KATHERINE"Kath, Vorath told me that Lavinia is like you, and very powerful. That’s why he dared to feed her," Elliot explained."A powerful witch?" I looked at her, almost in fear. I had hoped she would be “normal.” Now, more than ever, I had to protect her."We have to, baby. You’re not alone anymore, Kath. We have to protect each other," Elliot assured me."I need your help reorganizing all the castle staff. We’re going to do a full cleansing of the duchy. I’ll bring Aldo, Tomás, and their families to stay at the castle."I nodded in agreement. They were good, loyal people.The castle’s grand structure came into view as we entered the gardens, and for the first time, I felt an undeniable sense of belonging.I was no longer the false Duchess. I would take my place legitimately. I wouldn’t allow any more snakes to conspire within my own home.*****NARRATORIn the Duchy of Thesio…Salvatore materialized in a hidden corner of the stables behind the Blue Mountain Tavern.This was where
NARRATORHe pulled out the old registry papers with portraits of the employees.That man, in particular, was the one he was most interested in. The woman had pointed him out as the caretaker of the Duchess’s sister.He discreetly lifted his gaze to confirm. The more he compared, the more alike they seemed.This was a blessing—what incredible luck!However, just as he was about to get up, he noticed the man was no longer alone. Another gentleman had joined him at some point.Frowning, he settled back into his seat, thinking about how to approach him. He needed to catch him alone. This was a delicate matter.He even prepared money to bribe him for information about his former patient. All his efforts were in vain.He watched as both men stood up from the table and swiftly headed outside the tavern.Rosendo quickly stuffed everything back into his bag, tossed some coins on the table, and rushed after them to avoid losing sight.He pushed through the wooden saloon doors, which creaked lou
A FEW DAYS LATER…ELLIOTI sign my name on the line with mixed emotions. In truth, I feel somewhat guilty. I accused and tortured an innocent man—to some extent.But I was the first to make the mistake of trusting him completely.He had started as a butler in my parents’ service, and I had known him for years.However, in the end, all that trust, including his bond with the housekeeper, had led to the vilest betrayal.I take my seal and finally finalize Mr. Wallace’s retirement.He will leave for the countryside to live with his daughter. I granted him a generous pension, partly to ease my conscience.Our farewell was stiff, and I confess it left a bitter taste in my mouth.Knock, knock, knock.The door is suddenly tapped gently."It’s our mate." Vorath immediately perks up, shaking off his earlier boredom and huffing."Come in," I say, pushing the papers aside.The scent of lavender floods the room as soon as she enters, making our mouths water. She carries a tray with a coffee pot,
ELLIOT"I'm leaving! You said you'd never bring up that embarrassing moment again!" She struggled to escape, but I tightened my hold around her, laughing at her flustered state."Don't go, darling. It was just a joke," I teased for once, turning the tables on her.Because of Katherine, I had done so many ridiculous, insane things…"You let it happen too! What poor, helpless man? You’re a lustful Duke!""Of course, I let it happen." I grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her beautiful face closer to mine. We were both breathless from laughter, though she avoided my intense gaze.The blush that spread down her delicate neck made me want to devour her like a ripe apple."And I’m desperate for you to do it again, my little witch. You can’t imagine how much I moaned that night from the pleasure you gave me… mmm…" I heated her mind with vivid memories of that moment."Katherine, you've had me bewitched from the very first time our eyes met," I confessed the undeniable truth.No matter how
ELLIOTI stood up from the chair, my thighs tense, feeling her rushed breaths against my abdomen, her nails digging into my ass, the tightness of her throat vibrating around my cock.I closed my eyes, on the verge of falling apart, about to come, already picturing her swallowing every drop of my release."Grrr, fuck, I can't take it anymore, Kath, my mate…" My wolf howled in pleasure, always pushing me toward my primal form.I saw Katherine slide a hand between her legs, still kneeling, lifting her dress obscenely. I knew she was touching herself while pleasuring me—I could smell it, hear it in my mind.She caressed her pussy, imagining it was my fingers, while her head bobbed up and down on my throbbing length.Her sinful mouth worked me over until I was teetering on the edge."Nmmm… yes, I’m coming, Kath… I’m coming…" I growled through clenched teeth like a beast, thrusting faster, standing in front of her, gripping her hair in my fist.My balls tightened, releasing my seed… so blis
VALERIA"Are... are you sure, Esther?" I ask with a broken voice.My heart races, filled with happiness."Very sure, Luna. You're pregnant.""Why haven't I been able to smell it, or his father?" I ask, worried."It's very recent, perhaps that's why. Give it a few more days and you should be able to sense the pheromones."She replies, and I nod, my eyes blurred with tears.I am the Luna of the "Autumn Forest" pack.Three years ago, I married the man I love madly, despite not being destined mates, my Alpha Dorian.I've given everything to be the perfect Luna, the pillar he can lean on. However, a shadow looms over my marriage—the topic of an heir.I've never been able to get pregnant, and I admit I don't share the bed with Dorian as often. But I know his duties as Alpha keep him extremely busy and stressed."Please, don't tell anyone in the pack. I want to surprise my husband.""Don't worry, Luna, I won't say anything. Congratulations!" She smiles at me, and I return the smile, overflow
VALERIAHe bites my thigh viciously and drags me beneath his body, controlling me mercilessly.I try to resist, to call for help, my hands clutching my stomach, trying to protect my pup, but his claws, like deadly weapons, pierce my skin, tearing apart my small, vulnerable body.I have to raise my arms instinctively when his sharp claws aim for my face, and I scream in agony as a deep wound slices across my cheek from my forehead.Leaving my belly exposed, he struck our child."Nooo, not the pup, please, Dorian, not my son!"Tears poured endlessly from my eyes as I begged him, but his canines tore through my flesh, and his claws dug into the depths of my insides with chilling cruelty, seeking to rip out the life growing inside me.I don’t know how long this agony lasted—I sobbed, pleading as long as I could speak.The pain in my entire body was unbearable, but worse was the pain in my soul, bleeding and shattered.I was discarded on the ground like trash, on the edge of a precipice, m
VALERIAI hear piercing screams, the sound of shattering glass, a savage roar, an Alpha's growls, struggling, and fighting.Something hot splashes against my face and arms.My claws shred, and my canines tear.I can't stop. I can't. Rage consumes me from the inside, demanding release.I don't know what I'm doing. I'm not conscious of myself.All I know is that when I regain control of my body, the first thing I see is my blood-soaked hands.I'm kneeling on the floor, everything around me drenched in red, wreckage, and pieces of what once was a powerful Alpha—Dorian.What have I done? What in the name of the Goddess have I done?!I stare at his severed head, lying just a meter away from me.Those honey-colored eyes still stare back at me in frozen terror, and I feel bile rising in my throat.I vomit to the side, unable to hold it back, disgusted by this scene of death and violence.Did I do all this? There's no one else here.I scan the area, not knowing where Sophia went. The only th