Diana "Let's take you home. But first, let's go to the food court. You must be hungry." "No, that's okay. I'll eat something when I go back," I protest weakly, but Alpha Dominicus ignores my words, gently yet firmly guiding me towards the food court. His hand on the small of my back sends soft tingles up my spine, and I find myself unable to resist his silent insistence. Thankfully, the food court isn't crowded, and we make our way to the counter without any fuss. The aromas of various cuisines waft through the air, making my stomach growl despite my earlier protests. "Go ahead and choose something. What are you in the mood for?" Alpha Dominicus says, his tone leaving no room for argument. I hesitate, suddenly realizing I left everything behind when I rushed out of the diner. "I didn't bring my purse," I admit sheepishly. He looks down at me, one eyebrow raised in amusement. "What the hell do I need with your purse?" he asks, a hint of laughter in his voice. "I asked you to choos
Diana Time seems to stand still as I find myself perched on Alpha Dominicus's lap, our faces mere inches apart. His arm around my waist is firm yet gentle, holding me securely against him. I can feel the heat of his body through our clothes, and his scent. My heart pounds so loudly I'm sure he must hear it. I'm frozen, caught between the urge to flee and the desire to stay right where I am. His eyes, those mesmerizing orbs, hold mine captive, and I find myself unable to look away. "Diana," he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that I feel more than hear. I open my mouth to respond, but no words come out. I'm frozen, caught between the urge to flee and the desire to lean in closer. Alpha Dominicus doesn't seem to share my indecision. His hand comes up, cupping the side of my neck. It’s the first time we’re having direct skin to skin contact and tingles erupt at true point. The touch sends shivers down my spine, and I can't help but lean into it slightly. His thumb traces a gentle
DianaThe world around me blurs, reality distorting as memories and present collide in a devastating maelstrom. Alpha Dominicus stands before me, but all I can see is Magnus, his lips curled in that cruel smirk as he tore my world apart."I wanted to know what it felt like to kiss my mate," Magnus' voice echoes in my head, the words as sharp and painful as the day they were uttered. "Unfortunately no, it's not worth forever being mated to a liability."My breath comes in short, painful gasps. The room seems to close in on me, the walls pressing closer, threatening to crush me. I can feel the phantom pain of that first rejection coursing through my veins, burning like acid.But worse than the memory is the fear of what's to come. Because after those cruel words, Magnus had delivered the final blow:"I, Magnus Aldridge, reject you Diana Castellanos as my mate. By my will and my word, I sever the bond and fate that exists between us."The memory of that soul-tearing pain makes me shake m
DianaMy fingers wrap around the cool metal of the cutting comb, the touch of it sending a jolt through my system. Without hesitation, I stumble backwards, putting distance between myself and Alpha Dominicus. My hand trembles as I raise the comb, its pointed tip aimed at my neck. In this moment, I'm acutely aware of how easy it would be for me to die. As a wolfless Were, my life hangs by a thread at the best of times.His eyes widen in horror as he realizes what I'm about to do. But it's too late. Before he can react, I plunge the comb towards my neck, feeling the sharp sting as it pierces my skin. A trickle of warmth runs down my throat - blood."NO!" He roars, his voice filled with panic. He lunges forward, faster than I thought possible, and wrenches the comb from my grasp. He tosses it away, the metal clattering against the far wall.His hands are on me in an instant, tilting my head to examine my neck. His touch is gentle, but I flinch away, scrambling backwards until my back hit
DominicusI pace back and forth outside Diana's window, my eyes constantly darting up to check on her. My wolf is restless, pacing and growling within me, urging me to go to our mate. But I can't. Not now. Not when she's in so much pain and doesn’t want to see me.Someone had hurt her. Hurt her severely. The pieces I've managed to glean from her hysterical outburst paint a grim picture. She had a mate, and he rejected her. The thought makes my blood boil."How?" I mutter to myself, my voice rough with suppressed emotion. "How could anyone reject such a beautiful angel?"My fists clench at my sides, nails digging into my palms. The pain is a welcome distraction from the ache in my chest.How could anyone even entertain the thought of hurting her?But it's not just that. Her words echo in my mind: "We all want her to die." The implications of that simple phrase send a chill down my spine. It's not just her mate who hurt her. There's more to her story than what she's told me before.I re
Diana The world slowly comes into focus as I open my eyes, blinking against the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. For a moment, I feel as though I'm swimming through molasses, my brain foggy and disconnected. The off-white ceiling above me blurs and sharpens in alternating waves as I try to make sense of my surroundings. I shut my eyes tightly, counting to three before opening them again. The room stops spinning, but the heavy weight in my chest remains. As I attempt to sit up, a groan escapes my lips. Every muscle in my body screams in protest, and I realize with a start that I've spent the night on the hard wooden floor. Staggering to my feet, I shuffle towards the bathroom, my movements slow and uncoordinated. The face that greets me in the mirror is almost unrecognizable. Puffy, bloodshot eyes stare back at me, rimmed by dark circles that I thought had disappeared weeks ago. My skin is pale and drawn, making me look more like a ghost than a living person. As I
Diana The full weight of my actions last night crashes down on me. I had completely lost control, screaming accusations at Alpha Dominicus, attempting to harm myself... My cheeks burn with shame as I recall the things I said, the way I acted. And the bond – oh goddess, the mate bond. How could something that’s a blessing for everyone turn out to be a curse to me? Does it come as a bundle with the curse of being wolfless? And it is a curse isn’t it? Of course it is! He is going to reject me too. I’m sure of it… But what if he doesn’t? What if as he tried to say yesterday, he truly does want me as his mate? But with the way I reacted… My mind races, conjuring up worst-case scenarios. What if Alpha Dominicus decides I'm too unstable, too damaged to be his mate? What if he rejects me after all, not because of my lack of a wolf, but because of my emotional outburst? The thought sends a fresh wave of pain through my chest. And what about the pack? If word gets out about what happened, a
DianaAs I reach the bottom of the stairs, I hear movement near the kitchen door. Pierre, the cook, emerges with one foot already out the door, clearly in a rush."Oh Diana! Hey!" he exclaims, his round face lighting up with a smile. "I'm running right now. I noticed that you didn't come down to eat with us so I kept yours in the fridge!" His words tumble out in a rush, his French accent more pronounced in his haste. "Just pop it in the microwave and heat it up! Gotta go!"Before I can even process his words, he's gone, the door swinging shut behind him. A small part of me is relieved that he was too preoccupied to notice my disheveled state. I'm not sure I could have mustered the energy to speak or explain myself.I shuffle to the refrigerator, my movements slow and mechanical. Opening the door, I spot the plastic container Pierre mentioned. I pull it out without bothering to check its contents. Food is food, and I can't bring myself to care about what it might be.The microwave hums
DianaA slow smile spreads across my face. “It seems it’s time for a history lesson,” I say, my voice playful.I bring my gaze back to Fendel who is looking at me in clear desperation, and smirk. But rather than answer, I ask him a question instead.“The first generation of Council Warriors that made up the Council Army… where did they come from?”“What?” he asks in confusion. The Elders look at each other in confusion and trepidation. It’s clear that they don’t know.Only one Elder’s eyes widen in realization. The oldest of the bunch.I point to Elder Thomas who almost crumples to the ground if not for his walking stick supporting him. “I guess being old has its perks”.I then turn to the rest, and continue, my coming out lighthearted. “But for the rest of you and everyone else here, I’ll explain… There are currently nine Elders on the Council. All Alpha wolves, each one from a different pack, who retired as reigning Alphas.”My eyes run over them, “So, if the Council warriors obey
Diana“Brodik,” Dominicus calls the name, his voice calm.Brodik practically shivers before quickly stepping forward. “I’m here,” Brodik replies, the rawness in his voice betraying the calm tone.“Are the rest all there?” he asks.Brodik’s eyes start to brighten. He doesn’t hide his excitement, his voice full of energy as he answers, “They’re mostly here. A few left behind.”Fendel’s eyes grow wide, his shock evident as he screams out, “Brodik? What are you doing?”But still, there’s no answer from the Council Chief Warrior.Dominicus hums on the other end of the line, his tone casual. “No matter, I’ll settle them all later.”Brodik’s eyes are so bright now, they might as well be filled with stars. The excitement and eagerness are impossible to ignore. He answers with a single word, “Yes.”Now they know for sure that something is wrong. The Elders all look at Brodik in horror. They turn to look at the rest of the army just to see that they’re all in relatively the same condition as B
Diana Brodik expressionless, looks down, but doesn’t respond. Fendel doesn’t seem to notice. My gaze sweeps across the sea of Council Warriors. I take a deep breath, steadying myself in the midst of this suffocating tension. I then draw on every ounce of power I have left and let my Alpha voice ripple through the air. “Stay right where you are. Drop your weapons and no one moves”. I issue the command towards Council Warriors. My voice is piercing, strong, and undeniable. I hold my breath, waiting. Silence fills the space for a long moment, thick with anticipation. However, nothing happens. Instead of the usual obedience, the command just seems to wash over them, dissipating into the air. Not one of them even flinches. Suddenly, the Elders burst out into laughter, the sound cruel and mocking. Elder Lyra, unable to hold back her amusement, sneers, “Don’t be daft, girl. Just because you managed to order those Zervos wolves doesn’t mean you can control the Council war
DianaMagnus’s shoulders hunch as the weight of it all hits him. His legs nearly faltering beneath him. I’m guessing he had somehow been consoling himself with the fact that though the Council had changed their minds and decided to kill, they had also sent the Army there to kill Dominicus. And in his mind, all he had to do was save me, and everything would still go as planned. Dominicus would be dead and the bond between us would grow back and reconnect.But now, not only is Dominicus obviously safe and sound back home. But the Army is here instead, meaning he couldn’t save me even if he wanted.He understands now. He’s been thoroughly played.Fendel then address Brodik, however, he makes sure to keep his gaze on me, his eyes never leaving my face, “Where is Dominicus Amadeus now?” he asks, his tone casual.Brodik responds promptly, his voice cool and measured, “The man stationed there reported back that the Alpha hasn’t left his territory.”“So he’s still in there now?” Fendel asks.
Diana The earth rumbles beneath our feet, a low vibration that starts slowly but grows with intensity. Everyone pauses, their eyes darting around in confusion and trepidation. The noise builds, a deep, ominous rumble that seems to come from all directions. It grows louder, the sound of it vibrating through the earth itself. My eyes narrow, my senses sharpening. I can feel the air shift- something is coming. Fendel stands still, looking smug, as if he’s anticipating something. The sound grows louder—footsteps—heavy, deliberate. The sound of hundreds of boots marching in unison. The noise draws closer, and the ground shakes with each passing second. And then—suddenly—they appear. From all around us, figures emerge. They’re clad in black soft armor, sleek and menacing, each one carrying an array of weapons strapped to their bodies. They move with military precision, their movements sharp and fluid. Hundreds of them. Maybe more. They don’t speak. They don’t need to. Their presence
Diana For a moment, the entire place is silent as a graveyard. And then- Elder Lyra, her face drained of color, screams. “Impossible!” She sounds like she’s on the verge of losing control. “No Alpha is able to use the command on a wolf that does not belong to their pack!” I shrug nonchalantly. “Well, Alpha Magnus here was being all dazed and shit, so I had to do it myself.” She screams again, this time in fury, “Stop this rubbish and answer me!” she demands, but I just shrug with a smile. The air is thick with disbelief. The wolves and Elders stare at me, wide-eyed, as though they’ve just seen a monster come to life. “Who the hell are you?” Elder Lyra demands, her voice trembling with disbelief. “What pack did you come from?” All eyes are on me. They all know I was raised in the Zervos pack, but for me to have this kind of power, they all now understand that my bloodline must come from an Alpha of another pack. I shrug, my face casual. “Beats me.” But inside, I’m closely watc
Diana Suddenly, one wolf steps forward from the crowd. I watch closely, my interest piqued. It’s the newly appointed Beta. Oh? I narrow my eyes as I study him more carefully. Werewolf healing really is a beautiful thing. The man had been injured only moments ago, but here he is now, stepping forward with a strong posture, his muscles taut and ready. This is the first time I’m taking a real look at him. He’s tall and lean, with a sharp crew cut and a severe expression that makes him seem even more intimidating. Attractive, if I’m being honest, but then again, most wolves are. Magnus’ eyes widen in shock. “You…” His voice cracks with disbelief. The Beta meets Magnus’ gaze with a calm, almost apologetic expression before he speaks. “I’m sorry, Alpha,” he says, his tone respectful. “But as the Council has said, this woman is mated to the dangerous Feral Alpha who was responsible for my predecessor’s death. It will be for the greater good if she is taken out. Therefore, I volunte
Diana It is at this moment that I gain a true appreciation for the depths of the Council’s cunning. They know exactly how to manipulate the desires of others to get what they want. They’ve played on the greed and lust for power lurking in the hearts of every man, turning them into pawns in their scheme. This makes me once again wonder who the traitor is among them. Because the traitor, I realize, must be the most cunning of them all. Whoever it is has clearly figured out who I am—my connection to the Castellanos pack. They’ve engineered this whole situation to try to force me to shift into my wolf form, to expose myself fully so they can be certain of my true identity. And then to kill me. Their true goal isn’t to take down Dominicus. It never was. Sure, if they’re able do it, then that’s killing two birds with the same stone. But that person’s real aim has always been me. And if that person is truly working with the witches as we suspect, then they must be aware that Dominic
Diana I look away from Magnus and glance at the four Elders still standing before me, their combative stances making it clear they are ready to pounce at any moment. “So,” I say, my voice icy and unwavering, “your plan of ridding the world of evil… you plan to do it yourselves? Okay” “Let’s get it over with”. I crack my knuckles and get back into a fighting position. Elder Fendel’s brow furrows looks to his fellow Elders before saying “No. That won’t do”. The four Elder halt before glancing at him. “There’s no precedent where the Council personally carries out punishments”. “Fendel!” Elder Lyra cries out. “No, Lyra. You’re letting your emotions sway you here”, he says with an admonishing tone, “That’s why there is more than one Elder, to keep each other in check”. Lyra glares at Diana, clearly dissatisfied before looking away. Elder Fendel then says, “Fall back please”, He waves his hand, and the other Elders fall back, stepping out of the way. But not before Elder Rothgar