LOGINRIANAMy breath pauses as I stare long at him, a pang of guilt and shock immediately striking my chest.He continues.“Morgan mentioned if I dared mark you. As a human, you might not be able to take every rut, and if you fall pregnant… you could die conceiving.”My chest heaves, head spinning at his words.So that was why he’d left. That was why he’d stayed away without calls, messages, or visits for seven months.And here I was thinking he’d left because I’m just a pathetic, lowly human.“Riah.” He rises from the chair, crouches before me, and gently caresses the back of my hand.“I’ll find a way to fix this. Don’t worry, things will return to the way they were for you. Then you can do whatever you want. Hmm?”I nod my head slowly, because that is the only thing I can do as I am lost for words. I had no idea the price to pay was this deep. And for him to ask Morgan about us means he never left on purpose.“But before that…” he whispers, visibly swallowing before meeting my eyes. “Giv
RIANA Standing in front of the mirror, my body shakes uncontrollably at the sight on my neck.A mark.A dark pattern sealed and curled into my skin. Unexpected. Unwanted.My fists curl until I hear them crack under the pressure. Felicia stays quiet behind me, and from my peripheral vision, I can see her through the mirror’s reflection, quietly watching with a worried, unsure expression.How could he?My chest heaves with the question.How could he do this?Then suddenly, I grab a shirt and shorts, put them on, and barge out.“Miss Riana,” Felicia follows, but she doesn’t overtake or try to touch me.I quietly head to his room, anger radiating off me.When his room is empty, I whip toward Felicia.“Where is he?”“Th… the Alpha’s suite, I think,” she stammers.I begin heading there immediately.“I know you are so pissed right now, but you shouldn’t be out of bed. You are still healing.”I had been too upset thinking about the mark. I had completely ignored the heavy aches all over me.
ISOLDE “Will she be alright?” My voice trembles at the edge, my second hand clutching the hem of my dress.“Only if she is truly in heat,” Morgan’s weak voice sounds from the other side.Mother is across from me, gently swaying little Reign in her arms so she will sleep deeper.She gives me an assuring look.“But humans don’t go into heat. And from what she has said about herself, it doesn’t look like she has any lineage of wolves.”Morgan coughs from the other end.“Sorry, Morgan. I should let you rest.”She sniffles. “It’s alright.” A sigh. “I’ll be fine. The herbs are just working slowly.”“Good health, I pray for you.”“Thank you, Luna, my queen.”I smile and then end the call. My mind is still troubled, my heart racing with worry.“Perhaps she is his mate.”I look up at my mother, who smiles back at me.“It is impossible.”“Then how do you explain the connection between them? You heard Felicia. Bran hasn’t touched a female since he left. And Riana… she changed a lot afterward.”
RIANAMy head is spinning with Isolde’s words. The more they repeat, the less they make sense.Never have I ever thought I would be in this state. Trembling, aching for a man’s touch.I am human. Biologically, I was never meant to go into heat.My parents were not werewolves. I knew them too well before they both passed. For as long as I can remember, they showed no supernatural signs.No shifting, no scenting each other, no heat or rut.They married in court like any normal human couple. My brother and I are biologically theirs, so tell me…How is it possible that I’m burning all over, aching everywhere. Especially between my legs where Bran’s tongue is working relentlessly?His large arms are wrapped around each of my thighs, muscles flexing as he devours me. Heavy moans spill from my lips as I shake uncontrollably, fingers digging into the sheets in ecstasy.Each graze of his teeth, each lap of his tongue, each sexy groan that vibrates through my nerves sends another wave of sensat
DROGOIs it crazy to think Bran might murder any female that walks through that door, or am I just exaggerating.I've been in this kind of state before. I know damn well who Bran wants. I just don't know if it's a good idea, because that same female means a great deal to this pack and to my wife.It is still uncertain whether she could withstand a beast in rut.My phone buzzes. Seeing the caller, I look away and pick up immediately."Baby? I need a couple of minutes. I'll be by your side soon."Isolde's voice sounds confused and concerned. "It's Ria. I think something is wrong with her.""What?""I heard from Tristan she wasn't feeling well, so I went to check on her." Isolde sighs. I can hear a soft whimper in the background. "She's acting strange and she smells different.""How does she smell—" I don't finish the sentence.A strong wind brushes past me.I turn and he is gone."Damn it."I shouldn't have taken my eyes off him."Is everything alright?" Isolde asks over the speaker.I
RIANA I yank my hand away the moment the sound leaves me, heart pounding loudly in my ears, my breathing coming in short rasps. What was that? Why did his touch send a jolt through me? I look up and find him staring with the same question written all over his face. "I… I… uhm—" what the hell am I going to say? "I'm having cramps. It hurts really bad." I can't believe these are my first words to him after seven months. After a long stretch of painfully imagining what I would say if I ever saw him again. There was a pang of hurt when I heard he had left, but I refused to acknowledge it. I thought his presence doesn't matter anymore. That the walls I had built would help me forget him completely. But somewhere with in that traitorious heart of mine, wished he didn't leave. And right now, relief he is still here. 'He is probably still here because Felicia hasn't left either,' my mind whispers. Right, how could I forget about his little lover. Felicia is wonderful, beau
His jaw tick at the name. He exhale, as if calming his nerves. “How are you feeling? Do you hurt anywhere?” No. I don't feel hurt. Except somewhere around my chest. The way he react last night replays.“I’m fine.” I take a step away from his space. His brows knot and shoulders tense. “I’m going
ISOLDE With a knot in my stomach, I sit still, letting the makeup artist dress me up. Time had flown, and it'd been three months since we returned to the territory.Drogo didn't let me out much, until today. We are attending a ball at the heart of the city. The thought of going out there makes my
ISOLDEDrogo’s body grows hot, and his scent turns intoxicating, like some addictive drug that messes with my thinking. His mouth, warm and passionate, sucks against my skin, trailing to my jaw and throat.I find myself digging my fingers into his skin, wanting more.I feel hot everywhere, even tho
ISOLDE “You're worthless!”“You deserve to die!”“Look what you've done to your mother. She would have had a great life without you!”“Die, you monster!”I gasp awake from the nightmare of my past. It isn’t new. These memories still haunt me.Memories of when I try to be normal, to blend in with c







