, "That¡¯s your fucking darkness stupid. You always had it but i absorb it from you so that¡¯s why I am always...." I stopped he got want I meant, that why I was always dark with dark humour and careless attitude. He knew he knew how I always am and it¡¯s because of his stupid darkness .


    Kane stared at me, his chest rising and falling, still trying to catch his breath. The rage that had consumed him moments ago was gone, reced by something uglier.


    Confusion.


    Denial.


    And just the tiniest bit of fear.


    He didn¡¯t want to believe it. Didn¡¯t want to acknowledge what I had just said.


    But he couldn¡¯t ignore it either.


    Because deep down? He knew.


    "You¡¯re lying," he said, but his voicecked conviction. His fists clenched at his sides. "I would know if¡ª"


    "If what?" I cut in, mocking. "If you were a fucking monster? If you had something so rotten inside you that it would¡¯ve torn you apart years ago if I hadn¡¯t been there to take it?" I let out a sharpugh, shaking my head. "Face it, Kane. You¡¯ve never been the perfect Alpha you pretend to be."


    His jaw locked. "That¡¯s not true."


    "Isn¡¯t it?" I tilted my head. "Tell me, Kane¡ªwhen you were chasing Elena, when you were hunting her like she was nothing but prey¡ªdid that feel like <i>you</i>?"


    His breath hitched.


    I saw it then.


    The moment the truth hit him.


    Like a knife between the ribs, sharp and brutal.


    I could almost hear the thoughts racing through his head, the memories piecing together. The times he¡¯d lost control. The times he¡¯d felt something in him <i>pull</i> him toward the edge¡ªsomething he had always chalked up to me.


    But it had never been just me.


    It had been him, too.


    "You always had it," I said, voice softer now, but no less sharp. "You just never had to deal with it. Because I was the one who took it. I took all your fucking darkness, all your rage, all your fucked-up urges, so you could run around being the golden fucking Alpha you thought you were."


    I scoffed. "And you know what, Kane? I never even asked for a thank you."


    Silence.


    A long, heavy silence.


    Kane looked at me, his expression unreadable.


    And for the first time in my life, I didn¡¯t know what he was thinking.


    But I didn¡¯t care.


    Because I wasn¡¯t looking for his sympathy.

 Chapter 142: Getting My Sanity Back

    <h4>Chapter 142: Getting My Sanity Back</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV: </strong>


    I was a fucking mess.


    Elena was gone.


    Not just <i>gone</i>¡ªshe had run from me. And I didn¡¯t me her.


    How could I?


    I had hunted her.


    Like a goddamn <i>predator</i>.


    Like she was nothing but prey.


    I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the memories, but they came anyway¡ªher fear, the way her scent had changed, the sheer <i>panic</i> in her eyes as she realized I wasn¡¯t going to stop.


    I had done that to her.


    Me.


    Not Dean. Not anyone else.


    Me.


    And now she was with Ace¡ªthe one person I hated more than anyone in this fucking world.


    The thought made something in me snap. My ws extended involuntarily, my breathing turning ragged, unstable.


    <i>What if he hurts her?</i>


    The wolf inside me lurched at the thought, a deep, uncontroble rage wing up my throat.


    I needed to find her.


    I needed to get her back.


    I took a shaky breath, trying to shove the emotions down, but Dean¡¯s words still echoed in my head.


    <i>"That¡¯s your fucking darkness, stupid."</i>


    <i>"You always had it, but I took it from you."</i>


    <i>"You thought you were the perfect Alpha? You were never fucking perfect. You just dumped all your shit on me and pretended it wasn¡¯t there."</i>


    I clenched my fists, shaking my head.


    No.


    That was bullshit.


    I wasn¡¯t... I wasn¡¯t some <i>monster</i>.


    I wasn¡¯t <i>him</i>.


    I was better than that.


    But if that was true, then why had I lost control like that?


    Why had I chased my own mate like she was some kind of fucking prize to be imed?


    I let out a low growl and turned to Dean, who was watching me with that samezy, unreadable expression.


    "You knew," I used, my voice rough. "This whole time, you knew I had this... this <i>thing</i> inside me. And you didn¡¯t tell me."


    Dean shrugged. "Would you have believed me if I did?"


    I opened my mouth¡ªthen shut it.


    Because the truth was?


    I wouldn¡¯t have.


    I had spent years believing that he was the problem.


    That he was the darkness.


    Not me.


    Never me.


    And now...


    Now, I wasn¡¯t sure anymore.


    I turned away, raking a hand through my hair, trying to push down the sick feeling curling in my gut.


    I didn¡¯t have time for this shit.


    Elena was out there.


    With Ace.


    And I had no fucking idea what he was nning.


    I had to find her.


    I had to make this right.


    Even if she never forgave me.


    As if things weren¡¯t already fucked up, I had done something far worse¡ª


    I had marked her.


    Without her consent.


    Without her wanting it.


    And the worst part?


    She had been sleeping when I did it.


    A vicious growl ripped through my chest, but it wasn¡¯t directed at anyone else¡ªjust <i>me</i>.


    Or maybe Ash.


    Or maybe that damned darkness that had taken over and turned me into something I never wanted to be.


    But at the end of the day, it didn¡¯t matter.


    Because Elena wouldn¡¯t care <i>who</i> had done it.


    Me. Ash. The darkness.


    It was still my body.


    Still my teeth that had sunk into her neck and imed her.


    Still my scent that was now imprinted on her skin.


    Still my mark that would tell every other male in existence that she belonged to me.


    I let out a breath, my hands trembling as I looked at Dean, who had gone eerily quiet.


    I expected him to smirk, to throw it in my face, to tell me I was a hypocrite for looking down on him all these years when I had justmitted the ultimate fucking sin.


    But he didn¡¯t.


    He just stared at me, his expression unreadable.


    "You really did it, huh?" he finally said, his voice almost <i>casual</i>.


    I clenched my jaw. "It wasn¡¯t me. It was Ash."


    Dean snorted. "Oh, right. me the wolf."


    "I wasn¡¯t in control," I snapped. "I was possessed¡ª"


    "Possessed by your <i>own</i> darkness," he interrupted, his eyes sharp. "Not mine. Yours."


    I swallowed hard, my heart mming against my ribs.


    I hated that he was right.


    I hated that I had spent years acting like I was the <i>better</i> one, the one with a moralpass, the one who had <i>control</i>¡ª


    And yet, in the end, I had done something that even Dean had never done.


    I had taken her choice away.


    I had done something irrevocable.


    Elena was my mate now.


    Forever.


    Even if she hated me for it.


    Even if she never forgave me.


    Even if she ran for the rest of her life¡ª


    She would still feel me in her soul.


    The mate bond would make sure of that.


    She would feel me when I was angry.


    She would feel me when I was in pain.


    She would feel me when I wanted her.


    And I would feel everything she felt, too.


    I had bound us together in the most primal way possible, and there was no taking it back.


    No <i>undoing</i> it.


    No <i>fixing</i> it.


    I had trapped her.


    And the second she realized it...


    She started running and I don¡¯t think she would ever stop running.


    A sharp pain shot through my chest, and I realized with a jolt that it wasn¡¯t mine¡ª


    It was hers.


    Wherever she was, she was in distress.


    She had felt it the bond.


    She knew.


    And she was hurting because of it.


    "Fuck," I muttered, pressing my palms against my temples as guilt sank its ws into me.


    Dean let out a low whistle. "Yeah, you¡¯re fucked, man."


    I didn¡¯t respond.


    Because he was right.


    I had fucked up in the worst way imaginable.


    And now?


    I had to find her.


    Before it was toote.


    The air around me felt suffocating as the reality of the situation settled in. Elena was gone, and every fiber of my being screamed at me to find her, to pull her back to me where she belonged. The bond between us was still there, faint but steady, like a fragile thread keeping us connected. She hadn¡¯t blocked me out yet, but the emotions bleeding through the bond were anything butforting. She was angry, hurt, and worst of all¡ªdistant.


    I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening as I turned to Dean.


    "We need to move. We need to figure out where she is through the bond before she decides to block me outpletely," I said, my voice low butmanding.


    Dean snorted, crossing his arms over his chest. "Yeah, I feel her too, you know. In case you forgot, I have a bond with her too. Wanna bet mine¡¯s cooler?" He smirked, the kind of smirk that made me want to m his head into the nearest tree.


    I stiffened, my hands curling into fists as Dean¡¯s words sank in.


    <i>"I also have a bond with her."</i>


    <i>"Wanna bet mine¡¯s cooler?"</i>


    My head snapped toward him, my wolf bristling with rage.


    I froze, my mind grinding to a halt as his words sunk in. "What the fuck are you talking about?" I growled, my voiceced with a dangerous edge.


    Dean¡¯s smirk grew wider, and he shrugged, as if what he was about to say wouldn¡¯t send me over the edge. "You¡¯re not the only one with a connection to her, Kane. We¡¯re bonded too."


    The world tilted on its axis as a surge of possessiveness and fury coursed through me. My wolf snarled in the back of my mind, wing to the surface. "How the fuck did that happen?" I demanded, stepping closer to him. "What did you do?"


    Dean smirked, his sharp, infuriatingly amused gaze meeting mine.


    "Rx, <i>Alpha</i>," he said, rolling his shoulders like this wasn¡¯t the most fucked up thing I¡¯d ever heard. "It¡¯s not like I nned it. But let¡¯s just say... drinking her blood had <i>side effects</i>."


    My breathing stopped.


    My vision blurred with red.


    "You drank from her?" I hissed, my hands shaking with the effort to keep myself from ripping his throat out.


    Dean¡¯s smirk widened. "Damn right I did."


    My hands itched to wipe that smug look off his face, but I forced myself to take a deep breath. Violence wouldn¡¯t solve anything, not right now. "You don¡¯t know what the fuck you¡¯re talking about," I snapped, though his words hit a nerve. "The bond she has with me is real. It¡¯s stronger than anything you could ever have with her."


    Dean chuckled, shaking his head. "Keep telling yourself that, Kane. But if you don¡¯t step up and fix this, don¡¯t be surprised if she turns to someone else."


    My world tilted.


    The rage inside me was instantaneous, all-consuming, blinding¡ª


    But beneath the fury, beneath the pure, animalistic urge to tear him apart, was something far worse.


    Terror.


    Because I knew what this meant.


    Dean was already a part of me¡ªalready a parasite in my existence, a shadow I could never outrun.


    And now?


    Now, he was a part of her too.


    That wasn¡¯t supposed to be possible.


    The mate bond was sacred. It was exclusive. It was a connection between two souls¡ª


    Not three.


    It didn¡¯t work like that.


    It couldn¡¯t work like that.


    But it had.


    And now?


    Elena wasn¡¯t just mine.


    She was his too.


    My wolf howled in fury, in despair, in panic¡ª


    Because no matter how much I despised him, no matter how much I wanted to deny it¡ª


    Dean and I were one.


    Two halves of the same broken thing.


    And if he had a bond with Elena too...


    Then she wasn¡¯t just bound to me.


    She was bound to my darkness.


    To him.


    Forever.


    "Yeah, I¡¯d say you¡¯re pretty fucked," Dean mused, stretchingzily like he hadn¡¯t just destroyed my entire existence.


    I lunged at him, but he dodged effortlessly,ughing under his breath.


    "Come on, <i>Alpha</i>," he taunted. "You knew this would happen the second I drank from her. Blood calls to blood. And since you and I are technically the same bloodline..." He trailed off, tilting his head. "I guess that means she¡¯s mine too."


    I saw red.


    I charged at him again, but this time he didn¡¯t move.


    This time, he let me grab him by the throat, mming him against the nearest tree.


    "You will never be her mate," I snarled, my ws digging into his skin, my wolf¡¯s fury boiling over.


    Dean¡¯s smirk didn¡¯t waver.


    He didn¡¯t even struggle.


    "Tell that to the bond, Kane," he said smoothly, his fangs shing. "Tell that to <i>her.</i>"


    I froze.


    Because even now, I could feel Elena through our connection.


    And she wasn¡¯t just feeling me anymore.


    She was feeling him too.


    And the worst part?


    She wasn¡¯t rejecting it.


    "We¡¯re wasting time," I said, brushing past him. "If you can feel her through your so-called bond, then use it to help me find her. I don¡¯t care how fucked up this situation is¡ªwhat matters is getting her back."


    Dean sighed following me. "Fine, but for the record, this whole thing is your fault. You had her, Kane. She was right there, ready to give you everything, and you messed it up. Maybe instead of ming everyone else, you should take a long, hard look in the mirror."


    The thought of her out there, vulnerable and hurt, made my chest tighten. And then there was Ace¡ªa wildcard I couldn¡¯t afford to ignore. If he found her... No. I couldn¡¯t let myself go there. No matter how messed up Ace was, I had to believe he wouldn¡¯t cross that line. He wouldn¡¯t touch her.


    But even as I tried to convince myself, doubt crept in. Ace wasn¡¯t exactly known for his self-restraint, and the idea of him anywhere near Elena made my stomach churn. "We need to move fast," I said, my voice low.

 Chapter 143: A Mate I Couldn’t Find

    <h4>Chapter 143: A Mate I Couldn¡¯t Find</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    Finding Elena was easier said than done.


    It had been over a week¡ªa week of dead ends, sleepless nights, and the suffocating silence of a bond she hadpletely shut me out of.


    I couldn¡¯t feel her emotions.


    I couldn¡¯t hear her thoughts.


    I couldn¡¯t tell if she was safe, afraid, or in pain.


    The only thing I knew?


    She was alive.


    The bond still pulsed in the back of my mind, a constant, agonizing reminder that she existed somewhere out there. But it gave me nothing else.


    And it was driving me insane.


    Dean wasn¡¯t faring much better, though he wouldn¡¯t admit it. He liked to act like he didn¡¯t give a shit, but I knew better. I saw the way his smirk didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes anymore. I noticed how he¡¯d grown restless, his patience wearing thinner by the day.


    I caught him pacing in the woods more than once, eyes glowing red, muttering under his breath when he thought no one was listening.


    And when I confronted him?


    His answer only made me want to punch a hole through a tree.


    <i>"I can only reach her when she¡¯s asleep."</i>


    I had stopped breathing.


    <i>"You can what?"</i> I asked, voice deadly calm.


    Dean had shrugged like it was nothing, but his eyes were stormy. <i>"I can ess her mind when she dreams. But she doesn¡¯t know where she is either."</i>


    That should have been a relief¡ªknowing she was okay, that she wasn¡¯t being tortured or worse.


    But it wasn¡¯t.


    Because it meant one thing.


    Someone was hiding her.


    And if Elena couldn¡¯t even tell us where she was?


    Then whoever took her knew exactly how to keep her from being found.


    And there was only one bastard I could think of who would go that far.


    Ace.


    The name alone sent a violent, murderous growl ripping from my chest.


    If he had her¡ªif he so much as touched her¡ª


    I would end him.


    It wouldn¡¯t matter if I had to burn his entire fucking territory to the ground.


    Ace had always been our worst enemy, a rogue-turned-warlord who had been building his empire in the shadows for years. He was strong, unpredictable, and worst of all? He knew things.


    I had no doubt that if Ace was behind Elena¡¯s disappearance, then this wasn¡¯t just about revenge.


    It was about power.


    It was about taking something from me.


    I exhaled sharply, trying to bury the storm of anger and desperation beneath my Alpha instincts. Losing control now wouldn¡¯t help me find her any faster.


    We needed a n.


    We needed to find Ace¡¯s hideout before it was toote.


    I turned to Dean, who was leaning against a tree, arms crossed, watching me with an unreadable expression.


    "Tell me exactly what she said in the dream," I demanded.


    Dean raised an eyebrow. "Demanding much, Alpha?"


    I snapped.


    In an instant, I had him pinned against the tree, my ws at his throat, my wolf teetering on the edge of savagery.


    "<i>Tell. Me.</i>" I growled, my breath hot with fury.


    Dean didn¡¯t fight back. He didn¡¯t even flinch.


    Instead, he smirked. "<i>Touchy.</i>"


    But there was no humor in his voice.


    Only tension.


    Only restraint.


    Because underneath it all, we both knew the truth¡ª


    Dean wanted to tear Ace apart just as much as I did.


    And for once?


    I was d we were on the same side.


    Because no matter what it took, no matter how ruthless we had to be¡ª


    We were going to find Elena.


    And when we did?


    Ace was going to beg for death.


    Every day without Elena was a slow descent into madness.


    I had warriors scouting every border, patrols running day and night, trackers searching for the smallest trace of her scent.


    I even called in favors from allies, rogues, and information brokers.


    And still¡ªnothing.


    Not a single fucking clue.


    It was like she had vanished off the face of the earth.


    My hands curled into fists as I paced my office, my ws extending and retracting. I could feel my wolf restless beneath my skin, howling in frustration.


    <i>"She should be ours. We should have found her by now."</i>


    <i>"I know,"</i> I growled back at him, my jaw clenching.


    But knowing that didn¡¯t help.


    Nothing fucking helped.


    I mmed my fist against the wall, cracking the ster.


    I had resources. I had power.


    I was the fucking Alpha.


    So why¡ªwhy¡ªcouldn¡¯t I find my own mate?


    I hated this.


    The helplessness. The uncertainty. The way my bond with Elena was still alive but gave me nothing. It should have guided me to her, should have at least let me feel something.


    Instead, it was like grasping at smoke¡ªthere, but just out of reach.


    And then there was Dean.


    That bastard could still reach her when she slept.


    It didn¡¯t matter that he imed he couldn¡¯t see her surroundings.


    It didn¡¯t matter that he swore she was safe.


    Because he had ess to her, and I didn¡¯t.


    And that?


    That fucking <i>ate at me.</i>


    I wanted to tear the bond wide open, to force my way into her mind, to make her talk to me, to demand she tell me where the fuck she was.


    But I couldn¡¯t.


    Because she had locked me out.


    Me¡ªher mate.


    And that realization was enough to nearly bring me to my knees.


    She had shut me out.


    Because she was afraid.


    Afraid of me.


    I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through my hair, my pulse pounding in my ears.


    I had done this.


    I had fucked up so badly that the one person I was meant to protect ran from me.


    And now?


    She was alone.


    Or worse¡ªshe was with Ace.


    That single thought sent a murderous rage pulsing through me.


    If Ace had touched her¡ªif he so much asid a fucking finger on her¡ª


    I was going to do more than just kill him.


    I was going to rip him apart piece by piece.


    A knock at the door pulled me from my storming thoughts.


    "Come in," I barked, barely containing my temper.


    A tracker stepped inside, bowing his head. "Alpha, we¡¯ve... we¡¯ve found something."


    I froze.


    Every muscle in my body went taut as my gaze snapped to him.


    "What?" My voice was low, sharp.


    The tracker hesitated. "A scent trail. It¡¯s faint, but¡ª"


    I was already moving.


    "Show me."


    This was it.


    Finally.


    I didn¡¯t care how faint the trail was¡ªI would follow it to the ends of the fucking earth if I had to.


    Because no matter what it took¡ª


    No matter how many bodies had to drop¡ª


    I was getting Elena back.


    I ran.


    Faster than the tracker, faster than the warriors trailing behind me.


    The world blurred around me as I pushed my wolf to the limit, my heart hammering in my chest, my lungs burning with the force of my desperation.


    <i>This is it. This is it. This is it.</i>


    I repeated the words like a fucking prayer, like a mantra that would make them true.


    Because they had to be true.


    I couldn¡¯t take another disappointment.


    Not when every hour without Elena felt like another piece of my soul withering away.


    The tracker led me through the dense forest, past the pack¡¯s outer borders, down a stretch ofnd I hadn¡¯t touched in years.


    And then¡ª


    We stopped.


    The scent trail ended.


    Just... stopped.


    As if she had never been there at all.


    The tracker turned to me, swallowing nervously. "Alpha... it just vanishes here."


    I didn¡¯t respond.


    I couldn¡¯t.


    Because the second my wolf realized¡ª


    The second <strong>I</strong> realized¡ª


    That I had been led to another dead fucking end¡ª


    A savage, gut-wrenching roar tore from my throat.


    The trees shook from the force of it.


    Birds erupted from the branches, scattering into the sky like dark omens.


    I fisted the earth, my ws digging into the soil, my breathing in ragged gasps as I fought the uncontroble rage building inside me.


    Another dead end.


    Another fucking failure.


    I mmed my fist into the ground, splintering the earth beneath me.


    This was the fifth lead. The fifth one.


    Every time, the same thing happened.


    Her scent¡ªso faint, so fucking <i>elusive</i>¡ªwould appear, only to vanish like a ghost.


    Like she was being erased.


    No tracks. No witnesses. No sign of struggle.


    Nothing.


    I clenched my jaw, my breathing ragged.


    This wasn¡¯t natural.


    It wasn¡¯t possible.


    Someone was helping her.


    Or worse¡ªsomeone was hiding her.


    And that meant someone was going to die.


    I stood, my body vibrating with unspent rage, my vision darkening at the edges.


    I turned to the tracker, who took an involuntary step back, his face paling.


    "Find out who the fuck is behind this." My voice was ice, sharp enough to cut through bone. "I don¡¯t care how you do it. I don¡¯t care what it costs. Find them."


    Because if I couldn¡¯t find Elena¡ª


    Then I would hunt down every single person keeping me from her.


    And I would burn their world to the ground.


    I couldn¡¯t even find stupid Ace himself.


    Nobody knew where the fuck he was.


    Not his old contacts, not his usual haunts, not even the mercenaries who owed me their lives.


    It was like the bastard had just... vanished.


    Like a fucking ghost.


    Which made no damn sense.


    Ace was many things¡ªa backstabbing prick, a ruthless bastard, a fucking <i>problem</i>¡ªbut he was not the kind of man to go quiet.


    He thrived in the shadows, sure. But he made sure everyone knew his name.


    So why the fuck couldn¡¯t I find him now?


    Where was he hiding?


    And more importantly¡ª


    Where the fuck was Elena?


    I mmed my fist against the wall of my office, splintering the wood on impact.


    "Fuck!"


    I was losing it.


    Losing her.


    And I didn¡¯t know how to stop it.


    Dean leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, watching me with that same infuriatingly calm expression.


    "Throwing a tantrum won¡¯t bring her back," he drawled.


    I spun toward him, my wolf on edge, my patience razor-thin.


    "And what the fuck have <i>you</i> done, huh?" I snapped. "Aside from creeping into her head like a fucking stalker?"


    Dean smirked, but there was something... off about it. Something tight.


    Like he was barely keeping himself together.


    "I told you, dumbass. I can only ess her when she¡¯s asleep. And even then, she¡¯s kept in some kind of warded space. It¡¯s blocking my link to her. I can see her, but I can¡¯t pull anything about where she actually is."


    A warded space?


    My mind reeled.


    Ace didn¡¯t have the power to pull something like that off.


    Hell, neither did his usual rogue rats.


    Which meant someone else was involved.


    Someone dangerous.


    My jaw tightened, a fresh wave of fury rolling through me.


    If Ace had fucking sold her off, I would rip him apart piece by fucking piece.


    But before that¡ª


    I had to find him.


    And if he was hiding like a coward, then I¡¯d do what I did best.


    Make hime to me.


    I turned to Dean, my eyes gleaming with cold intent.


    "If we can¡¯t find him..." I said, voice low, lethal.


    Dean arched a brow. "Then what?"


    A slow, deadly smirk curled my lips.


    "Then we make hime to us."

 Chapter 144: The Devil’s Invitation

    <h4>Chapter 144: The Devil¡¯s Invitation</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV: </strong>


    Where do I even begin?


    Oh yeah.


    I was being chased by my deranged Alpha mate¡ªKane.


    And who the hell swoops in to save me?


    His <i>other</i> lunatic half¡ªDean, the vampire part of him.


    Never thought I¡¯d say this, but thank fuck for Dean.


    Not that I trusted him. Oh no, I was still very much pissed at him. Butpared to Kane, who had literally hunted me down like prey, Dean was the lesser evil.


    And speaking of betrayal...


    Zena.


    Yeah, my wolf? The one who was supposed to be <i>my</i> partner? She ditched me the second she saw I was running away from Kane¡¯s presence.


    Mate before self-preservation, apparently.


    What happened to <i>chicks before dicks</i>, huh?!


    So there I was¡ªalone, exhausted, and running for my life¡ªwhile Kane and Dean tried to beat the ever-living shit out of each other.


    I had one goal: get the hell away from them.


    And by some miracle, I stumbled onto a highway.


    For a second, relief flooded me. Civilization. Cars. People. Safety.


    But no.


    Because this wasn¡¯t my night.


    I didn¡¯t just stumble onto a highway¡ªI stumbled onto another fight.


    Yeah, because apparently, violence follows me like a lost puppy.


    This time, though, it wasn¡¯t my personal psychos.


    It was a hunk of a guy fighting off two rogues.


    And damn.


    He was built.


    Tall, muscr, tattooed, and moving with the kind of lethal grace that screamed trained killer.


    And, you know, if I wasn¡¯t traumatized, on the run, and questioning all my life choices, I <i>might¡¯ve</i> taken a second to appreciate the view.


    But I had bigger problems.


    Like how, the moment they caught my scent, both rogues and the hunk snapped their heads toward me.


    Great.


    I froze.


    We all froze.


    One rogue made the first move, lunging at Hunk Guy while the other turned his hungry gaze on me.


    Nope. Nope. Nope.


    I tried to bolt, but the rogue moved too fast.


    Just as I opened my mouth to scream, Hunk Guy turned, dodging the rogue¡¯s attack, but not fast enough¡ªhe took a scratch to the arm before he retaliated, tearing out the rogue¡¯s throat with his ws.


    Brutal. Fast. Efficient.


    And now, just like that, I was stuck with a very deadly, very bloody, very dangerous stranger.


    Fantastic.


    I took a step back, fully ready to get the hell out of there.


    But of course¡ªof course¡ªI wasn¡¯t that lucky.


    Because Hunk Guy killed the other rogue too damn quickly, before I could disappear.


    And now?


    His full attention was on me.


    "Well, well, well..." His voice was deep, smooth, and far too amused. His dark eyes gleamed as he took a step closer, inspecting me like I was something interesting.


    Shit.


    I swallowed hard, keeping my posture rxed, like I wasn¡¯t internally panicking.


    "Uh... thanks for the help," I muttered. "I¡¯ll just be going now."


    He smirked, blocking my path.


    I stiffened.


    And just then, a car pulled up beside him.


    A sleek ck vehicle, its tinted windows reflecting the dim glow of the highway lights.


    The passenger window rolled down.


    A man I couldn¡¯t see spoke from inside.


    "sorry for the dy Alpha"


    My stomach dropped.


    Nope. No. Absolutely not.


    But Hunk Guy just tilted his head, studying me with something akin to curiosity.


    Then, smirking, he asked,


    "Wanna ride?"


    I stared at the hunk, my entire body on high alert.


    Every instinct screamed at me to run, but where the hell was I supposed to go?


    Back to Kane? Yeah, not happening.


    Back to Dean? Hell no.


    But getting into a mystery car with a lethal-looking stranger?


    Also a terrible idea.


    I nced at the vehicle, at the dark-tinted windows, at the barely visible silhouette of the man inside. My gut twisted with warning.


    Still, I hesitated.


    Because let¡¯s be real¡ªI had zero options.


    And that hesitation?


    That was my mistake.


    Because Hunk Guy must¡¯ve sensed my uncertainty.


    He smirked, like he had already won, and reached for my wrist.


    I snapped out of it, jerking away before he could touch me.


    "Yeah, no," I said quickly, stepping back. "I¡¯m good. But thanks for the murder-y offer."


    His smirk widened, dark amusement dancing in his raven-ck eyes.


    "Oh, sweetheart," he murmured, voice dripping with mock sympathy. "You don¡¯t have a choice."


    And then he moved.


    Faster than I expected.


    Faster than a normal wolf should.


    My stomach dropped as I barely managed to dodge, but his fingers grazed my arm before I twisted away.


    Shit. Shit. Shit.


    I took off running.


    But before I could take more than two steps, something <i>mmed</i> into the side of my head.


    My vision exploded in white.


    A sharp, electric pain shot through my skull, and my legs gave out beneath me.


    I copsed onto the pavement, head spinning, body sluggish.


    Thest thing I heard was the car door opening¡ª


    Then, everything went ck.


    Great. Just fucking great.


    Out of the frying pan¡ªinto the goddamn fire.


    The moment I came to, my skull felt like someone had taken a sledgehammer to it. A deep, pounding ache pulsed behind my eyes, and for a second, I couldn¡¯t even tell where the hell I was.


    Zena. My wolf¡¯s voice snapped through my mind, sharp with confusion.


    <i>"Where the fuck are we?"</i>


    I groaned, squeezing my eyes shut before forcing them open.


    Dim lighting. A soft bed beneath me. The scent of clean linen and something woody in the air.


    A room.


    A stranger¡¯s room.


    And right beside the bed?


    A ss of water and a packet of painkillers.


    I blinked, mind whirling.


    Right.


    Thest thing I remembered¡ª


    The hunk of a guy asking if I wanted a ride.


    The rogues.


    The car door opening.


    And then¡ª


    ckout.


    Shit.


    Panic kicked in like a jolt of electricity, and I bolted upright¡ªonly to instantly regret it when my head spun violently.


    <i>Okay, cool, let¡¯s not die of a concussion today.</i>


    I inhaled deeply, trying to steady myself, scanning the room for any sign of¡ª


    The door creaked open.


    And in walked thest person I wanted to see.


    The hunk guy.


    My stomach dropped.


    He looked almost casual, dressed in a loose ck shirt and dark jeans, his ck hair slightly tousled, like he¡¯d just rolled out of bed.


    But his eyes?


    Cold. Calcting. Amused.


    Like he already owned me.


    <i>"Well, well,"</i> he murmured, shutting the door behind him as he leaned against it. <i>"Look who¡¯s finally awake."</i>


    I clenched my jaw, my fingers curling into the sheets.


    <i>"Where the fuck am I?"</i> I snapped.


    The guy smirked. <i>"Safe."</i>


    Bullshit.


    I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, ready to run¡ª


    But before I could even stand, he was in front of me.


    Fast. Too fast.


    A warning pulse of energy radiated off him, making my wolf snarl in my head.


    <i>"Try it,"</i> he said smoothly, voice low, dangerous. <i>"And I promise you, sweetheart, you won¡¯t make it past the door."</i>


    I red up at him, heart pounding, but I stayed still.


    Because as much as I hated to admit it¡ª


    I wasn¡¯t stupid.


    The guy was older. Stronger. More ruthless than anyone I¡¯d ever dealt with.


    And the worst part?


    I didn¡¯t even know what the hell he wanted from me.


    So I forced myself to breathe.


    Forced myself to think.


    <i>"What do you want?"</i> I asked, keeping my voice steady.


    The guy tilted his head, like the question amused him.


    <i>"Isn¡¯t it obvious?"</i> he murmured, eyes dark with something unreadable. <i>"I want you, little wolf."</i>


    My blood ran cold.


    Oh, fuck.


    <i>"Yeah, right... This little wolf ain¡¯t anyone¡¯s to pick."</i>


    I spat the words out before I could think better of it, my voice sharp despite the dull pounding in my skull.


    The guy standing in front of me¡ªthe same one who had offered me a ride before everything went ck¡ªtilted his head, watching me with an expression caught somewhere between amusement and curiosity.


    <i>"Feisty,"</i> he mused, crossing his arms. <i>"I like that."</i>


    I rolled my eyes and pushed myself upright, the unfamiliar bed beneath me way too soft for my liking. My muscles ached, my head throbbed, and my wolf, <strong>Zena</strong>, was <strong>fuming</strong> in the back of my mind.


    <i>"Where the fuck are we?"</i> I asked, ignoring hisment entirely.


    The guy smirked,pletely unfazed.


    <i>"Safe,"</i> he said simply. <i>"For now."</i>


    Not helpful.


    I scanned the dimly lit room. No windows. One door. Too many unknowns.


    <i>"Yeah? And where exactly is ¡¯safe¡¯?"</i> I asked, narrowing my eyes.


    <i>"My ce."</i>


    I stared at him.


    <i>"And I¡¯m supposed to believe that?"</i>


    <i>"Believe whatever you want, little wolf."</i> His lips curved upward slightly. <i>"Doesn¡¯t change the fact that you were unconscious on the side of the road. I could¡¯ve left you there."</i>


    My stomach twisted.


    Unconscious? How the hell had that happened? Thest thing I remembered was running¡ªescaping¡ªthen stumbling onto the highway, watching this guy fight off two rogues.


    After that? Nothing.


    <i>"What did you do to me?"</i> I demanded.


    The guy¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change.


    <i>"Nothing."</i>


    I did not believe him.


    <i>"Then why am I here?"</i>


    <i>"Because you needed help,"</i> he said simply. <i>"And I¡¯m not in the habit of leaving pretty girls to die on the side of the road."</i>


    I bristled.


    <i>"I didn¡¯t need help."</i>


    <i>"Really?"</i> He raised an eyebrow. <i>"Because you weren¡¯t exactly conscious when I took you."</i>


    I clenched my jaw.


    <i>"Well, congrattions. You yed the hero. Now let me leave."</i>


    I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, pushing myself up¡ªonly for a wave of dizziness to m into me.


    Shit.


    The guy moved fast, gripping my arm before I could stumble.


    <i>"Easy there,"</i> he said, his voice lower now, smoother.


    I ripped my arm away.


    <i>"Don¡¯t touch me."</i>


    He just sighed, like I was some difficult puzzle he wasn¡¯t sure if he wanted to solve or throw away.


    <i>"What¡¯s your name?"</i> I asked, arms crossing.


    <i>"Ace."</i>


    I frowned.


    <i>"Ace?"</i>


    <i>"Yeah."</i>


    <i>"That¡¯s... a stupid name."</i>


    He actuallyughed at that, like I had just said something ridiculously amusing.


    <i>"And yours?"</i> he asked, watching me.


    I hesitated.


    <i>"Elena."</i>


    <i>"Elena,"</i> he repeated, rolling my name over his tongue like he was testing it out. Then he smiled¡ªslow and deliberate.


    <i>"Well, Elena, seems like we¡¯ve got some time to kill."</i>


    I hated the way he said that. Like he knew something I didn¡¯t.


    Like he was waiting for me to figure it out.

 Chapter 145: The Devil’s Waltz

    <h4>Chapter 145: The Devil¡¯s Waltz</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV: </strong>


    Okay. So the guy was a hunk¡ªtall, built like a damn statue, with sharp eyes that saw too much and a smirk that pissed me off just by existing.


    But let¡¯s not forget the important part¡ªhe was also ruthless. The way he tore through those rogues like they were nothing wasn¡¯t just skill. It was effortless. Like he¡¯d done it a hundred times before.


    And he lied.


    Yeah, I remembered.


    I did not faint. I was knocked out¡ªwhich meant <i>he</i> had dragged me into his car while I was unconscious.


    So, not only did I wake up in an unfamiliar ce with no clue where the hell I was, but I was also stuck with yet another asshole with an agenda.


    Guess I just had that kind of luck.


    I had to tread lightly.


    Because one thing was clear¡ªthis guy had an ulterior motive.


    And I needed to figure out what it was.


    I wasn¡¯t sure what I expected when I agreed to dinner with the hunk who <i>kidnapped</i> me, but it sure as hell wasn¡¯t this.


    The man¡ªwho still hadn¡¯t bothered to introduce himself apart from telling me his name was Ace¡ªled me down a grand hallway lined with expensive paintings and golden chandeliers. If I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d think I had been dropped into some rich aristocrat¡¯s mansion instead of being abducted by a rogue wolf.


    The dining room was no different¡ªlong mahogany table, flickering candles, and a spread of food that looked straight out of a five-star restaurant. Steak, roasted vegetables, wine.


    If this was supposed to be some kind of intimidation tactic, I had to admit¡ªhe had <i>ir</i>.


    "Sit," he said smoothly, pulling out a chair for me.


    I eyed him warily. "Are you nning to poison me?"


    He let out a low chuckle. "If I wanted you dead, little wolf, you wouldn¡¯t have woken up."


    Fair point. But that didn¡¯t mean I trusted him.


    I sat anyway.


    "Well, <i>Ace</i>," I said, picking up my fork, "do you make a habit of abducting strangers off the highway, or am I just special?"


    His lips quirked up, as if my defiance amused him. "You¡¯re <i>very</i> special."


    I rolled my eyes, but inside, I was on high alert. He was too calm, too confident¡ªlike he already had me exactly where he wanted.


    That meant I had to y this carefully.


    So, I smiled.


    Tilted my head.


    Leaned in just enough to make him think I was warming up to him.


    If he wanted to flirt? Fine. I could y along.


    Two could y this game.


    "So tell me, Ace," I said, voice smooth, "what exactly do you want with me?"


    His eyes gleamed in the candlelight, and for the first time, I caught a glimpse of something dangerous beneath his charming fa?ade.


    "Oh, little pet," he murmured, lifting his ss.


    "You¡¯ll find out soon enough."


    How¡¯s that? Do you want to add more mystery or intensity to the scene?


    The weight of his words hung in the air between us, thick and suffocating.


    <i>"You¡¯ll find out soon enough."</i>


    Every instinct screamed at me to run. To flip the damn table over and make a break for the door. But I forced myself to stay still, schooling my features into a mask of mild amusement.


    I wouldn¡¯t let him see my fear.


    Instead, I reached for my wine ss, lifting it to my lips as if his cryptic words didn¡¯t bother me in the slightest. "Well, that¡¯s ominous," I mused, taking a small sip.


    Ace chuckled, the sound smooth as silk yet carrying a dangerous edge. "Is it?"


    I met his gaze over the rim of my ss, refusing to be the first to look away. "Depends. Should I be worried?"


    He leaned back in his chair, fingerszily tracing the stem of his own ss. His eyes never left mine. "That depends," he echoed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Are you the kind of girl who enjoys a little danger?"


    A test.


    He was trying to see how much he could rattle me, how much I would bend before I broke.


    So I smiled, slow and deliberate, and leaned forward just enough to let my fingers graze the rim of my te. <i>Two can y this game, asshole.</i>


    "That depends," I echoed back, mimicking his tone. "Are you the kind of guy who enjoys ying with fire?"


    For a moment, silence stretched between us¡ªthick, charged, <strong>alive</strong>.


    Then, heughed. A deep, genuineugh that sent a shiver up my spine.


    "Oh, <i>I like you</i>," he said, eyes gleaming with something I couldn¡¯t quite decipher. "I can see why they want you so badly."


    I stiffened.


    <i>"They?"</i>


    I was careful not to react, but inside, my mind raced. <i>Who the hell was ¡¯they¡¯?</i> Kane? Dean? Someone else entirely?


    I needed answers. And fast.


    So I tilted my head, keeping my expression carefully neutral. "Oh? And who, exactly, is ¡¯they¡¯?"


    Ace only smirked, lifting his ss in a mock toast. "Nice try, little wolf."


    Damn it.


    I bit back my frustration, stering on a flirtatious smile instead. "Can¡¯t me a girl for trying."


    His smirk widened. "No, I can¡¯t."


    And then, to my absolute shock, he stood up and walked over to my side of the table.


    I tensed as he reached for my chair, but instead of grabbing me, he simply pulled it back ever so slightly, offering me his hand.


    "Come," he said. "Let¡¯s dance."


    I blinked. "What?"


    His eyes gleamed with amusement. "Dance with me."


    Okay. <i>Not</i> what I was expecting.


    But I was trapped in a house with a man who had all the power. If I refused, it would make me look weak.


    And I¡¯d be damned if I let him think I was weak.


    So I exhaled slowly, ced my hand in his, and let him pull me to my feet.


    The dining room led into a massive, open living space,plete with floor-to-ceiling windows that revealed the vast forest outside. In the center of the room, a record yer sat on a polished wooden table, spinning a soft, haunting melody.


    Ace¡¯s arm wrapped around my waist as he pulled me close, one hand capturing mine while the other settled low on my back. He smelled of leather and something darkly intoxicating.


    "Do you always force your kidnapped guests to dance with you?" I asked, arching a brow.


    His lips twitched. "Only the pretty ones."


    Cocky bastard.


    Still, I let him lead, my body moving with his in smooth, effortless steps. He was good¡ªtoo good. His movements were controlled, precise, as if he had done this a thousand times before.


    "You¡¯re awfullyfortable with this," I murmured, letting my fingers trail along the line of his shoulder.


    His grip tightened just slightly. "And you¡¯re awfully good at pretending you¡¯re not terrified of me."


    I smiled. "Who says I¡¯m pretending?"


    That earned me another low chuckle, his fingers flexing against my lower back. "Oh, little pet," he mused, voice dipping into something dangerously soft, "you <i>should</i> be."


    And just like that, he dipped me.


    The world tilted, my heart lurching as my back arched, my throatpletely exposed to him.


    My pulse pounded against my skin.


    For one breathless second, he hovered over me, his lips just inches from my neck.


    A warning. A promise.


    And then, just as suddenly, he pulled me back up, steadying me as if nothing had happened.


    I swallowed hard, refusing to acknowledge the way my hands trembled slightly as I pulled away from him.


    "Charming," I muttered, stepping back.


    Ace grinned. "I try."


    I crossed my arms. "So what now? Am I supposed to be swooning? Falling at your feet?"


    His gaze darkened. "No," he said, voice lower now. "I just want you to understand something."


    I stilled.


    His smirk was gone. His usual yfulness gone.


    Now, there was only steel in his expression.


    "You¡¯re mine now."


    The words sent a cold shiver down my spine.


    I forced a scoff, ignoring the way my stomach twisted. "I don¡¯t belong to anyone."


    He took a step closer, crowding my space.


    "You do now."


    I clenched my fists. "And what, exactly, does that mean?"


    Ace tilted his head, studying me. "It means Kane isn¡¯ting for you."


    A sharp pang shot through my chest, but I masked it with indifference. "Good."


    Ace chuckled darkly. "Oh, little pet... you don¡¯t understand, do you?" He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. "I <i>let</i> him chase you. I let him think he could find you. But now?" His fingers brushed down my arm, feather-light. "Now, I¡¯ve made sure he never will."


    Panic surged through me, but I refused to let it show.


    I lifted my chin. "And what if I run?"


    His hand curled around my wrist¡ªnot hard, but firm.


    "Then I¡¯ll chase you," he murmured. "And this time? I won¡¯t let you go."


    Something in his voice sent a chill through me.


    This wasn¡¯t just about Kane anymore.


    This was about me.


    Ace didn¡¯t just want to keep me away from Kane.


    He wanted <i>me</i>.


    Not as leverage. Not as bait.


    As his.


    And I had no idea how the hell I was going to escape.

 Chapter 146: A Cage Wrapped in Gold

    <h4>Chapter 146: A Cage Wrapped in Gold</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV: </strong>


    One thing was certain¡ªthis ce was a fortress.


    And escaping? Almost impossible.


    I had tried, of course. Tested every lock, every window, every possible weak spot in security. But Ace wasn¡¯t stupid. The perimeter was sealed tight, and the few guards who roamed the hallways weren¡¯t just muscle¡ªthey were predators. Wolves. Each one watching me like I was prey.


    The sheer size of the estate was overwhelming. Every hallway, every door, every turn felt like it was built to keep people in rather than out. The windows were bulletproof, the gates guarded, and I was almost sure there were surveince cameras tracking my every move.


    And Ace?


    I had <strong>no fucking clue</strong> what was going on in his mind.


    He wasn¡¯t unkind¡ªnot in the way I expected. No beatings, no chains, no outright threats. But that almost made it worse. He was ying a different kind of game¡ªone I hadn¡¯t figured out yet.


    He was unpredictable. One moment, a ruthless captor. The next? Almost romantic.


    Every day, without fail, he came to see me with a single red rose.


    Every evening, he would put on music and request a dance.


    Like clockwork.


    Like a routine he refused to break.


    At first, I resisted. Refused to take the rose, ignored his outstretched hand when he asked me to dance.


    But Ace was persistent.


    He never got angry, never demanded. He just... waited.


    Until one evening, when exhaustion and frustration finally got the better of me, and I let him take my hand.


    The music was slow. Soft. A haunting melody that whispered through the grand living space like a ghost.


    Ace¡¯s hand rested on my waist, the other holding mine in a firm but gentle grip. He moved smoothly, effortlessly, guiding me across the polished marble floor as if we had done this a thousand times before.


    I didn¡¯t want to admit it, but... he was good.


    Too good.


    "You¡¯re tense," he murmured, eyes glinting with amusement as he twirled me.


    I rolled my eyes. "Gee, I wonder why."


    He chuckled. "Still fighting me, little pet?"


    My jaw clenched. "I don¡¯t belong to you."


    Ace hummed, tilting his head as if considering my words. "Perhaps not. But you¡¯re here. And I take care of what¡¯s mine."


    I stiffened. "I¡¯m <i>not</i>¡ª"


    But before I could finish, he dipped me.


    My breath hitched as his face hovered inches above mine, his grip firm against my lower back.


    His voice was a low whisper. "You keep telling yourself that."


    And then, just as easily, he pulled me back up, steadying me on my feet.


    The moment the song ended, I yanked my hand away, stepping back as my heart pounded in my chest.


    Ace smirked but said nothing.


    Instead, he ced the rose in my hand, gave me a knowing look, and walked away.


    Leaving me there, gripping the damn flower like it was a lifeline.


    Days passed.


    And with each passing day, my frustration grew.


    Ace allowed me to go anywhere inside the mansion¡ªanywhere except outside.


    The massive estate had everything: a luxurious library, a pool, a fully stocked kitchen, even a damn ballroom. But it wasn¡¯t freedom.


    It was a cage.


    A beautiful,fortable, <i>golden</i> cage.


    And worst of all?


    I was starting to adapt.


    The dinners, the dances, thete-night conversations where Ace would sit across from me, sipping whiskey and watching me with those unreadable eyes.


    I hated it.


    Hated how easily he slipped into my space.


    How he made captivity feel almost... tolerable.


    And I hated that, deep down, a part of me feared I was starting to let him in.


    One night, after yet another dance, I finally snapped.


    I yanked my hand from Ace¡¯s grip and red up at him. "What is this? Huh? Some kind of twisted game?"


    Ace didn¡¯t look surprised. If anything, he looked amused. "A game?"


    I gestured around us. "The roses, the dancing, the fancy dinners. You keeping me locked up here like some prize. What do you even want from me?"


    Ace¡¯s expression shifted, his amusement fading ever so slightly.


    Then, he took a slow step forward.


    And another.


    Until he was standing right in front of me, close enough that I had to tilt my head to meet his gaze.


    "What do I want?" he echoed.


    The air between us felt thick, charged with something dark and dangerous.


    His fingers brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch deceptively soft.


    "I want you to see," he murmured.


    My breath hitched. "See what?"


    His eyes darkened.


    "The truth."


    And just like that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there¡ªconfused, frustrated, and more afraid than I had ever been before.


    Because deep down, I knew.


    The real game hadn¡¯t even begun yet.


    One moment, he was charming, taking me to candlelit dinners, dancing with me in empty ballrooms like some kind of twisted prince. The next, he was cold, watching me like a predator, reminding me with every calcted nce that I wasn¡¯t here by choice.


    He wanted something from me.


    And I didn¡¯t know what.


    But I knew this much¡ªI had to get out.


    The first time I tried to escape, I aimed for the most obvious route¡ªthe windows.


    The room Ace had given me was on the second floor, overlooking a well-manicured courtyard. Not ideal, but survivable if I timed the jump right.


    Late at night, when the guards changed shifts, I stacked the pillows under the nkets to make it look like I was asleep, then quietly slid the window open. The night air was crisp, and my heart pounded as I swung one leg over the ledge.


    <i>"Almost there¡ª"</i>


    A hand mped around my wrist.


    I gasped, snapping my head up to see Ace leaning against the frame, looking far too amused for my liking.


    "Going somewhere?"


    Shit.


    I twisted, trying to yank my arm free, but he didn¡¯t even flinch. "Damn, you¡¯re persistent," he mused. "I thought you¡¯dst at least a week before trying something stupid."


    I kicked at him. He caught my ankle effortlessly.


    "Let. Me. Go," I growled.


    Ace sighed like I was an unruly child and hauled me back inside with ease. Before I could protest, he tossed me onto the bed, arms crossed over his broad chest.


    "First of all," he said, leveling me with an unimpressed stare, "you really thought I wouldn¡¯t anticipate the <i>window</i>?"


    I red at him, chest heaving. "Well, clearly, I was hoping you¡¯d be stupider."


    He smirked. "ttering. Second," he stepped closer, looming over me, "if you ever try that again, I might just tie you to the bed. And while I¡¯m sure there are worse ways to keep you in one ce, I doubt you¡¯d enjoy it."


    I kicked at him again, but he dodged it,ughing.


    "Go to sleep, little wolf," he said, turning toward the door. "You¡¯re not leaving. Not yet."


    Not <i>yet</i>?


    The door clicked shut behind him.


    I clenched my fists.


    I hated him.


    But worse?


    He was winning.


    I tried again three dayster.


    This time, I targeted the guards.


    They weren¡¯t just nameless brutes. They had personalities. Weaknesses. And one in particr¡ªa younger one named Luka¡ªwas far too chatty for his own good.


    I spent the next day working on him, pretending to be curious about Ace, about the estate, about why they followed him so loyally. Luka ate it up.


    By the second night, he wasfortable enough to let his guard down around me.


    "You know, it¡¯s kinda funny," he said, leaning against the doorway. "Ace doesn¡¯t usually keep... guests."


    <i>"Guests." Right. Because kidnapping people is so hospitable.</i>


    I batted myshes. "Oh? So I¡¯m special?"


    Luka grinned. "I mean, yeah. No one¡¯s ever¡ª"


    I moved fast.


    In a single motion, I grabbed the ss of wine from my nightstand and smashed it across his head.


    He grunted, stumbling forward, and I bolted.


    I made it down the hall before I heard the rm re.


    Fuck.


    Two guards turned the corner just as I reached the stairs. I slid under one of their arms, narrowly dodging his grab, but the second one was faster.


    His arms wrapped around my waist, hoisting me off the ground.


    I screamed, thrashing.


    And then, suddenly¡ª


    "Put. Her. Down."


    The voice was lethal.


    Ace.


    The guard immediately obeyed, dropping me like I was on fire. I stumbled, heart hammering, as Ace approached.


    He didn¡¯t look angry.


    He looked... amused.


    That was worse.


    "Elena," he murmured, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face. I pped his hand away, but his smirk only widened.


    "You¡¯re bold," he mused. "I like that."


    I clenched my jaw. "Yeah? Then you¡¯re gonna love how much I n on kicking your ass when I get out of here."


    His smirk faded, and for a moment, something darker flickered in his expression.


    "You really don¡¯t get it, do you?" he murmured.


    My stomach twisted. "Get <i>what</i>?"


    Ace sighed, rubbing a hand down his face like he was exhausted.


    "You¡¯re not a prisoner, Elena," he finally said, voice too soft. "You¡¯re being kept safe."


    Safe?


    I let out a harshugh. "Oh, yeah, being kidnapped, trapped in a mansion, and babysat by guards totally screams <i>safe</i>."


    His expression hardened. "From Kane."


    That shut me up.


    My heart stuttered.


    "Kane," I echoed.


    Ace held my gaze. "The moment you leave this ce, he <i>will</i> find you. And when he does, I can¡¯t guarantee what state he¡¯ll be in. The darkness inside him isn¡¯t just a rumor, Elena. It¡¯s real."


    I swallowed hard, pulse hammering.


    I wanted to tell him he was full of shit. That he was the real monster, that Kane would never¡ª


    But I couldn¡¯t.


    Because deep down, I knew it was true.


    I had seen it in Kane¡¯s eyes.


    The madness.


    The rage.


    And the mark on my neck¡ªthe one I never consented to¡ªburned as if to remind me of that fact.


    Still, I wasn¡¯t going to let Ace win this argument.


    "So what?" I snapped. "You¡¯re some kind of <i>hero</i>? Saving the damsel in distress?"


    His lips parted, but he hesitated.


    Just for a second.


    But that second was enough.


    Because for the first time...


    He didn¡¯t have a cocky remark.


    He didn¡¯t have a sharp, teasingeback.


    Instead, he just looked at me¡ªlike he was debating something.


    And then, in a quiet voice, he said:


    "I need you alive, Elena."


    The words weren¡¯t romantic. They weren¡¯t sweet.


    But they were real.


    And that terrified me more than anything else.

 Chapter 147: Finding Her Again

    <h4>Chapter 147: Finding Her Again</h4>


    <strong>Dean¡¯s POV:</strong>


    The guy looked like he hadn¡¯t eaten or slept in days¡ªwhich, honestly, might¡¯ve been true. His hair was a mess, his jaw locked so tight I thought his teeth might shatter, and his eyes? Pure feral rage.Yeah, Kane was on the verge of snapping.But who said I didn¡¯t have my own shit to deal with?Unlike Kane, I wasn¡¯t pacing like a caged animal or throwing maps across the room. I was handling this my way. Which meant drowning myself in whiskey, leaning back in my chair like I didn¡¯t have a care in the world, and ignoring the growing storm inside me.But the truth?I was barely holding on.Because the darkness inside me¡ªthe very thing I had spent years keeping in check¡ªwas festering.Feeding.It took my worry, my frustration, my fury at that bastard Ace for taking my little wolf, and it twisted it into something deeper, darker.And the worst part?I didn¡¯t know how much longer I could keep it under control.


    I didn¡¯t sleep that night.Not because I couldn¡¯t.But because the darkness wouldn¡¯t let me.It whispered to me. Showed me shes of Elena. Trapped. With him.And I felt it¡ªher emotions bleeding through the bond.Fear.Confusion.And something else.Something that made my blood boil.Because if there was one thing I knew about Ace, it was that he was dangerous.Not because of his strength.Not because of his power.But because he had a way of getting inside your head.And if he got into Elena¡¯s head...I didn¡¯t know what I¡¯d do.But I knew one thing.I wasn¡¯t going to let that bastard win.For weeks, I had been trying to invade her mind.Every night, without fail, I reached out, hoping¡ªpraying¡ªthat I¡¯d find her.And every night?Nothing.But tonight?


    I had been trying every night, invading her dreams like I always did. But this time, the Moon Goddess finally seemed to smile on me.


    Because there she was.


    Sleeping.


    Peaceful.


    While Kane and I were going insane.


    I materialized beside her on the bed, resting on my elbow as I watched her breathe.


    "Sleeping so soundly, little wolf," I murmured, my voice soft butced with frustration. "While we¡¯re losing our fucking minds."


    Her eyes fluttered open.


    Usually, when I entered her dreams, I took control of her visual body¡ªjust enough to keep her from breaking the connection too soon.


    But tonight?


    I let her be.


    She blinked a few times before realizing I was in her head again.


    Then, like a startled kitten, she scrambled away from me, practically falling off the bed.


    I smirked. "Dramatic much?"


    She pointed an using finger at me. "You¡¯re doing it again!"


    "Yes," I said simply. "Because I miss you."


    Her lips parted slightly like she wanted to say something.


    But she didn¡¯t.


    She just looked at me, hesitation flickering in her gaze.


    I sighed. "We can¡¯t find you, Elena. Wherever you are... it¡¯s like you¡¯re in a different fucking world."


    Her brows furrowed slightly, and for a second, I thought she might slip up and tell me something useful.


    But then?


    She pressed her lips together, shaking her head.


    I clenched my fists. "Didn¡¯t you miss me even a little?"


    She swallowed hard.


    I so badly wanted to reach out to her. To touch her. To drag her back.


    But if I got too close? If I pushed too hard?


    She would cut the connection.


    And I couldn¡¯t risk that.


    So instead, I yed dirty.


    "You blocked Kane, didn¡¯t you?" I asked, my voice quieter now.


    Her lips trembled. "Is he okay?"


    There was something fragile in her voice¡ªsomething that made my jaw clench.


    "Is he back to normal?" she added,


    "Is he okay?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.There it was.That small crack in her defenses.She still cared."Is he back to normal?" she added, referring to the darkness she had left him drowning in.I let out a slow exhale. "Yeah, he¡¯s back. The same annoying self he always is."I let the words sink in before I added, "But this time? He¡¯s broken. He mes himself for your disappearance."I watched as her fingers clenched the sheets, guilt flickering across her face.Good.She should feel guilty.Because she was ours.And she had run.I wasn¡¯t sure if I was saying this for Kane¡¯s sake.Or my own.But if using his pain got her toe back to us?Then so be it.


    Just when I thought I had her¡ªjust when she was about to tell me something¡ª


    I felt it.


    That familiar, fucking sickening pull.


    And then¡ª


    Darkness.


    Like being yanked out of existence.


    Fuck.


    Someone woke her up.


    My body jolted as I snapped back into my own mind, my connection to her severed instantly.


    And just like that?


    I was back.


    Alone.


    With nothing to show for it.


    I ran a hand through my hair, clenching my jaw.


    I should¡¯ve felt relieved that I finally saw her.


    That she was okay.


    But it only made the frustration worse.


    Because she was right there.


    And I still couldn¡¯t reach her.


    I let out a rough breath and mmed my fist into the nearest wall, feeling the stone crack under my strength.


    That was the closest I¡¯d been to her in weeks.


    And I fucking lost it.


    Again.


    I stood there, breathing hard, my fist still pressed against the cracked wall.


    I could feel the darkness in me coiling, writhing, hungry¡ªfeeding off my anger, my frustration, my helplessness.


    I saw her. I had her. And then... gone.


    Just like that.


    "Fuck!" I roared, mming my other fist into the wall, sending debris crumbling to the floor.


    Kane, who had been pacing like a caged animal on the other side of the room, snapped his head toward me. His eyes¡ªwild, haunted, desperate¡ªlocked onto mine.


    "What happened?" His voice was sharp, barely controlled.


    I exhaled harshly, rolling my shoulders before turning to face him. "I found her."


    His entire body went rigid.


    "What?"


    I clenched my jaw. "I fucking found her, Kane. She was sleeping. I got in."


    For a moment, there was only silence.


    Then¡ª


    "Where is she?" His voice was low, dangerous.


    I shook my head. "I don¡¯t know."


    His nostrils red, his fists clenching at his sides. "You¡ª" He stopped, gritting his teeth like he was holding back the urge to rip me apart.


    I met his re, unbothered. "I told you, she¡¯s not in this part of the world. It¡¯s like she¡¯s somewherepletely off the grid, in some kind of fortress. I couldn¡¯t get a single fucking clue from her surroundings. Nothing looked familiar. And before she could tell me anything, she woke up."


    "Or someone woke her up." Kane¡¯s voice was deadly quiet.


    I nodded.


    We both knew who the someone probably was.


    Ace.


    That fucking rogue.


    My muscles tensed as I thought about that bastard.


    I didn¡¯t know what the hell he wanted with our mate, but if he thought for even a second that he could keep her¡ª


    He was dead wrong.


    "She blocked you, didn¡¯t she?" I muttered, watching the way Kane¡¯s jaw locked.


    His hands trembled slightly at his sides before he exhaled and nodded.


    "I can¡¯t reach her," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can¡¯t feel her emotions, can¡¯t talk to her, can¡¯t even get a fucking flicker from the bond."


    I studied him. Kane was a wreck.


    Dark circles under his eyes. His skin too pale for a wolf. His body too tense, like he was barely holding himself together.


    I wasn¡¯t going to say it out loud, but he looked like he was on the verge of going feral.


    And honestly?


    I didn¡¯t me him.


    I was barely keeping my own shit together, and I had the advantage of at least being able to see her, even if it was just through dreams.


    He had nothing.


    I knew that was killing him.


    "So what now?" Kane muttered, running a hand through his hair.


    I exhaled.


    "We need a new n," I admitted. "We¡¯ve wasted too much time chasing dead leads. If Ace wanted to be found, we would¡¯ve found him by now."


    Kane let out a bitter chuckle. "So we just sit here and wait for him to make the next move?"


    "Hell no." I scoffed. "That¡¯s what he expects. We need to think like him. Get ahead of him before he ys us again."


    Kane¡¯s eyes darkened. "And how the fuck do we do that?"


    I smirked.


    By being the monsters we were born to be.


    But first¡ª


    "We need to find out what he wants with Elena," I said. "If he¡¯s keeping her alive and treating her like some fucking princess, then that means she¡¯s valuable to him."


    Kane¡¯s fists clenched. "He¡¯d marked her, wouldn¡¯t he?"


    I went rigid.


    I hadn¡¯t thought of that.


    If Ace had the audacity to put his fucking mark on our mate¡ª


    I growled lowly, my fangs elongating.


    "She didn¡¯t have a mark when I saw her," I admitted. "But that doesn¡¯t mean he won¡¯t try."


    Kane¡¯s breathing turned ragged. I could see his wolf fighting for control.


    "If he touches her¡ª"


    "He¡¯s dead," I finished for him.


    Because if Ace so much asid a hand on her?


    I¡¯d tear him apart myself.


    No hesitation. No mercy.


    And Kane?


    Well, Kane would burn the whole fucking world down.


    This wasn¡¯t just about finding her anymore.


    It was about getting her back.


    And I was done ying nice.

 Chapter 148: Being Charmed

    <h4>Chapter 148: Being Charmed</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV: </strong>


    If I had to describe my current situation in one word, it would be infuriating.


    The more I tried to escape, the more Ace became romantic.


    I swear, it was like every failed attempt just made him more patient, more attentive, more charming¡ªwhich only made me hate him more.


    And he knew it.


    The bastard enjoyed it.


    It was my third day here when I realized that my bedroom had a balcony.


    A tall one.


    With no stairs.


    But still¡ªbetter than nothing.


    I had spent hours mapping out the guards¡¯ rotations, waiting for the moment they were furthest from my room. The balcony was my best bet¡ªa long drop, but if I could use the vines on the wall to climb down, I¡¯d have a chance.


    I had made it halfway down before a pair of strong arms yanked me back up.


    Ace.


    "You¡¯re determined," he had murmured, amusement in his voice as he effortlessly pulled me back onto the balcony. "I like that."


    I shoved him. Hard.


    He barely moved.


    He smirked, catching my wrist before I could p him. "But you¡¯ll hurt yourself trying to get away like this, little pet. We can¡¯t have that."


    I red at him, breathing heavily, refusing to let him see my panic.


    I would not let him win.


    Not now.


    Not ever.


    He sighed as if this was nothing but a mild inconvenience, then lifted me into his arms before carrying me back inside.


    The next morning, I woke up to find the balcony doors locked shut.


    And on my bedside table?


    A single red rose.


    A fucking rose.


    Was he mocking me?


    By the end of the first week, I had a new n.


    The security around me was airtight. No windows, no open doors, no loose screws or vents I could squeeze through.


    But there was one weakness¡ªwhen Ace took me to dinner.


    Every evening, like clockwork, he woulde to my room, dressed in his annoyingly perfect dark suits, offer me his hand, and take me to dinner.


    It was always some extravagant setting¡ªa candlelit dining room, an outdoor terrace under the stars, once even a freaking ballroom with a chandelier straight out of a fairy tale.


    I hated how beautiful it all was.


    I hated how he watched me, studying my every move, every expression.


    I hated how he was patient.


    Never forceful. Never demanding.


    Just waiting.


    And worst of all?


    He never locked me up.


    Never tied me down.


    Just let me roam freely within the walls of his pce-like prison, like a queen in a golden cage.


    So that night, I decided to test his limits.


    As we sat at a candlelit table, I slowly reached for my steak knife.


    I was careful.


    Casual.


    Just a small movement, curling my fingers around the smooth handle, bringing it closer to myp¡ª


    "Are you going to stab me, little pet?"


    I froze.


    Ace was watching me, amusement flickering in his dark eyes as he sipped his wine.


    The bastard knew.


    I gritted my teeth. "Maybe."


    He set his ss down and leaned forward, his gaze intense, his lips twitching in the ghost of a smirk.


    "Then do it."


    I gripped the knife tighter.


    He spread his arms, exposing his chest, like he was daring me. Taunting me.


    My pulse pounded in my ears.


    What was his game?


    Why was he acting like this?


    I could feel his power from across the table.


    He wasn¡¯t a normal rogue. He was something else.


    Something dangerous.


    And yet, he was letting me do this.


    I lifted the knife slightly, watching his eyes flicker to it.


    Daring me.


    Taunting me.


    I wanted to plunge it straight into his smug, arrogant chest¡ªbut something in the way he looked at me told me he already knew I wouldn¡¯t.


    I exhaled sharply and set the knife down.


    His smirk widened.


    Bastard.


    The next morning, there was another rose waiting for me.


    By the second week, I realized something important.


    Ace wasn¡¯t just watching me.


    He was studying me.


    Every time I failed to escape, he learned something new about me.


    What I was willing to risk.


    How far I would go.


    What I was capable of.


    And he wasn¡¯t stopping me.


    He was enjoying it.


    So this time, I nned carefully.


    I had managed to swipe a small vial of sleeping herbs from the kitchen when his guards weren¡¯t looking.


    It wasn¡¯t poison, but it was strong enough to knock out a wolf for hours.


    If I could slip it into his drink, I¡¯d have enough time to search for an escape route.


    So that evening, when Ace led me to another fancy dinner, I yed along.


    I smiled.


    Iughed.


    I even let him brush his fingers over mine when he handed me my wine ss.


    And just as he looked away for a second, I poured the vial¡¯s contents into his drink.


    I forced myself to act normal, lifting my own ss to my lips as I watched him take his first sip.


    And then¡ª


    He stopped.


    I froze.


    Ace¡¯s eyes lifted to mine, sharp and knowing.


    I felt my stomach drop as he set his ss down.


    He exhaled. "You never give up, do you?"


    My hands clenched into fists.


    And then, to my horror¡ª


    He switched our sses.


    And drank mine instead.


    I stared at him in shock.


    I swallowed hard, unsure how to react as he leaned back in his chair, studying me with something almost amused.


    "Clever," he murmured, rolling the wine ss between his fingers. "But not clever enough."


    I gritted my teeth. "Why are you keeping me here?"


    His expression shifted.


    For a moment, something dark shed in his eyes, but then it was gone.


    He exhaled softly. "Because I want to know you."


    I blinked. "What?"


    Ace¡¯s lips curled slightly as he reached for his own wine ss¡ªthe one I had poisoned¡ªand pour it to the floor,pletely unfazed.


    "I want to know everything about you, Elena." His voice was smooth, dangerous, intoxicating. "Your thoughts, your dreams, your fears, your desires."


    My breath caught in my throat.


    The way he said it¡ªso calm, so certain¡ªit made my pulse skip.


    I clenched my jaw. "And what if I don¡¯t want to know you?"


    Ace chuckled, setting his ss down before rising from his chair.


    He slowly walked toward me, and I had to force myself not to flinch as he leaned down, his hand brushing over my cheek.


    "Then I¡¯ll have to change your mind."


    I red up at him. "You¡¯ll fail."


    His smirk widened.


    "Then let¡¯s make a game of it, little pet."


    I hated him.


    But I hated myself more for the way my body flitch to his touch. I did want him to think I was scared of him.


    Because Ace?


    Ace was dangerous.


    And he was winning.


    The next morning, there was another rose waiting for me.


    <strong>*****</strong>


    The stupid guy had a Jacuzzi.


    And, of course, he had to show it off.


    The moment Ace walked into my room that evening, holding a bathing suit in one hand and a smirk on his stupidly perfect face, I knew I was in for some bullshit.


    "What¡¯s this?" I asked, crossing my arms as I red at the tiny piece of fabric dangling from his fingers.


    Ace tilted his head, all mock innocence. "A gift."


    I narrowed my eyes. "For what?"


    He shrugged. "I thought you¡¯d appreciate something rxing after all your... recent frustrations."


    Frustrations?


    He meant my multiple escape attempts.


    Bastard.


    I snatched the swimsuit from his hand and inspected it. A ck bikini¡ªof course.


    "How about you take your ¡¯gift¡¯ and shove it¡ª"


    Ace sighed, already expecting my resistance. "Come on, little wolf. Just one evening. No fights. No games."


    I snorted. "Everything with you is a game."


    He chuckled. "That¡¯s why you like me."


    "I hate you."


    "That too."


    I wanted to throw the swimsuit at his smug face, but at the same time, I was tired.


    Tired of fighting.


    Tired of watching his every move.


    Tired of feeling trapped.


    Maybe one evening without fighting would help me think.


    Maybe I could y along¡ªjust enough to learn more about him.


    So, I sighed dramatically. "Fine."


    His smirk widened. "Good girl."


    I almost threw the bikini at him.


    I¡¯ll admit it¡ªthe Jacuzzi was heaven.


    The hot water eased the tension in my muscles, and for the first time in weeks, I felt a little lighter.


    Ace sat across from me, his arms stretched out along the rim of the tub, watching me with that infuriating smirk. He was shirtless, and I hated that I noticed the way the warm light highlighted his toned chest.


    Hated that he looked so rxed, like he hadn¡¯t kidnapped me and locked me in his mansion-pce-fortress-whatever.


    "I was expecting more resistance," he mused.


    I rolled my eyes. "Trust me, I still have some left."


    He chuckled. "Of course you do."


    I leaned back, sighing. "Why are we here, Ace?"


    His smirk faded slightly. "Because I want you here."


    I turned to him. "That¡¯s not an answer."


    He exhaled. "It¡¯s the only one I have."


    I studied him carefully.


    This was different.


    His usual cocky arrogance was still there, but this time, there was something softer beneath it. Something almost... vulnerable.


    It threw me off.


    "Are you always this cryptic?" I asked.


    He tilted his head. "Are you always this difficult?"


    I smirked. "That¡¯s why you like me."


    He chuckled. "Maybe."


    For a moment, the air between us shifted.


    I hated it.


    I hated that he wasn¡¯t acting like the usual overconfident rogue. That he wasn¡¯t goading me, wasn¡¯t trying to be superior.


    I hated that, for the first time, I didn¡¯t feel like his prisoner¡ªjust a girl in a Jacuzzi with a guy she should absolutely despise.


    I shook off the thought.


    Focus, Elena.


    You are here to study him. To find a weakness.


    I cleared my throat. "You ever going to let me go?"


    His jaw tensed, but his expression remained neutral.


    "No."


    No hesitation. No lies.


    I swallowed hard. "Why?"


    Ace leaned in slightly, his voice lower, more serious.


    "Because the moment I let you go, Kane will take you back."


    Something in the way he said it made my stomach twist.


    Not because he was wrong¡ªbut because he sounded like he was protecting me from Kane, not keeping me prisoner.


    I frowned. "And that¡¯s a bad thing because...?"


    Ace¡¯s eyes darkened.


    "You don¡¯t know what Kane is capable of," he said quietly.


    I scoffed. "I know exactly what he¡¯s capable of."


    Ace shook his head. "No, you don¡¯t."


    I hated that his words sent a shiver down my spine.


    Hated that, for just a second, I questioned whether or not he was telling the truth.


    I red at him. "You act like you¡¯re any better."


    "I don¡¯t."


    His honesty stunned me into silence.


    For a moment, we just sat there, the water rippling between us, the heat making my skin flush.


    I hated this.


    Hated the way he looked at me¡ªlike he actually cared.


    Like I was his to protect.


    Like I was his.


    I needed to remind myself that this was just another game.


    I had to get out of here.


    I had to run.


    But deep down, a terrifying thought whispered:


    What if I don¡¯t want to?

 Chapter 149: Ace Story

    <h4>Chapter 149: Ace Story</h4>


    <strong>Ace¡¯s POV: </strong>


    I know you¡¯re wondering how I got into the picture.


    And what exactly I want.


    At first, all I wanted was revenge¡ªrevenge against those idiots Kane and his crazy twin.


    Who am I?


    I¡¯m Ace. King of the Rogues.


    Though, of course, some stupid rogues just don¡¯t listen, and every now and then, I have to teach them¡ªshow them what happens when they defy me. That¡¯s exactly how I stumbled upon Kane¡¯s little mate.


    Elena.


    Bearing Kane¡¯s mark.


    Reeking of his scent.


    The moment I saw her, my blood burned with the need to kill her on the spot.


    But no¡ªthat would be too easy.


    Too merciful.


    After everything they did to me, after how they ruined my mate, I refused to grant them such an easy way out.


    You ask, what did they do?


    What could possibly make me hate them this much?


    They destroyed the one thing that was ever truly mine¡ªmy precious mate.


    Laura.


    Before I found her, before I knew she was meant for me, she had already been ruined¡ªcontaminated by Kane¡¯s twisted world.


    Can you imagine the horror of finding your mate¡ªyour other half¡ªonly to discover that she had been broken beyond repair?


    That¡¯s what Kane did.


    That¡¯s what Kane always does.


    I will never forget the first time Iid eyes on her¡ªthe woman who was supposed to be mine, who was supposed to be free, fierce, and untamed. But instead, she was nothing more than a shadow of herself, a ve to another¡¯s will.


    A stupid submissive for the arrogant Alpha.


    A girl who no longer knew how to think for herself.


    A woman who had been trained¡ªconditioned¡ªto believe that love meant pain.


    She had been taught that to please a man was to kneel, to be whipped and tied like an animal, to beg for things no person should ever have to beg for.


    How the fuck can someone get turned on by that?


    By breaking a woman, by owning her like a fucking toy?


    I¡¯ll tell you who¡ªa sick, twisted psycho like Kane.


    So, yeah.


    I found my mate¡ªmy goddess-given, fated mate¡ªalready tossed aside, discarded like a used doll, reced by another.


    And Kane?


    He didn¡¯t even look back.


    Didn¡¯t care that he had ruined her.


    Didn¡¯t care that the woman he had turned into his pet was now mine to pick up the pieces.


    But I thought I could fix her.


    God, I thought I could save her.


    I thought if I could just show her, if I could just prove to her that love wasn¡¯t supposed to be like that, that love could be gentle, that it could be soft, that it didn¡¯t have toe with fucking whips and chains, maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªshe could be mine again.


    So I tried.


    I tried everything.


    I brought her flowers. Took her to movies. Danced with her under the fucking stars.


    But nothing¡ªnothing¡ªcould erase what he had done to her.


    She was too broken, too damaged to see past what Kane had turned her into.


    She thought that if I truly loved her, I had to be like him.


    She thought that love meant punishment.


    That she had to submit to be wanted.


    And the worst fucking part?


    The way she addressed me.


    "Master."


    Like it was supposed to be some kind of endearing title.


    Like I was supposed to enjoy hearing that word from her lips.


    But every time she said it, it was like a knife to my gut.


    I wasn¡¯t her master.


    I was supposed to be her mate.


    Her equal.


    But Kane had stolen that from us.


    He had destroyed the bond before it had a chance to fully form.


    And when I refused to be what she wanted¡ªwhen I refused to whip her, hurt her, dominate her the way Kane did¡ªshe did the unthinkable.


    She ended her own life.


    And Kane?


    Kane didn¡¯t even fucking care.


    He moved on like she never even existed.


    And then?


    Then, he had another and another and another.


    Now, he had found his mate Elena.


    I had wanted to bide my time¡ªto wait until Kane¡¯s stupid little mate fell right into my hands.


    Elena was supposed to pay.


    She was supposed to suffer for what Kane had done¡ªbecause someone had to.


    Someone had to pay for his sick, twisted, psychotic ways.


    I thought she was already ruined, just like Laura had been.


    I thought I¡¯d find another broken doll, another mindless zombie that existed for nothing more than to please Kane.


    I thought she¡¯d be just like Laura¡ªempty, lost, shaped into Kane¡¯s perfect little pet.


    But she wasn¡¯t.


    She still had her fire.


    She was still her own person.


    She fought back.


    She red instead of bowed.


    She challenged instead of submitted.


    She had everything I had once prayed Laura would regain.


    Everything Kane had stolen from my mate, Elena still had.


    And that made it harder to do what I had vowed to do.


    Because she was not like Laura.


    She was not ruined.


    And it only made my hatred for Kane burn hotter.


    I should have killed her.


    I wanted to kill her.


    But I didn¡¯t.


    Because she was his mate.


    And Kane¡ªthat bastard¡ªhad ruined countless others without a second thought.


    He had taken my mate, twisted her, broke her beyond repair, and tossed her aside like she was nothing.


    He had done the same to so many others, leaving them as empty husks, nothing more than ythings for his twisted, sadistic pleasures.


    But Elena?


    She got to be herself.


    Because she was his.


    Because he spared her from what he had done to so many before her.


    It wasn¡¯t fair.


    It wasn¡¯t fucking fair.


    How could he have destroyed Laura, shattered her to the point where she saw death as her only escape¡ªbut protect Elena like she was something precious?


    He had turned so many others into nothing, but for this one, he had kept her untouched?


    She got a chance.


    She got to fight.


    She got to keep her fire.


    And my Laura?


    She had never been given that choice.


    I hated him for it.


    And worse?


    I hated the way I looked at Elena now.


    Because no matter how much I told myself that she was just another tool in my revenge...


    I couldn¡¯t shake the thought.


    She was not Kane.


    And for the first time since Laura¡¯s death, I wasn¡¯t sure if I could go through with my n.


    Instead of ruining herpletely before ending her, I chose another way.


    Make her fall for me.


    Make her love me.


    Then, when she was mine, I would tear apart the illusion she had of Kane.


    I would show her his darkness, the way it infected and destroyed everything it touched.


    And when she finally saw him for what he really was¡ªwhen she saw the scars he left on others, when she saw what he had done to Laura¡ªshe would pick me.


    She would choose me over her mate.


    Because what was the worst fate a mate could suffer?


    Betrayal.


    The worst pain a mate could endure wasn¡¯t death. It was watching the one they were bound to give themselves to another¡ªheart, soul, and body.


    If I could get Elena to kiss me, just once, Kane would feel it. The mate bond would burn him from the inside out, making him feel unimaginable pain.


    And if she did more than that?


    If she gave herself to me?


    It would destroy him.


    That was the n.


    A perfect n.


    What I didn¡¯t anticipate was... me.


    I didn¡¯t expect to be fond of her.


    I didn¡¯t expect to like her.


    And now, my greatest problem wasn¡¯t Kane.


    It was me.


    Because I didn¡¯t just want to use Elena.


    I wanted her.


    At first, it was easy to pretend.


    Easy to be the charming, patient, romantic man she had never experienced before.


    I brought her flowers every evening, watched as she rolled her eyes but still epted them.


    I yed music, asked her to dance, and though she resisted at first, I could tell she secretly liked it.


    She had fire.


    She had a soul that wasn¡¯t broken yet.


    She was everything Laura could have been if Kane hadn¡¯t ruined her.


    But the more time I spent with her, the more I forgot why I started this in the first ce.


    I was supposed to be ying a game.


    But it wasn¡¯t a game anymore.


    I started looking forward to our evenings together.


    Started noticing the little things¡ªlike the way she tucked her hair behind her ear when she was nervous, or the way her lips parted slightly when she was deep in thought.


    I started craving herughter.


    And the worst part?


    I hated the idea of hurting her.


    But Kane... Kane needed to pay.


    Every time I thought about what he did to Laura, I remembered her broken eyes, the way she begged me to love her the way Kane had¡ªthrough pain and submission.


    I remembered the night she ended her own life, leaving behind nothing but the scent of her blood and a letter saying, <i>"I¡¯m sorry I wasn¡¯t enough."</i>


    That was Kane¡¯s doing.


    And now he had Elena.


    A second chance.


    A mate who still had fire.


    Why should he be spared?


    Why should he get to have the love and loyalty of a mate when he had ruined mine?


    No.


    I wouldn¡¯t let him have her.


    Even if I wasn¡¯tpletely sure anymore whether I wanted revenge or if I simply wanted her.


    So I changed the n.


    Instead of forcing her, instead of manipting her, I would do something worse.


    I would make her fall for me.


    For real.


    And then, when Kane came for her, she wouldn¡¯t go back.


    She would choose me.


    And when she did?


    It would destroy him.


    Or at least... that¡¯s what I told myself.


    Because the deeper I fell into this, the more I wondered...


    Was I really doing this for revenge?


    Or had I just fallen for the one thing I swore to ruin?

 Chapter 150: Slip Up

    <h4>Chapter 150: Slip Up</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV: </strong>


    Okay. This is officially weird.


    Ace is acting like some prince charming out of a fairy tale, and I don¡¯t trust it.


    Not. One. Bit.


    It¡¯s like he¡¯s trying to be what I imagined my mate should have been¡ªsweet, patient, romantic.


    But why?


    What the hell does he want?


    I¡¯ve tried everything to push him away.


    I insulted him, called him names that would make even Dean smirk.


    I broke things¡ªexpensive-looking vases, furniture, even a mirror (which, in hindsight, might be bad luck for me).


    I injured his guards¡ªI didn¡¯t even hold back, elbowing one in the ribs so hard he doubled over.


    And yet... Ace justughed.


    Like he was amused by my defiance.


    Like he was just waiting eagerly to see what I would do next.


    It¡¯s like he enjoys watching me fight back.


    And that? That makes him even more dangerous.


    I don¡¯t know what his deal is, but if he thinks he can charm me into trusting him, he¡¯s in for a rude awakening.


    Because I¡¯m not falling for it.


    I have a mate.


    A mate who chased me down in the woods like a rabid animal, marked me without my consent, and lost himself to some dark, twisted rage.


    A mate who, even now, I can¡¯t fully hate because some stupid, primal part of me still aches for him.


    But Ace?


    Ace is different.


    He¡¯s ying a game.


    And the worst part?


    I don¡¯t know the rules.


    I knew I was ying a dangerous game.


    I had been testing Ace¡¯s patience for days now, waiting¡ªpractically begging¡ªfor him to snap. To get angry. To show me what kind of monster he really was.


    But nope.


    Nothing.


    Just his calm, amused smirks.


    So, I took things a step further.


    Now, here I was, standing in the middle of the room, breathing heavily, with blood trickling down my arm.


    Four of Ace¡¯s guardsy scattered around me.


    Two of them had knives sticking out of their legs, groaning and cursing under their breath. The other two were rubbing their eyes furiously, probably still feeling the burn from the pepper-like powder I had thrown at them.


    And me?


    I had a small cut on my upper arm. Barely even stung, but it was enough to make my point.


    The door mmed open.


    I turned, already smirking, ready to see Ace finally lose his shit¡ª


    But the moment I saw him, my smirk died.


    His eyes were pure, unfiltered rage.


    Not at me.


    At them.


    The guards stiffened like they already knew what wasing.


    "What the fuck is this?" Ace¡¯s voice was low, dangerous.


    The silence that followed was deafening.


    The guards didn¡¯t even try to defend themselves.


    Ace¡¯s re darkened as he stepped closer, and I watched, surprised, as the two with knives in their legs yanked them out without so much as a wince¡ªlike they would rather endure the pain than hear whatever Ace was about to say next.


    But then¡ªhe turned to me.


    And yelled.


    "Are you a fucking idiot?!"


    I blinked, stunned.


    I¡¯d expected him to snap at his men, not at me.


    "Why the fuck did you let yourself get hurt?!"


    I scoffed. "Excuse me? Did you miss the part where I just took down four of your men?"


    Ace didn¡¯t look the least bit impressed.


    He grabbed my arm, his grip firm but not painful, and dragged me out of the room.


    I struggled, but damn it, the guy was strong.


    "Let me go, Ace¡ª"


    "Shut up, Elena."


    Oh. So now he wasn¡¯t amused?


    I was shoved into another room¡ªthis one looked like a private study.


    The door mmed shut behind us.


    I barely had time to react before he was in front of me, inspecting my wound.


    I frowned, pulling my arm away. "It¡¯s already healing¡ª"


    "I don¡¯t care," he snapped.


    For the first time since I met him, Ace wasn¡¯t smirking.


    Wasn¡¯t teasing.


    He was angry.


    And it wasn¡¯t because I attacked his men.


    It was because I got hurt.


    I stared at Ace like he¡¯d grown a second head.


    Because what the fuck?


    This wasn¡¯t part of the game. He was supposed to snap, get pissed that I hurt his men, maybe even try to punish me.


    Not this.


    Not looking at my wound like it personally offended him.


    Not acting like he actually gave a damn.


    "I¡¯m fine," I said, yanking my arm away again.


    Ace clenched his jaw. "You¡¯re bleeding."


    I rolled my eyes. "Barely. And it¡¯s already healing. You know, because of the whole werewolf thing?"


    He ignored me, grabbing a first-aid kit from the desk like I was some fragile human girl about to bleed out.


    "You don¡¯t need to do that," I said, narrowing my eyes.


    He didn¡¯t listen.


    Instead, he grabbed my wrist¡ªgently this time¡ªand started cleaning the cut.


    What. The. Fuck.


    I didn¡¯t like this. At all.


    It was easier when he was just some psycho rogue king with a revenge n. But this? This was weird. This was wrong.


    "Why do you care?" I finally asked, watching his face carefully.


    Ace didn¡¯t look up. "I don¡¯t."


    "Bullshit."


    His lips twitched slightly, but he still didn¡¯t meet my eyes.


    I huffed. "You were supposed to get mad at me, not your men. They were just doing their job."


    His hands paused for a fraction of a second.


    "They let you get hurt," he muttered. "Which means they failed their job."


    I snorted. "Or maybe you¡¯re just overreacting."


    He finally looked at me then, his dark eyes piercing through me like he was trying to read my fucking soul.


    For the first time, I didn¡¯t see amusement.


    Or smugness.


    Or arrogance.


    I saw something else.


    Something that made my stomach twist in a way I didn¡¯t like.


    "You¡¯re mine to deal with, Elena," he said softly. "Not theirs."


    A shiver ran down my spine, and I absolutely hated how my traitorous body reacted.


    I scowled, trying to ignore the way my pulse picked up speed. "I¡¯m not yours, Ace."


    He smirked. There it was. The cocky bastard I knew.


    "Not yet."


    Fuck.


    I needed to look anywhere but at him.


    Because the way he was looking at me? Yeah, no.


    His dark eyes were too intense, too deep, too knowing. Like he was trying to unravel me piece by piece, and I refused to let him.


    So, instead, I let my gaze wander around the room.


    And that¡¯s when I realized¡ªI had never been here before.


    It was different from all the other rooms in this fortress. Softer. Warmer. The walls weren¡¯t the usual dark, intimidating colors. Instead, they were a muted shade ofvender. The bed had an actualforter¡ªnot just stiff sheets like the guest room I¡¯d been locked in.


    It was... pleasant.


    Maybe even a little girlish.


    And then my eyesnded on something that didn¡¯t belong.


    A portrait.


    A picture sitting on the nightstand.


    It was a woman. Beautiful. Long ck hair, high cheekbones, deep eyes. But what struck me the most¡ªwas how sad she looked.


    Like she had lost something.


    Like she had given up on something.


    She wasn¡¯t smiling.


    But if she had, she would¡¯ve been breathtaking.


    Before I could say anything, Ace followed my gaze.


    And without hesitation, he walked over and flipped the frame over.


    Hiding her away.


    A muscle ticked in his jaw.


    The air between us shifted.


    Something heavy. Something unspoken.


    And for the first time, I saw something I hadn¡¯t before.


    Pain.


    Real. Unfiltered. Raw.


    The kind that never really goes away.


    I didn¡¯t know why, but it made my chest tighten.


    But I didn¡¯t say anything.


    Because I knew that look.


    I had worn it once, too.


    I was curious¡ªwho was she?


    What happened to her?


    But I stopped myself from asking.


    Because the moment he flipped that frame over, the look on his face told me everything I needed to know.


    This was a wound that hadn¡¯t healed.


    And whatever happened to her? It wrecked him.


    His fingers lingered on the frame for a second longer before he clenched his jaw and turned back to me. The walls were back up¡ªwhatever emotion had slipped through was now buried beneath his usual unreadable mask.


    "Sit," he ordered, nodding toward the bed.


    I hesitated. Not because I was scared¡ªbut because I didn¡¯t like this.


    I didn¡¯t like that I had seen something real in him.


    I didn¡¯t like that for a second, I felt something for him.


    But I sat anyway.


    He pulled a first aid kit from a drawer, grabbed my arm, and inspected the cut that was already healing. His fingers brushed against my skin, and I stiffened.


    "It¡¯s fine," I muttered, trying to pull away.


    Ace didn¡¯t let go.


    Instead, he pressed his thumb just above the wound, his grip tightening. "This isn¡¯t fine." His voice was calm. Too calm.


    "Uh, yeah, it is."


    His eyes flicked up to mine. "You¡¯re not human, Elena. Just because you heal fast doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s okay to be reckless."


    I scoffed. "Oh, please, don¡¯t act like you care."


    His expression didn¡¯t change. "Who said I don¡¯t?"


    That shut me up.


    For a second, I didn¡¯t know what to say.


    And I hated that.


    Because why? Why would he care? Why would he be mad about a stupid cut when he was the one keeping me here against my will?


    My frustration red. "Are you mad that I got hurt? Or mad that I hurt your precious guards?" I snapped, tilting my chin up defiantly.


    Ace let out a humorless chuckle. "Oh, I don¡¯t give a damn about them."


    His thumb brushed against my skin again, this time softer. Almost gentle.


    "I¡¯m mad that you let them touch you."


    I blinked. "Excuse me?"


    His jaw tensed. "That you let them get close enough to do this to you."


    I snorted. "Oh, I let them? Trust me, they didn¡¯t touch me willingly. They were too busy trying not to pass out from the knives I put in their legs."


    Something flickered in his eyes. A hint of amusement.


    But then it was gone.


    Ace exhaled sharply and grabbed a bottle of antiseptic, pouring it onto a cotton pad. "This might sting," he warned.


    "Gee, thanks for the heads-up, <i>Doctor Ace.</i>"


    He ignored my sarcasm and dabbed at the wound. It barely burned, but the fact that he was being so damn careful made me restless.


    Why was he like this?


    Why was he being so patient?


    Why wasn¡¯t he acting like the monster I expected him to be?


    I clenched my fists. "You¡¯re not what I expected."


    Ace didn¡¯t look up. "No?"


    I shook my head. "I thought you¡¯d be cruel. Ruthless. Some sadistic rogue who enjoys making people suffer."


    He finally met my gaze, a slow smirk tugging at his lips.


    "Disappointed?"


    I opened my mouth. Paused.


    Because honestly?


    I wasn¡¯t sure.

 Chapter 151: The Truth About My Prison

    <h4>Chapter 151: The Truth About My Prison</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    I should have just eaten the damn food.


    Ace sat across from me at the grand dining table, fingers tapping against the polished wood, his expression unreadable.


    "You¡¯re not going to eat?" he asked.


    I leaned back, crossing my arms. "Nope."


    His jaw ticked, but thatzy smirk still curved his lips. "And why is that, little wolf?"


    I rolled my eyes. "Because I¡¯m not some helpless damsel you can keep locked away and expect to fall in line."


    Ace sighed, leaning forward. "You¡¯re exhausting."


    "Good."


    His smirk widened. "You know, for someone who keeps trying to escape, you sure do like making things difficult for yourself."


    I raised an eyebrow. "You make it sound like I have a choice."


    "You do."


    I scoffed. "Right. Between being your prisoner and... being your prisoner?"


    Ace tilted his head, watching me closely. "You could be more than that."


    My stomach twisted. I hated how he said it¡ªlike it was a promise. Like I would ever, in a million years, let that happen.


    So I smirked back. "Not interested."


    Ace chuckled, shaking his head. "We¡¯ll see."


    And that¡¯s when I decided¡ªit was time for another escape attempt.


    I knew this was my best shot.


    I had been watching the guards for days, studying their patterns, their weaknesses. Ace might have kept me locked inside his fortress, but even he couldn¡¯t control everything.


    The guards were toofortable around me. They thought because I was a "prisoner" with no way out, I wouldn¡¯t try anything. They were wrong.


    It had taken a week of patience, pretending to settle in, pretending to ept my fate here. I had endured Ace¡¯s ridiculous attempts at ying Prince Charming, his flowers, his stupid romantic dinners, and the way he always looked at me like I was some puzzle he was waiting for me to solve.


    I had let him think I was breaking.


    And now, it was time to remind him exactly who I was.


    The main problem with escaping was that I had no idea where the hell I was. Ace¡¯s fortress¡ªbecause that¡¯s what it was¡ªwas somewhere deep in the woods, but how far? How many miles to the nearest town? How many obstacles between me and freedom?


    I didn¡¯t know.


    But I¡¯d figure it outter.


    Right now, I had to get past the four guards stationed outside my hallway.


    Luckily, I had a little surprise for them.


    It had been painfully easy to snatch a couple of knives from the kitchen earlier. These guards underestimated me. They saw me as Ace¡¯s little captive, and that was their biggest mistake.


    I waited for the perfect moment¡ªwhen two of them were distracted by a conversation, while the other two kept their backs turned.


    Iunched forward, the knives already in my hands, and threw them.


    A startled cry filled the air as my knives found their targets¡ªtwo of them dropped instantly, my aim hitting true. One had a de sticking out of his thign the other in his shoulder.


    That left two more.


    The moment they realized what was happening, they lunged at me, but I was already moving. I ducked under one¡¯s arm, grabbed a nearby decorative vase, and smashed it against his face.


    He stumbled back, cursing, clutching his bleeding nose. Thest guard tried to grab me, but I had already grabbed a handful of salt from my pocket¡ªsomething I had stolen from the kitchen earlier.


    I threw it right into his face.


    He screamed, rubbing at his burning eyes, and I took the chance to sprint.


    I didn¡¯t look back.


    I ran down the hallway, heart pounding, breath sharp.


    Almost there. Almost free.


    I had expected locked doors, maybe even more guards.


    Instead, I burst through the exit and found myself outside for the first time since I had been taken.


    The night air was cold, crisp. Trees stretched out into the darkness, a thick, endless forest ahead. No lights, no roads, just the unknown.


    I didn¡¯t care.


    I took a deep breath, bracing myself.


    Then I ran.


    Barefoot, bleeding, I didn¡¯t stop. Twigs snapped under my feet, branches tore at my skin, but I didn¡¯t stop.


    The forest was thick, the shadows deep, but my wolf instincts guided me.


    I ran harder. My lungs burned, my legs screamed, but I didn¡¯t stop. Freedom was ahead.


    Then, I heard it.


    A deep, calm chuckle.


    I froze.


    The sound came from ahead of me.


    And then I saw him.


    Ace.


    Standing there, leaning against a tree as if he had been waiting for me the whole time.


    <strong>ACE POV:</strong>


    She was magnificent when she fought.


    I had watched from the shadows as she took down my men with nothing but stolen knives and quick thinking.


    I had watched her run, watched her get so close to the trees.


    So close to freedom.


    And I had stepped right in front of her, arms crossed, waiting.


    The moment she saw me, she skidded to a stop, panting, her wild eyes burning with defiance.


    I smirked. "You¡¯re fast, little pet. I¡¯ll give you that."


    She clenched her fists, shaking. "How¡ªhow did you¡ª"


    "Find you?" I tilted my head, amused. "You really think I wouldn¡¯t always know where you are?"


    Her breathing was ragged, her chest rising and falling.


    She wasn¡¯t just tired. She was furious.


    "Fuck you," she spat.


    I grinned. "I¡¯m ttered, really. But let¡¯s not get ahead of ourselves."


    She lunged at me.


    No hesitation. No fear.


    I caught her wrists before she could strike, twisting them behind her back, forcing her flush against me.


    She struggled, her breath warm against my neck, but I held her there, still, trapped.


    "Let me go," she snarled.


    I sighed, my lips grazing her ear. "No."


    She froze.


    And then, I did something that shattered her world.


    I let her go.


    Just like that.


    Her body stumbled forward from the force of her own resistance, and she quickly turned back to me, confused.


    "What...?" she started.


    I took a step back, hands raised in mock surrender. "Go."


    Her eyes narrowed. "What?"


    I gestured to the trees. "You¡¯re free, Elena. Go on. Run."


    She didn¡¯t move.


    She didn¡¯t believe me.


    I smirked. "Go ahead. Keep running. See how far you get."


    She hesitated.


    Then she ran.


    She bolted deeper into the woods, disappearing into the shadows.


    I leaned against the tree and waited.


    One minute.


    Two.


    Three.


    And then, she came back.


    I heard her before I saw her¡ªher panicked, uneven footsteps, her breath shaky.


    She stumbled back into the clearing, eyes wide, face pale.


    Her lips trembled as she whispered, "Where... where the hell am I?"


    I grinned. "Ah. You finally figured it out."


    She wasn¡¯t in the normal world anymore.


    She was in my domain.


    A ce that didn¡¯t exist on maps. A ce that was hidden from Kane, from Dean, from everyone.


    She was trapped in a world that only I controlled.


    And now?


    Now, she knew it.


    She stared at me, eyes filled with something new. Not just anger.


    Fear.


    I pushed off the tree, walking toward her.


    She took a step back.


    "Go ahead," I murmured. "Keep trying. Fight me all you want."


    I reached for her, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.


    Her breathing hitched, but she didn¡¯t pull away.


    "But you¡¯re not going anywhere, little pet," I whispered. "You¡¯re mine now."


    And for the first time...


    She believed it.


    <strong>ELENA¡¯S POV:</strong>


    It was useless.


    No matter how many times I ran, no matter how many paths I took, I always ended up back where he was.


    Ace.


    The smug bastard stood there with his arms crossed, watching me with an amused expression, like he had expected this oue from the very start. And maybe he had.


    I clenched my fists, panting, my body trembling from exhaustion and rage.


    "This isn¡¯t real," I muttered under my breath, looking around the trees. "This is some kind of fucking illusion."


    Ace gave a slow, mocking p. "And here I thought it would take you longer to figure that out."


    I shot him a re, my chest heaving. "How the hell did you do this?"


    "Magic," he said simply, as if that exined everything.


    I scoffed. "Bullshit. Witches don¡¯t help rogues."


    "Not usually, no," Ace admitted, tilting his head. "But you¡¯d be surprised what you can get with the right incentives."


    I stared at him, realization sinking in. He had nned this from the start.


    The guards. The so-called security. The fake chance at escape.


    He had let me think I could run¡ªhad let me fight and bleed, had watched me tear through his men, knowing all along that even if I got past them, I still wouldn¡¯t be able to leave.


    He had set me up.


    "You¡¯re a fucking asshole," I hissed.


    Ace smirked. "I¡¯ve been called worse."


    I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw something at him, to w that smug look off his face. But I was too tired. Too defeated.


    So instead, I just... copsed.


    Right there, on the damp forest floor.


    I pulled my knees to my chest, staring nkly at the dirt. This wasn¡¯t fair. I had fought. I had gotten so close. And still, I was trapped.


    Ace didn¡¯t move at first. He just watched me, his amusement fading into something more unreadable. Then, after a long moment, he sighed.


    "Come on, little pet," he said, his voice softer now.


    I didn¡¯t look up. "Go to hell."


    "You first."


    I ignored him.


    Then, suddenly, he was crouching in front of me, so close I could feel his presence. I flinched but didn¡¯t move away.


    "You really thought you could outrun me?" he murmured.


    I didn¡¯t answer.


    Ace exhaled through his nose, then reached forward. Before I could react, his fingers brushed against my ankle, where a fresh scrape from my escape attempt was still bleeding.


    I jerked my leg away, ring. "Don¡¯t touch me."


    He raised an eyebrow, but instead of making a snide remark, he pulled something from his pocket¡ªa small cloth.


    I frowned as he reached for my arm this time, where another cut was already healing.


    He stared at the wound, his expression hardening.


    "Stupid guards," he muttered under his breath.


    I blinked. Was he... mad?


    Before I could process it, he grabbed my wrist¡ªnot forcefully, but firm enough that I couldn¡¯t pull away.


    I stiffened. "What the hell are you doing?"


    "Cleaning your blood off."


    "It¡¯s fine."


    "Don¡¯t care."


    I scowled. "You¡¯re really going to sit here and y the caring captor now? Spare me."


    Ace didn¡¯t respond. He just kept wiping the cut, his expression unreadable.


    And for some reason, that made me even angrier.


    "Why do you even care?" I snapped. "I¡¯m just a piece in your stupid revenge game, right? You want to use me to hurt Kane. So why the hell do you care if I get hurt?"


    Ace froze.


    For a second, just a second, something flickered in his eyes.


    Then it was gone.


    He let go of my wrist, standing up, his usual smirk back in ce.


    "You¡¯re right," he said casually. "I don¡¯t care."


    I hated how much that hurt.


    Ace turned, motioning for me to follow. "Come on, little wolf. You¡¯re not sleeping in the dirt tonight."


    I didn¡¯t move.


    I didn¡¯t want to go back with him. I didn¡¯t want to be his captive, his pawn, his entertainment.


    But what choice did I have?


    I looked around at the endless trees, at the never-ending illusion that kept me trapped in his world.


    I had nowhere else to go.


    So, swallowing my pride, I stood up... and followed him back.


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 Chapter 152: Owing Three Kisses

    <h4>Chapter 152: Owing Three Kisses</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV: </strong>


    I never thought I¡¯d see the day when I was grateful to be trapped in Ace¡¯s fortress.


    But tonight?


    Tonight, I almost died.


    The attack came out of nowhere¡ªone moment, I was in the courtyard, stretching my legs after another failed escape attempt, and the next, chaos erupted.


    The air filled with snarls and growls, the sickening sound of flesh tearing, bones snapping. Rogues. At least a dozen of them, maybe more, emerging from the shadows like feral beasts.


    Ace¡¯s men barely had time to react before the invaders struck.


    I could¡¯ve run. I should¡¯ve. But something in the air¡ªa pressure, a pulse of energy¡ªfroze me in ce.


    Then I saw him.


    Ace.


    And for the first time... I realized I had no fucking clue who I was really dealing with.


    He didn¡¯t just fight.


    He destroyed.


    One rogue lunged at him, teeth bared¡ªAce caught him mid-air by the throat, his grip like a steel vice. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the rogue crashing into the ground so hard that the earth cracked beneath him.


    Another came from behind¡ªAce dodged without even looking, moving like he had eyes on the back of his head. He twisted, ws extending from his fingertips, and ripped out the rogue¡¯s throat in one clean swipe.


    What the fuck...?


    I¡¯d seen fights before. I¡¯d seen Kane lose himself to his darkness, But this?


    This was different.


    Ace wasn¡¯t fighting with rage or fury¡ªhe was precise. Cold. Calcted.


    A monster who knew exactly how much pain to inflict and didn¡¯t hesitate for a second.


    And the worst part?


    He was enjoying it.


    I should¡¯ve been afraid.


    Any sane person would be.


    But instead, I was mesmerized.


    He moved like a shadow, his strikes too fast for my eyes to follow. One rogue made the mistake of thinking he had an opening¡ªAce let him get close, let him swing his de¡ªonly to grab the knife mid-swing with his bare hand.


    For a second, I thought he was hurt. But then I saw it.


    The smirk.


    Slow. Sinister. Deadly.


    Ace twisted his hand, snapping the rogue¡¯s wrist like it was nothing. The man barely had time to scream before Ace drove the very same knife into his heart.


    The rogues started hesitating.


    I could smell their fear.


    Ace straightened, his emerald-green eyes gleaming in the dim moonlight. "Who¡¯s next?"


    Silence.


    One by one, the remaining rogues turned tail and ran.


    Ace let them go.


    Not because he was merciful¡ªbecause he wanted them to spread the message.


    That he was still the King of Rogues.


    What the Hell is He?


    I stood there, still frozen, my heart pounding.


    Then Ace turned to me.


    His eyes were still glowing.


    I should have looked away, should have flinched, but I didn¡¯t. I just stared right back at him, my breath shallow.


    For the first time, I saw him for what he really was.


    Not just a rogue.


    Not just my captor.


    Something... more.


    And for the first time... I wanted to know everything.


    I learned the truthter¡ªafter the blood had dried, after the corpses had been dragged away, after the scent of death no longer choked the air.


    The rogues hadn¡¯t just attacked out of greed or desperation.


    They hade for me.


    I should¡¯ve seen it sooner.


    The way Ace¡¯s men watched me when they thought I wasn¡¯t looking. The way some of them spoke in hushed voices, their gazes shifting between me and Ace like they were trying to figure out why their ruthless leader was keeping a prisoner.


    They had seen it.


    And worse¡ªthey misunderstood it.


    Ace, the King of Rogues, the monster who ruled with an iron grip, the man no one dared to defy¡ªhad supposedly gone soft.


    Because of me.


    And they thought they could take him down for it.


    The attack wasn¡¯t just about power.


    It was a rebellion.


    A test.


    A way to see if their leader¡ªthe most feared rogue alive¡ªhad truly weakened.


    And their target?


    Me.


    They wanted to kill me to prove a point. To show that Ace had lost his edge¡ªthat he was no longer fit to rule.


    I should¡¯ve been terrified.


    And maybe a part of me was.


    But the other part¡ªthe stronger, angrier part¡ªwas just pissed off.


    Because I wasn¡¯t some fucking pawn in their game.


    Ace had won.


    Of course, he had.


    He had ughtered them without mercy, without hesitation, and without breaking a sweat.


    And when it was over?


    He didn¡¯t say a word.


    He just stood there, blood sttered across his face, his emerald eyes unreadable as he stared at me.


    Like he was waiting.


    Like he was expecting me to run.


    But I didn¡¯t.


    ******


    I should¡¯ve known better.


    I should¡¯ve seen iting.


    But the bastard yed me.


    And now... now I was about to pay the price.


    It started with a simple challenge.


    "Let¡¯s y a game, little pet." Ace had said, his lips curling into a smirk as he set up the chessboard in front of me.


    I narrowed my eyes. "What kind of game?"


    He leaned back in his chair, fingers tappingzily against the armrest. "Chess."


    My heart skipped.


    I had yed chess countless times with my father growing up. I knew this game. I knew the strategy, the patience, the sacrifice it required.


    I could win.


    "And what do I get when I win?" I asked, already liking my chances.


    Ace tilted his head, studying me with amusement before he leaned forward. "If you win, I¡¯ll let you go."


    I froze. "You¡¯re serious?"


    He nodded. "Completely."


    It was too good to be true.


    But then he added, "And if I win... I get to kiss you."


    I should have backed out right then.


    I should have known this was a trap.


    But the thought of finally getting out of here made me reckless.


    And, really, how bad could it be?


    I could win.


    I watched as he moved the first pawn, his movements slow and deliberate.


    Good. He was underestimating me.


    I smirked as I countered, moving my knight out early, already nning a strong opening.


    For the first fifteen minutes, everything was going perfectly.


    Ace yed aggressively, sacrificing pawns like they were nothing, opening up his defenses in ways that should have cost him the game.


    I took his rook.


    Then his bishop.


    Then his queen.


    I was winning.


    My confidence grew with every move.


    Ace, on the other hand, lookedpletely unfazed.


    Smug, even.


    I should have been worried.


    But I wasn¡¯t.


    Because I was one move away.


    Checkmate wasing.


    And then¡ª


    Everything fell apart.


    I moved my queen, ready to force his king into a corner.


    And that¡¯s when I saw it.


    The trap.


    A perfect, calcted, carefully orchestrated trap.


    I had been so focused on winning that I didn¡¯t see it.


    I didn¡¯t realize I had been ying right into his hands.


    Ace sighed, shaking his head like he was disappointed in me. "You really thought I was losing, didn¡¯t you?"


    My stomach dropped. "Wait¡ª"


    Ace moved one piece.


    Just one.


    Checkmate.


    I stared at the board in horror.


    No.


    No, no, no.


    I had been winning.


    I was so close.


    I¡ª


    "Looks like I win," Ace said smugly, his emerald eyes gleaming with victory.


    I wanted to flip the damn board.


    Instead, I sat there, fuming.


    This was bullshit.


    There was no way he was this good at chess.


    I sat there, staring at the board, fuming.


    "I want a redo."


    Ace chuckled, amused. "Okay."


    I was determined this time. I wouldn¡¯t make the same mistake. I kept my guard up, watched for traps, and thought ahead¡ª


    And yet, he beat me again.


    This time, too quickly.


    Too easily.


    My pride was screaming.


    I refused to admit defeat. "Again."


    Ace smirked but humored me. "Alright, little wolf."


    Third time¡¯s the charm, right?


    I took a deep breath, focused.


    I yed more carefully this time, double-checking every move, trying to read him, but¡ª


    He was too good.


    Every time I thought I had him, I didn¡¯t.


    Every time I tried to trap him, he was already three steps ahead.


    I hated how effortless it was for him.


    I hated the way his emerald eyes gleamed in amusement, like he was ying with me rather than actually trying.


    And when he beat me again, I wanted to scream.


    Before I could demand another round, Ace stood up, stretchingzily. "It¡¯s toote, little pet. Let¡¯s eat first."


    Then he smirked, eyes darkening. "And you already owe me three kisses. Next game, I want something more."


    Fuck.


    I had forgotten about the kisses.


    Ace chuckled, enjoying my misery. "Rx, let¡¯s eat first."


    Then, before I could protest, he reached for my hand, intertwining our fingers as if it were the most natural thing in the world.


    I should have yanked it away.


    I should have fought.


    But instead, I let him lead me, my mind still reeling over my three stupid losses.

 Chapter 153: The First Kiss

    <h4>Chapter 153: The First Kiss</h4>


    <strong>Ace¡¯s POV</strong>


    I led her to where dinner was already set, this time opting for the outdoor parlor.


    The moon poured its silver light over us, casting an almost ethereal glow across the table. The setting was perfect. Romantic, intimate¡ªintentional.


    But I chose not to bring up the three kisses she owed me.


    Not yet.


    Even though, good lord, I was dying to finally kiss her.


    I had been fantasizing about it for far too long.


    The way her lips would feel against mine.


    The way she would react¡ªstiff at first, maybe, but then melting into me.


    Would she taste as intoxicating as I imagined?


    Would she fight it?


    Would she kiss me back?


    I was eager, but I wasn¡¯t about to rush.


    Instead, I let the moment stretch, talking about random things to keep the air light.


    I asked her about her childhood.


    She was skeptical at first, eyeing me like I was trying to trick her into something. But after a while, she started to open up.


    She told me stories about how she would always sneak out of her house just to explore the woods, how she once befriended a wild fox and tried to keep it as a pet before her mother found out and released it.


    How she would climb trees, race the wind, and do anything to feel free.


    From the way her eyes lit up when she spoke, I could see it.


    She was a free spirit¡ªwild, untamed.


    How the hell had she ended up with a controlling, dominant freak like Kane?


    The thought made my jaw tighten.


    She was never meant for that life.


    She was never meant to be someone¡¯s submissive.


    She was meant to be free.


    And yet, here I was, keeping her locked up.


    The irony wasn¡¯t lost on me.


    Still, I couldn¡¯t let her go.


    I wouldn¡¯t.


    Not when I was beginning to realize that keeping her had nothing to do with my revenge anymore.


    I wanted her for me.


    As we finished eating, the conversation lulled.


    Her guard was down, her expression softer than usual.


    I leaned back in my chair, watching her closely.


    Now.


    Now was the time.


    "You owe me something," I reminded her smoothly.


    She froze, then narrowed her eyes. "I knew you¡¯d bring that up."


    I smirked. "I¡¯m a man of my word, little wolf."


    She scoffed, crossing her arms. "Fine. Let¡¯s get this over with."


    I could have been cruel about it¡ªgrabbed her, forced it on her.


    But I didn¡¯t want just a kiss.


    I wanted her to feel it.


    So I stood up and moved towards her, slow and deliberate, like a predator stalking his prey.


    She tensed but didn¡¯t move away.


    Good.


    I tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at me. Her lips were parted slightly, breath uneven.


    I smirked. "Nervous?"


    She scowled. "Just kiss me already."


    I chuckled but obeyed.


    I leaned in¡ªslowly, torturously.


    Our lips brushed, the first contact sending a jolt through me, and fuck¡ª


    She was warm.


    Soft.


    Her breath hitched, and I felt her stiffen for a moment before her body betrayed her, rxing just slightly.


    I deepened the kiss, just a little. Not enough to overwhelm her¡ªjust enough to taste her.


    And fuck, did she taste good.


    A hint of wine from dinner, the lingering scent of something sweet and wild¡ªlike the forest after rain.


    When I pulled away, I saw the way her eyes fluttered open slowly, the dazed look she tried to mask behind irritation.


    She felt it too.


    I smirked. "That¡¯s one."


    Her face turned red. "I hate you."


    I chuckled, stepping back. "Oh, little pet, we both know that¡¯s a lie."


    And I couldn¡¯t wait for the next two.


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV</strong>


    The map in front of me was a mess¡ªcovered in marks, circles, and crossed-out locations. Everywhere I had searched, everywhere I nned to search next.


    It wasn¡¯t enough.


    It was never enough.


    No matter how many ces I tore through, how many people I interrogated, I still hadn¡¯t found her.


    Elena.


    Where the fuck was she?


    My fingers dug into the edges of the map, my ws threatening to tear through the paper. I¡¯d gone through every possible location¡ªrogue hideouts, underground trafficking rings, abandoned territories. Nothing.


    Every time I thought I had a lead, it turned into another dead end.


    Someone was hiding her.


    And whoever they were, I would tear them apart.


    My jaw clenched as I mmed my fist onto the table. I hadn¡¯t slept in days, barely eaten. My wolf was restless, feral. The bond between Elena and me wasn¡¯t gone, but it was weak, distant¡ªlike she was just out of reach.


    Too far away.


    Too fucking far.


    I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to focus. I just needed to¡ª


    A sharp pain shot through my chest, sudden and violent.


    I gasped, gripping the edge of the table as the pain twisted, burned. It was like ws were ripping through my ribcage, straight into my heart.


    What the fuck¡ª?!


    I staggered back, my breath hitching. My wolf howled in agony inside me, his rage and pain surging through my veins.


    It wasn¡¯t just any pain.


    It was the bond.


    Something had happened.


    Elena.


    The realization hit me like a thunderp, my heart mming against my ribs.


    She¡ªShe was with someone else.


    I clenched my teeth, trying to force the pain down, but it was everywhere¡ªa deep, soul-tearing agony that made my vision blur for a second.


    My hands curled into fists.


    I didn¡¯t need to guess what had happened.


    She kissed someone.


    She fucking kissed someone.


    A snarl tore from my throat, pure rage searing through me.


    I grabbed the nearest chair and hurled it across the room. It shattered against the wall, but it didn¡¯t make me feel any better.


    My wolf was pacing, raging, losing control.


    I had to find her.


    Now.


    Whoever the fuck had her¡ªwhoever had touched her, kissed her¡ª


    They were dead.


    She was fucking around with someone else while I was losing my goddamn mind trying to find her.


    The thought made my blood boil.


    I had torn through packs, ripped through rogue hideouts, burned every goddamn bridge just to get a hint¡ªone fucking clue¡ªabout where she was. And all this time, while I was barely breathing, barely existing, she was kissing another man?


    Mine.


    My mate.


    A guttural growl ripped through me, my ws unsheathing on instinct. I could feel the heat of my rage in my veins, burning, consuming.


    How fucking dare she?


    My hands gripped the edge of the table so hard it cracked beneath my strength.


    I was going insane.


    Days of no sleep, no food, barely able to function without the bond guiding me to her¡ªand she was out there, betraying it.


    I was a mess without her. I could barely think straight. And yet, she¡ª


    Who the fuck was he?


    The bastard who dared to touch what was mine.


    My breath was ragged, heavy. My wolf was seething, wing at me, demanding blood.


    I grabbed the map, tore it in half.


    I didn¡¯t need a fucking map anymore.


    The bond had burned¡ªshe had kissed him, which meant he was dead.


    I would find her.


    And whoever the fuck he was, he was about to learn what true hell looked like.


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV:</strong>


    Dean walked in to find me clutching my chest, my breathing ragged, while the remains of a broken tabley scattered around me. The sharp, searing pain that had struck me moments ago was still echoing through my body¡ªa bond pain. She had done something.


    "Yeah, I felt it too," Dean said, chuckling bitterly as he leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.


    I shot him a re, but he only smirked.


    "Why don¡¯t we pay her a visit?" he suggested casually.


    That caught my attention. My rage cooled just enough for curiosity to creep in.


    "How?" I demanded.


    Dean shrugged. "You¡¯ll have to enter my head first." He gave me a knowing look. "Yeah, yeah, I know you hate it, but it¡¯s the only way."


    Fucking hell.


    The idea of being inside Dean¡¯s mind made my skin crawl. His head was a twisted, chaotic ce, and I wanted no part of it. But right now, I didn¡¯t have a choice. I needed to see her. I needed her to know that I felt it¡ªthat I knew exactly what she had done.


    Dean walked me through the steps, giving me the rundown of how it would work, but honestly, I didn¡¯t care about the details. I just wanted to get there.


    The moment I connected with him, it was disorienting as hell. Being in Dean¡¯s mind was like existing in two bodies at once. I could hear what he heard, see what he saw, feel what he felt¡ªbut at the same time, I was still me.


    "Alright, buckle up," Dean muttered.


    I-we focused on one thought. Elena.


    Everything around us shifted.


    It felt like being sucked through a vortex, weightless and untethered, until suddenly¡ª


    We were there. Each in his own form like in real life


    I found myself staring down at her.


    Elena.


    She was asleep, curled up peacefully like she didn¡¯t have a single worry in the world. Like she hadn¡¯t just shattered me.


    My gaze swept over her. She looked different from when Ist saw her¡ªsofter. Plumper. She had been eating well.


    She was safe. Comfortable. Content.


    Dean exhaled beside me. "She¡¯s doing well. Guess he¡¯s taking good care of her."


    My jaw clenched. I didn¡¯t want to hear that.


    "This is her mind," Dean continued. "She¡¯s asleep in real life, but since I¡¯m bonded to her, we can slip in. To her, this will just feel like a dream."


    A dream.


    Good.


    Because when she woke up, I wanted this to haunt her.

 Chapter 154: Three Men, Each A Kiss

    <h4>Chapter 154: Three Men, Each A Kiss</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV: </strong>


    The room was dimly lit, a soft glow casting shadows on Elena¡¯s face as she slept. Peaceful. Content.


    Like she didn¡¯t just fucking shatter me.


    I clenched my fists, the anger simmering under my skin. She looked so unbothered while I was out there losing my fucking mind.


    Dean stood beside me, arms crossed, observing like this was some kind of amusing experiment.


    She looked peaceful.


    Like she wasn¡¯t tearing me apart from the inside out.


    Like she wasn¡¯t out there betraying me.


    My chest still burned from the phantom pain, the bond¡¯s cruel way of telling me she had given herself to someone else. It was a dull ache now, but when it first hit¡ªsharp, brutal, consuming¡ªI had nearly copsed.


    Now, standing here, looking at her, I wanted to shake her awake, to demand she tell me what the fuck she was thinking.


    Dean, standing beside me, gave a low whistle. "Damn. She looksfortable."


    I growled. "Shut the fuck up."


    He chuckled. "I¡¯m just saying, she doesn¡¯t look like someone who¡¯s suffering. Seems like someone is taking real good care of her."


    My wolf raged at that.


    I clenched my fists, trying to breathe through it.


    Dean crossed his arms, looking bored. "So? What¡¯s the n? We just gonna stand here and admire how well-fed she is?"


    I fucking hated him.


    But he was right.


    I stepped closer, my presence alone enough to disrupt her dream world. A ripple went through the scene, like a disturbance in still water. She felt me.


    She stirred, her brow furrowing. Her breathing changed. Her body knew before her mind did.


    Then, her eyes snapped open.


    For a moment, she just stared at me. Blinking. Processing.


    Then she shot up, scrambling backward.


    "K-Kane?" Her voice was groggy,ced with confusion and something else¡ªguilt.


    Good. She should feel guilty.


    I took another step forward, towering over the bed, my gaze locked on hers. "You¡¯ve been busy."


    She swallowed hard. "What¡ª"


    "You think I wouldn¡¯t feel it?" I growled, cutting her off. "That I wouldn¡¯t know the second you let someone else touch you?"


    She paled.


    Her lips parted, and I had to fight back the urge to fucking lose it.


    Because I knew.


    I felt it.


    Her lips on another.


    The sharp, searing pain in my chest like a knife straight through the bond.


    And now, here she was, staring at me with those goddamn guilty eyes.


    She shook her head. "It wasn¡¯t¡ª"


    "Don¡¯t." I snarled, fists clenching. "Don¡¯t fucking lie to me."


    Dean exhaled dramatically. "Well, this is fun."


    "Shut up," we both snapped at him.


    Elena turned back to me, eyes shing with defiance now. "You don¡¯t get to do this," she said. "You don¡¯t get to act like you care when you were the one who¡ª"


    "You let him touch you," I said, voice dangerously low. "While I¡¯ve been tearing this fucking world apart trying to find you, you were¡ª" I stopped, my breathing ragged.


    I couldn¡¯t even say it.


    She swallowed hard, guilt shing across her face again before she masked it with defiance.


    "And you?" she shot back, voice sharper now. "You think you have a right to be mad? After everything you did to me?"


    I moved faster than she could react, caging her in, gripping her chin.


    She gasped.


    I leaned in close, my voice a dark whisper against her skin.


    "I have been tearing this fucking world apart trying to find you," I growled. "Losing my mind. And you? You¡¯re out here kissing someone else."


    She shivered. I could feel her pulse hammering beneath my grip.


    For a moment, she looked... conflicted.


    Then, just as quickly, she snapped out of it.


    Her jaw tightened, eyes narrowing. "So what?" she bit out. "You did worse. You <i>marked me</i> without my consent, remember? You let your darkness consume you. You scared me away."


    Her words hit like a gut punch.


    She was right.


    But fuck if that made this easier.


    Dean pped a hand on my shoulder. "Well, that went well. You done yet? Or do you need a moment to wallow in self-pity?"


    I ignored him.


    Instead, I turned back to Elena, my voice lower now, but just as sharp.


    "Who is he?"


    She hesitated.


    I fucking knew it.


    She knew exactly who I was talking about.


    She ripped her chin from my grasp, eyes burning. "You don¡¯t get to act like the victim, Kane. You¡¯re the reason I ran in the first ce."


    I stiffened.


    "You marked me," she went on, voice rising. "You forced this bond on me. You tried to own me. And now you¡¯re pissed that I found someone who treats me like a person instead of a fucking possession?"


    I took another step forward. "Who. The fuck. Is he?"


    Her lips pressed together.


    That was enough of an answer.


    My vision blurred red. My wolf howled in fury.


    Dean sighed. "Welp. Guess we¡¯re gonna have to hunt down another poor bastard."


    Elena¡¯s eyes widened. "Don¡¯t you dare¡ª"


    "You don¡¯t even know who the fuck he is," I growled.


    She set her jaw. "Maybe not. But at least he doesn¡¯t scare me."


    That.


    That cut deeper than anything else.


    I stepped back, exhaling slowly, trying to rein in the storm inside me.


    A slow, sharp smirk curled on my lips. "Alright then."


    Elena¡¯s expression faltered. "What are you¡ª"


    "You think I won¡¯t find him?" I interrupted smoothly. "You think I won¡¯t rip him apart for touching what¡¯s mine?"


    Her breath hitched. "Don¡¯t you dare¡ª"


    I smirked, but there was nothing amused about it. Only promise.


    "Oh, I will."


    "But first¡ªbefore I go¡ª" I murmured, voice dark and low, my gaze locked onto her lips. "I need to erase that stupid fucking kiss from your mouth."


    Her eyes widened, realization shing across them, but she didn¡¯t move¡ªor maybe she couldn¡¯t.


    I didn¡¯t give her a chance to react.


    I took her mouth.


    Not gently. Not sweetly.


    No.


    This was punishment.


    I kissed her fervently, hungrily, possessively.


    Erasing him.


    iming her.


    She gasped into my mouth, her handsing up¡ªto push me away or pull me closer, I didn¡¯t know. Didn¡¯t care.


    I owned this kiss. I owned her.


    And when I finally pulled away, her lips were swollen, her breathing uneven.


    "You can pretend you don¡¯t want this," I murmured, running my thumb over her lower lip, "but your body remembers me, little wolf. Even in your dreams."


    Her chest rose and fell rapidly, those golden eyes burning with defiance and something else. Something she¡¯d never admit.


    "Wake up," I ordered, stepping back.


    And just like that¡ªDean ripped us away.


    I jolted awake in my own body, breath ragged, heart still pounding.


    And I knew.


    Even though it wasn¡¯t real¡ªshe would wake up feeling it.


    Feeling me.


    And she¡¯d know¡ªAce wasn¡¯t the only one who could y mind games.


    <strong>DEAN POV:</strong>


    As soon as I yanked us back, Kane whirled on me, frustration etched deep into his face.


    "Why the fuck did you pull us out so fast?" he growled.


    I snorted. "Maybe because you were about to lose your shit again?"


    He red, fists clenched, but I wasn¡¯t in the mood for his tantrums.


    "You do realize you¡¯re the reason she ran in the first ce, right?" I said, crossing my arms. "And if you keep acting like a fucking deranged lunatic, you¡¯re going to be the reason we never find her."


    Kane¡¯s jaw ticked, but he didn¡¯t argue because he knew I was right.


    With that, I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving him to wallow in his pathetic, immature self.


    I had bigger priorities.


    I still had to visit my little wolf on my own¡ªwithout Kane¡¯s baggage.


    I needed to remind her who she belonged to.


    And more importantly, I needed to erase those two fucking bastards from her mind¡ªespecially Kane.


    I stormed into my room, trying to calm the raging frustration burning inside me. <strong>I </strong>needed to see her again.


    Six times.


    Six fucking times.


    And nothing.


    Kane must have woken her up, the asshole. Now I had to fucking wait until she fell asleep again. Great. Just great.


    So I waited. Past midnight.


    When I finally tried again, I connected.


    This time, I changed the scenery. No longer the neutral space of her mind¡ªI brought her into my world.


    My room.


    And I made sure she was dressed for the asion.


    A ck silk nightgown, short, revealing, clinging to her curves in all the right ces. Fuck, she was beautiful.


    I perched myself on the bed beside her, just admiring her while she slept. God, I wanted to show her in every way possible that she was mine. That I was hers.


    Hershes fluttered, and then she woke.


    The moment she saw me, her body tensed, rm shing in her eyes.


    I quickly reassured her. "It¡¯s me, Dean."


    She frowned, looking down at herself, her hands skimming over the silk fabric. Busted.


    I smiled, a little guilty. "You look beautiful in it."


    Her frown deepened, but she didn¡¯t fight it.


    "Sorry for what Kane did," I murmured, threading my fingers through her hair. "He¡¯s just overwhelmed."


    She exhaled sharply, clearly not buying it, but I wasn¡¯t here to talk about Kane.


    My fingers traced the side of her face, slowly, deliberately. "I miss you."


    To my surprise, she gave me a soft smile.


    "I tried to escape," she admitted.


    I chuckled. "Yeah, I figured you would."


    She shook her head. "It¡¯s not a ce... it¡¯s an illusion."


    That piqued my interest. My expression sharpened. "What do you mean?"


    She exined how she had run in circles, always ending up in the same spot.


    A fucking illusion.


    That meant magic.


    Ace was working with witches. No wonder we couldn¡¯t find her.


    I clenched my jaw, fury brewing, but I pushed it down. Right now, I just needed her.


    I asked how she was faring, and we talked for a while. I could have stayed there forever, but I knew I had to leave soon.


    So before I left, I looked at her, really looked at her.


    And I asked, "Can I kiss you?"


    She looked surprised¡ªher lips parted slightly, her breath caught.


    Then, shyly, she nodded.


    Fuck, I thought she¡¯d refuse. But I wasn¡¯t about to question it.


    I leaned in, capturing her lips, slow and deliberate at first, but the moment she responded, something ignited.


    One second, I was kissing her¡ªthe next, she was beneath me.


    Her legs wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer. My hands slid beneath the silk, fingers tracing the soft skin of her back as I pressed her against me.


    Fuck, she was wild.


    And I was starving.

 Chapter 155: Embarrassed

    <h4>Chapter 155: Embarrassed</h4>


    <strong>ELENA POV:</strong>


    It¡¯s official.


    I was heading for disaster.


    I didn¡¯t know what was happening to me anymore.


    Okay, so Kane is a bit of a jerk. Hepletely misunderstood what happened between me and Ace. That kiss wasn¡¯t what he thought it was. It wasn¡¯t desire or passion¡ªit was a distraction, a trick.


    But did he even let me exin? No.


    He just stormed in, went full jealous alpha mode, and the next thing I knew, he was kissing me like a possessed wolf, all anger and dominance.


    And about Ace¡¯s kiss?


    I won¡¯t lie. It was sweet. The kind of kiss you dream about when you have a crush. Soft, lingering... but itcked something. Something important. It felt good, but it didn¡¯t set me on fire.


    Kane¡¯s kiss, though?


    Even in his rage, in his infuriating arrogance, there was something electric. Something undeniable. And it pissed me off. Why did it have to be him? Why did I have to be mated to an arrogant, controlling alpha like Kane?


    And then there was Dean.


    I never expected him to invade my mind again.


    At first, I thought it was Kane, but Dean quickly assured me it was him.


    Dean and I were never really close before I ran away, and yet... the way he looked at me tugged at something deep inside.


    Or maybe it was just this silly dreamlike state he had pulled me into?


    But he didn¡¯t yell at me like Kane.


    He didn¡¯t try to hold me against my will like Ace.


    So I found it unfair to dump all my frustration on him.


    Instead, we talked. He asked how I was doing¡ªsomething Kane never fucking bothered to do. And then, after a while, his eyes dropped to my lips.


    He hesitated before asking, "Can I kiss you?"


    And just like that, I was already sold.


    Maybe it was the way he had actually cared. Maybe it was the gentle way he spoke to me. Maybe it was the way his presence didn¡¯t feel like a cage. Or maybe...


    Maybe it was something deeper<strong>.</strong>


    A pull. A longing.


    And I nodded.


    I didn¡¯t expect it to go further than a simple kiss. But the moment his lips touched mine, something changed.


    One second, I was just responding¡ªthe next, I was melting into him.


    It wasn¡¯t just a kiss. It was passion. Need.


    And as I wrapped my arms around him, my body pressing closer, I realized¡ª


    The spark was there.


    And I wanted more.


    Fuck, I needed more.


    It wasn¡¯t just a kiss anymore¡ªit was a craving. A longing. A hunger that coiled deep in my belly, growing stronger with every second.


    I could me my wolf for this. Her emotions were bleeding into me, clouding my judgment, making me want things I shouldn¡¯t.


    But hell¡ªI was already too deep.


    Dean¡¯s arms moved, his hands slipping beneath the slick, short nightgown he had envisioned for me. And fuck¡ªit felt like I was riding on Aphrodite herself.


    His touch was intoxicating.


    Caressing. Squeezing. Exploring.


    Everywhere he touched, it felt like he was unraveling me, pulling me further into the madness.


    My skin burned, my breath hitched, and my body arched instinctively, seeking more of him. I had no control over myself anymore.


    And that should have scared me.


    But instead¡ª


    It only made me want him more.


    Fuck.


    Heat pooled between my legs, an ache so deep it made me wonder what my real body was doing.


    Dean¡¯s lips tugged at my lower lip, sucking, biting¡ªteasing me, driving me insane.


    A moan escaped before I could stop it.


    His tongue slipped in, just a little¡ªjust enough to make me crave more.


    Fuck, I needed friction. Desperately.


    I started grinding against him, seeking relief from the unbearable need building inside me.


    Dean chuckled darkly.


    <i>"If only this was real,"</i> he murmured, his voice thick with heat.


    <i>"If it was, I¡¯d make sure you felt me with every step you took after we were done."</i>


    His words sent a delicious shiver through me, making my stomach clench with anticipation. I wanted it.


    And then¡ª


    I woke up.


    Shit. Shit. SHIT.


    Gasping, I shot up, my body still pulsing with need. My thighs clenched involuntarily.


    Dean was gone. It wasn¡¯t real.


    But fuck¡ªthe fire in my body was.


    And worse? I needed release.


    Why the hell did I open my stupid eyes?!


    The frustration wed at me, the aching need still pulsing through my body, making my skin feel too tight, too hot. I was on fire, and there was no one to put it out.


    I groaned in frustration, my hands clutching the sheets as I squeezed my thighs together. Fuck.


    I needed relief. Desperately.


    And I did what any sane, sexually frustrated woman would do¡ªI grabbed the nearest pillow, stuffed it between my legs, and humped it.


    Closing my eyes, I let my mind drift back, let the fantasy take over.


    No, it wasn¡¯t a stupid pillow I was grinding against but in my imagination It was Dean.


    I pictured his hands gripping my hips, his rough, possessive touch guiding my movements. His deep growl in my ear, telling me how much he wanted me. How much he needed me.


    "Fuck, Elena," I imagined him groaning, his voice thick with lust. "You¡¯re mine."


    A sharp gasp left my lips as my body clenched, chasing the high I was so close to reaching. My hips moved faster, grinding down harder, desperate to¡ª


    BANG!


    I snapped my eyes open, heart hammering in my chest.


    Someone was outside my door.


    Shit.


    And then the door opened before i could scrambled up.


    Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.


    The moment the door swung open, my body went rigid, my breath caught in my throat. And then my eyes met his¡ªAce.


    I froze mid-motion, my hands still clutching the pillow between my legs, my thighs still squeezing around it. The heat in my body hadn¡¯t even settled, and now¡ªnow, he was here, watching me like a predator that just caught his prey doing something sinful.


    His smirk deepened as he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.


    Oh, hell no.


    I scrambled to sit up, my face burning as I yanked the pillow away, but it was too fuckingte. He had already caught the scent of my arousal, and when he opened his eyes again¡ªthey were pitch ck.


    His voice was dark, husky, taunting.


    "Your arousal is alluring."


    Shit. Shit. Shit.


    I clenched my thighs together instinctively, my body betraying me as a new wave of heat surged through me from just the way he looked at me. Like he wanted to devour me whole.


    "Shut up," I snapped, throwing the pillow at him, but he caught it effortlessly, his smirk only widening.


    "Oh, little pet, why are you so flustered?" he teased, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him.


    That simple action¡ªthe quiet click of the door shutting¡ªmade my stomach drop.


    "Ace," I warned, my voice a mix of frustration and something I refused to name.


    He tossed the pillow aside, his ck eyes raking over me slowly. Too slowly. Like he was savoring the moment, the way my chest was still rising and falling too fast, the way my body was still humming with unsatisfied need.


    "You were thinking about me, weren¡¯t you?" He took a step forward, and my breath hitched.


    "Nope I was fantasizing about my mate the one you are keeping me away from." I said scooting away from him. He was too full of himself if he thought he was that good of a kisser that I had fantasize him in my head to the point of mustarbeting.


    Ace cursed under his breath, his jaw tightening as his ck eyes flickered back to their usual dark brown. Good. I had hit a nerve.


    He scoffed, shaking his head as if trying to shake off whatever wicked thoughts had been running through his mind just moments ago. "Your mate?" he repeated, his tone sharp, mocking. "You mean the same mate who let you run right into my arms? The same mate who still hasn¡¯t found you?"


    I clenched my fists, scooting farther away from him on the bed. "That¡¯s none of your business," I bit back. "The only reason I¡¯m even here is because of your stupid tricks. If it weren¡¯t for your magic trap, I¡¯d already be with him!"


    Ace tilted his head slightly, his smirk returning¡ªa dangerous, knowing smirk. "Is that so?" He took another step forward, closing the distance I had just created. "Then tell me, little wolf, if I¡¯m keeping you from him... why do I smell you so damn sweet?"


    My breath hitched. Fuck.


    The scent of my arousal still lingered in the air, and we both knew it. My body betrayed me in the worst way possible. I could feel the heat crawling up my neck, the shame bubbling in my stomach.


    I crossed my arms, ring at him. "You¡¯re disgusting."


    Ace chuckled darkly. "I¡¯m just observant." He leaned down, his hands resting on either side of me, caging me in. "You can keep lying to yourself, but your body doesn¡¯t lie, Elena." His breath ghosted over my lips. "Tell me... when you were grinding against that pillow, whose name were you moaning?"


    Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.


    I shoved at his chest, trying to push him away, but the bastard was solid¡ªunmoving.


    "Get off me," I growled.


    His smirk didn¡¯t falter. If anything, it deepened. "As you wish, little pet," he murmured, pushing himself back. But before he fully retreated, he grabbed my chin between his fingers, forcing me to look at him.


    "You owe me two kiss, remember?" His thumb brushed over my lower lip, making my breath hitch again.


    I hated that my body reacted to his touch. Hated how my skin tingled under his fingers.


    "Sleep tight, little pet," he whispered, his lips curling into a smirk before he finally pulled away, leaving me sitting there, heart racing, body burning, <strong>and utterly furious.</strong>


    <strong>ACE POV:</strong>


    The moment she said it¡ªthe moment she threw that fucking word in my face¡ªI felt something inside me snap.


    Mate.


    Not me. Him.


    Kane.


    My jaw clenched, and I felt my control slip for a second. My hands curled into fists at my sides as I forced myself to breathe. To not lose my shit.


    I had been so sure she had been thinking about me. So sure it was me she was craving.


    But no.


    She was fantasizing about him. While I was the one keeping her away from him.


    My wolf growled inside me, dark and possessive, demanding that I correct that. That I show her she didn¡¯t need to think about that bastard.


    My eyes flicked back to her, now scooting away from me, as if putting a few more inches between us would change anything.


    Like she wasn¡¯t still flushed from whatever she had been doing before I walked in.


    Like I couldn¡¯t still smell her arousal thick in the air.


    Fuck.


    I exhaled sharply, forcing my body to calm the hell down. This wasn¡¯t how I wanted it.


    And then I cursed under my breath, because I knew exactly what I wanted.


    I wanted her to want me. To crave me.


    Not because I was keeping her from her mate. But because I was better.


    Because she chose me over him.


    I ran a hand through my hair, stepping back. "Go to sleep, little pet." My voice was tight, controlled. Barely.


    She watched me cautiously, as if she expected me to pounce on her any second. As if she didn¡¯t justnd a direct hit to my fucking ego.


    I smirked, but there was no humor in it. "And next time you decide to touch yourself while thinking of another man¡ª" I leaned in slightly, dropping my voice just low enough to make her shiver, "¡ªtry not to moan so loud. I might start thinking you want me to hear."


    Her lips parted, a mix of shock and outrage shing across her face.


    I didn¡¯t give her the chance to respond.


    I turned and walked out of the room, mming the door behind me.

 Chapter 156: Turning Dark

    <h4>Chapter 156: Turning Dark</h4>


    <strong>Ace POV</strong>


    Stupid. Stupid.


    I was a fucking idiot to think I could make her choose me over that destructive mate of hers.


    My fists clenched as I sat on the edge of my bed, my head hanging low, my breath uneven. I had thought I was in control, that I was ying the game¡ªbut somehow, I was losing.


    I turned my head slightly, my eyesnding on the old picture frame I had flipped down earlier. Laura.


    Reaching out, my fingers brushed over the frame before I hesitated, then picked it up. The moment my eyes met hers¡ªthose lifeless, hollow eyes frozen in time¡ªI felt the bitterness crash over me like a fucking tidal wave.


    This isn¡¯t fair.


    My mate¡ªmy real mate¡ªhad been used, ruined, broken beyond repair. And where was I? I had been toote. Too weak. I had found her when she was already lost to me, already discarded like some old, useless thing after Kane had gotten bored of her.


    And now here I was, treating his mate like she was some fucking treasure. Like she deserved kindness.


    I should be ruining her. I should be breaking her, taking away everything she was just like he did to mine. That was the n, wasn¡¯t it? But then I had to be stupid and try to make her fall for me, make her love me, make her betray Kane the way Laura never could.


    So why the fuck was I hesitating?


    Why did I care if she was eating well? Why did I enjoy her stubbornness? Why did I let her y fucking chess with me when I should have had her begging at my feet?


    I let out a bitterugh, tilting my head back. I am a fool.


    An arrogant fool. A pathetic fool.


    I stared at Laura¡¯s picture again, my throat tightening. "I¡¯m sorry," I whispered, my voice hoarse. "I failed you."


    Tears burned at the back of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I had shed enough for her already.


    Setting the frame back down, I ran a hand over my face and exhaled shakily. Never again.


    Never again will I be weak.


    If I had to destroy Elena, then so be it. If I had to make her regret ever meeting me, I would.


    I would make her suffer like Laura suffered.


    I would make Kane feel my pain.


    No more ying nice. No more pretending to be the good kidnapper.


    I had been too soft, too patient¡ªlike a fucking idiot. I had let herugh, let her y chess, let her push me without consequences. No more.


    She would break.


    I would break her.


    Just like my sweet Laura was broken.


    By the time Kane found his precious little mate, she wouldn¡¯t be the same fiery, defiant woman he marked. No. She would be shattered, hollow, unrecognizable. Just like Laura had been when I found her¡ªa shell of what she used to be.


    I clenched my jaw, standing abruptly. I had wasted enough time.


    Elena would learn that kindness from me was a privilege¡ªone I was stripping away, piece by piece. She thought she had control, thought she could resist me? She was wrong.


    She wanted to be defiant? Fine. I would make sure she had nothing left to fight for.


    By the time I was done with her, Kane wouldn¡¯t even want her back.


    No more fucking dances.


    No more pretending.


    Starting tomorrow, she would see the real me¡ªthe monster Kane created, the one who lost everything because of him.


    I let herugh. I let her push me. I let her breathe. That ends now.


    She thinks she can fight me? She thinks she can hold on to the fire in her eyes, the defiance in her voice? I¡¯ll snuff it out.


    She will break, and I will be the one to break her.


    By the time Kane finds her, if he finds her, she won¡¯t be the same. She won¡¯t be Elena anymore.<strong></strong>


    I didn¡¯t sleep a wink the entire night. The memory of Laura¡ªso lifeless, so utterly broken¡ªhaunted every dark corner of my mind. With the morning light bleeding in, I didn¡¯t even bother with a rose, as I normally would. Instead, I summoned her to my study.


    She arrived in a short, red dress that clung to her curves with an air of defiant beauty. When she greeted me, I remained silent, my eyes bitter and haunted. In that moment, I saw Kane in her expression¡ªremnants of pain, longing, and that damning reminder of the past. I remembered her words: that I kept her away from her true mate. How stupid of me to think she would ever choose me over him.


    That soft, gentle side of me was long dead. What remained now was a predator, driven by a need to break her¡ªto shatter the fragile illusions she clung to. I leaned forward, my voice low and hard. "Bring your hand forward."


    She looked at me skeptically, uncertainty flickering across her face, but eventually sheplied. The moment she realized my intent¡ªmy n to cuff her¡ªshe pulled her hand back, panic rising in her eyes. I was too quick, seizing her arm firmly and locking it in ce with cold, unyielding cuffs.


    "What are you doing? Let me go!" she screamed, her voice cracking with terror and defiance.


    I leaned in close, my tone dangerous and unremorseful. "If you don¡¯t shut up, I promise you, you won¡¯t like whates next. I am no longer the sweet Ace you once knew. You¡¯d better get that fast in your head."


    In that moment, everything changed. There was no room for kindness or half-measures¡ªonly the bitterness that had consumed me, ready to im what I believed was rightfully mine.


    <strong>Elena POV</strong>


    I stared at him, my heart pounding. No longer the sweet Ace? Who the hell was he then?


    I struggled, pulling at the cuffs, but his grip was like steel. His face was void of the usual amusement, the patience, the smug flirtation. No, this Ace was cold¡ªdetached.


    My stomach twisted in unease. "What the fuck are you doing?" I demanded, my voice sharp with panic.


    He tilted his head, his eyes dark and unreadable. "Teaching you a lesson."


    My breath hitched. "Lesson?"


    "For thinking you could manipte me." His voice was calm, eerily so. "For making me believe, even for a second, that you could ever choose me."


    I froze. Was this aboutst night? About what I said?


    "Ace, this is insane." I tugged at the cuffs again, my wrists already straining. "You¡¯re acting crazy."


    He gave a humorless chuckle. "No, little pet. I was crazy before. Letting you run around, testing my patience, making me¡ª" He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "That was a mistake."


    My chest tightened with something I refused to name¡ªfear, dread...maybe regret?


    Because I had a feeling I had just lost the one bit of mercy I had left in this ce.


    My hands were bound in front of me, the cold metal biting into my wrists. I stared at Ace in shock¡ªwhat the fuck had happened to him? One moment, he had been the charming, arrogant bastard who toyed with me through games and yful taunts. Now, he was something else entirely¡ªsomething cruel, something... unhinged.


    Before I could even process it, he yanked me forward. My feet stumbled, and I found myself dragged toward his chair, where he sat like a king on a throne. Then came themand.


    "Straddle me."


    I blinked at him, disgust and confusion twisting inside me. He had to be kidding. I looked at him as if he¡¯d grown two heads, but his patience had already worn thin. Without another word, he grabbed my cuffed hands and forcefully pulled them around his neck, locking me in ce before dragging me down onto hisp.


    I stiffened, my body frozen in ce. The position was intimate. Too intimate. I hated how my legs were spread on either side of him, how my body was pressed flush against his.


    I clenched my jaw, my mind racing. Maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªI could use this to my advantage. My hands were close to his throat, and with one good move, I could tighten the cuffs around his neck and¡ª


    "Don¡¯t you dare do what that pretty little head is thinking."


    His voice was dark,ced with warning. His grip on my waist tightened, his fingers pressing in just enough to remind me of his strength.


    I scoffed, my lip curling in defiance. Big mistake.


    His hand shot up, gripping my chin roughly, forcing me to meet his gaze.


    "Don¡¯t ever scoff at me again. Ever."


    His voice was ice, but his eyes... they were worse. The teasing amusement that used to linger there was gone, reced with something bitter, something broken. Something terrifying.


    What the hell had happened between yesterday and now?


    I swallowed hard, suddenly too aware of the dangerous man beneath me.


    Then he chuckled, a sound so dark it sent shivers down my spine. His grip loosened just enough to trace his thumb along my bottom lip.


    "You owe me two kisses," he murmured, his voice low and controlled. "It¡¯s time to pay your debt. Kiss me."


    My breath hitched. So this was about the damn chess game? If it was just a kiss, why the hell did he have to cuff me?


    I hesitated, my mind torn between defiance and the dangerous shift in his demeanor.


    "I¡¯m waiting, little pet."


    His eyes gleamed with something unreadable, something dark.


    And for the first time since meeting Ace... I wasn¡¯t sure if I wanted to find out what would happen if I refused.

 Chapter 157: Laura

    <h4>Chapter 157: Laura</h4>


    <strong>Ace¡¯s POV:</strong>


    She hesitated, her lips barely brushing against mine before she pulled back like I was some schoolboy she had to humor.


    I let out a low chuckle. Wrong move, little pet.


    Before she could react, I grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. Her pupils were blown wide, not just with defiance but with something else¡ªuncertainty. Fear? No, not yet. But it woulde.


    "You think that was a kiss?" My voice was calm, almost amused. "Try again."


    She clenched her jaw, her wrists shifting slightly in the cuffs. I knew that look¡ªcalcting, weighing her options, thinking she still had some control here. Adorable.


    I leaned in close, my lips barely an inch from hers. "Or I can take what I¡¯m owed."


    I could feel her pulse quicken. She was stubborn, but she wasn¡¯t stupid. She knew I was done ying nice.


    Elena inhaled sharply, then leaned in again, pressing her lips against mine¡ªlonger this time, firmer. But I could tell it was still just an act of defiance, a way to get it over with. That wasn¡¯t enough.


    I tangled my fingers into her hair and tilted her head back, deepening the kiss, demanding more. I felt her breath hitch¡ªjust for a second, just enough to know I¡¯d thrown her off.


    And then she bit my bottom lip.


    A sharp sting, the taste of blood. I pulled back, running my tongue over the spot. She smirked.


    Bold of her. Stupid, but bold.


    "Now that," I murmured, brushing a thumb over her lips, "was more like it."


    She stiffened slightly, her confidence flickering for just a moment. She thought she¡¯d won something, that she¡¯d thrown me off bnce. She had no idea what game we were really ying.


    But she would.


    I would make sure of it.


    She shifted, about to stand, thinking it was over. How naive.


    I caught her wrist, my grip firm but not bruising¡ªyet. "Where do you think you¡¯re going?" My voice was smooth, almost amused.


    Her eyes narrowed, her defiance still flickering like a me not yet smothered. "You got what you wanted, Ace. Let me go."


    I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head. "You think a kiss repays what you owe me?"


    I pulled her back down onto myp, locking her in ce with a firm hand on her thigh. Her body tensed, her breath sharp, but I felt no real struggle. Not yet.


    I leaned in, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. "Kane took more from my mate than a silly kiss, Elena."


    She stiffened at that, and I smiled. Good. Let her understand. Let her see.


    I dragged my fingers along her exposed arm, slow, deliberate. Not rough, not tender. Just enough to remind her that I was in control here, not her, not her mate, not fate.


    She swallowed hard. "This isn¡¯t revenge, Ace. It¡¯s obsession."


    I tilted my head, pretending to consider her words. "Maybe," I admitted. "But does it matter?"


    Her breathing hitched when I ran my thumb over her pulse point. Fast. She was afraid. Or excited. Maybe both.


    "You¡¯re mine to break, little pet," I murmured, locking eyes with her. "And when I¡¯m done, Kane won¡¯t even recognize what¡¯s left of you."


    She red, but I saw it now¡ªthat flicker of doubt. That tiny crack in her resistance.


    I smiled.


    Let the games begin.


    She didn¡¯t know.


    She had no fucking idea what her mate did to mine. What Kane took. What he destroyed. All because of his sick, twisted cravings¡ªhis dark desires that turned my Laura into nothing but a shell.


    But she would learn.


    And what better way to teach her than now? What better way than to turn her on the same way he did to mine?


    I let my fingers trace slow circles on her bare thigh, my grip tightening just enough to make her breath hitch. "You really don¡¯t know, do you?" I whispered, my lips inches from her ear. "What your mate does to women. What he did to mine."


    She tried to jerk back, but the cuffs kept her close. Trapped. Right where I wanted her.


    "What the hell are you talking about?" she spat, but I could hear it¡ªthat tiny edge of uncertainty.


    Good. Let the cracks form.


    I chuckled darkly, running my hand up the curve of her waist. She shivered. Not from fear. Not yet.


    "He likes them broken, Elena. Submissive. He wants them on their knees, obeying like mindless pets." I tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at me. "You really think you¡¯re any different?"


    Her lips parted, a sharp retort ready, but I beat her to it.


    "Tell me something," I murmured, dragging my knuckles down her neck, over her corbone, lower. "When he touched you, did he ever ask what you wanted?"


    She froze.


    Her silence was all the answer I needed.


    "Thought so," I said, smirking. "That¡¯s the difference between him and me, little pet. Kane takes. I make you beg to give."


    Her breath was uneven now, her pupils blown wide. Conflicted.


    I leaned in until my lips barely brushed hers, teasing. "Let¡¯s see just how much he really trained you, hmm?"


    "What do you mean your mate? What did Kane do?" she demanded, her voice sharp,ced with confusion.


    For a second, I almostughed. She really had no idea. No clue what her perfect, righteous mate was capable of. How he ruined what was mine.


    But that¡¯s not what amused me most.


    No, what truly entertained me was how she was trying so hard to ignore what my hands were doing.


    She could pretend all she wanted, but I felt it. The way her body tensed. The sharp intake of breath she tried to swallow. The way her thighs shifted slightly, as if resisting the urge to press together.


    Oh, little pet, we¡¯ll see how long you can keep up this act.


    "You want the truth?" I murmured, dragging my fingers higher up the soft skin of her inner thigh, my other hand gripping her waist to keep her from pulling away. "Fine. Let¡¯s talk about the mate you¡¯re so desperate to get back to."


    She stiffened, her breath hitching, but her stubbornness kept her silent.


    Good. Let¡¯s see how much she can take before she breaks.


    "I¡¯ll tell you..." I murmured, my lips grazing the shell of her ear, voice dripping with dark amusement. "...if you let me fuck you. Willingly."


    I squeezed her ass, feeling the way she tensed, her entire body rigid against mine. Her reaction was instant¡ªshe tried to stand up again, but my grip on her waist kept her firmly in ce.


    Struggling already, little pet?


    I chuckled lowly, my fingers kneading her soft flesh as I leaned in closer, letting my breath tickle her neck. "Laura," I whispered, feeling her body hesitate for just a moment. "Her name was Laura."


    She stilled.


    Hooked.


    Curiosity. Doubt. A flicker of something in her eyes.


    Perfect.


    "Sit still and listen," I continued, my fingers tracing slow,zy circles on her thigh. "Or I¡¯ll make sure you feel every bit of what Kane did to my mate."


    Her breath caught, but she didn¡¯t move.


    That¡¯s more like it.


    Elena didn¡¯t move, but I could see the battle raging in her eyes. She wanted to run, to fight, but her curiosity held her hostage.


    Good.


    My fingers continued their slow, teasing circles on her thigh, creeping dangerously close to where I knew she was burning for friction. She tried to ignore it, her lips pressed into a stubborn line, but her body... her body was betraying her.


    I leaned in, my lips brushing against the sensitive skin of her jaw. "Laura..." I whispered, dragging her name out like a secret. "She was just like you once¡ªwild, free-spirited, untamed." My grip on Elena¡¯s waist tightened. "We were childhood friends. I used to chase her through the woods, and she¡¯d always be two steps ahead,ughing like she owned the world."


    I smirked against Elena¡¯s skin, feeling the way she shivered when my hand slowly inched under her dress.


    "She was a fighter. Stubborn as hell. A pain in my ass, really," I chuckled darkly. "She used to climb the tallest trees just to prove she could. She hated rules. Hated being controlled." My fingers trailed higher, grazing her inner thigh. "I left for a few years... and when I came back?" I stilled, letting the silence stretch, letting the weight of my words settle over her like a storm cloud.


    Elena swallowed hard. "What happened?" she asked, barely above a whisper.


    I let my lips ghost over her ear, my voice dropping lower. "She was gone."


    Elena stiffened.


    "Not dead. No... worse." I pulled back slightly, just enough to watch her reaction. "She was a shell¡ªa pretty little doll with dead eyes and a quiet voice. She didn¡¯t run anymore. Didn¡¯tugh. She didn¡¯t think unless he allowed her to." My teeth grazed her earlobe, making her suck in a sharp breath. "She lived to obey. To serve. And Kane? He loved it."


    Elena¡¯s body trembled.


    "He made her that way," I continued, my tone soft butced with venom. "He broke her. Taught her that pain was love. That obedience was pleasure." My fingers traced the edge of her underwear, feeling the heat pooling there. "He trained her to be his perfect little ve."


    Elena¡¯s breath hitched, but she didn¡¯t pull away.


    "He ruined her," I whispered against her lips. "And now, I wonder..." My thumb pressed against the damp fabric between her legs, making her gasp. "...how long will it take before he ruins you too?"

 Chapter 158: Taking Or Giving?

    <h4>Chapter 158: Taking Or Giving?</h4>


    <strong>(MATURE CONTENT AHEAD)</strong>


    <strong>Ace¡¯s POV</strong>


    "He ruined her," I whispered against her lips, drinking in the way her breath hitched, her pupils dting with something she refused to name. Want. Need. A dangerous craving.


    "And now, I wonder..." I trailed my fingers between her thighs, pressing my thumb firmly against the damp fabric covering her core. Soaked.


    Elena gasped, her body jolting forward, her hips rolling instinctively against my hand. Good girl.


    "How long will it take," I murmured, pressing harder, watching as her lips parted, a soft moan escaping before she could stop it, "before he ruins you too?"


    She tensed, but her body betrayed her. Oh, she wanted this.


    I slid my other hand up her back, gripping the cuffs that kept her wrists locked in ce around my neck. She was straddling me, pinned against myp like a willing offering, yet her mind still fought what her body had already epted.


    "Don¡¯t look so shocked," I smirked, grinding my hips upward, letting her feel just how hard she was making me. She whimpered. "You want to know the kind of punishments Kane gives his women? The kind Laura endured before she was nothing but a breathing doll?"


    Elena stiffened at her name.


    "She was wild, once," I continued, running my lips down the curve of her throat, nipping at her skin just enough to make her shiver. "Fiery. Untamed. She would have burned the world rather than let a man control her."


    My fingers slipped beneath the soaked fabric, pushing it aside. I tracedzy circles over her slit, feeling how hot, how wet she was for me.


    "But Kane?" I smirked darkly, watching her eyes flutter as I barely teased her clit, drawing out her frustration. "Kane tamed her. Just like he¡¯ll tame you."


    She growled, grinding down onto my fingers, the movement almost involuntary. Her nails dug into my shoulders, her breathsing in short, shaky pants.


    She was giving in.


    I chuckled, dragging a single finger through her slick folds before slipping inside, just barely.


    "He didn¡¯t fuck her, not at first," I whispered against her ear, feeling her clench around my fingertip. "He broke her."


    Elena¡¯s breathing turned erratic, her hips rolling, chasing more. Chasing me.


    "He bound her wrists behind her back. Left her kneeling for hours." I pushed deeper, curling my finger inside her, relishing the way her body trembled. "No touching. No moving. No speaking¡ªunless it was to beg."


    She moaned, arching her back, her nipples tight against the thin fabric of her dress.


    "And when she failed to please him?" I withdrew my finger, teasing her entrance. "Punishments. Spankings until she bruised. A leash around her throat. And my favorite¡ª" I thrust two fingers inside her, slow but deep, making her cry out, her forehead falling against my shoulder.


    "He blindfolded her," I continued, fucking her slowly with my fingers, feeling her soak me with every stroke. "Tied her up. Let his twin touch her, taste her¡ªbut never take her. That was his right alone."


    Elena gasped sharply, her legs trembling. "No," she choked out, shaking her head. Denying. Fighting. But her body? Her body was telling me a different story.


    I smirked, curling my fingers against that sweet, sensitive spot inside her. "You say no, but you¡¯re still grinding on my hand, little pet."


    She froze, realization hitting her toote.


    Iughed darkly, my free hand tangling in her hair, pulling her head back just enough to make her meet my gaze. "You like this," I whispered, thrusting deeper, harder. "You like my fingers inside you. You¡¯re fucking yourself on them like a needy little thing."


    Her lips parted, her eyes hazy with arousal, but she said nothing.


    "You¡¯re not like Laura," I murmured, pulling my fingers outpletely, watching as her body shuddered from the loss. I leaned in, letting my lips brush against her trembling ones. "I don¡¯t punish like Kane. I don¡¯t get off on hitting and binding."


    I slid my soaked fingers into my mouth, groaning at the taste of her.


    She watched me, spellbound.


    "I fuck my women into submission."


    Then, before she could protest, I kissed her¡ªhard, deep, devouring.


    And this time, she kissed me back.


    Her lips were wild against mine now, desperate, hungry. She wasn¡¯t fighting me anymore. No, she was chasing me.


    Good girl.


    I took my time, tasting her, drinking in the soft gasps she made as I rocked my hips up, pressing the hard length of my cock against her drenched core. She shivered.


    "You¡¯re already so fucking wet for me," I murmured against her lips, rolling my hips up again, making her whimper. "Is that for me... or him?"


    Her brows furrowed, her body tensing at the mention of Kane, but the second my hands slid up her dress, her hesitation faltered.


    I gripped her ass, pulling her against me in a slow, agonizing grind that had her biting back a moan.


    I chuckled darkly. "Don¡¯t hold back, little pet. I can feel you dripping onto my jeans."


    I flipped her dress up over her hips, exposing the thin scrap ofce that barely covered her. Fuck. I should ruin these. Rip them off with my teeth. But not yet.


    Not until she begged for it.


    I dragged my thumb over her clit, the damp fabric clinging to her. "You¡¯re burning up," I whispered, slipping a single finger under her panties, teasing her slick entrance. "You need this, don¡¯t you?"


    She whimpered, hips jerking against my hand, trying to push me deeper.


    "Say it," I demanded, pressing just inside her but not giving her what she needed.


    She red at me, her chest rising and falling in sharp breaths. Defiant. Stubborn. But I saw it¡ªthe frustration, the desperation. The need.


    "You want me to fuck you, don¡¯t you?" I taunted, slipping my finger in just halfway.


    She let out a choked moan, clenching around me.


    "Fuck¡ª" she hissed, but still didn¡¯t say it.


    I smirked. Oh, this was going to be fun.


    With excruciating slowness, I spread her open, stroking her walls with long,zy thrusts of my fingers, curling them just right to make her tremble in myp.


    Her arms were still cuffed around my neck, keeping her from pushing me away¡ªor pulling me closer. She waspletely at my mercy.


    And she fucking loved it.


    "Look at you," I murmured, my other hand cupping her breast through her dress, rolling her nipple between my fingers. "Grinding on my hand like you need this to breathe."


    Her whimper was my answer.


    I tugged her neckline down, exposing her soft, perfect tits, andtched onto one of her nipples, sucking it deep into my mouth while my fingers worked her pussy¡ªfaster, harder, deeper.


    "F-Fuck!" she gasped, her head tipping back.


    There it was.


    I smirked against her breast, flicking my tongue over her aching peak. "You¡¯re close, aren¡¯t you?"


    She nodded frantically, her hips rolling to meet my thrusts, chasing her high.


    "Go on, then," I purred, sucking harder, adding another finger to stretch her, fucking her harder. "Cum for me, little pet."


    She was right there¡ªher body locking up, breath hitching, pleasure coiling tight, ready to snap.


    And then¡ª


    I stopped.


    I pulled my fingers outpletely.


    Her eyes snapped open in fury.


    "What the fuck¡ª?" she seethed, panting, her thighs trembling.


    I licked my fingers clean, savoring the taste of her as I met her murderous re with a dark smile.


    "Fuck you," she spat, her voice raw with frustration.


    I smirked. There it is.


    The fire in her. The resistance. The need.


    Her wrists were still cuffed, her hands locked behind my neck as she straddled me. She could fight, curse, re all she wanted¡ªbut her body? Her body was already betraying her.


    I could feel it. The heat radiating from between her legs, soaking through my pants.


    "You want toe so badly, don¡¯t you?" I murmured, dragging my fingers slowly up the inside of her thigh, stopping just short of where I knew she needed me. "But I told you, little pet... you have to ask for it."


    Her eyes burned into mine, her pride keeping her lips sealed.


    Fine.


    I¡¯d break her another way.


    Sliding my hand higher, I pressed the pads of my fingers against the soaked fabric of her panties. Just barely. A whisper of a touch.


    Her sharp intake of breath was everything.


    She rolled her hips.


    Slow. Deliberate. Grinding against the solid length of me still trapped behind my pants.


    Fuck.


    My control slipped, my fingers digging into her waist as she moved against me.


    She was fighting me¡ªbut at the same time, she wasn¡¯t.


    Her lips found my throat, her breath warm, her tongue flicking out in a way that made my cock throb painfully.


    "You think I¡¯ll beg?" she whispered against my skin, grinding harder.


    She was turning the game on me.


    "Elena." I warned, my grip tightening.


    But she just smirked.


    Sliding her lips along my jaw, she moved her hips again, pressing herself right against my cock, making me grit my teeth as a growl tore through me.


    "Teasing me now?" I murmured, my fingers sliding up her back, ghosting over the delicate straps of her dress before yanking them down.


    She gasped as I tugged her dress down, exposing her breasts.


    Fuck.


    I wanted to take my time. I wanted to make her beg.


    But she was grinding against me, her breathing heavy, her nipples hardening under my touch as I dragged my thumb across one, teasing.


    "You think you have control?" I muttered, pulling her nipple into my mouth, sucking, biting, teasing.


    She let out a soft, breathy moan, her body arching.


    There it is.


    I smirked against her skin, dragging my lips lower, lower, letting my fingers trail down between her thighs again.


    She shuddered.


    Her wrists were still cuffed behind my neck, keeping her arms locked in ce. Completely vulnerable.


    I dragged my fingers under her panties, just barely brushing against her swollen, dripping heat.


    "You¡¯re already soaked for me," I murmured darkly, my fingers teasing her entrance. "And yet, you still pretend to hate this?"


    Her breath hitched, but she red at me.


    Still stubborn.


    Good. I liked breaking stubborn things.


    I thrust one finger inside her without warning, swallowing her gasp as she clenched hard around me.


    "You¡¯re so fucking tight," I growled, curling my finger inside her, pressing against that spot that made her whole body tremble.


    She bit her lip, trying to hold back the sound¡ªbut I wasn¡¯t having that.


    I added another finger, pumping slow, teasing.


    Her thighs quivered against mine, her breathinging in sharp gasps as I stroked her from the inside, pushing her closer, closer¡ª


    Her legs tensed.


    Her breath caught.


    Her whole body was seconds away from shattering.


    And then¡ª


    I stopped.


    I pulled my fingers away and leaned back, watching her break apart.


    Her eyes flew open, wild, desperate.


    "What the fuck?" she snapped, her voice dripping with frustration.


    I licked my fingers clean, smirking.


    "I fuck hard," I murmured, pressing my cock against her soaked panties. "But you need to tell me you want it first."


    She cursed, grinding down against me again, but I grabbed her hips, holding her still.


    "I said¡ª" I dragged my lips along her throat. "Say it."


    She whimpered, her wrists pulling against the cuffs, needing something to hold onto.


    I could feel her resolve slipping, her need overpowering her pride.


    Still, she clenched her jaw, refusing to say the words.


    I chuckled darkly.


    "Then I guess we¡¯re done here."


    I made a move to lift her off me, but¡ª


    She panicked.


    Her legs tightened around me, pressing me closer, grinding her soaked heat against me harder.


    "Fuck you," she snarled.


    And then¡ª


    She crashed her lips to mine.


    It wasn¡¯t a kiss.


    It was a im.


    Wild. Desperate. Her lips mming against mine, her tongue pushing into my mouth like she wanted to devour me whole.


    I growled, my hands mming against her hips, shoving her down against me as she took control.


    Her lips trailed down my throat, her teeth grazing my skin, making my cock twitch violently.


    Fucking hell.


    She was ruining my n.


    I was supposed to break her.


    I was supposed to make her beg.


    But now? Now, I was the one desperate.


    Now, I was the one losing control.


    She was still cuffed, her arms locked behind my neck, making herpletely open to me,pletely at my mercy¡ª


    And yet, somehow, I was the one at hers.


    Fuck it.


    I grabbed her hips, lifting her just enough to unzip my pants.


    Her breath hitched, her eyes dark with hunger, but she didn¡¯t stop me.


    Didn¡¯t resist.


    I kicked my pants down just enough to free myself, my cock hard, aching, desperate.


    And then¡ª


    I mmed her down onto me.


    She cried out, her head falling back, her body clenching around me like she was made for this.


    I groaned, my hands gripping her ass, holding her still as I let her feel just how deep I was inside her.


    Her breathing was ragged, her body trembling, overwhelmed.


    I growled, my lips ghosting over her ear.


    "You belong to me now," I whispered, my grip tightening.


    And then¡ª


    I fucked her.


    Hard. Deep.


    Ruining her.


    Just like she was ruining me.

 Chapter 159: Taking Not Submitting

    <h4>Chapter 159: Taking Not Submitting</h4>


    <strong>(MATURE CONTENT AHEAD)</strong>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV</strong>


    Okay... I never expected things to go this far.


    It started with simple touches, slow and deliberate, but the dark aura surrounding Ace had pulled me in too deep.


    What is wrong with me?


    I keep entangling myself with deranged, dark wolves¡ªoops, let¡¯s not forget the vampire, too.


    Maybe Kane had already started corrupting me, pulling me into his twisted fantasies before I even realized it. Because fuck¡ªI won¡¯t lie, the cuffs around my wrists turned me on.


    Or maybe it was the unfulfilled release from yesterday, the way Dean had left me burning, desperate, aching.


    Maybe that¡¯s why I didn¡¯t fight as hard as I should have.


    And then, just as I was trying to focus¡ªto remind myself that this was wrong¡ªAce whispered something that captured my curiosity just as much as my body.


    His mate.


    The woman in the portrait.


    The gorgeous one with lifeless eyes.


    I felt something dark and twisted curl in my stomach as realization crept in.


    BDSM.


    Kane.


    The same man who had left his mark on me. The man who owned my body, who ruled my desires.


    But what if... he had ruined someone else before me?


    Laura.


    I remembered that name.


    I remembered Dean and Kane mentioning her during my heat season.


    And now, Ace was telling me she was his mate.


    His broken mate.


    I should have been disgusted.


    I should have been furious.


    But I couldn¡¯t focus on my current emotions for Kane¡ªnot now. Not with Ace¡¯s fingers stroking me, teasing me, destroying my resolve.


    I was trapped between rage and desire.


    Hate and hunger.


    I wanted to push Ace away¡ªbut at the same time, I wanted to see how far he could take me.


    "Fuck you," I spat, my voice raw with frustration.


    Ace just grinned, looking way too pleased with himself.


    Arrogant bastard.


    My whole body was on edge, pulsing, aching. He had left me hanging on the edge of release, and now he just expected me to beg for it?


    Not happening.


    If he thought he had control, he was dead fucking wrong.


    He thought he could break me.


    He thought he could make me submit.


    Fuck that.


    If he was going to fuck with my body, then I was going to y the game, too.


    But I wouldn¡¯t submit.


    No.


    I would take what I wanted¡ªwithout giving him the satisfaction of owning me.


    And if there was one thing I knew how to do?


    It was how to make a man lose control.


    My nails dug into his shoulders as I shifted in hisp, pressing down against his hard, thick length still trapped behind his pants.


    His smirk faltered.


    Oh? He wasn¡¯t expecting that?


    Good.


    I rolled my hips slowly, deliberately, grinding against him as I kept my gaze locked on his.


    Ace thought he was in control¡ªthat he was the one breaking me down.


    But if there was one thing I had learned from those sinful pages, it was that control could be reversed.


    And that¡¯s exactly what I was about to do.


    Still straddling him, my cuffed hands looped around his neck, I shifted slightly, pressing my heat down against the thick bulge in his pants.


    He tensed.


    Good.


    A smirk pulled at my lips as I started to grind against him, slow and teasing, moving my hips in deliberate circles, letting the friction build.


    Ace let out a low, sharp breath, his grip on my hips tightening.


    "Careful, little pet," he warned, his voice rough.


    Oh, I was just getting started.


    "You think I¡¯ll beg?" I whispered, dragging my lips along his jaw. "You think I¡¯ll say ¡¯please¡¯ like a good little girl?"


    His fingers tightened on my waist, and I felt his cock jerk beneath me.


    Oh, I had him now.


    I tilted my head, lowering my lips to his ear, letting my breath tickle his skin as I whispered, "What¡¯s wrong, Ace? I thought you were supposed to be breaking me?"


    His jaw clenched.


    I could feel his entire body tighten beneath me, his self-control slipping.


    Good. Let him lose it.


    I pressed another slow grind against him, rolling my hips just right, watching as his eyes darkened with pure hunger.


    I kissed down his throat, feeling the sharp inhale he tried to suppress as my tongue flicked against his skin.


    "You started this, Ace," I murmured, rolling my hips harder, grinding against the thick bulge pressing against my soaked panties. "But I¡¯m going to finish it."


    His jaw clenched, his fingers digging into my hips hard enough to bruise.


    He was losing control.


    I smirked, licking my lips before dragging them back up to his ear, sucking his earlobe into my mouth.


    "Fuck," he growled, his cock twitching.


    I grinned.


    He wanted control? Too bad.


    Ace, the one who always had the upper hand, was under me now.


    His chest heaved, his pupils blown wide with hunger as I leaned down, dragging my tongue across his throat, sucking hard enough to leave a mark.


    "Elena," he rasped, his fingers digging into my thighs.


    Desperate now, aren¡¯t we?


    I grinned, rolling my hips again, letting him feel every inch of his cock pressing against me.


    His control? Gone.


    His resolve to make me beg? Shattered.


    Ace cursed under his breath, his hands digging into my hips.


    His control was crumbling.


    And then¡ªjust like I nned¡ªhe snapped.


    With a growl, he grabbed my thighs, yanked me tighter against him, and then his hands were everywhere.


    His hands grabbed my dress, yanking it up over my head before his fingers hooked into my panties, tearing them off like they offended him.


    "Fuck this," he growled, unzipping his pants, shoving them down just enough to free his cock¡ªthick, hard, and already leaking for me.


    His hands gripped my ass, yanking me forward until his tip rubbed against my soaked entrance.


    I shuddered, a whimper escaping me, but I wasn¡¯t done torturing him yet.


    I rolled my hips, teasing him, letting his cock slip between my folds but not letting him push in.


    His head mmed back against the seat, his hands shaking against my hips.


    Oh, he was losing it.


    His grip tightened¡ªtoo tight¡ªhis breathsing fast, heavy, ragged.


    "Elena," he snarled. "Don¡¯t fucking tease me."


    I smirked.


    "I thought you wanted me to beg?" I purred, dragging my slick heat along his length again.


    His chest heaved.


    His body shook.


    And then¡ª


    He snapped.


    With a snarl, Ace thrust up hard, driving his cock inside me in one deep, punishing stroke.


    I cried out, my nails raking down his chest as he filled me, stretched me, ruined me.


    "Fuck," I gasped, my head tipping back.


    Ace growled, his hands tightening on my hips, holding me still as he thrust up into me again, deep and rough, hitting every spot that made me shatter.


    "You¡¯re fucking mine," he snarled, dragging me down against him. "And I don¡¯t need to tie you up to make you submit."


    My body shook, pleasure coiling, heat building so fast it made my head spin.


    I was so close.


    And this time?


    He wasn¡¯t stopping.


    ********


    I shouldn¡¯t have let it happen.


    I told myself I wouldn¡¯t give in.


    But fuck.


    The way he touched me, the way he knew exactly where to press, where to tease, where to stroke until my body was **betraying me¡ª**I couldn¡¯t stop myself.


    At first, I thought I was losing.


    That I was falling into his little game.


    But then I realized¡ªhe wanted me to beg.


    He wanted me to submit.


    And I didn¡¯t.


    I took.


    I imed.


    Even cuffed, I had control.


    I moved against him, teasing him, grinding into that hard length straining in his pants, and the moment I felt him curse against my neck, his cock twitching against me¡ªI knew.


    He was the one losing control.


    So when he finally snapped, when he ripped off his belt, unzipping his pants with desperate hands, I smirked.


    Because I won.


    The moment he mmed into me, stretching me wide, deep, making me arch and moan, I realized I didn¡¯t need to submit to find pleasure.


    I could take it.


    And I did.


    He fucked me hard, just like he promised, his hands gripping my hips, keeping me exactly where he wanted as he thrust into me, filling mepletely.


    But I gave as much as I took.


    I rolled my hips, meeting him stroke for stroke, moan for moan, dragging my teeth across his throat, watching as he shuddered beneath me.


    I could feel the way his muscles tensed, the way his hands shook as he gripped my ass, trying to hold back, to stay in control.


    But I didn¡¯t let him.


    I fucked him back, harder, faster, watching as that cocky smirk of his faltered into something raw, desperate.


    "Fuck, Elena¡ª"


    I dragged my tongue along his jaw, my hands tight around his neck, my legs wrapped around his waist as I rode him like I was fucking iming him.


    He growled, spanking my ass, but the sharp sting only drove me wilder.


    "You like it rough, don¡¯t you?" he rasped, biting my shoulder.


    I smirked, panting. "And you like it when I fight back."


    His eyes darkened, but I saw the truth in them.


    I wasn¡¯t his broken little pet.


    I was his match.


    And when I came, I came on my terms.


    Not because hemanded it, but because I let myself.


    Because I wanted to.


    And the way he groaned, his grip bruising, his cock pulsing deep inside me as he lost himself in my body¡ªthat was my victory.


    Because Ace didn¡¯t break me.


    And he never would.

 Chapter 160: Mine

    <h4>Chapter 160: Mine</h4>


    <strong>Ace¡¯s POV</strong>


    That little¡ª


    She knew exactly what she was doing.


    Her grinding, her sweet little moans, the way her lips trailed down my neck like she was iming me instead of the other way around¡ª


    She was ying me.


    And fuck, it was working.


    I was supposed to make her beg. I was supposed to break her. But now? Now I was the one losing my goddamn control.


    Her body was soft and hot against me, moving in slow, torturous circles, rubbing right over my cock like she was fucking teasing me on purpose.


    She let out a small, breathless whimper as she pressed harder, and fuck¡ªI almost lost it right there.


    My grip on her tightened.


    I should stop this. I should remind her who¡¯s in control.


    But instead, I reached between us, unzipping my pants and freeing my cock, watching as her eyes widened slightly when she felt the heat of me, the size of me, pressing bare against her soaked panties.


    "Still think you can handle me little pet?" I murmured darkly.


    Her breath hitched, but she didn¡¯t back down. Defiant. Always defiant.


    I grabbed the flimsyce of her panties and ripped it clean off.


    She gasped, but I didn¡¯t give her time to think.


    Lifting her just slightly, I positioned myself right at her entrance, teasing her, rubbing the thick head of my cock along her slick folds, coating myself in her wetness.


    She shivered, trying to move her hips down, but I held her still.


    "Not yet," I smirked.


    She let out a frustrated little sound, grinding against me instead, making me suck in a sharp breath.


    Fuck. She was so wet. So ready.


    She was not making this easy.


    I reached up, cupping one of her breasts, rolling her nipple between my fingers, before pinching it just enough to make her gasp.


    Her body arched.


    I leaned in, taking her nipple into my mouth, sucking hard, flicking my tongue over the hardened peak.


    She moaned, her legs trembling around me, her body grinding against me desperately now, searching for more friction.


    But I pulled away, looking up at her flushed, needy face.


    "I fuck hard," I murmured against her skin, trailing my lips back up to her jaw, her ear.


    "But I need to hear you say it."


    I circled her clit with my fingers, teasing her entrance, pressing just enough to make her squirm, but never enough to give her what she needed.


    Her breathing was uneven, her cuffed hands gripping the back of my neck.


    "Say it, Elena," I demanded, voice low and rough.


    She whimpered. "Ace¡ª"


    "Say you want me to fuck you," I growled, rubbing my cock right against her aching core, but not pushing in. Goddess I wanted to enter her but even though she wasn¡¯t going to submit to me I wanted to hear her conseting, that she willingly wanted me.


    She cursed, frustrated, needy.


    And when I saw it¡ªthat moment where she stopped fighting, where she let go of her resistance¡ª


    She whispered it.


    "Fuck me, Ace."


    I smirked.


    And then I mmed into her.


    The moment I mmed into her, she let out a sharp, gasping moan, her head falling back, exposing that pretty throat just begging to be marked.


    Fuck. She was tight.


    Tight, hot, and dripping wet, squeezing me so perfectly I had to clench my jaw to keep from losing it right then and there.


    Her body shuddered around me, adjusting, stretching¡ªtaking every inch of me.


    I felt her tense, her fingers curling behind my neck, and I groaned, gripping her hips firmly to keep her still.


    "Rx, little pet," I murmured against her jaw, nipping at her skin. "You can take it."


    Her breath hitched, but she obeyed, sinking down further, until I was buried to the hilt.


    Perfect.


    I stayed still for a moment, letting her feel it¡ªevery inch of me filling herpletely.


    She was panting, her eyes half-lidded, lips parted in a way that made me want to ruin her.


    And then she moved.


    A slow, torturous roll of her hips.


    My hands tightened on her waist, nails digging in as she started to ride me, experimenting, testing me.


    Her movements were hesitant at first, teasing, like she wasn¡¯t sure if she was allowed to take control.


    She was. But only for a moment.


    I let her set the pace, let her getfortable, let her tease herself with that agonizingly slow rhythm.


    But then?


    I snapped.


    "Enough."


    I grabbed her hips, mmed her down onto me, hard.


    She cried out, a sweet, desperate sound that shot straight through me.


    And then I fucked her.


    Hard. Fast. Deep.


    Each thrust had her bouncing on my cock, had her moaning louder, clinging to me like she¡¯d fall apart if I stopped.


    Her cuffed hands tightened around my neck, and I could feel her pulse racing.


    I buried my face in her neck, biting down, iming her, my cock mming into her sweet spot with every brutal stroke.


    She was so close.


    I could feel it¡ªthe way her walls clenched, the way her breath hitched, the way her body trembled.


    I moved one hand between us, finding her clit, circling it with my thumb, sending her spiraling even faster.


    "Come for me, Elena," I growled against her ear,manding it.


    She gasped, her whole body tensing, shaking.


    And then¡ª


    She shattered.


    She screamed my name, her pussy clenching around me, pulsing, dragging me straight into my own fucking release.


    I cursed, thrusting deep, hard, my own pleasure hitting like a goddamn explosion.


    And then everything went still.


    Both of us panting, trembling.


    I smirked, brushing damp hair from her flushed, sweaty face.


    "See, little pet?" I murmured, pressing azy kiss to her throat.


    "I fuck hard."


    <strong>******</strong>


    Elenay against me, her breathing still uneven, her body still trembling from the aftermath of what we¡¯d just done. Her skin was slick with sweat, her scent mixed with mine now¡ªjust the way I wanted it. I closed my eyes for a second, savoring the moment, branding it into my memory.


    I had fucked her.


    Not just fucked her¡ªI had taken her, owned her, and now, every inch of her belonged to me whether she admitted it or not.


    Her soft exhales warmed my neck, her body still molded against mine, her hands still cuffed behind me. I should have utched them by now, but I liked the way she stayed against me, her body pliant, not because she submitted but because she was still riding the high I had given her.


    The thought alone had my cock stirring again.


    Fuck.


    I was already addicted to her.


    She shifted slightly, and I felt her muscles tense, as if reality was creeping back in. I smirked, running azy hand down her spine, letting my fingers trace the dip of her back before I grabbed a handful of her ass, giving it a firm squeeze.


    She gasped, lifting her head to re at me, but there was something else in her eyes now¡ªsomething new.


    She hated that she wanted more.


    I grinned darkly, leaning forward, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. "Careful, little pet. If you look at me like that, I might just fuck you again."


    Her breath hitched, and I felt the way her body betrayed her, the slight shiver running through her, the way her thighs instinctively pressed together.


    She was already thinking about it.


    Good.


    I tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at me. "Regretting it already?" I taunted.


    Her jaw tightened. "No."


    I chuckled. "No?" I echoed, dragging my thumb over her swollen bottom lip. "Then what is it?"


    She swallowed, but I caught the flicker of something behind her defiance¡ªconfusion, frustration, maybe even guilt. I didn¡¯t care.


    Because I had her now.


    I leaned in, pressing a slow kiss to her lips, letting it linger before I pulled back just enough to whisper, "You¡¯re mine now."


    Her brows furrowed. "I¡¯m not yours."


    I smirked. "Aren¡¯t you?" My fingers trailed down her side, reminding her exactly what I had just done to her body, what I could do to her again. "Tell me, pet, are you thinking about your mate right now?"


    She stiffened, and I knew I had struck where I wanted.


    "You¡¯re still wearing his mark, still holding onto the illusion that he¡¯s the one meant for you." I tilted my head, my fingers brushing her still-sensitive skin, making her shudder. "But tell me... did he ever make you feel like this?"


    Silence.


    A wicked satisfaction curled inside me.


    "I can make you forget him, Elena," I murmured, pressing my lips to her neck, right beside the mark Kane had left on her. "I can make you the most loved and happy female wolf to ever live. I can be your perfect lover."


    She sucked in a breath, and I knew I had nted the seed.


    She could deny it all she wanted, but she was already mine.


    And I wasn¡¯t letting her go. I was so going to make her hate Kane one way or another.

 Chapter 161: A Little Taste Of Dark Desires

    <h4>Chapter 161: A Little Taste Of Dark Desires</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV:</strong>


    Have you ever felt your soul wrenched out of your body? Like hot silver searing through your veins, burning you from the inside out?


    That¡¯s what it felt like.


    That unbearable, gut-clenching pain that only meant one thing¡ªElena was fucking someone else.


    I gritted my teeth, my fists clenched so tightly that my ws dug into my palms. My breath came in harsh, uneven waves as I tried to push the thought away, to stop imagining her beneath another man, her body writhing, her lips parting, her moans¡ªfuck.


    I just hoped it wasn¡¯t who I thought it was.


    Ace.


    My fucking enemy.


    Me and him had bad blood long before this. Ever since he came back and found out that Laura¡ªthe woman he was supposed to cherish, the one fate had tied to him¡ªhad already been broken beyond repair. But fuck, it wasn¡¯t my fault.


    It wasn¡¯t my fault that the girl had been obsessed with me.


    It wasn¡¯t my fault that she signed the contract knowing damn well what she was agreeing to. She had a choice. No one held a fucking knife to her throat.


    She knew the rules.


    She knew that when the contract ended, I wasn¡¯t going to renew it. She knew what she was getting into, but still¡ªstill, she became too fucking clingy, too desperate, too lost in her own twisted devotion.


    It wasn¡¯t my fault that she started stalking me, showing up uninvited, begging for more. It wasn¡¯t my fault that she became fascinated with my desires, with my darkness.


    And it sure as fuck wasn¡¯t my fault that she didn¡¯t preserve herself for him.


    But none of that mattered to Ace.


    To him, I was the viin. The one who ruined her. The one who left her a hollow shell of the girl he once knew. The one who stole something from him that he could never get back.


    And maybe that¡¯s why he was doing this. Maybe that¡¯s why he had Elena now¡ªbecause he wanted to take from me the way he thought I had taken from him.


    I sucked in a sharp breath, my ws digging deeper, drawing blood.


    Did he force her?


    No.


    That bastard wasn¡¯t the type.


    At least, not from what I¡¯d seen. He had his bitterness, his rage, but he had never been a fucking rapist. If anything, the way he¡¯d treated Laura¡ªthe way he¡¯d still tried to love her despite everything¡ªproved he wasn¡¯t that kind of monster.


    But I wasn¡¯t naive enough to be sure.


    Not when it came to me.


    Not when it came to his hatred for me.


    What had he told her?


    What lies had he whispered into her ear to make her give herself to him?


    Because there was no way in hell Elena would do this willingly. Not unless he had twisted her mind, made her believe things that weren¡¯t true, made her hate me enough to let him touch what was mine.


    I exhaled sharply, my jaw tight, my vision darkening at the edges.


    I could take anything. I could endure any fucking pain the world threw at me.


    But not this.


    Not Elena.


    And whether she had given herself to him willingly or not¡ªwhether she had surrendered to him, let him im her in ways that only I should have¡ªI was still going to rip his fucking hands off for touching her.


    And his stupid fucking dick for ever daring to be inside her.


    <strong>Dean POV:</strong>


    New fucking development.


    Ace was on the verge of going rogue.


    And the amount of darkness he was releasing was <i>excessive.</i> So much that even <i>I</i> couldn¡¯t absorb it all, and that was saying something. The energy was thick, suffocating, tainted with rage, grief, and something deeper¡ªsomething more twisted.


    The worst part?


    Some of it was slipping into Elena.


    That¡¯s why she was <i>currently</i> fucking someone else.


    And hell no, I <i>wasn¡¯t</i> happy about it.


    I hated <i>every</i> fucking bit of it.


    Hated that she gave herself to another while I was yet to have her. Hated that Ace had his hands on what should have been mine. Hated that Kane¡ªarrogant, selfish Kane¡ªthought he had any <i>right</i> to feel betrayed when he¡¯d spent his whole damn life destroying people without a second thought.


    If I could, I¡¯d <i>snatch</i> Elena away right now.


    Take her to the ends of the world.


    Leave Kane and Ace to <i>kill each other</i> for all I fucking cared.


    So yeah, I had to release <i>a lot</i> of darkness just to keep myself sane, and with each passing day, I was running out of rogues to <i>kill and torture.</i> And nope¡ªnobody knew about it.


    Apparently, while <i>Kane</i> was in fucking bed, too weak from Elena¡¯s "betrayal" (which, by the way, <i>served him right</i>), I was the one actually <i>doing</i> something.


    I was out here <i>working,</i> searching for witches, trying to find someone who could help me out with that <i>illusion</i> Elena had told me about.


    Because if Ace had <i>witches</i> on his side, it meant we weren¡¯t just fighting a <i>man</i>¡ªwe were fighting <i>magic.</i>


    I just hoped I wasn¡¯t toote.


    One second, I was in the middle of tracking down a witch¡ªfollowing the scent of burned sage and damp earth¡ªwhen a <i>force</i> yanked me.


    Not physically.


    <i>Mentally.</i>


    It was sudden, disorienting, and something I <i>never</i> expected.


    I stumbled into a different ne, a different <i>space.</i> It was <i>her</i> space. Elena¡¯s.


    And fuck¡ª


    She was <i>naked.</i>


    I barely had time to register where we were before my eyesnded on her. Wet, glistening under the dim bathroom light, her skin flushed, her chest rising and falling in deep, uneven breaths. Her pupils were <i>dted</i>, lips swollen, her whole body <i>radiating</i> something dark.


    Something wild.


    Something that wasn¡¯t entirely <i>her.</i>


    "Elena," I rasped, my voice rough, strained. My instincts screamed at me¡ª<i>something was wrong.</i> This wasn¡¯t just lust. This wasn¡¯t just her reaching out to me because she <i>wanted</i> me.


    Something was <i>feasting</i> on her.


    The darkness.


    I cursed under my breath, moving so fast that I barely registered closing the distance. My hands found her face, gripping it gently but firmly, forcing her to look into my eyes.


    "Elena," I said again, but fuck¡ªshe wasn¡¯t <i>listening.</i>


    She wasn¡¯t <i>thinking.</i>


    She was <i>feeling.</i>


    Her arms wrapped around my neck, her lips crashing against mine, and fuck¡ªI was <i>done.</i>


    Whatever darkness was sinking its ws into her had already sunk its ws into <i>me.</i>


    And I wasn¡¯t about to fight it.


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    After our morning <i>activities</i> in Ace¡¯s office, I had to go back to my room to shower¡ªbut not before he reminded me that I still owed him one more kiss.


    I didn¡¯t know what it was, but after fucking Ace, something in me felt... <i>off.</i>


    <i>Darker.</i>


    There was this strange pull inside me, this restless energy pushing me to be <i>recklessly wild.</i>


    And the worst part?


    I <i>didn¡¯t</i> feel guilty about betraying my mate.


    If anything, it felt like a <i>thrill.</i>


    A dangerous, intoxicating rush, like walking on the edge of a knife and daring it to cut.


    Hell, if Ace hadn¡¯t cuffed me, I <i>would</i> have choked him as I rode him.


    <i>Who the fuck was I bing?</i>


    I didn¡¯t care.


    I didn¡¯t <i>want</i> to care.


    As the warm water cascaded over my body, I leaned against the tiled wall, closing my eyes.


    And fuck¡ª


    I <i>needed</i> to be fucked again.


    <i>Ruined.</i>


    There was this voice inside me, whispering, urging me on.


    <i>Be wicked.</i>


    <i>Be insatiable.</i>


    The warm water cascaded down my body, steam curling around me like a sinful embrace. My skin was <i>burning</i>¡ªbut not from the heat of the shower.


    <i>Fuck.</i>


    My body <i>ached.</i> My thighs squeezed together involuntarily, desperate for friction, for <i>more.</i>


    I trailed my hands down my body, over my stomach, up to my breasts, rolling my nipples between my fingers. A sharp gasp escaped my lips as pleasure shot through me. I squeezed, hard¡ªtugging, teasing, my back arching into my own touch.


    But it wasn¡¯t <i>enough.</i>


    My free hand slid lower, fingers skimming over my stomach before reaching the slick heat between my thighs. My breath hitched as I parted my folds, my fingertips brushing against my throbbing clit.


    <i>So wet.</i>


    I circled it, slowly at first, biting my lip as waves of pleasure rippled through me. My hips bucked instinctively, chasing the sensation, but it still wasn¡¯t <i>enough.</i>


    I needed <i>more.</i>


    Sliding two fingers inside, I moaned, my walls clenching greedily around them. I thrust deeper, curling them, pumping them in and out, my other hand still toying with my nipple. Thebination sent sparks of pleasure licking up my spine, my legs trembling as I rode my own hand.


    But even as my body hummed with sensation, even as my breath grew ragged and my moans filled the steamy air¡ª<i>it still wasn¡¯t enough.</i>


    I wanted to be <i>ruined.</i>


    I wanted to be <i>taken.</i>


    Frustration built inside me, my body aching for something <i>more,</i> something <i>deeper.</i>


    And then it <i>hit</i> me¡ª


    Dean.


    My mind <i>called</i> for him, my body craved him.


    A sudden pull, a tether snapping into ce.


    And before I could even register what was happening¡ª


    <i>He was there.</i>


    Materialized right in front of me.


    His eyes, wide. Shocked. Confused.


    I must have done what he usually did to <i>me</i>¡ªslipped into his mind, dragged him into my space.


    But fuck, I didn¡¯t care.


    Dean¡¯s gaze darted around, taking in the bathroom¡ªthe <i>steam,</i> the water dripping down my bare skin¡ªbefore his sharp, dark eyes locked onto mine.


    He cursed under his breath.


    Then, in an instant, he was <i>on me.</i>


    One hand gripped my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. His pupils were blown, a war raging inside them.


    "Elena," he growled. "The darkness... it¡¯s <i>feasting</i> on you."


    I didn¡¯t call him here to <i>talk.</i>


    I wrapped my arms around his neck and crashed my lips to his.

 Chapter 162: Addicted

    <h4>Chapter 162: Addicted</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s pov</strong>:


    I was so eager, so desperate, that I yanked off Dean¡¯s shirt, my fingers barely keeping up with the frantic need consuming me. He helped, his muscles flexing as he pulled it over his head, but before it could even hit the floor, my mouth crashed back onto his. Desperate. Starving. Wild.


    I sucked at his lips, nipping his lower one hard enough to make him groan, my hands already fumbling with his pants. My fingers brushed over his bulging hardness, straining against the fabric, and a wicked thrill shot straight between my legs. Fuck. I needed him.


    My lips never left his as my hand wrapped around his cock through the fabric, palming it, squeezing it just to hear him curse. He growled into my mouth, his grip tightening around my waist, but I wasn¡¯t stopping¡ªnot until I had him the way I needed.


    I tore at his belt, yanking it open, and slid his pants down just enough for his cock to spring free¡ªthick, heavy, already leaking. Mine. My lips trailed away from his, my teeth grazing down the sharp cut of his jaw, then lower, lower, my tongue tracing every hard line of his body.


    Gods, he was built for sin. Every muscle was tight and coiled, his abs rippling beneath my lips as I descended. Down past the sculpted ridges of his stomach. Down the delicious V-line that guided me straight to what I wanted most.


    His cock stood proud, throbbing, and I licked my lips. I could already taste him before I even touched him. With a smirk, I dragged my tongue up his length, slow and teasing, my hand circling the base.


    A sharp inhale. A growl. Then a harsh tug to my hair.


    "Fuck," Dean hissed, his fist tightening at the back of my scalp as I wrapped my lips around him.


    I moaned as I took him deeper, letting my tongue swirl around his tip before hollowing my cheeks and sucking hard. His grip on my hair turned brutal, his hips jerking forward as he fucked into my mouth, raw and needy, exactly how I wanted him to take my pussy.


    My nails dug into his thighs, encouraging him to go harder. His head tipped back, his abs flexing as he lost himself to the wet heat of my mouth, cursing my name like a prayer.


    And fuck, if I didn¡¯t love it.


    I let him take control, let him thrust deep until I could barely breathe, my throat stretching around his cock. The burn, the pressure, the sheer filth of it only made me wetter. I was soaking. I could feel my slick dripping down my thighs, my core clenching around nothing.


    I whimpered around him, rubbing my thighs together, desperate for friction, for anything¡ª but it wasn¡¯t enough.


    Dean must have sensed it because the next second, he yanked me up, my breath ragged, my lips swollen and wet from sucking him.


    "You¡¯re fucking dripping," he rasped, his hands roaming down my body, fingers trailing over my aching, sensitive nipples before gripping my waist hard enough to bruise. "You need to be fucked, don¡¯t you?"


    "Yes," I panted, grinding against him, feeling his cock rub against my soaked heat.


    "Say it," he ordered, his voice thick with dark hunger. "Tell me what you need."


    "I need you to fuck me, Dean. Hard."


    That was all it took.


    With a growl, he lifted me, spun me around, and bent me over the desk.


    And then he took me.


    Got it! Here¡¯s the continuation¡ªraw, dark, and unrelenting¡ªset in the steamy confines of the bathroom where Elena was showering.


    I barely had time to catch my breath before Dean spun me around, pressing my wet, naked body against the slick, cold tiles of the shower wall. Steam curled around us, thick and suffocating, but it was nothingpared to the heat between us.


    His hands were everywhere¡ªrough, demanding, iming. He grabbed a handful of my ass, squeezing, spreading me open as he dragged the heavy length of his cock along my slick folds, teasing, taunting, making me whimper.


    "Dean¡ª"


    "Shut up," he growled against my ear, his teeth scraping over my throat as he lined himself up and mmed into me.


    "Fuck!" My cry bounced off the bathroom walls, my nails scratching against the tiles as he stretched me wide, filling me in one brutal thrust. The delicious burn, the overwhelming fullness¡ªit was exactly what I needed.


    "That¡¯s it," he muttered, his lips hot against my skin as he pulled back and thrust deep again, harder, faster. "You wanted to be fucked hard? Then take it."


    I arched against him, meeting every punishing snap of his hips, moaning as the sound of skin pping against wet skin filled the shower. The pressure was relentless, intoxicating. Every time he drove into me, my body clenched tighter, my pleasure spiraling higher.


    I barely noticed when he grabbed my wrists¡ªstill slick from the water, still trembling from my earlier need¡ªand pinned them against the tiles above my head.


    "You¡¯re so fucking tight," he gritted out, his pace brutal, relentless, his cock dragging against every nerve inside me. "So fucking wet for me. You love this, don¡¯t you?"


    I could barely think, let alone respond. My breath came in short, desperate gasps, my legs shaking as the pressure built higher, hotter, unbearable.


    But just when I was about to break, just when I was seconds from crashing over the edge¡ª


    He pulled out.


    "No!" I gasped, my hips jerking, seeking him, chasing that release I was so close to.


    Dean chuckled, dark and wicked, gripping my waist and flipping me around to face him. My wrists were free now, but I felt more powerless than ever.


    "You thought I¡¯d let youe that easily?" he murmured, gripping my chin, forcing me to meet his dark, lust-drowned eyes. "Not until you scream my name."


    And then, before I could beg, before I could curse him¡ª


    He lifted me off my feet.


    My legs wrapped around his waist, his cock sliding back into me in one swift, brutal motion. My head tipped back, a strangled cry escaping my lips as he fucked up into me, using the slick tile for leverage.


    "Dean!" His name was ripped from my throat as he thrust into me harder, deeper, faster.


    "That¡¯s it," he grunted, his grip bruising on my hips as he pounded into me, fucking me against the wall like an animal.


    The sound of water pouring down, the p of our bodies colliding, the desperate moans and growls between us¡ªit was filthy, raw,pletely out of control.


    And I fucking loved it.


    His lips found mine in a bruising kiss, his tongue tasting, iming, owning me as he fucked me harder, as if he wanted to fuck me so deep I¡¯d feel him every time I moved.


    I was lost. Completely lost.


    I clung to him, my nails digging into his shoulders, his back, and still, it wasn¡¯t enough. I wanted more. I needed more.


    "Harder," I begged, biting his lower lip, my body trembling on the edge of something devastating. "Dean, harder!"


    "Fuck," he cursed, his arms tightening around me, and then¡ª


    He spun us again, carrying me out of the shower.


    We barely made it to the sink before he mmed me down onto the cold marble counter.


    I barely had time to adjust before he was inside me again, fucking me so deep and hard I swore I could feel him in my stomach.


    My hands flew to the edges of the sink, gripping it for dear life as he drove into me mercilessly, making the mirror shake, making my whole body quake.


    "Look at yourself," he demanded, one hand gripping my jaw, forcing my gaze to the mirror in front of us.


    I gasped at what I saw.


    My body¡ªwet, flushed, ruined. My lips swollen, my eyes dark with pure lust, my breasts bouncing with every forceful thrust of his hips.


    And Dean behind me, eyes ck with desire,pletely lost in me.


    "See how fucking beautiful you look?" he rasped, his grip tightening as he drove into me harder, chasing his own release. "How perfect you are when you¡¯re getting fucked like this?"


    I was close¡ªso close I could taste it. My body tensed, my legs trembling as he pushed me right to the edge again.


    "Come for me," he growled, his fingers finding my clit, rubbing rough, fast circles. "Fucking scream for me, Elena."


    That was all it took.


    My body shattered.


    I screamed his name, my back arching, my nails raking down his chest as pleasure tore through me, hot and violent and all-consuming. My walls clenched tight around him, milking him, dragging him over the edge with me.


    "Fuck¡ªElena!" he groaned, his thrusts turning erratic, his grip bruising as he came deep inside me, filling me with everything he had.


    For a long moment, we stayed like that, breathing hard,pletely spent, the only sound in the bathroom the dripping of water and the aftermath of what we had just done.


    Dean¡¯s forehead rested against mine, his breath ragged.


    "Fuck," he muttered, his voice still dark, still hungry. "That was..."


    I swallowed, my body still trembling, still wanting.


    "Not enough," I whispered.


    His head snapped up, his pupils still blown wide, his hands already roaming my body again.


    "Good," he smirked. "Because I¡¯m not fucking done with you yet."

 Chapter 163: Insatiable

    <h4>Chapter 163: Insatiable</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV</strong>


    "Good," Dean smirked, his eyes still dark, still hungry. "Because I¡¯m not fucking done with you yet."


    I barely had time to catch my breath before he grabbed my waist and lifted me off the sink, his cock slipping out of me, leaving me suddenly empty. A whimper escaped my lips at the loss, but he just smirked, walking me backward until the backs of my knees hit the bathroom counter.


    Heid me down on the cold marble, spreading my thighs wide, exposing how drenched I was, how messy I was from what we had just done.


    Dean¡¯s gaze dropped between my legs, his tongue darting out to wet his lips.


    "Look at you," he murmured, trailing a finger through the wetness pooling between my thighs. "So fucking ruined. So fucking mine."


    I moaned as he slid two fingers into me, curling them just right, making my back arch.


    "Dean..." My voice was breathy, desperate.


    His other hand gripped my breast, squeezing hard, his thumb rubbing over my hardened nipple.


    "You want more?" he rasped.


    I nodded, my chest rising and falling rapidly as he tweaked my nipple, sending a sharp jolt of pleasure straight to my core.


    Dean leaned down, wrapping his lips around my other nipple, sucking hard before biting just enough to make me cry out.


    "Fuck¡ª"


    "You like it when I bite you, don¡¯t you?" he murmured against my skin, flicking his tongue over the sensitive peak before sucking it deep into his mouth again.


    I whimpered, my hips lifting off the counter, chasing the pleasure, but his hand on my stomach shoved me back down.


    "Be still," he ordered, his voice dark,manding.


    Then he moved lower.


    Down, down, down¡ªuntil he was kneeling between my thighs.


    I gasped as I felt the first hot swipe of his tongue over my swollen clit, my fingers immediately fisting in his hair.


    "Dean¡ª!"


    "Shut up and take it," he growled before devouring me.


    His tongue dragged through my folds, swirling around my clit before sucking the sensitive bundle into his mouth, making me cry out, my legs trembling.


    "God¡ªfuck¡ª"


    Dean chuckled against me, the vibration sending shivers all the way up my spine.


    Then he got ruthless.


    His tongue flicked, licked, sucked, his fingers pumping into me hard and deep, stretching me open, curling just right, hitting that spot that had my stomach tightening.


    I was close. So close.


    "That¡¯s it," he murmured against my skin, his voice thick with dark amusement. "Come for me, Elena. Fucking drench me."


    And I did.


    My back arched violently, my thighs mping around his head as my orgasm crashed over me, hard, blinding, all-consuming.


    Dean didn¡¯t stop.


    Didn¡¯t let up.


    He kept going, licking me through it, dragging me over the edge again, milking everyst drop of pleasure from my body until I was a writhing mess beneath him.


    Only when I was shaking, gasping, begging did he finally pull away, his lips wet, his eyes dark and heavy with lust.


    "You taste fucking sinful," he growled, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand before climbing over me again, his cock pressing against my drenched entrance.


    "Dean," I whispered, still trembling, still aching for him.


    He smirked, gripping my hips and flipping me over so my chest was t against the cold counter, my ass in the air.


    "You wanted to be fucked hard?" he rasped against my ear. "Then take it."


    And with one brutal thrust, he was inside me again, stretching me wide, filling me to the hilt.


    I screamed, my nails wing at the marble as he fucked into me, relentless, punishing.


    "Fuck¡ªyou¡¯re so tight," he gritted out, his fingers digging into my hips, pulling me back to meet every devastating snap of his hips.


    The pleasure was unbearable, white-hot and filthy, sending shockwaves through my entire body.


    And Dean didn¡¯t stop.


    Didn¡¯t slow down.


    If anything, he got rougher, faster, harder.


    The sound of skin pping against skin, the filthy squelch of how wet I was for him, filled the bathroom.


    Dean grabbed my hair, fisting it tight, pulling my head back so his lips could graze my ear.


    "You fucking love this," he growled. "Love getting fucked like a slut, don¡¯t you?"


    I moaned shamelessly, pushing back against him, needing more, needing everything.


    His grip tightened in my hair.


    "Say it."


    "Yes¡ªfuck¡ªyes, I love it!"


    "Good girl."


    He let go of my hair, gripping my throat instead, squeezing just enough to make my pulse race.


    "Come again for me," he ordered, his thrusts turning brutal, devastating.


    And I did.


    I came hard, my walls mping down around him, milking him, my body convulsing as I screamed his name, my vision blurring.


    Dean groaned, his pace faltering, and then¡ª


    With one final, brutal thrust, he buried himself deep and came inside me, hard, hot, endless.


    For a long moment, neither of us moved.


    Breathing heavy, skin slick with sweat and water, bodiespletely spent.


    Dean copsed against me, his forehead pressed against my shoulder.


    "Fuck," he muttered, voice hoarse, raw. "You¡¯re gonna fucking kill me."


    I swallowed, my body still trembling, still wanting.


    Before I could ask for more¡ªbefore I could pull him back inside me and demand he ruin me again¡ªthe world around me shifted.


    The heat, the weight of Dean¡¯s body, the slick press of skin against skin¡ªall of it vanished.


    I gasped, my eyes snapping open, my chest heaving for breath.


    The steam from the shower was still thick in the air, clinging to my skin, but the bathroom was empty. No Dean. No rough hands gripping my hips. No cock buried deep inside me. No filthy whispers in my ear.


    Just me. Alone.


    Lying t on my back on the cold, wet tile.


    I stared up at the ceiling, disoriented, still trembling, still aching. My entire body felt wrung out, thoroughly fucked¡ªbut there was no one here.


    What the fuck just happened?


    Had it been a dream? An illusion? A product of whatever darkness had been wing at me, pushing me into reckless, insatiable lust?


    But it hadn¡¯t felt like a dream.


    I could still feel the ghost of his hands on me.


    The phantom ache between my legs.


    The lingering pulse of pleasure that shivered through my spine, as real as any orgasm I had ever had.


    I swallowed, sitting up slowly, my legs weak, my entire body still humming from the intensity.


    Fuck.


    I ran a shaky hand through my damp hair, my mind still spinning, still struggling to separate reality from whatever had just happened.


    Because deep down, I knew one thing for certain.


    Dean had been there.


    I had pulled him to me.


    And now...


    Now I was left with a hunger that I wasn¡¯t sure could ever be satisfied.


    And worst of all?


    I wanted to do it again.


    <strong>Dean¡¯s POV</strong>


    Fuck.


    I found myself t on my back on the forest floor, my chest rising and falling rapidly, my entire body still pulsing from the raw, mind-melting pleasure I had just experienced.


    Except¡ªit wasn¡¯t real.


    Not fully.


    I looked down at myself, at the wet stain darkening the front of my pants, and growled, running a hand over my face.


    Elena.


    She had pulled me into her mind, into whatever dark hunger was devouring her from the inside. And fuck, I had felt everything¡ªthe way she touched herself, the way she had begged for more without even realizing it, the way her body had taken me so perfectly.


    Too perfectly.


    And that¡¯s when the truth hit me like a punch to the gut.


    Kane¡¯s darkness.


    That stupid, reckless bastard.


    His darkness was spreading into her, corrupting her, twisting her cravings into something dangerous. And worse?


    She was alone.


    Neither Kane nor I were with her. Which meant she would go to any length to satisfy the need that was consuming her. Any fucking length.


    And Kane?


    He would feel every second of it.


    Every moan that left her lips, every time she sought out someone else to fill the void, every moment she gave in to that insatiable addiction.


    And it would break him.


    I let out a sharp breath, pushing myself to my feet. I needed to find her. Now. Before she did something¡ª**or someone¡ª**that would send Kane spiraling into more fucking misery.


    Great. Fucking great.


    When I saw Kane again, I was going to kick his ass.


    For being weak.


    For letting his darkness slip into Elena.


    For failing her.


    Because if I didn¡¯t fix this fast, he wouldn¡¯t be the only one losing her.


    We both would.


    I needed to find a witch¡ªfast.


    And knowing them? This wasn¡¯t going to be easy.


    Witches weren¡¯t exactly weing, especially to a vampire like me. They preferred to keep their secrets locked away, hidden behind spells and illusions, away from the prying hands of creatures who could tear them apart.


    But I didn¡¯t have time for their secrecy.


    I didn¡¯t have time for their rules.


    If negotiations wouldn¡¯t work?


    Then I¡¯d do it the hard way.


    I ran a hand through my hair, my jaw clenching. Elena didn¡¯t have time to wait. Every second that passed, Kane¡¯s darkness was sinking deeper into her, twisting her desires, pushing her to find release in the worst ways possible.


    And the more she gave in to that hunger, the more Kane would suffer.


    A small, twisted part of me wanted to let him. Let him feel what it was like to be powerless, to feel his mate taken over by something he couldn¡¯t control.


    But I couldn¡¯t do that.


    Not when Elena was the one paying the price.


    Not when I was losing her too.


    I turned on my heel, eyes locked on the darkening sky.


    If there was even a single witch left in this territory, I would find them.


    And if they refused to help?


    Then I¡¯d make them.

 Chapter 164: Deadly Seduction

    <h4>Chapter 164: Deadly Seduction</h4>


    <strong>Alexia¡¯s POV</strong>


    I finished my shower.


    And for your information? I took a cold one.


    Not that it helped much.


    The icy water did little to curb the fire burning inside me. My skin still tingled with want, my body still thrummed with need. It was like I was running on Aphrodite¡¯s own damn essence, my desires insatiable, my hunger never-ending.


    I needed more.


    I needed to be touched. Ruined.


    I wanted to be fucked so hard that my body forgot how to stand, that my legs trembled with every step, that my mind was too blissfully wrecked to think of anything else.


    And worst of all?


    I wasn¡¯t ashamed of it.


    If anything, I craved it even more.


    <strong>Ace¡¯s POV</strong>


    The moment I stepped into the room, I knew something was wrong.


    Elena stood there in a sinfully short, body-hugging dress, her curves on full disy, her dark eyes locked onto one of my guards. The poor bastard looked smitten¡ªentranced, even¡ªbut beneath the desire in his eyes, I saw the fear. He was scared of touching what belonged to me.


    Smart man.


    Or at least, he would have been if he hadn¡¯t let his cock think for him.


    I watched, jaw clenching, as she leaned in, her lips brushing his.


    And the idiot? He kissed her.


    My grip tightened on my gun. The fucker.


    I knew what she was doing. Toying with him. Manipting him to get information. She was trying to escape. But did that piss me off? No.


    What made my blood boil¡ªwhat made my vision darken¡ªwas the sight of her giving her mouth to another man.


    Without hesitation, I pulled the trigger.


    A single gunshot echoed in the room.


    The silver bullet tore through his skull. His body crumpled before he even realized he was dead.


    I expected Elena to scream.


    But she didn¡¯t.


    She didn¡¯t even flinch.


    Instead, she simply frowned, looking down at the corpse like she was merely disappointed. Then, slowly, she turned her head toward me.


    And the moment our eyes met, I knew.


    Something was wrong.


    This wasn¡¯t the Elena I knew. This wasn¡¯t the woman I had fucked.


    This Elena? She was different.


    Darker.


    She smirked, a slow, sultry curve of her lips, and began walking toward me, her hips swaying with purpose.


    Fuck.


    She was a temptress, a goddess of sin draped in red, her dress clinging to her like a second skin, exposing long, toned legs that I wanted wrapped around me.


    "I do owe you a kiss, don¡¯t I?" she murmured, voice like warm honey. "Why don¡¯t I fulfill my debt?"


    The way she said it¡ªso teasing, so seductive¡ªmade my cock twitch.


    Then, she was right in front of me, fingers trailing up my chest, her touch electric, burning through my shirt.


    Slowly, so fucking slowly, she reached up, wrapped her hands around my neck, and pulled me down.


    Her breath was warm against my lips.


    Then, she kissed me.


    Fuck.


    She was sin itself.


    And I was a man who had never learned how to say no to sin.


    I should have cared about the dead body.


    I should have been furious that she tried to escape.


    I should have shoved her away, demanded an exnation, anything but this.


    But the moment her lips pressed against mine, all reason burned away.


    She tasted like sin¡ªlike something forbidden, dark, and utterly intoxicating. My hands instinctively gripped her waist, pulling her flush against me, feeling the heat of her body seeping through that scandalous dress.


    "Elena..." I growled against her lips, my voice a warning. But she didn¡¯t heed it. No. She thrived on it.


    She tilted her head, deepening the kiss, her nails raking through my hair. She wanted to consume me. And fuck¡ªI wanted to let her.


    Her lips left mine, trailing down my jaw, my neck, sucking, biting¡ªmarking me. I hissed as she bit just above my pulse, the sting sending a jolt straight to my cock.


    "You taste good, Ace," she murmured, voice sultry, teasing. "I wonder if the rest of you does too."


    Fuck.


    My grip on her tightened, but before I could regain control, her hands were already on my belt, unbuckling it with practiced ease.


    "You¡¯re ying a dangerous game, Elena," I rasped.


    She smirked, eyes dark, wild, insatiable. "And you love it."


    Damn right I did.


    I slid my hands down her back, only to freeze.


    No panties.


    A deep, primal growl rumbled from my chest.


    "Elena," I warned again, but she only giggled, pressing herself against me, letting me feel just how wet she was.


    "I told you I was paying my debt," she purred, grinding against my already hard cock through my pants.


    Fuck the consequences.


    I grabbed her thighs, lifting her effortlessly. Her legs wrapped around me, her bare cunt rubbing against my abs through my shirt, and I felt everything.


    So fucking wet. So ready.


    But I wasn¡¯t going to give her what she wanted so easily.


    Not yet.


    With her pinned against the wall, I slid a hand between us, my fingers brushing through her slick folds.


    Soaking. Dripping. Begging for me.


    "You¡¯re this wet from teasing my guard?" I taunted, running a single finger up and down her slit, deliberately slow.


    "No," she gasped, arching into my touch. "From you, Ace. Only you."


    Damn liar. But I didn¡¯t care.


    I pushed a finger inside her, deep.


    She moaned, head falling back against the wall.


    "Fuck, Ace¡ª"


    I curled my finger, rubbing against the spot that made her legs tighten around me. She was already squeezing me so hard, needy, desperate, filthy.


    One finger wasn¡¯t enough.


    I added a second, stretching her, fucking her with my fingers as my thumb teased her clit.


    Her moans became shameless.


    Her hands tangled in my hair, yanking as she rocked against me. Fucking my fingers like she wished it was my cock.


    "You love this, don¡¯t you?" I growled, biting at her neck. "Being fucked like this. Being mine."


    "Yes," she gasped, her walls clenching around me.


    I knew she was close. So close.


    I could feel her body trembling, her breathing in ragged gasps, her nails digging into my shoulders.


    I pulled my fingers out.


    She whimpered.


    I smirked, bringing my fingers to my lips, tasting her. Sweet. Addictive.


    "Tease," she hissed.


    I chuckled darkly. "You started it."


    I didn¡¯t give her a chance to argue. I freed my cock, thick and pulsing, pressing against her entrance.


    Her eyes widened slightly, as if finally realizing just how deep I was about to im her.


    "I¡¯m going to fuck you," I told her, voice rough with restraint. "And you do remember that I don¡¯t fuck soft."


    A wicked grin spread across her lips. "Then don¡¯t."


    That was all the permission I needed.


    With one powerful thrust, I buried myself inside her.


    Tight. Hot. Fucking perfect.


    Her scream was pure ecstasy.


    And I had no intention of stopping until she waspletely, thoroughly ruined.


    I mmed into her, hard and deep, pinning her against the cold wall as I buried myself to the hilt. Tight. Wet. Fucked for me.


    Elena moaned loudly, her head thrown back, fingers wing at my shoulders, but I didn¡¯t let up. I wasn¡¯t gentle. I didn¡¯t take my time.


    I fucked her the way I knew she wanted¡ªraw, brutal, unrelenting.


    Each thrust forced a gasp, a curse, a moan from her lips. I felt her body clenching, gripping me, taking every inch I gave her. The sound of our bodies colliding filled the hallway¡ªfilthy, wet, desperate.


    She should¡¯ve been struggling to keep up. She should¡¯ve been screaming in overstimtion, wing at me, trying to push me away.


    But she didn¡¯t.


    She took it.


    And she wanted more.


    "More," she gasped, wrapping her legs tighter around me, forcing me deeper.


    I growled, snapping my hips harder, grinding into her with every thrust. "Greedy little thing."


    Her nails scraped down my back, dragging fire along my skin, but the pain only fueled me.


    I shifted, grabbing her by the throat, tilting her head back so I could watch her fall apart.


    Her lips were parted, her eyes dark and hazy with lust, pupils blown wide.


    But there was something else.


    Something off.


    Most women¡ªhell, most people¡ªwould be wrecked by now, shaking, spent. But not her.


    Her body trembled, her walls clenched tight around me, her breath came in gasps¡ªbut she wasn¡¯t satisfied.


    She wanted more.


    She needed more.


    Her body rocked against mine, desperate, insatiable.


    "You¡¯re still not satisfied, are you?" I muttered, mming her harder against the wall.


    She whimpered, grinding against me, rolling her hips, chasing more friction.


    "Fuck," I growled, dragging her off the wall and spinning her around.


    She barely had time to catch herself before I grabbed her hips, pulling her ass up, pressing her back down against the cold floor.


    And then I mmed back into her.


    She screamed¡ªnot in pain, but in pure, raw pleasure.


    I grabbed her hips, holding her in ce as I fucked her deep and mercilessly, my fingers digging into her flesh hard enough to leave bruises.


    Her body rocked against me, meeting my every thrust, taking every inch like she was made for it.


    Her moans turned into guttural sounds, broken gasps, raw, filthy cries.


    I reached down, fisting her hair, yanking her head back.


    Her back arched, her ass pushing against me, her body offering itself up to me.


    I leaned down, biting the side of her neck, sucking a bruise into her skin.


    Mine.


    She was fucking mine.


    And yet¡ª


    She still wanted more.


    Her fingers clutched the edges of the sink, knuckles white, her body shaking, but she wasn¡¯t spent.


    She should be wrecked, exhausted, unable to take another second of this rough fucking¡ªbut she wasn¡¯t.


    "More," she panted. "Harder."


    My eyes narrowed.


    The fuck?


    Her body clenched around me, sucking me in, pulling me deeper, but I could feel it¡ªthis wasn¡¯t just lust.


    This was something else.


    Something darker.


    And I wasn¡¯t sure I was the one in control anymore.

 Chapter 165: Something Wrong Somewhere

    <h4>Chapter 165: Something Wrong Somewhere</h4>


    <strong>Ace¡¯s POV</strong>


    I linked someone to clean up the hallway, not sparing the dead guard another nce as I hoisted Elena into my arms. She didn¡¯t protest.


    Her legs wrapped around my waist, arms drapedzily over my shoulders, her breath hot against my neck. Still trembling, still needing.


    I should¡¯ve been fucking furious. She had kissed another man¡ªright in front of me. And worse, she wasn¡¯t even fazed when I put a bullet in his skull.


    But instead of guilt or fear, she only looked at me with hunger.


    Something was wrong.


    She wasn¡¯t just insatiable¡ªshe was possessed by whatever darkness was wing at her insides.


    And yet, despite knowing this, despite feeling the wrongness creeping along my skin, I was still carrying her back to my room.


    Because I wanted her. Because I needed to understand what the fuck was happening to her.


    I kicked the door open, stepping inside before mming it shut behind me.


    She smirked.


    That slow, sultry, wicked smirk¡ªlike she already knew she had me exactly where she wanted.


    And fuck me, she did.


    I tossed her onto the bed, her body bouncing slightly against the mattress.


    Her dress had ridden up, exposing soft thighs, bare skin¡ªno panties.


    She spread her legs slightly, teasing me with the sight of her glistening heat. Waiting. Wanting. Daring.


    My jaw clenched.


    "You¡¯re not even trying to hide it, are you?"


    She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Hide what?"


    I crawled over her, pinning her wrists above her head. "The fact that you¡¯re fucking different."


    She bit her lip, arching her back, pressing her breasts against my chest.


    "I thought you liked me like this," she purred, rolling her hips up against my still-hard cock.


    Fuck.


    I squeezed my eyes shut, gritting my teeth as I fought for control.


    I needed answers. I needed to know what the fuck was happening to her.


    But she was a goddamn temptation.


    Her scent was overwhelming¡ªa mix of sweet and sinful, somethingced with need,ced with darkness.


    She was fire and chaos, destruction and desire.


    And I was fucking burning.


    Her lips brushed against my jaw. "You¡¯re hesitating."


    I grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at me. "Because I know this isn¡¯t you."


    Sheughed.


    Not her usualugh.


    No.


    This was low, taunting, drenched in seduction.


    "Then maybe you don¡¯t know me at all."


    I cursed under my breath, staring at her¡ªreally staring.


    Her eyes were wild, but not desperate.


    Her body was shaking, but not weak.


    And yet, I could feel it¡ªthe hunger, the need, the aching void inside her demanding more.


    This wasn¡¯t just about pleasure anymore.


    This was something darker.


    And I needed to figure out what the fuck was happening before I lost myselfpletely.


    "When did you start to get this horny?" I questioned, my grip tightening around her wrists.


    At first, I thought she was in heat. But no.


    A female wolf in heat would be writhing in agony, desperate for relief. Her scent would be enough to drive any unmated male into madness, into a frenzy of need.


    But Elena? She wasn¡¯t in pain.


    She wasn¡¯t whining or begging like a wolf in heat would.


    She was just... insatiable.


    And that was the problem.


    Her body was reacting like she was in heat¡ªbut her scent wasn¡¯t changing.


    I narrowed my eyes, studying her.


    She smirked, rolling her hips up against me again, rubbing against my cock like she didn¡¯t care about anything else.


    "Does it matter?" she purred.


    Yes.


    Yes, it fucking mattered.


    Because something wasn¡¯t right.


    Because I had seen her hungry before¡ªbut not like this.


    Because this wasn¡¯t normal.


    And yet, even knowing that... even feeling the wrongness slithering in the air between us... I still wanted her.


    Fuck.


    I needed to get my head straight. I needed to figure out what the fuck was going on.


    But when she looked up at me like that¡ªwith those dark, sinful eyes, that teasing smirk, her body arching and pressing against mine like she was made to be fucked¡ªI was losing my grip.


    I exhaled sharply, staring her down.


    "What the fuck happened to you, Elena?"


    She started unbuttoning my shirt, her fingers slow, teasing, sinful. Her nails dragged lightly over my chest, sending shivers down my spine.


    I knew where this was going.


    I knew I should stop her¡ªpush her away, demand answers, figure out what the fuck was wrong with her.


    But goddess, it felt too good.


    Her touch was a drug, a seduction so deep it tangled around my instincts, pulling me under.


    My breathing grew heavier as she slid her hands lower, her palm pressing against my abdomen before trailing down to the growing bulge in my pants.


    Fuck.


    I clenched my jaw, but I didn¡¯t move to stop her.


    She smirked, knowing she had me exactly where she wanted me.


    Her fingers worked my belt open, the sound of the metal buckle clinking against the silence. She pressed her palm against my cock, massaging, stroking, teasing me through the fabric.


    And that was it.


    I was fucking sold.


    Another round couldn¡¯t hurt, right?


    I let out a low growl, grabbing her hips and pulling her against me, iming her lips in a rough, punishing kiss.


    <strong>*******</strong>


    She was fire. Wild, consuming, and untamed.


    I should have been questioning what the fuck was happening to her¡ªwhy she was acting this way. But the moment her fingers started working my buttons open, her touch hot against my chest, I lost all sense of restraint.


    Her eyes, dark pools of something wicked, locked onto mine as she dragged her nails down my torso, teasing the sharp lines of my muscles. Her lips parted slightly, her breath warm against my skin as she leaned in, her tongue flicking over my corbone.


    "Still resisting?" she murmured, her voice silkced with sin.


    Fuck. I should.


    I should have pushed her away, forced answers from her, done anything but let her take control. But the second she palmed my cock through my pants, a sharp groan left my throat, and I knew I was already hers.


    She smirked. Knew exactly what she was doing.


    With quick, desperate fingers, she undid my belt, yanking it free before working my pants open. My cock was already hard, thick, aching, straining against the fabric. The moment she shoved them down, her eyes dropped, and her tongue flicked over her bottom lip.


    "Big," she whispered, her fingers curling around my shaft, stroking slow.


    I hissed through my teeth. "You really don¡¯t give a fuck, do you?"


    She looked up at me, those darkened eyes full of something dangerous. "No," she said simply, then licked a slow, deliberate path up my length.


    My breath punched out of my lungs. My hands fisted in her hair as she took me into her mouth, her lips sealing around me as she hollowed her cheeks and sucked hard.


    "Fuck," I growled, my head tipping back for a brief moment before I snapped my gaze down to her. "Goddamn it, Elena¡ª"


    She moaned around me, the vibration sending a jolt of heat straight to my spine. I clenched my jaw, fighting against the urge to thrust deeper into her mouth, to fuck her throat raw, but fuck, she wasn¡¯t making it easy. Her hands gripped my thighs as she took me deeper, her tongue swirling around my tip before dragging down the thick vein along my length.


    I yanked her off me by her hair, a gasp leaving her swollen lips. She looked up at me, chest heaving, pupils blown wide with hunger.


    "You¡¯re ying with fire," I warned, my voice dark.


    "Then burn me," she whispered.


    That was it.


    I hauled her up, crashing my lips to hers, swallowing the filthy moan that left her mouth. Her legs wrapped around my waist as I carried her toward the bed, my hands gripping her thighs, squeezing, kneading.


    And then I felt it.


    Bare skin. No panties.


    A growl tore from my chest. "You little fucking¡ª"


    I didn¡¯t finish my sentence before I threw her onto the bed, flipping her onto her stomach. She gasped as I grabbed her hips, yanking her ass up, her back arching, exposing the wetness between her thighs.


    Dripping. Fucking soaking.


    I ran my fingers through her slick heat, groaning as I spread her open. "You wanted this bad, didn¡¯t you?"


    She whined, pushing back against my hand, desperate for more friction.


    I chuckled darkly. "Desperate little thing."


    Then I shoved two fingers deep inside her.


    She cried out, her hands gripping the sheets as I fucked her with my fingers, slow at first, curling them just right until I felt her walls mp around me. Then I added a third, stretching her, fucking her rough, thrusting in and out as she gasped and moaned, grinding against my hand like a fucking addict.


    "That¡¯s it," I murmured, leaning down, my lips brushing her ear. "You take what I give you. Just like that."


    She keened, her legs trembling.


    I pulled my fingers out, slick with her arousal, and shoved them into her mouth. "Taste yourself."


    She moaned around them, sucking greedily, her tongue swirling over my fingers as her hips rolled back, wordlessly begging for more.


    I gave her more.


    Lining myself up, I thrust into her in one brutal stroke.


    She screamed, her body jerking, her back bowing as I filled herpletely, stretching her wide.


    "Fuck," I snarled. "Tight little pussy."


    Her nails wed at the sheets as I pulled back, only to m into her again, harder this time. She choked out a moan, shuddering beneath me, her body taking everything I gave her.


    I didn¡¯t ease up.


    I fucked her deep, rough, each thrust driving her higher, making her gasp, cry out, whimper. My hands gripped her hips hard enough to leave bruises, holding her in ce as I pounded into her.


    She took it. Craved it.


    But no matter how hard I fucked her, she wanted more.


    "More," she begged, her voice wrecked. "Harder."


    Jesus fucking Christ.


    I flipped her onto her back, spreading her wide as I mmed into her again, watching her face twist in pleasure, her lips parting on a silent scream.


    I dropped down, capturing her mouth in a bruising kiss, my tongue fucking into her mouth the same way my cock fucked into her dripping cunt.


    Her legs wrapped around me, locking tight, dragging me deeper.


    She was close. I could feel it. The way her walls clenched around me, the way her body trembled, the way her breath hitched with every thrust.


    I reached between us, rubbing tight circles over her clit, pushing her toward the edge.


    She shattered.


    Her body seized, her back arching, a sharp, broken scream ripping from her throat as she came hard, her pussy pulsing around my cock, milking me.


    I cursed, my body tightening, my release barreling toward me like a fucking freight train. With one final, brutal thrust, I buried myself deep and let go, groaning her name as I spilled inside her.


    We stayed like that for a moment, both panting, both wrecked.


    But then she stirred.


    Lifted her head.


    And that fucking look in her eyes...


    Still hungry.


    Still not fucking satisfied.


    I frowned, brushing damp hair from her face. "Elena..."


    She smiledzily, but there was something dark in it. "I want more."


    My stomach clenched.


    Something was very, very wrong.


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 Chapter 166: Get Me A Witch!

    <h4>Chapter 166: Get Me A Witch!</h4>


    <strong>Ace POV</strong>


    I should have been done.


    I should have been too exhausted to go again.


    But Elena... fuck. There was something about her tonight¡ªsomething dark, insatiable, andpletely unhinged. And it was dragging me under with her.


    She was sprawled beneath me, her skin damp, her breath uneven, and her body still trembling from thest orgasm I had just fucked out of her.


    But those eyes...


    They weren¡¯t satisfied.


    Even now, even after I had just filled her, stretched her, pounded into her like a fucking beast¡ªshe still wanted more.


    "Elena," I rasped, brushing my fingers over her jaw, needing to understand what the fuck was happening to her. "How the fuck are you still¡ª"


    She didn¡¯t let me finish.


    With a wicked smirk, she pushed me onto my back, straddling me, her bare heat pressing against my still-sensitive cock.


    "You¡¯re not done, are you?" she whispered, running her hands down my chest, nails dragging lightly over my skin, making my muscles twitch under her touch.


    Fuck.


    I clenched my jaw as she rolled her hips, teasing, rubbing herself along my length, slick and dripping, making me ache to be inside her again.


    I should have said no.


    But then she leaned down, dragging her tongue up the side of my neck before biting down just hard enough to make me groan, her fingers wrapping around my cock, stroking me back to full hardness.


    I lost it.


    With a snarl, I grabbed her hips, lifting her, and mmed her down onto me in one hard stroke.


    She cried out, her nails digging into my chest as I filled her to the hilt, her walls clenching around me in desperate hunger.


    "You really don¡¯t know when to stop, do you?" I growled, thrusting up into her, making her whimper.


    She grinned, fucking grinned, as she started riding me, rolling her hips in slow, deep circles, taking me all the way in before lifting up just enough to leave me wanting, then mming back down again.


    I hissed. "Fuck, Elena¡ª"


    She was tight, so fucking tight, and she knew exactly what she was doing, torturing me with the way she moved, the way she clenched around me, her hands braced against my chest as she rode me hard and desperate.


    The sound of her slick arousal and the p of our bodies meeting filled the room, along with our ragged breathing and the low, needy moans slipping from her lips.


    I gripped her waist, guiding her movements, fucking up into her brutally, mercilessly, making her cry out with each powerful thrust.


    She was so goddamn wet, dripping down my cock, soaking mepletely as she moved faster, her breathing turning shaky, uneven.


    "Ace," she gasped, her fingers wing into my skin, her body shaking as she neared another orgasm.


    I didn¡¯t let up.


    I flipped her onto her stomach, pressing her face against the mattress as I yanked her hips up, aligning myself with her soaked, aching core.


    And then I mmed into her again from behind, my grip on her waist bruising as I fucked her hard, deep, rough¡ªexactly how she wanted it.


    She screamed, her hands fisting the sheets as she pushed back against me, taking every brutal stroke like she couldn¡¯t get enough.


    I reached forward, grabbing her by the throat, pulling her upright so her back was against my chest, my cock still buried deep inside her.


    "You like this, don¡¯t you?" I growled into her ear, squeezing her throat lightly, making her moan.


    "Yes," she gasped, rolling her hips, her walls fluttering around me. "More, Ace¡ªplease¡ª"


    "Greedy fucking girl," I snarled, shoving her back down and fucking her faster, chasing my own release as her body clenched so tight it nearly made me lose my mind.


    And then she broke.


    She screamed my name, her body convulsing as she came hard, soaking me, dripping onto the sheets, her orgasm tearing through her like a violent storm.


    I cursed, thrusting deep one final time before I followed her over the edge, spilling inside her, my body shaking from the intensity of it.


    We copsed, our breaths heavy, uneven.


    But then she moved again.


    I stiffened as she turned onto her side, trailing her fingers down my stomach, toward my cock again.


    "Elena¡ª" I started, but then she wrapped her fingers around me, stroking, teasing, milking me back to hardness with slow, torturous strokes.


    "Again," she murmured, her voice low, needy.


    "Fuck."


    I barely had anything left in me¡ªbut she wasn¡¯t done.


    She pulled me on top of her, her legs wrapping around my waist, her soaked entrance rubbing against my tip.


    "Inside," she whispered, dragging me closer.


    I gave in.


    With onest deep thrust, I buried myself inside her again, groaning at how fucking good she felt, still tight, still desperate, still taking me like she was made for this.


    I moved slow this time, deep, controlled thrusts, rolling my hips, stretching her, hitting every spot that made her moan.


    She wed at my back, her body arching, her legs tightening around me, and I knew she was close again.


    I reached down, rubbing her clit in tight circles, making her shudder. "Come for me, Elena."


    She shattered beneath me, her entire body convulsing as another intense orgasm ripped through her, her walls milking my cock as I pounded into her harder, faster, until I couldn¡¯t fucking hold on any longer.


    With one final, brutal thrust, I buried myself as deep as I could, emptying inside her onest time, groaning as my body shook with pleasure.


    And then she finally went still.


    Her breathing slowed, her body rxed, hershes fluttering closed as she copsed into the bed.


    For the first time tonight, she lookedpletely spent.


    I stared at her, panting, dazed, my muscles aching, my cock finally drained of everyst drop I had.


    I had never fucked anyone so many times in one night.


    Never felt sopletely exhausted, so utterly drained.


    But Elena?


    I wasn¡¯t sure if she had finally gotten enough¡ªor if this was just the beginning of something far, far worse.


    Elena finally drifted off to sleep, her breathing soft and even, exhaustion finally catching up to her.


    Her body waspletely spent¡ªslick with sweat, flushed from exertion, her lips still slightly parted as if she had fallen asleep mid-moan.


    I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply.


    This wasn¡¯t normal.


    I had fucked her senseless, given her more than any normal body could take, emptied myself inside her until I thought I had nothing left to give¡ªand yet she still wanted more.


    The way she had looked at me, the hunger in her eyes, the way she had begged for more even when her body should have given out hours ago¡ªsomething was wrong.


    And I was done ignoring it.


    I needed answers.


    Now.


    I sat up, carefully lifting her limp body, carrying her to the bathroom to clean her up.


    She didn¡¯t stir, didn¡¯t react¡ªjusty there,pletely out, her body finally betraying her exhaustion.


    Good.


    That gave me time.


    I took my time, gently wiping her down, washing away the mess of our sweat, cum, and her own arousal. As much as she had driven me insane tonight, as much as she had tempted and consumed me like a fucking subus, I wasn¡¯t a monster.


    She was mine to fuck, yes.


    But she was also mine to take care of.


    Once she was clean and presentable, I carefully dressed her, tucking her under the sheets before I stood and reached for my pants.


    Then I linked one of my men.


    "Find me a witch. Now."


    There was a pause. Then, a hesitant response.


    "Alpha, a witch? You know they don¡¯t¡ª"


    "I don¡¯t give a fuck what they do and don¡¯t do." I growled, pulling my shirt over my head. "Find one. Bring her to me. If you have to drag her here kicking and screaming, do it."


    Another pause. Then, finally¡ª


    "Yes, Alpha."


    I cut the link and turned back to the bed.


    Elena was still out cold, her chest rising and falling steadily.


    I exhaled slowly.


    If she wasn¡¯t possessed, then I didn¡¯t know what the fuck was happening to her.


    But one thing was clear¡ª


    Whatever this was, it wasn¡¯t just lust.


    It was something darker, something twisted, and I was going to get to the bottom of it before it consumed herpletely.

 Chapter 167: Killing Kane

    <h4>Chapter 167: Killing Kane</h4>


    <strong>Ace POV</strong>


    A knock at the door echoed through the room, and even without turning, I could already tell who it was.


    Their scents hit me first¡ªmy Gamma, and Lucy, the witch I had been keeping as a prisoner.


    I didn¡¯t bother adjusting Elena¡¯s sleeping form before allowing them to enter.


    The door creaked open, and my Gamma stepped in first, dragging Lucy along. She was still in chains, and the moment she stepped into the room, she sneered at me, the heavy cuffs around her wrists clinking as she shifted her weight defiantly.


    "Let me guess," she said, tilting her head with mock amusement, "you finally realized something¡¯s wrong with your little fucktoy?"


    I narrowed my eyes, suppressing the growl bubbling in my chest.


    Lucy had never liked me. Not since the day I captured her.


    And honestly? The feeling was mutual.


    But she was useful. And as much as I wanted to rip her throat out for her constant attitude, I needed her alive¡ªfor now.


    I exhaled, leveling her with a cold re. "Tell me what¡¯s wrong with her."


    Lucy snorted, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she smirked.


    "As if I¡¯m going to help you," she scoffed, her eyes flickering with mischief.


    I clenched my jaw.


    Of course, she was going to be difficult.


    Great.


    Now we had to do this the hard way.


    I nced at my Gamma, and without a word, he moved, grabbing Lucy by the back of the neck and forcing her to her knees.


    She grunted, shooting daggers at me.


    "Are you seriously going to threaten me?" she spat. "You think I haven¡¯t been through worse?"


    I smirked.


    "Threaten you?" I crouched down, leveling my face with hers. "Oh no, Lucy. I don¡¯t threaten."


    I grabbed her by the jaw, forcing her to look at me.


    "I make promises."


    Her defiant expression faltered for a fraction of a second, but then she huffed, rolling her eyes.


    "This is why witches hate wolves," she muttered.


    I tightened my grip.


    "And yet, here you are," I mused. "Still breathing. Still alive. Because I¡¯ve let you."


    Her nostrils red.


    I gestured behind me, toward the bed where Elenay, motionless, drained from whatever the hell was happening to her.


    "I need answers. Now." My voice was sharp,ced with warning. "You helped create this illusion that keeps us hidden from Kane. You know how magic works. So tell me what the fuck is wrong with her before I lose my patience."


    Lucy¡¯s eyes flickered toward Elena¡¯s sleeping form, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of something other than amusement in them.


    Interest.


    Maybe even concern.


    She shifted slightly, her chains clinking as she exhaled.


    "Fine," she muttered. "But you¡¯re not gonna like what I have to say."


    Lucy scoffed, shaking her head like I was the biggest idiot she¡¯d ever met. "But you have to let me go."


    I snorted.


    "The only thing I can give you is a shower and good food. Or a painful death." My voice was menacing, my patience wearing thin. "Your pick."


    She rolled her eyes, muttering something under her breath about "wolves and their dramatics," but took a step closer to Elena.


    I growled.


    Loudly.


    Lucy stopped, turning to me like I¡¯d suddenly grown two heads. "You do realize that for me to tell you what¡¯s wrong with her, I actually have to examine her first, right?" she said, arching an eyebrow.


    I didn¡¯t respond, but I didn¡¯t stop her either.


    Taking that as permission, she moved closer, studying Elena carefully.


    But the moment she spotted the mate mark on Elena¡¯s neck, she let out a low chuckle, shaking her head.


    "You wolves pride yourselves on mate bonds... and yet, here you are, fucking another man¡¯s mate."


    I let out a warning snarl, my wolf wing beneath my skin, demanding blood.


    "I told you to examine her," I snapped, my voice dripping with hostility. "Not to lecture me."


    Lucy smirked. "Hit a nerve, did I?"


    "Tell me what¡¯s wrong with her before I tear you limb from limb," I growled, my ws slipping through my fingertips, itching to rip that smug expression right off her face.


    The witch sighed, clearly unimpressed with my threats.


    "The problem isn¡¯t her," she finally said, tilting her head slightly. "It¡¯s her mate. He¡¯s releasing something through the mate bond that¡¯s affecting her."


    My jaw tightened.


    Kane.


    Even without being anywhere near her, he still managed to hurt her.


    That bastard.


    My teeth gritted together as I forced myself to remain calm. "Can you break the mate bond?" I asked, my voice sharp, clipped.


    Lucy blinked.


    And then sheughed. Loudly.


    "Why on earth would I do that?" she scoffed. "I don¡¯t want to incur the Goddess Selena¡¯s wrath. You¡¯re stupider than you look."


    My wolf snapped.


    A low, guttural growl erupted from my throat, and before I could lunge at her, my Gamma stepped forward, quickly grabbing Lucy by the arm and dragging her backward.


    Lucy only grinned, clearly enjoying how close I was to losing it.


    Before my Gamma could pull herpletely out of the room, she turned back toward me, grinning wickedly.


    "You could always kill her mate," she said with a shrug, "but she better not find out you did it. Otherwise... no fucky for you."


    Her words were like a bucket of ice-cold water over my rage.


    My wolf was snarling, my entire body vibrating with the need for blood, but...


    She wasn¡¯t wrong.


    I hated that she wasn¡¯t wrong.


    I clenched my fists so hard my knuckles turned white as I watched my Gamma drag her out of the room.


    The moment they were gone, I turned back toward Elena¡¯s sleeping form, my chest heaving.


    I sat on the edge of the bed, watching her, my mind racing.


    Kane had to die.


    And I had to do it without Elena ever finding out.


    I had nned to take revenge on Kane for my mate¡¯s demise, but I had held back, thinking that killing him would be too merciful.


    I wanted him to suffer. To rot in his own misery.


    So I had refrained.


    But now... now that Elena was in the picture?


    Killing him would be perfect.


    He dies. And I get Elena.


    Simple.


    I knew Kane¡¯s death would hurt her¡ªdeeply¡ªbut that was fine. I could walk her through the pain.


    I would be there for her, offeringfort when she had no one else. And when the pain became less sharp, when the grief dulled, she would see me.


    Really see me.


    See that I was always there.


    That I could give her more than that pathetic excuse for a mate ever could.


    And once she realized that?


    She would be mine.

 Chapter 168: My Fault

    <h4>Chapter 168: My Fault</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV</strong>


    Whatever Elena was engaging in... yeah, I already knew.


    She was fucking around.


    And it was tearing my heart apart.


    The pain was unbearable¡ªexcruciating¡ªlike ws ripping through my chest, over and over again. The mate bond was supposed to make us stronger, but all it did was remind me how far gone she was.


    I was reduced to a grumpy, unreasonable wolf, snapping at anyone who came near me.


    My beta and gamma had taken over most of the pack duties because nobody¡ªnot a single fucking soul¡ªdared to stand in front of me without getting hurt.


    I was out of control.


    A ticking time bomb.


    And Ace¡ªthat stupid fucking bastard¡ªwas nowhere to be found.


    I had marked every map, scoured every territory, searched every border.


    Ibed through the entire damn country, but she was nowhere to be found.


    Where the fuck did they take her?


    He was hiding like a coward, keeping Elena under his ws, fucking with her mind.


    Or worse... fucking her.


    The thought made my vision bleed red, my ws extending involuntarily. My wolf was restless, enraged, agonized. The mate bond wasn¡¯t just a connection¡ªit was a curse, a constant reminder that she was somewhere else, with someone else, doing things that only I was supposed to do with her.


    I growled lowly, pacing the room like a caged beast. Every second she was gone, the rage built higher.


    I needed to find her.


    And when I did, I was going to burn everything to the fucking ground.


    And where the fuck was Dean?


    He had said something about looking for a witch, but at the time, I had been in too much pain to focus on anything he was saying. Now that I thought about it, he¡¯d been acting off for days¡ªdistracted, secretive.


    Did he know something I didn¡¯t?


    A growl rumbled from my chest as I clenched my fists, my ws digging into my palms. My wolf was on the verge of going rogue, wing at the edges of my sanity, demanding blood, destruction, vengeance. It took every bit of willpower I had to stay in control, but it was slipping.


    The mate bond was fucking killing me.


    Every time Elena fucked him, every time she moaned his name, it was like a silver de being driven into my chest, twisting deeper, ripping me apart.


    I couldn¡¯t take this shit anymore.


    I needed answers. Now.


    What the fuck?


    Dean came storming into my office, dragging a witch behind him before shoving her onto the floor. Before I could even demand what the hell was going on, Ash¡ªmy wolf¡ªwas already pacing, snarling, baring his teeth in my mind at the sight of the witch.


    But then¡ª


    The punches came.


    Hard. Fast. Unrelenting.


    I barely had time to react before Dean¡¯s fist collided with my jaw, sending a sharp crack of pain through my skull. Another one followed to my ribs before I finally snapped out of my shock and tried to dodge.


    "What the fuck is wrong with you?!" I snarled, shoving him back with enough force to make him stumble.


    Dean¡¯s chest was heaving, his eyes wild with rage as he red at me with an intensity that made my wolf bristle.


    "You," he spat. "This is your fucking fault!"


    My brows furrowed. What the hell was he talking about?


    Dean lunged again, swinging, but this time, I caught his fist before itnded.


    "You can¡¯t even keep your darkness to yourself!" he roared, his voice shaking with frustration. "You couldn¡¯t fucking control it! And now, she¡ª" He let out a bitterugh, full of anger and disbelief. "You infected her! You let your darkness sink into her, and now she¡¯s like a goddamn subus, fucking anything she can get her hands on but never getting satisfaction!"


    My entire body stilled.


    No.


    No, no, no.


    Dean¡¯s breathing was ragged, his shoulders tense as he practically vibrated with rage.


    "You stupid, reckless wolf¡ªyou couldn¡¯t even protect your mate from yourself!" he spat, his voiceced with disgust.


    His wordsnded like a gut punch.


    My pulse roared in my ears.


    Elena... was suffering because of me?


    "You fucking deserve every ounce of pain you feel for her fucking someone else!" Dean spat, his voice dripping with venom. His fists were still clenched at his sides, his entire body coiled tight, barely restraining himself from throwing another punch.


    My chest heaved as his words sank in like ws digging into my skin.


    "Goddammit," he hissed, raking a furious hand through his hair. "If she wasn¡¯t my mate too, I wouldn¡¯t have bothered finding her. I would¡¯ve let you rot in the pain of your mate¡¯s infidelity¡ªbecause of your stupid fucking darkness!"


    I stiffened.


    His words should have set me off, should have made me want to tear him apart for even iming her. But rage couldn¡¯te. Not when everything inside me was already fracturing with the weight of what he was saying.


    Dean was never like this. Yeah, he was reckless, had a sharp mouth, but he always held his damnposure. He was the one who knew how to push my buttons, to get under my skin while keeping his own temper in check.


    But right now?


    Dean looked like he was on the edge of something dangerous. Like he was barely holding himself together.


    His anger wasn¡¯t just fury¡ªit was desperation.


    Fuck.


    He was right, wasn¡¯t he?


    This was my fault.


    I clenched my jaw as he stalked toward the desk, grabbing the maps I had spent weeks pouring over, trying to find any sign of where she was.


    He mmed them onto the table in front of the chained witch.


    "What the fuck else do you need to locate her?" Dean demanded, his voice sharp, dangerous.


    The witch flinched.


    I frowned.


    A witch wasn¡¯t the type to cower. Not easily. But whatever the hell Dean had done to her before dragging her here... she was clearly terrified of him.


    She hesitated for only a second before speaking, her voice tight.


    "Her belongings," she said. "Anything that belongs to her and has been used recently."


    I didn¡¯t waste a second.


    I turned on my heel, storming toward my room.


    I didn¡¯t care what it took. I didn¡¯t care what had to be done.


    We were going to find Elena.

 Chapter 169: The Rogue Ambush

    <h4>Chapter 169: The Rogue Ambush</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV:</strong>


    I stormed into my room, my movements sharp, every muscle in my body tight with urgency. My mind was racing as I yanked open Elena¡¯s closet, my fingers clenching around one of her worn sweaters.


    The scent of her hit me instantly¡ªa painful, intoxicating mix of what once brought me peace but now only fueled the fire burning inside me.


    I was about to turn back when a sharp voice cut through my head.


    "Alpha!"


    Luke. My Beta. His voice wasced with rm, his breath ragged.


    Then, two words made everything inside me freeze.


    "We¡¯re under attack!"


    A deep snarl ripped from my throat as I clenched my fists.


    "How many?" I demanded through the link, already storming out of the room.


    "Too many! They¡¯re everywhere! They breached the borders before we could raise an rm!" Luke¡¯s voice was frantic, but he kept his focus. "They came straight for the packhouse! They¡¯re not here to takend or resources, Kane¡ªthey¡¯re here to kill you!"


    Fuck.


    I didn¡¯t even hesitate.


    I shifted mid-stride, my clothes tearing apart, bones snapping as my wolf, Ash, surged forward with a vicious snarl.


    The second I hit the lower floors, the scent of blood and burning wood flooded my senses.


    The rogues had already gotten inside.


    Chaos.


    That was the only way to describe what I saw when I burst through the front doors.


    Bodies shed violently¡ªwolves tearing into each other, ws shing, blood sttering across the dirt. mes flickered along the edges of the forest, lighting up the war zone that my pack had just be.


    And then I saw them.


    At least a dozen wolves¡ªall aiming straight for me.


    No hesitation. No pause. They were here to kill me.


    A deep, menacing growl built in my chest.


    They can fucking try.


    I lunged.


    The first rogue barely had time to react before my teeth sank into his throat, tearing it clean out.


    Another leaped at me, but I was faster. I twisted mid-air, my ws raking through his underbelly, spilling his intestines onto the ground.


    Snarls, howls, and screams echoed around me, but I wasn¡¯t stopping. I couldn¡¯t.


    They were stilling.


    Two more rogues barreled toward me, their teeth snapping viciously. I ducked the first, shing my ws across his ribs before using his momentum to throw him into the other.


    Then I felt it.


    A presence¡ªone more dangerous than the others.


    I turned just as a massive, scarred wolf emerged from the mes, his red eyes locked on me.


    Their leader.


    And from the sick grin curling his muzzle, I knew one thing.


    This wasn¡¯t just an attack.


    This was an execution.


    And I was their fucking target.


    Fucking Ace.


    Who else would dare pull a move like this? Sending a horde of rogues to finish me off in my own territory?


    Coward.


    I tore through another rogue, ripping his spine apart, but they just kepting.


    Usually, rogue attacks happened in controlled waves¡ªtwenty, maybe thirty at a time. Fifty at the most if they were desperate.


    But this?


    I didn¡¯t even know how many I had already killed, and yet they kept pouring in.


    That only meant one thing¡ªthere were more of them. A lot more.


    My warriors were definitely handling their own share, fighting to keep the borders from copsing, but these bastards had managed to slip through, all aiming for one person.


    Me.


    A deep, feral growl built in my chest as I lunged forward, my ws sinking into another rogue¡¯s stomach before I ripped him apart, his insides spilling onto the dirt.


    Another leaped for my throat¡ªI ducked, grabbed him by the leg, and swung him straight into an iing wolf, sending both crashing into a tree.


    Snarls. Screams. Blood sttered my fur, but I didn¡¯t fucking stop.


    I couldn¡¯t.


    Because if I did, I¡¯d be dead.


    Then, just as I mmed another rogue into the ground, something shifted in the air.


    A blur.


    Fast. Too fast.


    Before I could react, the rogue beside me copsed, his throat sliced clean.


    And then another.


    And another.


    Bodies started dropping all around me, one after the other, their deaths so instantaneous it was like they were being cut down by a ghost.


    That¡¯s when I saw him.


    Dean.


    His expression was fucking lethal, his eyes burning with the same rage he had in my office, but now? It was controlled, precise.


    He wasn¡¯t just fighting.


    He was erasing them.


    One second, he was here.


    The next?


    Gone.


    Blink, and he was somewhere else, a rogue copsing behind him, throat torn open, blood dripping from his fingers.


    Another turned to run.


    Bad fucking idea.


    Dean shed behind him, grabbed the rogue¡¯s head, and snapped his neck so fast and hard that the sound echoed through the battlefield.


    I barely had time to process before he appeared beside me, his gaze still burning with fury.


    And, of course, he had to open his mouth.


    "Looks like you¡¯re struggling, Alpha." He smirked, dodging a rogue¡¯s ws before shoving his fist straight through his chest. "Getting slow?"


    I growled, shing my ws through another rogue. "Shut the fuck up."


    Dean justughed, stepping forward as more rogues charged us,pletely unaware that they were about to face a bloodbath.


    I cracked my neck, a dark snarl leaving my lips.


    Time to end this.


    The moment the rogues realized they weren¡¯t getting anywhere, they started to retreat.


    Fucking cowards.


    I bared my teeth, eyes narrowing as they turned tail, trying to escape into the shadows of the forest like the rats they were.


    Not happening.


    I lunged forward, grabbing the nearest rogue by the throat and mming him into the ground so hard the earth cracked beneath us.


    "One. Alive." I ordered through the pack link.


    Because if I didn¡¯t say it now, Dean would fucking ughter them all.


    I nced at him, already knowing what I¡¯d see¡ªpure bloodlust.


    Dean was in his element, moving like a shadow of death, cutting down every rogue in his path without hesitation. He didn¡¯t fight to disable. He fought to kill.


    And he was too fast.


    Too damn ruthless.


    By the time I¡¯d pinned my rogue, at least seven more had fallen under his hands.


    Thest one tried to run past him.


    Big mistake.


    Dean appeared in front of him in a blink, grabbing his face and mming him onto a tree with bone-breaking force. The sound of his skull cracking filled the air.


    And then, as if just remembering my order, Dean froze.


    He turned his head to me, eyes still glowing with darkness, then down to thest rogue I had under my ws¡ªthe only survivor.


    He let out a sharp exhale, rolling his shoulders. "You better get what you need from him fast, Kane. Because I really, really want to rip his fucking throat out."


    I tightened my grip on the rogue, snarling.


    "Oh, don¡¯t worry." I smirked darkly. "You¡¯ll get your turn."

 Chapter 170: Finding A Witch

    <h4>Chapter 170: Finding A Witch</h4>


    <strong>Dean POV :</strong>


    After having mind-blowing, reality-shattering sex with Elena through the bond, I came back to my senses with two emotions warring inside me.


    But the dominant one?


    Pure, fucking rage.


    And all of it was directed at Kane.


    That stupid, weak, reckless bastard.


    He couldn¡¯t even control his own damn darkness, letting it fester and spiral out of control. I¡¯d been absorbing most of it, but now¡ªnow it had be too much.


    Some of it slipped into Elena through the mate bond.


    And now she was¡ª


    Fuck.


    For me, darkness always led to bloodlust. A violent, uncontroble need to kill, ughter, and bathe in my enemies¡¯ blood.


    For Kane? It was driving him insane, pushing him to the brink of going rogue.


    But for Elena?


    It twisted her into a vessel of pure, insatiable lust.


    A hunger so deep she would never find fulfillment.


    The worst part?


    She didn¡¯t even know she was under its influence.


    I nearly turned back, nearly stormed into Kane¡¯s territory to beat the ever-living shit out of him for letting this happen, but I forced myself to hold back.


    I was close.


    So fucking close.


    I had tracked down the witch¡ªthe one I needed to fix this fucking mess.


    She had made camp in a cave, trying to reach her coven, the forest around her too dark to navigate.


    Perfect.


    Because I was going to catch her before she could disappear.


    Because I needed to get to Elena before the darkness drove her to something she¡¯d never forgive herself for.


    That¡¯s what it did¡ªit made you do things you would never do in your right mind.


    And when it finally let go?


    You were left with every damn memory.


    The guilt. The shame. The horror of what you¡¯d be.


    That¡¯s why I stopped caring. Why I adopted a don¡¯t-give-a-fuck attitude.


    Because after every bloodlust rampage, when the haze cleared, I was left with the memory of every life I had taken.


    And I never wanted that for Elena.


    I would never let her look back and think herself a whore for what this darkness was making her do.


    I would drag her out of it, even if it meant tearing apart the whole fucking world.


    I found the witch exactly where I expected¡ªa cave deep in the forest, where the trees grew so thick that the moonlight barely touched the ground.


    She sat near a small fire, wrapped in a cloak, muttering incantations under her breath.


    I stepped forward, letting my presence be known, and her head snapped up instantly.


    Her eyes widened¡ªshe hadn¡¯t sensed meing.


    Good.


    That meant she wasn¡¯t as powerful as she thought.


    "You¡¯reing with me," I said, my voice low andmanding.


    She scoffed, crossing her arms. "And why the hell would I do that?"


    "Because I need your help," I replied, though my patience was already paper-thin.


    Her lips curled into a sneer, disgust shing across her face.


    "I don¡¯t assist filthy creatures like you," she spat.


    I exhaled slowly. Wrong answer.


    The second thest word left her mouth, I moved.


    Faster than her human eyes could track, I was behind her, my hand tangling in her hair, yanking her head back.


    She gasped, struggling, but I wasn¡¯t in the mood to y nice.


    "You should have chosen your words wisely, little witch," I murmured against her ear, my grip tightening.


    She raised a hand to cast a spell, but I was faster.


    Before she could utter a single chant, I mmed her face-first into the cave wall.


    Hard.


    A sickening crack echoed through the cave as she cried out, blood dripping from her nose.


    I turned her around, pinning her against the cold rock.


    "You cane willingly," I told her, my voice dangerously calm. "Or I can drag you back in pieces."


    She red at me, her defiance flickering beneath her fear.


    "You wouldn¡¯t dare¡ª"


    I sank my fangs into her neck before she could finish.


    She screamed.


    Not from pleasure. From pain.


    I didn¡¯t take much¡ªjust enough to weaken her, to make her body tremble in my grasp.


    When I pulled back, licking the stray drop of blood from my lips, she was breathing heavily, her body barely able to hold itself up.


    "Try me," I growled.


    Her pulse was erratic, her pupils dted with fear as she realized exactly what kind of monster she had just insulted.


    I wiped the blood from my mouth with the back of my hand.


    "Now," I said, my tone cold and lethal, "are youing, or do I have to rip you apart and carry the pieces back?"


    She swallowed hard, her pride warring with her survival instinct.


    Then, finally, she gave a shaky nod.


    Smart girl.


    I grabbed her chains, binding her hands with an iron grip before dragging her out of the cave.


    "I should kill you for making me waste my fucking time," I muttered.


    She stayed silent.


    Good.


    Because right now, she was still breathing.


    And that was the only mercy I was willing to give.


    I dragged the witch through the dense forest, her weak struggles barely worth my attention. She stumbled, her body still recovering from the bite I had taken, but I didn¡¯t stop.


    She tripped? I yanked her back up.


    She slowed down? I tightened my grip until she whimpered in pain.


    I was in no fucking mood.


    By the time I reached Kane¡¯s packhouse, my rage was at its peak.


    I stormed inside, ignoring the warriors who stiffened at my arrival. They had learned by now that when I was like this, it was best to stay the hell out of my way.


    I kicked open the office door and found him exactly as I expected¡ªclutching his chest, breath ragged, drenched in sweat.


    His pain? Didn¡¯t give a fuck.


    He deserved it. Every goddamn second of it.


    "You fucking bastard," I snarled.


    His head snapped up, his bloodshot eyes locking onto mine.


    Before he could say a single word, I dropped the witch onto the floor and lunged.


    My fist mmed into his jaw.


    The crack of bone meeting bone echoed through the room.


    Kane stumbled back, his chair crashing to the floor behind him.


    He barely had time to recover before I grabbed him by the cor, yanking him forward and mming my knee into his gut.


    He groaned, coughing up blood.


    "That¡¯s for fucking up Elena," I spat, shoving him backward. "For being too fucking weak to control your own damn darkness!"


    He wiped the blood from his mouth, rage shing in his eyes. "You think I wanted this?!" he snarled, baring his teeth. "You think I¡¯m not suffering every second¡ª"


    I hit him again.


    This time, my punch sent him crashing into the desk, papers and maps flying everywhere.


    "I don¡¯t give a shit about your suffering," I growled, towering over him. "She¡¯s fucking losing herself out there, spreading her legs for every damn man she can find¡ªbecause of you."


    His eyes darkened, his wolf pushing forward.


    I saw the moment the reality of my words hit him.


    The pain. The fury. The shame.


    Good. He fucking deserved it.


    His breaths were ragged, his hands clutching the edge of the desk, barely holding himself together.


    I took a step back, exhaling sharply, trying to reign in my own anger.


    "Fix this," I snapped, motioning to the witch still on the floor. "Because if you don¡¯t, I swear to the fucking moon, Kane, I¡¯ll kill you myself."

 Chapter 171: Unfilled Desires

    <h4>Chapter 171: Unfilled Desires</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV</strong>


    I woke up feeling hot all over, my body tingling with an unbearable ache. It was like my skin was on fire, every nerve ending oversensitive to the slightest touch.


    What the hell was wrong with me?


    I groaned, shifting under the sheets, only to realize I was drenched in sweat. My breathing was heavy, my chest rising and falling too quickly. My thighs squeezed together involuntarily, a wave of frustration and need rolling through me so strong I nearly cursed out loud.


    I forced myself to sit up, my head spinning<strong>.</strong>


    Where the hell was I?


    Looking around, I noticed the familiar dark-toned furniture. Ace¡¯s room. Right.


    On the small table beside the bed, a tray of food sat untouched. My stomach growled loudly. Maybe eating would help.


    I forced myself up, legs feeling weak and shaky, and grabbed a piece of bread, then some fruit, eating quickly. But the more I ate, the worse the heat inside me became. Unbearable. Suffocating.


    I dropped the fork, clutching my robe, my hands trembling.


    This wasn¡¯t normal.


    My whole body felt wired, like I had been drugged with an Aphrodite pill¡ªonly a hundred times worse. My nipples were tight and aching, my thighs clenching with need. I felt restless, needy, desperate.


    I couldn¡¯t take it anymore.


    Stumbling toward the bathroom, I ripped off the robe and turned the shower ice cold.


    The second the freezing water hit me, my skin shivered. But instead of calming me, the sensation only intensified my difort.


    I gritted my teeth, leaning against the wall, forcing myself to stay under the spray. But nothing helped. Nothing.


    My body ached for something. Someone.


    No. I needed to stop this.


    I turned off the water, wrapping the robe tightly around me, and stumbled back to bed.


    Maybe if I just slept, I could escape this torment.


    But even as I closed my eyes, my body refused to settle.


    The heat. The ache. The hunger.


    It wouldn¡¯t stop.


    I tossed and turned, desperate for relief. The ache between my thighs was unbearable, a deep, throbbing need that refused to die down no matter how much I tried to ignore it.


    Fuck.


    My fingers twitched, my body humming with frustration. The robe felt too heavy, too suffocating. With a frustrated sigh, I slipped it off, letting the cool air kiss my bare skin.


    My hands moved on their own, slowly trailing down my stomach, my fingers ghosting over the sensitive flesh of my thighs.


    A shaky breath left my lips as I cupped my aching breasts, squeezing them lightly before pinching my hardened nipples. A sharp gasp escaped me, pleasure jolting through my veins.


    Fuck, yes.


    I rolled one nipple between my fingers, twisting and tugging, feeling the heat in my belly tighten. But it wasn¡¯t enough.


    I needed more.


    My hand trailed lower, my fingers sliding between my thighs, brushing against the wetness pooling there.


    God, I was soaked.


    Slowly, I dipped a finger inside, my walls clenching greedily around the intrusion. I bit my lip, adding another, pumping them in and out, curling them just right.


    But it still wasn¡¯t enough.


    A whimper left my lips as frustration built, my hips rolling against my hand, chasing something I couldn¡¯t quite reach.


    I needed more friction. More pressure.


    Desperation wed at me, and without thinking, I reached for the pillow beside me.


    Gripping it tightly, I dragged it between my legs, straddling it.


    The moment my soaking core made contact with the soft fabric, a shudder ripped through me.


    Yes.


    I ground my hips forward, rubbing against it, the friction sending jolts of pleasure through my veins. My head fell back, lips parted as I rolled my hips again and again, chasing the high that kept slipping just out of reach.


    But it still wasn¡¯t enough.


    No matter how hard I tried, how desperately I moved, I couldn¡¯t reach the release I craved.


    A frustrated cry tore from my throat, my nails digging into the pillow as I humped it harder, faster, more desperately.


    I was so close¡ª but something was missing.


    Something¡ªor someone.


    The door creaked open, but I didn¡¯t stop.


    I couldn¡¯t.


    I was too far gone, too desperate, too needy.


    I didn¡¯t even feel the slightest bit of shame when I saw Ace standing there, his sharp eyes locking onto me. Instead, a sense of relief washed over me.


    Finally.


    He was going to help me.


    Still straddling the pillow, I rolled my hips, grinding down harder as I met his gaze, my breathsing in short, needy pants.


    "Come here," I murmured, my voice dripping with seduction and raw need.


    Ace stood frozen for a moment, his eyes devouring me, dark and hungry. I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw clenched as he swallowed hard.


    His gaze trailed over my bare body, from my flushed cheeks down to the way my thighs gripped the pillow.


    And then he moved.


    Slow, deliberate steps, like a predator stalking its prey.


    My body shivered in anticipation.


    By the time he reached the bed, I was practically trembling, my fingers digging into the sheets as I kept grinding against the pillow, shameless and desperate.


    "Fuck," he muttered under his breath, his hands clenching into fists.


    His restraint was cracking, I could see it in the way his pupils blown wide with desire.


    I licked my lips, my hands trailing up my body, cupping my breasts, pinching my hardened nipples, putting on a show just for him.


    "Ace," I moaned his name, a breathy, pleading sound. "I need you."


    That was all it took.


    With a deep growl, he snapped.


    I spread my legs wider, inviting him in.


    Ace didn¡¯t hesitate.


    With a growl, he grabbed my thighs, his strong hands sliding under me as he lifted my hips, forcing me up and tilting me toward his mouth.


    And then¡ªfuck.


    His tongue delved between my thighs, hot and greedy, licking up my wetness like a man starving.


    I cried out, arching off the bed, my fingers tangling into his hair, pulling him closer, deeper.


    He groaned against me, the vibrations shooting straight through my core, making me shudder.


    "Ace¡ªfuck¡ª" I gasped, but he didn¡¯t let up.


    He licked, sucked, and teased, his tongue flicking over my swollen clit before dragging down, plunging into me, tasting every inch like he was iming me.


    I couldn¡¯t think, couldn¡¯t breathe¡ª all I could do was feel.


    The heat. The pressure. The unbearable need.


    But it still wasn¡¯t enough.


    I rolled my hips, trying to take more, chasing the release that danced just out of reach.


    Ace must have noticed, because with a low chuckle, he pinned me down, his grip firm and demanding.


    His tongue moved faster, merciless, his lips wrapping around my clit and sucking hard.


    My body jerked, my thighs trembling around his head, but he held me still, refusing to let me escape the pleasure he was forcing me to drown in.


    I was so close¡ªso fucking close¡ª but something inside me still craved more.


    Harder. Rougher. Deeper.


    "Ace," I whimpered, desperate, my nails dragging against his scalp. "I need more. Please."


    This chapter is updated by freew(e)bnovel.(c)om

 Chapter 172: Sweet Desires

    <h4>Chapter 172: Sweet Desires</h4>


    <strong>Ace POV</strong>


    Hearing those words spill from her lips nearly snapped my control.


    I lifted my head, my lips glistening with her arousal, and met her desperate gaze.


    Her pupils were blown wide, her skin flushed, her body trembling with need.


    "Fuck, Ace, I need your cock," she whined, rolling her hips up toward me, seeking friction, seeking more¡ªmore than I¡¯d given her.


    I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, smirking darkly. "You¡¯re insatiable, aren¡¯t you?"


    Elena growled, grabbing at me, but I pinned her wrists above her head in one swift move, hovering over her.


    "Use your words, baby. Tell me exactly what you need."


    She licked her lips, her breath shaky. "I need you inside me. Now."


    Fuck.


    I let go of her hands, sitting back just enough to yank my belt loose and shove my pants down. My cock was already throbbing, hard, aching for her.


    Elena¡¯s eyes zeroed in on it, hunger shing through them as she reached between us and wrapped her fingers around me.


    Shit.


    I groaned, my head tipping back as she stroked me, teasing, her grip tight and perfect.


    But I wasn¡¯t about to let her be the one in control.


    Not this time.


    I grabbed her thighs and yanked her to the edge of the bed, spreading her legs wide.


    Then, without warning, I mmed into her, sinking all the way to the hilt.


    "Fuck!" she screamed, her back arching, her nails digging into my shoulders as I stretched her wide, deep,pletely.


    I didn¡¯t give her time to adjust.


    I started moving, fast, hard, relentless, my hips pounding into her, filling her over and over until the only sound in the room was the p of skin and our ragged moans.


    And still¡ªshe wanted more.


    Elena was fucking relentless.


    Before I could fully process what was happening, she rolled us over, straddling me like she was born to take control.


    Her hair cascaded down her back, her eyes wild with unquenched desire, and fuck¡ªI¡¯d never seen anything sexier.


    She sat up just enough to yank my pants down the rest of the way, freeing mepletely, her fingers wrapping around my cock as she lined herself up.


    "No teasing," she muttered, voice breathless, desperate.


    Then, without warning, she sank down onto me.


    Tight. Hot. Drenched.


    A guttural groan ripped from my throat, my fingers gripping her hips so hard I knew I¡¯d leave bruises.


    "Fuck, Elena."


    She gasped, her back arching as she took all of me, seating me so deep inside her that I could feel her walls pulsing, clenching around me.


    Then she started moving.


    Slow at first¡ªjust grinding down, rolling her hips, dragging pleasure through every inch of me.


    But that wasn¡¯t enough for her.


    With a low growl, she nted her hands on my chest, lifted her hips, and started riding me hard.


    Fast. Desperate. Wild.


    Her breasts bounced with every movement, her nails scraping down my abs as she mmed herself down onto me, over and over, chasing her high.


    I could feel how greedy she was for it.


    How fucking insatiable.


    And I was losing my goddamn mind.


    I sat up suddenly, wrapping an arm around her waist, pulling her flush against me as I thrust up into her.


    She cried out, her head dropping back as she took it all, her body tightening around me, squeezing, milking me.


    "More," she begged, her breath hot against my lips. "Fuck, Ace¡ªmore."


    And fuck if I wasn¡¯t gonna give it to her.


    She was ravenous, her body taking and demanding like a woman possessed, and fuck¡ªwho was I to deny her?


    I flipped us again, pinning her beneath me, pressing her wrists above her head as I drove into her deep and hard.


    Her back arched, her mouth parting with a silent scream as my hips mmed against hers, the wet p of our bodies filling the room.


    "More," she gasped, writhing beneath me, her legs locking around my waist, pulling me deeper.


    I gritted my teeth, the pleasure almost unbearable, but still, she wasn¡¯t satisfied.


    "Harder," she demanded, her nails digging into my back. "Faster."


    Fuck.


    I shifted, grabbed her legs, and folded them up to her chest, pinning her open as I drove in deeper, rougher, harder.


    "Fuck¡ªAce¡ª" she cried out, her head thrashing against the pillows.


    "That what you wanted, princess?" I growled, my fingers digging into her thighs as I pounded into her mercilessly.


    She was soaked, clenching around me, her body taking every brutal thrust like she¡¯d never get enough.


    But she wasn¡¯t breaking.


    I could feel it¡ªno matter how rough, how deep, how much I gave her, she still needed more.


    Her hands gripped my wrists, her nails biting into my skin as her eyes zed with something dark, something insatiable.


    "More," she pleaded again, her voice a breathy whimper. "Please¡ªdon¡¯t stop¡ª"


    I pulled out abruptly, flipping her onto her stomach before she could protest.


    A sharp gasp left her lips as I yanked her hips up, forcing her onto all fours.


    "You want more?" I growled, gripping her ass, spreading her open.


    She moaned, pushing back against me, desperate. "Yes. Please."


    I didn¡¯t hesitate.


    I mmed back into her, a rough, punishing thrust that had her crying out, her fingers twisting into the sheets.


    I fucked her like an animal, my hands gripping her hips so tight I knew there¡¯d be bruises.


    And still¡ªit wasn¡¯t enough.


    She met every thrust, her body shaking, trembling, begging for more.


    She should have been spent.


    She should have broken apart by now<strong>.</strong>


    But she wasn¡¯t.


    Whatever Kane was emitting through their mate bond was powerful¡ªtoo powerful.


    And fuck, I couldn¡¯t deny it¡ªI loved it.


    Every time I buried myself deep inside Elena, every time she cried my name, every time she wed at me for more, Kane felt it.


    Every single thrust. Every single moan.


    He was suffering.


    And it was delicious.


    The assassination attempt had failed, but I didn¡¯t give a damn. Kane was still hurting, breaking piece by piece, drowning in the agony of betrayal.


    Because it wasn¡¯t just anyone fucking his mate.


    It was me.


    And I was going to make damn sure he felt every second of it.

 Chapter 173: Possessed Or Evil Consciousness

    <h4>Chapter 173: Possessed Or Evil Consciousness</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV :</strong>


    What the fuck was happening to me?


    What did I even feel about Ace? A fuck buddy? Friends with benefits? I didn¡¯t fucking know. And my wolf? She was just as damn horny as I was. Wolves don¡¯t think with reason¡ªthey run on emotions. And right now, all she craved was someone to pound into us, over and over, to quench this insatiable hunger that sure as hell wasn¡¯t for food.


    And Kane? My mate? How did I feel about fucking someone else while being bonded to him? I couldn¡¯t fucking exin it. Yeah, in my rare sober moments, I knew what I was doing was horrible. Unforgivable. But this hunger for pleasure¡ªit was like being so damn desperate to pee that you¡¯re shaking, and only when you finally let go do you feel relief. Yeah. That¡¯s what fucking felt like¡ªtemporary relief from a torment I couldn¡¯t escape.


    And then there was that malicious whisper in my mind, goading me on. Twisting my thoughts. I couldn¡¯t exin it, but it was there. Like a second consciousness, urging me to keep going. To take more, demand more, drown in more.


    I think I¡¯m going fucking crazy.


    They say insane people hear voices in their minds, pushing them toward reckless, irreversible choices. Yeah, that¡¯s me. Because why the fuck else would I be riding Ace like he¡¯s thest man on earth when I have a mate? An asshole. A jerk. But still... my mate.


    But even as my mind screamed at me, my body didn¡¯t care.


    The ache between my legs, the unbearable heat simmering under my skin¡ªit overpowered everything else. Guilt? Reason? None of it fucking mattered when my body was starving for more.


    I clenched my thighs around Ace¡¯s hips, rolling my body against him as I took him deeper, harder. His hands were rough, gripping my ass, guiding my movements as I rode him mercilessly.


    "Fuck, Elena," he groaned, his head pressing back against the pillows. His fingers dug into my flesh, almost bruising, but I weed the pain. It grounded me. It made me feel real.


    I leaned down, dragging my tongue over his throat, nipping at his jaw as I moved faster, chasing something that never quite came. Never enough. It was never fucking enough.


    Ace must¡¯ve noticed because he grabbed me suddenly, flipping us over. My back hit the mattress with a soft thud, and then he was on me¡ª**inside me¡ª**his lips crashing against mine in a messy, desperate kiss.


    "You¡¯re insatiable," he muttered against my lips.


    "Then fucking satisfy me," I challenged, wrapping my legs around him, forcing him deeper.


    His response was a growl, primal and raw, as he pounded into me harder. The bed creaked beneath us, the room filled with the sounds of skin pping against skin, the slick, wet noises of my arousal, and the ragged breaths we both took in between.


    But even as I moaned, even as I clung to him, something inside me sneered.


    This isn¡¯t enough.


    He isn¡¯t enough.


    And that was the scariest part of all.


    Ace didn¡¯t hesitate. The moment he had me on all fours, his hands gripped my hips, pulling me back onto his cock as he thrust into me without mercy.


    A sharp cry tore from my lips as he filled me¡ªstretching me, owning me, using me. And fuck, I weed it. I craved it.


    His fingers dug into my flesh, nails almost breaking skin as he mmed into me harder, faster, deeper. The sound of our bodies colliding echoed through the room, mixing with my moans and his grunts.


    "Look at you," he growled, one hand snaking up my spine, gripping the back of my neck, forcing my back into a perfect arch. "So fucking desperate. You want more, don¡¯t you?"


    "Yes!" I gasped, pushing back against him, meeting each punishing thrust. It still wasn¡¯t enough. The pleasure was intense, almost unbearable, but the hunger inside me was still wing, screaming, demanding more.


    Ace yanked my head back, his lips at my ear. "You¡¯re fucking insatiable."


    His other hand slid beneath me, fingers finding my clit, rubbing rough, fast circles. My body tensed, tightening around him as the pleasure built too fast, too sharp.


    "Come for me," hemanded, voice dark, possessive.


    My body obeyed, shattering around him. My arms trembled, and I nearly copsed as wave after wave of pleasure hit me, but Ace didn¡¯t stop. He kept thrusting, chasing his own release, fucking me through my orgasm until my knees shook.


    Still, even as my body convulsed, even as I moaned from the pleasure, the hunger inside me remained.


    "Again," I demanded breathlessly. "I need more."


    Ace groaned, flipping me onto my back, spreading my legs wide as he drove into me once again.


    And I took it.


    I took all of him.


    And it still wasn¡¯t enough.


    The malicious consciousness sneered.


    <i>Pathetic... not nearly enough... we need something more.</i>


    It coiled inside me like a serpent, whispering, taunting. No matter how hard Ace fucked me, no matter how many times I came¡ªit wasn¡¯t enough. It was like a drop in a vast, empty jar, evaporating before it could fill the void.


    And worse, I could feel it feeding.


    Every time my body convulsed with pleasure, every time I shattered around him, every time Ace came inside me¡ªthe presence inside me grew stronger. It pulsed, dark and insatiable, drinking in every climax like a starving beast.


    A sick realization settled in my bones.


    I think I¡¯m possessed.


    If that was even possible.


    The thought should have terrified me, but instead, it thrilled me. The hunger sharpened, the voice in my head hissing with amusement, urging me on.


    Ace gripped my thighs tighter, dragging me back onto his cock, his thrusts still relentless, punishing, brutal. He was trying to sate me, to wring out whatever this insatiable need was.


    But I knew.


    It wouldn¡¯t work.


    Because this wasn¡¯t just lust.


    This was something darker.


    And it wanted more.


    Ace widened my legs apart, gripping my thighs with bruising force.


    He lifted my lower body, tilting my hips just right, and when he drove into me again¡ªI screamed.


    <i>Fuck¡ª</i>


    He was so deep, deeper than I thought possible, stretching me, filling me, ruining me. The pleasure was unbearable, an edge of pain that only made it sweeter. The bed creaked beneath us, the sound drowned out by the filthy, wet p of our bodies colliding.


    Ace grunted, sweat dripping down his temple as he pounded into me with raw, merciless intensity. His fingers dug into my flesh, holding me in ce so I could take everything he gave.


    But even as my body trembled, even as the pleasure coiled and built into something unbearable¡ªit wasn¡¯t enough.


    The malicious consciousness inside me stirred, unsatisfied, restless.


    <i>More,</i> it hissed. <i>Harder. Deeper. Take more.</i>


    Ace was relentless, but I needed more.


    I wed at the sheets, thrashing beneath him, desperate, delirious.


    "Ace¡ª" I gasped. "<i>More. Harder. Please.</i>"


    His breath hitched. I felt his cock throb inside me, but he didn¡¯t slow down¡ªhe fucked me even harder, dragging me back onto him, his grip possessive, desperate.


    And yet¡ªthe hunger inside me still didn¡¯t ease.


    The dark presence within me purred, amused.


    <i>Not even close...</i>

 Chapter 174: Preparations

    <h4>Chapter 174: Preparations</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV</strong>


    <i>Fuck¡ªit hurts like a bitch.</i>


    Pain wed through my chest, relentless and unyielding. It wasn¡¯t just the usual ache of the mate bond¡ªit was something worse, something twisted. Like my very soul was being ripped apart, burned alive in an agony I couldn¡¯t stop.


    I gritted my teeth, my ws sinking into the armrests of my chair, splintering the wood beneath my grip. My wolf howled in my head, a raw, guttural sound of rage and suffering.


    <i>She¡¯s fucking someone else again.</i>


    I felt it. Every thrust. Every moan. Every moment she gave herself to another male¡ªit was like being gutted from the inside out.


    My breathing was ragged, my vision darkened at the edges. The mate bond was a cruel fucking thing, forcing me to feel every betrayal like it was carved into my own skin. It didn¡¯t matter that it wasn¡¯t her fault. It didn¡¯t matter that this wasn¡¯t her.


    What mattered was that it was happening.


    And Ace¡ªthat bastard¡ªwas the one touching her.


    A deep, guttural growl ripped from my throat, my hands trembling with barely contained fury.


    "I swear," I gritted out, voice thick with rage, "when I get my hands on him, I will rip him apart."


    But that wouldn¡¯t fix anything. That wouldn¡¯t stop whatever was happening to her.


    My wolf was on edge, pacing, snarling, demanding blood.


    <i>Find her. Take her back. Kill anyone who gets in the way.</i>


    I mmed my fist into the desk, sending papers flying, my breathing in sharp, ragged gasps.


    She was mine.


    Mine.


    And I was going to get her back.


    The witch knelt before the table, her fingers sifting through the ashes of what had once been the bundle of herbs and bones she had burned down moments ago. The scent of charred magic lingered in the air, thick and acrid, making my wolf snarl in agitation.


    She took a handful of the ashes and began sprinkling them over the open maps we hadid out. The moment the dark powder touched the parchment, something shifted. The air in the room grew heavier, charged with an unnatural energy that made the hairs on my arms stand on end.


    Dean stood on the other side of the table, arms crossed, his jaw clenched as he watched the witch with barely contained impatience. He didn¡¯t trust her¡ªI didn¡¯t either¡ªbut if she could lead us to Elena, I¡¯d tolerate her presence for now.


    The ashes spread unnaturally, moving as if carried by an invisible force, swirling and gathering over one specific area of the map. My eyes narrowed as the markings burned into the paper, forming a dark stain in a region we hadn¡¯t checked before.


    "There," the witch murmured, her voice thick with power. "That¡¯s where she is."


    I clenched my fists.


    Ace.


    The bastard had her.


    Dean¡¯s lip curled in disgust. "Fucking knew it."


    The witch stood, brushing the remaining ash from her hands. "I¡¯ve done my part. Now, unless you¡¯d like me to do more, I suggest you let me go."


    I turned my head sharply toward her, my eyes glowing with the barely controlled rage simmering beneath my skin. Let her go? Not a fucking chance.


    "You¡¯ll leave when I decide you¡¯re no longer useful," I growled. "And right now, you¡¯re still useful."


    She huffed, crossing her arms, but she didn¡¯t argue. Smart choice.


    My gaze snapped back to the map, the location burned into my mind. I wasing for her.


    And when I got my hands on Ace¡ª


    I was going to tear him apart.


    "She said she was trapped in an illusion... Can you break it?" Dean asked, his voice edged with urgency.


    The witch smirked, clearly enjoying the fact that we needed her help. "I can, but I¡¯ll need certain herbs and ingredients to do it."


    Dean exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down his face. "Figures. And I¡¯m guessing if we just storm in there now, we won¡¯t see a damn thing, will we?"


    She nodded. "Exactly. You¡¯ll walk right past her, never even knowing she¡¯s there."


    That only pissed me off more. Ace had gone through this much effort to hide her? Fucking coward.


    I turned to my beta, Luke. "You¡¯re going with her."


    He stiffened. "Are you serious?"


    I shot him a sharp look. "Do I look like I¡¯m in the mood to joke?"


    Luke scowled but nodded begrudgingly. He didn¡¯t trust witches any more than I did, but right now, we didn¡¯t have a choice.


    The witch, of course, looked entirely too amused. "Don¡¯t worry, wolf. I don¡¯t bite."


    Luke muttered something under his breath, but I was already done paying attention to their bickering. My focus was on the map, on Elena, and on how soon I could get my hands on Ace and rip him apart.


    "Okay, I¡¯ll go tell my warriors," I said, turning toward the door.


    Dean snickered behind me. "Don¡¯t think wolves like to see their leaders weak," he taunted, his gaze flickering to the hand I had pressed against my chest.


    Yeah, it still fucking hurt. Every time Elena took another man, my body reacted like it was being torn apart from the inside. It was the mate bond, rejecting what she was doing, punishing me for it. But I refused to show weakness, especially not in front of Dean.


    I forced a smirk, dropping my hand like the pain didn¡¯t exist. "You¡¯re one to talk. Last I checked, you¡¯re barely holding your shit together."


    Dean¡¯s smirk faltered, just for a second. A crack in his usually unreadable expression. Good. I wasn¡¯t the only one suffering.


    <strong>********</strong>


    This was going to be a rough week.


    With all the preparations that needed to be made, I knew I couldn¡¯t just charge in blindly, no matter how much I wanted to storm in and take Elena back right now. Every instinct in me was screaming to act, to tear through whoever stood in my way and get her away from him.


    But that wasn¡¯t how this would work.


    I had to be strategic. If I walked into this without a n, I¡¯d be walking straight into a trap. Ace wasn¡¯t stupid¡ªhe had Elena hidden behind an illusion, surrounded by his warriors, and gods know what else. If I wanted to get her back, I had to be ready for an ambush. I had to outthink him, outfight him, and make sure there was no way in hell she¡¯d ever be taken from me again.


    Even if that meant killing him.


    I clenched my fists, exhaling sharply. Every second that passed felt like a taunt, like Ace was daring me toe and take Elena back. But I couldn¡¯t¡ªnot yet.


    I turned to Dean, who was watching me closely, his usual cocky smirk nowhere in sight. He was pissed, and rightfully so. He hadn¡¯t held back in telling me that this was my fault. That my darkness had infected Elena, twisting her into something insatiable, leaving her vulnerable in the worst way possible.


    I hated that he was right.


    "The witch will need time to gather her ingredients," Dean reminded me, crossing his arms. "And we need to be fucking prepared. You might be desperate to get her back, but if you go in half-cocked, you¡¯ll be dead before you reach her."


    "I know that," I snapped. My chest still ached, the pain of the bond cutting through me like a hot de, but I forced myself to shove it down. I needed to think.


    "Then start acting like it," Dean shot back. "Ace isn¡¯t some low-level fucker you can just rip apart. He¡¯s calcting, and he has her under his control. Do you really think she¡¯s going to just run into your arms when you get there? You¡¯re the reason she¡¯s like this."


    His words hit hard, but I refused to let it show.


    Instead, I turned away, rolling my shoulders, trying to ease the tension locking up my body. Ace wasn¡¯t my only problem. If I left the pack unprotected to go after Elena, what was stopping another rogue attack? What was stopping Ace from using her as bait while he destroyed everything I had built?


    No, I couldn¡¯t rush this. I had to be ready.


    "Get the warriors prepared," I ordered, looking at Dean. "We¡¯re going to need more than brute force to get through whatever illusion she¡¯s trapped in."


    Dean exhaled, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "Took you long enough to get your head on straight." Then his expression darkened. "But if we wait too long, Kane... she¡¯s just going to keep getting worse."


    I knew that. Fuck, I knew that. But if I let my emotions control me, I¡¯d lose everything.


    And I wasn¡¯t about to lose her. Not again.

 Chapter 175: Draining His Life Force

    <h4>Chapter 175: Draining His Life Force</h4><subtxt> ?r¨¥ewebno?§×l.c¦Òm</subtxt>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV</strong>


    Something was wrong with me.


    I knew it. I felt it. And yet, I didn¡¯t care.


    Iy sprawled across the bed, my skin slick with sweat, my body aching¡ªnot from exhaustion, not from soreness, but from the unbearable, never-ending hunger.


    It never stopped.


    No matter how much Ace gave me. No matter how hard he fucked me. No matter how many times I screamed his name, wed at his back, begged for more.


    It was never enough.


    I pressed a hand to my chest, panting as my body trembled. My heart was racing, my blood burning through my veins like liquid fire. This wasn¡¯t normal. This wasn¡¯t me.


    My wolf purred in satisfaction, but I wasn¡¯t sure if it was her or something else. Something darker. Something cruel.


    I turned my head to look at Ace. Hey beside me, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. Even he was spent. He had given me everything. Twice. But I was still aching. Still hungry.


    He must have felt me staring because his eyes cracked open, hooded and full of satisfaction. But beneath that, I could see the exhaustion, the silent concern.


    "What?" he muttered, voice rough.


    I licked my lips, feeling restless. Needy. Frustrated.


    "I still need more."


    Ace¡¯s brow twitched. "You¡¯re insatiable."


    I knew that. And it should have bothered me. But it didn¡¯t.


    I crawled onto him, straddling his waist, rolling my hips against his already-hardening cock. His breath hitched, hands automatically grabbing my waist.


    "Elena..." His voice held warning, but there was also desire.


    That malicious little voice in my head sneered, whispering, <i>Take more. He won¡¯t say no.</i>


    So I did.


    I took.


    And he gave.


    And yet, even as he flipped me over, pinning me down and driving into me again, even as my body arched, pleasure tearing through me¡ªI knew.


    Something was wrong.


    And if I didn¡¯t stop soon, I wasn¡¯t sure there would be anything left of me to save.


    Something was changing in Ace.


    At first, I couldn¡¯t put my finger on it. I was too consumed by this insatiable need, this burning hunger that refused to be satisfied, no matter how many times he gave himself to me. But then... I started to notice.


    Each time he touched me. Each time he sank into me, worshiped me with his body, I felt something shift¡ªnot in me, but in him.


    The first time, he was dominant,manding, his strength overwhelming me in the best way. But as the rounds continued, something inside him was being drained.


    His grip wasn¡¯t as firm. His thrusts weren¡¯t as ruthless. His voice, once deep and cocky, was nowced with exhaustion.


    And yet, I still wanted more.


    I didn¡¯t know why. I should have stopped. I should have let him rest. But I couldn¡¯t.


    I pressed my hands against his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath my fingertips. His skin was hot, damp with sweat, his breathing ragged.


    His once-vibrant eyes looked... dim.


    Not just tired. Not just spent. But weaker.


    I frowned, trying to shake off the hazy fog in my mind. "Ace...?" My voice came out softer than I intended, almost hesitant.


    He exhaled heavily, his arms wrapped loosely around my waist as I straddled him, his fingers tracingzy circles on my hip. "What, princess? Not done using me yet?" His tone was teasing, but there was no real bite behind it.


    He was pushing himself. For me.


    And for the first time since this maddening need had overtaken me, I felt a flicker of guilt.


    Because whatever was happening to me... I wasn¡¯t just destroying myself.


    I was taking something from him, too.


    And I had no idea how to stop.


    A sinking feeling settled in my gut¡ªsomething was wrong.


    I could feel it in the way Ace¡¯s body responded beneath me. Not just exhaustion, but something deeper. Something darker. It was as if I was pulling something from him, draining him with every touch, every movement, every time I took from him.


    But I didn¡¯t stop.


    I couldn¡¯t.


    The hunger inside me was relentless, and that voice¡ªthat dark, twisted voice¡ªwhispered in my mind, urging me on. <i>More.</i><i>Take more.</i><i>Use him. Make him yours. Consume him.</i>


    I let my head fall back, moaning as I rode him, my pace ruthless, my body demanding everything he had left to give.


    Ace groaned beneath me, his fingers digging into my hips, but his grip was weaker than before. His breaths were sharp, ragged, strained¡ªyet he still let me use him, let me take and take and take.


    The voice inside me purred in satisfaction.


    <i>Good girl. He belongs to you now.</i>


    I moved faster, mming down on him harder, rolling my hips in desperate circles, chasing a release that I knew¡ªI knew¡ªwould never be enough.


    And still, I wanted more.


    I barely registered Ace¡¯s groans beneath me as I bounced on him, my hips moving in a furious, unforgiving rhythm. My body was on fire, burning with an insatiable hunger that no matter how hard, how deep he went, it wasn¡¯t enough.


    The dark voice inside me whispered, <i>Take more. Make him yours. Drain him dry.</i>


    I reached for his hands, grabbing them and bringing them to my breasts, pressing his palms against my aching nipples. He groaned, instinct taking over as he squeezed them roughly, his fingers twisting my hardened peaks just the way I wanted.


    "Yes¡ªfuck, yes," I moaned, throwing my head back, my movements turning desperate, erratic, wild.


    Ace growled beneath me, one hand sliding down to my waist, the othering down hard against my ass¡ªa sharp, stinging spank that sent a shockwave of pure ecstasy through me.


    I gasped, my body clenching around him.


    <i>More.</i>


    Another p. Harder.


    "Fuck, Ace!" I cried out, riding him harder, grinding down on him with everything I had. I was losing myself in it¡ªin him¡ªbut deep inside, that voice justughed.


    Ace was shaking, his grip on me tightening as his body tensed. His breathing turned ragged, his moans raw as he thrust up into me, meeting my movements.


    And then¡ªhe came.


    A strangled groan ripped from his throat as his release poured into me, his entire body jerking beneath mine before he copsed,pletely still.


    I stopped moving.


    "Ace?" I whispered, looking down at him.


    His eyes were closed. His breathing was shallow. His body was limp.


    And that¡¯s when I felt it.


    Something dark. Something wrong.


    I wasn¡¯t just taking his pleasure.


    I was taking his life force.


    Every time he came inside me, every time I fed this insatiable hunger¡ªI was draining him.


    <i>What the fuck am I?</i>

 Chapter 176: Rescuing Elena

    <h4>Chapter 176: Rescuing Elena</h4>


    <strong>Dean¡¯s POV</strong>


    Something was wrong¡ªterribly, dangerously wrong.


    The mate bond I shared with Elena was thrashing, pulling at me with an urgency I had never felt before. It wasn¡¯t just the usual ache of distance, the usual rage of knowing she was fucking someone else.


    This was different.


    This was panic.


    I clenched my fists, my fangs itching to descend as I paced the room, trying to steady my breathing.


    <i>What the fuck is happening to her?</i>


    The pain in my chest tightened¡ªsharp, suffocating. I grabbed at my heart, growling in frustration. I had already been dealing with Kane¡¯s shit, his emotional breakdown because of her, his fucking darkness infecting her through the mate bond. And now this?


    I stopped pacing and squeezed my eyes shut, trying to focus on the bond, to feel her more clearly.


    And what I felt sent a cold chill down my spine.


    Hunger.


    But not just any hunger. This was unnatural, parasitic. It was like she was feeding off something¡ªor someone.


    And then it hit me.


    Ace.


    <i>She¡¯s fucking draining him.</i>


    "Fuck." I grabbed my coat and stormed out the door.


    We were running out of time.


    We moved swiftly under the cover of night, the tension so thick it was suffocating. The forest was silent, unnaturally so, as if thend itself was holding its breath. Kane was at my side, his wolf brimming with rage and desperation, his chest still rising and falling erratically from the pain of our mate bond.


    Behind us, a small group of Kane¡¯s best warriors followed, along with the witch, who was clutching a pouch filled with whatever bullshit magic she needed to break the illusion hiding Elena.


    And I?


    I was barely holding myself together.


    The closer we got, the more unstable my bond with Elena became¡ªwaves of hunger, lust, and something else...something dark surged through me like a sickness.


    I wasn¡¯t just worried anymore. I was fucking terrified.


    We came to a stop at a seemingly empty clearing¡ªjust trees and endless darkness. But I knew better.


    "She¡¯s here," I growled.


    The witch stepped forward, ignoring the re Kane shot her way. She pulled out a handful of ck ashes and began to chant in anguage that made my skin crawl.


    Nothing happened.


    Then¡ª


    The air shimmered, like ripples distorting reality, and suddenly, a massive estate materialized before us. The illusion shattered like cracking ss, revealing towering stone walls, balconies, and guards patrolling the perimeter.


    The moment they spotted us, the rogues attacked.


    They came fast and merciless, emerging from the shadows with snarls and shing des.


    But we were faster.


    Kane shifted mid-lunge, his massive wolf exploding from his human form in a blur of fur and muscle. He tore through the first rogue like he was made of paper, sending blood spraying in an arc across the dirt.


    I went straight for the second wave, my fangs dropping, my movements too fast for the human eye. One of them swung a de at my throat, but I was already behind him before it couldnd.


    I drove my hand through his chest, wrapping my fingers around his beating heart, and tore it free.


    His body copsed instantly.


    Another came at me from the left¡ªI twisted, catching his arm mid-strike and snapping it backward at a grotesque angle. His scream barely left his lips before my ws ripped open his throat.


    Kane was pure brutality, his massive wolf ripping through bodies, breaking necks with powerful snaps of his jaws. One rogue tried to run¡ªKane lunged, grabbed him by the spine, and ripped him in half.


    But we didn¡¯t have time to finish them all.


    We had to get to her.


    "Inside! Now!" I roared, breaking into a sprint.


    Kane and I crashed through the front doors, ws digging into the wooden floors as we moved through the halls.


    I followed the pull of the bond.


    She was close.


    Every door we kicked open revealed nothing but empty rooms or terrified servants scrambling to get away from us. But then¡ª


    We reached thest door.


    The door crashed open under the force of my kick, splintering against the walls. But the moment I took in the scene before me, my world fucking shattered.


    Elena.


    She was straddling Ace, her naked body glistening with sweat, her hips still rolling against him in a mindless, desperate rhythm. But it wasn¡¯t just that¡ª


    Ace was still alive.


    His hands gripped her hips, his eyes locked onto her with an obsession that was unnatural, inhuman. He wasn¡¯t even acknowledging us, as if we weren¡¯t even fucking there.


    He just kept moving inside her.


    Kept thrusting.


    His mouth hung open, his breathing ragged, his entire body shaking violently. It was like something was being drained from him, but he couldn¡¯t stop¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t stop¡ª


    Kane snarled beside me, his ws extending, but I threw an arm out, stopping him.


    Something was wrong.


    Elena let out a loud, ecstatic moan, throwing her head back, her hands running over Ace¡¯s chest as if trying to consume more of him.


    Ace gasped¡ªhis back arched violently, his fingers digging into her skin as his body stiffened.


    Then¡ª


    He came.


    His release poured into her, his muscles locking¡ªhis entire body convulsing beneath her. But the moment he emptied himself, something inside him snapped.


    His eyes rolled back.


    His skin paled to an unnatural white.


    His body went rigid.


    And then¡ª


    He was gone.


    Elena¡¯s body shuddered with her own climax, a moan of pure pleasure and darkness ripping from her throat as Ace went still beneath her.


    But she didn¡¯t stop moving.


    Even though Ace¡¯s lifeless body was beneath her, even though the bond in my chest screamed in agony, even though Kane was growling like he was ready to tear the world apart¡ª


    She kept riding him.


    As if he still had something left to give.


    She finally slowed, her breathing uneven, her body still trembling with the aftershocks of whatever had just happened.


    And then she looked at us.


    Her eyes.


    ck.


    Empty.


    Soulless.


    Ace¡¯s body was withered, drained, a shell of what he once was¡ªand I knew, with bone-deep certainty, that Elena had sucked the life right out of him.


    Kane was frozen beside me, his wolf snarling in agony, disbelief shing across his face.


    Elena tilted her head, her pitch-ck eyes locking onto us.


    Then¡ª


    She smiled.

 Chapter 177: Deadly Pleasures

    <h4>Chapter 177: Deadly Pleasures</h4>


    <strong>Dean¡¯s POV</strong>


    Kane shifted back to human form, his ws retracting, his fur disappearing¡ªbut the moment he was fully flesh again, he was hard.


    I couldn¡¯t even me him.


    Elena was temptation incarnate.


    Her naked body glistened in the dim light, her curves sinful, her breasts rising and falling with each heavy breath. She smelled like sex and something darker, something dangerous, something that made my instincts scream in warning.


    And then there were her eyes.


    ck.


    Empty.


    Dripping with raw, insatiable hunger.


    It wasn¡¯t just lust¡ªit was something deeper, something primal, all-consuming. It pulled at us like a force of nature, like a ck hole dragging everything into its abyss.


    And Kane, the stupid animal, was already falling.


    His breath hitched, his entire body tensed, and I knew that his wolf was no longer thinking with reason¡ªbut with his cock.


    Fucking idiot.


    Elena¡¯s lips curled into a sultry smile, her hands running over her body, and then she beckoned us forward.


    Kane didn¡¯t hesitate.


    Like the mindless beast he was, he obeyed.


    He took a step toward her, eyes dark with desire. She licked her lips, watching him like a predator sizing up her next meal. And when he got close enough, she reached for him¡ª


    Her hand wrapped around his cock, stroking him with slow, deliberate jerks.


    Kane groaned, his hips jerking forward into her grip.


    And in that moment, I saw it.


    The pull.


    The same force that had drained Ace dry.


    The ck-eyed monster inside Elena was reeling Kane in, sinking its ws into him, ready to consume him next.


    Fuck no.


    I zoomed forward, faster than a heartbeat, my vampire instincts kicking in just as Kane¡¯s knees buckled in pure pleasure.


    My hand shot out, grabbing Elena before she could take any more of him, and in one swift motion, I threw her over my shoulder.


    She let out a startled gasp, her hands mming against my back, legs kicking, but I didn¡¯t fucking stop.


    I shed out of the room, moving faster than human eyes could track, leaving behind a stunned, rock-hard Kane and the lifeless, used-up body of Ace.


    Elena¡¯s fists pounded against my back, her voice dripping with lust and fury.


    "Put me down, Dean!" she growled, writhing against me like a wild thing.


    I tightened my grip.


    "Not a fucking chance."


    I was getting her the hell away from that room, from Kane, from whatever the fuck had taken root inside her.


    And this time¡ª


    I wasn¡¯t letting her go.


    Carrying a naked, aroused mate over my shoulder was a fucking nightmare.


    Her soft, warm skin pressed against me, her scent¡ªthick with lust¡ªwrapped around me like a noose. And with every step I took, her bare ass bounced dangerously close to my face, testing every ounce of restraint I had.


    I was one second away from losing my fucking mind.


    Every fiber of my being wanted to put her down and fuck her into the dirt<strong>,</strong> to let her ride me like she had with Ace, to drown in the raw, unfiltered pleasure her body promised.


    But Ace¡¯s naked, lifeless corpse was burned into my memory.


    That was enough to keep me sober.


    Enough to remind me that this wasn¡¯t Elena.


    Not really.


    She was possessed by something darker, something that was using her body as bait to lure in every male in reach. And if I didn¡¯t get her the fuck out of here, Kane would be next.


    I needed to take her somewhere safe¡ªsomewhere she couldn¡¯t seduce another poor bastard into his grave.


    The only ce I could think of?


    Kane¡¯s cottage.


    I started moving faster, heading toward the clearing where the cottage came into view, but Elena wasn¡¯t done testing me.


    After failing miserably to break free, she changed tactics.


    Her hands slipped beneath my shirt, her cool, seductive fingers gliding over my back in slow, teasing circles.


    I clenched my jaw. Fuck.


    I kept going, muscles locked like iron, refusing to acknowledge the dangerous game she was ying.


    Then her hand slid lower.


    Into my pants.


    Cupping my ass.


    Double. Fuck.


    I stopped abruptly, my body locking up as she squeezed my ass with both hands, digging her nails into my skin.


    A growl rumbled in my throat.


    "Elena." My voice was strained, dangerous. A warning.


    But she only chuckled, her breath hot against my spine.


    "You¡¯re so fucking tense, Dean," she purred, pressing herself closer, her tongue flicking against my skin. "Let me help you rx."


    My vision blurred for half a second as my body and vampire instincts warred against the primal urge to throw her down and take what she was offering.


    I let out a slow breath.


    "Keep your hands to yourself, Elena."


    "Or what?" she challenged, her fingers slipping lower, dangerously close to¡ª


    I grabbed her wrist, yanking it away before she could finish that sentence.


    "Or I¡¯ll tie you to the fucking bed and leave you there until you snap out of this."


    Her ck eyes shed, her lips curling into something wicked, dark¡ª


    Hungry.


    "Promise?" she whispered.


    Fucking hell.


    I gritted my teeth and kept walking.


    I needed to get her inside before I lost control.


    Before we both did.


    And before Kane find us and made this whole damn situation worse.


    I should¡¯ve known she wasn¡¯t fucking done.


    The moment I tried to ignore her, Elena moaned, the sound sultry, breathless¡ªdangerous.


    She arched against me, pressing her soft, bare breasts against my back, squeezing them together as she rubbed against me like a damn cat in heat.


    Fuck.


    My restraint was hanging by a fucking thread.


    Then she did it again, moaning louder, needier, wetter.


    I snapped.


    In one swift motion, I flipped her over, her naked body falling perfectly into my arms as I carried her princess-style.


    I was going to throw her onto the damn bed and lock her down.


    That was the n.


    But the second I stepped inside the cottage, I made the biggest mistake of my fucking life.


    I let my guard down.


    And Elena struck.


    She threw her arms around my neck, pulling me down, her lips crashing against mine.


    Fuck.


    I froze, my body locking up as her tongue slipped past my lips, hot, desperate, and sinful.


    My hands gripped her tighter, my control shattering like ss.


    I was so fucking done.


    There was noing back from this.


    Not when she tasted this good.


    Not when every inch of her was soft, willing, and soaked in pure, unfiltered lust.


    And definitely not when my cock was throbbing so hard it fucking hurt.


    "Elena," I growled against her lips, my voice thick with something raw, something dangerous.


    But she only smirked against my mouth, her ck eyes zing with sinful delight.


    "Don¡¯t fight it, Dean," she whispered.


    I wasn¡¯t going to.


    Not anymore.

 Chapter 178: Different Taste

    <h4>Chapter 178: Different Taste</h4>


    <strong>Dean¡¯s POV</strong>


    I wasn¡¯t going to fight it.


    Not anymore.


    Not when her lips were so damn soft. Not when her body was wrapped around me, her heat pressing into my skin, her scent flooding my lungs like an aphrodisiac.


    I groaned, deep and guttural, gripping her thighs tighter as she rolled her hips against me, her naked body grinding over my hardness.


    Fuck.


    I mmed her against the nearest wall, my breath ragged as I stared into those ck, sinful eyes. They were devouring me.


    And I wanted to be devoured.


    Her nails raked down my back, sharp enough to sting but not break skin. I hissed through my teeth, my control slipping further.


    "You¡¯re fighting it, Dean," she purred, her fingers tangling in my hair as she tilted my head back, her lips grazing over my throat.


    I shuddered.


    "You don¡¯t want to fight, do you?" she teased, grinding against me.


    I growled, my fangs elongating, my entire body coiling with tension.


    She was ying with fire.


    I was fire.


    And I was about to burn us both alive.


    I grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her head, pressing my body flush against hers.


    She gasped, and fuck, I wanted to hear that sound again.


    I leaned in, my lips brushing against her ear. "You¡¯re dangerous, Elena." My voice was a warning, dark and rough.


    She shivered.


    And then, that wicked smirk curled on her lips. "Then what are you waiting for?"


    Fuck it.


    I crashed my mouth against hers, hard and punishing, devouring her the way I had been craving since the moment Iid eyes on her.


    Her moan vibrated against my lips, her body arching into me, needing, taking.


    Here¡¯s a longer, more intense version of your scene:


    I reached down, gripping her thighs tightly, feeling the softness of her flesh contrast against the strength of my hold. With one smooth motion, I lifted her against the wall, her back mming against it with a soft thud.


    She gasped, a wicked smirk ying on her lips as her legs instinctively wrapped around my waist, locking me in.


    I spread her wide, pressing my aching cock right against her soaked entrance.


    Her breath hitched.


    Her ck eyes zed¡ªdark, bottomless, and fucking insatiable.


    And then¡ª


    She tore my shirt open, ws raking across my chest, fabric ripping like it was nothing.


    I growled, fangs elongating, my body thrumming with hunger¡ªnot just for her, but for the power surging between us.


    Her hands moved fast, desperate, impatient, wild. She reached for my belt, fingers yanking the buckle loose, unzipping my pants so fast they slid down to my feet.


    I didn¡¯t fucking care.


    My mouth found her throat, my lips burning against her sweat-slicked skin, tongue tracing the spot where her pulse pounded.


    She shuddered, gasping my name.


    Then, with a low moan, her fingers slid under my boxers, wrapping around my cock, pulling it out.


    I hissed at the contact¡ªher touch was like fire and ice, a mix of pleasure and torment.


    She gripped me tightly, stroking me, her thumb teasing the swollen tip, spreading the slick beads of precum.


    "Fuck, Elena¡ª"


    I didn¡¯t get to finish¡ªshe arched her hips, rubbing her drenched heat against me, coating me in her wetness.


    I groaned into her neck, biting down lightly, sucking the delicate skin.


    "Dean, I need you¡ª" she gasped, rolling her hips harder, teasing me, torturing me.


    Her nails dug into my shoulders, urging me on, pulling me closer, deeper.


    And just as I was about to give her exactly what she needed¡ª


    Her nails raked down my back, her body arching against mine as she rocked her hips, grinding against me with reckless desperation.


    I gripped her thighs tighter, pinning her harder against the wall, spreading her wider. My cock was already slick with her arousal, teasing her entrance, rubbing against her heat until she was squirming, panting, begging.


    "Dean," she moaned, her ck eyes locking onto mine, dark and bottomless with need.


    Fuck it.


    I thrust into her in one powerful stroke, burying myself deep inside her.


    She gasped, her fingers digging into my shoulders, her body tensing for a second before she melted into me, letting out a moan that had my restraint snapping in half.


    I pulled back, then mmed into her again¡ªhard, fast, relentless.


    Her legs tightened around my waist, pulling me in deeper, forcing me to hit the very spot that had her screaming my name.


    "Dean¡ªfuck¡ªharder!"


    I obliged.


    My hips snapped forward, my hands gripping her ass, lifting her slightly before pounding into her with a force that had the wall shaking behind her.


    She was so fucking tight, so wet, so perfect, taking everything I gave her and still demanding more.


    She threw her head back, moaning, biting her lip, and the sight nearly undid me.


    My fangs ached.


    My hunger for her was more than just physical¡ªit was primal, consuming, overpowering.


    Her hands wed at my back, leaving marks, fueling the fire between us. Her body trembled, her walls tightening around me, signaling she was close.


    "That¡¯s it, baby," I growled, driving deeper, rougher, faster. "Fucking take it. Cum for me."


    She let out a shattered moan, her whole body tensing, her head falling forward, eyes squeezing shut.


    I felt her shatter around me, clenching, pulsing, milking my cock as she came hard, her orgasm crashing over her like a storm.


    And just as I reached my own edge, the world narrowing down to her, the heat, the pleasure, the way she fucking owned me in this moment¡ª


    I sank my fangs into her neck.


    Her scream tore through the room¡ªnot in pain, but in raw, unfiltered pleasure.


    Her blood hit my tongue, rich, intoxicating, but... different.


    There was something else.


    Something underneath the taste of her usual sweetness¡ªsomething darker, richer, unfamiliar.


    My eyes snapped open, a shudder rolling through me.


    What the fuck?


    I swallowed, feeling the strange aftertaste of something foreign, something unnatural.


    She was still trembling in my arms, breathing heavily,ing down from her high,pletely unaware.

 Chapter 179: Truce

    <h4>Chapter 179: Truce</h4>


    <strong>Dean POV</strong>


    A vicious, territorial snarl ripped through the room.


    Kane.


    Fucking perfect.


    I lifted my head from Elena¡¯s neck, my lips still stained with her blood, my cock still buried deep inside her, and met his zing, furious gaze.


    His chest was heaving, his muscles tense, his ws halfway extended.


    His eyes?


    Pitch yellow.


    Not from lust.


    From pure, unfiltered rage.


    The mate bond between us thrummed, wild and unstable, vibrating with raw tension.


    I didn¡¯t fucking care.


    Not now.


    Not when my body was still humming from the high of iming her, from drinking her, from sinking into her so deep I could still feel the echoes of her orgasm squeezing around me.


    I let out a slow exhale, a smirk curling my lips as I snapped my hips forward onest time, forcing a strangled moan out of Elena, her body still sensitive, still writhing from overstimtion.


    Kane fucking lost it.


    With a roar, he lunged.


    I barely had a second to react before he mmed into me, sending us crashing into the dresser.


    Wood splintered beneath the force of the impact.


    Elena gasped, thrown off bnce, but I caught her, rolling us so shended on the bed instead of the broken furniture.


    Before I could even turn back, Kane¡¯s ws raked across my chest, tearing through my skin like paper.


    I snarled, the pain lighting me up like fire, fueling my own fury.


    "Jealous, wolf?" I taunted, licking the blood off my lip, grinning as it healed almost instantly. "Or just mad because she didn¡¯t call out your name?"


    His fist collided with my jaw.


    The world snapped white for a second, my head jerking to the side from the force.


    Fuck, he was strong.


    But I was faster.


    I spun, using my momentum to m my elbow into his ribs, following it up with a sharp knee to his gut.


    He grunted but barely flinched, grabbing me by the throat and mming me against the wall.


    His ws dug into my neck, his grip crushing, but all I could do wasugh.


    Because his gaze kept flickering to Elena, to her flushed, wrecked body sprawled across the bed, to the way her thighs were still spread, wet with my release.


    He was torn.


    Between killing me and iming her.


    Between his fury and his need.


    "You should be thanking me," I rasped, my fangs shing in a sharp grin. "I was only helping our mate."


    His snarl shook the walls.


    "You don¡¯t fucking touch what¡¯s mine!"


    "Then maybe you should¡¯ve kept her satisfied."


    This time, he didn¡¯t just punch me¡ªhe threw me clear across the room.


    I crashed into the nightstand, the wood exploding into splinters beneath me, but I was already moving before he could lunge again.


    I ducked his next swipe, pivoted, and kicked his legs out from under him.


    He went down on one knee, but instead of staying there, he used the momentum to propel himself forward, tackling me to the ground, his ws at my throat.


    "You think I won¡¯t fucking kill you?" he growled, his breath hot, his fangs bared.


    "You think you can?" I countered, snapping my hips up, flipping us over so I was the one pinning him.


    He let out a sharp growl, his body tensing to push me off¡ª


    And then Elena moaned.


    We both froze.


    Turned our heads at the same time.


    She was watching us, licking her lips, her ck eyes gleaming.


    Enjoying the show.


    My stomach dropped.


    Kane stiffened.


    Something was wrong.


    Very, very fucking wrong.


    And in that moment, I knew¡ª


    This wasn¡¯t just Elena anymore.


    Something else was inside her.


    Something that wanted more.


    Something that wasn¡¯t done yet.


    And we were both fucked.


    Elena¡¯s ck eyes burned into us, a slow,zy smirk curling on her lips as she dragged her fingers over her bare skin, tracing the bite mark on her neck¡ªthe one I¡¯d given her.


    She wasn¡¯t ashamed.


    She was reveling in it.


    Her legs were still spread, slick and trembling from the intensity of what we¡¯d just done, but she wasn¡¯t sated.


    Not even close.


    And that was the fucking problem.


    Kane and I had both felt it through the mate bond¡ªthis wasn¡¯t normal. This wasn¡¯t just her giving in to lust.


    This was something darker.


    Something feeding through her.


    And I¡¯d just been stupid enough to let it take from me.


    Kane¡¯s body was still rigid beneath me, his heart pounding, his rage palpable, but I could see his confusion bleeding.


    His wolf was on the edge, wing for control, torn between rage, instinct, and something else he couldn¡¯t quite ce.


    I knew what it was.


    I¡¯d tasted it.


    Elena¡¯s blood¡ªit wasn¡¯t just hers.


    Something else had been woven into it, something ancient, dark, and insatiable.


    And now that we were both here, now that she had both of us in one ce...


    She wanted more.


    A shiver crawled down my spine.


    I pushed off Kane, my fangs still bared, and took a slow step toward her.


    Her smirk widened.


    "Now, now," she purred, her voice silk and sin, her fingers trailing lower over her stomach. "Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re both going to just stand there?"


    Kane let out a low, guttural growl.


    "Elena," he bit out, his voice strained, his wolf barely contained. "What the fuck is happening to you?"


    She tilted her head, feigning innocence.


    "Happening to me?" she echoed.


    Then, in a blink, she was off the bed.


    I lunged on instinct, my vampire reflexes kicking in, but she was faster than she should¡¯ve been.


    One second she was in front of us¡ª


    The next, she was behind me, whispering in my ear.


    "You taste different," she breathed. "Powerful. Addictive."


    A sharp pain tore through my chest.


    I snarled, whirling just in time to see the tip of her w retract from where it had barely grazed my skin.


    Not an attack.


    A test.


    Kane lost his patience.


    With a snarl, he lunged, grabbing Elena by the arm, trying to pin her down.


    Sheughed¡ªa dark, sultry sound¡ªbefore twisting out of his grip like she wasn¡¯t even trying.


    His eyes widened.


    Mine did too.


    Because no wolf, no matter how strong, should¡¯ve been able to move like that.


    Not against an Alpha.


    Not against a vampire.


    Not unless something was helping her.


    Kane and I exchanged a rare, silent nce.


    Truce.


    Just for now.


    Just until we figured out what the fuck was inside our mate.


    Elena smirked.


    And then¡ª


    She attacked.


    One moment she was standing there, bare and smug¡ª


    The next, she was ws and speed, a blur of movement as she lunged straight at Kane.


    His wolf reacted in a split second, shifting mid-motion, his ws catching hers, the impact shaking the entire fucking room.


    I didn¡¯t hesitate.


    I moved with vampiric speed,ing at her from behind, my arms locking around her waist, pinning her against me.


    She screamed.


    Not in pain.


    In rage.


    The entire room shook.


    And then I felt it.


    The darkness inside her, pulsing like a second heartbeat, thick and insidious, coiling around my body, trying to drain me all over again.


    Fuck.


    Kane¡¯s wolf snapped his jaws, his fangs inches from her throat, his instincts screaming to dominate, to take control.


    But that was the trap.


    That¡¯s what it wanted.


    Elena bucked against me, her strength unnatural, her body searing hot against mine.


    She twisted in my hold, her lips at my throat before I could react¡ª


    And then Kane¡¯s massive wolf tackled both of us, sending us crashing to the floor.


    Shended between us.


    Trapped.


    But when she lifted her head, her ck eyes glowed.


    And she smiled.


    "You can¡¯t fight it," she whispered. "You¡¯re already mine."

 Chapter 180: The Witch Is Gone

    <h4>Chapter 180: The Witch Is Gone</h4>


    <strong>Dean POV</strong>


    "SHIFT"


    Fucking idiot.


    Elenamanded, and Kane¡ªa goddamn Alpha¡ªobeyed without hesitation.


    The massive ck wolf above us shimmered, bones twisting, fur retracting, until Kane was fully human again.


    Naked.


    And on top of her.


    Stupid fucking move.


    The second he shifted, Elena¡¯s smirk deepened.


    Her thighs parted just enough to cradle his hips.


    And Kane, the fucking dumbass, inhaled sharply as soon as he felt her skin against his.


    I saw the exact moment he lost himself.


    His breath stuttered. His arms trembled, bracing himself over her. His wolf¡ªthe same one that had been **furious just seconds ago¡ª**was now desperate.


    Fighting between lust and logic.


    And losing.


    Elena took full advantage of it.


    Her fingers trailed up his chest, nails scratching lightly down his skin, teasing, coaxing.


    And then, she rolled her hips against him.


    Kane let out a snarled breath, his muscles locking up.


    "Elena," he growled, his voice hoarse.


    She only tilted her head, those ck, unnatural eyes staring up at him.


    "Why are you fighting it?" she whispered. "You want me."


    She reached down, fingers wrapping around his already hard cock, stroking him slow and deliberate.


    I fucking snapped.


    I yanked Kane back, gripping his throat, mming him off her and into the fucking wall.


    His eyes zed, a full Alpha snarl ripping from his throat.


    But I didn¡¯t care.


    He was about to make the same fucking mistake I did.


    I bared my fangs at him. "You fucking moron."


    Kane snarled, his ws already extending. "Touch me again, leech, and I¡¯ll¡ª"


    "Die," I cut in. "Just like Ace."


    The words hit like a silver bullet.


    Because for the first time since we walked in, Kane really looked at her.


    Not just at her body.


    At her.


    At the unnatural way she moved.


    The inky ckness of her eyes.


    The way she was still writhing against nothing, desperate, insatiable.


    The way Ace had been.


    Until he¡¯d fucking died.


    Kane¡¯s face twisted in rage. He turned his fury back to Elena.


    "What the fuck did you do?" His voice was sharp, dangerous. Alphamand.


    Elena...ughed.


    Slow. Sinister.


    Like she knew something we didn¡¯t.


    I exchanged a nce with Kane.


    Truce still on.


    For now.


    Because whatever was inside our mate...


    Wasn¡¯t leaving willingly.


    "Boys, boys."


    Elena¡¯s voice was pure sin, smooth and taunting.


    "There¡¯s no need to fight."


    She moaned, fingers sliding between her thighspletely unashamed,pletely lost in whatever dark hunger had taken over her.


    "I¡¯m enough for both of you," she whispered, back arching, thighs parting. "I just want a nice, hard fuck."


    Fuck.


    I turned away, raking a hand through my hair, trying to regain some control.


    Kane was breathing like a rabid animal, fists clenched, jaw locked.


    I could smell how much he wanted her.


    Fuck, I wanted her too.


    But this wasn¡¯t just lust.


    This was something else.


    Something twisted.


    Something that had just killed a man.


    She needed clothes.


    We all needed clothes.


    But especially her.


    Because if we were going to get anywhere¡ªif we were going to figure out what the fuck was happening to our mate¡ª


    We needed to stop thinking with our dicks.


    And start fighting whatever the fuck had taken over her.


    Elena¡¯s ck eyes gleamed as she slowly slid her fingers from between her thighs, bringing them to her lips. She sucked them clean, moaning, her tongue swirling in deliberate, sinful strokes.


    Fucking hell.


    Kane let out a low, guttural growl, his eyes shifting between his human form and his wolf, fighting against the primal urge to im her. His fists were trembling at his sides, barely containing himself.


    I wasn¡¯t doing much better.


    We were both naked, standing in the dimly lit room, our bodies still charged from everything that had just happened. My cock was still aching, and Kane¡¯s was just as hard¡ªhell, maybe harder¡ªat the sight of her licking herself clean.


    We needed to think. We needed to get control.


    "Elena," I said, my voice rough.


    Her gaze flicked to me, and fuck, I nearly lost my resolve.


    She looked insatiable. Dangerous. Untouchable.


    She tilted her head, licking her lips. "Yes, my love?"


    I knew that tone. It was mocking. Testing.


    "Elena, you need to put some fucking clothes on," Kane growled. His voice was hoarse, as if it physically pained him to say the words.


    Her smile was pure seduction.


    "Why?" she asked, stretching like azy cat, her breasts perking up as she arched her back. "You clearly like what you see."


    Neither of us could argue with that.


    But this wasn¡¯t about liking.


    This was about surviving.


    I took a slow, deliberate step toward her. "Because whatever the fuck is happening to you isn¡¯t normal."


    She pouted, dragging her nails over my bare chest, making my muscles twitch. "You didn¡¯t seem to mind when you were fucking me against that wall."


    Fuck.


    My hands fisted at my sides to keep from grabbing her again.


    Kane, the stupid fucking wolf, was already stepping forward, his restraint snapping like a frayed rope.


    "You need to stop teasing," he warned, his voice dark. "Or I¡¯m going to pin you down and fuck you so hard you won¡¯t be able to walk for days."


    A shiver ran through her¡ªone of delight, not fear.


    She reached out, grabbing his cock, stroking himzily.


    I growled. "Elena."


    Her eyes snapped to mine, and for a second¡ªjust a second¡ªI saw something flicker behind them. Something foreign. Something not her.


    That was enough to make me act.


    I grabbed her by the waist, yanking her off Kane and tossing her onto the massive bed.


    Sheughed¡ªactually fuckingughed.


    "Oh, Dean," she purred, spreading her legs. "That¡¯s more like it."


    But I wasn¡¯t ying this game anymore.


    I moved lightning fast, pinning her wrists above her head, locking her in ce.


    Kane, to my surprise, mirrored me¡ªgrabbing her ankles and pushing her legs together, keeping her from tempting us any further.


    She struggled, snarling, her ck eyes shing.


    For the first time since we stepped into this room, she looked trapped.


    "I don¡¯t think you¡¯re in control anymore, sweetheart," I murmured, leaning in just enough for her breath to hitch.


    Kane¡¯s grip tightened on her thighs.


    We weren¡¯t going to fuck her.


    We were going to save her.


    I covered Elena with the bedsheet, ignoring the way she smirked at me like she was amused by my attempt at modesty. Fuck that. I needed her out of my sight before she tempted me again.


    I grabbed my pants from the floor, pulling them on, my jaw clenched so tight it ached. Then, I tossed a pair of shorts at Kane, who caught them midair without opening his eyes and slipped them on.


    The room was thick with tension¡ªsexual, predatory, and something much, much worse.


    Ruffling my hair in frustration, I tried to force my brain to function past the throbbing pulse of desire and the unsettling realization that something was wrong with Elena.


    An idea struck me. A desperate,st-ditch idea.


    "Where¡¯s the witch that broke Ace¡¯s illusion?" I asked, turning to Kane.


    He was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, eyes shut, chest rising and falling in measured breaths. Trying to calm himself. Trying not to snap.


    "She ran off after the illusion broke," he finally muttered. His voice was gravelly, still thick with restraint.


    My hands curled into fists. "You let her leave?"


    Kane¡¯s eyes snapped open, glowing faintly. "I had a fucking rogue army trying to rip my throat out, Dean. I didn¡¯t exactly have time to chase after a witch."


    Shit.


    There went our only reliable way of fixing this mess.


    "She said something about her work being done," Kane added with a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Then she disappeared."


    Perfect.


    Just fucking perfect.


    Witches were already a nightmare to find, and now we¡¯d have to track down another¡ªwhich, considering how difficult it was to even find one willing to help, meant we were in deep fucking shit.


    I nced at Elena.


    She was still watching us, her dark eyes glinting, something predatory curling at the edges of her smirk.


    She looked pleased.


    Like she knew exactly what kind of chaos she had thrown us into.


    Like she was enjoying it.


    I swallowed down the urge to snarl.


    One thing was clear¡ªtime was running out.

 Chapter 181: Resisting

    <h4>Chapter 181: Resisting</h4>


    <strong>Dean POV</strong>


    Elena shifted under the sheet, rolling onto her side as she propped her head on her hand,pletely unbothered by the chaos she had just caused. She was watching us like we were her next meal.


    It didn¡¯t sit right.


    The woman beneath that sheet¡ªthe woman who had just drained Ace to hisst breath¡ªwasn¡¯t our Elena.


    Not entirely.


    I exhaled sharply, raking a hand through my hair as my mind raced. We needed another witch. Fast.


    "Fuck." I turned to Kane, who was still leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest, muscles taut, his breathing still ragged. He was trying his best to ignore the way his mate¡ªour mate¡ªwas currently stretched out on the bed, oozing sin and temptation.


    "You¡¯re the Alpha. You¡¯ve got connections. Any leads on witches in this region?"


    Kane scoffed, finally looking at me. "If I had a witch in my pocket, do you think we¡¯d be standing here with our dicks in our hands while Elena turns into some kind of fucking subus?"


    Good point.


    Behind me, Elena giggled.


    Giggled.


    It wasn¡¯t her usualugh¡ªthe soft, mischievous one I¡¯d heard before.


    No.


    This one was dark. Dripping with amusement. Sinister.


    "You boys are so tense," she purred, stretching like a cat. The sheets barely covered her, teasing glimpses of smooth, bare skin. "Why don¡¯t you juste back to bed and let me help you rx?"


    My jaw locked.


    Kane¡¯s entire body went rigid. His fists clenched, his breathing hitched¡ªthe mate bond was fucking with him hard.


    "Elena," I said, my voice low, warning.


    She sighed, pouting. "You¡¯re no fun, Dean."


    I ignored her and turned back to Kane. "We don¡¯t have time to waste. We need a witch. Now."


    Kane dragged a hand down his face, exhaling. "I might know someone. But she¡¯s not exactly friendly."


    I arched a brow. "Neither are we."


    He grunted, then pushed off the wall. "Give me a few hours to get in touch. Until then..." He nced at Elena, who was still watching us, licking her lips like we were fucking prey.


    I grimaced.


    "We need to contain her," Kane finished.


    I frowned. "What, like lock her up?"


    "Just until we figure out what the fuck is happening to her."


    Elena smirked, eyes dark and knowing.


    "Boys," she murmured, voice dripping with seduction. "You can try to cage me, but we all know you¡¯lle crawling back."


    Kane growled, his wolf pushing through, eyes shing pure gold.


    Fuck.


    We needed to move fast.


    Because whatever was happening to her...


    It was getting worse.


    "Elena, stop," Kane gritted out, his fists clenching at his sides.


    She just smirked, stretching her arms above her head, making the sheet slip slightly, revealing just enough skin to test every ounce of restraint we had left.


    "Oh, Alpha," she purred, voice thick with seduction. "You don¡¯t have to be shy. I¡¯m yours, aren¡¯t I?" She tilted her head, ck eyes gleaming. "Come im me."


    Fuck.


    I saw it¡ªthe way Kane¡¯s muscles tensed, the way his nostrils red as his wolf howled through the bond, desperate, needy.


    For her.


    For our mate.


    But this wasn¡¯t our mate¡ªnotpletely.


    I forced my gaze away from her, focusing on Kane instead. "We need to go. Now."


    Kane exhaled sharply, shaking his head as if trying to clear it. His jaw tightened, his golden eyes still locked on Elena like she was a drug he was struggling not to take.


    Then, without another word, we turned and walked out, locking the door behind us.


    I didn¡¯t breathe again until we were outside.


    "Fuck," I muttered, dragging a hand down my face. "That was close."


    Kane was pacing, running a hand through his hair, frustration radiating off him in waves. "I would have suggested one of us stay with her, but that¡¯s¡ª" He cut himself off, shaking his head. "That¡¯s too dangerous."


    No shit.


    He suddenly stopped, his eyes lighting up with an idea. "I¡¯ll call Ste. She can keep an eye on her while we go deal with the witch."


    I hesitated. "You sure about that? Elena is..." I trailed off, because what the fuck was Elena right now?


    Kane clenched his jaw. "She¡¯s strong, yeah. But she won¡¯t be able to seduce Ste the way she can us." He tilted his head, already mind-linking his warrior.


    I hoped to hell he was right.


    Because something told me that Elena was only getting stronger.


    "I highly doubt she¡¯s into girls," I muttered. "Andst time I checked, Ste¡¯s straight."


    Kane shot me a look. "That¡¯s the fucking point."


    I huffed, rolling my shoulders. "Still doesn¡¯t mean she¡¯s safe."


    Kane didn¡¯t respond right away, just exhaled sharply before linking Ste. His expression darkened slightly, his brows furrowing.


    "She¡¯s on her way," he finally said. "And she¡¯ll keep her distance if things get out of hand."


    I wasn¡¯t convinced.


    Something about this situation¡ªit was all wrong.


    I ran a hand through my hair, ncing back at the cabin. "We should¡¯ve just tied Elena up."


    Kane gave me a dry look. "She¡¯d probably enjoy that."


    Fair point.


    Still, something about leaving her behind, even with Ste guarding her, made my gut twist. Not because I thought she was in danger¡ªno, it was the danger she posed to everyone else.


    And we still had no fucking clue how to fix it.


    "We better move," Kane said, already striding forward. "Before I change my damn mind."


    I followed, but not before casting onest nce at the cabin.


    Whatever was happening to Elena...


    <strong>*********</strong>


    Tracking witches was a pain in the ass.


    We arrived at the spot where the witch was supposed to be¡ªsome abandoned hut at the edge of the territory¡ªbut it waspletely empty. No scent, no lingering traces of magic. Nothing.


    Kane let out a low growl, scanning the area. "She was here. Probably didn¡¯t get far."


    I wasn¡¯t so sure. Witches didn¡¯t just vanish without a trace unless they wanted to. This one had hid her scent and any lingering act of magic, meaning she was powerful enough to cover her tracks if she felt threatened.


    "We¡¯re wasting time," I muttered.


    Kane clenched his jaw. "Then what do you suggest?"


    I exhaled sharply. "I¡¯ll check on Elena."


    He frowned. "You just left her. You think she¡¯s going somewhere?"


    "I¡¯m not talking about physically." I tapped my temple. "I¡¯m going to check through the mate bond."


    Kane¡¯s scowl deepened. "You think that¡¯s safe?"


    I didn¡¯t.


    But I wasn¡¯t about to sit here, wasting time while Elena was back there, turning into something we didn¡¯t understand.


    "I just need to see what¡¯s happening to her," I said. "Maybe find out if she knows what¡¯s causing this."


    Kane crossed his arms, clearly not liking the idea, but after a long pause, he finally gave a short nod. "Fine. I¡¯ll keep looking around."


    Without another word, I leaned against the nearest tree and closed my eyes, focusing on the bond.


    I needed to sleep.


    Not an easy feat, considering I was in the middle of fucking nowhere, but I forced myself to rx, slowing my breathing, sinking deeper into the connection.


    Reaching for Elena.


    Her presence was like a wildfire in my mind¡ªhot, consuming, dark.


    And then, suddenly...


    I was there.


    Inside her head.


    And what I saw made my blood run cold.

 Chapter 182: Inside The Dark Mind

    <h4>Chapter 182: Inside The Dark Mind</h4>


    <strong>Dean POV</strong>


    The world around me twisted and blurred, shifting until I was no longer leaning against a tree in the forest. Instead, I was inside Elena¡¯s mind.


    But this wasn¡¯t just her consciousness¡ªit was something darker.


    The air was thick, heavy,ced with the scent of sex and something rotten. Shadows pulsed along the walls of wherever the fuck I was, shifting unnaturally like they were alive.


    And there she was.


    Elena.


    She was standing in the middle of the room, naked, her body covered in a thin sheen of sweat. But it wasn¡¯t just her appearance that made my stomach clench¡ªit was her eyes.


    Pitch ck.


    Empty. Endless. Wrong.


    She wasn¡¯t alone.


    There were figures around her, all faceless, their hands reaching for her, touching her, worshipping her. She arched under their touch, her body writhing as they dragged their hands over her skin. But none of them were real. They flickered, like illusions, or maybe... manifestations of whatever the fuck was inside her.


    A low, breathy moan left her lips as she tilted her head back, eyes rolling.


    Her hands slid up her own body, nails dragging along her skin, her hips shifting as if she was riding some invisible force.


    "Elena." My voice came out sharper than I intended, but fuck, I needed to snap her out of this.


    Her ck eyes snapped to me.


    I froze.


    For a moment, I wasn¡¯t looking at my mate. I was looking at something else.


    Something ancient. Hunger. Lust. Darkness.


    A slow, wicked smile stretched across her lips.


    "Dean," she purred, her voice syrupy sweet, but tainted. "What took you so long?"


    She took a step toward me, her hips swaying, and I caught a sh of sharp fangs. Not like mine. Something worse.


    I tensed, instinct screaming at me to move, but the second she reached for me, her fingers brushing my chest, I felt it.


    The pull.


    A force so strong it nearly made me stumble forward. It wasn¡¯t the mate bond. It wasn¡¯t even lust.


    It was something else.


    Something that wanted to devour me.


    "Elena, stop," I growled.


    She justughed. A slow, sultry sound that slid down my spine like a de.


    "Why?" she whispered, stepping closer, pressing herself against me, her hands trailing down my stomach. "You want me, don¡¯t you? I can feel it."


    Her fingers wrapped around my cock, and fuck¡ªshe wasn¡¯t wrong.


    I was hard.


    Even knowing this was wrong. Even knowing she wasn¡¯t fully in control.


    Her hand tightened.


    "Give in, Dean," she murmured, brushing her lips along my jaw. "You¡¯re mine."


    Fuck.


    I had to get out of here.


    I clenched my jaw, forcing my hands onto her shoulders, pushing her back.


    "Elena," I said again, forcing the dominance in my voice. "Wake up."


    Her smile faltered.


    Something flickered in her ck eyes.


    A sh of confusion.


    Then¡ªpain.


    She gasped, clutching her head as the faceless figures around her screeched and began to dissolve into ck smoke.


    The shadows flickered, the world around us shaking.


    I was still inside her mind.


    And I was losing her.


    Elena stood before me, naked, her body glistening with sweat, her pupils dted and ck as the abyss. Her lips parted, her breathing out in ragged pants, her fingers curling at her sides as she watched me.


    No¡ªshe was hunting me.


    This wasn¡¯t just Elena anymore. Something else had taken root inside her.


    And it wanted me to give in.


    Her voice came out in a soft purr. "Why are you fighting it, Dean?"


    She stepped toward me, her hips swaying, seduction in every movement. The pull between us crackled like raw electricity, my vampire instincts screaming at me to take her, im her, mark her.


    But I wouldn¡¯t.


    Not like this.


    "Elena," I growled, keeping my feet nted despite my own raging need. "This isn¡¯t you. You need to fight whatever the fuck this is."


    She sighed, rolling her head back. "You¡¯re making this so difficult."


    Then her gaze snapped back to mine, something wicked shing across her face.


    "If you won¡¯t give me what I need..." she whispered, licking her lips. "Someone else will."


    And that¡¯s when the shadows moved.


    A dark figure emerged from the inky ckness, faceless, towering, its body shifting and flickering like it wasn¡¯t bound by the samews of reality. It was humanoid, but wrong¡ªunnatural.


    And it wasing for her.


    Elena didn¡¯t resist when it reached her, its shadowy hands sliding over her bare skin, gripping her hips, her thighs. She let out a low moan, tilting her head back as the thing pushed her down onto all fours.


    What. The. Fuck.


    A snarl tore from my throat.


    "Elena!" I barked, stepping toward her, my hands curling into fists.


    She ignored me.


    Her back arched as the figure behind her positioned itself, its form shifting, taking on something more solid¡ªsomething it was about to use to fuck her.


    I saw red.


    Pure, violent, bloodthirsty red.


    "No one touches my fucking mate while I¡¯m around!" I roared, lunging forward.


    I swung hard, my fist connecting with the shadow¡¯s chest.


    But instead of feeling solid, it dissolved.


    The fucking thing just¡ªdisappeared into thin air.


    I stumbled forward, my rage turning into confusion as I watched the shadows around us shift and swirl, as if they wereughing at me.


    Elena let out a frustrated whimper, her ck eyes shing.


    "Why did you do that?!" she snapped, ring at me like I had just denied her the greatest pleasure of her life. "I needed that!"


    My entire body went rigid.


    "The fuck you did," I growled, stepping closer to her. "You needed me to pull you out of whatever twisted hell this is!"


    Sheughed.


    A low, taunting, sinful sound.


    "I don¡¯t need saving, Dean," she whispered, reaching out, trailing a single finger down my chest.


    I shuddered.


    Because it wasn¡¯t just her touch.


    It was something deeper.


    A pull so carnal, so dangerous, that even I¡ªa fucking vampire¡ªfelt like I was on the verge of losing control.


    "Elena," I exhaled, my jaw tightening. "This isn¡¯t real. That thing wasn¡¯t real. It¡¯s fucking with you."


    She blinked, her lips parting slightly.


    And for a second¡ªjust a second¡ªI saw something flicker behind her ck eyes.


    Something human.


    Something afraid.


    I grabbed her wrists, forcing her to look at me. "Fight it," I demanded. "I know you¡¯re still in there."


    She shook her head. "It¡¯s toote."


    "No, it¡¯s not."


    She was trembling now, her breathing in short, sharp gasps.


    Then the world around us shuddered.


    The shadows pulsed, the figures flickering before they disappeared.


    Something was changing.


    Something was breaking.


    And just before I was ripped from her mind, I saw it.


    The real Elena.


    Terrified. Helpless. Screaming.


    And then¡ªdarkness.


    And just like that¡ªI was ripped away.


    I gasped awake, my body jerking violently as I was thrown out of her mind.


    My breath came in sharp, ragged gulps.


    Kane was crouched in front of me, eyes narrowed. "What the fuck happened?"


    I wiped the sweat from my forehead, still reeling from the intensity of what I had just seen.


    "Elena," I exhaled. "She¡¯s... not herself."


    Kane¡¯s eyes darkened. "What do you mean?"


    I pushed off the tree, my entire body still shaking.


    "I mean, whatever the fuck is inside her? It¡¯s winning."

 Chapter 183: His Fault

    <h4>Chapter 183: His Fault</h4>


    <strong>Dean¡¯s POV</strong>


    I woke up gasping, my body drenched in cold sweat, my fangs bared, heart pounding like a fucking war drum.


    The moment my eyes snapped open, I knew¡ªI could feel it. Something was wrong.


    Dark. Vile. Twisted.


    Voodoo.


    It had sunk its ws into Elena¡¯s mind like a disease, wrapping around her soul, warping her reality. That thing¡ªthat shadowed figure¡ªit wasn¡¯t just some illusion or trick. It was a part of her now.


    It had tainted her.


    My fists clenched.


    The air around me crackled as my vampire instincts surged, a violent need to destroy, to kill, to rip apart anything that had dared touch my mate.


    I turned my head to Kane, who was standing near the window, arms crossed, jaw clenched. He hadn¡¯t slept¡ªprobably because my body had been twitching, growling, reacting in my sleep the entire time.


    "She¡¯s infected," I said through gritted teeth.


    Kane¡¯s head snapped toward me. "What the fuck do you mean, infected?"


    I sat up, running a shaky hand through my hair. "That wasn¡¯t just some mind trick, Kane. Someone or something put dark voodoo in her fucking head."


    Kane¡¯s eyes darkened. His wolf surged beneath his skin, itching for a fight. "What does that mean for her?"


    I exhaled, trying to steady myself.


    "It means she¡¯s being controlled. Manipted." I swallowed hard, my jaw locking. "It means the longer this shit stays in her, the harder it¡¯s going to be to get her back."


    Kane didn¡¯t move.


    But I could feel his rage rising¡ªthe tension in his muscles, the way his nostrils red as his wolf howled for blood.


    "Who?" His voice was low, lethal. "Who the fuck did this to her?"


    I shook my head. "I don¡¯t know. But if we don¡¯t find out soon..."


    I didn¡¯t finish.


    Because we both knew what I meant.


    If we didn¡¯t fix this¡ªif we didn¡¯t rip this poison out of her mind¡ªwe were going to lose her.


    For good.


    It was his fucking fault.


    The rage in me was unlike anything I had ever felt before. It burned, seethed, and demanded blood.


    Kane¡¯s blood.


    I had never wanted to kill someone the way I wanted to rip him apart right now. My hands trembled, my fangs ached, and my vision blurred with nothing but pure hatred.


    This was because of his fucking darkness.


    His weakness.


    His recklessness.


    He had let that twisted, corrupted part of him slip¡ªand now Elena was paying the price.


    She was being consumed, her mind overtaken, her body being used like a puppet for something evil.


    And Kane?


    He had the fucking audacity to just stand there, his fists clenched, guilt shing in his eyes.


    Not enough.


    Guilt wasn¡¯t enough.


    He needed to bleed for this.


    Without thinking, without hesitating, I lunged.


    My fist collided with his jaw, the sickening crack of impact echoing through the room. Kane¡¯s head snapped to the side, but I didn¡¯t stop¡ªI couldn¡¯t.


    I wanted to break him.


    I needed to break him.


    Before he could recover, I mmed my elbow into his ribs, then grabbed his throat and threw him across the room. His back crashed against the wall, shattering a wooden shelf on impact.


    "YOU DID THIS TO HER!" I roared, my voice thick with fury.


    Kane coughed, his head hanging low, but I wasn¡¯t done.


    I was on him again in a second, lifting him by the throat. His wolf fought back¡ªhis ws dug into my arm, his fangs bared in warning.


    I didn¡¯t give a fuck.


    I mmed him back down, cracking the floor beneath us.


    "She¡¯s in that fucking state because of YOU!" I snarled, my fangs inches from his face. "Your fucking darkness infected her! Your weakness let this happen!"


    Kane growled low in his throat, his eyes flickering to his wolf¡¯s golden hue. His fingers curled into fists, and in one swift move, he flipped us.


    Now I was the one on the ground, with Kane¡¯s hand around my neck, his ws extending.


    His breathing was ragged, controlled.


    "That¡¯s right, Dean," he hissed, voice low and deadly. "me me. Fight me. But that¡¯s not gonna fucking save her."


    His grip on my throat tightened.


    My fangs bared as my vision darkened, but I refused to break eye contact.


    I could see it.


    The anger. The guilt. The fucking torment in his eyes.


    I didn¡¯t care.


    I growled, my muscles tensing, ready to tear him apart.


    Not yet.


    We needed the witch.


    She was the only one who could help Elena, the only one who could unravel whatever fucked-up darkness had seeped into her mind.


    Kane and I stood outside the small cottage where thest witch we found had worked her spell. But she was gone.


    Vanished.


    Like she had known what wasing.


    Convenient.


    Too fucking convenient.


    I clenched my fists. "This is a waste of time," I growled. "She¡¯s gone. Probably ran the moment she felt Elena¡¯s power."


    Kane was already sniffing around, his wolf senses picking up whatever he could. "Then we find another one. We don¡¯t stop until we do."


    I scoffed. "Oh yeah? And how do you suggest we find a witch willing to help a vampire, an Alpha, and a mate who¡¯s turning into a fucking void of darkness?"


    Kane turned to me, his eyes burning gold. "We threaten. We bribe. We kill if we have to. But we don¡¯t leave her like this."


    He wasn¡¯t wrong.


    Elena wasn¡¯t just possessed. It was worse.


    When I had connected to her mind earlier, I saw it¡ªsomething else was in there with her.


    A dark figure, a shadow with no face, its hands all over her.


    Touching her. Using her. Taking what wasn¡¯t his.


    I had tried to rip it away from her, to fight it, but the thing dissolved the moment I reached for it¡ªlike it was never there at all.


    Like it was a part of her now.


    That¡¯s when I knew¡ª


    She didn¡¯t just need saving. She needed cleansing.


    And only a witch could do that.


    I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus. "Fine," I said. "But we¡¯re not wandering the fucking forest looking for one. We go where witches actually are."


    Kane¡¯s eyes narrowed. "You mean¡ª"


    "Yeah," I muttered. "We go to the coven."


    Silence.


    Even Kane hesitated at that.


    Because approaching a coven of witches?


    That was basically walking into enemy territory blind.


    But we had no choice.


    Elena¡¯s life¡ªher soul¡ªdepended on it.


    Kane let out a slow exhale. "Then we move. Now."


    And without another word, we ran¡ªtoward the one ce we swore we¡¯d never step foot in.


    The witches¡¯ domain.

 Chapter 184: Dealing With The Witches

    <h4>Chapter 184: Dealing With The Witches</h4>


    <strong>Dean¡¯s POV</strong>


    The moment we crossed into witch territory, everything felt wrong.


    The air was thicker. Heavy, like walking through invisible walls.


    The trees around us looked warped, twisted into unnatural shapes, their roots like wed fingers trying to drag us under.


    "Fuck," Kane muttered, his wolf on high alert. "It reeks of magic here."


    No shit.


    The witches didn¡¯t just live in these woods. They owned them.


    They bent thend to their will, made sure anyone who entered without permission never left the same.


    I should know.


    I¡¯ve killed witches before.


    And they never die easy.


    Still, we had no choice.


    Elena was getting worse.


    After what I saw in her mind¡ªafter that thing touched her, used her like she was just a vessel¡ªI knew we were running out of time.


    I clenched my jaw, pushing forward. "Stay sharp," I told Kane. "They already know we¡¯re here."


    And I was right.


    The moment we stepped into the clearing, they appeared.


    Five witches.


    Dressed in dark robes, their faces shadowed by their hoods.


    They weren¡¯t afraid.


    They never were.


    Because they knew something we didn¡¯t.


    And that made me want to rip their throats out.


    One of them, a woman with long silver hair and serpent-green eyes, stepped forward.


    "You shouldn¡¯t havee here, Vampire."


    Her voice was smooth. Amused.


    Like we were nothing more than toys in their twisted little games.


    Kane growled low, his golden eyes zing. "We don¡¯t have time for your witchy bullshit," he snapped. "We need your help."


    The woman smiled, tilting her head. "And why would I help you?"


    I grinned.


    It wasn¡¯t friendly.


    Because I was already imagining tearing out her spine.


    "You¡¯ll help us," I said, stepping closer, my fangs shing. "Because if you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll rip through every single one of you until I find a witch who will."


    The air crackled between us.


    A deadly silence.


    The other witches tensed, whispers hissing through the trees, innguages not meant for human ears.


    Then¡ª


    The silver-haired witchughed.


    "Ah, Dean," she purred. "Still as vicious as ever."


    My eyes narrowed.


    She knew me.


    That was never a good sign.


    Before I could demand answers, she waved a hand, and the wind around us shifted.


    A sudden pressure mmed into my chest, forcing me back a step.


    Fucking magic.


    The witch smiled, unbothered by our aggression.


    "Very well," she said. "You need help? Then tell me¡ªwhat¡¯s wrong with your little mate?"


    I hesitated.


    Because I already knew witches never help for free.


    And whatever price she asked for...


    It was going to cost us more than we were willing to pay.


    Dean


    The silver-haired witch¡¯s gaze flickered with amusement as she waited for my answer.


    I clenched my jaw, every instinct screaming that this was a trap. But I didn¡¯t have a choice.


    Elena was getting worse. That dark force inside her wasn¡¯t just affecting her mind¡ªit was taking over. And after what I saw in her head, I knew we were dealing with something way beyond just Kane¡¯s fucking darkness.


    I exhaled sharply. "Our mate," I started, forcing the words through gritted teeth, "has been... cursed."


    The witch¡¯s lips curved slightly. "Cursed? Or... tainted?"


    Kane growled beside me, his hands curling into fists. "What the fuck does that mean?"


    The witch turned her attention to him, her gaze calcting. "Tell me, Alpha¡ªhow long has your mate been bound to you?"


    Kane stiffened.


    I could already see the answer on his face.


    Elena had been his mate since birth. Since the Moon Goddess chose them.


    But she wasn¡¯t just his anymore.


    She was mine too.


    Something that wasn¡¯t supposed to happen.


    And from the way the witch was looking at us, she knew it.


    I stepped forward, my voice low. "If you know something, start talking. We don¡¯t have time for riddles."


    She chuckled. "Oh, I know many things, Vampire. But what I know most... is that your mate no longer belongs to either of you."


    The air went still.


    My fangs elongated. Kane¡¯s ws unsheathed.


    "Exin," I demanded, my voice a deadly growl.


    The witch smiled¡ªmocking, knowing.


    Then she lifted a hand.


    The moment she did, a gust of unnatural wind shot through the trees, making the branches bend and creak like they were alive. The shadows around us deepened, twisting unnaturally, as if something dark was stirring beneath them.


    Then¡ª


    A shimmering image appeared in front of us.


    It was Elena.


    But not as she was.


    She was still naked, still bathed in sweat, her raven hair wild around her face. But her eyes.


    ck.


    Soulless.


    And behind her...


    A figure loomed.


    Tall. Shadowed. Cloaked in darkness.


    It wasn¡¯t Ace. It wasn¡¯t Kane¡¯s wolf.


    It wasn¡¯t even me.


    It was something else entirely.


    Something ancient. Powerful. Wrong.


    Kane let out a deep, guttural snarl. "What the fuck is that?"


    The witch hummed. "That," she said, "is the entity that now shares your mate¡¯s body."


    I felt my blood run cold.


    Because I already knew what that meant.


    Elena wasn¡¯t just cursed.


    She was possessed.


    Possessed.


    The word sat like poison on my tongue.


    I had stared at the shadowed figure behind Elena, my instincts screaming danger. Kane stood rigid beside me, his wolf¡¯s growls low and lethal.


    Elena wasn¡¯t just touched by darkness.


    She was imed.


    And not by either of us.


    I snapped my gaze to the witch, my fangs elongated as rage boiled beneath my skin. "How do we get it the fuck out of her?"


    The witch sighed, tilting her head as if amused by my desperation. "You don¡¯t," she said simply. "Not unless you¡¯re willing to risk killing her."


    Kane lunged.


    In a sh, his ws were at the witch¡¯s throat, his dominant Alpha presence suffocating. "Then tell me," he snarled, his voice thick with fury, "how do we kill it without hurting her?"


    The witch didn¡¯t even flinch. If anything, she looked... bored.


    "Dark entities don¡¯t simply leave, Alpha," she said coolly. "They root themselves. Feed. Consume."


    I stiffened. "Feed on what?"


    Her lips curled. "Desire."


    The weight of that word hit hard.


    I thought back to everything Elena had been doing¡ªthe insatiable hunger for pleasure, the loss of control, the way she kept draining every male that touched her.


    The way Ace had died inside her.


    My hands clenched.


    Kane¡¯s ws pressed harder against the witch¡¯s throat. "So you¡¯re telling me that... thing inside her is making her¡ª"


    "Yes," the witch cut him off. "It¡¯s making her take. Every climax she experiences feeds it. Strengthens it." She nced at me. "And the fact that she has two mates? Well..." She let out a dark chuckle. "That just makes her the perfect vessel."


    Fuck.

 Chapter 185: Death Solution

    <h4>Chapter 185: Death Solution</h4>


    <strong>Dean¡¯s POV:</strong>


    Kane dropped his hand, his breathing uneven. I could see the conflict raging in his eyes, the guilt tearing at him.


    "This is your fucking fault," I snarled at him, stepping closer. "Your darkness tainted her. Made her weak. Now, she¡¯s being used like a fucking puppet."


    Kane¡¯s eyes shed red.


    "You think I don¡¯t fucking know that?" His voice was raw, broken. "You think I don¡¯t feel it every time she¡ª" He cut himself off, fists clenching. "I would rip myself apart if it meant saving her."


    His pain was real.


    But it didn¡¯t change the fact that Elena was running out of time.


    I turned back to the witch. "There has to be a way to weaken it. To cut off its power."


    She studied me for a long moment. "Perhaps..." she mused. "But the question is, are you willing to do what it takes?"


    Kane and I exchanged a look.


    Neither of us hesitated.


    "Anything," Kane growled.


    I nodded. "Tell us."


    The witch¡¯s eyes gleamed with something dark.


    "Then prepare yourselves," she whispered, lifting her hands.


    Because to save Elena...


    We would have to fight the darkness inside her.


    And we weren¡¯t just fighting for her soul.


    We were fighting for our mate.


    The witch looked at us, eyes dark with something unreadable, before exhaling deeply. "There... is an impossible solution."


    I gritted my teeth. "That¡¯s not an answer."


    Kane, standing beside me, looked just as pissed, his jaw clenched tight, muscles coiled. Elena was running out of time. She was at the cottage, locked away, her body still buzzing from the darkness that had taken root inside her, feeding off every climax, every ounce of pleasure it could steal.


    The witch ran a hand through her wild, tangled hair, then met my gaze. "I meant what I said. The thing inside her¡ªit won¡¯t just leave. It¡¯s anchored too deep."


    Kane growled low in his throat. "So what the fuck do we do?"


    Her eyes flickered toward me. Studied me.


    Something in my gut twisted.


    I knew before she even opened her mouth.


    I knew.


    "You," she said simply.


    My breath stilled.


    Kane¡¯s head snapped toward me, his brows furrowing. "What the hell does that mean?"


    The witch sighed. "Dean... you aren¡¯t like the rest of us." Her gaze was sharp, knowing. "You aren¡¯t even a true vampire, are you?"


    The silence stretched.


    My lips curled in a bitter smirk. "Took you this long to figure it out?"


    The witch tilted her head. "You were never supposed to exist. A creature born from another, shaped from his darkness. That¡¯s why you and Kane are so¡ª" she waved a hand, "¡ªintertwined."


    Kane cursed. "Get to the fucking point."


    The witch exhaled. "Only something of pure darkness can absorb what¡¯s inside Elena." Her eyes held mine. "Only you."


    My stomach turned cold.


    "So what? I let her drain me? Let it suck me dry?" I asked, voice edged with sarcasm.


    The witch didn¡¯t blink. "Exactly."


    Kane¡¯s reaction was instant. "No." His voice was sharp, furious. "Find another way."


    "There isn¡¯t another way."


    Kane turned on the witch, baring his teeth. "You expect me to just fucking watch him¡ª"


    She cut him off. "He¡¯s not supposed to exist, Kane. His life is an extension of yours, pulled from your darkness. He was never meant to be permanent."


    The words rang sharp and brutal.


    I clenched my fists. I already knew. I¡¯d always known.


    I was a byproduct of Kane¡¯s darkness, given form, given a body¡ªbut not given a future.


    My purpose had always been temporary.


    And now, I knew how it would end.


    I would fade.


    Kane stepped closer to me, his hands curled into fists. "No." His voice was lower this time, rough, raw. "I won¡¯t let you."


    I smirked. "Not really up to you, is it?"


    His re was full of warning. But there was something else in his expression. Something I never thought I¡¯d see.


    Fear.


    For me.


    I let out a slow breath. "It makes sense. If I let her take me, absorb me through the mate bond, it¡¯ll rip the darkness out of her and¡ª" I gestured vaguely at myself. "Well. You know the rest."


    Kane shook his head violently. "No."


    But the witch wasn¡¯t done. "There¡¯s one more step."


    I frowned. "What?"


    Her expression darkened. "If she takes it too slowly, the entity might fight back. It might anchor itself to her permanently."


    Kane¡¯s entire body tensed. "Then how do we stop that?"


    She hesitated. Then, she looked at Kane.


    And that¡¯s when I knew.


    Fuck.


    No.


    I already didn¡¯t like where this was going.


    "Kane," she said slowly, "you have to overwhelm it first."


    He scowled. "Exin."


    She stepped forward. "Think of it like... a dam. Right now, it¡¯s trickling out. Slow. Controlled." Her eyes flicked to me. "But if we break it¡ªif we flood it with too much darkness all at once¡ªit won¡¯t be able to hold."


    I exhaled sharply. "You want to overload it."


    She nodded. "Exactly."


    Kane crossed his arms. "And how the fuck do I do that?"


    The witch gave him a knowing look.


    And Kane froze.


    His entire body went still.


    "No, If he will fade after it."


    The witch arched a brow. "You don¡¯t even know what I was going to say."


    Kane¡¯s face twisted. "I¡¯m not doing it."


    I ran a hand through my hair. "Let me guess. You want him to fuck her."


    Kane¡¯s jaw locked.


    The witch shrugged. "You¡¯re both her mates. You both share a bond. But Dean, your job isn¡¯t to pleasure her. It¡¯s to end this. And that means you can¡¯t be the one to trigger it."


    I turned to Kane. "You have to push her to the edge."


    He still looked pissed. But he understood.


    "You fill her up," I continued. "Over and over, until the entity has too much to hold." I swallowed hard. "Then, when it finally rips out of her..." I lifted my chin.


    "I¡¯ll be waiting."


    Kane didn¡¯t move.


    Didn¡¯t blink.


    I could see it in his eyes¡ªthe war raging inside him.


    The idea of watching me fade.


    Watching me fucking die.


    He hated it.


    And so did I.


    But there was no other choice.


    Kane exhaled roughly, his hands trembling slightly. He wasn¡¯t just mad. He was hurting.


    "Say something," I muttered.


    He finally looked at me. And the rage, the guilt, the fury in his expression was enough to fucking burn.


    Then, he spoke.


    "I don¡¯t want to lose you."


    The words hit hard.


    For a moment, I had no fucking clue what to say.


    So I just smirked. "Guess you should¡¯ve thought about that before bringing me into existence."


    Kane let out a roughugh. But his eyes¡ªthey held something deeper.


    Then, he turned to the witch.


    And he gave a single nod.


    "Fine," he said quietly. "We do it."


    The witch sighed. "Then you¡¯d better hurry. Because if you wait too long..." She didn¡¯t finish.


    She didn¡¯t have to.


    I already knew.


    Elena wouldn¡¯t be Elena anymore.


    I turned toward the direction to the cottage, staring at the forest.


    The clock was ticking.


    And I had onest job to do.


    One final task before I ceased to exist.


    I had to die so my mate could live.


    <strong>*********</strong>


    I stared at the empty space where the witches had just been, theirughter still lingering like a curse in the air.


    Fucking perfect.


    Kane exhaled sharply beside me, his jaw ticking with frustration. "They left." His voice was low, dangerous.


    "No shit," I muttered.


    But theirst words... their warning...


    It sat heavy in my chest.


    <i>"If Kane can¡¯t overwhelm it, he might end up like the other stupid wolf who died, making it stronger."</i>


    Ace.


    That fucker had drained into nothing, his life force devoured by whatever the hell was festering inside Elena. And now, the witches were saying that Kane could end up the same way?


    I ran a hand over my face. Fuck.


    Kane growled. "They gave us a solution and then left us with a death sentence."


    I turned to him. "You think they were lying?"


    He didn¡¯t answer immediately. His fists clenched, his breathing uneven. He was debating it.


    But we both knew the truth.


    They weren¡¯t lying.


    This was a gamble.


    If Kane seeded in overwhelming the entity inside Elena, flooding it with so much of his mate bond and darkness that it broke apart, then I could take it into myself and end it.


    But if he failed...


    If she drained him the way she drained Ace...


    He¡¯d die.


    And Elena...


    She¡¯d lose both of us.


    My stomach twisted. "Kane," I said carefully, "if this thing can kill you¡ª"


    He shot me a hard look. "What? You want to do it instead?"


    I clenched my jaw. I couldn¡¯t.


    I was the one who had to absorb what was left. If I tried to break it apart first, I wouldn¡¯tst long enough to finish the job.


    Kane had to do it.


    And if he failed, he died.


    Just like Ace.


    The silence stretched between us. Heavy. Dark.


    His golden eyes met mine, something sharp and unspoken passing between us.


    Neither of us wanted to admit it.


    Neither of us wanted to face it.


    But we might not both be walking out of this.


    Kane scoffed, ruffling his hair. "Fucking witches."


    I exhaled, shaking my head. "Fucking witches."


    And with that, we turned toward the way to the cottage¡ªtoward her.


    Because whether we were ready or not...


    It was time.

 Chapter 186: Dark Dark Desires

    <h4>Chapter 186: Dark Dark Desires</h4>


    <strong>Dean¡¯s POV</strong>


    The walk back to the cottage was silent. Not thefortable kind of silence, but the heavy, suffocating kind that came when both of us knew exactly what was at stake and neither wanted to say it out loud.


    Kane walked beside me, his posture tense, his mind clearly running a thousand miles an hour. I wasn¡¯t any better. The witches had left us with a choice that wasn¡¯t really a choice at all¡ªeither Kane overwhelmed the darkness inside Elena, or he ended up like Ace. Dead. And if he seeded, I had to absorb it, knowing it would end me.


    A fucking death sentence, wrapped up in some poetic witchcraft bullshit.


    But what other choice did we have?


    Elena was running out of time.


    And the longer she stayed like this, the more we risked her beingpletely consumed by whatever dark voodoo had taken root inside her.


    The sound of our boots crunching against the dirt path was the only noise between us. The air was thick with tension, an eerie stillness settling over the forest as the sun had long since disappeared, leaving only the silver glow of the moon.


    Then Kane spoke, his voice low. "Do you think she¡¯ll survive it?"


    I didn¡¯t answer right away.


    Because I didn¡¯t know.


    I wanted to say yes. Wanted to tell him that Elena was strong enough toe out of this alive, that she¡¯d fight, that we¡¯d find a way to keep her here.


    But that would be a lie.


    And Kane didn¡¯t need a lie.


    So instead, I sighed. "She has to."


    Because the alternative?


    Losing her?


    Not fucking happening.


    Kane clenched his jaw. "We shouldn¡¯t have left her alone."


    "We didn¡¯t have a choice," I reminded him. "We needed answers."


    He let out a bitter chuckle. "Yeah, well, now we have them, and they¡¯re absolute shit."


    Couldn¡¯t argue with that.


    As the cottage came into view, a feeling of unease curled in my gut.


    Something was off.


    The moment we stepped closer, Kane stiffened beside me, his nose ring. "Something¡¯s¡ª"


    Then we heard it.


    A low, breathy moan.


    A woman¡¯s moan.


    Elena.


    Kane¡¯s eyes turned sharp as he lunged forward, throwing the door open without hesitation.


    And what we found inside...


    Fucking hell.


    Ste was on the bed,pletely naked, her legs spread wide, and straddling her, just as equally bare, was Elena.


    Their bodies were pressed together, grinding against each other, their moans mixing in a sinful, erotic melody.


    Elena¡¯s ck eyes flickered toward us, but there was no shame, no hesitation. Only hunger.


    A cruel, knowing smirk yed on her lips as she ran her hands down Ste¡¯s trembling body, nails dragging down flushed skin.


    "Boys," she purred. "You¡¯re back."


    Kane growled, his entire body vibrating with fury. "What the actual fuck is going on?"


    Elena let out a breathy sigh, rolling her hips against Ste¡¯s, making the woman whimper. "You left me alone," she used, her voiceced with something dark, something unnatural. "I needed something to do."


    "Something to do?" Kane snapped, his golden eyes glowing dangerously.


    I didn¡¯t speak.


    I couldn¡¯t.


    I was too busy staring.


    At her.


    At them.


    Because even though I knew this wasn¡¯t truly her, even though I knew this was the darkness inside of her twisting her, turning her into something insatiable...


    Fuck.


    She was temptation itself.


    And she fucking knew it.


    Elena shifted, slowly, deliberately, her gaze locked on mine as she leaned down, licking a slow, teasing line along Ste¡¯s neck before biting down¡ªnot hard enough to break skin, but enough to leave a mark.


    Kane lost it.


    His growl shook the walls, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "Get the fuck off her."


    Elenaughed. A sweet, wicked sound that sent a chill down my spine. "Why?" she asked, tilting her head. "Jealous?"


    Kane took a step forward, but I threw an arm out, stopping him. Not yet.


    We had to y this carefully.


    "She¡¯s not yours to y with," I said instead, my voice low, dangerous. "And you know it."


    Elena hummed. "No, she¡¯s not." She shifted again, her hips rolling against Ste¡¯s in a way that made the poor woman gasp. "But she¡¯s so eager, so easy to mold. Like a doll."


    Ste whimpered beneath her, her body betraying her even as tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.


    She wasn¡¯t in control.


    She was under Elena¡¯s spell.


    Fuck.


    "Elena," I said carefully, stepping closer. "You don¡¯t want this."


    She arched a brow. "Don¡¯t I?"


    "No," I said firmly. "This isn¡¯t you."


    Something flickered in her eyes. A brief hesitation. A sliver of something... real.


    But then, just as quickly, it was gone.


    She licked her lips, her nails dragging down Ste¡¯s trembling thighs. "You should join us," she whispered, her voice like silk. "I know you want to."


    My throat tightened.


    She was ying a dangerous game.


    And Kane?


    He wasn¡¯t ying.


    With a sudden, snarling growl, he moved.


    Fast.


    One second he was standing beside me, the next, he was ripping Elena off of Ste, tossing her onto the bed with enough force to make the mattress groan.


    She hissed, eyes shing. "Kane¡ª"


    "Enough," he snarled.


    Ste scrambled off the bed, panting, her hands shaking as she clutched the sheets to her chest.


    Elena sat up slowly, tilting her head, her ck eyes gleaming. "You¡¯re no fun."


    Kane was breathing hard, his fists still clenched at his sides.


    I took a step forward, keeping my voice calm, measured. "We¡¯re done ying, Elena."


    She pouted, running her tongue along her lips. "That¡¯s a shame."


    I exhaled. "We found a way to help you."


    Her expression didn¡¯t change. "Oh?"


    "It¡¯s risky," I admitted. "But it¡¯ll work."


    Her smirk widened. "And let me guess. It involves fucking me?"


    I didn¡¯t answer.


    Didn¡¯t need to.


    She knew.


    And from the way her eyes darkened, from the way she sighed in pleasure, she was looking forward to it.


    But she had no fucking clue what this meant for me and Kane.


    That one of us¡ªmaybe both¡ªwouldn¡¯t survive it.


    And as sheid back on the bed, spreading her legs, her voice dropping to a purr, I felt the weight of what wasing next settle deep in my chest.


    "Then what are you waiting for?"

 Chapter 187: Trick Or Treat

    <h4>Chapter 187: Trick Or Treat</h4>


    <strong>Dean¡¯s POV</strong>


    I nudged Kane toward the door. He understood instantly, moving to assist Ste out of the room. She was barely standing, her limbs trembling, exhaustion evident in the way she leaned heavily against him.


    As soon as we were outside, I turned to her, my voice low but demanding.


    "How many times did you cum?"


    Ste¡¯s face flushed deeply. She hesitated, eyes flickering with embarrassment, before finally answering in a small, ashamed voice.


    "Three times..."


    Fuck.


    I ran a hand down my face, exhaling sharply. She had fed it. The entity inside Elena had taken from her, sucked the life out of her through pleasure. Ste looked drained¡ªno, more than that. She looked hollow. Her skin was paler than before, her breathing uneven, as if she had been running for miles with no rest.


    That thing inside Elena was stronger than we thought.


    I shot a look at Kane, who seemed just as troubled. We knew the darkness was feeding off pleasure, but this was more than just feeding. It was growing. Expanding.


    If it had nearly drained Ste out¡ªthen what the fuck would happen when <strong>we</strong> tried to go through with the n?


    "How the hell do we know this won¡¯t be the breaking point?" I said, my voiceing out harsher than I intended. "What if, instead of forcing it out, we push Elena straight into its grasp? What if this is exactly what it wants?"


    Kane didn¡¯t answer right away. His jaw was clenched tight, the muscles in his neck straining as if he was trying to suppress the same doubts that were wing through my mind.


    The witches had told us that overwhelming it with darkness¡ªforcing Elena¡¯s body to the brink¡ªwas the only way to drive it out. They made it sound logical, calcted. But witches never gave answers without riddles hidden beneath them.


    What if we were wrong?


    What if we weren¡¯t fighting the darkness inside her, but feeding it?


    What if this whole thing¡ªeverything¡ªhad been orchestrated by it?


    "What if it just needs a little push?" I continued, stepping closer to Kane. "What if the moment we do this, it reaches its final stage and Elena is gone? What if we¡¯re the ones sealing her fate?"


    Silence.


    The only sound was Ste¡¯s shallow breathing and the distant rustling of the forest outside.


    Kane exhaled through his nose, his gaze dark. "Then we don¡¯t have a fucking choice," he finally said. "Because if we do nothing, we lose her anyway."


    I hated that he was right.


    Elena was already slipping. She wasn¡¯t just affected by the darkness¡ªit was consuming her, twisting her. Every climax, every moment of pleasure was another brick in the cage it was building around her soul.


    And yet, here we were, about to hand it exactly what it wanted.


    Because, in the end, it wasn¡¯t Elena that needed to break.


    It was me.


    I was the only one who could absorb the darkness withoutpletely losing myself¡ªbecause I was darkness. Kane¡¯s darker half. The result of everything he had buried and repressed over the years.


    But absorbing this?


    It wasn¡¯t just going to weaken me. It wasn¡¯t just going to hurt.


    It was going to erase me.


    Would I really be able to take it all without losing my own existence? Would Kane be strong enough to push Elena over the edge without being the one to break instead?


    And if we failed?


    Elena would be lost.


    Kane would be dead.


    And I would fade into nothing.


    Fuck.


    I dragged a hand through my hair, my frustration mounting. "I don¡¯t trust those witches," I muttered. "How do we know they weren¡¯t helping that thing? How do we know this wasn¡¯t its n all along?"


    Kane met my eyes, his expression unreadable. But deep down, I knew.


    We didn¡¯t know.


    We never did.


    And we were about to find out the hard way.


    I exhaled sharply, dragging my fingers through my hair, trying to silence the storm of frustration roaring inside me. My gaze flickered toward Kane, who stood rigid beside me, his jaw clenched so tightly I thought his teeth might crack under the pressure. He looked ready to punch a hole through the wall¡ªor worse, through me.


    And honestly, I wouldn¡¯t me him.


    Ste was trembling, her knees barely holding her up after what had just happened inside that damn room. She looked like she had run a marathon barefoot on shattered ss¡ªexhausted, pale, and utterly drained. The air around her still carried the heavy scent of sex, and the unshakable truth was right there, ring at us.


    Elena had fed.


    She had drained Ste in a way that should have never been possible. The darkness inside her wasn¡¯t satisfied anymore with just my essence or Kane¡¯s. It was growing, expanding its hunger. The witches were right. We were running out of time.


    Three. That was more than enough for the thing inside Elena to grow stronger, to push its limits, to evolve. And if I was right, every climax it fed off made it harder to stop.


    I looked at Kane, my gut twisting. "How sure are we that this n won¡¯t be the breaking point? What if instead of purging the darkness, this just gives it thest push it needs topletely take over? You saw what happened to Ace. She sucked him dry, and the bastard died with his dick still inside her. What if this isn¡¯t about burning it out? What if it just needs more? More energy, more pleasure¡ªjust a little more before it finally consumes Elena entirely?"


    Kane stayed silent, his wolf shing behind his darkened eyes.


    The witches¡¯ughter still echoed in my skull, a cruel and taunting melody that refused to fade. They knew something we didn¡¯t. And I fucking hated being in the dark.


    Kane¡¯s hands balled into fists, his breathing heavy. Then, with a voice that carried both conviction and resignation, he said, "I don¡¯t know, Dean."


    He finally met my eyes, and for the first time, I saw it¡ªeptance. A painful, soul-crushing kind of eptance.


    "But I will happily die trying to save her."


    His words hit like a goddamn sledgehammer, heavier than anything else that had been said before.


    I clenched my jaw. "That¡¯s the problem, Kane. You dying won¡¯t save her. You dying is exactly what this thing wants." I pointed back toward the door where Elena stilly, probably waiting for another victim to walk in, another soul to consume in the heat of pleasure. "You saw what happened to Ace. That¡¯s going to be you if we do this wrong."


    Kane¡¯s wolf was wing at the surface, desperate to break free, desperate to fight something, anything. His body was wound too tight, his emotions a mix of rage, desperation, and unwavering devotion to the woman behind that door.


    And then there was me.


    I was made from Kane¡¯s darkness. An abomination that somehow split from him and took on a body of my own. My existence was unnatural, born from something twisted. And now, I was the only one who could stop this.


    The only one who could truly absorb Elena¡¯s darkness without it spreading further.


    But at the cost of my own existence.


    The witches had made that clear. If I went through with this, if I allowed her to drain mepletely, it would be different than what happened to Ace. Because unlike him, I wasn¡¯t a normal wolf. I was darkness itself. And darkness couldn¡¯t just be drained. It could be neutralized.


    Which meant I would fade.


    Not die. Cease to exist.


    Like I was never fucking here in the first ce.


    "You¡¯re not doing this alone," Kane growled, stepping closer. "If anyone¡¯s going to burn it out of her, it¡¯s me. If I have to force so much power into her that the darkness fucking bursts at the seams, then so be it."


    I shook my head. "You don¡¯t get it, do you? That¡¯s exactly what it wants. If you do that and fail, it¡¯ll consume youpletely. And then what? It jumps to someone else? You think I¡¯d let you risk that?"


    Kane bared his teeth. "And you think I¡¯d let you risk that?"


    We stood there, staring each other down, two alpha souls caught in a silent war of sacrifice.


    Then, after what felt like forever, Kane exhaled, his voice hoarse but filled with steel.


    "We don¡¯t have a choice, Dean."


    I knew he was right.


    And that fucking sucked.


    Because in the end, one of us was going to be erased from this world forever.


    I turned back to the room, where Elenay waiting, her body a vessel of desire and destruction, her mind no longer her own.


    The battle had already begun.


    And I wasn¡¯t sure we were going to win.

 Chapter 188: Cutting A Deal With The Sucubbus

    <h4>Chapter 188: Cutting A Deal With The Sucubbus</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV</strong>


    I left Dean outside, still lost in thought, his jaw clenched as he wrestled with the impossible choice before us. But I couldn¡¯t afford to stand still any longer. Not when Elena was slipping further away with every passing second.


    I stepped into her room, my chest tightening as I took in the sight of her. Weeks. Weeks since I lost her to Ace, and now, even after finding her, I was on the verge of losing her permanently.


    And it was my fault.


    The weight of that realization sat heavy on my shoulders, pressing down like an unbearable burden. I did this. My darkness infected her, twisted her into something unrecognizable. I was supposed to protect her, but instead, I¡¯d condemned her to this insatiable hunger, this endless cycle of pleasure and destruction.


    I moved closer to the bed, watching her sleep¡ªif that¡¯s what you could even call it. Her body trembled slightly, as if still chasing something beyond reach, her lips parted, soft moans escaping even in unconsciousness. It wasn¡¯t her. Not really. This thing inside her, this manifestation of my own darkness, had sunk its ws into her, warping her, feeding on her.


    I clenched my fists, anger and helplessness warring inside me.


    I had to do something.


    Even if it killed me.


    Because no matter what it took, no matter the cost, I wasn¡¯t going to lose Elena. Not again.


    Just when I thought she had finally fallen asleep, her eyes snapped open¡ªpools of pitch-ck darkness staring right through me.


    "You¡¯re back," she purred, a wicked smile curling on her lips. "I thought you¡¯d left me to pleasure myself..." She tsked, shaking her head in mock disappointment. "So naughty of you to leave me all alone, aching, when I have not one, but two mates to fuck me."


    She sat up, her movements slow, deliberate. And fuck¡ªshe was stillpletely naked. wless. Temptation made flesh. Her perfect breasts rose and fell with each breath, nipples already hard, her scent thick in the air, stirring something primal in me. My body reacted instantly, betraying me. She noticed. Of course, she did.


    A knowing smirk tugged at her lips as she lifted her hand, reaching for me. I stepped back.


    Her expression darkened with frustration, but I held my ground. "I¡¯ll give you what you want," I said, my voice firm. "Under one condition, you let her through so I see her while we are fucking."


    Interest flickered in those abyss-like eyes, her head tilting slightly. "So picky," she murmured. "You do know I am her, right?"


    "No, you¡¯re not." I exhaled sharply, clenching my fists at my sides. "The body is the same, but you? You¡¯re not her."


    Sheughed, a sultry, amused sound that sent chills down my spine.


    I didn¡¯t flinch. "Let her through," I demanded. "Let <i>Elena</i> take control¡ªand I¡¯ll fuck her into oblivion. That should still satisfy you, shouldn¡¯t it? After all, you two are the same... right?"


    A flicker. Just for a second. Something else¡ªsomeone else¡ªtried to surface behind those soulless eyes.


    But was it really her? Or just another trick?


    My breath hitched as Elena sauntered toward me, her hips swaying with that same effortless allure that had always drawn me to her. But this wasn¡¯t just Elena anymore. This was something darker¡ªsomething twisted and corrupted by the very thing I had failed to control. The mate I had fought to reim was slipping further away with every second, and I was the one responsible for it.


    She stopped inches from me, her ck eyes gleaming with wicked amusement. "Say what... you fuck her," she whispered, her fingers trailing down my chest, "but every time shees, I take control. If you don¡¯t fuck us..." She arched a brow, tilting her head mockingly. "Well, I guess it¡¯s just me you¡¯ll be enjoying for the rest of your existence."


    The weight of her words pressed down on me like a curse.


    This wasn¡¯t just about sex¡ªthis was about dominance, about control. About the darkness inside her that was toying with me like a predator circling its prey.


    "Now," she purred, reaching for me, her lips curling into a sultry smile. "Come closer. I¡¯m so horny."


    I clenched my fists at my sides, torn between the unbearable need to touch her and the sickening knowledge that every moment of pleasure was feeding the monster lurking beneath her skin. My mate. My responsibility. My greatest failure.


    She moved with an intoxicating grace, her ck eyes locked onto mine, sharp and knowing. A predator that had caught her prey. She stepped closer, fingers brushing down my chest, undoing the first button of my shirt. My breath hitched as she leaned in, pressing her soft lips to the skin she exposed. A teasing kiss.


    I swallowed hard.


    "Elena..." My voice was hoarse, filled with something desperate and broken, but she didn¡¯t stop. She undid another button, another kiss ced right over my hammering heartbeat.


    "I have to make you want me," she purred, voice sultry, dripping with dark seduction. "Can¡¯t have you holding back, Kane. I need all of you."


    Her fingers found my belt, unbuckling it with ease, her lips trailing lower. I clenched my fists at my sides, battling the warring instincts inside me.


    The need to protect her.


    The need to stop this.


    The need to fucking take her.


    She was affecting me. Of course, she was. My cock was already straining, my self-control hanging by a thread. She knew it. She could sense it. And she was using it against me.


    I exhaled sharply, trying to steady myself, trying to remind myself that this wasn¡¯t truly <i>her.</i><i></i>


    But when she looked up at me through those sinful, ckened eyes and whispered, <i>"Let go, Kane."</i>


    I wasn¡¯t sure how much longer I could hold on.


    It was the grin that did it¡ªthe wicked, knowing grin that sent a shiver down my spine. And then her eyes changed. They weren¡¯t the soulless, ck pits of corruption anymore. No, they were <i>hers</i>. My Elena. My true mate. But they weren¡¯t filled with love, or warmth, or even recognition.


    They were filled with <i>lust</i>.


    So much fucking lust.


    Before I could say a word, her delicate fingers wrapped around my cock, stroking me with a slow, torturous grip. My breath hitched, my body stiffened, and my mind screamed at me to <i>stop this</i>. But I couldn¡¯t move¡ªI was frozen, trapped in her intoxicating pull.


    Then, she leaned forward, her soft, warm tongue gliding along my length, sending a violent tremor through me.


    That was it.


    That was the final fucking nail in the coffin.


    A strangled groan escaped me as my head tilted back, eyes fluttering shut at the overwhelming sensation. Every rational thought, every shred of guilt and hesitation, crumbled beneath the unbearable heat that consumed me.


    I was <i>so fucking aroused</i>¡ªto the point of no return.

 Chapter 189: Cutting A Deal With The Sucubbus(ii)

    <h4>Chapter 189: Cutting A Deal With The Sucubbus(ii)</h4>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV </strong>


    I opened my eyes and froze. There she was¡ªElena, on her knees, not with those cold, dark pools of emotion I had expected, but with eyes that were unmistakably <i>hers.</i> Her mouth was full of me. The sight was both a cruel confirmation and a heartbreaking betrayal.


    "Fuck, Elena¡ªI¡¯m sorry," I managed to choke out, my voice raw with guilt. But she didn¡¯t seem to hear me. One of her hands was busy fingering herself, while the other gripped me, keeping me deep in her warmth as her mouth worked me relentlessly.


    In that moment, every ounce of remorse, every bit of self-loathing, washed over me. I felt as if I were dissolving¡ªmy own desire, my own darkness, colliding with the desperate hunger in her eyes. I wanted to reach out, to pull her away from this madness, but I was trapped in the bittersweet torment of what I¡¯d be and what I¡¯d done.


    I could see it all now: the guilt gnawing at me, the knowledge that I¡¯d lost her to this insatiable, uncontrolled hunger. And yet, here she was¡ªlost in the ecstasy of a moment that should have belonged to us, but belonged to something far more dangerous.


    Every thrust, every gasp from her, drove home the truth: I had failed her. And as she continued, her actions leaving me both filled and empty at the same time, I knew there was no turning back. I was drowning in my own regret, trapped in a cycle of desire and loss that threatened to consume us both.


    I lost myselfpletely in the moment¡ªmy need, my burning desire eclipsing every thought of restraint. I held Elena¡¯s head firmly in my hands, the soft pressure of her skin against my palms fueling my hunger. I didn¡¯t care about the world outside as I plunged my mouth down, taking her lips, her tongue, and every taste of her. I drove deep, plugging my mouth as if I had to reim everyst bit of her from the void that had kept us apart.


    "Fuck, I missed you so fucking much," I growled against her skin. Every thrust that followed was brutal and relentless, a desperate attempt to fill the emptiness I felt inside. My lips roamed over hers, capturing her moans as if they were the only sound that mattered. I fucked her mouth with a raw intensity that made my own desire surge, feeling her respond with every pulse, every shudder.


    For a while, I let our passion speak in anguage older than words¡ªmy thrusts, each one heavier and more ferocious than thest, driving me to the edge. The sensation was almost overwhelming: the way her mouth clung to me, the softness of her tongue, the way her own hands fought to pull me back in. Yet even as I lost myself, I couldn¡¯t ignore the animalistic need to im every inch of her.


    I pulled back and raised her up against me, letting my lips trail a line of searing kisses down her neck, over the sensitive curve of her corbone. My hands glided over her curves, mapping the contours of her body¡ªexploring her breasts, pinching her hardened nipples until she moaned louder, her sound echoing in the dim light of the room. Every touch was both tender and rough, the contrast igniting a fire that neither of us could resist.


    Then my hands slid lower, leaving her soft, quivering breasts to revel in the lingering heat of our contact as I let them roam over her supple, round ass. I squeezed and massaged, drawing out a series of low, rhythmic moans that urged me on. I could feel the warmth pooling there, her juices already trickling down as if her body were trying to make up for all the lost time.


    I searched for her wet center with my fingertips, and the moment I found it, I pressed them inside her¡ªslowly at first, testing the bounds of her desire, then with growing urgency. Every time she called my name in a mix of pain and pleasure, it stoked the fire inside me until I was lost in the raw need to possess herpletely.


    I continued, each thrust of my fingers deliberate, relentless, as I drove into her with a desperate ferocity that bordered on cruelty. My body moved in tandem with hers, a chaotic dance of lust and raw power, her every moan a testament to the depths of our mutual need. In that fevered haze, I felt as though I was drowning in desire, her scent and taste filling every corner of my mind.


    Time lost all meaning. I was consumed by the need to fill her, to reim her in the only way I knew how. I carried her to the bedying her top part on bed as i stood in between her legs.


    I lifted one of Elena¡¯s legs, hooking it over my arm while my other hand gripped her waist, holding her steady. Her body trembled against mine, heat rolling off her in waves, her eyes locked onto me with something primal, something that made my wolf stir with a mix of hunger and regret.


    Slowly, I pushed inside her, filling her inch by inch, stretching her tight, slick warmth around me until I was buried to the hilt. Her breath hitched, her fingers digging into my shoulders. I paused for a moment, savoring the way she clenched around me, the way her body called to mine like she was made for me.


    Then, I pulled back¡ªalmost all the way¡ªbefore mming back in, her body jerking beneath me as I set a relentless pace. Hard. Deep. Each stroke sent shockwaves through us both, her gasps turning into sharp cries, the bed beneath us creaking as I drove into her without mercy.


    I wasn¡¯t gentle. I couldn¡¯t be.


    Not when she felt like this. Not when I could still sense the darkness coiling inside her, feeding off our pleasure. My jaw clenched as I fought the conflicting emotions raging inside me¡ªdesire, guilt, rage.


    She was mine. And yet, she wasn¡¯t.


    But right now, with her legs wrapped around me, her body arching to meet my every thrust, I let myself drown in the moment. Let myself im her the only way I could, even as a part of me feared I was only making it worse.


    My rough kisses and brutal thrusts became the onlynguage we shared. I could feel her tightening around me, her resistance crumbling beneath the overwhelming tide of our passion, yet there was always that nagging emptiness¡ªa darkness that neither of us could quite satisfy.

 Chapter 190: Three Can Play That Game

    <h4>Chapter 190: Three Can y That Game</h4><subtxt> ?§Ôeewe?n?vel</subtxt>


    <strong>Kane¡¯s POV</strong>


    I carried her to the bed andid her on it, positioning her so that her lower body dangled off the edge, legs spread wide open. I could see every inch of her glistening skin, her beautiful pussyid bare for me. Without wasting a moment, I resumed pounding into her, each thrust driving me deeper into a haze of raw lust and rage.


    Just as I felt her clench around me, pushing me dangerously close to my own edge, Dean burst into the room. "Having fun without me?" he taunted from his seat in the corner, already jerking himself off while watching the scene unfold. I didn¡¯t even spare him a nce.


    I felt my rhythm falter for a split second as her body convulsed¡ªshe came, and I was about toe too. "Pull out, man!" Dean shouted, his voice coarse as he continued his own self-indulgence. Reluctantly, I withdrew, my release sttering onto her belly.


    Immediately, Elena¡¯s dark eyes shed with fury. "You¡¯re supposed to cum in me," she spat, still panting from her orgasm. But before I could retort, Dean shoved me aside with a rough,manding shove. "You don¡¯t get to say how we fuck your mate. Now it¡¯s my turn," he dered as he flipped her over onto her back.


    Her ass was bared and inviting, and without hesitation, Dean positioned himself between her spread legs. In one fluid, predatory movement, he entered her deeply. One hand gripped her hip to hold her in ce, while his other hand seized a fistful of her hair, forcing her head back as he began to fuck her with brutal precision. Each thrust was apanied by the sound of skin pping against skin and her incoherent screams that filled the room with raw, carnal noise.


    I stood there, enticed as I watched. I understood Dean¡¯s method¡ªhe wanted to fuck her without cumming inside, so that the dark force feeding on her climax wouldn¡¯t be diluted. Every time she came without our release, the entity inside her grew stronger. Dean was reversing the effect, making sure that the moment of climax would drain herpletely. I hated to admit it, but in that moment, Dean¡¯s twisted method was genius.


    Despite my own seething desire, I forced myself to watch as Dean pulled her up, his rough hands fisting one of her breasts, kneading it as he continued to pound into her with a relentless, almost animalistic fury. Every collision of his thrusts with her slick, exposed skin sent tremors of pleasure and pain through me. The air was thick with sweat, moans, and the sound of our bodies mming together¡ªa symphony of dark, twisted ecstasy.


    "Fuck it," I thought bitterly, swallowing hard as I gripped my own length, watching the brutal dance between them. Elena¡¯s eyes, normally full of life, now shimmered with a dark emptiness¡ªan addiction to the raw pleasure that left her always craving more, never satisfied.


    In that chaotic, debauched moment, everything became a cruel, twisted game. The dark force within Elena was desire our passions, each orgasm a tribute to a hunger that could never be sated. And as Dean pounded into her, pushing her to the brink of copse, I could see the truth: our actions were not merely acts of lust¡ªthey were rituals of consumption, feeding a darkness that might one day consume us all.


    Before I could process it all, a final, shuddering climax tore through Dean. His eyes locked onto Elena¡¯s as he pulled out seconds before he released himself , and the room shuddered with the force of his final, desperate release. In that explosive moment,


    Instead of feeding Elena¡¯s dark hunger, he¡¯d drained her. I looked down at Elena, naked and shuddering in the aftermath, and said in a low, rough voice, "Care for a threesome?"


    Dean¡¯s eyes narrowed in amusement and understanding as he gave me a smirk and waved me over. The n was clear: we were to fuck her¡ªbut deliberately, carefully, so as not to cum inside her. It was all about control, about keeping her on the edge without letting her fully surrender.


    Inside the dimly lit room, every inch of Elena¡¯s body exuded raw desire. Her skin was glistening with sweat, and every movement seemed calcted to entice and torment. I stood behind her while Dean, ever the aggressive temptor, took his ce at the edge of the bed. Without missing a beat, he pulled Elena¡¯s face toward his throbbing cock,manding her to suck. I watched as she obediently obliged, her dark eyes momentarily flickering with a mix of defiance and need.


    I could see the tension in her body¡ªher desire warring with the residual pull of her darkness. And while Dean continued his rough ministrations, Elena¡¯s moans filled the room with a raw, primal sound. I stepped closer, positioning myself behind her as I felt her shudder under Dean¡¯s touch.


    "Care for another round?" I murmured, my voice low and husky with lust and determination.


    We had to continue the game, push her further until she was on the brink¡ªand until we could finally wrest control from the darkness inside her. I reached around, my fingers trailing along her waist and pressing lightly against her back, urging her to rx under mymand.


    Dean, never one to back down, sat firmly at the edge of the bed. He leaned in, pulling Elena¡¯s face back to his throbbing desire with an intensity that made her moan louder, deeper. I could see that she was caught in the tumult¡ªa wild creature trying to satisfy an insatiable hunger, even if that hunger was twisting her soul.


    The rough, relentless rhythm continued as I moved behind her, my hands firm on her hips. I pressed my body close, feeling the heat of her skin, the softness that belied the tumult raging inside her. With every thrust, every forceful movement, I could feel the dark essence within her stir¡ªhungry, feral, desperate.


    arching into every stroke, and I watched as Dean¡¯s own pace intensified. With every movement, it was as if we were both fighting the pull of something that threatened to overtake us¡ªa force that fed on our releases, our climaxes, our very souls.


    I felt a surge of raw adrenaline. I positioned myself so that I could control the rhythm, my hands firm, my eyes locked on Elena¡¯s every reaction. Her body trembled beneath my touch as I felt her teeter on the verge of ecstasy. I leaned close, my voice a huskymand. "You want this, don¡¯t you? You want more than you can ever have."


    Time and again, I drove into her with relentless, measured thrusts¡ªeach one deliberate, designed to prolong the agony of anticipation without grantingplete release. I watched her, every moan, every shudder, was a testament to theplex war inside her: the battle between desire and the creeping poison of her own darkness.


    Dean, meanwhile, continued to pleasure her at the edge, his own aggressive rhythm matching mine in a strange, perverse duet of desire and defiance. In the heat of the moment, the room was filled with our raw sounds¡ªmoans, grunts, the p of skin against skin, and the steady, rhythmic pace of our bodies colliding.

 Chapter 191: My Two Mates

    <h4>Chapter 191: My Two Mates</h4>


    <strong>Dean¡¯s POV:</strong>


    Elena gasped in surprise while Kane chuckled at her startled reaction. I didn¡¯t waste a second¡ªsliding between her legs, I lifted her hips and pressed my lips to her folds.


    She moaned, loud and breathless, as I began top at her clit. I groaned softly, savoring the taste of her, letting my lips explore every inch of her soaked core.


    "My little wolf," Kane murmured, his voice dark and sweet as sin. He kissed her softly, kneading her breasts, which were already beginning to swell with renewed sensitivity. I made a mental note¡ªI had to taste those next. "Look at dean eating you," he whispered against her lips, "He¡¯s going to devour you while I devour these perfect tits."


    I flicked my tongue around her clit, teasing slow circles before plunging two fingers¡ªmiddle and ring¡ªinside her. I angled them upward, rubbing that sensitive spot along her top wall. Her thighs trembled around my head while Kane kept caressing her chest, whispering filthy praises against her skin.


    "See how he¡¯s fucking you with his fingers, little mate," Kane said, voice low and thick with desire.


    "She¡¯s so tight," I groaned, "Clenching around my fingers like she¡¯s starving for more."


    "Fuck," Kane growled. "Her cunt¡¯s <i>begging</i> for us."


    "It really is," I muttered, pulling off my pants but never taking my eyes off that slick, dripping opening. She watched me, hungry, primal. Her gaze dropped to my harden cock, and I felt her arousal spike. I stroked myself slowly, coating my shaft in her wetness.


    "You¡¯ll need to turn over for that," Kane told her, still ying with her clit to keep her at the edge. "On your stomach, ass up, nice and wide for us."


    "Good girl," I praised as she obeyed without hesitation.


    "Yes, my sweet little wolf," Kane added, his voice reverent and possessive. "Open up your cunt for dean."


    And she did. So submissive, so ready. Vulnerable and exposed just for me. It was a breathtaking sight¡ªher body arched, presenting herself with trust and desperate need.


    I climbed onto the bed, gripping her hips, pulling her back against me. She let out a needy whimper, and I ran my cock along her slick folds, savoring the way her body reacted to every touch. I¡¯d waited so long for this moment¡ªfor her.


    "Elena," I groaned, her name a raw scrape in my throat, as I coated my length with her arousal. She writhed beneath me, impatient and needy, already begging without words.


    "Patience, my little wolf," Kane murmured, stroking her cheek with gentle tenderness. "Let him take his time. And I¡¯ll be next shortly."


    Slowly, I pushed the head of my cock into her. Her breath caught, body tensing around me as Kane whispered soothing praise into her ear. Inch by inch, I filled her, until I was buried deep¡ªmy testicle swollen and resting just outside her entrance.


    "You¡¯re perfect," Kane whispered. "Taking your mate¡¯s cock so beautifully."


    She clenched around me, her body adjusting, trembling, dripping.


    "Dean," she whimpered, her voice breaking as I drew back and thrust into her again¡ªdeep and controlled, but full of hunger. My cock pressed harder with each thrust, pulsing against her entrance, demanding to be taken.


    "You look so beautiful like this," Kane said, kneading her breasts while she moaned beneath us. "Taking Dean¡¯s cock... Fuck, you¡¯re so perfect. My mate."


    "Dean," she cried, again and again, my name a litany of want. Her body pulsed around me, dragging me deeper into the storm.


    "I need your cock also," she pleaded, panting.


    "You need to cum first," I said, my voice rough with restraint. I increased the pace, every thrust nudging her closer, my cock demanding entry.


    "Please..." she begged, her whole body shaking.


    "Cum for us, little wolf," Kane urged, his fingers finding her clit and rubbing tight, fast circles.


    Her walls mped down around me, and with a shattering cry, she came¡ªhard and loud¡ªher release soaking me, her body surrendering entirely.


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV:</strong>


    "Please," I begged, my voice trembling, my body burning with an intense need for his cock.


    Even with Dean¡¯s thick cock stretching me wide, it wasn¡¯t enough. Not when I could feel the swell of his cock brushing against my entrance every time he thrust into me. It was driving me wild, the pressure building with every second.


    "Cum for us first, little wolf," Kane purred, his fingers working my clit in soft, devastating strokes that made my walls mp down around Dean¡¯s thick length. I whimpered, trembling beneath both of them as they yed with my body like it belonged to them¡ªand it did.


    Dean¡¯s thrusts grew rougher, faster, his cock curving just right, grazing a spot deep inside me that had me clinging to the sheets, breath caught in my throat. Every movement pushed me higher.


    As Kane circled my clit, pleasure crashed over me like a tidal wave. I cried out, my body arching as my orgasm took hold. My pussy clenched desperately around Dean¡¯s cock, trying to push him out, but he held me firm, buried deep and pulsing inside me.


    For the first time in what felt like forever, my body wasn¡¯t left aching and empty¡ªit had something real to hold onto. Something <i>mate-worthy</i>.


    "Yes... give us your pleasure," Kane whispered into my ear, his voice like velvet heat. I screamed, the climax flooding me until my limbs felt limp, boneless.


    Dean paused, panting behind me, his cock still buried deep as I slumped forward, chest pressed to the mattress, ass still high in the air for him¡ªhis cock seated inside me like it belonged there.


    "Good girl," Kane murmured, brushing hair from my face, pressing hot kisses along my jaw. "You¡¯re doing so well." His praise made my heart flutter, even as Dean¡¯s movements began again¡ªthis time slower, more deliberate.


    I stilled when I felt him begin to work all his cock in. The pressure increased, and anticipation tingled over my skin like static. I wanted this. I <i>needed</i> this. But nerves licked at the edges of my desire.


    "You¡¯re going to take it all," Kane said gently, reading the hesitation in my eyes. He was still fully dressed¡ªfrustratingly so¡ªhis own knot hidden from me.


    "Take your clothes off," I whispered, breathless and greedy.


    "I will soon," he chuckled darkly. "But you need to rx that sweet cunt first. Thest thing I want is to make you tighter when my brother¡¯s trying to enter you. fully"


    Damn him. He was right.


    I closed my eyes, breathing deep, trying to rx as Dean slowly pressed forward, urging my pussy to open just a little more for him.


    Then¡ªwithout warning¡ªhe pushed, forcing half his cock inside in one sudden, breathtaking thrust.


    "Fuck," I gasped, eyes wide, breath catching.


    "You¡¯re doing amazing," Kane whispered beside me. "Just breathe. Your body was made for this¡ªfor <i>us</i>. It¡¯s taking him so well."


    "Are you okay?" Dean¡¯s voice broke through, low and thick with need. He bent over me, one hand on my cheek. His eyes were dark and reverent, and sweat clung to his forehead. He looked ruined and perfect.


    "I¡¯m okay," I whispered. "I want it. All of it."


    His eyes darkened further¡ªlike twin abysses¡ªand he groaned, lips trailing kisses down my spine.


    "Such a good girl," he murmured, his knot pulsing angrily at my entrance. I wiggled slightly, urging him forward.


    "Listen to dean, little mate," Kane whispered into my neck, his breath hot and possessive.


    "Say it," Dean growled from behind, still holding thest stretch of his cock outside me, waiting.


    "My cunt belongs to you both," I said, voice trembling, "to take whenever and however you want."


    "From tonight on, your body is ours," Dean growled. "To use, to im. To fuck."


    "To bare yourself to us whenever we desire," Kane added, his words sliding through me like silk.


    "Yes," I whimpered. "Please, Dean..."


    "My little mstr looks so beautiful begging for my cock," he groaned. "And you can have it whenever you want¡ªbecause it¡¯s yours."


    "I want it now," I cried, raw and needy.


    They both chuckled darkly.


    "So desperate for my cock," Dean murmured¡ªand then he thrust forward, finally sinking the rest of it inside me.


    I screamed, the feeling of fullness so overwhelming I shattered around him, my orgasm exploding through my body like wildfire.


    "Your pussy looks perfect stretched around my brother¡¯s cock," Kane said, rubbing my clit as I came again, writhing on Dean¡¯s cock.


    Dean was groaning above me, his body trembling, the tension peaking¡ªand then he pulled out just enough to keep his knot pressed at my entrance while stroking himself rapidly.


    Dean groaned and pulled out, hot spurts of his cumnding across my stomach, painting me in his release while I trembled beneath him. The warmth, the mess¡ªit made my body ache all over again.


    Kane was behind me now, undressing, his eyes like shadow and fire. His cock sprang free¡ªhard, flushed, and leaking at the tip. His knot looked dangerously swollen, purple and tight.


    I watched him hungrily as Dean kissed my neck, still breathless beside me.


    "Sweet little mate," Dean whispered.


    And I knew this night... wasn¡¯t over yet.


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 Chapter 192: Mate Is Back

    <h4>Chapter 192: Mate Is Back</h4>


    <strong>KANE POV</strong>


    My eyes locked on Elena¡¯s lips as she stared fiercely at my cock, pre-cum glistening at the tip.


    "So beautiful," I murmured, brushing a thumb along her flushed cheek. "My little wolf. Still so needy for me, even with my brother¡¯s cock buried deep inside you."


    She smirked, her fingers curling around my shaft, possessive.


    "That¡¯s mine," she said boldly. I chuckled darkly.


    "Of course it is," I said, my voice husky. "My cock belongs to you, always."


    That sh of primal possessiveness in her eyes made me even harder¡ªif that was even possible. I couldn¡¯t resist anymore. I captured her lips in a bruising kiss, one that spoke of hunger and promise. She opened for me immediately, moaning into my mouth as our tongues tangled. When I pulled back, she was breathless, her pupils blown wide, her hand slowly stroking me, teasing down to the base and back up toward my aching cockhead.


    "So full," she whispered as she traced the veins with her tongue.


    I groaned, needing to sink into her mouth, but Dean¡¯s cock was still lodged inside her.


    "Take him in your mouth, little wolf," Dean encouraged, palming her breast and tweaking a nipple. Elena whimpered and shifted, eager to obey.


    "Good girl," Dean whispered as Elena wrapped her lips around my tip, licking the pre-cum from me like she was starving.


    I hissed through clenched teeth as she began tracing every inch of me with that wicked tongue, her fingers reaching between my thighs to gently fondle my balls.


    The sight of her down on her elbows, with Dean still buried in her from behind while she licked and sucked my cock, was almost too much. I growled low, brushing the head of my cock across her cheek, smearing pre-cum onto her flushed skin.


    "She¡¯s torturing you," Dean said, smirking.


    "Let him fuck your mouth, mate. Ease his ache."


    "And if I do," she purred, licking my cock from base to tip, "what do I get in return?"


    Dean growled. "We¡¯ll make you cum so hard you forget your own name."


    He slid his fingers between her thighs, brushing her swollen clit.


    Elena gasped and trembled. "So weak and needy for us," I murmured, rubbing my cockhead along her lips.


    "Please," she whimpered.


    "Then be our good girl. Let me fuck that pretty mouth."


    She opened wide and wrapped her fingers around my cock as I slid past her lips, deep into her throat. She choked for a second but held firm¡ªespecially when Dean warned her by slowing his fingers on her clit.


    "Hold it there," he told her, voice low. "Feel Kane throbbing in your throat. He needs you, little wolf."


    I let out a ragged breath, gripping her hair as I began to thrust slowly, her throat wrapping around me like heaven. She moaned, the vibrations wrecking me. Her tongue was sin itself¡ªteasing, flicking¡ªwhile her hands gripped my hips.


    When I finally came, I pulled out just in time, groaning as thick ropes of cum spilled across her face and mouth. Elena tilted her head back, catching some of it with her tongue. The rest dripped across her cheek and chin. She looked up at me, flushed and filthy in the best way. My mate. My goddess.


    "Such a good girl," Dean whispered, stroking her hair.


    "She takes my cock like she was born for it," I said, still trying to catch my breath.


    "No gag reflex. Fuck, I¡¯m obsessed."


    Dean didn¡¯t stop. His fingers were working her faster now, drawing cries from her lips even through the haze of my release.


    "She deserves to only cum from our cocks," Dean muttered, stroking her harder.


    She screamed as another orgasm shattered through her, her body copsing against Dean, trembling as her pussy clenched so hard it finally forced him out, his cum dripping from her to the sheets.


    Dean moved aside, and I took his ce.


    "Yes, little wolf. It¡¯s my turn to use this pretty cunt now."


    I teased her first, rubbing the slick tip of my cock against her soaked entrance, but not entering. Elena groaned in frustration.


    "So greedy for us," Dean chuckled as he cleaned her face gently with a towel.


    "You know what to say, mate. Say it, and I¡¯ll give you everything."


    "Please," she gasped, her voice wrecked, "My cunt feels empty. I need your cock. Please, Kane."


    I couldn¡¯t tease her any longer. I mmed my hips forward, burying myself to the hilt in one savage thrust.


    We both cried out.


    "Taking two cocks back to back," Dean said, watching her with reverence.


    "She was made for us."


    "She¡¯s ours," I growled, thrusting deep, "And we¡¯ll remind her every night."


    <strong>ELENA POV</strong>


    I was a puddle beneath Kane as he fucked my cunt like a feral wolf in heat. He drove his cock in and out of me, rough and deep, the friction from it already pulling me toward another shattering orgasm.


    I whimpered, unsure if I could take much more. It was too much¡ªbut at the same time, I had craved this. Needed it. This wasn¡¯t just pleasure. This was connection. This was iming.


    "Here, suck my thumb," Dean murmured darkly, pressing it against my lips.


    I didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªI took it deep into my mouth and sucked like I was starving, my body trembling in anticipation.


    Kane growled low behind me and mmed his cock deep, his knot-like base stretching me again as he bottomed out with a hard thrust. My legs quivered uncontrobly, the sensation of his cock twitching, so thick inside me, tipping me over the edge.


    I shattered. My walls mped down hard around him, milking him, and I cried out¡ªbody convulsing as wave after wave of pleasure overtook me. Kane groaned, pulling out just in time, and thick ropes of his cum sttered hot and heavy across my lower back and ass. The warmth of it made me moan again, delighting in the primal filth of it.


    "Fuck, you feel too good," Kane panted, breathless behind me.


    Dean was beside me instantly, wiping my body gently with a warm towel. My eyesnded on his still-hard cock. Even after what we¡¯d done, he looked painfully swollen, ready for more.


    "You¡¯ve had enough for tonight, mate," Dean said, sensing my want. He caressed my cheek, voice calm and deep. "You need rest."


    His tenderness nearly undid me again. I let out a soft sigh as he cleaned my breasts, then my belly. Kane was still nuzzling the crook of my neck, his breath hot and heavy.


    "I loved it," I whispered, my eyes fluttering closed. The exhaustion hit me hard and fast, and I drifted off to sleep with theforting weight of Kane behind me.

 Chapter 193: Small Deceits

    <h4>Chapter 193: Small Deceits</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    I woke up groaning from the ache between my thighs. Every movement reminded me ofst night¡ªthe stretch, the weight, the pleasure that bordered on pain.


    "Hey, hey you awake," Kane¡¯s voice was the first thing I heard.


    I blinked open my eyes, squinting at the golden sunlight pouring through the window. The city was usually gloomy, but today felt oddly bright. Like something had shifted.


    "Kane," I murmured, reaching toward him.


    He leaned in and kissed the top of my head. He looked far too fresh for someone who had spent the night ruining me.


    "How much does it hurt?" he asked, his voiceced with concern.


    I scanned the room, immediately searching for Dean.


    "I sent him out to check on some stuff he wont being soon," Kane said softly. "Tell me where it hurts, Elena."


    "Down there," I admitted with a small grimace.


    He nodded, unsurprised. "I¡¯ll handle it. Anywhere else?"


    "No, just there," I said, flexing my neck side to side to ease the stiffness. "I¡¯m good otherwise."


    Kane tilted his head slightly. "You look better, too. The bond... it¡¯s trying to repair itself."


    "You really think so?"


    He gave me that dark, knowing smile. "Yes. It¡¯s syncing and developing beautifully."


    He pulled me gently into his arms, and I realized I was stillpletely naked beneath the sheets and sore.


    I didn¡¯t mind.


    "I can feel your peace... and the ache," he murmured, his lips brushing my neck.


    "Mmm... that feels good, Kane. But I really need a shower am all sticky."


    "I¡¯ll help you," he offered instantly.


    "You look like you already showered."


    "I don¡¯t mind going in again and again if you are there," he said with a smirk, scooping me up and carrying me to the bathroom.


    "You¡¯re happy this morning," I teased as he set me on the bathroom counter.


    "You know why," he murmured while undressing. My gaze dropped straight to his cock¡ªstill erect, the base swollen tight with tension again.


    Kane said, anticipating my question. "I can handle it. You are just soo beautiful and its been so long."


    He reached for me, and I took his hand, stepping into the shower. The water was warm,forting, but the real warmth came from his hands and the care in his every motion.


    He was gentle¡ªespecially between my legs. Extra soft.


    "I¡¯ve got something for the soreness," he whispered. "Something that¡¯ll ease the ache once we¡¯re out."


    I rubbed soap into his chest while he washed my hair. The moment was quiet, intimate...


    After the shower, Kane guided me to the bed, towel-drying me with all the care in the world. I sat on the edge, legs parted just slightly.


    "Spread your legs wider," he instructed gently, holding a jar of ointment between his hands.


    I smirked and exaggerated the motion, spreading wide and sensually while licking my lips seductively. His eyes darkened instantly.


    "Elena," he warned, catching my wrist just as I reached to tease him. "You teasing won¡¯t work, mate."


    He grinned, devilish.


    "I¡¯m not fucking you right now... but tease me again, and I might bend you over just to remind you who you belong to sore or not."


    I bit my lip, heat curling in my belly again.


    It felt <i>great</i>¡ªbeing myself again. Being in control. Like finally breaking free after being trapped in a small, dark room for far too long.


    I could only remember pieces of it. Snippets blurred by an overwhelming, insatiable desire. A hunger that couldn¡¯t be satisfied no matter what I did, no matter <i>who</i>¡ª


    Wait.


    My heart skipped.


    "What happened to Ace?"


    The question escaped before I could stop it.


    Kane was still kneeling between my legs, finishing with the jelly¡ªwhatever it was. He didn¡¯t look up. But his grip on my thigh tightened. Not painfully, but enough to make me feel the weight behind it.


    "I killed him," he said darkly.


    Shame hit me like a punch to the gut.


    I had <i>cheated</i>. I¡¯d touched someone else. Let someone else <i>inside</i> me. And Kane... Kane had¡ª


    I looked away, unable to meet his eyes. The guilt was suffocating.


    As if he sensed every ounce of it bleeding from me, he spoke again¡ªsofter this time.


    "Hey... it¡¯s not your fault," Kane said, reaching up to brush my cheek. "I deserved it. I was a jerk. An asshole. I shouldn¡¯t have marked you without your permission. I should¡¯ve asked. I should¡¯ve¡ª"


    He stopped himself, his voice rough with regret.


    "I should¡¯ve protected you."


    I shook my head, eyes stinging. "I <i>let</i> him..."


    "You weren¡¯t yourself," he said firmly, cutting me off. "You were overwhelmed. I <i>felt</i> it, remember? You were drowning in the bond... and I left you alone."


    He leaned in, pressing his forehead to mine.


    "I won¡¯t do that again."


    The second lie I told her this morning.


    I hated doing it.


    But she didn¡¯t remember¡ªdidn¡¯t <i>seem</i> to, at least¡ªhow the darkness had taken hold of her. How it devoured her from the inside out, twisting everything soft and good into something feral. And honestly? I thought it was better that way.


    Because I wasn¡¯t about to tell her <i>the truth</i>.


    That she hadn¡¯t just slept with Ace... she¡¯d <i>drained</i> him. Fucked him to death.


    Literally.


    She¡¯d been consumed with <i>my</i> darkness¡ª<i>our</i> bond gone wrong¡ªand it had twisted her into something like a subus. A beautiful, ravenous creature that drew the life out of the person inside her. And Ace... poor bastard... he never stood a chance.


    He died inside her.


    His body gave out mid-thrust, his soul ripped straight from him with every roll of her hips.


    It was demonic.


    <i>She</i> would see it that way.


    And it would <i>wreck</i> her.


    So no, I wouldn¡¯t tell her. Not now. Maybe not ever.


    And Dean?


    Fuck.


    I wasn¡¯t about to tell her about him either. About how I¡¯d locked him in the yroom after she passed out. How his eyes had gone pitch-ck, veins turning the same inky color, like the darkness wasn¡¯t just touching him¡ªit was <i>eating</i> him alive from the inside out.


    The same thing that had taken her... it was in him now.


    I hated leaving him like that.


    It felt wrong, selfish even.


    But Dean had grabbed my arm¡ªeyes wild, voice not even fully human¡ªand demanded I take care of <i>her</i>. Our mate.


    <i>"Don¡¯t let her see me like this,"</i> he rasped before the screams started.


    So I did what he asked.


    I cleaned her, soothed her, lied to her.


    And I¡¯d keep lying if that¡¯s what it took to protect her from the truth.


    From <i>herself</i>.

 Chapter 194: Dark Claws

    <h4>Chapter 194: Dark ws</h4>


    <strong>Dean¡¯s POV</strong>


    It took Elena getting possessed¡ªand me dying¡ªfor Kane and I to finally stop the damn pissing contest and agree on one thing:


    She was <i>ours</i>.


    Equally.


    Our mate.


    Not his. Not mine. Ours.


    And we could <i>share</i> her¡ª<i>love</i> her¡ªwithout tearing each other apart trying to outdo the other.


    My n worked.


    Twisted? Yeah. Maniptive? Maybe. But it <i>worked</i>.


    I have to give credit where it¡¯s due. The witches, with all their conniving, nted the seed. Their n was cruel¡ªstrengthen the darkness in Elena by feeding it, until it consumed her entirely. Until we both died in the process, leaving her a perfect vessel for whatever the hell they¡¯d summoned.


    But I flipped the script.


    They underestimated me.


    <i>I</i> figured it out.


    The key wasn¡¯t resisting her or fighting the darkness¡ªit was <i>not finishing inside her</i>.


    Because when she climaxed without receiving our seed, it reversed something in the bond. Instead of us feeding <i>her</i> darkness, <i>she</i> was losing something. That¡¯s when I felt it shift.


    The first time I spilled outside of her, I felt the darkness <i>loosen</i>. Just slightly. But it was enough.


    And in that moment of weakness, I <i>took it</i>.


    I absorbed it.


    Just like I¡¯ve been secretly absorbing <i>Kane¡¯s</i> darkness all along.


    He doesn¡¯t know.


    Or didn¡¯t.


    That¡¯s why I let Kane fuck her. Why I didn¡¯t fight him when he pressed up behind her and made her scream. I let him take her while I held her, worshiped her, praised her. And neither of us came inside her. Not once.


    We made her cum over and over¡ªuntil her body trembled, until the darkness began to <i>crack</i>. And each time, I absorbed a little more.


    Until she finally copsed. Her body limp, her energy spent, her eyes clear again for the first time in what felt like forever.


    She was <i>herself</i> again.


    And me?


    I dropped next to her, barely able to breathe. My body burning. My veins humming. The darkness I¡¯d pulled into myself howling like a beast caged just under my skin.


    And Kane...


    When he looked at me?


    I knew.


    <i>He knew</i>.


    He saw what I did.


    The question now is¡ªwill he thank me?


    Or hate me for it?


    The witches said it would kill me.


    And I think... it is.


    The moment thest of Elena¡¯s darkness bled into me, I knew something inside me had snapped. Broken. Maybe beyond fixing.


    I barely had time to think¡ª<i>to breathe</i>¡ªbefore I grabbed Kane and told him to lock me up.


    Immediately.


    No arguments.


    As he half-dragged, half-carried me to the yroom, I caught a glimpse of myself in the hallway mirror¡ªand it nearly brought me to my knees.


    My eyes were ck.


    Not dark. Not shadowed.


    <i>Pure fucking ck</i>¡ªthe same way Elena¡¯s had looked when the darkness took her.


    Only mine were worse.


    The veins in my body were turning ck, bulging against my skin, pulsing like they were alive. I could <i>feel</i> them growing, twisting under my flesh like snakes. It was like moltenva was flooding through me, burning everything in its path.


    And inside?


    It felt likeva was flowing through me.


    Burning. Boiling. Eating me alive from the inside out.


    By the time Kane got me to the yroom,id me down on the bed, and started tying me down, I was barely conscious. Barely human. My muscles spasmed under my skin. My mouth opened in a raw scream I couldn¡¯t stop, the sound ripping out of me like a dying animal.


    I was barely hanging on. He tied me down quickly¡ªthank fuck for that¡ªbecause I wasn¡¯t sure I could keep myself from hurting someone. Hurting <i>her</i>.


    The second the restraints clicked into ce, I <i>screamed</i>.


    It felt like my entire body was tearing itself apart from the inside.Like my bones were boiling.Like my soul was ripping loose.


    I knew, without a doubt, this was my end.


    I was <i>dying</i>.


    And still, through the haze of agony, my mind was clear on one thing:


    <i>Elena.</i>


    She couldn¡¯t know.She couldn¡¯t <i>see</i> me like this.


    She would me herself. She would <i>never</i> forgive herself.


    So, between ragged, gut-wrenching screams, I forced Kane to promise me:


    <i>"Go to her."</i><i>"Stay with her."</i><i>"Don¡¯t let her see me like this."</i>


    He didn¡¯t want to leave.He wanted to fight me on it, like the stubborn bastard he is.He even stayed the whole fucking night, holding my hand while I lost pieces of myself to the thing eating me alive.


    But when morning came, when my strength was gone and my voice was wrecked from screaming, he finally did what I asked.


    He left.


    Left me to burn.


    Left me to die alone.


    And that¡¯s exactly how it should be.


    Because if Elena saw me like this¡ªIf she knew what was really happening¡ª


    It would <i>break</i> her.


    And I would rather die a thousand times over than ever be the reason she shattered.


    I was fading.


    Slowly. Painfully.


    Like the darkness was peeling me away one breath at a time.


    Every heartbeat felt like a hammer, every inhale like fire in my chest. The ck veins had spread to my neck now, crawling up to my face like they were trying to consume me from the outside in. I couldn¡¯t even lift my arms anymore¡ªthe restraints were meaningless now. I was too weak to fight. Too tired to scream.


    The worst part wasn¡¯t the pain.


    It was the <i>silence</i>.


    That crushing, eerie silence after Kane left. The yroom was dark except for a single dim bulb overhead, casting long shadows across the walls like ghosts watching me unravel. The very bed I¡¯d once tied her to in lust and dominance now held me captive as I died from the very thing I tried to save her from.


    I didn¡¯t know how much longer I could hold on.


    Minutes?


    Hours?


    Maybe less.


    I wanted to believe I was strong enough to fight it¡ªto beat the darkness like some goddamn martyr. But the truth was, I was slipping.


    Piece by piece.


    Memory by memory.


    I thought of her. Of Elena.


    Her smile when she thought I wasn¡¯t looking.


    The way she said my name when she came undone.


    The sound of herugh, the taste of her skin, the warmth of her hands¡ª


    <i>Fuck.</i>


    She couldn¡¯t know.


    Not like this.


    She couldn¡¯t see me like this: broken, monstrous, dying from something I willingly took inside just to <i>save</i> her. Because I loved her.


    <i>God, I loved her.</i>


    And Kane? He didn¡¯t say it out loud, but I knew. I saw it in his eyes before he left. He was grieving already, like he¡¯d buried me and walked away from the grave. But I told him to go. I made him promise to protect her, to lie if he had to. Because if she knew the truth¡ªwhat she¡¯d done, what I¡¯d taken on¡ªshe¡¯d never forgive herself.


    And I couldn¡¯t let that happen.


    I¡¯d rather rot here alone.


    I was already halfway gone anyway.


    My vision blurred. My breathing slowed.


    I was sinking into the dark.


    <i>And I didn¡¯t know if I was evering back.</i>

 Chapter 195: Dark Dean

    <h4>Chapter 195: Dark Dean</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV</strong>


    It started with a whisper.


    Not a literal one. Not a sound. More like a tremble beneath my skin¡ªlike something inside me had shifted again.


    I was sitting on the edge of the bed, wrapped in a silk robe Kane had left for me. The room was quiet, bathed in amber light from the mid-morning sun. A breeze carried in through the cracked window, stirring the curtains, but it did nothing to ease the unease tightening in my chest.


    Something was wrong.


    I stood up slowly, my legs still aching but steady. My body was sore, my thighs bruised in a way that made me blush and smile faintly¡ªmemories of the night before shing through my mind. But even in the warmth of those memories, I felt it.


    A chill.


    An absence.


    I turned toward the bathroom door. Kane wasn¡¯t in there. He hadn¡¯t been in there for a while. In fact... where was he?


    He¡¯d said he needed to go check on something, and he kissed my forehead before slipping out the door like it wasn¡¯t a big deal. But it had been hours now. There was a low, gnawing throb in my belly¡ªnot physical, not hunger, not lust. Something else.


    Loss.


    I padded over to the closet, reaching for a soft sweater and some leggings. My fingers trembled slightly as I dressed. I told myself it was nothing. Maybe it was leftover nerves from what happened with Ace. Or maybe¡ª


    No. I shook my head. I didn¡¯t want to think about Ace.


    I couldn¡¯t.


    Kane had said he¡¯d taken care of it. His voice had been heavy when he told me Ace was dead. I¡¯d felt sick, ashamed, confused. But Kane, bless him, had tried to soothe me. Said it wasn¡¯t my fault. Said he deserved it.


    But even as he¡¯d spoken, there was something about his eyes. A flicker of something he wasn¡¯t saying.


    Now, that flicker was burning into a full-on rm in my gut.


    I made my way downstairs. The house was quiet, too quiet. A house that held Kane and Dean was never this silent. Even if Dean was brooding or Kane was pacing, there were always signs of life. A radio. Footsteps. A voice muttering from another room. But now?


    Nothing.


    I called out, hesitant at first. "Kane?"


    No answer.


    "Dean?"


    Still nothing.


    My pulse started to climb.


    Maybe they¡¯d gone to get food. Or meet the pack. Or¡ªsomething. But I didn¡¯t believe it.


    My heart began pounding louder than my footsteps as I started down the hallway toward the east wing. I hadn¡¯t been allowed there much. Kane said it was where they stored old training gear, magical artifacts, and dangerous things the witches had left behind and the yroom-I had entered it only once the day kane marked me. But my feet moved with purpose now.


    My mate was here. Somewhere. I could feel it.


    I stopped outside a locked door. My hand hovered above the knob.


    Why this door?


    The whisper came again. Not in my ears¡ªbut in my bones.


    Inside. He¡¯s inside.


    I twisted the handle. Locked.


    I pressed my palm to the door, closing my eyes.


    That¡¯s when I felt it¡ªan echo of agony, faint but steady. Like someone was screaming behindyers andyers of silence.


    And then...


    "Dean," I breathed.


    My knees buckled as a wave of pain¡ªnot mine¡ªwashed through me. My bond red to life like fire licking up my veins, and I gasped, falling against the door.


    He was in pain.


    "Dean!" I screamed, banging on the door.


    Footsteps thundered from the other side of the house. Kane.


    "Elena!" His voice was sharp, but the second he rounded the corner and saw me, something in his expression fractured.


    "You lied to me," I whispered.


    "Elena, please¡ª"


    "He¡¯s in there," I cried, my voice breaking. "He¡¯s in pain."


    Kane rushed forward, grabbing me by the shoulders. "You weren¡¯t supposed to feel it."


    "I¡¯m his mate," I said through clenched teeth. "Of course I can feel it. I could always feel you. You think I wouldn¡¯t feel him?"


    His face twisted with guilt. "He made me swear not to tell you."


    "He¡¯s dying, isn¡¯t he?"


    Kane didn¡¯t answer. And that silence told me everything.


    Tears filled my eyes. "Open the door."


    "Elena, if you see him like that¡ª"


    "I <i>need</i> to see him."


    Kane hesitated, he pulled out a key and unlocked it.


    The door opened with a groan.


    What I saw inside made my breath hitch in my throat.


    Dean was tied to the bed, wrists and ankles bound in thick leather cuffs. His body was drenched in sweat, muscles twitching and trembling. His skin had darkened with ck veins that pulsed unnaturally, snaking across his torso and neck. His eyes¡ªthose beautiful, smug eyes¡ªwere pitch ck.


    His mouth moved soundlessly as if he was trying to scream but no longer had the strength.


    "Dean!" I rushed forward, falling to my knees beside him.


    "Elena," Kane said sharply behind me, but I ignored him.


    Dean¡¯s eyes flickered.


    "Elena..." he rasped. "You... weren¡¯t... supposed... to see..."


    I took his hand. It burned. Hot as fire.


    "What happened to you?"


    "Darkness..." he whispered. "Took it from you... to save you..."


    A sob ripped from my chest.


    "No," I said, shaking my head. "No, I didn¡¯t ask for that¡ªDean¡ª"


    He smiled faintly. "Didn¡¯t need you to ask."


    I turned to Kane, my voice shaking. "Help me fix him."


    "I don¡¯t know how," Kane said. "If we try to pull the darkness out, it might destroy him."


    "I don¡¯t care," I snapped. "He¡¯s dying anyway."


    Dean¡¯s hand gripped mine harder. "Don¡¯t cry," he whispered. "You¡¯re... safe now. Worth it."


    I climbed onto the bed beside him, pulling his head into myp. The ck veins throbbed beneath my fingers.


    "No," I said. "I won¡¯t let this take you."


    "Elena¡ª" Kane began.


    "I <i>won¡¯t</i>," I growled.


    He stirred at the sound of my voice, his breath hitching. His mouth opened and closed like he was trying to form words. I took his hand¡ªburning hot. His skin sizzled beneath my touch, but I didn¡¯t let go.


    "Elena..." he croaked. "You... weren¡¯t supposed toe..."


    Tears filled my eyes. "You¡¯re burning up¡ªwhat is this?"


    He coughed then, hard¡ªand that¡¯s when it happened.


    Thick ck smoke burst from his mouth.


    I gasped, jerking back as the smoke rose like a serpent, writhing in the air. It wasn¡¯t just smoke. It was alive. Writhing. Pulsing. Searching.

 Chapter 196: Failed Job

    <h4>Chapter 196: Failed Job</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV</strong>


    Shit. Shit. <i>Shit.</i>


    I fucked up.


    I didn¡¯t think she¡¯d find the damn room. I didn¡¯t think she¡¯d get that far. I shouldn¡¯t have left her alone¡ªI shouldn¡¯t have kept her locked away like some fragile thing that would break if the world touched her. I was trying to protect her. <i>Trying.</i>


    But I should¡¯ve known better.


    Because now she had seen him.


    She had seen Dean like <i>that</i>¡ªand there was noing back from it.


    Her screams still echoed in my head. My back throbbed from where she had kicked me. My shoulder stung from where she had wed me trying to get free. But still, I didn¡¯t dare put her down.


    "Elena, please¡ªjust¡ª" I tried to adjust her weight as she struggled, trying to slip free from my grip.


    "FUCK YOU, KANE!" she shrieked, her fists hammering against my back. "You lied to me! YOU FUCKING LIED!"


    I clenched my jaw so hard it hurt. "I didn¡¯t lie. I protected you."


    "YOU TOOK ME AWAY FROM HIM WHILE HE WAS DYING!" she screamed, her voice ripping apart at the seams. "HE NEEDED ME¡ªHE <i>CALLED</i> FOR ME!"


    I winced, the sound of her shattering louder than any scream.


    "And you¡ªyou ripped me away like I didn¡¯t even matter!"


    God, hearing it from her lips burned worse than any wound.


    I tried to set her down, gently, but she shoved herself off me the second her feet touched the ground. She stumbled back against the wall, wild and furious, her chest heaving. Her hair was a tangled mess, tears streaming down her flushed cheeks. Her eyes¡ªthose beautiful eyes¡ªzed with hate.


    "Don¡¯t touch me," she spat, voice low, lethal. "Don¡¯t you fucking dare touch me."


    "Elena¡ª"


    "<i>DON¡¯T!</i>" she roared, her body vibrating with rage and grief.


    I stood there frozen, fists clenching and unclenching helplessly.


    There was nothing I could say that would undo this.


    I could tell her that Dean <i>begged</i> me to get her out. That he <i>knew</i> the end wasing and didn¡¯t want her to see him like that. That Dean¡¯sst fucking wish was for me to protect her from that memory, to shield her.


    But none of that mattered now.


    All she saw was betrayal.


    Her sobs tore out of her, gut-wrenching and broken. She stumbled sideways along the wall, sliding down until she crumpled onto the floor, hugging her knees to her chest like she was trying to hold herself together.


    "You said¡ª" she whispered hoarsely, shaking her head. "You said he would be okay... you said you were just checking..."


    "I <i>was</i>¡ªhe told me to¡ªElena, please," I croaked, sinking to my knees a few feet away from her, keeping the distance she needed.


    She didn¡¯t even look at me. Just kept rocking herself, soft whimpers breaking free no matter how hard she tried to stifle them.


    I pressed my hands into the floor, bowing my head.


    "I¡¯m sorry," I whispered, voice shaking. "I didn¡¯t want you to remember him like that... I didn¡¯t want you to hurt like this..."


    But I could tell from the way her shoulders flinched that my words only made it worse.


    Maybe she heard me. Maybe she didn¡¯t.


    Maybe she didn¡¯t <i>want</i> to hear anything from me ever again.


    And fuck, I couldn¡¯t even me her.


    Because I was supposed to protect her.


    And all I had done was rip her away from one mate as he took hisst breath¡ª<i>and now she was left with me.</i>


    The mate she hated.


    The mate who tore her heart apart the second it mattered most.


    And I would carry the weight of that betrayal for the rest of my fucking life.


    The one job Dean gave me¡ª<i>protect her</i>¡ªand I¡¯d managed to destroy her instead.


    I stayed there on my knees, just watching her crumble.


    I should¡¯ve gone to her. I should¡¯ve pulled her into my arms. I should¡¯ve <i>done something.</i>


    But when I finally crawled closer¡ªslow, hands up like approaching a wounded animal¡ªshe snapped her head up and <i>screamed.</i>


    "NO!" she sobbed, shoving me away with both hands. "DON¡¯T TOUCH ME! DON¡¯T YOU FUCKING TOUCH ME!"


    I froze, heart splintering.


    Her face was blotchy, twisted in raw grief, hair sticking to her wet cheeks. She was shaking all over, rocking, wing at her own skin like she could peel the pain off her body if she just scraped hard enough.


    "I should¡¯ve been there!" she shrieked. "<i>I should¡¯ve been with him!</i>"


    Tears ran down her neck, soaking into her shirt, but she didn¡¯t even seem to notice.


    "You took me away¡ª<i>you took me away from him!</i>" she wailed, fists pounding the floor weakly. "<i>He died alone!</i>"


    "No¡ª" I rasped, reaching again without thinking.


    She flinched so violently it felt like I¡¯d stabbed her.


    "I COULD HAVE HELPED HIM!" she cried, grabbing handfuls of her hair and yanking like she wanted to tear herself apart. "Maybe¡ªmaybe if I¡¯d stayed, if I¡¯d just¡ª<i>I could have saved him!</i>"


    "You couldn¡¯t have, Elena," I croaked, voice breaking. "You couldn¡¯t have¡ªDean knew¡ª"


    "SHUT UP!" she screamed, so loud it rattled the windows. "You don¡¯t KNOW! You DON¡¯T FUCKING KNOW!"


    I did.


    I knew Dean was already lost.


    But telling her that now would only slice her up worse.


    "You lied to me," she gasped between sobs, voice thick and broken. "You¡ªyou told me he was okay¡ªyou locked me away while he <i>suffered!</i>"


    I pressed my forehead against the floor, fists buried in my hair.


    "I thought¡ªI thought it was what he wanted," I whispered. "I thought it was what you needed."


    "<i>NEEDED?!</i>" she shrieked. "<i>I NEEDED TO BE WITH HIM!</i>"


    Every word was a dagger straight to my gut.


    "I needed to say goodbye," she sobbed, copsing fully onto the floor, curling into herself like a dying thing. "I needed to tell him I was sorry¡ªI needed¡ª"


    She broke off, choking on her own breath, and I could only sit there like an idiot, hands trembling,pletely fucking useless.


    I wanted to hold her.


    I wanted to fix it.


    I wanted to go back and <i>do it differently.</i>


    But there was no fixing this.


    There was no taking this kind of hurt back.


    She cried and screamed and med me¡ªmed herself¡ªuntil her voice was ragged, until her body gave out and her fists fell limp against the floor.


    And I just sat there a few feet away, hands digging into the stone, hating myself with every breath.


    Because the worst part wasn¡¯t that she hated me.


    It was that deep down, <i>I agreed with her.</i>


    I should have let her stay.


    I should have let her break alongside him if that¡¯s what she wanted.


    I should have given her that choice¡ªeven if it killed her.


    Because now?


    Now I¡¯d stolen something from her she could never get back.


    And even if she forgave me someday... even if time dulled the sharp edges of her rage...


    <i>I would never forgive myself.</i>

 Chapter 197: Grieving

    <h4>Chapter 197: Grieving</h4>


    <strong>Kane POV</strong>


    She mmed the door in my face.


    And locked it.


    I didn¡¯t me her.


    I didn¡¯t knock. I didn¡¯t beg. I just stood there for a while, forehead pressed to the wood, listening to the sound of her body sliding down the other side.


    Then the sobbing started again.


    Not soft. Not muffled.


    Raw.


    Unfiltered agony.


    She screamed into the floor, into her arms, into her fists. Over and over again.


    "<i>Dean...</i>"


    My eyes burned. I clenched my jaw until it hurt. I wanted to break something. I wanted to break <i>myself.</i>


    But all I did was sit down outside her door. Back to the wall. Knees bent. Hands dangling uselessly over them.


    There was nothing else I could do.


    She screamed until her voice cracked, until it turned hoarse and broken.


    And I stayed.


    She whispered his name like a prayer, like a curse, like an apology that would never be heard. I could hear her pacing, hitting the wall, maybe throwing things¡ªthen copsing again.


    I couldn¡¯t stand it.


    But I wouldn¡¯t leave.


    I thought I heard her wing at something at one point¡ªmaybe the bed frame. Maybe the floor. I heard her sobbing into a pillow until it muffled into silence, only to start all over again minutester.


    Time stopped mattering.


    An hour passed. Maybe two. Maybe five.


    I didn¡¯t move.


    I could¡¯ve forced the door open. I could¡¯ve walked in, wrapped her in my arms, and taken the rage she wanted to throw. But I knew she didn¡¯t want that.


    She wanted <i>him.</i>


    And all she had left was me.


    Eventually, the crying dulled to hups. Then to silence. I thought maybe she¡¯d fallen asleep¡ªfinally¡ªuntil I heard her voice.


    A whisper.


    A broken, barely-there thing.


    "...He died alone."


    I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the wall.


    I wanted to tell her he didn¡¯t.


    I wanted to say that even if she wasn¡¯t there physically, <i>he felt her in every breath.</i> That hisst thought was of her. That he made me promise to protect her not just out of duty¡ªbut because he <i>loved her.</i>


    But I couldn¡¯t speak.


    If I opened my mouth, I¡¯d break apart too.


    Instead, I sat there, silent. A sentinel to her pain.


    Because that¡¯s what Dean asked me to do.


    <i>Protect her, Kane. Even if she hates you. Especially if she hates you.</i>


    And I would.


    Even if she never looked at me again.


    Even if she never forgave me.


    Because she was <i>our mate.</i>


    And he was gone.


    <strong>*********</strong>


    The tray rattled slightly in my hands as I pushed the door open.


    "Elena?" I said gently, stepping into the dim room. She hadn¡¯t turned on the lights. The curtains were drawn tight, casting everything in a cold, gray filter.


    She sat curled on the edge of the bed, back to me, her arms wrapped around her knees. Still in Dean¡¯s hoodie. Still unmoving.


    "I brought you something to eat," I tried.


    No response.


    I ced the tray on the table near the bed¡ªfruit, bread, tea. She didn¡¯t move an inch.


    "Elena," I said again, softer this time, "you have to eat something. It¡¯s been over a day¡ª"


    "Take me to him first," she whispered.


    I froze.


    "Elena..."


    She turned, eyes hollow but fire smoldering beneath the surface. "Take. Me. To. Him."


    My heart kicked painfully in my chest. "You can¡¯t."


    She stood abruptly, her face a twisted mask of pain and fury. "<i>Why?!</i> What the fuck are you hiding now, Kane? What more can you take from me?!"


    My breath caught. I took a step forward. "You don¡¯t understand. It¡¯s not safe¡ª"


    "<i>You think I care about safe?!</i>" she screamed, and in one sharp motion, she grabbed the teacup from the tray and <i>hurled it at my head.</i> I dodged it barely, and it <i>shattered</i> against the wall behind me.


    "I should¡¯ve known!" she hissed, voice cracking. "Of course you¡¯d keep me locked away again! Of course you¡¯d control this too! What next? You gonna decide when I¡¯m allowed to grieve?!"


    "That¡¯s not what I¡¯m doing," I said, breath shaking. "Elena¡ªDean is still not... fully gone. The darkness¡ªit¡¯s leaking out of him now. And it¡¯s <i>not in a vessel anymore.</i> It¡¯s looking for one."


    That silenced her. But only for a second.


    Her voice dropped into something colder. "So you think it¡¯ll pick <i>me.</i> Again."


    "I don¡¯t <i>think.</i> I know it will. It already did once."


    She staggered a step back, as if I¡¯d pped her. Her mouth opened, then closed again. Her hands trembled at her sides.


    "I know you¡¯re hurting," I said carefully. "But I <i>swore</i> to him. I won¡¯t let it take you again. Not when it almost killed you. Not when it <i>killed</i> him."


    "I don¡¯t care," she said, voice breaking. "Don¡¯t you get it? I don¡¯t fucking care if it takes me. I want to see him, Kane. I <i>need</i> to see him. Please¡ª"


    Her legs gave out, and she dropped to her knees with a choked sob, clutching the nket like a lifeline.


    I knelt next to her, but she pulled away instantly.


    "You don¡¯t get to touch me," she whispered.


    I sat back, throat burning.


    We stayed like that, a foot apart but miles away. Her trembling. Me silent.


    And the tray of untouched breakfast, growing cold between us.


    <strong>Elena POV</strong>


    He doesn¡¯t get it. <i>He just doesn¡¯t fucking get it.</i>


    Kane stands there, hovering near the door like he¡¯s afraid toe closer. Maybe he should be. Maybe I <i>want</i> him to be. Because if he touches me right now, if his hand brushes mine or his voice softens the way it always does¡ªI¡¯ll cave.


    And I don¡¯t deserve thatfort. Not from him.


    Not from anyone.


    As much as Kane is my mate, <i>Dean is, too.</i> Equally. Fully. No less. I was bound to both of them¡ªnot just in magic, but in soul. In breath and bone.


    So how am I supposed to stay here? How the hell am I supposed to sit in this room and breathe, knowing that <i>one of them is gone?</i> It feels like someone took a jagged de and <i>tore</i> a piece of me out.


    And I feel it <i>missing.</i>


    I don¡¯t hate Kane. I <i>can¡¯t</i> hate him, even now. Not with the bond threading tight between us. But I¡¯m so mad at him I can barely see straight. Mad that he kept me away. Mad that he didn¡¯t fight harder to let me <i>say goodbye.</i>


    Mad that I was left screaming, wing, while Dean was in the next room, <i>dying</i>¡ªand I couldn¡¯t even hold his hand.


    Gods. It hurts so bad I think I mighte apart.


    And the worst part¡ªthe most gut-twisting, soul-breaking part¡ªis that this? <i>This is all my fucking fault.</i>


    If I had been stronger. If I hadn¡¯t let the darkness consume me. If I hadn¡¯t let it twist inside me until Dean had no other choice but to save me.


    <i>To die for me.</i>


    He absorbed it. All of it. Every ounce of that corrupt, toxic power that once lived inside <i>me.</i> He took it willingly. Silently. Because he knew what it would do to me if it stayed. Because he loved me enough to <i>burn himself alive from the inside out</i> just to give me another day of light.


    And I let him.


    I let him die for me.


    I buried my face into the hoodie that still smelled like him¡ªcedar and smoke and <i>him.</i> I could almost feel his arms around me. Almost hear his low voice telling me it would be okay.


    But it won¡¯t be okay.


    Because I failed him.


    Because I let the darkness in.


    And now Dean¡¯s gone.


    Gone because of me.


    And no matter what Kane says¡ªno matter how many fucking trays of food he brings, no matter how many times he whispers "I¡¯m sorry"¡ªnone of it matters.


    Not when the man I love is <i>dead.</i>


    And not when I¡¯m the one who killed him.

 Chapter 198: Back To The Begining

    <h4>Chapter 198: Back To The Begining</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV</strong>


    The night didn¡¯t end.


    It just folded into another, darker day.


    Kane had stopped trying to talk to me hours ago. Maybe he finally realized I didn¡¯t want his apologies or exnations¡ªI wanted <i>Dean</i>. I wanted answers that didn¡¯t sound like cages. And I wanted my rage to stop eating me alive.


    He thought I was sleeping. I wasn¡¯t. I hadn¡¯t slept since that scream was torn out of Dean¡¯s throat.


    I waited.


    Waited until Kane¡¯s footsteps faded down the hallway, his aura dimming, the house falling into silence. He was giving me space¡ªgood. Because I didn¡¯t want him near me. Not right now.


    I moved slowly. Quietly.


    Every floorboard felt like it would give me away, like the house itself was trying to stop me.


    But I didn¡¯t stop.


    The corridor that led to the yroom was colder than the rest of the house. The air felt heavier the closer I got, like it was pushing me back. My skin prickled. My instincts screamed at me to turn around.


    I didn¡¯t listen.


    I reached the door.


    Locked.


    Of course.


    But Kane had always been the forgetful one. And in his rush, he¡¯d left the key in the lock.


    My fingers trembled as I turned it.


    The door creaked open slowly.


    And there, behind me¡ª<i>of fucking course</i>¡ªwas Kane.


    "Elena," he said sharply, his voice catching like a snapped wire. "Don¡¯t."


    I ignored him.


    "Elena," louder now. "You <i>can¡¯t</i> go in there. It¡¯s not safe."


    "I need to see him," I whispered.


    "He¡¯s <i>gone</i>." His voice cracked, a tremor in his chest.


    "Then let me say goodbye." My eyes were already welling.


    He stepped forward, trying to block the door, but I shoved him with all the fury in my bones. He didn¡¯t move.


    "Don¡¯t make me hurt you," I hissed.


    "You can¡¯t¡ª"


    I reached for the door handle.


    "Elena¡ª"


    Toote.


    The door burst open.


    And what I saw inside¡ª


    Nothing.


    No Dean.


    Only his clothes, torn and ckened, lying crumpled on the bed.


    And above them¡ªsomething that should not exist.


    A cloud of darkness.


    Not smoke. Not fog. <i>Something alive.</i>


    It pulsed.


    It breathed.


    It <i>watched</i>.


    Before I could even scream, the ck mass lunged.


    Straight for Kane.


    "KANE!"


    He didn¡¯t move in time.


    The darkness mmed into him, wrapping around his head like a noose of shadow. It was horrifyingly fast¡ªrushing into him through every opening it could find.


    His mouth opened wide in a silent scream as it forced its way down his throat.


    His eyes rolled back.


    Blood trickled from his nose.


    And then his <i>body</i>¡ª


    It arched violently as though strings were being pulled inside him, convulsing, mming against the doorframe.


    "No¡ªno¡ªNO¡ª" I screamed, lunging forward, trying to pull him back, but the coldness of the dark cloud bit into my skin like ice and fire at once.


    Kane¡¯s body jerked again¡ªhis arms iling like a puppet being possessed¡ªand his eyes snapped open for a moment.


    Pitch ck.


    No iris. No white.


    Just darkness.


    "GET OUT OF HIM!" I sobbed, wing at his arms, trying to shake him, trying to wake him up.


    The ck smoke kept pouring in¡ªendless.


    As if Kane¡¯s body had be a <i>vacuum</i>, sucking in the evil I thought had died with Dean.


    But Dean hadn¡¯t absorbed all of it.


    No.


    He¡¯d only <i>contained</i> it.


    And now it needed a new host.


    And Kane¡ª


    Kane was the nearest vessel.


    His back mmed against the wall behind him, the wood cracking.


    His mouth moved, like he wanted to say something, but no words came¡ªjust ck mist leaking from his lips before being reabsorbed through his skin.


    I cried harder, shaking him.


    "KANE, PLEASE¡ªFIGHT IT! DON¡¯T LEAVE ME TOO!"


    No answer.


    The smoke didn¡¯t even acknowledge me now.


    It was <i>in him.</i>


    Like it had always been waiting.


    Like <i>this</i> was its n all along.


    Kane finally copsed forward, his knees hitting the ground. His body folded in on itself like a marite with its strings cut. Limp. Still.


    But I could see the veins beneath his skin already turning ck. Just like Dean. Crawling like ink beneath the surface, growing thicker with each heartbeat.


    I dropped beside him, sobbing into his chest, pressing my ear to his heart.


    It still beat.


    Fast. Too fast.


    "Please, please,e back," I whispered, my tears soaking into his shirt.


    He twitched.


    Slightly.


    I backed away instantly.


    And his hand <i>snapped</i> up, grabbing my wrist with bone-crushing force.


    I gasped.


    "Kane?" My voice was barely a breath.


    His head tilted slowly, unnaturally slow, until his gaze met mine.


    And the thing looking back at me¡ª


    It <i>wasn¡¯t</i> Kane.


    His lips curled into a smile that wasn¡¯t his. Too wide. Too cruel. Too knowing.


    "Elena," he said.


    But it wasn¡¯t <i>him.</i>


    It was the darkness <i>wearing</i> him.


    My body went rigid.


    He stood, still holding my wrist, dragging me up with him like I weighed nothing.


    And then he leaned in, his lips brushing my ear.


    "You should¡¯ve let him die <i>alone.</i>"


    My blood ran cold.


    I ripped away from him, stumbling backward, heart hammering in my chest, vision swimming with horror.


    He didn¡¯t chase me.


    He just stood there.


    Watching.


    Smiling.


    Waiting.


    *******


    <i>The silence that followed Kane¡¯s copse was unholy.</i>


    I stood frozen, mouth agape, eyes wide and unblinking as his body jerked and convulsed on the cold floor. The smoke¡ªno, <i>the thing</i>¡ªhad slithered into his body like liquid night, pouring through his nose, ears, mouth, and even his fucking pores.


    I couldn¡¯t move. Couldn¡¯t scream. My knees buckled and hit the tiles. I crawled to him, my hands trembling as I reached out¡ªterrified but unable to stop.


    "Kane?" I whispered, shaking him. "<i>Kane!</i>"


    His eyes shot open. Pitch ck.


    I screamed.


    I ran.


    Terror wed at my throat. I didn¡¯t even know where I was going¡ªI just needed to find <i>someone.</i> Someone who could fix this, stop this, <i>do something.</i>


    <i>I failed you,</i> Dean.


    <i>Now I¡¯m going to fail him too.</i>


    The hallway blurred, a frantic smear of walls and shadow. My bare feet pounded against the wooden floor, heart hammering like a war drum. I turned a corner and mmed full force into something solid. I reeled back, dizzy¡ª


    Only to find an old woman standing before me, unmoving.


    She was wrapped in a tattered cloak the color of dead leaves, a wooden staff gripped in her hand, the gnarled top shaped like a twisted serpent. Her face was deeply wrinkled, eyes a stormy grey that saw <i>through</i> me.


    I opened my mouth to speak, but I could only sob.


    "Child," she said. Her voice was smoke and bone and time itself. "He¡¯s begun, hasn¡¯t he?"


    I choked. "W-What? Please¡ªI need help. Kane¡ªsomething¡ªsomething took over him. A smoke, it¡ªit came from Dean and¡ªand now it¡¯s in Kane and he¡¯s¡ªhe¡¯s¡ª"


    Her lips tightened.


    "It was bound to happen. It was only ever a matter of time."


    "What the fuck are you talking about?!" I screamed. "Help me! We need to <i>do</i> something!"


    She studied me. Then slowly, she turned and beckoned me to follow her into the parlor just off the hallway.


    I hesitated. But something about her made my legs move. Like her presence <imanded</i> obedience.


    The room was lit with candles, smoke curling from incense sticks, strange runes drawn on the floor.


    "Sit," she said.


    I didn¡¯t.


    "<i>Tell me what¡¯s happening,</i>" I snapped.


    She gave a slow nod. "You¡¯ve earned the truth. It¡¯s far toote for anything less."


    She moved to the center of the room and tapped her staff to the floor. The rune circle lit up in a crimson glow, pulsing like a heartbeat.


    "Your Kane and your Dean," she began, "are not what you think they are."


    I opened my mouth, but she raised a hand.


    "Listen now. This is a story hidden even from the boys themselves."


    I clenched my jaw, heart galloping, fists tight. But I listened.


    "There was once a child born of wolf and vampire¡ªa hybrid," she said. "But the child was <i>too</i> much. Too powerful. The mother, a werewolf. The father, an ancient vampire. When he was born, the child began to show signs of instability. Strength unmatched, hunger insatiable. Bloodlust and rage even as a toddler. His mother got mated to an alpha her mate who loved her and her pregnancy. His parents feared what they had unleashed."


    I stared at her, something cold slithering down my spine.


    "They called me," she said simply. "To try and end him the part they didn¡¯t want his vampiric side."


    I stepped back, shocked.


    "But I didn¡¯t," she continued. "I couldn¡¯t. He was still a child. A baby. So instead of killing him, I split him."


    "Split¡ª?"


    "His soul. His very <i>essence.</i> I severed his vampiric side and sealed it but it evolved into a shadow at first before forming into its own body¡ªa twin born from one."


    My hands flew to my mouth.


    "Dean," I whispered.


    "Yes," she said. "One soul made into two. One light, one dark. One born with the wolf¡¯s instincts. The other with the vampire¡¯s hunger. I thought if I separated them, they would bnce each other out. Grow <i>together,</i> and thus... temper the storm."


    "But they didn¡¯t grow together," I said hollowly. "They thought they were brothers..."


    "They <i>were</i> brothers," she said. "In the truest way. The same soul cleaved in two. Each iplete. Each desperate for something only the other had. That is why they both bonded with <i>you.</i>"


    I felt like I couldn¡¯t breathe.


    "You were the anchor," she whispered. "The bridge. The missing link that allowed them to feel whole¡ªseparately. Until..."


    "...Until Dean absorbed the darkness from me," I said. "Until he started dying."


    She nodded.


    "Because he was never meant to exist separately. That split¡ªit was unnatural. The darkness eventually sought to restore itself. When you became a vessel for that same dark force, it recognized what had once been broken. It fed on Dean because he carried the half that had once been cast out."


    My legs gave out and I fell to my knees.


    "So now..." I whispered. "Now that Dean is gone..."


    "Not gone," she said gently. "<i>Returned.</i> The darkness dissolved him back into the smoke¡ªthe same smoke I cast out of Kane when he was born. And it has found its way back into him."


    I looked up at her, tears burning down my face.


    "So... what is he now?"


    She looked grim.


    "He is whole. Complete. The original version of himself. Unchecked. Unstable. Not Kane. Not Dean. But the <i>Hybrid.</i> The true beast that should have never been."


    My blood ran cold.


    "And there¡¯s no way to split him again?"


    She shook her head slowly. "Not without killing him. This fusion is different¡ªit¡¯s not just soul, but <i>will.</i> There is no line between them now."


    "But I¡ªI can talk to him. I can try," I said desperately.


    She put a hand on my shoulder.


    "Child, the one you knew is buried. You may speak, but it will not be Kane who answers. Nor Dean. Only <i>what they were always meant to be.</i>"


    I sobbed, the grief of losing one mate now morphing into terror for what the other had be.


    Her eyes were heavy with regret.


    "I thought I could save him," she said. "But I failed."

 Chapter 199: Encounter With The Hybrid

    <h4>Chapter 199: Encounter With The Hybrid</h4>


    <strong>The Hybrid ¡ª POV</strong>


    <i>Ah... Finally.</i>


    <i>Whole.</i>


    Complete.


    Not two minds.


    Not a war inside.


    Not pieces screaming over each other in endless noise.


    Just me.


    Pure. Singr. <i>True.</i>


    My eyes flick open. The world is sharp¡ª<i>too</i> sharp. I can hear the dust settle, feel the blood of rats pumping behind walls, smell fear lingering in wooden beams.


    Delicious. Every inch of it. Like tasting life for the first time.


    I sit up slowly.


    My hands... <i>our</i> hands... no longer Dean¡¯s pale finesse or Kane¡¯s calloused roughness. They are now <i>mine</i>¡ªstrong, veined, shifting with the restrained chaos that brews just beneath the skin. ck streaks crawl along my arms like vines of corruption, pulsing, writhing with power that was once denied to me.


    I flex my fingers.


    The air hums with dread.


    There¡¯s a silence in the house¡ªa silence that knows something wrong now lives here. The kind of quiet thates before the worst kind of storm.


    And it should.


    Because I am the storm.


    A smirk pulls at my lips.


    My mate... my <i>sweet</i> little mate is here. I can feel her. I can feel her panic, her guilt. She thinks she¡¯s mourning Dean, terrified for Kane. But she doesn¡¯t yet understand.


    They¡¯re <i>both</i> gone.


    What stands now is neither of them.


    It¡¯s me.


    <i>What they were always meant to be.</i>


    <i>What was denied to the world the moment my parents feared what they had created.</i>


    Ah, my <i>parents</i>...


    What a shame they¡¯re no longer around.


    What a <i>waste</i>.


    I had such beautiful ns for them.


    Screams.


    Begging.


    Their faces wet with blood as they realized the monster they tried to cage had remembered.


    But even in their absence, there is a thread that leads me back to the sin of my severance.


    <i>Her.</i>


    The one who split me into two stupid personalities.


    The sorceress.


    I can¡¯t remember her face¡ªnot yet. Time has warped it in my mind. But her scent...


    <i>Gods,</i> I¡¯d know it anywhere.


    It was etched into me. Branded into the very smoke that was expelled when she dared to split me in two. She thought she could rewrite my being. Dull me. De-fang me.


    But I¡¯m here now.


    And she... <i>she is near.</i>


    In fact, she is in this house.


    The house that now <i>belongs to me.</i>


    I close my eyes, inhale deep.


    There¡ªbeneath the stench of fear, below the rot of old wood and spilled blood¡ª<i>her</i>. That strange coppery tang, soaked in burnt herbs and arcane fire.


    She hides among my walls like a spider clinging to a shredded web.


    A slow, terrible grin stretches across my face.


    How poetic.


    The one who yed god with me will be the first to feel what I truly am.


    No more mercy. No more confusion. No more leash.


    Let <i>her</i> be the first whisper in the wind of the age of terror I now bring.


    I rise from the floor, the floor creaking beneath my bare feet as if protesting the weight of what now moves upon it. Shadows gather, drawn to me like lost souls begging for purpose.


    And I will give them purpose.


    Destruction.


    Ruin.


    Reign.


    But before I do that...


    Before I bleed this house dry and carve a new Chapter into the bones of this world¡ª


    I must meet her.


    <i>My mate.</i>


    I must introduce myself properly.


    She deserves to know what her mourning has summoned.


    She deserves to know that the love she once gave to two halves has been <i>consumed</i>.


    That she now belongs to <i>one</i>.


    Me.


    <i>The Hybrid.</i>


    The door creaks open by itself as I step into the hall, the darkness seeming to grow teeth around me. I move like smoke, like nightmare incarnate.


    Every step I take... is the beginning of the end.


    <strong>Elena ¨C POV</strong>


    He¡¯s alive.


    The sorceress¡¯s trembling fingers brushed over the mark on my neck¡ªthe ce Kane¡¯s bite used to burn and pulse with warmth. But it was gone. <i>Faded</i>. As if it had never existed. Like it had been swallowed whole by something... monstrous.


    Her expression twisted in horror.


    "No," she whispered. "No, no, no... this is worse than I thought."


    My heartbeat mmed in my ears, ragged and erratic.


    "What do you mean?" I rasped, every word scraped raw. "What does that mean?!"


    She looked at me, eyes wide with a terror I had never seen on someone so old¡ªso powerful.


    "Your mate is not gone," she whispered, backing toward the door. "He <i>walks.</i> The mark has faded because... he is no longer Kane. No longer Dean."


    "What are you saying?" My voice cracked.


    Her eyes locked with mine. "He has <i>fused.</i> Fully. There is no stopping him now. No separating them. No love left to reach. No part of him that remembers you as something to protect."


    I stumbled back, cold rushing up my spine like a thousand spiders crawling under my skin.


    "No," I choked, shaking my head. "No, that¡¯s not¡ª"


    "If we want to live to see the next day," she snapped, "we run. Now."


    She grabbed my hand, yanked me toward the door with surprising strength. The moment her fingersced with mine, my wolf whimpered¡ª<i>not growled</i>. As if even my inner beast knew.


    Knew that something far, far worse than death waited on the other side.


    She yanked the door open¡ª


    And froze.


    I didn¡¯t have time to ask why before I saw <i>him.</i>


    Standing in the doorway, framed by the darkened hallway like a nightmaree to life. Shadows clung to his form as if worshipping him, like he was their god now. The air bent around him, thick, suffocating. My lungs locked.


    He looked like Kane.


    He looked like Dean.


    But he was neither.


    He was <i>himself</i>¡ªthe true, original creature that was never meant to walk the earth.


    One eye burned a deep, hellish red¡ªglowing like hot coal. The other, a golden-yellow that seared like a wolf¡¯s gaze at the height of a blood moon.


    The moment our eyes met, my breath caught.


    <i>Because there was nothing human in them.</i>


    Only hate.


    Cold, gleeful <i>loathing.</i>


    "And where," he drawled, voice low and syrupy with malice, "do you think you¡¯re taking my mate?"


    That voice¡ª


    It wasn¡¯t Kane¡¯s gravel.


    It wasn¡¯t Dean¡¯s velvet.


    It was <i>ice and venom,</i> curdled in cruelty. A death knell spoken through a grin.


    My knees buckled.


    My wolf¡ª<i>my wolf</i>¡ªdidn¡¯t growl. Didn¡¯t bark.


    She whimpered. Then went silent. Buried herself so deep inside me I could barely feel her anymore.


    The sorceress¡¯s hand slipped from mine as she stumbled back, her face drained of blood.


    She started to chant under her breath, hands shaking as she formed an incantation. I don¡¯t know the words. I don¡¯t think they mattered.


    Because he <iughed.</i>


    A low, mocking sound that scraped against my nerves like a dull knife.


    "Tsk, tsk..."


    He moved¡ª<i>faster than I could see.</i> One moment he was in the doorway. The next¡ª


    Behind her.


    One hand mped over her mouth. She let out a muffled cry, wing at him, eyes wide as dinner tes.


    "Split me up," he purred, lips near her ear, voice taunting like a cruel lover, "then try to <i>escape</i>?"


    His other hand rose slowly.


    "What a naughty witch..."


    I couldn¡¯t move.


    I couldn¡¯t <i>breathe.</i>


    And then¡ª


    In a movement so calm, so casual, it was almost surreal¡ªhe ced his hand beneath her chin.


    And <i>pulled.</i>


    With a sickening <i>crack,</i> he split her jaw open¡ª<i>like a book</i>¡ªthe skin tearing, bones snapping in a sound so unnatural my stomach turned inside out.


    Blood poured.


    Her eyes rolled back.


    He held her there¡ª<i>dead</i>¡ªfor a breathless second, letting her body twitch.


    And then¡ªhe turned <i>her head toward me.</i> As if to show me. As if to <i>teach</i> me.


    My scream tore from my throat, raw and high and endless.


    I couldn¡¯t stop.


    I screamed until I felt the walls bending. Until the shadows shuddered.


    Until I tasted blood in my mouth from how hard I bit my tongue to make it stop.


    But it didn¡¯t stop.


    The world tilted.


    The walls melted away.


    And I was <i>falling</i>¡ª


    I felt the air leave my lungs as my knees gave out and the cold floor rushed up to meet me¡ª


    Only¡ª


    I never hit the ground.


    Arms caught me. Strong. Familiar.


    But wrong.


    So <i>wrong.</i>


    His breath was against my neck. Cold. Possessive. Final.


    Then the words came.


    A whisperced with every nightmare that has ever been dreamed:


    "Wee to hell, sweetheart."

 Chapter 200: Becoming A Tyrant

    <h4>Chapter 200: Bing A Tyrant</h4>


    <strong>(The Hybrid) Damon POV</strong>


    The scent of blood. Of fear. Of disbelief.


    They felt it the moment I stepped into their territory¡ªthe moment I tore through the veil of that cursed cabin and stepped into the world I was meant to conquer.


    I carried her in my arms. <i>My</i> mate. Soft. Warm. Unconscious. So delicate in contrast to the power thrumming in my veins, screaming to be unleashed. The woman who tethered the chaos, even as she trembled before it. She did not yet understand what I was. What <i>we</i> were. What I had be.


    The pack house came into view.


    They stood outside, faces twisted with horror, some clutching their chests, others baring their teeth in grief or rage.


    "Alpha?" someone gasped, but it wasn¡¯t a greeting. It was a prayer.


    And I am no god.


    "<i>What have you done?</i>" barked one of them¡ªa Beta, if I had to guess. His energy vibrated just beneath mine like a pathetic candlelight flickering against a tempest. "Where¡¯s Kane? What the hell are you?"


    I didn¡¯t stop walking. My boots hit the gravel with unrelenting rhythm, each step a drumbeat of judgment. I cradled her like something precious. <i>Mine.</i>


    The Gamma stepped forward, foolishly blocking my path.


    "I said¡ªwhat have you done?!"


    I tilted my head, slowly, until I was staring directly into his eyes. Red met blue. Yellow flickered with hunger.


    "You stand in the presence of a king and bark like a dog," I said, my voice low, velvety,ced with something ancient. Something evil.


    "She¡¯s unconscious¡ªwhat the fuck did you do to Elena?" he growled.


    I smiled.


    A thin, cruel smile that made several warriors shiver.


    "I took what was mine."


    And then I moved.


    In the blink of an eye, I stood with one hand wrapped around the Gamma¡¯s throat, Elena still nestled against my side, untouched. His eyes bulged. I could feel his pulse hammering beneath my fingers. I didn¡¯t squeeze. Not yet.


    "Alpha Kane would never¡ª"


    "I <i>am not</i> Kane," I growled, and my voice cracked the air like a whip. The earth trembled beneath us. Warriors copsed to their knees, whimpering as my alpha dominance washed over them in waves of pain and obedience. "Your Alpha is <i>dead.</i> You will address me as <strong>Alpha King Damon.</strong> And you will obey."


    The Gamma tried to shift. He actually tried to shift.


    Iughed. It was a hollow, eerie sound.


    "You dare?"


    And with one sharp motion, I crushed his windpipe and dropped his twitching body to the dirt.


    A scream rang out. The Beta lunged.


    Fool.


    With a flicker of shadow and fang, I leapt¡ªstill holding Elena¡ªand drove my hand clean through his chest, ripping out his heart in a pulsing, wet mess of blood and bone.


    "Still think I¡¯m Kane?" I asked the others as the Beta dropped, lifeless, at my feet.


    They said nothing.


    Good.


    I turned slowly, sweeping my eyes across them all.


    Fear painted every face.


    Some were trembling. Some weeping.


    But all bowed.


    Everyst one of them.


    Their foreheads pressed to the earth, their necks bared.


    Exactly as it should be.


    "Three of you," I said casually, stepping forward, blood dripping from my hand like paint. "You¡ªyes, you three¡ªget up."


    They scrambled to their feet, still crouching low.


    "You will gather the entire pack. Every able body. I will address them within the hour. And if anyone refuses toe, or so much as whispers rebellion..." I let my eyes sweep over them, lingering.


    "...I will butcher their families. I will feed on their children as they watch, and then carve their hearts out while they scream."


    Someone whimpered. Good.


    "Understood?" I asked softly.


    They nodded, wide-eyed and pale.


    "Then <i>go.</i>"


    They bolted like frightened prey.


    I turned toward the pack house.


    It would be my throne room soon enough.


    As I approached, one of the warriors¡ªtrembling¡ªspoke up. "Alpha Kane... he used to stay in his own house¡ªhis private cabin..."


    I stopped walking.


    Let the moment hang in the air.


    Then turned my head slowly.


    "I am not Kane," I repeated, with venom in my voice. "Your Alpha is <i>dead.</i> And his name is forbidden in my presence."


    The warrior swallowed hard and bowed lower.


    "From now on, you will address me as Alpha King Damon," I continued. "And this"¡ªI gestured to the pack house¡ª"will be my domain. Clear it out. I want no one inside but myself and my mate."


    They scurried away, barking orders to one another.


    I stepped over corpses and blood and walked through the doors.


    My throne awaited.


    <strong>*******</strong>


    The house reeked of many wolves scent.


    It clung to the walls like mildew. Smothered the air like mold. Every corner whispered memories I did not own. A pathetic echo of weakness and restraint that I would purge soon enough.


    But first, I carried her deeper.


    Past trembling warriors who averted their eyes.


    Past blood still drying on the floor where I had imed this house¡ªand this pack¡ªas mine.


    To the farthest room in the corridor. The master bedroom.


    The door creaked open with a groan that reminded me of something ancient and buried. It wasrge, untouched . Fitting.


    And a cradle to what I had be.


    I stepped inside and crossed to the bed. The sheets were dark. Thick. Fit for a king.


    Iid her down carefully, despite the weight of chaos pulsing in my limbs. There was no violence in my touch¡ªjust reverence. Possession. Her skin was pale, hershes casting soft shadows against her cheeks. Her lips parted slightly as she exhaled in shallow breaths.


    <i>So fragile. So mine.</i>


    I stood over her for a long moment.


    My hand hovered at her cheek but did not touch.


    Who would have thought?


    That a creature like me¡ªa hybrid born from fear and sealed in shadows¡ªwould have <i>a mate.</i>


    A <i>true mate.</i>


    My red eye throbbed with heat. The yellow one flickered. Even they burned with conflict¡ªwolf and vampire both snarling at the chain she unwittingly wrapped around my soul.


    The beast in me wanted to devour her.


    The man... wanted to keep her.


    <i>All of her.</i>


    "You were meant to be Kane¡¯s," I murmured. "Or Dean¡¯s. Or whatever name the world gave the pieces they split from me."


    I sat beside her on the bed, elbows on my knees, head bowed.


    "But that was <i>never</i> the truth, was it?"


    My voice was soft. Almost amused.


    "You were meant for the <i>whole.</i> Not the fragments."


    I looked down at her.


    "So here I am, sweetheart. The truth they feared. The chaos they tried to erase."


    I ran a hand through my hair, still slick with blood.


    "They tried to bury me. Strip me down. Split me like a bone. And still... here I stand."


    I rose and looked down at her again, watching her chest rise and fall.


    "I wonder what you¡¯ll do when you wake up and see me," I whispered. "Will you scream? Will you cry?"


    I smiled faintly.


    "Or will you finally understand that <i>you belong to me now</i>... and I don¡¯t let go."


    Then I reached for the nket. Slowly. Covered her like she was something sacred.


    Even monsters know how to cherish.


    But only once.


    <i>And gods help anyone who tries to take you from me now.</i>

 Chapter 201: Mated To The Hybrid

    <h4>Chapter 201: Mated To The Hybrid</h4>


    <strong>Alpha King Damon ¨C POV</strong>


    The cold morning air bit at the skin of the living.


    Not that I noticed.


    I stood atop the steps of the pack house¡ªthe same ce Kane once addressed this pathetic excuse of a pack with warmth andpassion. He tried to lead with strength wrapped in empathy.


    Foolish.


    Empathy doesn¡¯t make people kneel.


    Fear does.


    I stood tall¡ªshoulders squared, eyes burning¡ªone crimson, one golden. A warning to every soul gathered before me.


    The warriors came first, summoned by the three I had ordered. Then came the elders, the ranked wolves, the trackers, the omegas. Children clung to mothers. Fathers stood stiff and pale. The entire pack filled the clearing, hundreds of eyes locked onto me.


    But none of them <i>dared</i> meet my gaze for long.


    Good.


    Let their fear settle like iron in their bones.


    Let them remember who rules now.


    "Bow," Imanded, voice low butced with Alpha power.


    A collective shudder swept through them.


    One by one, they dropped.


    Some on instinct.


    Others in panic.


    Thest few needed a growl that shook the air like a thunderp. But eventually, they all knelt.


    I descended the steps slowly, deliberate in every stride, letting the silence stretch until it became suffocating.


    "I am not your Kane."


    My voice sliced through the air like a de.


    "And I am not Dean."


    No one moved.


    No one spoke.


    "I am the truth that was hidden from you¡ªthe whole you were never meant to see. I am the monster they tried to bury, the darkness they divided to protect the world."


    I stopped at the bottom of the stairs.


    "I am Alpha King Damon."


    I smiled¡ªa cruel, sharp thing. A smile that showed teeth.


    "And I have <i>returned.</i>"


    Gasps broke in the crowd. Whimpers. A pup sobbed, quickly silenced by a trembling mother.


    Good.


    Fear was sinking in.


    "I have been whole for less than a day, and already your leaders lie rotting beneath my feet," I continued, gesturing to the ce where blood still stained the earth. "Your Beta and Gamma died with dignity. Perhaps more than they deserved."


    Murmurs swelled.


    I snarled, and the sound alone silenced them again.


    "I let them fight. I gave them the <i>honor</i> of death by my hand. You will not be afforded the same mercy if you defy me."


    I turned, pacing slowly before the crowd like a wolf among carcasses.


    "This pack, this territory, this world¡ª<i>they are mine now.</i>"


    My voice dropped into a hiss.


    "I will conquer the vampire kingdom. I will burn their courts to ash and crush their ancient lineages beneath my heel."


    The vampires would feel what it meant to reject me. To shun me. To call me <i>abomination.</i>


    "And I will take every werewolf pack that has ever dared to im independence and bend them to their knees beneath my banner."


    The elders looked at one another in panic. One of them opened his mouth.


    I raised a single finger.


    He closed it again.


    "Under my rule, there will be <i>one kingdom,</i> one bloodline, one name feared in every whisper, every prayer, every cry of mercy."


    I turned back to the crowd, eyes glowing like twin suns of destruction.


    "Mine."


    The word echoed.


    <i>Mine.</i>


    "My reign begins today. And you¡ª" I pointed to the warriors still bowing before me, "¡ªwill gather every pack in this region. Invite them to swear loyalty. If they resist..."


    I let the words trail off, and then smiled.


    "ughter their alphas. String their entrails from the trees. Burn their marks from thend. Let them know what it costs to deny a king."


    Three of the warriors stiffened.


    "You three," I said. "Your families now live or die based on your obedience. If I <i>even hear</i> a whisper of rebellion, I will hold <i>you</i> responsible. I will make you watch as I drain your children dry¡ª<i>slowly</i>¡ªand feed them to the wolves. Then I¡¯ll peel the skin off your mates before your eyes."


    Their bodies trembled.


    One of them let out a whimper.


    I chuckled.


    "Now go."


    They vanished like terrified mice.


    I turned back to the remaining pack.


    "I am not Kane. He is <i>dead.</i> You will <i>not</i> call me Alpha Kane. You will <i>never</i> speak his name again in my presence."


    I let the weight of the words settle like chains around their necks.


    "I am Alpha King Damon."


    "My blood is of night and beast. I am the fusion of predator and shadow. I am the wrath of a thousand years denied. And I will be worshipped¡ªor <i>feared.</i>"


    With a wave of my hand, I gestured toward the pack house.


    "No one will live here again. This den belongs to me now. Clean it."


    Several members scrambled to obey. A warrior tried to speak.


    "Alpha Kane used to stay at his own house¡ª"


    The air stilled.


    I stepped forward until we were nose to nose. I didn¡¯t shout. I didn¡¯t growl.


    "I am not Kane," I said in a voice so low and dark it made his knees buckle. "And if you speak that name again, I will rip out your tongue and make your mate swallow it."


    He copsed in a bow so fast he cracked his own nose on the dirt.


    I straightened.


    "Remember," I said, loud enough for all to hear. "This world is broken. Divided. Weak. But I... I was born to <i>unify it in blood.</i>"


    I nced toward the house.


    "My queen sleeps," I murmured, more to myself than them.


    "When she wakes... the age of mercy ends."


    <strong>Elena ¨C POV</strong>


    I woke to silence.


    Not the peaceful kind. The kind that sinks in too deep, too heavy¡ªlike a burial shroud wrapped around your senses.


    My body was cold, but the sheets around me were warm. My head pounded like drums being beaten in the distance, yet everything felt... still. Too still.


    I blinked up at the ceiling.


    It was unfamiliar. Not my room. Not Kane¡¯s. Not Dean¡¯s.


    The walls were a deep grey, adorned with dark furniture carved with wed etchings. The curtains were drawn tight. The scent of blood clung faintly to the air, undercut by something more primal... like storm winds trapped in skin.


    I sat up slowly¡ªthen froze.


    Something was off.


    No.


    <i>Everything</i> was off.


    My wolf.


    She stirred.


    For the first time in hours¡ªshe rose from wherever she¡¯d been hiding. Her presence surged through my limbs with shocking intensity, like lightning arcing through dead nerves.


    She whimpered first... then growled.


    Then, she <i>howled</i>.


    <i>Mate.</i>


    My entire body locked.


    <i>Mate?</i> I screamed inwardly. <i>No¡ªno, Kane¡ªDean¡ªthey¡¯re¡ª</i>


    But the memories came rushing in.


    Dean... gone. His body vanished. Kane... overtaken. The smoke. The horror. The scream. The¡ª


    The door creaked.


    And the bond <i>snapped</i>.


    It wasn¡¯t a gentle pull. It was a <i>drag</i>, a violent lurch in my chest like chains being yanked tight. My breath hitched as he stepped through the threshold, his presence hitting me like a thunderp.


    Alpha King Damon.


    One red eye. One yellow. That smile carved from nightmares.


    And my wolf... that traitorous, desperate piece of me... she surged.


    <i>Mate.</i>


    It was like the first time all over again. No¡ªworse. The bond had rewired itself. Amplified. It was an inferno now, scorching away every shred of resistance.


    I scrambled back, spine hitting the headboard, panting as his gaze swept over me like a predator savoring the sight of cornered prey.


    He said nothing for a moment. Just stared.


    The silence between us screamed louder than any roar.


    Then he spoke. And his voice¡ª<i>gods</i>¡ªit was nothing like Kane¡¯s warmth or Dean¡¯s softness.


    It was velvet soaked in venom.


    "Well, well... Sleeping Beauty finally stirs."


    I clenched my fists.


    My wolf wanted tounch herself at him¡ªout of need, out of longing. But I shoved her back. <i>No.</i> Not this time.


    "You¡¯re not Kane," I said, my voice trembling despite the steel I tried to force into it.


    He chuckled.


    "You¡¯re right," he said, stepping inside the room, slow and deliberate. "He¡¯s dead. So is Dean. And yet..."


    He ced a hand over his chest.


    "I live. <i>Stronger.</i> Whole."


    The mate pull intensified as he neared the bed, but I bared my teeth.


    "I don¡¯t want you."


    His smile never faltered.


    "Your scent says otherwise. Your heartbeat. Your wolf¡ªshe <i>knows.</i>"


    I turned my face away, ashamed as tears welled in my eyes. Damn the bond. Damn my heart.


    "Just because the bond exists," I whispered, "doesn¡¯t mean I have to let it rule me. I didn¡¯t choose Kane because of the bond. I chose him because I loved him. And I won¡¯t let you control me."


    That wiped the smirk from his face.


    For a breath.


    Then he tilted his head, a wicked glint returning to his mismatched eyes.


    "You think you can reject me?" he asked softly, like a parent humoring a child¡¯s tantrum.


    "I <i>do</i> reject you," I spat. "I don¡¯t want this. I don¡¯t want <i>you.</i> I don¡¯t care who or what you are. I¡¯ll fight this bond until myst breath."


    The room went cold.


    Not metaphorically.


    The temperature <i>dropped.</i>


    He stilled.


    Then let out a dark, amused chuckle as he leaned in closer, hands casually tucked behind his back.


    "Oh, sweetheart," he murmured, voice like poisoned silk. "You could scream your rejection a hundred times... shout it to the Moon herself... carve it into your skin..."


    He moved closer until his face hovered inches from mine.


    "I. Won¡¯t. ept. It."


    My heart stopped.


    "You can¡¯t just¡ª"


    "I can," he cut in. "And I <i>will.</i>"


    His aura red, crashing over me like a tidal wave, and my wolf whimpered again¡ªnot out of desire this time, but terror.


    "You think you¡¯re strong for defying me? You think that matters?" His voice was low now, dangerous. "You¡¯re mine. Mind. Soul. Body."


    He leaned in and whispered in my ear, each word slicing like ss:


    "And if you have a problem with that... you can take it up with the Moon Goddess <i>after I drag her down from the stars and break her bones for cursing me with weakness.</i>"


    My breath caught in my throat.


    My wolf trembled.


    "I won¡¯t obey you," I hissed, desperate to w back some control.


    "I¡¯m not asking," he said, rising to his full height, looming like death in a crown of bone. "I <i>demand.</i>"


    I opened my mouth, but the bond surged again and for a split second, I was suffocating in it. I hated how a part of me still <i>ached</i> for his touch. Still wanted to nuzzle into his palm. Still remembered the feel of Kane¡¯s arms. Of Dean¡¯s kisses.


    Now fused into this... horror.


    "Rest, my queen," he said softly, his voice coiling around me like chains. "You¡¯ll need strength for what¡¯s toe."


    He walked to the door, paused, and looked over his shoulder.


    "I don¡¯t need your love."


    His smile returned¡ªvile and proud.


    "I only need your <i>obedience.</i>"


    And then he was gone.


    The door shut with a thud that echoed like a coffin sealing.


    I sank back into the pillows, shaking.


    My wolf whimpered again.


    I didn¡¯tfort her this time.


    I couldn¡¯t.


    Because for the first time since this all began...


    I didn¡¯t know if we¡¯d survive him.

 Chapter 202: A Repeat Of The Past

    <h4>Chapter 202: A Repeat Of The Past</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    I pushed the heavy door open, the air inside the hallway a few degrees colder than my room. My bare feet made no sound against the wooden floor as I stepped out, the soft fabric of my re dress swaying with each cautious move I made. The house was too quiet. Unnaturally so. Like the calm before a storm.


    And something about that stillness put me on edge.


    Thest thing I remembered before cking out was blood. Screaming. Damon¡¯s voice, low and terrifying, whispering in my ear. <i>Wee to hell, sweetheart.</i> I¡¯d woken in a bed that was far too luxurious to belong to a prisoner, yet the cold realization that I <i>was</i> one settled in my bones like frostbite. Still, I had to know what was going on.


    The hallway curved and opened into arge corridor. My fingers brushed along the walls as I walked, grounding myself. Paintings hung on the wallndscapes, wolves, and eyes that seemed to watch me. I kept walking until I spotted her.


    A woman, hunched over, mopping the floor near the stairs.


    "Excuse me," I said cautiously, stepping closer.


    She looked up, startled for a split second before quickly bowing her head. "Luna."


    I stiffened. "I¡¯m not¡ªwhat¡¯s happening here? Why does it feel like I¡¯m in the middle of something I don¡¯t understand?"


    The woman hesitated, eyes darting down the hallway. "Alpha King Damon¡¯s orders are being followed. The pack is being restructured. His decree to conquer the supernatural kingdoms... has already begun."


    <i>Alpha King Damon.</i>


    The name hit me like a p to the face. Not Kane. Not Dean. <i>Damon.</i>


    My wolf stirred inside me¡ªnot in protest. No, she stirred with curiosity. With <i>fascination.</i> Like she¡¯d heard a call in that name. My heart squeezed painfully. The mate bond hadn¡¯t just shifted. It had reformed, like molten metal poured into a new mold.


    I didn¡¯t answer her. I turned away and continued walking, the hem of my dress catching the faint breeze from an open window. The re of it brushed against my knees, almost like hands urging me forward.


    I reached a long hallway lined with doors, turning my head to follow the dim golden sunlight nting through the high windows.


    And then...


    In a single heartbeat, the world shifted.


    One moment, I was walking. The next¡ªI was <i>pinned.</i>


    My back mmed against the wall with an audible <i>thud</i>, my hands yanked above my head in an iron grip. My lungs stuttered, heart vaulting into my throat. Fingers wrapped tight around both wrists¡ªcool, strong, unyielding. I struggled instinctively, but I may as well have been a butterfly fighting a hurricane.


    He was <i>fast.</i> I hadn¡¯t even heard him move.


    "Didn¡¯t I tell you to rest?" came the voice. <i>His</i> voice. But it wasn¡¯t Kane. It wasn¡¯t Dean. It was <i>Damon.</i>


    My breath hitched. His scent hit me like fire and smoke and nightfall. His face was inches from mine¡ªso painfully familiar and yet not. One eye glowed crimson. The other, a deep wolf-yellow. Neither held warmth.


    "You need your strength, little mate," he murmured, voice thick with amusement and menace. "Because tonight... I n to keep you <i>very</i> busy."


    He smirked, gaze dragging down my body.


    "By the time I¡¯m done with you..." His mouth grazed the shell of my ear. "You won¡¯t be able to walk tomorrow morning."


    My entire body tensed.


    "You¡¯re insane," I hissed, trying to yank my wrists free. "Let me go!"


    He didn¡¯t budge.


    "You¡¯re a monster. I don¡¯t want to be part of this¡ªwhatever twisted delusion you¡¯re calling leadership."


    His hand didn¡¯t loosen. Instead, he stepped closer.


    Heat red in my chest¡ªand shame immediately followed it.


    "You¡¯re a psychopath," I spat, trying to pull away. "I don¡¯t want to be associated with <i>any</i> of this¡ª<i>with you.</i>"


    But my wolf didn¡¯t agree.


    She surged forward with a whimpering thought: <i>Mate.</i> She pressed against my ribs, paws scrambling for control. The bond screamed between us¡ªraw, overwhelming, undeniable.


    His smirk grew. Slowly, cruelly.


    I cursed under my breath.


    "Fight it all you want, Elena," Damon said, leaning closer. "You¡¯re mine. Mind. Soul. Body. You¡¯lle to understand that... soon enough."


    My heart thundered in my chest as his body pressed closer, trapping me fully against the wall. I could feel every inch of him. His strength. His control. My body was betraying me¡ªheat pooling low in my belly, breath catching as his gaze dropped to my lips.


    "So much fire," he murmured. "But I see the way you look at me, Elena. I feel what your wolf feels."


    "I feel nothing for you."


    A lie.


    He leaned in, slowly, deliberately. His lips brushed mine¡ªnot quite a kiss, but enough to steal my breath. My body reacted before my brain could catch up. My eyes fluttered closed. My lips parted just slightly.


    And he pulled back with a low, wicked chuckle.


    "Liar," he whispered.


    My cheeks burned with humiliation.


    He leaned in again. His nose brushed mine. His breath ghosted over my lips, maddening and warm.


    I froze, breathless.


    For a moment¡ªjust one blinding, insane moment¡ªI thought he¡¯d kiss me. My eyes fluttered closed against my will, lips parting just slightly. My heart was racing like prey in a trap.


    And then¡ªhe <i>pulled away.</i>


    A wicked chuckle left his mouth, low and throaty, like he¡¯d seen every single thought sh through my head.


    "Soon, my love," he whispered darkly, and vanished in the blink of an eye.


    Gone.


    I stood there, trembling, hands still raised against the wall, lips tingling with the ghost of a kiss that hadn¡¯t happened. Heat roared through my veins, chased by a cold that made me want to curl up and scream. My wolf growled at me from inside, furious at my hesitation, devastated by his absence.


    I <i>hated</i> him.


    I hated myself more¡ªfor wanting that kiss.


    I hated the way my body <i>wanted</i> him.


    I sank to the floor, clutching my arms to my chest, trying to breathe through the fire and shame and trembling heat in my core.


    He was everything I feared.


    And <i>everything</i> my wolf desired.

 Chapter 203: A Little Taste

    <h4>Chapter 203: A Little Taste</h4>


    <strong>Damon¡¯s POV</strong>


    The table before me was a map soaked in centuries of blood.


    Each marker I ced represented a royal vampire stronghold. Each red-stained line carved through the paper was the path I would take to paint the world in death and submission. The candlelight flickered over the parchments like dancing shadows of the dead yet to fall.


    "Kill the king," I muttered, pressing a dagger into the parchment where the royal court resided. "ughter his kin. Burn the bloodline."


    A slow, wicked smile stretched my lips. That was all it would take. One decisive, annihting blow. Vampires were sheep in tailored coats, grazing under the illusion of power. Without their monarchs, without their sacred royals, they¡¯d copse¡ªspineless, directionless. And when that happened, I¡¯d be the only sovereign standing.


    The scent of old parchment, steel, and war hung heavy in the air. The strategies were carved with precision. I¡¯d taken into ount their guards, their rituals, their arrogance. They¡¯d never suspect I¡¯de alone.


    Because no one man could wipe out a kingdom.


    But I wasn¡¯t a man. Not anymore.


    I was the nightmare they thought they had killed at birth.


    My fingers trailed over the edge of the map, over the blood-marked insignia of the king. I had no use for thrones. I wanted control, absolute. To rule by fear, not tradition. Peace was a lie told to children. The supernatural world needed terror¡ªa leader that did not flinch at the sound of screams.


    That leader... was me.


    <i>Alpha King Damon.</i>


    I leaned back in the high-backed chair¡ªKane¡¯s old office, now mine. His memories lingered in the wood. But this ce reeked of restraint and sentimentality. Two things I¡¯d already burned out of my bones. The soft, weak man who used to hold this seat was dead.


    The war strategies had all been drawn in blood.


    Every pack. Every coven. Every name. Every traitor. I knew exactly who to strike and where to make them bleed.


    The Vampire King would be the first to fall. His heart would be in my hand before the next moon. And when the royals watched their precious king crumble, they would bend the knee or join him in the grave. Either way, their kingdom would be mine. One by one, I would break every supernatural realm and unify them under one true throne.


    Mine.


    A kingdom ruled by the monster they tried to destroy. How poetic.


    I rose from the table of maps and old parchment. My ws still bore the red of spilled blood from earlier that day. It had dried beneath my nails, and I hadn¡¯t bothered to clean it. It was a crown now. A scent of war. Of dominance.


    And now that the war was drawn in ink and carved into the bones of the fools who defied me, it was time for something else.


    Her.


    My head turned slightly as I felt a presence shift in the house. <i>Her.</i> Even before her scent touched the air, I knew she was awake. <i>My mate.</i> My perfectplication.


    Elena.


    I hadn¡¯t gone to her since the encounter at the hall way. I¡¯d given her time. A kindness, if one wanted to call it that. But soon, that time would run out. She belonged to me¡ªheart, body, soul. And I <i>would</i> have her. Resistance was a game she was allowed to y... for now.


    But I had no intention of ever walking away again.


    I stood slowly, savoring the sensation of power wrapping around me like a second skin. With one final nce at the map¡ªmy future painted in blood¡ªI snuffed out the me of the candle.


    It was time.


    Time to remind her that monsters didn¡¯t beg.


    Monsters <i>imed.</i>


    I moved through the house like a shadow, my steps deliberate and slow, each one echoing through the hollow, abandoned halls. The air was thick with anticipation, my thoughts sharp, calcting. I wasn¡¯t simply a king in waiting anymore. I was an apex predator, and Elena... she was my prey.


    I reached her door without effort, standing there for a moment, savoring the silence that fell between us. She was in there, tangled in her thoughts, likely trying to escape the reality of what had just happened. Her mind, her heart, still fractured from the loss of Dean and Kane. But I would put all of that behind her.


    I <i>was</i> her future. She just didn¡¯t know it yet.


    I opened it without knocking.


    Elena sat on the bed, bathed in the glow of moonlight streaming through the open window. Her legs were curled to her side, her re dress flowing around her like a pool of nightshade. She looked up when I entered, startled at first, but not scared. Not yet.


    That would change.


    She opened her mouth to speak¡ªprobably to spit some insult¡ªbut I didn¡¯t let her.


    In the blink of an eye, I was across the room. One hand slid behind her neck, the other to her waist. I pulled her up against me, her body flush with mine, as I crashed my lips onto hers.


    She gasped.


    That was all I needed.


    I devoured her lips with ruthless hunger. Her fingers curled into my shirt, pushing¡ªno, <i>gripping</i>¡ªas I tilted her head to deepen the kiss. My tongue slid past her lips, iming her mouth, drawing a muffled moan from deep within her. Her walls¡ªthose precious barriers she clung to¡ªcrumbled like ash.


    The bond pulsed.


    Raw. Primal. Absolute.


    She kissed me back.


    Gods, she kissed me back with fire.


    Her hands tangled in my hair, and I growled low into her mouth, dragging her even closer, pressing her against the wall as my hand lifted her thigh, hooking it around my waist. She didn¡¯t resist. Her breath came out in ragged pants against my mouth. Her body arched into mine, seeking friction, chasing that forbidden heat that curled between us.


    I moved to her neck, lips trailing down her jaw, my fangs grazing her skin¡ªnot enough to pierce. Not yet.


    She whimpered.


    "I thought you didn¡¯t want a monster," I growled against her throat, kissing, biting gently. "But look at you, Elena. Burning for me."


    Her fingers fisted into my shirt, her body trembling, and for a moment¡ªfor that one perfect moment¡ªshe was mine.


    And then it shattered.


    Her hands shoved hard against my chest. "No¡ªwait¡ªstop!"


    I froze, but I didn¡¯t move back. Her chest heaved, her lips swollen from my kiss, her eyes wide¡ªhorrified at herself.


    "I... I didn¡¯t mean to..." she choked. "That wasn¡¯t supposed to happen."


    I tilted my head slowly, a smirk forming on my lips. "But it did."


    "You¡ªYou got into my head¡ªthis bond¡ª" She pushed past me, wrapping her arms around herself, trembling as if she could shake me off her skin.


    I advanced slowly, the shadows following my steps.


    "You can me the bond. You can scream and fight and lie to yourself," I said, voice cold as winter frost. "But your body tells the truth."


    "I don¡¯t want you," she hissed, but the quiver in her voice betrayed her. "I will <i>never</i> want you."


    I chuckled darkly, moving closer, my fangs barely visible now, my eyes burning¡ªone red, one gold.


    "You think that was rejection?" I leaned in, lips at her ear again, just like before. "That was surrender."


    She tried to speak again, but I silenced her with a single word¡ªdrawn out in a low, rumbling growl.


    "Mine."


    Then I stepped back. I let her see the fury burning behind my smile.


    "You can pretend, Elena. You can run, scream, cry. Try every trick in the book. But I¡¯m not Kane. I¡¯m not Dean. You don¡¯t get to reject me because I¡¯ll never ept it."


    Her eyes widened.


    "You can scream the Moon Goddess¡¯s name from the rooftops," I continued. "But even she can¡¯t save you from me."


    She stood there, frozen, breathless, frightened¡ªand worse, conflicted. Because despite everything... she felt it.


    The mate bond had chosen. And I was done pretending to be a man. I was the storm that swallowed the world whole.


    "Rest now," I said finally, voice rough, eyes still locked on her lips. "Because you¡¯re mine, Elena. And when Ie for you again, I <i>won¡¯t</i> stop halfway."


    "Elena," I said, my voice low, controlled. My gaze swept over her, taking in every inch of her form. The soft re of her dress only heightened her beauty, but it also made her look like something precious that I wanted to break.


    She stiffened. I could see the tension ripple across her shoulders, feel the surge of defiance in her aura. But there was something else¡ªsomething deeper. A part of her that wanted to run toward me.


    That was the bond. That was the power I had over her.


    She turned her head away, her hair spilling over her shoulder as she wrapped her arms around herself, trying to create some semnce of distance.


    "You¡¯re sick," she muttered, her words barely audible. "You¡¯re a monster."


    I smiled, the curve of my lips cruel. "If you think I¡¯m a monster now, just wait until you see me when you finally ept what I am." I took a step closer, and she instinctively recoiled, her back pressing further into the mattress.


    She had nowhere to run.


    "I¡¯m not going to make you do anything, Elena. But you¡¯ll want this. You¡¯ll want me."


    Her eyes shed with defiance. "I¡¯ll never want you. Not like that. You¡¯re not Kane. You¡¯re not Dean. You¡¯re just a... a shadow. A twisted thing that doesn¡¯t belong here."


    Iughed softly, the sound dark and devoid of warmth. "You think I care about your rejection?" I approached her, my hand sliding along the edge of the bed as I leaned down to her level. "You think you can keep me at bay with your stubbornness?"


    She wasn¡¯t looking at me now. Her eyes were shut tight, her lips pressed together in a thin line, as if she could will me out of existence.


    I cupped her chin, forcing her to meet my gaze. "But you¡¯re wrong, Elena. You¡¯re my mate. Your soul knows it. Your heart knows it." My thumb brushed across her lower lip, tracing the curve with tenderness that didn¡¯t match the cruelty in my eyes. "You don¡¯t get to choose me. I choose you. And you¡¯lle to understand that."


    Her chest rose and fell with shaky breaths. I could see the way her body responded to me, despite the fight in her. The pulse of her heartbeat beneath my fingertips was frantic, and I could taste the fear and confusion swirling within her.


    But there was also something else. Something deeper. A part of her that wanted to give in. To let go.


    I wasn¡¯t blind. She might deny me all she wanted, but her body betrayed her.


    I leaned in close, my lips brushing her ear, my voice dark and menacing. "I¡¯m not going anywhere, Elena. You¡¯re mine."


    I pulled away just enough to watch the terror and frustration re in her eyes. Her lips trembled, the fight still raging inside of her. But in that moment, I knew she¡¯d never be able to break free.


    I gave her onest wicked smile. "Soon, my love. Soon."


    With that, I turned my back on her and walked out of the room. I didn¡¯t lie beside her that night.

 Chapter 204: Born From Chaos And Blood

    <h4>Chapter 204: Born From Chaos And Blood</h4>


    <strong>Damon¡¯s POV</strong>


    She stood there, trembling, her back pressed against the wall, lips swollen from my kiss, chest rising and falling with quick, frantic breaths. She looked like she was trying to hold herself together¡ªto build those damned walls back up. But I had already seen her.


    I had tasted her surrender.


    And gods, it took <i>everything</i> in me not to go back and finish what we started.


    But I didn¡¯t. Not because I was noble. Not because I cared about right or wrong.


    No¡ªI didn¡¯t lie beside her that night because if I <i>did</i>, I wouldn¡¯t be able to stop myself.


    I knew what would happen. I¡¯d touch her. She¡¯d melt. She¡¯d fight it. I wouldn¡¯t stop. And the line between bond and consent would blur into something neither of us could take back.


    And no matter how much of a monster I am, I don¡¯t want her <i>that</i> way.


    I want her <i>willing</i>.


    Burning.


    <i>Begging.</i>


    So I turned away.


    Not for her sake.


    But because the fury boiling inside me would make me <i>take</i> what I wanted¡ªand the only thing more infuriating than her rejection... was knowing I would never be satisfied unless she <i>gave herself to me freely.</i>


    I stopped at the door, jaw clenched so tight it hurt.


    "I¡¯m not staying," I said, voice cold as a grave. "Because if I do, I <i>won¡¯t</i> keep my hands off you."


    And with that, I vanished into the dark hall, leaving her alone in the room, the scent of our heat still clinging to the air.


    The war could wait till dawn.


    But someday...


    She would be mine.


    Body, mind, and soul.


    <strong>Elena ¨C POV</strong>


    What the hell is wrong with me?


    I mmed the door shut behind him, my heart still racing like I had just survived a battlefield. I pressed both palms to my cheeks, willing the heat to fade, but it wouldn¡¯t. It <i>lingered</i>, like the taste of him on my tongue.


    I kissed him back.


    Gods, I kissed him back.


    I didn¡¯t just kiss him¡ªI <i>melted</i> into him. I let his hands roam, let his mouthmand mine like I belonged to him. For those stolen minutes, I forgot <i>everything.</i> Kane. Dean. My pain. My loss. It all evaporated under the inferno that was Damon¡¯s touch.


    <i>The hybrid¡¯s touch,</i> I reminded myself bitterly.


    My knees buckled, and I sank to the edge of the bed, fists clenched in the fabric of my dress.


    "Stupid. Stupid," I hissed under my breath, cursing the way my body had betrayed me. Cursing the way my soul had <i>responded</i>.


    He¡¯s a monster. A tyrant. Power-hungry. Ruthless. He <i>killed</i> his own pack members, he dered war on the supernatural world... and I <i>kissed him back.</i>


    <i>You wanted to.</i>


    Zena¡¯s voice emerged, sharp and cold in the recesses of my mind.


    "No, I didn¡¯t," I muttered aloud, but even that sounded weak.


    You did. You <i>do.</i> You feel it. <i>Our bond</i> is alive. Strong. Real. You <i>know</i> what he is to us.


    "He¡¯s a viin, Zena," I snapped, standing abruptly and pacing the room like a caged animal. "He¡¯s dangerous. He¡¯s everything we should be fighting against, not running toward!"


    And yet you ran <i>to</i> him. The moment he touched you, you <i>stopped fighting.</i>


    I groaned and pressed my hands to my temples.


    Zena wasn¡¯t wrong.


    The pull¡ªthe <i>mate bond</i>¡ªit wasn¡¯t just some magical thread. It was a <i>force of nature.</i> And now that Dean and Kane were... gone, their marks vanished, I felt the new bond like it had been lying in wait all this time. Quiet. Patient. Now ring to life like wildfire across my skin.


    My body recognized him before my mind could. My soul <i>responded.</i>


    Even now, my wrist still tingled where he¡¯d pinned me. My lips ached from where he kissed me. My heart felt like it was betraying me¡ªskipping for the wrong man.


    He¡¯s not Kane. He¡¯s not Dean.


    He¡¯s <i>both.</i> And yet he¡¯s something <i>else entirely.</i>


    Zena growled low in my mind. You keep calling him a viin. Evil. And maybe he is. But he is still <i>ours.</i> You rejected Kane once. It did nothing. Remember what happened?


    My stomach twisted at the memory.


    The rejection didn¡¯t work¡ªnot until Kane epted it. Which he never truly did. That bond had remained, tugging and tightening no matter how much I tried to sever it.


    I know you¡¯re hurting. I <i>am too</i>, Zena whispered now, her voice softer. But pain doesn¡¯t change who he is to us. You can keep lying to yourself, or... try to make him better.


    Iughed. Bitter and broken.


    "Make him better? Do you even hear yourself? He threatened to wipe out entire species. He says he¡¯s going to conquer the vampire kingdom by killing the royals. That¡¯s not something you change with sweet words and good intentions, Zena."


    And yet, he didn¡¯t <i>force</i> himself on us. He stopped. Even when you were vulnerable. Even when he wanted to keep going. He left.


    I stilled.


    That was... true.


    And maybe that¡¯s what frightened me the most. That under the rage and bloodlust, there <i>might</i> be a shadow of restraint. Of control.


    That perhaps... somewhere deep in that dark, chaotic soul...


    There was still <i>something</i> worth saving.


    No. I shook my head violently. I won¡¯t fall into that trap. I¡¯m not going to be the woman who falls for the viin and thinks she can fix him. That¡¯s not me.


    But Zena just huffed, smug and relentless. You already started to fall, Elena. You just don¡¯t want to admit it.


    I sank back into the bed, curling in on myself like the guilt and heat might swallow me whole. My heart was still pounding. My lips were still tingling. My wolf was furious with me¡ªand still <i>aching</i> for the mate that had just left the room.


    Damon.


    Not Kane. Not Dean.


    <i>Damon.</i>


    The bond is real.


    And the war is just beginning.


    I sat up with a groan, scrubbing a hand down my face.


    "Okay," I muttered to the empty room. "So, escaping is out of the question. For now."


    Not because I didn¡¯t <i>want</i> to run. Oh, trust me, I did. Every instinct told me to bolt lik e hell. But after what happened¡ªafter what he <i>didn¡¯t</i> do¡ªI knew he wouldn¡¯t hurt me. Not physically. Not yet, anyway. Emotionally? That was a different battlefield.


    Still, if I couldn¡¯t run...


    "I¡¯ve got to do something," I murmured to myself, pacing the length of the room again. My voice bounced off the walls, echoing my growing desperation.


    Because if I sit here and do nothing, I¡¯ll go insane. He¡¯ll tear apart the world one kingdom at a time, and I¡¯ll just be the broken mate staring into the fire pit wondering what I could have done differently.


    <i>Think, Elena. Think.</i>


    Damon is Kane and Dean¡ª<i>fused</i>. That¡¯s what they said, right? Two halves bing whole. Meaning... maybe, just <i>maybe</i>... Kane and Dean are still in there. Just twisted. Drowned out by this... apex abomination they created when they were forced back together.


    "But if they¡¯re part of him..." I whispered, hope rising like a flickering candle in a storm, "maybe I can <i>reach</i> them."


    Zena stirred.


    She didn¡¯t say anything right away. Just exhaled through our bond like she was annoyed I¡¯d only <i>just</i> caught up to the idea.


    "Zena?" I asked hesitantly. "If Damon is the true hybrid¡ªif he¡¯s really Kane and Deanbined... then technically, Kane and Dean are still in him, right?"


    <i>Technically</i>, she drawled in my head, clearly unimpressed.


    I frowned. "So it¡¯s not a dumb idea to try to bring them back out? If I could just... trigger something. Memories. Emotions. Something to crack through that psycho exterior¡ª"


    Zena snorted.


    I paused. "What?"


    <i>You don¡¯t actually care about the n. You¡¯re just trying to justify why you want to stay close to him.</i>


    "Excuse me?" I snapped.


    <i>You want him. You liked kissing him. You liked how alive it made you feel. That¡¯s why you¡¯re dreaming up some fantasy about resurrecting Kane and Dean from his ashes. Newssh, Elena¡ªyou kissed him back.</i>


    "I did not!" I shouted out loud, cheeks ming.


    You <i>did</i>, she growled with amusement. And now you¡¯re hoping you can fix him so that it¡¯s <i>okay</i> to keep doing it.


    "Zena, he¡¯s¡ªhe¡¯s a tyrant. A killer. He wants to conquer the supernatural world!"


    <i>And yet,</i> she said with a purr, <i>as long as I¡¯m with my mate, I don¡¯t care if he wants to burn down kingdoms or snore like a dying moose. He¡¯s ours.</i>


    "You¡¯re the worst," I grumbled, plopping back onto the bed like a sack of regret.


    And you¡¯re lying to yourself, she said cheerfully.


    I flopped onto my side and stared at the wall.


    It was a stupid idea. A ridiculous one. What kind of person thinks they can <i>rebuild</i> the souls of their dead mates inside the body of the man who helped destroy them?


    ...Me. Apparently.


    Because if I could reach <i>any</i> part of Kane or Dean inside that monster¡¯s skin... maybe I wouldn¡¯t feel so utterly alone. Maybe I could stop hating myself for feeling something when he touched me. Maybe I could pretend this bond wasn¡¯t born from blood and chaos and violence.


    I touched my lips, still warm from that kiss.


    "I¡¯m not giving in," I whispered. "But I¡¯m not giving up either."


    Let¡¯s see how much of <i>them</i> still lives inside you, Damon.


    Let¡¯s see if there¡¯s anything left <i>worth saving.</i>

 Chapter 205: Daring To Hope

    <h4>Chapter 205: Daring To Hope</h4>


    <strong>Damon ¨C POV</strong>


    I hadn¡¯t slept.


    Not because I couldn¡¯t. Not because I was incapable. But because I knew if I so much as stepped back into that room... if Iid beside her with all that heat still lingering between us, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to stop myself.


    And I <i>refuse</i> to take what¡¯s mine like a thief in the night.


    She may hate me. Fight me. Reject me. But one way or another, she¡¯lle to <i>ept</i> this bond. Beg for it. Not because I force it¡ªbut because she <i>chooses</i> it.


    Until then... I wait. I n. I conquer.


    I sat behind the heavy desk in what was now my strategy room, a thick map of the vampire kingdoms stretched before me, smudged with ink markings and blood-red lines. The Vampire King satfortably in his throne now¡ªbut not for long. Once I sever his arrogant little head from his shoulders and scatter his royal blood to the wind, the rest will fall in line.


    They always do.


    They follow strength. Power. Fear.


    And I am all three.


    My fingers tightened around the edge of the desk as her scent drifted faintly down the hall. Lavender. Honey. Heat. It wed at me like a craving I couldn¡¯t satisfy. I could feel her stirring through the mate bond. Awake.


    I told myself to ignore it. Focus. Stick to the n. Kill the royals. Take the throne. Command the rest of the vampire legions. Burn down the packs that resist. Unite them all under onew¡ª<i>mine</i>.


    But then I felt it.


    A presence. Soft but deliberate. Moving toward me.


    The door creaked open behind me.


    I didn¡¯t turn.


    "Elena," I said tly. "What are you doing up so early in the morning."


    "I couldn¡¯t sleep."


    I heard her bare feet softly pad into the room. She was still in her dark night gown¡ªcrumpled slightly from sleep, her hair a tangle of rebellion. But her expression...


    It was <i>different</i>.


    Calm.


    Too calm.


    No defiance. No re. No biting sarcasm ready to lunge for my throat.


    She stood with her hands behind her back like some guilty schoolgirl.


    And that¡¯s when I knew.


    Something was wrong.


    I turned slowly in the chair, meeting her eyes.


    "You¡¯re awfullyposed this morning," I said, voice low. "Did the wolf finally convince you to surrender?"


    Her lips parted, and for a second, something shed across her face. Not fear. Not submission.


    <i>Strategy.</i>


    "No," she said. "But I realized... there¡¯s no point fighting what I can¡¯t escape. So maybe..." She took a cautious step forward. "Maybe I should understand it instead."


    I stared at her.


    She was lying.


    Not very well. Her heartbeat hadn¡¯t spiked, but her fingers were twitching behind her back.


    "What changed?" I asked, folding my hands on the desk.


    Her brows drew slightly together. "What do you mean?"


    "You¡¯ve been wing your way away from me since the moment you saw me. Now you¡¯re strolling into my war room like a curious kitten." I leaned forward, slowly. "What. Changed."


    "I don¡¯t want to be your prisoner."


    "You¡¯re not."


    She blinked.


    I stood.


    "You¡¯re my <i>mate</i>," I said darkly. "I may cage kingdoms. Break bones. Shatter thrones. But you? You were born to stand beside me. Not under me."


    She flinched. Barely. But I saw it.


    "And yet," I murmured, stepping around the desk toward her, "you look at me like I¡¯m some mad dog you¡¯re trying to tame."


    I stopped inches from her.


    Her breath hitched.


    There it was again¡ªthat flicker of pain. That ghost of longing she tried to bury.


    "You¡¯re trying something," I said, gaze narrowing. "You think if you y nice, I¡¯ll what? Open up? Let you in?"


    Her throat bobbed.


    I tilted her chin up with two fingers, eyes scanning hers. Searching.


    "You¡¯re digging for Kane. For Dean."


    Her eyes widened, just slightly.


    "Pathetic," I spat, and let her go.


    She stumbled back half a step.


    "They¡¯re <i>dead</i>, Elena. What¡¯s left of them is <i>me</i>¡ªreforged in fire, steel, and blood. You want them back?" I bared my fangs. "Then go find their ashes and weep over them."


    "I¡¯m not trying to change you," she snapped suddenly, voice trembling.


    "Liar," I snarled.


    Her jaw clenched. "I just want to survive this."


    I took a slow, deliberate step toward her again. "Then don¡¯t insult me with your little act. I¡¯ve seen your true fire. You may think you can fake your way through this¡ªearn my trust and dig your ws in¡ªbut I will <i>always</i> see youing."


    "You don¡¯t trust me?"


    I chuckled.


    It was a dark, low sound that had her wolf shivering under my dominance.


    "I don¡¯t trust <i>anyone</i>. But I don¡¯t need to trust you, little mate. I just need you to <i>submit</i>."


    "Never."


    My smile widened, cruel and sharp. "Then we¡¯re right back where we started."


    We stood there, both breathing hard, the air thick with tension.


    I stepped away, finally turning back to my war map.


    "y your games, Elena. But know this¡ªif you push too far, try anything <i>stupid</i>, I¡¯ll break more than just your spirit."


    She didn¡¯t respond.


    After a long silence, I heard her leave.


    And still... her scent lingered.


    Faintly sweet. Maddening.


    I stared at the map.


    Kane and Dean... buried inside me. Did she really believe she could resurrect their pathetic morality? Their weakness?


    Fools.


    She doesn¡¯t realize yet¡ªevery day she stays, every second she breathes in my presence, she¡¯s losing the war she thinks she¡¯s fighting.


    Because eventually... she won¡¯t want them back.


    Eventually... she¡¯ll want <i>me</i>.


    <strong>******</strong>


    <i>Midday sun filtered through the high windows of the estate, but there was no warmth in me. Only shadows, only silence, only strategy.</i>


    She¡¯d been quieter since morning. Less defiant. More... hopeful.


    I could feel it in the way her presence shifted. Like she thought she was gaining ground.


    But the fool hadn¡¯t realized¡ª


    <i>I was letting her.</i>


    Letting her think she could see something in me that wasn¡¯t <i>mine</i>. That <i>used</i> to be mine, once¡ªKane. Dean. The weaker fragments. The men who were only ever half of what I am now.


    She wantedfort?


    Let her choke on the illusion.


    I timed it perfectly. Noon. She was pacing the upper hall, that re dress swaying around her thighs like temptation and innocence. Her wolf, stirred with each of my steps, and I made sure she heard my approach.


    But when I turned the corner, I was not Damon.


    I let my face soften.


    My shoulders ease.


    I let that subtle shift take over¡ªKane¡¯s presence. That stillness. That warm, calm protectiveness. I slowed my breath. Let a shadow of guilt creep into my gaze.


    Her eyes widened instantly.


    "Kane?" she whispered.


    I didn¡¯t respond. Just stepped closer, letting the silence hang.


    She reached for me.


    And I let her.


    Her fingers brushed my chest, tentative and trembling. I could smell the emotion already¡ªgrief, hope, and that pathetic trace of desperate love.


    "I¡¯m so sorry," she whispered. Her voice cracked. "I didn¡¯t listen. I¡ªI opened the door. I let the darkness in. If I had just¡ªif I had trusted you¡ª"


    I cupped her face gently.


    She sobbed once.


    And I leaned in.


    Not rough. Not like <i>me</i>.


    Like <i>him</i>.


    Like Kane.


    I kissed her.


    Slowly at first, soft and devastating.


    She melted into me.


    Her fingers dug into my shirt, her lips parted, her body arching against mine as her wolf pushed her closer. Needy. Receptive. <i>Mine.</i>


    I deepened the kiss.


    She moaned.


    Then next¡ª<i>m</i>¡ªI had her pinned against the wall, her back pressed hard against it, my hand locking both her wrists above her head in one effortless grip.


    Her breath caught.


    Mate tingles red through both of us like lightning.


    My lips trailed down the side of her neck, not kissing¡ªjust teasing. Just threatening.


    She trembled.


    And I felt it.


    Not fear.


    <i>Desire.</i><i></i>


    Her words turned into a gasp as I pressed my body against hers.


    Hard.


    My thigh wedged between her legs, grinding slowly, deliberately. Her dress bunched up over her hips, soft fabric folding under my grip. I didn¡¯t even need to try¡ªher body arched, lips parted, heartbeat pounding like war drums.


    She stilled.


    But only for a moment.


    Because when I kissed her¡ª


    <i>Really kissed her</i>¡ª


    She broke.


    Her lips crashed back into mine with the same desperation I¡¯d seen in her eyes since the day I imed her. She moaned into my mouth, fingers twitching under my grip, hips grinding back against my thigh like she couldn¡¯t help herself.


    The kiss grew filthy¡ªhot, deep, wild.


    Her tongue tangled with mine.


    My free hand slipped down, dragging along the curve of her waist, gripping her thigh, hiking her leg up around my waist.


    She whimpered.


    I growled.


    Her head fell back against the wall, exposing her throat, and I kissed down it, sucking, biting, marking her skin like I owned it. Because I <i>did</i>.


    She gasped my name¡ªor so I thought.


    But then¡ª


    And the second it escaped her lips, breathless and broken, she whispered¡ª


    "Kane..."


    For one terrifying, furious second, I said nothing. My lips were still on her neck. My hand still gripped her thigh.


    But I was <i>done</i>.


    I shoved her away from me.


    She stumbled, dazed and flushed and panting, eyes wide with confusion and heat.


    "Wh¡ªwhat happened?" she asked, voice shaky.


    My lips curled in a snarl. "You really are pathetic."


    She blinked, stunned.


    "You actually thought Kane was back." Iughed¡ª<i>darkly</i>. "You fell for it. You were <i>so</i> desperate to feel something familiar, you let your legs fall open for a ghost."


    "You <i>stupid</i> girl," I hissed.


    The warmth was gone. The illusion, gone.


    I stepped forward slowly, towering, fury in my eyes.


    "You really believed that? That <i>he</i> was back? That your soft little apology and your sweet little kiss could bring Kane to the surface?"


    Her lips trembled.


    "You <i>wanted</i> him, didn¡¯t you? So badly you fooled <i>yourself</i>." I sneered. "You¡¯d take half a man over <i>me</i>?"


    "That¡¯s not¡ª" she tried, voice breaking.


    "You don¡¯t get it. <i>He¡¯s gone.</i> Dean¡¯s gone. And all that¡¯s left is <i>me.</i> Damon." I pointed to my chest. "The one who doesn¡¯t give a damn about your tears or your guilt."


    "But you¡ª" she tried to step forward again.


    I shed before her in a blur of darkness, inches from her face, and snarled, "Don¡¯t touch me."


    She flinched, hurt shing across her features, but I didn¡¯t care.


    "Do you have <i>any</i> idea how pathetic you looked? Clinging to a ghost like it could save you?" I growled. "I should make you suffer for it. I should show you exactly what I <i>am</i> so you never forget."


    She opened her mouth¡ªmaybe to beg, maybe to fight¡ªbut I didn¡¯t stay to hear.


    In a rush of wind and speed, I vanished.


    Gone.


    Leaving her alone.


    Shaking.


    Confused.


    Wounded.


    <i>Good.</i>


    Let her remember that the man she craves¡ªthe man she <i>loved</i>¡ªis buried inside a monster she can¡¯t escape.


    And she¡¯ll either learn to love the monster.


    Or be destroyed by him.


    Let her feel what it¡¯s like to drown in something real.


    Let her hate herself for wanting it.


    This chapter is updated by freew(e)bnovel.(c)om

 Chapter 206: Reasoning

    <h4>Chapter 206: Reasoning</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV</strong>


    The air still buzzed with static. My back was pressed against the wall, my lips swollen, my breathsing in ragged gasps, but he was gone.


    Gone.


    One second his body was caging mine, his touch igniting sparks in every forgotten corner of my skin¡ªand the next, a void remained where he once stood. The room was cold again. Quiet.


    <i>And empty.</i>


    My fingers slowly slid down the wall behind me as my knees gave out, the re of my dress pooling like wilted petals beneath me as I sank to the floor. My heartbeat, still wild from what had just transpired, now pounded with something else entirely.


    Shame.


    I covered my mouth, not to stifle the moan that had already escaped me, but to stop the sob wing its way up my throat.


    <i>Kane. I said Kane¡¯s name.</i>


    And Damon¡ªno, <i>he</i>¡ªhad looked at me as if I¡¯d sliced him open with it.


    Because I had.


    <i>"You¡¯re so desperate to believe Kane still exists in me. You¡¯re pathetic."</i>


    His sneer echoed in my skull, carving itself deep into my soul like a brand I¡¯d never be able to scrub off.


    Why did I say it? Why had that name¡ª<i>his</i> name¡ªbeen the one to fall from my lips in that moment?


    Because for a second... <i>I¡¯d believed it.</i>


    He tricked me.


    That voice. That gentleness in his hands. The slight, haunting tilt of the smile I¡¯d once known like the rhythm of my own breath. I¡¯d convinced myself that maybe, just maybe, Kane¡¯s soul had wed its way to the surface, even for a moment.


    I was wrong.


    I clenched my fists into the soft fabric of my dress, nails digging through it and into my skin. I wanted to scream, to tear the walls apart, to run until the air shredded my lungs¡ªbut I couldn¡¯t move.


    <i>Because a part of me had wanted it.</i>


    Not just the lie. Not just Kane. But <i>him.</i>


    Damon.


    And that was the most horrifying part.


    My body still tingled with the echoes of his touch, the way he¡¯d pinned me, lips bruising, hips grinding against mine like he¡¯d already imed every inch of me¡ªand I let him. No, worse.


    I kissed him back.


    I responded with heat, desperation, <i>need</i>¡ªeven if my mind screamed otherwise, even if Zena, my traitorous wolf, had practically howled with satisfaction when his hands traced my curves like he¡¯d owned them in every lifetime.


    Zena stirred inside me now, pacing like a caged beast. <i>He¡¯s our mate,</i> she whispered smugly, unapologetic. <i>You can lie to yourself all you want, Elena. But your body knows him. Your soul knows him.</i>


    "I don¡¯t want him," I croaked, the lie tasting bitter even on my own tongue.


    <i>You didn¡¯t push him away until it was toote,</i> Zena snapped. <i>And don¡¯t me me when you melt every time he touches you.</i>


    I stood up shakily, wiping at my eyes. My lips still throbbed from the force of his kiss, and I could still feel his handprints on my hips like heat brands. Every cell in my body felt like it was still buzzing from his presence, and now he was gone.


    Good.


    No¡ªbad.


    God, <i>why</i> was this so confusing?


    This man, this <i>thing</i>, was not Kane. Nor Dean. They were gone¡ªswallowed by the monster they¡¯d tried to keep caged. Damon was the true form, the original being born of chaos and power and unquenchable thirst.


    I stumbled across the room and leaned against the window frame, pulling the curtains aside. Thend stretched endlessly outside¡ªgreen trees kissed by morninglight, a world still spinning even while mine unraveled.


    My fingers pressed to my lips.


    It wasn¡¯t Damon¡¯s kiss I remembered in that moment¡ªbut the confusion. The loss. The gaping hole that had formed when Dean and Kane vanished. But for that fleeting second when Damon kissed me, <i>I felt alive again.</i>


    Like my soul had been stitched back together with fire and ice.


    I hated it.


    I craved it.


    And I didn¡¯t know which one terrified me more.


    I stood frozen in the hallway, staring out the grand window like it might somehow offer me an escape¡ªnot just from this ce, but from the war brewing inside me.


    <i>You¡¯re being ridiculous,</i> Zena snapped in my mind, her voice edged with frustration. <i>You felt it too. The fire. The pull. You can¡¯t pretend it wasn¡¯t there.</i>


    I spun around, my fists clenched. "I kissed him back. I let him touch me¡ªI moaned for Kane, for god¡¯s sake. How am I supposed to move on when everything inside me still aches for them?"


    Zena¡¯s presence surged stronger than usual. She was done being polite.


    <i>Then stop acting like they¡¯re still here."</i> Her tone was razor-sharp. <i>"Dean and Kane are gone. Whether they¡¯re pieces buried deep inside Damon or dust scattered in that damn smoke¡ªyou have to ept that."</i>


    I sank onto the edge of the bed, dragging trembling fingers through my hair. "You expect me to just forget them?"


    <i>"No,"</i> she said, more softly this time, <i>"but I expect you to stop pretending you didn¡¯t feel something with Damon. The way your skin lit up when he touched you. The way your heart raced. You¡¯re not made of ice, Elena."</i>


    "I hate him," I whispered. "I hate that he tricked me. That he¡¯s cruel. That he wants to rule through fear."


    I clenched the windowsill tighter. My heart was still racing, lips still tingling with the phantom memory of Damon¡¯s kiss¡ªhis mouth, his hands, the way his body had pinned mine to the wall. And I had responded. <i>God,</i> I had <i>moaned</i>. For a moment... for one heartbreaking moment, I thought he was Kane.


    A choked sound escaped me, half sob, half growl. "I¡¯m such an idiot..."


    <i>No,</i> Zena said coolly. <i>You¡¯re a fool for pretending this isn¡¯t real. He¡¯s your mate. Whether he¡¯s Kane, Dean, or the damn devil himself¡ªyour bond with him is raw, powerful, undeniable. You felt alive again. So did I.</i>


    I turned sharply from the window, pacing now. "He tricked me," I hissed under my breath. "He knew I was vulnerable. He <i>pretended</i> to be Kane just to get under my skin."


    <i>Or maybe he was just showing you who he really is. A part of Kane, a part of Dean... all in one. You keep talking like Kane and Dean are dead, but if Damon is whole, then parts of them are still in there.</i>


    "Then why does he feel so... wrong?" My voice cracked. "Why does being near him feel like fire and ice tearing me apart? Why does it make me want to scream and melt all at once?"


    Zena was silent for a long beat before she finally said, softer now, <i>Because you¡¯re scared. Scared of losing again. Scared that loving him means letting go of them for good.</i>


    I pressed my palm against the cold ss. Outside, the pack grounds were quiet. Too quiet. Like everyone was holding their breath.


    "Maybe I should try to bring them back," I whispered. "Dean. Kane. If they¡¯re truly part of Damon, maybe... maybe I can awaken those pieces. Bnce him somehow."


    Zena snorted. <i>Now you¡¯re dreaming. You can¡¯t bring them back. You can only ept what¡¯s already there. Stop chasing ghosts, Elena. We have a mate now¡ªpowerful, yes, and maybe even dangerous¡ªbut still ours. You¡¯re wasting time fighting what¡¯s already bound.</i>


    My throat tightened. "You¡¯d really be okay with that? With giving up on Kane and Dean?"


    <i>I don¡¯t see it as giving up,</i> Zena said gently. <i>I see it as moving forward. We didn¡¯t choose Damon. But the bond did. And if he is the whole version of them, maybe... maybe we have a second chance. Not with the past. But with something entirely new.</i>


    Something cracked in me at those words. I slid down the wall, curling my knees to my chest, and let the guilt roll over me. I didn¡¯t want to admit it, but the part of me that had kissed him back... the part that had burned with need in that hallway... it <i>wanted</i> Damon.


    If I let myself fall again, if I dared to love the monster who now wore their faces and carried their souls... there¡¯d be no surviving the heartbreak a second time.

 Chapter 207: Ruthless Take Over

    <h4>Chapter 207: Ruthless Take Over</h4>


    <strong>Damon </strong>


    I tasted her.


    And now I want her.


    Not just her body¡ªnot just the way she melted against me like she¡¯d been waiting for it her whole life. I want <i>all</i> of her. Her loyalty. Her submission. Her soul.


    But not if she gives it to someone else.


    Not if she thinks I¡¯m <i>him</i>.


    That name. That damn name she moaned in the middle of kissing me. Kane.


    I nearly lost control. Almost forgot who I was when I had her pinned against that wall, dress bunched around her thighs, breath trembling against my mouth. For one dangerous moment, I believed she saw <i>me.</i> Damon. The whole monster she keeps pretending doesn¡¯t exist.


    But no.


    She thought it was him. That soft, broken, pathetic part of me I tore apart to be what I am now.


    Kane.


    Stupid. Weak.


    She moaned <i>his</i> name.


    I don¡¯t even remember leaving the house. I don¡¯t remember the door. Or the halls. I remember rage. Thick and ck and boiling in my veins like acid. My feet moved fast, and I let them. Let the storm inside me carry me as far away from her as I could get.


    I¡¯m miles from the estate now. Deep in the forest. My body humming with leftover heat from her skin and the violent need to <i>forget.</i>


    She doesn¡¯t want me.


    She wants a ghost. A shadow of who I used to be. The part I <i>killed</i> to be this.


    So fine.


    Let her want Kane. Let her mourn him. Let her rot in that illusion while I build something that matters.


    I didn¡¯t tell anyone I was leaving. Not a soul. Not my guards. Not the council. Not even her. Because if they knew, they¡¯d plot. Use my absence to spark rebellion. They¡¯ve been <i>waiting</i> for a crack.


    But I won¡¯t give them one.


    I don¡¯t need rest. I don¡¯t need to carry anything. I can survive on blood. Thrive on it.


    My vampire instincts keep me sharp. My wolf can hunt for himself. The two halves of me¡ªthe ones I finally fused¡ªdon¡¯t argue anymore. They crave the same thing now.


    Destruction.


    Power.


    Chaos.


    The vampire kingdom is too quiet. Too content. Their royalty sits on silken thrones, bloated withfort and arrogance, thinking their ancient bloodlines make them untouchable.


    Let¡¯s see how untouchable they feel when the bodies start piling up.


    I¡¯ll start small. Silent. One royal at a time. No traces. No patterns. No scent. I¡¯ll tear them apart and leave clues pointing to their own kind.


    Make it look like <i>an inside job.</i>


    Let the paranoia spread like infection. Let them doubt each other. Turn on each other. I¡¯ll be the whisper in the dark, the shadow at the edge of the room. I¡¯ll watch them burn their own court down before I ever step into the light.


    And when there¡¯s only one of them left¡ªbleeding, broken, desperate¡ªI¡¯ll walk into the ashes and take the throne they thought was safe.


    I¡¯ll carve my name into the stone with their blood.


    Damon.


    Not Kane. Not Dean. Not some tragic half of a broken beast. <i>Me.</i>


    The hybrid.


    The Alpha King.


    The beginning of the end.


    And Elena?


    She can keep chasing ghosts. Keep dreaming that Kane¡¯sing back.


    But when she wakes up¡ªwhen she finally sees me for who I am¡ªI want her to remember exactly what it felt like to scream my name with her legs wrapped around me and realize...


    <i>That was never Kane.</i>


    It was always me.


    The vampire kingdom lies ahead¡ªtucked beneath ancient stone and hollowed catbs, wrapped in illusion spells and arrogance. They think their wards can keep monsters out.


    They¡¯ve never met me.


    The guards at the outer gates never saw meing. One blink, and their heads were separated from their bodies. I didn¡¯t waste time draining them. I didn¡¯t need to. Their blood wasn¡¯t worthy.


    I stepped over the corpses like cracked branches. My boots didn¡¯t even scuff.


    Every inch deeper into their sanctuary, the air thickened with pride and tradition. Velvet-lined halls, carved archways dripping with chandeliers. Gold. Crystal. Decadence.


    I prefer stone and blood.


    There were five royals in this bloodline. Five pureblood nobles who traced their lineage back to the original turning. Untouchable. Ancient. Revered.


    I took my time with them.


    The first one¡ªLord Marcen¡ªwas asleep when I slit his throat and peeled the skin from his jaw. I left him in his bed, posed like he was praying, his tongue nailed to the headboard with a silver fork.


    The second, Lady Virelle, was bathing. Warm water. Rose petals. Soft music ying. I dragged her under, let her lungs fill with the same water she soaked in like a spoiled doll. Her nails scratched at my arms, but I didn¡¯t flinch. When the life drained from her eyes, I kissed her forehead and whispered, "You should¡¯ve screamed louder."


    I made sure the blood pooled out of the tub and spelled a different royal¡¯s name on the floor. After of course yanking out their hearts, we don¡¯t want theming back to life after all that why vampires were called the undead.


    Paranoia. That¡¯s the game.


    The third one tried to run. A young lord, barely a century old. He thought his speed could save him. I hunted him through the halls like a wolf in a henhouse. He slipped. I tore his Achilles tendon out with my teeth. Dragged him back screaming. His death was slow¡ªdeliberate.


    I let him see me.


    "You¡¯re not a wolf," he whimpered, blood foaming from his lips.


    "No," I smiled. "I¡¯m worse."


    I painted the walls with his blood. Left his heart tucked neatly into a wine goblet and propped it on the royal dining table.


    Thest two were lovers¡ªsiblings, but that never mattered to old blood. They shared a chamber, a bond, a belief that no one could ever breach the sanctity of their bloodline.


    I let them watch each other die.


    I pinned the sister to the wall with iron stakes. She screamed his name. He ran to her like some tragic knight¡ªand I ripped his spine out through his chest before he got halfway.


    The sister spat at me. Told me I¡¯d burn. Told me the ancestors would curse me.


    I smiled and carved a spiral into her stomach with my ws, deep enough to show bone. "Let them try," I growled.


    Then I crushed her skull against the wall until it split like an overripe fruit.


    Silence followed.


    Heavy. Sacred.


    The vampire kingdom was without its royal bloodline for the first time in nearly eight hundred years.


    I stood in the carnage¡ªsoaked, grinning, unbothered. I didn¡¯t leave a single footprint. Not a speck of scent. I wiped the silver from my fingers and walked back into the shadows.


    Let the servants scream when they wake. Let the lesser houses point fingers and draw swords.


    Let the blood war begin.


    All while I watch.


    No one saw me.


    No one even <i>knows</i> I was here.


    But they¡¯ll feel me.


    In every scream. Every suspicion. Every corpse.


    They¡¯ll feel the shadow of something ancient and wrong moving through their kingdom.


    And when the dust settles, and they¡¯re down on their knees begging for peace¡ª


    I¡¯ll be the only one left to answer.


    <i>Damon.</i>


    The predator.


    The King.


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 Chapter 208: Scandalous -

    <h4>Chapter 208: Scandalous Chapter</h4>


    <strong>Damon </strong>


    After masquerading through the vampire kingdom and annihting their precious first royal family, the storm in my chest finally began to cool. The inferno left behind from that pathetic encounter with my mate¡ªElena¡ªhad found release in the blood of royals. My rage was quiet now, but no less present. Just... satisfied.


    I vanished the same way I came¡ªlike a shadow in fog. No rms, no screams, no survivors to speak of my existence. Not a whisper would betray me.


    Not a single soul left to remember.


    Once I was well beyond the borders, I shifted.


    My massive wolf form erupted from beneath my skin, ck as obsidian and monstrous in size. I wasn¡¯t just an alpha. I was a predator born from two primal forces. My wolf towered above what any shifter would dare to call "normal." I wasn¡¯t a beast. I was the nightmare wolves feared in stories told to pups by trembling elders.


    This wasn¡¯t just a wolf. It was <strong>power</strong>. Fanged, wed, and soaked in borrowed darkness.


    The size and viciousness came from the vampire half¡ªunnatural muscle, predatory instincts, speed that blurred time. And yet the wolf brought bnce. It fed strength to my vampiric senses, sharpened my ws beyond natural bone, amplified my stamina and fury. The two halves didn¡¯t just coexist¡ªtheyplemented, enhanced, perfected each other.


    A wless monster.


    As I stormed back into my pack¡¯s territory, I didn¡¯t hide myself. I <i>wanted</i> them to feel it. To tremble beneath my paws. To see what ruled them. I passed the training field, the warriors still awake¡ªor stupid enough to loiter past curfew. They caught a glimpse of me.


    One look.


    One.


    And the fear in the alpha bond surged like a drug through my veins.


    They <i>knew</i>. If any among them were harboring thoughts of rebellion, of recing me, challenging me¡ªthey¡¯d just seen what they would face. I didn¡¯t need words. I didn¡¯t need roars.


    I was the warning.


    And it was enough.


    By the time I reached the pack house, the blood on my fur had dried¡ªcaked on like war paint, hidden well beneath the midnight of my coat. I shifted back, body stretching and reforming into my human form, the cold air licking my bare skin.


    I didn¡¯t bother dressing.


    Why would I?


    I was going straight into the shower anyway. And besides, if Elena happened to see me like this... let her. Let her see the blood on me. Let her see the monster she mated.


    The house was quiet. Dead quiet. I moved through it like smoke, every sense tuned. She¡¯d be asleep by now¡ªit was well past 1 AM. I hadn¡¯t meant to be thiste, but the ughter had taken time. Royals are resilient, after all. Not that it helped them.


    I stepped into our bedroom, already expecting the scent of her to soothe thest sliver of heat left in my blood.


    But she wasn¡¯t asleep.


    She was sitting up in bed¡ªawake, alert. A book in her hands of all things. Who the hell reads at one in the morning?


    Our eyes locked the second I opened the door.


    Shock widened hers first¡ªmaybe surprise. But beneath that, something flickered. Was it... relief? Excitement? <i>dness</i>?


    She didn¡¯t move. Just stared. Like she didn¡¯t know if she should gasp or smile. And maybe she didn¡¯t. Between the blood coating my bare body and the fact that I waspletely naked, I couldn¡¯t tell which sight caught her more off guard.


    I assumed with how much she loath me for cutting short her time with my halves she must be secretly dly that I might be injured, too bad for her. I smirked, slow and cold.


    "Don¡¯t be too d, honey," I said, my voice low and rough as I crossed the room. "It¡¯s not <i>my</i> blood."


    Her eyes didn¡¯t leave me.


    "It would take a hell of a lot more than this to injure me."


    I didn¡¯t wait for a reply. Didn¡¯t give her space to ask questions. I turned and headed straight for the bathroom, the dried blood leaving faint red streaks where my hands brushed the doorframe.


    Let her wonder.


    Let her imagine.


    Let her know the creature she¡¯s mated to isn¡¯t some broken half of Kane, or a shadow of Dean. I¡¯m not a memory. I¡¯m not a trick.


    I¡¯m Damon.


    And I just reminded a kingdom what it means to bleed.


    <strong>Elena </strong>


    There were so many damn emotions swirling inside me, I couldn¡¯t even name them anymore. They just tangled up in my chest¡ªrage, longing, confusion, guilt¡ªand swirled into one chaotic mess. But fuck... Damon walked in.


    Naked. As. Hell.


    Like some god of vengeance had just descended from Olympus after smiting a nation¡ªand he had the blood to prove it.


    And it absolutely did <i>not</i> help that I was smack in the middle of reading the most scandalous Chapter of a very <i>adult</i> book. Like, <i>not safe for underage eyes</i> kind of adult. And there I was, heat blooming across my cheeks, book half-forgotten in myp, eyes locked on the walking embodiment of sin who just strolled in, dripping with blood and testosterone like it was a damn cologne.


    Damon had been gone for three days. Three. Days. After the <i>incident</i>.


    You know... <i>that</i> incident.


    The one where I identally mourned Kane¡¯s name in the middle of our very intense, very toe-curling make-out session. Yeah, not my proudest moment. But in my defense, <i>he</i> was the one who tricked me into thinking he was Kane in the first ce. So really, who¡¯s at fault here?


    Zena, my wolf, had been up my ass ever since. Berating me. Judging me. Poking holes in everything I said or felt. For three goddamn days. She was not pleased. Apparently, <i>I</i> was the one being dramatic.


    "They¡¯re not dead, technically," she had snarled with all the snark of a thousand lifetimes. "They¡¯re absorbed into the original. Damon. You know, the true mate?"


    Yeah, well, I wasn¡¯t ready to ept that just yet. So I buried myself in memories. Dug out the book Kane had once held, once read with me in those quiet, soft moments. I finished it in a day. Cried. Raged. Slept with it under my pillow. And then I found out... it wasn¡¯t the only one. There was a whole damn <i>collection</i> of these romance novels stashed away. So, naturally, I dove into another one.


    And the Chapter Damon decided to walk in on?


    The <i>Chapter</i>?


    Let me paint a picture.


    The CEO was deep inside his secretary. Desk shaking. Shirt gone. Her blouse shredded, bra hanging off one shoulder, breastspletely exposed. One leg thrown over his shoulder, the other stretched wide, panties ripped clean in the middle. He was <i>driving into her</i> like a beast starved for days, mouth at her throat, fingers buried in her hips, growling her name like she was salvation and sin wrapped in one body.


    And then¡ª<i>boom</i>¡ªmy dark, blood-drenched mate strolls in.


    Naked.


    Slick, broad chest glistening. Defined abs sculpted like he was chiseled by the gods. That sinful V-cut leading straight to¡ª


    Yeah. You know where. And even though he wasn¡¯t hard, that thing still <i>hung</i> there, heavy and unapologetic.


    My brain short-circuited. I wasn¡¯t even processing reality at that point. I was still mentally seated on that CEO¡¯s desk with <i>him</i> pounding into me.


    And then he spoke.


    "Don¡¯t be too d, honey," he said, voice like dark velvet dipped in warning. "It¡¯s not my blood. It would take a hell of a lot more than this to injure me."


    Just like that, the fantasy shattered. Office sex? Gone. CEO? Reced by the very real, very naked, very lethal man standing in our bedroom, dripping blood onto the floor like it was nothing.


    <i>Wait.</i> Did he seriously think I was d because I thought he was <i>hurt</i>?


    God, men are idiots.


    No, Damon. That wasn¡¯t <i>dness.</i> That was me trying to figure out if I was seconds away frombusting in lust or screaming in horror.


    Probably both.


    But what really hit me¡ªthe part that stuck in my throat like ss¡ªwas the <i>metallic scent</i>. Thick. Clinging to his skin. <i>Blood</i>. Not his.


    And knowing Damon... it wasn¡¯t just one person¡¯s.


    He walked past me like a storm on legs, heading straight to the bathroom, leaving a faint smear of blood on the doorframe as his fingers brushed it. I sat frozen, book forgotten, mouth dry, pulse hammering. My eyes trailed him, the firm line of his back, the tension in his shoulders.


    He didn¡¯t even look back.


    And I... didn¡¯t know if I wanted him to.


    Because if I met those eyes¡ªthose <i>damned</i> eyes¡ªI wasn¡¯t sure if I¡¯d find my mate...


    Or a monster.

 Chapter 209: Stupid Horny Wolf

    <h4>Chapter 209: Stupid Horny Wolf</h4>


    <strong>Elena </strong>


    So yeah... I was left halfway drunk on lust thanks to the scandalous Chapter I¡¯d just read¡ªpanting, flushed, and unreasonably hot under the cor¡ªand then Damon had to go and walk in naked like some kind of sinful fever dream brought to life.


    And now here I was.


    Confused. A little mad. Kind of relieved. Definitely irritated. And still <i>soaked</i> in the aftershocks of that CEO-and-secretary smut scene.


    Was it... relief I felt seeing him again after three days of him vanishing off the face of the earth? Yeah. Maybe. Kind of. But it was tangled up in something sharp and ugly¡ªanger.


    Because of all the things he could say after disappearing, he thought <i>I</i> was <i>d</i>¡ª<i>d</i>¡ªbecause I assumed he might be injured?


    Seriously?


    I mean, yes, we weren¡¯t exactly sending love letters and heart emojis to each other. I <i>did</i> tell him I didn¡¯t want anything to do with him. I <i>did</i> mourn Kane in his face during our make-out session. So, sure, I haven¡¯t exactly been Miss Sunshine about this whole mate-bond-from-hell situation.


    Bute on. Did he really think I <i>hated</i> him so much I¡¯d be <i>happy</i> if he came back bleeding and broken?


    I don¡¯t like him. True. I definitely don¡¯t trust him. Absolutely. But I don¡¯t sit around wishing him dead. I¡¯m not that cold. I might fantasize about strangling him sometimes, but not <i>actually</i> killing him. There¡¯s a difference.


    And besides¡ªlook at it from my side for once.


    I lost my mates.


    Gone. Just like that.


    Dean literally <i>melted</i> or maybe <i>disintegrated</i>¡ªstill not sure what the hell happened there¡ªinto some creepy ck smoke, which then dove straight into Kane like it was iming his body. One second Kane was there¡ªmy mate, my heart¡ªand the next, something dark and ancient was wing out of him.


    And then that... that <i>thing</i> that Kane became¡ªDamon, apparently¡ª<i>killed</i> the only witch who could¡¯ve helped me bring him back.


    So no, I wasn¡¯t exactly rolling out the wee mat when I found out my new mate was the lovechild of chaos and darkness itself.


    And we¡¯re not even done.


    The guy¡ªDamon¡ªapparently isn¡¯t just content with ruining my love life. No, no, he has <i>bigger</i> ns. Tyrannical ones.


    He¡¯s gone and proimed himself <i>king</i>. Over what, you ask?


    Oh, <i>everything</i>.


    All the supernatural realms¡ªwolves, vampires, who the hell knows what else.


    Like, what the actual fuck?


    He wants to pull the wolves under one banner, shatter the sovereignty of the alphas, and <i>merge</i> that with the vampire kingdom? That¡¯s not unification. That¡¯s a powder keg waiting to blow.


    Civil war is practically guaranteed among the wolf packs. Alphas don¡¯t bow. That¡¯s the whole <i>point</i> of being an alpha. And the vampires? They¡¯ve got their own hierarchy, their own twisted politics¡ªand now they¡¯ve got a self-dered king who isn¡¯t fully one of them either.


    He¡¯s bringing <i>chaos</i> to the carefully maintained order we¡¯ve clung to for centuries. It¡¯s like he wants to burn down every boundary and throne and rewrite the world in his image. Wolves and vampires under one crown? That¡¯s not revolution. That¡¯s <i>hell on earth</i>.


    And now that same man¡ªmy supposed mate¡ªis standing bloody and bare in our bedroom, fresh from gods-know-what massacre, probably stinking of war and bloodlust, and I¡¯m supposed to just what? ept this? Fall into his arms and forget the nightmares he¡¯s spawned?


    No.


    Even if my wolf Zena keeps telling me "they¡¯re not dead," that "they¡¯re part of him now," that Damon is the original and the others were fragments¡ª


    I¡¯m not there yet.


    Maybe I¡¯ll never be.


    Because when I look at Damon, I don¡¯t just see my mate.


    I see the death of everything I once loved.


    And the beginning of something terrifyingly unstoppable.


    <strong>*******</strong>


    And of course, because the universe hates me, my stupid, horny wolf just <i>had</i> to get involved.


    Zena¡ªthe ever-ravenous, inconvenient, sex-crazed <i>traitor</i>¡ªperked up like a bitch in heat the second Damon walked through that door, naked and dripping blood like some barbaric Greek god returning from war. I swear she¡¯d been half-asleep, sulking in the back of my mind for days, but <i>nooo</i>, now she was wide awake, tail wagging, ears perked, practically panting like, <i>"Look at our mate! Look at him! Let¡¯s climb him like a tree!"</i>


    I wanted to strangle her. If I could throw a shoe at the inner workings of my soul, I would.


    And now that she¡¯d gotten her fill¡ªone <i>glimpse</i> of Damon¡¯s gloriously naked form¡ªshe was ying it back in my mind like some perverted PowerPoint presentation. Chest... abs... that V-cut to hell... the blood glistening on his skin... and <i>oh</i>, the absolute <i>monster</i> hanging between his thighs,zily swaying like it had all the damn time in the world.


    I was <i>very aware</i> of the sound of the shower running now.


    Very. Fucking. Aware.


    My traitor body was heating up, and not from the thick nket wrapped around me.


    <i>Nope</i>, not today, Satan.


    I grabbed my book¡ªmy very <i>inappropriate</i> book¡ªand flipped it open like it was a lifeline. I was going to drown in this CEO x Secretary fantasy and forget the real-life walking, bloodstained porno currently soaping himself in the next room.


    Back to the office, sweetheart. Where were we?


    Oh, right.


    The secretary¡¯s legs were still spread wide on the mahogany desk, one stiletto dangerously close to falling off her foot. The CEO had just torn her panties in half¡ª<i>very unrealistic, by the way, but who cares</i>¡ªand he was still thrusting into her like a man who¡¯d just discovered the meaning of life was located somewhere between her thighs.


    God, somebody¡¯s <i>definitely</i> about to walk in on them.


    Just like <i>I</i> was about to be walked in on by my damn thoughts.


    Because every time I tried to picture the faceless, hot CEO... my brain pped Damon¡¯s smug, naked, bloody face on him like he¡¯d been cast in the role by my wolf herself.


    Zena purred, <i>"Now imagine him bending you over that desk¡ªour desk."</i>


    "Shut. Up," I muttered under my breath.


    I was going to burn this book. Right after I finished the Chapter.


    Unless Damon walked out dripping wet and towel-less, in which case I might just spontaneouslybust before I could light the match.


    Gods help me¡ªI was not surviving this night.

 Chapter 210: An Accident Turns Spicy

    <h4>Chapter 210: An ident Turns Spicy</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    I was too busy cursing my horny wolf to notice anything else. That bitch Zena was <i>ruining</i> my imagination and the book. I swear, she was looping the same damn mental image like a smutty PowerPoint in my head¡ªDamon, naked, wet, slick with blood, like a demonic Greek god sculpted from sin and shadows. And now, post-shower, that image had only gotten worse. Or better. Depends on who you ask. My body? She was <i>definitely</i> voting better.


    I only snapped out of it when I felt the shift in the air around me. That subtle electric buzz that meant Damon was near. Too near.


    I looked up.


    There he was.


    Damon, standing just a few feet away from the bed, water still dripping down his airbrushed-by-the-devil chest. His hair was damp and messily tousled, a single rogue drop sliding down the curve of his corbone to the perfectly defined ridges of his abs. A towel hung dangerously low on his hips. <i>Dangerously</i>. The V of muscle leading down was practically an invitation to stare. And guess what? I RSVP¡¯d.


    My breath hitched. My thighs clenched. Zena purred.


    "Fucking bitch," I whispered to her, which she took as encouragement.


    His eyes¡ªdark, molten, and <i>intentional</i>¡ªlocked onto mine, and a smirk curled up one corner of his mouth like he knew <i>exactly</i> what he was doing. The bastard probably did. Of course he did.


    "I can smell your arousal, little mate," he said in a voice that could melt ss. Slow. Deep. Lazy. Predatory. "Didn¡¯t think you were so naughty... getting all hot and bothered just from the sight of my cock."


    My face went from zero to tomato. Flushed. Burning. Exploding. Because <i>yes</i>, I was still turned on from the book and now this¡ª<i>him</i>. His naked walk-in. His scent. His voice. <i>Everything</i>.


    I was sitting on the left side of the bed, which, unfortunately, was right next to the bathroom door. Meaning Damon only needed, like, three steps before he¡¯d be in <i>dangerous proximity</i>. I immediately started inching to the right.


    "S-St... Stop," I stammered.


    He didn¡¯t.


    Of course he didn¡¯t.


    The sadistic gorgeous prick caught my ankle, fingers wrapping around me with all the possession of a dark king, and began pulling me toward him. Slow. Unrelenting.


    "Why run," he drawled, "when the image of me alone makes you wet?"


    <i>Bastard.</i>


    His grip sparked the mate bond like he¡¯d lit a match and dropped it into a pool of gasoline. My whole body shivered at the mate-tingles¡ªthose damn sparks that made everything feel hypersensitive. Dangerous. Addictive.


    With one sharp tug, he dragged me to the edge of the bed. And just like that, he was between my legs, towering above me with nothing but a towel, water glistening on his skin, and a sinful smirk that promised nothing holy.


    The position we were in? It was almost <i>exactly</i> like the one from the book I was reading¡ªhot CEO, bent-over secretary, office desk, legs spread, blouse torn. And now here I was, nightdress clinging to me like a second skin, body betraying me in every possible way, heart mming against my ribs like it wanted to jump ship.


    Damon closed his eyes and inhaled. Deeply. Sensually. Nose ring.


    "Gods, love... you really are wet for me," he whispered, opening his eyes with that feral glint. "And I haven¡¯t even touched you yet."


    "No, I¡¯m not!" I yelped, even though we both knew it was a damn lie.


    He chuckled darkly. "Should I prove you wrong?"


    He didn¡¯t wait for permission. His hand traced slowly¡ªtoo slowly¡ªup my thigh, the pad of his finger brushing along the inside of my leg toward the very center of me. Right where I <i>didn¡¯t</i> want him to touch. Or maybe exactly where I <i>did</i>.


    My nightdress was a pale, almost-transparent blue, ast-minute choice I <i>definitely</i> wouldn¡¯t have worn if I knew he wasing back today. It clung to my hips, my thighs, and left nothing to the imagination under the light.


    Just before his fingers could make contact with my already soaked folds, I panicked. Shouted.


    "It¡¯s not because of you!"


    He blinked. Stopped. Looked confused, like I¡¯d short-circuited his brain.


    "What?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.


    "It¡¯s... it¡¯s the book I was reading that made me¡ª" I stopped myself. <i>Fuck no</i>, I was not finishing that sentence.


    But my nce betrayed me. I nced at the book¡ªstill on the pillow. And Damon followed my gaze.


    He raised an eyebrow. "That little thing?"


    Shit.


    Before I could dive for it, he reached toward the pillow.


    "Nope!" I shrieked,unching myself forward like a lunatic. I didn¡¯t think, I just acted.


    I threw myself on him in a blind attempt to stop him from getting the book, but I underestimated my momentum... and forgot he was still damp from the shower... and that towels aren¡¯t exactly reliable battle gear.


    It was chaos.


    He lost bnce.


    We tumbled.


    Inded on top of him with a <i>thud</i>, and the towel? Gone. Fully gone.


    Worse? Our bodies aligned in the worst possible way. I was straddling him¡ªfull on¡ªmy thin nightdress doing absolutely <i>nothing</i> to shield me from the feel of his now rock-hard cock nestled right against my core. My face was inches from his. Our chests pressed together. My hands braced against his abs. His hands¡ªtraitorous bastardsnded squarely on my ass.


    The friction made me moan.


    A little one.


    A helpless, traitorous moan that gave <i>everything</i> away.


    His eyes darkened. Turned primal.


    And then he kissed me.


    Not soft. Not hesitant.


    No.


    Damon kissed me like a man starved. Like he¡¯d been waiting for <i>this</i>¡ªfor <i>me</i>¡ªfor lifetimes. His mouth devoured mine, tongue sliding past my lips the moment I gasped, iming, tasting, stealing.


    He rolled his hips up. I gasped again.


    The grind of his cock against my clothed center was maddening. His grip tightened on my ass, squeezing, fondling, pulling me closer, anchoring me to him and moving my hips to rub his hard erect cock. My fingers clenched against his chest, desperate and needy. I tried to push up, to gain control, to breathe, to <i>think</i>¡ªbut he flipped us.


    Suddenly I was on my back, and Damon was on top of me, kissing me senseless, grinding into me like he was already inside and fucking me into the mattress.


    He was heavier than he looked. Stronger. The pressure of his hips between my thighs, the rhythm of his movements, the heat of his skin¡ªit was like being caught in a current too strong to swim against.


    My head tilted back.


    My lips parted.


    I moaned into his mouth.


    And gods help me¡ªI wanted more.


    No Kane. No Dean. No confusion.


    This wasn¡¯t some shadow pretending.


    This was <i>Damon</i>.


    And he knew it. I knew it.


    And he kissed me again.


    And again.


    And again.


    Until I forgot the book, forgot the world, forgot the war waiting outside the door.


    And for just one moment... I let myself fall.

 Chapter 211: Seconds Away From Murder

    <h4>Chapter 211: Seconds Away From Murder</h4>


    <strong>Damon POV:</strong>


    After I stepped out of the shower, I was hit with a pleasant surprise¡ªthe scent of my mate¡¯s arousal lingering in the air, thick and potent. And damn, if that didn¡¯t stir something primal in me. Was she still stuck thinking about me walking into the room naked earlier? Hell, if that¡¯s all it takes to get her this worked up, I should make a habit of walking around without a damn stitch on.


    I nced at her, and yep¡ªshe was definitely aroused. If her scent wasn¡¯t a clear enough giveaway, then the way her eyes widened and flickered over my towel-d body sure as hell was. Her face flushed with heat, her lips parted just slightly, her breathing shallow.


    "I can smell your arousal, little mate," I said with a smirk tugging at my lips. "Didn¡¯t think you were so naughty... getting all hot and bothered just from the sight of my cock."


    I started toward her, slow and deliberate, each step making her eyes grow rounder. She looked stunned, caught somewhere between flustered and frozen.


    "St¡ªstop," she stammered, inching herself to the far side of the bed, but I wasn¡¯t listening.


    "Why run?" I drawled, voice like a dark promise. "When just the image of me is enough to make you wet?"


    Her body told the truth. She was shivering, breath catching, her pupils blown wide. She could try to deny it, but her body was already mine.


    She shifted farther away, so I reached for her ankle, fingers curling around the delicate joint, and dragged her toward me with one smooth pull. The bond sang between us, mate tingles sparking at every point of contact. Her body shuddered again, and the scent of her arousal intensified, driving me half-mad with need.


    I pulled her right to the edge of the bed, her thighs parted on either side of me as I stood between her legs. Her nightgown¡ªthin, nearly sheer¡ªleft nothing to the imagination. Her nipples were stiff peaks under the fabric, her breasts full and heavy. And thosecy ck panties? Fuck, she looked like sin gift-wrapped.


    "Gods, love... you really are wet for me," I said, chuckling darkly as I inhaled another hit of her scent.


    I was losing thest thread of control. The way her nipples strained beneath her gown made my mouth water¡ªI wanted to taste them, to roll them on my tongue, to hear her gasp and moan as I suckled her.


    "No, I¡¯m not!" she blurted out in a rush, clearly panicking.


    Stubborn. Even now, when her body screamed for me.


    "Should I prove you wrong?" I teased, arching a brow, voice thick with intent as I dragged a finger slowly along her thigh, inching toward the soakedce covering her pussy.


    She trembled again, but before I could reach her center, she burst out, "It¡¯s not because of you!"


    I froze, brow furrowing. "What?"


    "It¡¯s... it¡¯s the book I was reading that made me¡ª" She cut herself off, clearly regretting the admission.


    A book? That¡¯s what had her this worked up?


    I followed her gaze to the pillow and spotted it. Intrigued, I leaned forward to grab it, but sheunched herself at me in a flurry of panic. I hadn¡¯t expected it, and the impact knocked me off bnce. I stumbled backward, and we both fell.


    My towel came loose in the process.


    Not that I minded. Not one damn bit.


    Shended sprawled across me¡ªher thighs straddling my waist, her core pressed right against my now hard cock, her face hovering just above mine. Her breasts brushed my chest, and her hands gripped my shoulders. My hands, instinctively, hadnded squarely on her ass. Full. Round. Perfect.


    The friction between us, the heat of her sex on my cock¡ªeven through the fabric¡ªwas enough to make me groan low in my throat. And then she moaned. That sound. Fuck. It undid me.


    I lifted my head, caught her lips in mine, and kissed her like a starved man. My fingers dug into the softness of her ass, rocking her against me. She gasped, and I took the opening, sliding my tongue into her mouth, tasting her fully.


    She started to pull back, to sit up, but I wasn¡¯t done¡ªnot even close.


    I flipped us, pressing her down into the bed, my hips nestled between her legs. Her nightgown had ridden up, and her soaked panties rubbed perfectly against my length. I ground into her, slow and deep, kissing her senseless. Dry humping he like I would if I was inside her.


    Gods, this was better than anything I¡¯d imagined. And the best part? She wasn¡¯t imagining someone else. This time, she knew exactly who was making her feel this good¡ªDamon. Not Kane. Not Dean. Just me. Her real mate.


    I kissed her deeper, losing myself in her lips, then trailed down to her neck. My hand slipped between us, cupping one perfect breast, teasing the nipple between my thumb and forefinger. She moaned loudly, and I swallowed the sound with another kiss.


    Then I moved my hand lower, trailing it over her trembling belly, down to the drenchedce. I pushed the fabric aside, desperate to feel her bare skin. My cock throbbed against her, eager to slide inside her slick heat.


    I rubbed the head along her folds, soaking in her juices without entering. Her breath hitched. Her hips moved, seeking more friction, grinding herself against me.


    And then¡ªknock knock.


    I froze. What the hell?


    Who was the dumb bastard knocking on my damn door at a time like this?


    I ignored it.


    So did she, or maybe she hadn¡¯t even heard it¡ªtoo far gone. She rocked her hips again, panting softly, as I slid against her slit, teasing her entrance.


    Then¡ªknock knock. Louder. More insistent.


    Elena jerked slightly, pulling back to look toward the door.


    I growled low, my jaw tight with frustration. Whoever that was... they were seconds away from dying.


    Because I wasn¡¯t done.


    Not even close.

 Chapter 212: Interruption

    <h4>Chapter 212: Interruption</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    What the fuck was I thinking?!


    The knock on the door hit like a bucket of cold water, yanking me straight out of the lust-drunk haze I¡¯dpletely drowned in. One moment I was grinding shamelessly on Damon¡¯s cock, his hands all over me, mouth doing devastating things to mine¡ªand the next, reality sucker-punched me in the chest.


    Shit.


    I pushed against his chest¡ªfirm, wet, glorious, sinful¡ªand scrambled out from under him like I hadn¡¯t just been seconds away from begging him to fuck me into oblivion. My heart was racing. My breathing? Chaotic. My panties? Absolutely ruined.


    "I¡ª I need air," I choked out, more to myself than him. My voice was cracked, hoarse with desire, like I¡¯d just survived a fever I¡¯d willingly set myself on fire for.


    I didn¡¯t wait for a reaction. I turned and bolted, storming straight to the balcony like it was some lifeline to sanity. The cool night air pped my face the second I stepped outside, and God, I needed it. Desperately. I leaned forward against the railing, eyes squeezed shut as the breeze tried to cool the burning flush on my skin.


    What. The. Hell. Was. That?


    No¡ªwhat the hell <i>was I doing</i>?


    I had been dry-humping Damon like a damn animal. Like Zena¡ªmy permanently horny, bond-obsessed wolf¡ªhad taken the wheel, mmed on the gas, and thrown all sense of reason out the window. And she <i>had</i>. She¡¯d woken up from her cryptic slumber the moment Damon stepped out of that bathroom dripping wet, towel slung low, dark eyes full of wicked heat.


    And me?


    Yeah, I¡¯d folded like a house of cards in a hurricane. A fucking whimpering mess just because he kissed me like I belonged to him. Because his cock pressed perfectly against my¡ª


    "Don¡¯t you even go there," I muttered to myself, gripping the rail tighter as the images came back, fresh and vivid like Zena was projecting them straight onto my retinas.


    Gods.


    His hands on my ass. His mouth on mine. That dangerous, possessive growl when I rocked my hips just right. The way he looked at me¡ªlike I was the only thing in the universe worth worshiping. And I almost gave in.


    No. Correction¡ªI <i>did</i> give in.


    And then I ran like a coward because the door knocked? Pathetic.


    Back inside, I could feel him. Damon. Still shirtless. Still naked, probably. Still reeking of sex and frustration. The bond between us pulsed, like a string stretched taut between two poles. He was pacing, energy vibrating just under the surface, anger curling around him like smoke. He hadn¡¯t said a word, but I <i>knew</i> he was seconds away from ripping the door off its hinges and shoving it down whoever¡¯s throat had dared interrupt us.


    Poor soul. They had no idea they¡¯d almost signed their death warrant just by knocking.


    I took another deep breath, inhaling the night air like it could fix the war unraveling inside me. It didn¡¯t.


    I was still trembling. Not from fear. From want.


    And that was the worst part.


    Because it wasn¡¯t Kane who¡¯d made me feel like this. Not Dean. Not the ghosts of what-ifs. It was Damon. The real one. The one I wasn¡¯t supposed to want. The one who¡¯d imed power like it was his birthright, thrown the supernatural world into chaos, and crowned himself King like it meant something.


    I wasn¡¯t supposed to want him.


    I was supposed to <i>hate</i> him.


    But how the hell was I supposed to remember that when his cock had been lined up so perfectly with my soaking folds, and he¡¯d kissed me like I was more than just a mate¡ªlike I was <i>his</i>?


    I groaned and let my head drop against the railing. "I need help. Like, actual therapy or a priest or an exorcist."


    Zena purred inside me, smug and satisfied, like she had just won a battle I didn¡¯t even get to fight properly. <i>He felt so good,</i> she whispered, echoing the memory of his tongue in my mouth, the feel of his hands, the friction that almost shattered me. <i>And he didn¡¯t even fuck us yet... imagine when he does.</i>


    "Don¡¯t," I snapped aloud, trying to silence her, but she just growled and rolled like a cat in heat.


    I rubbed my hands over my face and dared a nce back through the ss doors.


    Yep.


    Damon stood there, towel now hanging low on his hips again¡ªbut barely. His hair was still damp, chest still glistening. His jaw was clenched, and those dark eyes were locked on me like I was prey he intended to catch. Slowly. Mercilessly. Eventually.


    His energy coiled like a storm waiting to strike.


    And that knock? Whoever had the audacity to break that moment between us... they help me find my sense before it escted. Because Damon looked like he was about to murder someone with <i>enthusiasm</i>.


    I turned back around before he could say something that would weaken my knees all over again. Or worse¡ªstep onto this balcony and continue what we¡¯d started.


    Because if he did, I wouldn¡¯t stop him.


    And I didn¡¯t know what would be worse¡ªfalling into that madnesspletely, or pretending I hadn¡¯t already started the descent.


    <strong>******</strong>


    I heard shuffling guess he was looking something to wear. Movement near the door. Then the soft click of it opening.


    A girl¡¯s voice¡ªhurried, breathy. A whimper. Then fast, low talking, too muffled for me to catch the words but urgent enough to stir something tense in my gut. And just as quickly, the door clicked shut again.


    I blinked, frowning, and turned away from the balcony rail, peering through the ss.


    Empty.


    Damon was gone.


    Just... gone.


    The spot where he¡¯d stood a second ago¡ªwhere he¡¯d looked like he was ready to storm the hallway and throttle whoever dared to knock¡ªwas now vacant. No towel, no footsteps, not even the damn scent of his arousal that had soaked the room like thick perfume.


    "Great," I muttered, rubbing my arms as a chill kissed my skin¡ªnot from the breeze, but from his absence.


    Great. Just perfect.


    Now I could finally try and <ipose</i> my traitorous, throbbing body. Maybe. Somehow.


    Because despite the air outside cooling my skin, inside I was still burning. Still trembling from where his hands had touched me. Still aching between my thighs, and way too aware of how close¡ªhow godsdamned close¡ªwe hade to crossing that final line.


    My lips still tingled from his kiss.


    My breasts still felt the imprint of his chest.


    And my core... yeah, let¡¯s not even go there.


    I groaned and ran both hands down my face, then through my hair, then crossed my arms and leaned against the doorframe of the balcony like that could hold me upright while my knees remained a little too jelly-like forfort.


    Where did he go?


    Who the hell was that girl?


    What was <i>that</i> interaction?


    My mind raced to answer all three, but Zena¡ªever the unhelpful horny wolf¡ªwas lounging with a satisfied purr, as if she¡¯d just had dessert and now wanted a nap.


    "He¡¯ll be back," she murmured inside me, not at all worried. "You¡¯re what he wants. You¡¯ll always be what he wants."


    I sighed and nced back inside. The room was quiet now. Still warm with the lingering heat of what almost happened, but empty in that hollow kind of way that only came after something intense gets snatched away mid-breath.


    Maybe I could find sleep before he came back. Maybe.


    My body wasn¡¯t convinced, though.


    It still throbbed in betrayal, muscles tense, skin oversensitive, heart pounding like it had unfinished business. Which it did. <i>Damon-shaped business.</i>


    I shuffled back into the room, eyes flicking to the bed that now felt <i>too big</i> without the pressure of his body or the weight of his gaze on mine. I avoided the pillow where the damn book still sat¡ªusing, mocking, too close to being the trigger for everything that had just gone down.


    I dropped myself onto the other pillow instead, dragging the nket up like it could smother the chaos still roaring inside me.


    Gods, I needed to sleep. I <i>had</i> to sleep.


    Because if I stayed awake, my mind would rey every second of that kiss, every grind of his hips, every shiver that had run through me like a lightning bolt primed to explode.


    And if he came back while I was still awake?


    I wasn¡¯t sure I¡¯d stop it next time.


    Worse¡ªI wasn¡¯t sure I <i>wanted</i> to.

 Chapter 213: King Of Darkness

    <h4>Chapter 213: King Of Darkness</h4>


    <strong>Damon¡¯s POV</strong>


    Elena had jumped from under me like I was moltenva. One second, I was buried in the scent of her arousal, the feel of her skin against mine¡ª<i>everything</i>¡ªand the next, the atmosphere had beenpletely obliterated.


    All thanks to the <i>stupid fucker</i> behind that door.


    Whoever it was better have a damn good reason for the interruption. Because if not? They weren¡¯t going to live long enough to see the sun rise. I was seconds away from snapping necks.


    Grinding my jaw, I found a pair of sweatpants and yanked them on, muscles tight, my beasts raging beneath my skin. I could feel both of them¡ªferal, vtile, <i>starving</i>. They didn¡¯t like being interrupted either. And all three of us wanted blood.


    Meanwhile, Elena had run to the balcony. No words. No eye contact. Just gone, like what we shared hadn¡¯t just set the entire fucking room on fire.


    She¡¯d given herself to me, willingly, wantonly, godsdamn beautifully¡ªand now, after this little interruption, I knew she¡¯d retreat back behind those stubborn emotional walls. She¡¯d overthink. Regret. Rewind everything and convince herself it was a mistake.


    <i>Back to square fucking one.</i>


    I opened the door with a force that shook the frame.


    A teenage girl stood there¡ªwide-eyed, shaking. Not even a full warrior yet. Just a trembling little messenger. Typical.


    The stupid cowards had sent a kid, probably thinking I wouldn¡¯t kill her if I lost my temper. Tough luck.


    They better think again.


    "You¡¯ve got <i>one minute</i> to tell me why you¡¯re knocking on the <i>bedroom door</i> at this time of night," I snarled, letting my Alpha energy bleed out of me like a stormcloud. Both my beasts growled low and deadly behind it, and the girl flinched like I¡¯d physically struck her.


    "Alpha," she whimpered, her voice cracking. Whether from my aura or sheer terror¡ªor both¡ªI didn¡¯t care.


    "There... there are witches at the border," she rushed out, nearly tripping over her words. "They¡¯re asking for an audience with you. They say... they mean no harm."


    Witches.


    Fucking witches.


    What the hell did those persistent, meddlesome, magic-wielding pests want now?


    I ran a hand down my face, barely keeping my fury in check. I should¡¯ve expected something like this. Of course they¡¯d show up now, at the <i>worst possible time</i>.


    "Fine," I growled. "Let them in. But tell the guards to keep an eye on them. If one of them so much as breathes wrong, I¡¯ll tear her throat out."


    The girl gave a quick, terrified nod, bowed her head, and turned on her heel¡ªrunning as if the devil himself was chasing her.


    Smart.


    I mmed the door shut behind me, dragging in a deep breath.


    I had blocked off the entire pack from my mindlink the moment I¡¯d stepped into that room with Elena. It had been intentional¡ªan attempt to protect our privacy. To finally have a moment alone. No interruptions. No outside voices.


    A stupid move in hindsight, but hell, how could I have predicted this? And after all that, we still got interrupted.


    Fucking perfect.


    I took onest nce toward the balcony as I passed the bed. She was still out there, her back to the room, hugging the railing like it was the only thing keeping her grounded.


    She hadn¡¯t even looked at me.


    Didn¡¯t speak. Didn¡¯t ask where I was going.


    And yeah, that part stung more than I cared to admit.


    She was pulling away. I could <i>feel</i> it.


    No matter how much her body had responded to mine¡ªhow much she <i>wanted</i> me¡ªher mind was already crawling back into self-denial. And unless the stars aligned again, unless something stirred her the same way...


    I didn¡¯t think we¡¯d pick up where we left off any time soon.


    That thought made something inside me snarl.


    But I didn¡¯t have time to dwell on it now.


    I turned and left, making my way to the office¡ªfighting topose myself, to rein in the raw, maddening energy still simmering beneath my skin. I needed my head clear in case those witches were up to something.


    Because if they were hiding anything? If they thought I¡¯d be distracted or weakened?


    They¡¯d soon learn just how <i>fucking wrong</i> they were.


    Still... as I strode through the hallway, only one thought gnawed at me louder than the rest:


    Whoever interrupted us didn¡¯t just ruin a moment.


    They ruined a damn <i>turning point</i>.


    And the next time I got my hands on Elena?


    There wouldn¡¯t be any interruptions.


    Not. A. Fucking. Chance.


    *******


    I was still seated in my chair, brooding in silence, when the door creaked open and five women dressed in long, dark robes stepped into my office.


    Their presence carried a chill with it¡ªan unnatural stillness that prickled against my skin like icy fingers.


    Witches.


    Fucking witches.


    I expected mischief, attitude, cryptic riddles¡ª<i>anything</i> but what happened next.


    Without a word, the five of them dropped to their knees in perfect unison and bowed low before me, their heads touching the floor.


    My brows shot up.


    Okay... <i>What the actual fuck?</i>


    Even my beasts, who¡¯d been snarling inside me the entire way here, paused in stunned confusion.


    I mean, sure, I¡¯m an Alpha. People bow. Submit. It¡¯s a pack instinct.


    But these were witches¡ªarrogant, maniptive, power-hungry witches. Thest thing I expected was reverence.


    And then they began to chant.


    "<strong>Reign, reign forever... oh great and mighty King of Darkness... for the new era awaits your rule... oh Hades...</strong>"


    My body went cold.


    What. The. Fuck.


    They chanted it again.


    Louder.


    "<strong>Reign, reign forever... oh great and mighty King of Darkness... for the new era awaits your rule... oh Hades...</strong>"


    I shifted in my seat, unease crawling down my spine like a thousand spiders. My hands curled into fists on the desk, but I couldn¡¯t move. Couldn¡¯t speak.


    A third time¡ª<i>louder</i> still, their voices echoing unnaturally in the room like a damn cult ceremony.


    <i><strong>"REIGN, REIGN FOREVER... OH GREAT AND MIGHTY KING OF DARKNESS... FOR THE NEW ERA AWAITS YOUR RULE... OH HADES..."</strong></i>


    My chair creaked beneath me as I sat up straighter, my pulse pounding in my ears.


    What. The <i>actual</i>. Fuck.


    Then silence.


    They lifted their heads in unison.


    And the one in the center¡ªtheir leader¡ªstood first. Her eyes were pitch ck, not even a sliver of white showing, and her smile... it wasn¡¯t wicked. It wasn¡¯t yful.


    It was <i>devotional</i>.


    "Wee, my lord," she said slowly, her voice velvet-wrapped steel. "Wee to thend of the living."


    My blood turned to ice.


    I blinked. My breath caught.


    Something inside me... shifted.


    No¡ªnot my wolf.


    Not my shadow beast either.


    This wasn¡¯t them.


    It was something else.


    Something ancient.


    Something <i>wrong</i>.


    A pressure curled in my gut, coiling like a serpent waking from centuries of slumber. Not pain exactly... but <i>power</i>. Raw. Overwhelming. Darker than anything I¡¯d ever felt before. As if the earth itself had shifted slightly to make room for whatever was waking up inside of me.


    My jaw clenched as a low growl ripped free from my throat¡ªbut it didn¡¯t sound like me. It sounded <i>inhuman</i>.


    The witches watched me with hungry eyes. Like worshippers seeing a god stir from slumber.


    What the hell did they mean, "Hades"?


    Who the fuck did they think I was?


    Or worse...


    <i>Who the fuck had they just woken up inside of me?</i>

 Chapter 214: Dark Lord

    <h4>Chapter 214: Dark Lord</h4>


    <strong>Damon¡¯s POV</strong>


    "You¡¯ve got three seconds to exin to me what the fuck you just did to me," I growled, my power snapping through the room like a thunderp, "or I will eliminate your entire stupid coven."


    The witches dropped into another bow, trembling under the weight of my fury. Good. They should be scared.


    "Forgive us, Dark Lord," one of them said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It seems... you are yet to awaken."


    What?


    "I said exin," I snarled, my voice deep and sharp,ced with both my beasts¡¯ fury and something else coiling just beneath my skin, "not add to the fucking confusion."


    Another witch¡ªthis one older, eyes clouded like stormy skies¡ªspoke next. "A prophecy was told... that you, our Dark Lord, would one day walk among us again. That a she-wolf would bear an abomination... the vessel for the Lord of the Underworld."


    I stared at them, rage barely restrained. My patience was hanging by a damn thread.


    "Do you idiots only speak in riddles?" I snapped. "Can any of you actually say something that makes fucking sense?"


    They exchanged nces like scared schoolgirls caught sneaking out.


    "And you think <i>I¡¯m</i> this Dark Lord?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.


    They all nodded quickly, murmuring "Yes, yes," like a chorus of deranged parrots.


    "Then quote the prophecy exactly as it is," I ordered, my voice low and cold. "Word for word. Let <i>me</i> interpret it for myself."


    The leader stepped forward, her ck eyes wide with awe and something sickly close to adoration.


    She recited solemnly:


    "On the night of the eclipse, a she-wolf shall bear a hybrid¡ª


    A child of creatures born of night and death.


    And upon the body of this child shall the Dark Lord awaken.


    An abomination will walk among the living,


    Reigning over both kin and cursed,


    The Lord of the Underworld reborn."


    Silence thickened around us like fog.


    I didn¡¯t move. Didn¡¯t speak.


    That... that wasn¡¯t just a creepy bedtime story. That shit hit somewhere <i>deep</i> in my bones. It was like the words unlocked a memory I didn¡¯t know existed. A resonance.


    Another witch stood slowly, her voice softer than the others. "Forgive us, my lord. A witch betrayed us centuries ago¡ªbefore we could find you. She split the two creatures of night in an attempt to weaken you. We lost all trace of your essence. We feared the awakening had failed."


    Split... two creatures of the night?


    Kane.


    Dean.


    My fucking halves.


    "And how do you know now that I¡¯ve awakened?" I asked, my tone deadly calm.


    The one closest to the back¡ªquiet until now¡ªstepped forward, her hood falling slightly to reveal a mark on her forehead glowing faintly.


    "We heard rumors," she said. "Of a single mate between two beasts. Of darkness unlike anything seen before... and when you¡ªyour essence¡ªinhabited your mate¡¯s body, we devised a way to restore you."


    She nced at the others before continuing.


    "We tricked Kane and Dean into absorbing your subconscious, knowing their merged energy,bined with the female¡¯s essence and her... many climaxes, would provide enough power to bind you fully to your original body."


    I blinked slowly.


    "<i>You used her orgasms to resurrect me?</i>" I asked incredulously.


    The witch didn¡¯t flinch. "Yes, my lord. The female¡¯s pleasure created the final surge needed. The mate bond is a sacred power¡ªit feeds you."


    Fucking hell.


    Before I could even process <i>that</i>, another witch stood¡ªtall, thin, with a voice like dry wind across a tomb.


    "But you are not whole yet, my lord," she said. "You remain a subconscious tethered to this form. Toplete your awakening... you must fulfill the mate bond fully. Physically. Only then will your body and power mergepletely. Right now... you are still only a shadow of what you once were."


    Great. Just fucking great.


    So not only had I been unknowingly harboring some ancient underworld god, but apparently my full resurrection depended on having sex with Elena¡ª<i>again</i>.


    Not that I wasining.


    But... did she know?


    Hell, <i>did I</i> even know what I¡¯d be?


    I rose slowly from my chair, shadows curling around my feet.


    "Get out," I said quietly, though my voice echoed with something more... something ancient.


    The witches bowed deeply, trembling.


    "Thank you, Dark Lord," they said in unison, their reverence making my stomach twist.


    I didn¡¯t need followers.


    I needed answers.


    I needed Elena.


    And gods help me... I needed her more than ever now.


    Because if what they said was true¡ªif she was the one holding all that power¡ªthen she wasn¡¯t just my mate.


    She was the <i>key</i> to my fucking kingdom.


    <strong>*******</strong>


    So the key to my world domination...y between Elena¡¯s legs.


    Fucking hell.


    Literally.


    Fucking her would make me invincible. Untouchable. Unstoppable. The final piece to unlock the godlike power stirring within me was between the thighs of the one woman who fought me at every damn turn.


    "Who would¡¯ve guessed," I muttered darkly, a crooked grin tugging at my lips, "that the same woman who resists me with every breath... would be the one destined to unleash me."


    Fate had one hell of a twisted sense of humor.


    But it didn¡¯t matter now.


    Not when the witches¡ªthose ancient maniptors of chaos and power¡ªwere finally on my side. Not when the darkness inside me was no longer dormant, but <i>waking</i>.


    And not when victory... sweet, devastating victory, was now closer than it had <i>ever</i> been.


    The game had changed.


    And I was done ying nice.


    Let the world brace itself.


    The King of Darkness wasing.


    And he wasn¡¯ting alone.


    Elena giving herself to me... meant killing two birds with one stone.


    One¡ªI finally get to im her, fully and irrevocably. No more half-bonded, half-fighting, half-mine bullshit. She¡¯d be <i>mine</i>. In body. In soul. In power.


    And two¡ªthrough her, I rise.


    Not as Kane. Not as Dean. But as <i>me</i>¡ªthe tyrant she loathes, the dark king she fears, the very embodiment of the chaos she dreads. The very force she¡¯s been resisting all along... will be the one inside her, remaking the world in my image.


    The irony was so delicious I could taste it on my tongue.


    The she-wolf who snarls at my name, who swears she¡¯ll never bow, who ws at fate itself to keep from falling for me¡ª<i>she</i> is the key. Her resistance only made it more satisfying.


    Because once she gave in¡ª<i>truly</i> gave in¡ªthere¡¯d be no going back. Not for her. Not for me. Not for the world.


    Let her hate me.


    Let her fight it.


    Because in the end, when she surrenders, she won¡¯t just be mine...


    She¡¯ll be the reason I <i>rule</i>.

 Chapter 215: Sweet Temptation

    <h4>Chapter 215: Sweet Temptation</h4>


    <strong>Damon ¨C POV</strong>


    I sat at the massive obsidian table in my office, the air thick with the scent of old ink, steel, and something darker¡ªmine. Maps were syed out before me, old ones etched in bloodlines and territory, new ones blinking with digital borders and thermal grids. It wasn¡¯t just about power anymore¡ªit was about precision. Dominance. Control. Every pack that dared oppose me, every faction that stood in my way, would beid bare and bleeding beneath my boot.


    And now... now, I had a new asset.


    The witches.


    Still draped in their ceremonial robes, they stood obediently by the far wall. No longer elusive shadows dancing around the edges of prophecy¡ªthey were mine. A gift handed to me on the precipice of ascension. And when Hades fully awakens within me, they won¡¯t just serve¡ªthey¡¯ll worship.


    More loyal than any wolf bound to me by blood.


    More vicious than any alpha raised by teeth and war.


    And far more useful than my current pack, half of whom feared me more than they followed me.


    I tapped a dagger against the edge of the table, dragging it slowly across a carved-out section of rival pds. "ce the witches here," I muttered, more to myself than to them. "Discreetly. Let them blend in with the forest covens. I want surveince enchantmentsced through every inch of that border¡ªif one wolf so much as sneezes, I want to know."


    One of them stepped forward. "Yes, my lord."


    My lips twitched into a smirk. <i>My lord.</i> I could get used to that.


    I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms behind my head, letting my mind slip from battle formations to something infinitely more thrilling.


    Her.


    Elena.


    Fuck.


    I could still taste her lips on mine, still feel the softness of her thighs around my hips, the warmth of her soakedce brushing against my cock. She¡¯d run from me tonight¡ªjumped up like I was fire¡ªbut not because she didn¡¯t want it.


    Because she <i>did</i>.


    And that scared the hell out of her.


    Good.


    Let her run.


    Let her build her little walls again, stack them stone by stone, thinking she¡¯s safe behind them.


    Because I won¡¯t tear them down.


    No¡ªI¡¯ll wait. I¡¯ll leave her with questions, with heat in her blood and ache in her core. I¡¯ll let her mind stew in the possibilities, and her body tremble every time I walk too close.


    Better to keep her anticipating the "what if."


    Because the longer she waits, the more desperate she¡¯ll be. Her wolf already wants me¡ªwants the bond, the power, the <i>im</i>. And when I¡¯m near, that primal part of her screams. She doesn¡¯t even realize how close she is to snapping.


    I just have to keep sparking the me. A touch here, a nce there¡ªa brush of skin, a whisper of dominance.


    Every time I get close, I¡¯ll leave her hanging, wet and breathless, wing at restraint.


    It¡¯s delicious.


    Every interaction is calcted, every lingering stare a seed nted. I can already feel the tension pulling taut. She¡¯s strung so tightly I could pluck her nerves like harp strings.


    By the time I decide to truly take her, she¡¯ll be so sexually frustrated her wolf will tear through skin to get to me. And when she breaks¡ªwhen she finally begs¡ªit won¡¯t be from weakness.


    It¡¯ll be from <i>need</i>.


    Raw. Honest. Uncontrolled.


    That¡¯s when the full mate bond will lock into ce. That¡¯s when the final surge of power will awaken thest piece of me¡ªthe one slumbering in the pit of my soul, waiting for her to open the gates.


    Hades.


    The tyrant the witches revere.


    The god the prophecy promised.


    And she, the unwilling vessel, will be the queen of a kingdom she never wanted. But she will be mine.


    My mate.


    My queen.


    My key to world domination.


    I stood slowly, walking to the tall window that overlooked the southern border. Moonlight streaked across the ss like silver veins. The witches¡¯ reflection hovered behind me, silent, waiting for orders.


    They didn¡¯t need more tonight.


    They¡¯d seen enough.


    I pressed two fingers to the ss and traced an imaginary path through the pds.


    Let them alle. Alphas, rogues, resistances, councils. Let them bring fire and silver.


    They¡¯d never see the storming.


    Because while they braced themselves for Kane and Dean... they had no idea that <i>I</i> had returned.


    And I would not stop until the world howled beneath me.


    <strong>Elena ¨C POV</strong>


    Stupid sleep refused toe.


    No matter how tightly I curled under the covers, no matter how many times I flipped my pillow or tried to count imaginary sheep, my body simply wouldn¡¯t shut down. It still tingled¡ªeverywhere. His touch lingered like it had soaked into my skin, a phantom heat buzzing along my thighs, my breasts, the dip of my lower back.


    Damon.


    I cursed into my pillow for the hundredth time.


    Why the hell did he have to look at me like that? Touch me like that? Sound like he was seconds away from iming my very soul?


    And why the hell did I <i>want</i> him to?


    I rolled onto my side, pulling the nket up to my chin, teeth clenched. I¡¯d told myself that I would be fast asleep before he came back. That I¡¯d find some magical escape in the ckness of unconsciousness. But the hours dragged on. The moon dipped lower. Dawn began to creep its pale fingers across the horizon. And still, no Damon.


    Of course he didn¡¯te back. I practically leapt off him like he was made ofva.


    I didn¡¯t even realize when sleep finally took me...


    ...but then I felt it.


    The dip of the mattress behind me. The whisper of warmth at my back. A breath, hot and steady against the nape of my neck.


    A hand slid around my waist, firm, possessive, drawing me backward into a chest that was all heat and bare skin.


    <i>Oh fuck.</i> He was naked.


    Why was he naked?


    My heart mmed against my ribs, panic and arousal colliding in a dangerous dance. I wriggled, trying to create space between his body and mine, but his arm only tightened around me.


    "Stop moving, Elena," he growled, his voice low, dark, soaked in sex and danger, "or I swear I¡¯m gonna fuck that ass that won¡¯t stand still."


    My breath caught. My thighs clenched instinctively.


    Because he wasn¡¯t bluffing.


    I could feel him¡ªhard, thick, pulsing against my backside. And it definitely wasn¡¯t like that before. My poor brain short-circuited under the weight of every sinful implication.


    "The things you do to me," he muttered, grinding against me in slow, deliberate motion.


    "Feel that?" he asked, rubbing himself against the swell of my ass.


    "That¡¯s what you do to me, Elena."


    My mouth opened, but nothing came out except a shaky breath.


    His hand slipped beneath the nket, fingers gliding up my thigh with excruciating slowness. Featherlight at first, then firmer¡ªmore intentional¡ªas he inched higher, pushing my nightgown with him. My skin burned in the wake of his touch.

 Chapter 216: Getting Hot

    <h4>Chapter 216: Getting Hot</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong>


    "You know you want it as much as I do," he murmured, voice soft and seductive,ced with that dangerous confidence that made my insides twist.


    His palm slid up to my hip, curling there, tugging gently at the fabric as he nuzzled into the crook of my neck. I shuddered when his lips brushed my skin¡ªsoft at first, then biting down just enough to make me whimper.


    "You feel the pull just like I do," he whispered. "No use denying it, little mate."


    Fuck.


    A moan slipped from my throat before I could catch it. That tiny sound seemed to be all the permission he needed.


    His hand slipped under the hem of my nightgown, up, up ¡ª fingers trailing over my belly until he cupped my breast.


    I arched back against him with a gasp.


    His hand slid higher, under my gown now, finding the curve of my breast. His palm was hot and rough and perfect. He cupped me, thumb circling my nipple until it pebbled under his touch. Then he squeezed¡ªjust hard enough to make me bite my lip¡ªand started to knead, fondling me until I was a mess of needy gasps. He found my nipple and rolled it between his fingers, and I was a moaning, panting mess, already dripping wet, already trembling.


    My thighs rubbed together, desperate for friction.


    I didn¡¯t want it to stop.


    He pulled back only to trail that same hand down again¡ªslow, teasing, maddening¡ªand hooked his fingers under the waistband of my panties. I didn¡¯t stop him.


    I <i>couldn¡¯t</i>.


    I lifted my hips slightly, silently giving him permission, and he slid them down my legs with a grunt of approval.


    He squeezed my ass, hand gripping, then spanking lightly. I gasped, the sharp sting sending a thrill up my spine.


    He gripped my ass again¡ª firmly ¡ª kneading it in his palm, then gave it another sharp spank that made me gasp.


    <i>Fuck</i>, that only turned me on more.


    Then his lips were back on me, kissing and nibbling along my shoulder and the back of my neck.


    The hardness between us returned, hotter now, more urgent. He slipped his cock between my thighs and began to thrust¡ªjust enough that the head rubbed against my slick folds, never quite entering, but never far away.


    It was torture.


    Delicious, unbearable torture.


    His cock ¡ª thick, hard, hot ¡ª pressing between my thighs. The head slid between my folds, teasing me. He moved his hips just enough to make it torture. Not entering me, not yet ¡ª just rubbing, gliding, the ridge of him brushing over my clit again and again.


    I was <i>soaking</i>.


    "Tell me you want me inside you," he growled, voice hoarse, mouth pressed to my ear. "Tell me to enter you."


    His cock slipped lower, dragging over my entrance, pulling away, then pressing back again, all while I trembled in his arms, wet and desperate.


    "Fuck me, Damon," I gasped, voice raw and shaky. "I want you."


    He stilled.


    He paused ¡ª a beat ¡ª then lifted my leg just enough to change the angle.


    He lifted my leg, aligning himself right at the center of everything I craved. I could feel him¡ªthere. Waiting. Thick and perfect and ready.


    "Brace yourself, little mate," he whispered.


    And just as I felt the pressure, just as I braced for the stretch, for the fullness, for the ecstasy of finally being his¡ª


    The head of his cock nudged against my entrance, and I <i>felt</i> him there ¡ª thick, ready, teasing the edge of everything I needed.


    He started to push in¡ª


    And then¡ª


    His voice changed.


    "If you keep making those sounds," he murmured, "I might assume you¡¯re dreaming of me."


    Wait.


    What?


    My eyes flew open.


    Light was pouring into the room. Morning light. Warm and golden and cruel.


    Damon stood at the edge of the bed, shirt half-buttoned, a ck tie hanging loose around his neck. His hair was damp, probably fresh from a shower. His smirk was dangerous, crooked, amused.


    I blinked at him, heart still thundering in my chest, my panties damp, my breathing shallow.


    "Good morning, little mate," he said casually, pressing a kiss to my lips like it was the most normal thing in the world before straightening and turning back to finish dressing.


    What.


    The.


    Actual.


    Fuck.


    I sat up in bed, dazed and burning, my dream still clinging to me like smoke. I blinked again, as if I could chase it away, but the phantom weight of his body still haunted my skin. My thighs were clenched. My panties were... soaked.


    I¡¯d dreamed about Damon.


    Dreamed of him <i>inside me</i>.


    And my body had responded like it was the gospel truth.


    "Oh my god," I muttered, copsing back into the pillows. "I need a cold shower."


    Like... now.


    My entire body was still aching ¡ª core clenched, thighs slick, nipples tight against my nightgown. That dream hadn¡¯t just <i>felt</i> real ¡ª it had <i>been</i> real. In every cell of my being.


    <i>Jesus.</i>


    I needed a cold shower.A coldke.An entire damn blizzard.


    And maybe an exorcism.


    Because my subconscious? It was a traitor.


    <strong>*******</strong>


    I didn¡¯t even respond to Damon. Couldn¡¯t.


    I just sat there on the bed, jaw unhinged, heart mming inside my chest like it was trying to bust free and throw itself back into that damn dream.


    That dream.


    Holy. Fucking. Hell.


    My thighs clenched again just <i>thinking</i> about it. The sound of his voice. The weight of him behind me. The feel of his cock sliding between my folds¡ª<i>God</i>. I was still wet. My body was literally <i>mourning</i> the loss of him. And the worst part? He was right there. Walking around like he didn¡¯t just haunt my unconscious like the sin-wrapped devil he was.


    He nced over his shoulder at me while buttoning up thest few buttons of his shirt, like he could <i>feel</i> the storm raging inside me. His smirk curved up slowly ¡ª cocky and knowing.


    "I take it you slept well?" he drawled.


    I red at him. "You¡¯re an asshole."


    He had the <i>audacity</i> to chuckle. "Guilty."


    I threw the covers off me like they¡¯d personally betrayed me, bolted upright, and stormed toward the bathroom. My body was <i>burning</i>, screaming for some kind of release or relief, and I knew the only way I was getting that was with <i>water</i>.


    Cold, icy water.


    I felt his eyes on me like a caress as I scrambled out of bed, desperate for the coldest shower the pack¡¯s plumbing system could provide. I wasn¡¯t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me undone¡ªespecially not because of a <i>dream</i>.


    But before I could storm off to the bathroom, his voice followed, smooth and cocky as ever.


    "Need help in there, little mate?" he drawled, his voice still husky from sleep¡ªor from holding himself back.


    "I don¡¯t mind bathing twice if it means I get to see you all wet and slippery."


    I stopped in my tracks, fists balled, my back to him.


    That. Mother. Fucker.


    "You¡¯re not funny, Damon," I snapped, without turning around. "You¡¯re a walking disaster in a pretty face."


    He chuckled, deep andzy, like he¡¯d just made my morning. "That¡¯s not a no."


    "Youe anywhere near that bathroom and I will personally drown you with the showerhead."


    "That¡¯s also not a no."


    I didn¡¯t even bother replying. I just grabbed my robe, muttered a string of colorful curses under my breath¡ªsome ancient, some invented


    "I¡¯m taking a shower," I snapped, already ripping my nightgown off over my head.


    Damon leaned casually against the doorway, watching. "Want help?"


    I froze mid-step. How the hell did he get there?


    What the <i>actual fuck</i>.


    He raised a brow. "I did say I don¡¯t mind bathing twice."


    I spun on him, practically hissing. "Don¡¯t you have somewhere to <i>be</i>?"


    "Not really," he said with azy shrug, the kind that made me want to p him and mount him at the same time. "You looked like you needed help cooling off."


    "Get out, Damon."


    He grinned like I¡¯d just flirted with him. "As you wish, <i>little mate</i>."


    With a wink, he turned and left, whistling as he walked off like he <i>hadn¡¯t</i> just left me soaked, on edge, and ready to scream into the nearest towel.


    The second the door shut, I locked it, leaned against it for a second, and took a shaky breath.


    "Goddamn it," I whispered to no one.


    The shower was already running before I realized I¡¯d moved. I cranked the temperature down to cold, but when I stepped under the spray, my skin burned hotter. Because the second the water hit me, so did the memory.


    Of his hand.


    Of his mouth.


    Of his cock sliding <i>right there</i>.


    The sound of his voice in my ear ¡ª <i>"Brace yourself, little mate."</i>


    <i>Fuck</i>.


    I pressed my palms to the wall, eyes shut tight. Water sluiced over my back, between my legs, down my thighs ¡ª but it did <i>nothing</i> to soothe the ache. Nothing to calm the fire licking at my core.


    I couldn¡¯t take it anymore.


    My fingers moved on their own, trailing slowly down my stomach, finding that sweet, pulsing heat between my thighs.


    I bit my lip hard, moaned, and let my head fall back against the tile.

 Chapter 217: Fantasies Fantasies

    <h4>Chapter 217: Fantasies Fantasies</h4>


    <strong>Elena POV:</strong><strong></strong>


    My fingers were slick the second they touched my folds. <i>Soaked</i>. I wasn¡¯t just aroused¡ªI was <i>dripping</i>, soaked with the kind of need that no amount of cold water could drown.


    I let my mind go. Slid back into the dream.


    Damon¡¯s breath in my ear.


    His cock pressing against me.


    The sharp sting of his palm on my ass.


    The sound of <i>his voice</i>¡ªrough, low, possessive.


    "Tell me to enter you."


    "Feel what you do to me."


    "If you keep making those noises, I¡¯ll assume you¡¯re dreaming of me."


    I was. <i>I fucking was.</i>


    I circled my clit with practiced pressure, moaning under my breath. My hips started moving in slow, desperate little circles. Every flick of my finger sent sparks through my thighs. My nipples tightened under the spray, the cool water doing nothing to offset the heat coiling tighter and tighter in my belly.


    I imagined his hands. Rough. Strong. Pinning me down.


    I imagined his cock again, thick and hot, rubbing between my folds.


    I slipped one finger inside myself and gasped ¡ª not enough, not close, but it gave me the illusion. I added another. Pumped them slow, curling, imagining <i>him</i> ¡ª <i>fucking me</i> from behind, whispering filth into my ear, his voice full of dark promises.


    His mouth on the back of my neck.


    His teeth scraping over my shoulder.


    That raw, <i>fucking primal</i> energy that only he had, like he was made to ruin me and knew it.


    "Fuck... Damon," I gasped, picking up speed, grinding against my own hand like I was chasing the edge of something too good to survive.


    I was close. <i>So close</i>. Everything was on fire ¡ª my skin, my clit, my thighs, my fucking <i>soul</i>. I moaned again, louder this time, not caring who heard.


    Then in my mind ¡ª his voice again.


    <i>"Brace yourself, little mate."</i>


    I <i>snapped</i>.


    The orgasm tore through me like a tidal wave. My knees buckled ¡ª I pped a hand against the tile to hold myself up as I came hard, gasping his name, shaking under the spray. The release crashed over me in pulses, every muscle clenching tight, my breath caught somewhere between a moan and a sob.


    I didn¡¯t move. Couldn¡¯t.


    The aftershocks rippled through me, twitching my thighs, my fingers still inside me, my core throbbing with sweet, devastating relief.


    Holy. <i>Shit</i>.


    That was¡ª


    I don¡¯t even <i>know</i> what that was.


    Insane.


    Obscene.


    Possibly illegal in some states.


    I finally slid my fingers free and braced both hands on the wall, panting under the water, slowlying down from the high.


    It was just a dream.


    It was just a dream.


    But <i>fuck</i>, if it didn¡¯t feel like my body knew better.


    I shut the water off, still trembling, still sensitive all over, and stepped out of the shower. Steam clung to every surface like it had been a sauna in there ¡ª like the air itself had gotten off with me.


    I dried off slowly, still a little dazed, legs wobbly and weak.


    When I opened the bathroom door, Damon was in the hallway.


    Leaning against the opposite wall.


    Arms crossed.


    Waiting.


    I froze.


    His eyes raked over me, lingering on the towel barely clinging to my damp skin. His nostrils red like he could <i>smell</i> what I¡¯d done in there.


    <i>Fuck.</i>


    "You know," he said, voice low and amused, "for someone who wanted me gone, you sure made some <i>very interesting</i> sounds in there."


    I wanted to die.


    Spontaneouslybust.


    Vanish into the towel forever.


    Instead, I narrowed my eyes. "You were eavesdropping?"


    He smirked. "It¡¯s not eavesdropping when you moan my name loud enough to wake the dead."


    I pushed past him, muttering a whole string of curses under my breath as I stormed back into my room.


    But my body?


    Still humming.


    Still aching in all the right ¡ª and wrong ¡ª ces.


    And Damon?


    Still watching.


    Still <i>smirking</i>.


    I didn¡¯t make it two steps into the room before Damon¡¯s voice slid across the back of my neck like a silk-tipped whip.


    "Dream of me often, do you?"


    I froze mid-stride.


    The nerve. The <i>audacity</i>. He was still standing in the hallway like some smug sex god with a license to torment, arms folded, shirt unbuttoned halfway down his chest, and that loose tie dangling like he just strolled off the cover of <i>Sinful Bastards Monthly</i>.


    I turned slowly, gripping the towel tighter around my chest.


    "Do you <i>ever</i> shut up?"


    He tilted his head. "Not when my name gets moaned with that much <i>enthusiasm</i>."


    Heat surged up my neck like fire licking my skin. I clenched my jaw, trying to keep the image from earlier from flickering in my brain again ¡ª me, panting in the shower, fingers deep inside, whimpering his name like it was the only word I¡¯d ever known.


    I failed.


    Miserably.


    He stepped closer.


    I stepped back.


    He followed, slow and casual like a predator who already knew he¡¯d won.


    "You know," he said conversationally, "I had a very vivid dreamst night too."


    I red. "Was it about your own reflection again?"


    He chuckled darkly, stopping just in front of me. "Nope. It involved you. Moaning. Begging. Writhing. On your knees."


    My breath hitched. "You¡¯re disgusting."


    His grin widened. "You¡¯re wet."


    I choked. "Excuse me?!"


    He leaned in, mouth dangerously close to my ear. "Still. Even after your little shower... I can <i>smell</i> it."


    A low, involuntary noise wed out of my throat. My knees turned to pudding. I hated him. I <i>hated</i> him.


    I wanted to climb him like a damn tree.


    "Fuck you," I breathed, shaking, skin on fire.


    He exhaled slowly near my neck. "Say the word."


    I snapped.


    Maybe it was the way he was looking at me ¡ª like he could see straight through the towel, into the mess of thoughts and desires barely contained beneath my skin.


    Maybe it was the scent of him, sharp and dark and maddening, invading every breath I took like a drug I hadn¡¯t realized I was already addicted to.


    Maybe it was the fact that I <i>was</i> still wet, not from the shower anymore, but from <i>him</i> ¡ª from the damn dream, from his voice, from his words that wrapped around my throat like velvet chains.


    But whatever it was, I snapped.


    I grabbed him by that loose, infuriating tie and yanked him into the room.


    He stumbled forward with a low, surprisedugh that turned into a groan as I shoved him up against the wall. His hands came up, but I pped them down, pinning them at his sides.


    His grin turned feral.


    "You¡¯re finally catching on," he breathed, eyes glittering like liquid sin.


    "I said <i>fuck you</i>," I hissed.


    "And I said <i>say the word</i>," he murmured back, voice a slow-burning me. "But this is good, too."


    He moved¡ªjust a tilt of his hips¡ªbut it was enough. I felt him, hard and ready against my thigh, and my breath hitched like a faulty engine. My knees damn near buckled again. It wasn¡¯t fair. He shouldn¡¯t <i>feel</i> this good just standing there.


    "God, I hate you," I muttered, but my fingers were already curling into his shirt, dragging it open, buttons popping.


    "Not what your body¡¯s saying," he murmured. "You¡¯re trembling for me."


    "I¡¯m cold."


    "You¡¯re flushed."


    "I¡ªshut up, Damon."


    "Make me."


    Challenge epted.


    I crushed my mouth against his before I could think better of it.


    He met me halfway, like he¡¯d been waiting for this since the second I opened that bathroom door. His hands didn¡¯t stay at his sides for long¡ªhe grabbed my hips and hauled me up, and I wrapped my legs around him on instinct, towel be damned.


    We hit the wall again, this time harder, teeth shing, breath mixing, lips bruising from the force of it. He kissed like he fought ¡ª greedy, relentless, like it was his birthright to devour.


    And I kissed him back like he was a sin I was done resisting.


    His mouth tore from mine only to trail down my jaw, my neck, biting and sucking and marking like a man iming territory.


    "Say it," he growled against my throat.


    "Say what?" I gasped, fingernails digging into his shoulders as his teeth grazed my pulse.


    "Say you want me."


    "I want¡ª" The words caught, melted, reformed as a moan. "God, Damon..."


    "Close enough."


    He gripped the towel and yanked ¡ª it slipped, fell, forgotten, pooling at our feet.


    I should¡¯ve been embarrassed. I should¡¯ve shoved him off and thrown him out.


    But I was too far gone. Too high on him, on this, on the weeks of tension finally snapping like a stretched wire.


    He kissed me again, slower this time, more controlled ¡ª and that was somehow worse. Better. My body arched into him, aching, hungry, trying to get closer even though we were already skin to skin.


    "I¡¯ve thought about this," he whispered against my lips. "Every night. Every fucking time you looked at me with those eyes like you wanted to kill me. I knew underneath it, you <i>felt</i> this."


    I didn¡¯t deny it.


    I couldn¡¯t.


    His hands explored like he was memorizing every curve, every reaction. When he brushed his knuckles down the dip of my spine, I shuddered. When he kissed the ce just beneath my corbone, I whimpered.


    And then¡ª


    He pulled back.


    Just a few inches. Just enough to leave me breathless and blinking.


    "I could take you right now," he said softly, eyes locked on mine. "I could make youe so hard you forget your own name. You know it. I know it."


    "Then why aren¡¯t you?" I asked, voice hoarse.


    "Because when I finally fuck you," he said, voice dropping like thunder, "I want you begging. I want you desperate. I want every part of you screaming my name, not just your body."


    My stomach dropped. My thighs clenched. My heart all but exploded in my chest.


    "You already had me moaning your name in the shower," I said shakily. "Isn¡¯t that enough?"


    He grinned like the devil himself. "Not even close, little mate."


    He stepped back, letting my legs slide down until I was standing again, trembling andpletely naked in front of him.


    Then he had the <i>audacity</i> to smirk, adjust the very tie I¡¯d just used to drag him in here, and turn to leave.


    "I¡¯ll see you at breakfast," he said casually, like we hadn¡¯t justbusted against the wall.


    And then he was gone.


    Just like that.


    Gone, while I stood there naked, wrecked, wanting.


    My knees gave out and I copsed onto the edge of the bed, heart racing, body still buzzing with the ghost of his hands, his mouth, his everything.

 Chapter 218: A New Era

    <h4>Chapter 218: A New Era</h4>


    <strong>Damon ¨C POV</strong>


    Gods.


    I was <i>so</i> fucking close.


    She had thrown herself at me¡ªwilling, wanting, <i>mine</i>.


    One yank of that damned towel and her body had been bare, perfect, aching for my hands, my mouth, my cock. I could still feel her skin under my palms, still taste her moan on my tongue like a brand.


    And yet¡ª


    I¡¯d walked away.


    Not because I wanted to. Hell no. I¡¯d have rather dragged her onto that bed and spent the rest of the day fucking her senseless until her legs refused to work and all she knew was my name, my touch, <i>me</i>.


    But I couldn¡¯t.


    Not yet.


    Because while my mate had been seconds away from surrendering, the rest of the goddamn world was circling like wolves at the scent of blood.


    The Alphas hade. Every one of them. From every region, every bloodline, every faction.


    Not because they respected me.


    Not yet.


    They came because I summoned them. Because I told them to bend the knee or bleed for it. And now they were sitting in the Council chamber ¡ª every ego-stuffed mutt of them ¡ª probably whispering behind their polished teeth, plotting, questioning whether I was bluffing.


    I wasn¡¯t.


    I <i>never</i> bluff.


    But I needed to be there. I needed to look every single one of them in the eye and decide ¡ª who lives, who dies, who pledges their loyalty and who needs to be put down like the rabid dogs they are.


    Timing was everything.


    And fucking Elena right now? That would¡¯ve undone me. Because one taste, and I¡¯d never stop. One whimper, and I¡¯d lose hours, days ¡ª fuck, <i>centuries</i> if I could.


    So, I¡¯d walked out.


    I¡¯d left her standing there, naked, breathless, wrecked from want, while every part of me screamed to turn around and bury myself inside her until she forgot her own name and only <i>mine</i> remained on her lips.


    My fists clenched as I stalked down the hallway, every muscle tight, jaw grinding.


    The tie she¡¯d pulled on earlier was still hanging loose around my neck. My shirt was wrinkled, half-unbuttoned, and I looked like I¡¯d just stepped out of bed ¡ª because I <i>had</i>. Out of her bed. Out of <i>her</i> heat.


    Fuck.


    Focus, Damon.


    There would be time for pleasureter. For now? It was time to remind these Alphas <i>why</i> I was feared. Why they called me the Shadow Alpha. The Reaper King. The Darkborn.


    Not because I asked nicely.


    Because I didn¡¯t need to.


    The Council chamber doors opened as I approached, and the air inside shifted. Heavily. Like the room itself knew something had just entered ¡ª something ancient, something lethal.


    Their eyes turned to me.


    I counted at least two dozen. Some seated. Some standing in that stiff posture that tried to pass as confidence but reeked of caution. Maybe even fear.


    Good.


    Let them fear.


    I stepped inside, silent, predatory. The doors shut behind me with a soft <i>thud</i>, sealing them in with me like meat in a cage.


    I let the silence drag.


    Let them <i>feel</i> it.


    The pressure. The heat. The fact that the most dangerous thing in the room was now walking toward the head of the long obsidian table like he owned the very ground they stood on ¡ª because I did.


    "You¡¯rete," one of them dared to say. I didn¡¯t even nce at him.


    Instead, I walked slowly to the far end of the table and took the throne-like chair reserved for the High Alpha ¡ª the one no one had sat in since the old regime crumbled.


    I sat.


    The room reacted like a pulse. Sharp inhales. Twitching brows. The faintest flickers of unease.


    "Am I?" I finally said, voice cool, measured. "Or are you simply too eager to die before lunch?"


    The room stilled.


    Good.


    That shut them up.


    I rested my elbows on the table, fingers steepled. Eyes scanning each of them.


    Some I recognized ¡ª Alphas of old bloodlines, wrapped in titles and arrogance. Others were new. Cocky. Thinking power was something inherited or taken through strength alone.


    Idiots.


    Power wasn¡¯t stolen. It wasn¡¯t inherited.


    It was <i>earned</i>. Built. Burned into the bone. It was carved by blood and war and sacrifice.


    And I had done <i>all</i> of it.


    "I didn¡¯t summon you for pleasantries," I said. "I summoned you to make a choice. One you¡¯re going to make today, in front of your peers, with no room for lies."


    A murmur rippled down the table.


    "I¡¯m rebuilding the hierarchy. No more splintered packs. No more rogue councils. No more puppets dancing to old gods who¡¯ve long since fallen."


    I leaned forward, voice dropping like a de.


    "You¡¯re either with me, or you¡¯re dead."


    One of the older Alphas scoffed. "Big words, Darkborn. But words are wind. What makes you think we¡¯ll kneel so easily?"


    I smiled.


    Cold. Sharp. Lethal.


    Then I stood.


    No shift. No roar. No grand disy of dominance.


    I just <i>was</i>.


    And the shadows around me pulsed, responding to the flicker of power I let leak ¡ª enough to darken the corners of the room, to make every Alpha in the chamber feel like the walls were watching.


    "You mistake my patience for weakness," I said softly. "You think because I gave you a choice, you have power. Let me make this clear..."


    I lifted a hand, and with a flick of my fingers ¡ª just that ¡ª one of the torches on the far wall exploded in ck me, unnatural and consuming.


    "This isn¡¯t a democracy. This is a <i>deration</i>."


    A silence fell so thick you could taste it.


    "Swear fealty," I said. "Or I¡¯ll rip your pack marks from your chests myself and use them to light the pyres of your fallen."


    They started shifting in their seats.


    I¡¯d rattled the hive. Good.


    One by one, they¡¯d fold.


    And those who didn¡¯t?


    Well.


    I¡¯d bring their heads back to Elena as trophies.


    Maybe then she¡¯d understand that when I <i>imed</i> the world, I wasn¡¯t just doing it for power.


    I was doing it for <i>her</i>.


    For <i>us</i>.


    The world would burn in my name ¡ª and <i>she</i> would rise beside me as queen.


    Once I imed her.


    Fully.


    Completely.


    But first?


    I had to finish carving the path in blood.


    And then?


    Then I¡¯d return to my little mate.


    And <i>take</i> what¡¯s mine.


    ********


    Of course, there had to be one.


    There was <i>always</i> one.


    An Alpha too stupid, too prideful, too fucking blind to recognize death when it stood right in front of him, cloaked in shadow, with blood on its tongue.


    He stood up at the far end of the table ¡ª massive, broad-shouldered, with the kind of height that made lesser wolves cower. His wolf mark glowed faintly on his neck, already pulsing with aggression.


    Cassian of the Iron Fang Pack.


    Cocky bastard. Known for his ruthlessness. Revered by some of the southern ns for his "old ways." He was probably used to others bowing without question, pissing themselves at the sight of his teeth.


    Too bad he just stepped into a ring where I was the only predator.


    "This is a council, not a dictatorship," Cassian said, voice echoing off the high, stone walls. "We don¡¯t kneel to shadows and whispers. If you want fealty, you <i>earn</i> it. The old way. Trial bybat."


    A few others murmured ¡ª unsure if they supported him or just didn¡¯t want to be the next to die.


    I rose slowly.


    No rush.


    No expression.


    Just a quiet stillness before the storm.


    "You want to challenge me?" I asked, voice eerily calm.


    Cassian¡¯s eyes red gold. "If you¡¯re as powerful as you say, you won¡¯t deny the challenge."


    A pause.


    Then I smiled.


    It wasn¡¯t kind.


    It wasn¡¯t reassuring.


    It was the kind of smile that preceded carnage.


    "I ept."


    He bared his teeth, proud, puffed-up, already thinking this was won.


    The fool.


    The chamber shifted into a clearing space ¡ª the floor between the long obsidian table and the back wall was cleared. Magic etched faint rings across the marble, ancient symbols reawakening with a low hum, sealing the challenge. No outside interference. No tricks.


    Just two Alphas.


    One winner.


    One corpse.


    Cassian shifted first.


    Fast. Brutal. His wolf form was massive ¡ª fur like iron, ws like daggers. He was power. He was muscle. He was every nightmare a pack would respect.


    And it still wasn¡¯t enough.


    I didn¡¯t shift.


    I didn¡¯t need to.


    The room darkened. Shadows spiraled from my feet like smoke made flesh. The ancient markings on the floor dimmed, <i>flickered</i>, as something older, darker pulsed beneath my skin.


    I stepped into the circle.


    Cassian growled low in his throat, pacing, waiting for me to be something like <i>him</i>.


    But I was never like him.


    I was <i>more</i>.


    Then I moved.


    One blink.


    That¡¯s all the Alphas saw before Cassian was mmed into the wall with enough force to crack stone. He howled, twisting, snapping at nothing ¡ª because I was already behind him, shadows peeling from my hands like talons.


    I grabbed his hind leg and dragged him across the floor with ease, leaving deep w marks and a smear of blood.


    No finesse.


    No ceremony.


    Just raw domination.


    Cassian lunged ¡ª jaws wide ¡ª and I stepped into his attack, one hand grabbing his throat mid-air, the other plunging into his ribs with shadow-forged ws that weren¡¯t quite wolf, weren¡¯t quite man.


    Something else.


    Something <i>ancient</i>.


    He yelped ¡ª <i>yelped</i> ¡ª as I twisted, ripping free a chunk of his power center, his energy screaming as it red uselessly.


    "Still think you lead bybat?" I snarled.


    His legs buckled.


    I mmed him into the stone so hard the wall spider-webbed around his body, holding him up like a mounted kill.


    Then I reached forward and shoved two fingers into his chest ¡ª right where his pack mark burned ¡ª and <i>ripped</i> it out.


    Magic shrieked.


    Cassian howled.


    The chamber went dead silent as I held the smoldering mark in my palm. It flickered like a dying me. His wolf copsed, shifting back to human, naked and twitching, broken on the floor.


    I crushed the mark between my fingers and let the ashes fall to the marble.


    "You had power," I said to the room. "But you forgot one thing."


    I looked at each of them, slow, deliberate, gaze like a de slicing their spines open.


    "I¡¯m not a fucking Alpha."


    The shadows coiled tighter around me, responding to my rising control. "I¡¯m whates after Alphas fall. I¡¯m what crawls out of the bones of gods and makes kings kneel."


    A few of them couldn¡¯t meet my gaze anymore. One was trembling.


    Good.


    I wanted them terrified.


    I stepped over Cassian¡¯s twitching body like he was trash. Walked back to the table. Sat again.


    Silence reigned.


    Then one by one ¡ª slow at first, then in session ¡ª the Alphas <i>knelt</i>.


    Some bowed heads.


    Others dropped to a knee.


    All of them submitted.


    The old order was dead.


    And I had buried it.

 Chapter 219: New Distraction

    <h4>Chapter 219: New Distraction</h4>


    <strong>Elena ¨C POV</strong>


    I stared at the door like it had personally betrayed me.


    He was gone.


    Just like that.


    One second I was on the edge of begging¡ªno, I <i>was</i> begging¡ªand the next, he had pulled away like I was nothing more than a craving he could resist on a whim.


    The bastard.


    My lips were still swollen. My thighs, still trembling. My robe was still somewhere on the goddamn floor.


    And he just... walked out.


    Again.


    I let out a scream¡ªfrustrated, primal, furious¡ªand grabbed the nearest object, which happened to be a pillow, and <iunched</i> it at the door. It bounced harmlessly off the wood, making me even angrier.


    "How dare he," I hissed to the empty room, pacing like a caged animal. "How <i>fucking dare</i> he."


    He had me. Right there. Open, vulnerable, <i>willing</i>. I¡¯d dropped every wall, every ounce of pride I had left, and gave him the one thing I never let him see¡ªmy hunger for <i>him</i>. And what did he do?


    Walk away.


    Cool as ever. Unbothered. Probably smirking on his way to some stupid council meeting while I was left standing here feeling like a fool with soaked panties and a gaping need he <i>started</i> and didn¡¯t have the damn courtesy to <i>finish</i>.


    I clenched my fists, fury bubbling under my skin like wildfire.


    This was thest time.


    The <ist damn time</i> I¡¯d let him get under my skin like that. Thest time I¡¯d let him wind me up, heat me up, unravel me only to leave me gasping and alone.


    Never again.


    Next time he tried to touch me, I¡¯d bite him.


    Literally.


    "Hope your fucking meeting is worth it," I muttered, dragging on a fresh robe and tightening the sash so hard it almost cut off my oxygen. "Hope all the posturing and dick-measuring with the other Alphas gives you the same satisfaction you <i>almost</i> gave me."


    Gods, I was still throbbing.


    Still soaked.


    Still needy in a way that made me hate myself. Made me feel like I was losing the one thing I had left¡ªcontrol.


    But not again.


    No more chasing the tension. No more letting his touch override my mind. I wasn¡¯t going to fall into his web again only to be yanked back to reality when he decided his tyranny mattered more than I did.


    From now on?


    I was the one in control.


    Let hime back.


    Let him try to tease, to seduce, to dominate me again.


    He¡¯d find the door locked.


    My ws out.


    And the part of me that wanted him? That part could go to hell.


    Because the next time I let him in¡ªit wouldn¡¯t be as the predator.


    It would be as my prey.


    <strong>********</strong>


    I needed to do something.


    Anything.


    Because if I sat here in this room stewing in my own frustration any longer, I was going tobust.


    Literallybust.


    I stripped out of the second robe I¡¯d already yanked too tight, shoved open my closet, and grabbed the ckest, fiercest outfit I owned¡ªtight ck leather pants that clung to me like a second skin, and a sleeveless top that barely counted as armor but screamed <i>try me, motherfucker</i>. A quick nce in the mirror told me I looked dangerous. Good.


    Let him see what he walked away from.


    Let him <i>choke</i> on the sight of me.


    I pulled my hair into a high ponytail, fastened my boots like I was prepping for war, and added a sh of blood-red lipstick¡ªnot because I needed it, but because it made me feel like I could bite throats and smile while doing it.


    Every move I made crackled with coiled fury.


    This wasn¡¯t about vanity. This was about <i>control</i>. About taking back the power Damon had yanked from me every time he looked at me like I was already his.


    He thought I was weak? Thought I¡¯d fall into his bed just because my body begged for it?


    Fine.


    Let him think that. Let him think I was a sweet, pliant little mate he could ignore and pick back up whenever he pleased.


    Let him <i>think</i>.


    Because I was done ying prey.


    I marched straight into the training room, ignoring the startled nces of the betas and gammas milling around. One poor idiot tried to say something, but the look I shot him had him practically tripping over his own feet to get out of my way.


    I grabbed a pair of daggers off the weapons wall, stepped into the ring, and let loose.


    Strike. sh. Spin.


    I moved like a storm ¡ª like rage bottled into skin and breath and bone. Every cut through the air was Damon¡¯s smirk. Every thrust, his voice whispering filth into my ear. Every pivot, his hand between my thighs, pulling away too soon.


    I¡¯d <i>show</i> him what happens when you leave a woman wanting.


    By the time I was done, the training mat was slick with sweat, and the room was empty. No one dared approach.


    Good.


    Because I wasn¡¯t done yet.


    I wiped my face on a towel, then tossed it aside like my patience.


    Tonight, I would wait.


    Not as a woman hoping for him to return.


    But as a storm on the verge of breaking.


    Let him walk through that door.


    Let him smirk.


    Let him say one thing¡ªone cocky, self-satisfied, condescending thing.


    I was going to burn him alive with every drop of heat he lit in me.


    And this time?


    He¡¯d beg <i>me</i>.


    I needed a distraction.


    A real one. Not the kind where I kept reying Damon¡¯s voice in my head and fantasizing about strangling him with his own damn tie.


    No.


    I needed blood pumping, fists flying, and maybe a little harmless flirting to remind myself I was still <i>me</i>. That I wasn¡¯t some moth to his me, constantly getting singed.


    I headed to the outdoor training field this time, a few new warriors gathered there for drills. Most were strangers ¡ª recent transfers, judging by the nervous nces and stiff postures. Perfect.


    Fresh faces.


    No baggage.


    No brooding kings with sinful smirks and godplexes.


    I stepped onto the mat and was stretching when I felt it ¡ª that subtle awareness of someone watching me.


    I looked up.


    He was tall, lean muscle stretched over a frame that moved like a dancer ¡ª graceful, lethal. His hair was a deep brown, messy in a way that looked intentional, and his eyes... sea-ss green, bright and open in a way that was <i>dangerously</i> not Damon.


    Not guarded. Not smug.


    <i>Warm</i>.


    He blinked when he realized I¡¯d caught him staring, then had the nerve to grin ¡ª a crooked, boyish thing that made my stomach flutter in the most inconvenient way.


    "Didn¡¯t mean to stare," he said, walking over with a sparring staff slung over his shoulder. His voice was smooth, casual ¡ª like I hadn¡¯t just been about to start murdering a punching bag in private peace.


    "Then don¡¯t," I said, half teasing, half threatening.


    Heughed. "I¡¯ll try. But you make it difficult."


    Okay, what the hell?


    I blinked, thrown off by the boldness, by the <i>normalcy</i> of it. It felt so foreign after the constant battle of wills with Damon. This guy wasn¡¯t trying to control me, or manipte me. He was just... talking.


    Flirting, even.


    And it was working.


    A little.


    "I¡¯m Elena," I said before I could stop myself.


    "Luca," he replied, offering a hand. His grip was firm, confident ¡ª but not overbearing. "New transfer from the North Crescent pack."


    I nodded. "You any good?"


    "At what?"


    I smirked. "Not making a fool of yourself."


    He let out a lowugh. "Guess we¡¯ll find out."


    We sparred ¡ª light drills, but Luca was skilled. Quick on his feet. He kept pace with me, challenged me without being cocky. And when he did manage to disarm me once with a smooth sweep of his staff, he didn¡¯t gloat. He just offered a hand and a smile.


    It was... nice.


    It felt good.


    Normal.


    And when our arms brushed one too many times, when his hand lingered a second too long on my lower back as we reset positions ¡ª I didn¡¯t pull away.


    I didn¡¯t feel guilty.


    I felt powerful.


    Damon had left me hanging.


    <i>Luca</i> was hanging on my every move.


    When the session ended, sweat dripping down both of us and my pulse racing for reasons beyond just physical exertion, he looked at me and said, "Same time tomorrow?"


    I hesitated. Then nodded.


    "Sure."


    As he walked away, I watched the sway of his shoulders, the easy grace in his step, and allowed myself the smallest wicked smile.


    I didn¡¯t owe Damon anything.


    Let him y his war games.


    Two can y at <i>distraction</i>.


    Damon had left me hanging.


    <i>Luca</i> was hanging on my every move.


    When the session ended, sweat dripping down both of us and my pulse racing for reasons beyond just physical exertion, he looked at me and said, "Same time tomorrow?"


    I hesitated. Then nodded.


    "Sure."


    As he walked away, I watched the sway of his shoulders, the easy grace in his step, and allowed myself the smallest wicked smile.


    I didn¡¯t owe Damon anything.

 Chapter 220: Fucking Up

    <h4>Chapter 220: Fucking Up</h4>


    <strong>Damon ¨C POV</strong>


    The council meeting had gone as expected.


    Threats. Posturing. Blood.


    One idiot had the nerve to challenge me ¡ª he was now decorating the wall with what was left of his spine.


    The others got the message.


    I was in control. And once Ipleted the final part of the prophecy... once Elena gave herself to me fully ¡ª body, soul, and bond ¡ª not even the gods would stand in my way.


    So imagine my fucking <i>delight</i> when I returned to the grounds, prowling along the edge of the training field, and saw her.


    Elena.


    Smiling.


    Laughing.


    Sweat-slicked and radiant in the early dusk light, sparring with someone who wasn¡¯t me. Someone with too-pretty eyes and a jaw that deserved breaking.


    The fucker touched her back.


    She didn¡¯t p him.


    She didn¡¯t burn him alive with a re.


    No ¡ª she leaned in. <i>Laughed</i> at something he said.


    What. The. Fuck.


    I didn¡¯t move. Just stood in the shadows like a damn ghost as the two of them wrapped up their little session. She looked flushed ¡ª not from embarrassment. Not from anger. From exertion.


    And excitement.


    He said something to her. She nodded.


    He left.


    She watched him go.


    I wanted to rip his fucking throat out.


    Elena turned, just barely, like she <i>sensed</i> me. I stepped back before she could see. Vanishing into the trees like the shadow I¡¯d be.


    My wolf was pacing under my skin, snarling.


    <i>She¡¯s ours. Ours.</i>


    <i>She¡¯s not mated yet,</i> I reminded it.


    Yet.


    It wasn¡¯t jealousy. No. I was above that petty shit.


    This was <i>possession</i>.


    The prophecy. The bond. Her body. Her soul. They belonged to me ¡ª whether she admitted it yet or not. She could flirt. She could train with him. Hell, she could fuck him for all I cared.


    But she would still be <i>mine</i> in the end.


    Still moan my name.


    Stille apart on my cock, sobbing for mercy and wanting more.


    Let her y her little games.


    I¡¯d bide my time.


    And when she came crawling back, desperate, frustrated, aching with the need I <i>knew</i> she carried for me...


    I¡¯d remind her who she fucking belonged to.


    <strong>******</strong>


    I found him behind the weapons shed, wiping sweat from his neck with a towel, still wearing that smug, easygoing smile that made me want to remove his teeth one by one with a rusty spoon.


    "Hey," he said when he spotted me. "Alpha¡ª"


    My fist connected with his jaw before he could finish the word. The sound was <i>satisfying</i>. Bone cracking against bone, flesh caving under the force of rage I¡¯d been holding back all damn day.


    Luca went down like a sack of bricks, groaning, blinking up at me in confusion. "Wha¡ªfuck¡ªwhat the hell?!"


    I grabbed the front of his shirt, yanked him up, and mmed him back against the metal siding of the shed hard enough to rattle it.


    "I¡¯m sorry alpha." he panics "I didn¡¯t know"


    "You didn¡¯t know she was the Luna?" I snarled, fangs threatening to pierce through. "That¡¯s your excuse?"


    "I¡ª<i>shit</i>, I swear! I didn¡¯t know, Alpha!" he panted, blood dripping from his lip. "No one said¡ªshe didn¡¯t wear a mark¡ªthere¡¯s no im¡ª"


    "You don¡¯t need to see a fucking mark to know she¡¯s mine," I growled. "Look at her once and you <i>know</i> she¡¯s not for your filthy hands."


    He trembled. The scent of fear pouring off him was delicious. My beast purred. But I wasn¡¯t done.


    "If I ever, <i>ever</i> see you with her again..." I leaned in until my nose was almost against his, my voice low, guttural, pure alpha dominance. "You won¡¯t be able to walk. Or fight. Or breathe without remembering what it feels like to be <i>hunted</i>."


    Luca nodded so fast his head nearly flew off. "Yes. Yes, Alpha. Never again. I swear it."


    I dropped him, and he slid to the ground like a sack of bones. Still breathing. For now.


    I walked off, fists still twitching.


    The dining hall buzzed with the usual midday chatter. Trays ttered, cutlery scraped, and I didn¡¯t give a fuck about any of it.


    I spotted her instantly ¡ª like my eyes were trained to seek her out.


    Elena.


    She sat at the far end of the long table, surrounded by a few warriors and female fighters. She was chewing a piece of bread like it personally offended her, stabbing at her te with the kind of focus she usually reserved forbat.


    Her hair was slightly damp from the shower.


    Her neck was bare.


    She didn¡¯t look at me when I entered.


    Didn¡¯t flinch. Didn¡¯t pause.


    Didn¡¯t even <i>acknowledge</i> me.


    Great.


    Fucking perfect.


    The woman I¡¯d nearly taken against the wall that morning, who had <i>begged</i> for me to im her, was now acting like I didn¡¯t exist.


    I didn¡¯t move toward her.


    Didn¡¯t announce myself.


    I just stood there, watching her chew, every now and then lifting her eyes to someone <i>else</i> at the table to respond to some meaningless chatter ¡ª a sharp nod, a flick of a smile.


    She was pissed.


    I could feel it like a cold front across my skin.


    And honestly?


    She had every right to be.


    I¡¯d left her burning. Aching. Needy.


    Walked out without a word and went straight to business.


    Because if I hadn¡¯t... I wouldn¡¯t have made it to the council chamber. I¡¯d have stayed buried inside her all fucking day until she was marked, mated, and carrying the next generation of monsters destined to rule the world with me.


    But I couldn¡¯t do that.


    Not yet.


    Not until she <i>chose</i> it.


    Chose me.


    <strong><i>*****</i></strong>


    She was ignoring me.


    <i>Elena</i> ¡ª my mate, the woman who had practicallye undone under my hands this morning, who had <i>thrown herself at me</i> ¡ª was ignoring me like I was a waiter who forgot her drink order.


    Unbelievable.


    I stood in the corner of the dining hall, arms crossed, watching her.


    She didn¡¯t so much as flick her gaze in my direction.


    No reaction.


    None.


    Not to my presence, not to the scent she was clearly attuned to ¡ª <i>mine</i> ¡ª not even when I purposely let a low growl slip past my lips.


    Nothing.


    She sat there, eating like a goddess on a warpath, stabbing her food like it was my damn heart. Smiling at warriors who had no business being smiled at. Laughing¡ª<iughing</i>¡ªwith that another cute little snort that used to onlye out when sheugh.


    What. The. Fuck.


    I had handled rogue uprisings, alpha rebellions, political executions, and supernatural treaties. But this?


    This was a whole new battlefield.


    And somehow, I was <i>losing</i>.


    Gods, I should¡¯ve stayed. Should¡¯ve imed her, marked her, taken her until she couldn¡¯t walk straight or think of anyone but me.


    But no. I had to be responsible. Had to march off to my throne like a good little tyrant and deal with spineless Alphas who couldn¡¯t even sniff without asking permission first.


    And now?


    She was making me <i>pay</i> for it.


    I moved toward her, slow and smooth, watching the way her shoulders tensed the moment she sensed me. Ah, there it was. She <i>did</i> feel me. She was just pretending she didn¡¯t.


    That should have amused me.


    It didn¡¯t.


    I slid into the seat next to her like I belonged there. Because I did. She was mine.


    "You didn¡¯t wait for me," I said casually, voice low, as if that would soften her mood.


    She didn¡¯t flinch.


    Didn¡¯t speak.


    Didn¡¯t even turn her head.


    I leaned in, close to her ear, letting my breath dance against her skin. "I would¡¯ve made you breakfast, you know. You seemed... hungry."


    Nothing.


    Not even a twitch.


    But the scenting off her said otherwise. She was still flushed. Still burning. Still <i>wet</i> for me, if my nose wasn¡¯t broken.


    So I pushed further.


    "I mean, I heard all that moaning and thought, <i>damn</i>, I should¡¯ve stayed. Could¡¯ve helped with that tension."


    A knife could¡¯ve dropped and ttered with less tension than the one that radiated from her in that moment.


    Still, she said <i>nothing</i>.


    So I smirked and dropped the dagger.


    "Oh,e on, Elena. Don¡¯t act like you didn¡¯t enjoy it. You were practically begging me¡ª"


    Her chair scraped violently as she shot to her feet.


    Well. That got a reaction.


    She leaned over, lips inches from mine, and hissed, "You don¡¯t get to flirt with me after leaving me high and dry. You don¡¯t get to tease me like it didn¡¯t mean <i>anything</i>. You don¡¯t get to look at me like you <i>own</i> me when you haven¡¯t even earned the right to <i>touch</i> me."


    I didn¡¯t flinch.


    Didn¡¯t blink.


    But fuck me, her words sliced deeper than any de ever had.


    And the worst part?


    She was <i>right</i>.


    She turned and walked off, hips swaying, shoulders stiff, jaw tight ¡ª and I just sat there, stunned. Frozen.


    Because I wasn¡¯t expecting <i>that</i>.


    I expected her to be annoyed. Maybe roll her eyes. Shove me a little. Give me hell, sure.


    But this cold, hard freeze-out?


    I felt it in my <i>soul</i>.


    And the beast inside me ¡ª Hades, whatever the fuck I was now ¡ª <i>roared</i>. Not in fury. In <i>possession</i>.


    Because that?


    That was mine.


    And I had <i>fucked up</i>.

 Chapter 221: Angry Luna

    <h4>Chapter 221: Angry Luna</h4>


    <strong>Elena ¨C POV</strong>


    I was <i>not</i> going to look at him.


    Not even a nce.


    He could stand there all broody and smug with that open shirt and that damn tie hanging loose like he just rolled out of someone¡¯s sheets¡ªbut I wasn¡¯t going to acknowledge him.


    Let him stew.


    Let him wonder.


    Because I was pissed.


    No¡ª<i>furious</i>.


    How dare he leave me like that? After the way I threw myself at him, like some heat-crazed little wolf in the middle of a full moon rut?


    And I didn¡¯t regret it¡ª<i>that</i> was the problem.


    No, what I regretted was the way he left. Like it didn¡¯t matter. Like I didn¡¯t matter. Just a little tease, a morning distraction, and then he ghosted me like I was a one-night heat-fix.


    Now here he was.


    Lurking in the dining hall like a sexy gue.


    I could <i>feel</i> him watching me. Every damn second. The weight of his gaze, dragging over me, hot enough to sear. Like he was daring me to look. Daring me to acknowledge him.


    But I didn¡¯t.


    I ripped my bread into tiny pieces like it had personally betrayed me, stabbed at my food like it owed me money, and kept chatting with the warriors beside me about absolutely <i>nothing</i> important.


    And yet my body knew he was there.


    Tightened.


    Reacted.


    Remembered.


    My skin still tingled from this morning.


    My thighs still clenched from the dream, the way he¡¯d teased and touched and whispered filth in my ear. And worst of all, I <i>wanted</i> him to finish what he¡¯d started.


    But no.


    Not again.


    Never again if I could help it.


    I chewed like my life depended on it, forcing down every emotion, every memory, every sinful flicker of desire like it was poison.


    And then¡ª


    The seat beside me shifted.


    <i>No.</i>


    I didn¡¯t even need to look.


    I <i>knew</i> it was him.


    The scent hit me first ¡ª darkness and spice and everything I didn¡¯t need messing with my already fucked-up head.


    "You didn¡¯t wait for me," Damon said smoothly, voice low and teasing.


    I didn¡¯t answer.


    He leaned in, close enough that his breath ghosted over the shell of my ear.


    "I would¡¯ve made you breakfast, you know. You seemed hungry."


    I stabbed a carrot with enough force to crack the te beneath.


    Still didn¡¯t look at him.


    "I mean," he continued, tone dripping with wicked amusement, "I heard all that moaning and thought, <i>damn, I should¡¯ve stayed</i>. Could¡¯ve helped with that tension."


    Still nothing.


    "Oh,e on, Elena. Don¡¯t act like you didn¡¯t enjoy it. You were practically begging me¡ª"


    I stood abruptly, my chair screeching across the floor.


    Every eye at the table turned.


    Damon looked up at me with that maddeningly calm expression, like he <i>expected</i> me tosh out and was <i>already amused</i> by it.


    I leaned in, keeping my voice low but venomous. "You don¡¯t get to flirt with me after leaving me high and dry. You don¡¯t get to tease me like it didn¡¯t mean <i>anything</i>. You don¡¯t get to look at me like you <i>own</i> me when you haven¡¯t even earned the right to <i>touch</i> me."


    His smirk faltered.


    Only slightly.


    But it was enough.


    I turned on my heel, ignoring the pounding of my heart and the trembling in my fingers, and walked away¡ªhead high, spine straight, fury simmering just beneath my skin.


    Let him chase.


    Let him <i>work</i> for it.


    Because if he thought I¡¯d fall into his bed again so easily, he had no idea who the fuck he was dealing with.


    <strong>********</strong>


    I needed air.


    Not because the dining hall was suffocating ¡ª though it was ¡ª but because <i>he</i> was in there. Damon. Sitting with his smug expression and that loose tie like he hadn¡¯t all but <i>abandoned</i> me this morning right after stoking a fire in my core and walking away like I didn¡¯t matter.


    I hated him.


    God, I <i>hated</i> him.


    And maybe, just maybe, I hated how much I still wanted him.


    The sun was low, casting golden streaks across the training grounds. The warriors were mostly clearing out,ughing, stretching, the kind of calm that only came after blood and sweat had been wrung dry.


    And then I saw him.


    Luca.


    He was just ahead, walking toward the opposite edge of the clearing. Alone.


    "Luca!" I called, jogging slightly to catch up. "Hey¡ªLuca!"


    He stopped for a heartbeat, then turned his head, just barely. I caught a glimpse of his face before he dropped his eyes and picked up his pace, angling off toward the woods.


    I frowned, confused.


    "Luca, what the hell¡ª?"


    I picked up my pace, closing the distance quickly. I grabbed his arm just before he could slip behind the weapon sheds. "Are you seriously ignoring me now?"


    He stiffened under my grip ¡ª not like a guy who didn¡¯t want to talk, but like someone <i>terrified</i> to.


    I saw his eyes then.


    One of them was swollen ¡ª not quite shut, but purple and ck around the edge, ringed with red like the punch had happened recently. Too recently.


    "Oh my God," I breathed, reaching up before he could turn away. "What happened?"


    View the correct content at


    He flinched before I touched him, stepping back. "It¡¯s nothing, Luna."


    Luna.


    He hadn¡¯t called me that before. Not even during training. We¡¯d been on first-name basis. Teasing. Easy.


    "What did you just say?"


    He bowed slightly, avoiding eye contact, shoulders tense like a soldier expectingshes. "Forgive me. I didn¡¯t mean to be disrespectful."


    "Luca..." I whispered, heart thudding. "Who did this to you?"


    He didn¡¯t answer. That alone was the answer.


    "Was it... was it Damon?"


    Another pause. Too long. Too careful.


    My blood ran cold. "<i>Did Damon do this to you?</i>"


    Luca looked at me ¡ª really looked at me ¡ª and I saw it in his eyes.


    Shame. Pain. <i>Fear</i>.


    "I didn¡¯t know you were the Luna," he said softly. "I swear. I wouldn¡¯t have epted the training if I had. I wouldn¡¯t have¡ª"


    "<i>What the fuck are you talking about?</i>" I snapped, stepping closer, voice climbing with each word. "I asked you to train with me. It was <i>my</i> idea!"


    "I know," he whispered. "But Alpha said... I shouldn¡¯t."


    Alpha.


    That did it.


    My fists clenched, nails digging into my palms. My wolf rose like a scream in my chest, fury pounding in my skull.


    Damon had done this. Not just the bruise ¡ª he¡¯d used his <i>rank</i>, his <i>power</i>, to <i>cow</i> Luca. Humiliate him. Threaten him.


    And why?


    Because he saw me talking to another man? Because I dared tough? Because I was trying to forget how <i>he</i> made me feel and Damon¡¯s ego couldn¡¯t take it?


    I swallowed hard, forcing myself to calm down enough to breathe.


    Luca stepped back again, lowering his eyes. "I¡¯m cancelling our session tomorrow. I¡¯m sorry, Luna."


    That title again. Like it was a curse word now.


    "Luca, none of this is your fault," I said quickly. "I¡¯m sorry he did that to you. You didn¡¯t deserve it."


    He nodded, but didn¡¯t say anything else ¡ª just turned and walked away, slower this time. Limping, even.


    I didn¡¯t move for a few seconds.


    I couldn¡¯t.


    Because the anger was molten inside me, ready to explode. Damon had crossed a line ¡ª not with me, no ¡ª with <i>him</i>. With someone who didn¡¯t deserve to be dragged into our mess.


    And that?


    That I <i>wouldn¡¯t</i> let slide.


    I turned on my heel, eyes locked in the direction of the Pack House.


    If Damon thought walking away from me this morning was a power move, he was about to find out what real power looked like.


    Because I wasn¡¯t just angry.


    I was <i>done</i> being patient.


    And the Luna?


    She was <iing for her Alpha</i>.

 Chapter 222: Angry Luna {ii}

    <h4>Chapter 222: Angry Luna {ii}</h4>


    <strong>Elena ¨C POV</strong>


    I found him exactly where I knew he¡¯d be ¡ª in the Pack House¡¯s war room, hunched over a map, nked by two lieutenants who stiffened the second they saw me barge in like a goddamn storm.


    He didn¡¯t look up.


    Just stood there, arms crossed, jaw clenched like he could sense me, smell me, feel the firestorming.


    "Out," I said, voice sharper than a de.


    The two lieutenants exchanged nervous nces.


    "I said <i>out</i>."


    They didn¡¯t wait for him to nod. Just scrambled out of the room like their asses were on fire and I was the match.


    When the heavy oak door mmed shut behind them, Damon finally turned ¡ª slow, calcted, like he was gearing up for a fight and enjoying every second of it.


    His gaze locked on mine.


    Dark. Intense. Unapologetic.


    "You punched him," I said, voice deadly calm.


    He didn¡¯t blink. "I did."


    I took a step forward. "You threatened him."


    "Mm."


    "And humiliated him in front of his entire training unit."


    "I wouldn¡¯t say <i>humiliated</i>," he drawled, cocking his head. "But I made myself clear."


    I was <i>shaking</i>. Not from fear ¡ª from the pure, unfiltered need to <i>tear into him</i>.


    "You don¡¯t get to do that," I hissed. "You don¡¯t get to assault someone because they were nice to me."


    "I didn¡¯t hit him because he was nice to you."


    "Oh, really?" I snapped, fists clenched. "Because from where I¡¯m standing, it sure as hell looks like you broke his fucking face because I smiled."


    "Because you touched him," he corrected, stepping forward now, voice dropping low. "Because he touched <i>you</i>. And because he dared to train with what belongs to <i>me</i>."


    I <i>snorted</i>, fury bubbling up like magma. "I don¡¯t belong to anyone."


    Damon¡¯s eyes darkened, glowing just for a second ¡ª enough to send a chill down my spine and heat to every ce I didn¡¯t want it to go.


    "That¡¯s not what your scent said this morning when you came in my arms and moaned my name like a prayer."


    I flinched.


    Not because of what he said ¡ª but because it was <i>true</i>.


    Goddamn him.


    I took another step forward, until we were nearly chest to chest. "You left me hanging. Threw me into a storm and walked away like it didn¡¯t matter. And now you think you get to <i>punish</i> someone else for something <i>you</i> caused?"


    His jaw clenched.


    Good. I wanted him angry. I wanted him <i>as furious</i> as I was.


    I jabbed a finger into his chest. "You don¡¯t get to touch me like that. <i>Fuck</i> with my head. And then decide you own me like I¡¯m one of your soldiers."


    "You¡¯re not one of my soldiers," he growled. "You¡¯re my <i>mate</i>."


    "Oh, so now it matters? Now that you¡¯ve left me high and dry and emotionally raw¡ª<i>now</i> you want to im me?"


    He didn¡¯t answer. Just stared down at me, something violent and possessive sparking behind those eyes. Like a dam ready to break.


    I hated him for it.


    And I wanted him anyway.


    "You don¡¯t get to stake a im if you¡¯re not willing to <i>stand in it</i>," I whispered, voice trembling with the effort it took to hold the line.


    "You think I don¡¯t want you?" he asked lowly, stepping even closer. "You think walking away this morning was easy for me?"


    I swallowed hard, but held my ground. "Then why did you?"


    "Because if I had stayed," he whispered, "I would¡¯ve <i>taken</i> you."


    Silence.


    Thick, heavy, crackling between us like lightning.


    "You think I don¡¯t want you?" he asked lowly, stepping in like a goddamn storm in human skin. "If that¡¯s why you¡¯re all worked up¡ªbecause I left you aching and wet this morning¡ªthen say the word, Elena."


    His eyes dropped to my mouth.


    "I¡¯ll fuck you right here. Right now. Against that wall, on that map table¡ªdoesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯ll bury myself so deep inside you, you won¡¯t remember how to breathe without me."


    Then he surged forward, grabbing my face like he was going in for a kiss. Like he thought that was all it would take to silence me.


    I pped him.


    Hard.


    The sound cracked through the war room like a whip.


    His head jerked to the side, cheek blooming red where my palmnded. He froze¡ªshoulders rigid, lips parted in shock, but I didn¡¯t let him recover.


    "That," I hissed, voice low and venomous, "will be thest time you ever touch me like that."


    He stared at me, breathing hard.


    "You¡¯ve lost that privilege," I went on, chest heaving. "And while we¡¯re at it? You don¡¯t get to tell me who I talk to or train with. You haven¡¯t <i>earned</i> that right, Damon. You want to mark me? im me? Then fucking act like I¡¯m more than some piece of property you get to piss on and patrol."


    I turned, fury in every step, my heart a hammer in my chest.


    He didn¡¯t follow.


    Didn¡¯t say a word.


    But I felt the weight of his gaze burning into me the whole way out.


    And for the first time since I met him, I <i>hoped</i> it hurt.


    <strong>Damon¡¯s POV</strong>


    The sting on my cheek didn¡¯tpare to the one cracking straight through my goddamn chest.


    She pped me.


    Elena fucking pped me.


    And worse?


    She meant every damn word.


    "That will be thest time you ever touch me like that."


    You¡¯ve <i>lost</i> that privilege.


    I stood there, unmoving. A statue made of fury and disbelief as she stormed out, her scent trailing behind her like a taunt. She didn¡¯t look back.


    She didn¡¯t have to.


    The p was still echoing in my skull, but it was her words thatnded the real hit. You haven¡¯t earned that right.


    Like hell I hadn¡¯t.


    She was <i>mine</i>. Not in some caveman, bark-and-bite, throw-over-the-shoulder way. No. It was something carved into my bones. A truth older than bloodlines and prophecies.


    She didn¡¯t get to question that.


    And she sure as fuck didn¡¯t get to defend <i>him</i>.


    Luca. That soft-eyed little pup who dared to flirt with what belonged to me. I should¡¯ve broken more than his damn face. Should¡¯ve made him a lesson.


    And instead of thanking me?


    She <i>apologized</i> to him.


    Like I was the problem. Like I was some viin for doing what any Alpha would¡¯ve done to protect his Luna.


    No. No, fuck that.


    The rage crawled up my spine slow and steady, like magma bubbling under skin. I turned toward the far wall, barely stopping myself from putting a fist straight through the wood.


    She¡¯d rather stand up for a nobody than stand <i>with</i> me?


    She said I hadn¡¯t earned it?


    Fine.


    If she wanted proof¡ªif she wanted to see what kind of right I had¡ªI¡¯d show her. I¡¯d burn this entire fucking world to the ground and build her a throne of ashes if that¡¯s what it took. But I would not let her forget that she was mine.


    Even if I had to carve my name into the universe itself to remind her.


    And that boy?


    That <i>Luca</i>?


    If he so much as breathed her direction again¡ª


    I wouldn¡¯t stop at breaking his face.


    I¡¯d bury him.

 Chapter 223: Stubborn Mate

    <h4>Chapter 223: Stubborn Mate</h4>


    <strong>Damon¡¯s POV ¨C </strong>


    My vengeful little Luna managed to avoid me the entire fucking day.


    It was impressive, really. Annoying as hell, but impressive.


    Every time I turned a corner¡ª<i>she</i> turned the opposite one. I¡¯d be in the war room, barking orders about council redistribution, and she¡¯d show up for five seconds, take one look at me, and vanish like smoke. Once, I caught her eyes locking on mine across the training grounds. Her jaw clenched. Then she spun on her heel and stormed off like <i>I</i> was the gue.


    I¡¯d nned an empire today.


    Redesigned the whole framework for supernatural governance. Built a fucking hierarchy from ash and blood andmand.


    And yet?


    She was the only part of my world I couldn¡¯t seem to conquer.


    I finally returned to our shared bedroom. Exhausted. Drained. Frustrated.


    And she wasn¡¯t there.


    Not even a faint trace of her scent lingering in the air. The sheets were smooth. No ruffled clothes. No signs she¡¯d even bothered toe in since morning. Which meant I wasn¡¯t just being ignored¡ªI was being <i>banished</i>.


    Perfect.


    I sat down on the edge of the bed and dragged a hand through my hair, jaw tight enough to crack bone. I should¡¯ve fucked her. Should¡¯ve thrown her down, taken her, marked her, <i>unlocked whatever god was buried inside me</i> and dealt with the rebellionter.


    Instead?


    I yed the fucking gentleman.


    And now I was paying for it like a fool. Denied. pped. Rejected.


    And haunted by her scent every damn second.


    She didn¡¯t understand the stakes. The vampires were beginning to stir¡ªrestless and unruly in their cold marble tombs.


    I needed <i>everything</i> at my disposal.


    Full power.


    Full control.


    No weak links.


    The witches were already breathing down my neck, pressing me to awaken the full force of Hades inside me. Promising loyalty, blood oaths, divine right¡ªas long as I unlocked the monster within.


    I could feel him.


    Pacing.


    Laughing.


    Scratching at my ribs with ws of fire.


    But I couldn¡¯t unleash him until the seal broke.


    And what stood between me and full awakening?


    Elena.


    <i>My mate.</i>


    The one woman fate had tied to my ascension. The key to everything. The trigger to divine wrath and eternal dominance.


    I needed to find her.


    im her.


    Break through that thick, infuriating wall of hers and remind her exactly who the fuck she belonged to.


    Kill three birds with one stone:


    Fuck my mate.


    Awaken the god buried inside me.


    Cement absolute loyalty from the witches.


    And then?


    Bring the vampire kingdom to its knees.


    I stood, rolled my shoulders, and let the darkness hum beneath my skin. Sparks of power, ancient and furious, rippled just beneath the surface. My control was wearing thin, my temper frayed at the edges.


    And yet, a sick thrill coiled in my gut.


    Time to find my stubborn little queen.


    Because she could run, she could pout, she could rage all she wanted...


    But she was mine.


    And tonight, she¡¯d remember exactly what that meant.


    <strong>*******</strong>


    The soft thudding of fists on leather echoed down the hall before I even reached the training room. The scent told me she was here¡ªsweaty, focused, angry.


    <i>My vengeful mate,</i> still too furious toe home, and apparently taking it out on a punching bag like it had personally wronged her.


    I stepped into the doorway and leaned my shoulder against the frame.


    There she was.


    Elena.


    Wrapped in a tight sports bra and second-skin tights,bat boots nted firm on the mat as she delivered a roundhouse kick that made the chain holding the bag rattle. Her hair was pulled back, but a few loose strands clung to her neck, damp with sweat. Her movements were raw, angry¡ªlike she was using each punch to chase away my memory.


    Too bad I was already lodged in every inch of her being.


    "Nice form," I drawledzily. "A little reckless though. Want a partner?"


    She froze, mid-punch, and turned toward me with a re hot enough to melt iron.


    "I don¡¯t train with tyrants," she bit out and turned back to the bag.


    "Fair," I said, stepping further in. "Then how about a deal? Yound a hit on me, just one, and I¡¯ll let you keep sparring with Luca."


    Her head snapped back to me so fast I almost grinned.


    And gods help me, I <i>noticed</i> the way her eyes lit up. Like I¡¯d handed her a key to freedom.


    And I hated it.


    <i>Did she like him that much?</i>


    What did he have that I didn¡¯t?


    "What, don¡¯t like the terms?" I pushed, my voice smoother now. Low and sharp, like a dagger¡¯s edge.


    She rolled her eyes. "I get to talk to whoever I want, Damon. You don¡¯t get to decide that."


    "I agreed, didn¡¯t I?" I said casually, stepping onto the mat. "This is just training. No strings. Just prove yourself."


    <i>Except I wasn¡¯t about to lose.</i> I could cheat. Hell, I <i>would</i> cheat. Vampiric speed, wolf senses¡ªwhatever it took. She didn¡¯t have to know.


    She squared up, fists raised. Her jaw was clenched tight. There was fire in her eyes, but I¡¯d seen that fire burn <i>for</i> me once. Now? It was aimed squarely <i>at</i> me.


    The first few punches were testing, light. Weak. They barely made me shift my weight. I didn¡¯t even need to ess my vampire side yet.


    But then...


    She came in harder. Faster. She was no amateur. Her movementscked polish, sure, but she was a daughter of an Alpha¡ªmuscle memory kicked in. Her footwork was quick, her stamina impressive. Still, her strikes didn¡¯t carry the weight of proper training. Either she¡¯d cked off, or no one had taught her well enough.


    Either way, she wasn¡¯t a challenge.


    Not yet.


    But she <i>could</i> be.


    And that thought stirred something in me deeper than just lust.


    Because no matter how many guards I put on her, how many threats I neutralized before they reached her door, I wasn¡¯t arrogant enough to think there wouldn¡¯t be attempts. Enemies woulde¡ªrebels, vampires, even witches still loyal to old bloodlines. She had to be ready.


    I wanted her lethal. Unbreakable.


    Not just my queen in title¡ªbut in blood and war, too.


    She attempted a spinning kick. Sloppy. Wild.


    I saw iting three seconds early.


    Her foot missed, her bnce faltered¡ªand she pitched forward with a surprised yelp.


    I didn¡¯t think, just moved.


    Vampiric reflexes took over. I shed to her side, catching her before she hit the mat. My arms wrapped around her waist just in time.


    But she twisted. Still angry. Still stubborn. Determined to fight me even while falling.


    In her scramble to wrench herself free, she knocked us both off-kilter.


    We crashed down onto the mat together.


    Hard.


    She grunted under me, and I cursed, catching my weight with both hands just in time to keep from crushing her beneath me.


    We were a tangle of limbs, breathless and heated, her thighs pinned under mine, my chest pressing against hers, forearms bracketing her head. And then¡ª


    <i>Fuck.</i>


    She felt it.


    The very obvious, very hard part of me pressing against her thigh.


    Don¡¯t judge me. I¡¯d just spent <i>two hours</i> dodging her hits, watching her move like a goddess of vengeance, sweat clinging to every perfect curve, chest heaving with every breath. Her tits bounced in that tight sports bra with each jab, her round ass flexing in those tights every time she twisted.


    Yes, I¡¯d been watching.


    Shamelessly.


    She¡¯s mine.


    And <i>that¡¯s</i> precisely why I didn¡¯t want anyone else near her. Especially <i>Luca.</i>


    Her eyes widened beneath me, but she didn¡¯t look away.


    Didn¡¯t move.


    Didn¡¯t fight.


    I leaned closer, lips brushing the shell of her ear, my voice dropping to a low whisper.


    "You lose, little mate."


    Her breath hitched.


    And I didn¡¯t move.


    Didn¡¯t want to.

 Chapter 224: Pinned Beneath Him

    <h4>Chapter 224: Pinned Beneath Him</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV </strong>


    I couldn¡¯t breathe.


    Well¡ªI could. Technically. My lungs were working, but every inhale scorched. Every exhale trembled.


    Damon was above me.


    And not just <i>above</i> me¡ª<i>on</i> me. His chest was rising and falling like he¡¯d just run a marathon, but there wasn¡¯t a single drop of sweat on him. Not one sign of strain.


    Meanwhile, I was a mess. Panting. Flushed. Pissed.


    Andpletely caged beneath him.


    My arms were pinned by the weight of his body braced around me. My legs tangled with his. The position should¡¯ve been humiliating, but that wasn¡¯t what made heat crawl up my throat. That wasn¡¯t why my core pulsed and my skin prickled.


    No. It was <i>him</i>.


    The scent of him. The feel of his thigh pressed between mine. The unmistakable ridge of his arousal straining right against where I was already too warm, too aware, too damn needy.


    "You lose, little mate," he whispered, and I <i>felt</i> the words slide across my skin like a spark down a fuse.


    Gods, that voice. It should be illegal.


    My re could¡¯ve cut steel. "Get. Off."


    He didn¡¯t budge. Of course he didn¡¯t. This was Damon¡ªthe arrogant, possessive, infuriatingly maic bastard who punched other men for breathing near me and thought brooding in corners passed as forey.


    "Say please," he murmured, and I wanted to punch him in the throat.


    I also wanted to kiss him until we were both drowning.


    Fuck.


    "Damon," I growled, writhing beneath him to try and shimmy out from under¡ªbut that only made things worse. My hip brushed against him and his jaw <i>clenched</i>. A low, dangerous sound vibrated from his throat.


    "You keep doing that," he warned, "and I won¡¯t care how mad you are. I¡¯ll take you right here."


    My entire body flushed.


    But I refused to let it show. I was <i>done</i> letting him steer the ship of my emotions.


    "And what?" I snapped, "You¡¯ll just run off again after? Leave me hanging like you did this morning?"


    That hit something.


    His eyes flicked, pain and frustration shing in the storm. "You think I don¡¯t want you? You think walking away was easy for me?"


    I stiffened.


    And then he said it. Voice raw,ced with something more dangerous than lust.


    "From now on... I¡¯m training you. Every day. Five p.m."


    I blinked. "What?"


    "You heard me," he said, his weight shifting just enough to make my breath catch again. "No more Luca. No more anyone. <i>I</i> train you. Every day. No exceptions."


    I scowled. "And what if I say no?"


    "You won¡¯t."


    "Try me."


    He smirked. "Because I¡¯m the only one who can teach you to beat me."


    I hated how much that thrilled me.


    I hated more how right he was.


    He pushed up slowly, finally giving me space to sit up. I scrambled to my feet, brushing myself off with more fury than necessary. My hair clung to my sweat-damp face. My bra was crooked. My pride? Absolutely wrecked.


    "You¡¯re a possessive control freak," I muttered, grabbing my water bottle.


    He stood, cool as ever, rolling his shoulders like he hadn¡¯t just had a very visible hard-on pressed between my legs.


    "And you like it," he said, cocking a brow.


    I red, cheeks burning. "I haven¡¯t decided yet."


    "Give it time, little Luna," he said with a crooked smirk, turning to leave. "We start tomorrow. Don¡¯t bete."


    He was halfway to the door before I found my voice.


    "You¡¯re not the boss of me."


    He looked over his shoulder.


    "No," he said with a glint in his eye. "I¡¯m worse."


    Then he was gone.


    And gods help me¡ªI couldn¡¯t stop smiling.


    <strong>******</strong>


    Just to piss him off, I slept in the guest room.


    Petty? Absolutely.


    Necessary? Also yes.


    Satisfying? Immensely.


    I made sure to lock the door too¡ªnot that it would actually keep Damon out. If he wanted in, he¡¯d be in. Lock or no lock, walls or steel bars, that man had a way of slipping into ces he wasn¡¯t invited like a very hot, very smug home invasion.


    But still. It was the <i>principle</i>.


    I kicked the door shut behind me with more force than necessary, then flopped face-first onto the mattress. My whole body groaned. Muscles I didn¡¯t even know existed were throbbing from that so-called "friendly spar."


    Except there was nothing friendly about it.


    Damon had wiped the floor with me.


    Literally.


    And the <i>worst part</i>? That bastard hadn¡¯t even broken a sweat. Not one. Meanwhile, I was panting like I¡¯d sprinted through ten forest battles and back. I was drenched, aching, and humiliated¡ªwhile he stood there like some unbothered warrior god, probably flexing <i>for fun</i>.


    And to top it all off? I ended up pinned under him, practically melting into a puddle while he whispered <i>you lose, little mate</i> like it was some wicked luby straight from the depths of hell.


    I punched the pillow, gritting my teeth. "Smug, arrogant, gorgeous¡ª"


    I cut myself off. I was not going topliment him mid-rage.


    I wasn¡¯t.


    I rolled over onto my back, staring at the ceiling fan spinningzily above me.


    Why did my body still <i>remember</i> his?


    Why did my skin still tingle where his hands had been?


    He¡¯d said I couldn¡¯t train with Luca anymore. He¡¯d said <i>he¡¯d</i> train me instead. And yeah, I could see the logic¡ªhe was stronger, faster, more experienced¡ªbut gods, the <i>nerve</i> of just deciding that for me like I was some fragile porcin doll that needed his mighty wolf-vamp hybrid to protect me.


    I hated it.


    I hated <i>him</i>.


    I also kind of wanted him to bang the door down and pin me again.


    Ugh.


    I growled and yanked the nket over my face. No more thinking about Damon. No more brooding, no more fantasizing, no more stupid images of his shirt sticking to his chest in the training ring or the way his eyes darkened when I red at him.


    Screw him.


    Tonight, I was sleeping in peace, alone, untouched, unimed.


    Even if part of me secretly wished he¡¯d break that lock just to prove me wrong.


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 Chapter 225: Missing Training

    <h4>Chapter 225: Missing Training</h4>


    <strong>Elena¡¯s POV </strong>


    "Shit!"


    My eyes snapped open to the ring sunlight pouring through the curtains, and I shot up like I¡¯d been electrocuted. The clock on the wall confirmed the hellish truth¡ª7:26 a.m.


    "Fuck, fuck, fuck!"


    I was supposed to be up an hour ago. No, <i>two</i> hours ago. . And now? I¡¯d just handed Damon a golden opportunity on a silver damn tter.


    He was probably already scheming. Plotting. Drawing some smug little tally in his evil sex god ledger under "Ways I¡¯ve Dominated Elena Today."


    Great.


    I kicked the covers off, scrambling out of bed and nearly tripping over my own legs. My body still ached from yesterday¡¯s spar¡ªokay, <i>fine</i>, beatdown¡ªbut that wasn¡¯t the point. The point was: he didn¡¯te in.


    Not once.


    Not even to gloat.


    I¡¯d locked the door on purpose. Made a statement. Drew the line in the sand with a big middle finger and expected at least <i>some</i> retaliation. Some petty dominance move. Some midnight whisper of "you can¡¯t hide from me, little mate" followed by him climbing into the bed like the infuriating wolf-vamp hybrid he is.


    But no.


    Nothing.


    I marched into the bathroom, brushing my teeth like the damn bristles had insulted my ancestors. I red at myself in the mirror.


    Why was I... disappointed?


    Nope. Not going there.


    I spit the toothpaste out like it had betrayed me. "I am not disappointed," I said aloud. "I¡¯m <i>relieved</i>. That¡¯s what this is."


    My reflection looked unconvinced.


    I yanked my hair into a messy ponytail and stormed out of the guest room, half expecting to run into him in the hallway¡ªmaybe smirking, maybe leaning against the wall like he owned the entire universe¡ªbut again...


    Nothing.


    Where the hell was he?


    Plotting global domination? Seducing the witches into a power y? Lifting weights shirtless just to torment me from a distance?


    Probably all of the above.


    I chewed on the inside of my cheek as I stomped toward the main hall. <i>He¡¯s not ignoring me. He¡¯s baiting me.</i> That had to be it. That <i>had</i> to be it. Because if it wasn¡¯t, if he actually <i>respected</i> my spacest night, if he had just left me alone because I¡¯d locked the door and said I didn¡¯t want him around...


    Then maybe I wasn¡¯t the one in control after all.


    And that was the most terrifying thought of all.


    Still, I straightened my spine as I passed through the corridors of his¡ª<i>our</i>¡ªbedroom. If he wanted to y cool and collected, fine. I could do cold too. Ice queen mode: activated. Emotions? Buried. Heart? Reinforced. Libido? Muzzled.


    ...Mostly.


    I hadn¡¯t forgotten how he felt on top of me yesterday. Or how his voice sounded when he whispered, "You lose, little mate." Or how his breath hitched when he realized I could feel how hard he was¡ª


    Nope. Not thinking about that. Not now.


    *****


    0jn oe scent of coffee hit me the moment I entered the dining room¡ªstrong, dark, expensive. The kind that screamed <i>Alpha King</i> and <i>I don¡¯t have time for nonsense.</i> The scent of Damon, basically.


    He was already seated at the long table, dressed in his usual ck button-down shirt that hugged his chest a little too perfectly. His sleeves were rolled halfway up his forearms, veins on full arrogant disy like he knew exactly what those did to me. His hair was wet, still glistening from a recent shower, droplets trailing down his neck like an open invitation.


    Goddamn it.


    He looked up the second I stepped in and locked eyes with me like he¡¯d <i>felt</i> meing. Not even a second of dy.


    "You didn¡¯te for training like we agreed," he said, coolly, but with that edge. The one that sat right between <i>disappointed</i> and <i>pissed as hell but too smug to show it.</i>


    I shrugged and slid into the seat across from him with all the grace of a cat that just knocked over a vase on purpose.


    "I don¡¯t remember agreeing to anything," I said, reaching for a piece of toast like this morning wasn¡¯t an utter disaster on my part.


    His jaw flexed.


    "Five a.m.," he said. "Every day. You didn¡¯t forget."


    "I didn¡¯t," I replied sweetly, thering on butter like I wasn¡¯t lying through my teeth. "I just decided I didn¡¯t feel like it."


    He leaned back in his chair, watching me with that predator stillness I hated¡ªand maybe secretly liked a little too much.


    "Didn¡¯t feel like it?" he repeated, tone deceptively calm.


    I bit into my toast. "Exactly."


    His lips twitched, but it wasn¡¯t a smile. No. That was a war signal. That was a <i>game on, little mate</i> expression if I ever saw one.


    "Let me guess," he drawled. "You realized I was right. That you wouldn¡¯tnd a hit on me, so you bailed before your ego took another bruising."


    I didn¡¯t even pause chewing.


    "I realized I don¡¯t need you to train me," I replied. "There are plenty of warriors here who can help me stay sharp."


    "Like Luca?" he asked, the name cutting through the room like a de dipped in venom.


    I met his eyes. "Maybe."


    His fingers curled around his mug, knuckles going pale. "He canceled your sessions."


    "He only did that because you threatened him," I snapped.


    "I did more than threaten him," he replied, too calm.


    "I <i>know</i>," I hissed, mming my toast down. "I saw his ck eye."


    He smirked like he was proud of that damn bruise. "Good. Now he knows not to get too close to what¡¯s mine."


    I stood abruptly, chair scraping back. "I¡¯m not <i>yours</i>, Damon."


    His eyes narrowed. "You¡¯re my mate."


    I leaned across the table, inches from his face. "Then maybe you should start acting like it. And not like some overbearing caveman who punches people instead of dealing with his own damn insecurities."


    For a second, the air crackled between us¡ªthick with tension, challenge, and something darker I refused to name.


    Then he stood too, slowly, towering over me. His voice dropped low and dangerous. "You want me to act like your mate?"


    "No," I snapped. "I want you to act like someone who respects my choices."


    He tilted his head. "You want choices, little Luna? Fine. You can choose what time we train today. I¡¯ll be waiting. And next time, if you don¡¯t show..."


    "What?" I spat.


    His gaze dipped to my lips, then lower. "Let¡¯s just say, I¡¯lle find you. Personally. And there won¡¯t be any sparring involved."


    With that, he turned on his heel and walked out¡ªwet hair, smug attitude, and all¡ªleaving me standing there with burning cheeks, a pounding heart, and a very unwanted pulse between my thighs.


    Asshole.


    But gods help me...


    I might just show up.


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