LOGINBELLA He doesn't rush. His thumb circles the sensitive bud slowly, while his other hand teases my nipple, pinching, rolling, and tugging just enough to make my back arch. The dual sensations make my head fall back against his shoulder with a soft moan."Rhain..." I breathe."I've got you," he whispers against my ear. His lips brush the shell of my ear before he takes the lobe between his teeth. "Let me make you feel good."He keeps the pressure on my clit steady, two fingers now rubbing slow, firm circles while his other hand continues to play with my nipple. Every time I twitch or whimper, he presses a little harder, circling a little faster, and pinching just enough to send sparks down my spine.My hips start to move on their own, rolling against his hand. The water sloshes around us, but neither of us cares."That's it," he whispers, kissing down the side of my neck. "Let go for me, Butterfly."The combination of his voice, his hands, and the way I can feel his satisfaction t
BELLA I take a slow bite of the eggs, but my mind is racing too fast to really taste anything. I set my fork down."So... Elder Varyn was really going to sacrifice me?" I ask.Rhain nods slowly. "To a ‘beast’ the pack has been trying to keep sealed for generations. They believed your death would strengthen the seal."My stomach churns.Gael speaks up from the couch, his voice rough. "I found out what they were planning. I tried to stop it... but their shaman knocked me out before I could reach anyone. Aragon found me a while later."Aragon's jaw tightens. "We went looking for both of you after that. We found you and His Majesty unconscious near the cave. You were both in bad shape. The bond was unstable, and the sigil on His Majesty's back was reacting violently."He glances at Rhain before continuing."We combined our energies to keep you both stable long enough to bring you back here. It took everything we had."I look between them, guilt twisting in my chest."And your mothe
VESPERA I stand beneath the old watchtower, the cold wind tugging at my cloak. My heart feels like stone in my chest. The dagger is hidden beneath my coat, its weight heavy against my side. A lock of my hair is already wrapped tightly around the hilt.Rhain appears from the trees, his violet eyes bright even in the darkness. The moment he sees me, his whole face lights up with that rare, unguarded smile he only ever shows me."Vespera," he breathes, walking towards me with quick steps. "You asked to meet so suddenly. What's the occasion?"He looks excited. Hopeful even. Bastard.I force my lips to curve into a smile, even as grief and hatred churn inside me like poison."I've made a decision," I say softly.Rhain tilts his head, waiting.I come closer. "I'm dissolving my engagement with Valtor. I want to marry you instead."For one heartbeat, he simply stares at me. Then pure, unfiltered joy moves across his face.He lets out a disbelieving laugh and closes the distance between
BELLA I shift back slowly. My bones crack and realign as fur recedes into my skin. The moment I'm human again, the cold night air makes me shiver.Rhain stands a few feet away, looking wrecked. His violet eyes are wide with panic and something that looks a lot like relief.He takes one shaky step towards me."Bella—"I don't let him finish. I launch myself at him. My fists slam into his chest. I hit him with everything I have left, tears streaming down my face."You lied to me!" I scream. "You looked me in the eyes and you lied!"He doesn't fight back. He just stands there and takes it, his arms hanging at his sides."I'm sorry," he whispers. His voice cracks. "Bella, I'm so sorry."I hit him again, weaker this time. My strength is gone."You were going to kill me," I choke out. "If I ever loved you... you were going to end it."Rhain's eyes fill with tears. He slowly sinks to his knees in front of me, right there in the dirt."I had a plan," he says, his voice raw. "I swear t
VALTOR The forest falls silent. Even the wind seems to hold its breath. Saint steps out from the trees, Rhain’s broad shoulders rising and falling calmly. His eyes meet mine without a single trace of fear. I nearly scoff. Rhain still hides behind his beast when things get too tough. Coward."I wondered when you would arrive," I say.Saint offers no reply. His gaze slides past me to the white wolf standing several paces away."Skye."Her ears twitch."I've come to take you home."A low growl rumbles from her chest. I can't help but smile.Saint takes one slow step forward. "Valtor, you have said enough.""I haven't even started," I sigh. "You always do this. You arrive too late."Saint ignores me, his voice calm as he speaks to the wolf. "Little wolf... you don't have to understand everything tonight. Just come back with me."Skye doesn't move. I can almost feel Bella trembling inside her.Looks like the seeds I planted are finally yielding."You know..." I drawl, "I've seen th
SAINT The night air is cold against our skin as I run. I keep our body moving fast, our feet pounding against the earth. Rhain's legs are long, but I push them harder than he ever would. The forest blurs past in streaks of dark green and silver moonlight. I follow her scent.She's hurting.I can feel it. Not just the physical pain from the silver that was on her skin, but something deeper.Something that cuts straight through Rhain's soul and bleeds into mine.'She hates us now,' Rhain whispers from somewhere deep inside. His voice is weak. 'She thinks we were going to kill her.'I don't slow down.'I know,' I answer calmly. 'But we weren't. Not like that.'Rhain doesn't respond. He's curled up somewhere in the back of our mind, drowning in agony. The sigil on our back is still burning, though I've pulled most of the pain away from him for now. He's in no state to lead. So I took over.That's what I do.I keep running, following her scent and the pull of the bond. Skye's rage i
BELLA The wedding dress is heavy. Layers of silk and lace cling to my curves like a cage, and every time I move, it whispers against my skin. I'm fully dressed for a funeral I never agreed to.My head spins in the sweetest way.Alcohol was a brilliant idea. After I demanded a knife to "cut
BELLA “If he’s not here for Betsy, who’s he here for then?” Steven demands through gritted teeth. My heart starts pounding so hard, it feels like I’m about to slip into cardiac arrest. “He keeps saying the other one,” the messenger blurts out, and Steven growls in f
BELLA How could he do this to me? The question loops endlessly as I curl into a ball on the cold, damp floor of the cell. They dragged me here without letting me speak a single word. The dagger they found in my hand was all the proof the epsilons needed. It feels like a nightmare I can
BELLA “Maybe the river will finally do us all a favour." Their voices blend together with the roar of water in my ears as they shove my face further into the river. Every inch of my body aches. It has been like this for weeks now. It feels like my bones are slowly being hollowed out from the ins







