ã€ŠMated In Chaos: The Broken Mateã€‹


 Chapter 1

    ra

    ¡®I, Alpha Connor Tomson, reject you, ra Silvius, as-¡® he stops, and a wicked smile forms on his full lips, ¡® I won¡¯t reject you. You¡¯ll carry around the bond and get to suffer with it. It is payback for what your mother did to my sister,¡¯ He sneers.

    Am I imagining this? What the fuck is happening right now. I can¡¯t speak. I¡¯m too shocked. The room is spinning, and my heart is pounding against my chest. I finally open my mouth to speak,

    ¡®But why?¡¯ my voice is a whisper.

    ¡®Didn¡¯t you fucking hear me?¡¯ Alpha Connor is annoyed now.

    ¡®I- I did, but why are you rejecting me? We mated,¡¯ I say, looking around his suite. Our clothes ttered on the floor. He took my virginity!

    He walks towards me coldly, his face stoic. I¡¯m going crazy with perplexity.

    Yesterday was the mating ball in the pack, and unmated wolves from different packs came to my pack, the Autumn Moon in hopes of finding a prospective bride or mate. I wasn¡¯t expecting to find mine, but I did. It was Alpha Connor. He was so sweet and caring. He convinced me to leave my pack that moment, and like a fool in love, I did and came to his pack. We mated, and now he¡¯s telling me this?

    He puts his hands in his pockets and sits on the couch, drinking his whiskey.

    ¡®ra Silvius, I¡¯ve always had my eye on you,¡¯ he gulps his liquor. ¡® It was my n all along to kidnap you and torture you. I wanted retribution because your mother killed my beloved sister, and because of that, my mother was stricken with grief and madness,¡¯

    I freeze in ce, staring at him. He continues, ¡® I went to the ball to kidnap you, but it ended up we are mates! The gods are on my side, and little Miss Heads in the cloud was so eager toe with me without knowing who you¡¯re going with!¡¯ heughs like a sick man, and I shudder.

    ¡®I hate you and your family so fucking much, and I¡¯ll use you to take out all my anger on them,¡¯ he snarls. I don¡¯t stare or speak. I am numb, and so are my legs. My mate hates me, the mate I wanted my whole life. The mate I left my pack and family for doesn¡¯t want me.

    ¡®ra, snap out of it, and stop crying!¡¯ My wolf¡¯s voice, Ara, jolts me. She has always been my greatest support system and strength. She is so strong and won¡¯t let a man keep her down, but I need a minute toe to terms with this. Connor gets to his feet again and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. His lips form into a disgusting smirk,This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    ¡®Get ready, Mate, it¡¯s time to meet my pack,¡¯ he walks out to the door but turns when he touches the door knob, ¡® You were not a shabby fuck for a virgin,¡¯ he winks and leaves the room.

    All air leaves my lungs, and I fall to the floor. I don¡¯t know how long I sat there, but it seemed like forever when the door opened, and an older woman walked in.

    ¡®Miss Silvius, wear this. There is a party downstairs,¡¯ she looks at me with disdain. Now, the servants don¡¯t respect me? I inhale and get to my feet, raising my head to her.

    ¡®Where¡¯s Connor?¡¯ I ask her sternly. She nkly stares at me, and I take dangerous steps towards her.

    ¡®Where¡¯s your Alpha?¡¯ Ara growls, making the woman shiver in fear. I was taken aback and couldn¡¯t react when that bastard Connor was here, but I¡¯m over the shock now. It¡¯s time to reject his ass and get the fuck out of this ce.

    ¡®T- The Alpha is weing the guests at the party,¡¯ her voice is shaking. I grab the clothes from her hands and go to the bathroom. I stare in the mirror. My body is bruised after the passions ofst night. Now that I look back at it, the way he treated me while we mated was hostile and brutal, but I took it as him being anxious to meet me, so I went with the flow. I took a shower and came out. I studied the dress given to me. It was hideous withcy long sleeves that were an awful color. I wouldn¡¯t say I like it. I search the drawers and find a pair of scissors. I cut the long sleeves and made it mid-length. I put on the makeup that was on my back and brushed my long, golden hair before wearing the heels. I look into the mirror and smile.

    ¡®Sexy, ra,¡¯ My wolf, Ara, says.

    With one deep breath, I step out of the room and head to the hall. I can see a crowd of people chatting and drinking. I realized I didn¡¯t know anyone there. I sigh and descend the stairs to what looks like a ballroom. I feel many eyes on me, some of disdain, others of admiration. I hold their gaze. A loud growl resonates from the crowd, and I realize it¡¯s Alpha Connor. He looks pissed at me. That is what I wanted.

 Chapter 2

    Connor

    I¡¯ve spent years plotting against the Silvius family for what they did to my sister. Alpha Rhaegar Silvius. The King of the werewolf race promised her marriage, but as soon as he found his mate, he rejected and humiliated her. He threw her in the dungeons, andter, his mate, the Queen, killed my sister. She didn¡¯t deserve what happened to her. Juliana was kind and only ever wanted love from a bastard who didn¡¯t deserve it.

    I was only a child when this happened, but I saw the destruction it caused us. They cut us off financially. We still had money, but barely. My mother was stricken with grief, and it got worse when my grandfather died, and I had to take over. I was pleased that time because, unlike my grandfather who didn¡¯t want retribution, I wanted it. I needed it. I worked hard and did odd jobs, betrayed my kind just for money to keep my pack running. I plotted the death of the Silvius, however, it was hard. They are wealthy and influential. No one would dare go against them. So, I came up with a n to kidnap their beloved daughter and torture her before killing her. They would feel pain like never before.

    ra Silvius is their only female child, the apple of their eyes, and the key to my revenge.

    I managed to enter the pack, but it wasn¡¯t tough because of the mating ball. I kept my eye on her the whole time. I was indeed taken back by her beauty, her pictures did her no justice. She was more beautiful, even more than her mother, the Queen. She was poised and elegant, and her smile was lovely, but I couldn¡¯t be sucked into her looks right now.

    Princess ra was popr yet modest and kind. All the men were ogling her or were intimidated. Others were bold enough to approach her and request a dance, but she politely declined.

    I noticed my wolf, Nor, was silent the entire time we were observing the little princess. I went to her, acting charming, and asked for a dance. Her brother and friends were protective of her, but she insisted on allowing me one dance, and they let her.

    It was during our dance my wolf said the words I didn¡¯t ever want to hear that moment.

    ¡®Mate,¡¯

    It took her a moment to realize, and when she did, a smile grew on her perfect lips,

    ¡®Mate,¡¯ she said quietly. I was dumbfounded, not knowing what to do for a moment, while she looked at me with excitement. I smirked as an idea crossed my mind. I expelled the mate pull.

    ¡®I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re my mate. I¡¯ve waited for you for too long,¡¯ I smiled. She was thrilled like a child on Christmas morning. My heart almost warmed until I remembered how her family destroyed mine. I convinced her toe to my pack, she was unsure, but the mate bond was strong.

    ¡®I need to talk to my parents, brothers, and friends,¡¯ she said.

    ¡®You¡¯ll do that tomorrow, baby. I can¡¯t wait to make you mine. I want you in my pack, my home, and in my bed,¡¯ I kissed her neck sensually. Her breathing was erratic. I had such a huge effect on her, which was good.

    ¡®But where is your home, and what is your name?¡¯ she asked. I ignored her and continued to pleasure her. I wanted to distract her from her questions.

    ¡®You¡¯ll be back soon, for now, leave them a message, and we¡¯ll call them tomorrow,¡¯ I said, giving her a fake pack name. If the king and Queen knew it was our pack, they¡¯d stop her from going.

    She nodded eagerly and left a message for her family, promising she¡¯d be back as soon as she could. I wasn¡¯t going toe back.

    ¡®Oh, the goddess is good,¡¯ I smirked, and she kissed my lips tenderly.

    ¡®Indeed,¡¯

    I hated her when I saw her descend the stairs. What the fuck was she wearing? It was too sexy¡­ and confident.

    She¡¯s not supposed to be confident. I just rejected her without officiating it. She should be crying and miserable! I was growling in anger. Her eyes immediately found mine among the crowd, and the smirk that curled on her lips almost made me retreat. What the actual fuck?

    People in my pack weren¡¯t benevolent towards the little princess. They knew how as the daughter¡¯s killer, yet their disdain didn¡¯t faze her. She has a gentle smile on her face. I see a few manage to approach her, including, Patty, my girlfriend. She hates her because she is my mate.

    ¡®If it isn¡¯t the murderer¡¯s daughter. How dare you evene to this party,¡¯ Patty bellowed. ra raises her eyebrow at her and then looks around her.

    ¡®Are you talking to me?¡¯

    ¡®Yes, bitch, you¡¯re a bitch just like your mother who killed our Alpha¡¯s sister, a bitch!¡¯ she yells. The music stops, and before I can go to her, ra ps Patty in the face, and blood stters from her mouth.

    ¡®Watch your mouth. I won¡¯t tolerate any disrespect from anyone,¡¯ ra has her by her neck, choking her. I can tell she has a strong wolf inside her. Patty is struggling and scratching at her, but the princess makes it look effortless and is not fazed by her struggle.

    I rush to them and grab ra by the arm, yanking her roughly, and she releases Patty.

    ¡®What is your problem? You could have killed her?!¡¯ I shout. She looks unfazed by my words.

    ¡®Look, everyone. She tried to kill me! This Princess is indeed like her mother¡¯s daughter, a murderer!¡¯ Patty shouts, coughing while trying to catch her breath. ra almost lunges at her again, but I hold her back. Tingles shoot through my body at the contact of our skin, but I ignore them.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

    ¡®Mate,¡¯ My wolf, Nor, purrs. He wants her.

    ¡®Enough, I¡¯ll deal with her,¡¯ I grit my teeth. I drag ra away, but she gets out of my grip with a growl.

    ¡®Deal with me?¡¯ sheughs. It¡¯s harmonious and velvety. She inhales and crosses her arms against her chest.

    ¡®No need, I¡¯m here to tell you something. It¡¯s good your pack is here to witness this,¡¯ My breath caught in my throat, and I red at her with so much venom. What is she about to say?

 Chapter 3

    ra

    ¡®Baby! Kill that bitch, she almost killed me!¡¯ the woman who insulted me exims. Babe? They are in a rtionship, and that stings, especially with the way she is holding him. Her arm is around her waist as she cries. Connor notices my eyes on the woman¡¯s arm around him, and he scoffs. A smirk on his lips. He holds her waist.

    ¡®Connor, tell me you will punish this woman!¡¯ she cries, looking up to him for assurance. He kisses her lips and cups her face.

    ¡®Of course,¡¯

    He was fucking doing that TO HURT ME. I hide my feelings of hurt and keep my face neutral.

    ¡®I, ra Silvius, reject you, Alpha Connor as my mate and Alpha,¡¯ I say calmly.

    Collective gasps erupt from the crowd, and they begin to speak amongst themself.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    I watch Connor swallow, and he clutches his jaw in anger. What did he expect? That I will stay after the bullshit he did? He holds his chest in difort, and a moment of silence goes by when he speaks.

    ¡®I reject your rejection. You¡¯re my mate, and you¡¯ll stay here and pay for your family¡¯s sins against mine,¡¯ he says, and I gasp. This man was delusional.

    ¡®You must be delusional, Connor, and what makes you think I¡¯ll stay here?¡¯ I ask and turn to walk towards the door, but four brut men appear in front of me. I turn to face Connor. He snickers and raises an eyebrow challengingly. The hall goes into a frenzy when I shift into my pure white wolf and attack the guards.

    Others shifted in self-defense as Ara attacked them relentlessly. Fur fly in the air, and I howl when sharp fangs bite into my leg. I w at the brown wolf that bites me and throw it against the wall. I face the remaining tworge wolves, but they are not bigger than I am. Despite being female, my wolf was one of the biggest and was the only pure white wolf because I¡¯m the only female in a werewolf royal bloodline, so that made me special. I was rare and chosen by the moon goddess herself.

    I resume fighting the wolves when I suddenly feel weak and my vision blurry. It is a strange feeling, especially since Wolfsbane didn¡¯t affect me like any other wolf.

    Darkness takes over me as a distinct scent ofvender fills my nostrils.

    ¡®Wow, his venom is powerful indeed. I shall need more,¡¯ I hear Connor¡¯s evilughter.

    I wake up in a cold sweat and a racing heart like I ran a marathon. I still feel weak and nauseous. I sit up and inspect my surroundings. I¡¯m in a different room. It has tiny windows, even though the space is huge with a round bed. I roll out of bed but immediately fall to my knees as my chest burns.

    My phone, I need my phone. My chest is burning, and my abdomen hurts terribly. I feel tears roll down my face as I make my way to Connor¡¯s bedroom. I found it easily as we were on the same floor. I push the door, and what I find doesn¡¯t shock me. Her hands are in his hair, and his on top of her, fucking her. He stops his movement, sensing me. He knows that I¡¯m here, but he resumes, this time fucking her fiercely. She is moaning his name loudly as they move. The burning sensation on my body feels likeva, but I don¡¯t writhe or moan in pain. It was what he wanted, to see me suffer. I push myself into the room, opening every drawer there is, but I don¡¯t find my phone.

    Frustrated from searching, and the pain makes tears roll down my eyes.

    He¡¯s my mate. He¡¯s supposed to love me and protect me. He can only pleasure me, not anyone else. Connor catches my gaze, and my heart drums in my chest. He examines me with his deep beautiful eyes, and he smiles devilishly as he continues to fuck her. I just gave him the satisfaction of seeing me cry, and I loath myself for it.

    I grabbed the closestmp and threw it on them. The woman screeches, and they detach. Connor was in front of me in a sh, his chest heaving, and he pushed me against the wall, gripping my cheeks painfully tight. His dick is poking my abdomen, and I feel it getting harder and harder. I¡¯m disgusted. I spit in his face.

    ¡®What is your fucking problem?¡¯ he sneers in my face. I push him with all the strength I can muster at this moment. It isn¡¯t enough to create distance though.

    ¡®You¡¯re my problem!¡¯ I scream. ¡® I want my phone, I need you to ept my rejection, and I¡¯m leaving this horrid ce,¡¯

    He scoffs as if what I said means nothing to him and looks back at his girlfriend on the bed. She gets up,pletely naked, and wraps her hands around him.

    ¡®Baby, why can¡¯t you just do as she wants and rid yourself of her,¡¯es her bitchy voice. It was small and had high pitches. It angered my wolf and me.

    ¡®I¡¯m not done with her. The Silvius killed my sister. She was innocent, and they drove my mother to insanity. Someone has to pay for it, and she will,¡¯ He res at me coldly. I shake my head at his usation. My family isn¡¯t pure and they have done deeds that I¡¯m not proud of but it wasn¡¯t against the innocent.

    ¡®My family would never hurt an innocent,¡¯ I say.

    ¡®They did, your fucking cunt mother killed my sister!¡¯ he screams in my face, and I see red. I punched him in the face hard, and before he couldprehend what I did, I hit him again and kicked his balls.

    ¡®Never in your pathetic life insult my mother,¡¯ I growl, punching him, but it wasn¡¯t as powerful as I wanted because whatever poison he injected me with hadn¡¯t worn off. His bitch is screaming and trying to push me away, but I elbow her in the face, and her nose makes a cracking sound.

    Connor pushes me off him, and I feel a stinging pain on my cheek. I¡¯m sure his punch will leave a mark on my skin. My body shakes in anger, and I lunge at him again. He is ready as he kicks me to the floor. A wince escapes my lips.

    Connor is angry and growling. I squirm in pain on the floor, but Ara strengthens me. I jump on him and lock my legs around his waist as I kick and punch him in the face and head. He shrugs me off, but my legs were tight around him.

    ¡®You asshole, how. dare. you. treat. me. like. this,¡¯ I pant with each vicious punch, understanding I¡¯m using thest of my strength.

    He manages to push me away like burning charcoal thatnded on his skin, and I fall to the floor, no doubt a few ribs broken by the impact.

    ¡®I have treated you too nicely. Do you think this is a joke? Let me give you a taste of what you¡¯re in for,¡¯ he growls. He drags me by my hair down the hall while I kick and scream for him to let go. The servants move away in fear of the angry Alpha. Once we reach the outside, he pushes me into the pool, and I gasp for air. There is one thing I never learned to do in my life¡­ swim. I had PTSD because I almost drowned as a child.

    I keep going under and up as I try to keep myself afloat to no avail.

    ¡®It would be a glorious death. I¡¯d send your body full of water to your parents, damn the look on their faces would be priceless, but it¡¯s too fast,¡¯ his voice is cold. He suddenly grabs my hair again as I go under and pull me up. I gasp, breathing hard and coughing. My eyes are watery, and I let myself cry.

    ¡®You¡¯re crying. I scared the fuck out of you,¡¯ heughs as I cry harder. Everything but water. My wolf fears for our life too. I gulprge amounts of water. He suddenly pulls me out of the water.

    ¡®I hate you, I hate you so fucking much, and you¡¯ll pay for this,¡¯ I promise.

    Connor kicks me back in the water. He is watching with a smile as I struggle to swim, and I surrender, letting myself go, and close my eyes as they can¡¯t stay open. Just when I thought I¡¯d die. A growl tears through the air, and I feel arms around me as I¡¯m lifted and ced on the ground.

    ¡®I¡¯m going to kill you for this,¡¯ A deep, rich smooth guttural voice speaks. It¡¯s attractive but dangerous.

 Chapter 4

    Zuriel

    ¡®It is your duty to strengthen and protect the dragon empire,¡¯ my father¡¯s voice resounds in my head.

    ¡®Zuriel, you¡¯re my son and the stability of this empire. Your power, this precious gift of yours will win us many victories. We shall upy all the West, and we¡¯ll be the strongest supernatural to exist. You will do it,¡¯

    His voice makes me shudder, and the sinister look in his eyes makes me see how truly mad he is. The mad king, the power-hungry king.

    ¡®I ¨C I don¡¯t want to do it. P- people will die,¡¯ I finally find my voice.

    Six-year-old me could only shift his gaze to the ground when he got up from his throne. He is angry at me for speaking out against his glorious ns for the empire. I should know better. I shouldn¡¯t anger him, or he will hit Mom again. I shouldn¡¯t have spoken.

    SLAP. Mom gasps and rushes to me, but I shake my head and quickly stand up.

    If she helps me up, he¡¯ll hit her too. My mom is worried. Father walks up to her and tucks a strand of her hair behind the ear.

    ¡®You¡¯ve failed me, Halsey, you¡¯ve failed. Your stomach can¡¯t keep a child anymore, and the one you gave me barely speaks, when he does, it¡¯s against me,¡¯

    Mom winces as Dad tightens his grip on her cheeks. I want to help, but I can¡¯t. I¡¯m powerless against the dragon king. I don¡¯t want to feel this way. The dragon inside me is scratching and wling at me. He wants to fly and leave this ce.

    ¡®S- Stop, m- my head hurts,¡¯ I manage to say to him. He stops almost immediately.

    ¡®W- when I¡¯m older and sit on the throne. We¡¯ll take over all the empires in the West,¡¯ I say with difficulty, wanting to appease Father.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    Mom gasps when he releases her, and she stumbles. Dad raises my chin so I¡¯m facing him, and he smiles.

    ¡®That¡¯s my son, a true dragon. My heir. We will vanquish them all before they can think of taking us out first,¡¯

    I startle awake from that dream. It has been twenty-one years, yet that man still haunted my dreams. I try not to remember my time in the empire or read any news about them. I want to forget my life there.

    I stare at the naked woman lying next to me. I get out of bed and pour myself a ss of gin. I stand against the window, thoughts consuming me. I feel arms around me, and I stiffen. I close my eyes. My skin crawls at her touch.

    ¡®Don¡¯t ever do that again,¡¯ I bark. I hate human contact. She backs away, and I hear her groan.

    ¡®It¡¯s been two weeks since we¡¯ve been seeing each other. Haven¡¯t I at least earned the right to hug you?¡¯ she says in a sultry voice. I hear her lips moving, but all I¡¯m trying to do is recall her name, It was right at the tip of my tongue.

    ¡®Vara?¡¯ My wolf, Riel says.

    ¡®Vara,¡¯ I cut her rumbling.

    ¡®It¡¯s Veera,¡¯ she seems annoyed. I gesture for her to sit on the bed, and she does.

    Looking up at me, I go to the safe and get a bunch of money. I give it to her.

    ¡®Leave, and nevere back. Thank you for your service,¡¯ She looks horrified as she jumps from the bed with a screech. Oh gods. Can¡¯t she be quieter?

    ¡®Who do you think I am? A whore!¡¯ she throws the money on the floor.

    ¡®Aren¡¯t you?¡¯

    I tune her out as she starts to shout. It is something I¡¯ve learned to do over the years, tuning out people as they talk. Why couldn¡¯t the world be quieter?

    I hear the door shut, and I spin around.

    The door opens abruptly, and Veera walks back in, still fuming. She bends and picks up the money from the floor. She res at me and leaves the suite.

    I didn¡¯t go to thepany, I went straight home, my mother has been wanting me to visit. We don¡¯t live together. She stays at the estate, while I have a penthouse in the city, near mypany.

    Reaching the mansion, my mother, Halsey Crawford, is anxiously waiting for me, behind her a dozen servants are ready to wee me.

    She can be a little over the top. I get out of the car and approach her, her eyes lit up with happiness.

    ¡®My dear, it¡¯s been too long,¡¯ she hugs me.

    ¡®I was herest week for dinner, mother,¡¯

    She takes a step back, taking me in. ¡®My handsome boy, I always miss you,¡¯

    I sigh and kiss her temple. ¡®I¡¯m hungry,¡¯

    ¡®Brilliant. I¡¯ve cooked all your favorite meals today,¡¯ she is excited.

    She grabs my hand and takes me to the dining room. As we eat Mother brings up the topic of finding a partner, and I groan. She¡¯s been waiting to get married or be in a serious rtionship since I was twenty years old.

    ¡®I haven¡¯t found the right woman,¡¯ I tell her. She scoffs.

    ¡®Right woman? Zuriel, you have women fighting over you. Just pick one and be happy, please,¡¯ she begs. I cover her hand with mine.

    ¡®Okay,¡¯ I say just to end the topic.

    She doesn¡¯t believe me.

    ¡®You¡¯re twenty-eight years old, and -¡®

    ¡®Mother, if you want me toe here again next week, let¡¯s drop this topic,¡¯ I say seriously.

    I don¡¯t want love, and I don¡¯t want to be with anyone. It is pathetic to put all your happiness in one person.

    My mother looks at me with a deep sadness. She knew I didn¡¯t want to marry.

    ¡®The Princess is missing,¡¯ she says suddenly, and I stop eating to look at her. My body is tense.

    ¡®The little werewolf Princess?¡¯

 Chapter 5

    Zuriel

    ¡®The little werewolf Princess?¡¯

    Mother nodded. What do they mean fucking missing? ra, I say her name silently, Princess ra Silvius.

    ¡®Yes, she found her mate and went with him, only leaving her family a message,¡¯ she sighed. Rage. I felt RAGE, and my fist clenched. She found her mate and left just like that? What kind of an idiot is she? She is impulsive and has her head in the clouds.

    ¡®They don¡¯t know which pack she went to. They sent men to find her to no avail,¡¯ Mom continues.

    I feel an anger bubble inside me. That girl has always been so capricious since she was a kid. She thinks life is adventure and rainbows. She¡¯s fucking pathetic. She doesn¡¯t understand she is a pure white wolf, one of a kind, and enemies of the crown are after her.

    There are all sorts of myths surrounding her wolf, others believe if they drink the blood. They shall live forever or will have more power. All nonsense myths, but she was special.

    That is why protection has always been tight around her since she got her wolf at eighteen.

    ¡®I hope they find her. Poor Nalya is losing her mind,¡¯

    Mom was empathetic. I stand up and kiss her cheek.

    ¡®Thank you for breakfast,¡¯

    I leave my motherining. I get in the car and drive to the packhouse.

    I step out of the car, and everyone looks in my direction. No one knows exactly who I am, but they are wary because of my dominating aura. It was dark, reflecting how I felt inside and it scared them.

    I go straight to the Alpha suite and down to his den where I can hear people talking.

    I push the door open, and my eyes fall on Alpha King Rhaegar. He looks tired and worried. Damn, that is why I¡¯m never having kids. They are in peril.

    I nce around the room. The gamma, beta, and some trackers are here too. I only nod to them, and they do the same to me, these are the few people who know my identity.

    The blinking of light against the wall catches my attention. On a projector against the wall is a map of all the packs in the area.

    ¡®I heard what happened. I can help track her down,¡¯ I tell the Alpha.

    ¡®Our men are on it, but thanks young man,¡¯ Teo, the track leader, says.

    It was no secret the man didn¡¯t like me. I think I broke one or two of his daughter¡¯s hearts.

    ¡®They are failing. It has been what ¡­ two days?¡¯ I sneer, and he res at me.

    ¡®You know what he is, his senses are more heightened than us, and his tracking skills are something out of this world. If anyone can find the Princess quickly, it¡¯s him,¡¯ Beta Nathaniel advises.

    I was stronger than all of them because I was a Proteus. A shifter who has two counterparts in them. I was a dragon and wolf. The first one of my kind. I could change in both shapes at will.

    They all stared at the Alpha king, and he nodded.

    ¡®Khai is being to over five packs already. He¡¯ll send you which ones,¡¯ The Alpha king says, and I nod. I had a soft spot for him. He allowed my mother and me sanctuary in the pack when we ran from our father. Not only that, he protected me by keeping my identity a secret and trained me inbat.

    I owed him.

    ¡®Take some men with you,¡¯ Teo says.

    ¡®I work alone,¡¯ I answer and look at the king, ¡®I¡¯ll bring her to you,¡¯

    I go to the princess¡¯ room to get something of hers. I inhale the sandalwood scent mixed with vani, and the raging beasts within calm down.

    ra has that effect on me. She always has.

    I inspect the bedroom. It is still neat, and everything in there is pink and white.

    I grab one of her scarves and tie it around my arm.

    I get back in the car and leave the pack. I¡¯m at the border when I receive a text from Prince Khai. It¡¯s a list of ces he has already been to.

    Memories of little ra Silvius as a seven-year-old sh in my mind.

    I was sitting at ake. I went here to stare at the view, especially when I was ¡­ emotionally unstable which was every day in my case.

    ¡®You¡¯re sad again,¡¯ ra¡¯s small voicees.

    The kid followed me around even though I always ignored her. She always seems to give her guards a slip and wander in ces she shouldn¡¯t, especially the caves around the forest area.

    I ignore her and stare at theke, but the little Princess is like a mosquito, making a nose. She¡¯s the only person whose voice I couldn¡¯t drown out.

    ¡®My Nana always sings me a song when I¡¯m not feeling well or when I¡¯m sad,¡¯

    I stared at her for the first time since she got here, bbergasted.

    She was wearing a pink costume, and a big bow in her golden hair. She smiled at me, she couldn¡¯t read the room at all.

    I almost chuckle but hold myself.

    ¡®Get lost, little princess,¡¯

    ¡®You¡¯re rude to me again,¡¯ She pouted, stomping her feet on the ground. Angry lines formed between her eyebrows, and I must admit she looked cute.

    ¡®Zuriel, I¡¯m just trying to help feel better, but you don¡¯t like me,¡¯ she looked away.

    The little Princess ra was silent, and I heard huffing and puffing as she got up. She stormed away angrily. However, I worried that something bad might happen to her, so I got up and followed her.

    I became frantic when I couldn¡¯t find her. The road back home was straight, so why couldn¡¯t I see her? I spent the next ten minutes searching thekeside and forest for her until I closed my eyes, and opened my ears. I went to a still calm ce, trying to locate her, and her steps where she went to appear. I sighed and followed her.

    She went to one of the caves in the forest.

    ¡®He hates me,¡¯ she was talking to a smander. I shook my head and held her arm. She jumped.

    ¡®Zuriel, you scared me!¡¯ she yelled, clutching her chest with her little hand. My hand reached out to grab her arm and drag her.

    ¡®Let¡¯s go,¡¯

    She turned and waved with her free hand,

    ¡®Thank you, Mr Lizard!¡¯This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    Like thest time I brought her home, everyone was frantic in their search, and the Queen was shouting at all her guards again.

    Her mother noticed us approaching, and she red at her daughter, but I could tell she was relieved to see her.

    ra hid behind my legs, and her tiny arms were wrapped around me.

    ¡®She¡¯s going to scold me, take me with you,¡¯ she cried. Not having time for this, I push her towards her mother and turn back to walk away.

    ¡®Thank you for bringing her back again, Zuriel!¡¯ the Luna Queen hollered.

 Chapter 6

    Zuriel

    I close my eyes and think about ra. Her perfect face ys in my head.

    It¡¯s like seeing a blurry vision, yet certain it¡¯s where she is. I follow the dusty road until we reach the highway and back to a gravel road. Within two hours, I reach the pack where the little princess is.

    Without waiting for security to let me in the pack, I go straight to the Alpha¡¯s mansion.

    They are chasing my car and trying to stop me. When I stopped in front of a mansion, I hit one wolf with my car, he shouldn¡¯t have stood in front of me.

    I get out, growling menacingly at the guard wolves. My aura makes them whimper. Wolves are powerful creatures, but dragons are more powerful and intimidating, even our aura oppresses them.

    I walk inside and down to the backyard, her scent is stronger and more enticing to my wolf. Has she always smelt like this? I wonder. I stop in my tracks when I see a man, an Alpha ring at the pool. He¡¯s too engrossed to notice me. I glimpse what he¡¯s watching, it¡¯s her, the Little Princess. She¡¯s struggling to keep afloat, and he¡¯s enjoying watching her suffer. I feel rage take over me and lung to attack him immediately. He saw me a second toote. I tackled him to the ground and crawled at his face.

    ¡®ra! Save her!¡¯ my wolf shouts. I let go of the fucker, and dive into the pool. I carry the princess out and give her CPS. After chestpressions, she coughs out the water. Her eyes open but soon close again in tiredness.

    I stand up and re at the Alpha covered in blood. I did a number on him. His wolves instantly surround me.

    ¡®Who the fuck are you, and what are you doing in my pack?¡¯ The fucking Alpha asks his hand still on his bleeding eye.

    ¡®I¡¯ll kill you for this,¡¯ I growl. He backs away, and with a wave of his hand, his men jump on me, but I fight them off easily.

    In two minutes, they are lying in the blood with injuries, others dead.

    The Alpha is backing away in fear now, ¡® W- who are you?¡¯ his confidence is gone. I wrap my hand around his neck and carry him from the ground.

    ¡®Do you fucking know who she is?¡¯ I ask in a deadly tone.

    ¡®S- she¡¯s my mate. We had a misunderstanding. She came here and fell in the pool,¡¯ he is struggling to speak because I¡¯m gripping his throat tightly. His eyes are scared. What kind of Alpha is this weak, and what is this fucking pack?

    ¡®You¡¯re lying,¡¯ I grit.

    I can tell he is by the slight tremble in his tone, and I saw how he watched her with gratification as she suffered. The little Princess coughed, and I threw the puny Alpha against the tree. He bolts into the forest, fucking dickhead. I¡¯ll find him.

    I go back to the Princess, and I notice she¡¯s slowly regaining her strength, when her eyes fully open to look at me, she gasps.

    ¡®You?¡¯

    ra

    ¡®Me,¡¯ he said in a deep sultry voice. I stared in the eyes of the most beautiful man I¡¯ve ever seen. Zuriel Crawford.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    What is he doing here? I want to ask but no words escape my lips.

    Zuriel Crawford is a powerful and intimidating guy. He is cold and dangerous, but every time I see him, my heart beats faster, and my wolf, Ara, purrs.

    His bewitching sad emerald eyes are staring deep into mine.

    ¡®His eyes are always sad,¡¯ Ara whimpers. For as long as I¡¯ve known him, which is my entire life, his eyes were always sad, and he never smiled. There was a sense of doom that shrouded him, it made me wretched for him.

    After a moment, Zuriel holds his hand towards me. I take it but he soon lets it go as though I burnt him, making me fall back to the floor.

    I lie on the floor, feeling defeated. I can feel his burning stare, but I refuse to look at him.

    I had a crush on Zuriel since I was a young girl, but to him, I was only a tick, the kind who wouldn¡¯t leave him alone even though he ignored me. I followed him around like a desperate fan, and the few times he spoke to me, he was rude.

    As years went by, I realized that I was in love with him, and when I told him, he was brusque and said, he could never want a silly girl like me. I was hurt so badly and forced myself to stop loving him.

    ¡®Get up. Your parents are worried about you,¡¯ his deep voice is harsh. I frown, thinking of my parents.

    ¡®Did they send you here?¡¯ I ask, but he doesn¡¯t answer. I get up from the ground. My knees are still weak, I stumble, but he catches me before I fall. His eyes look over to the mansion.

    ¡®What happened?¡¯

    I am hesitant to tell him, but I do.

    ¡®The Alpha of the pack is mate,¡¯ I say quietly. His fierce gaze on me makes my skin burn despite the cold I feel. He is waiting for me to continue.

    ¡®He rejected me, not officially because he wants to torture me. ording to him, my family hurt his, it¡¯s vindication,¡¯

    I feel ashamed and can¡¯t hold his gaze anymore. I cast my gaze away, staring at the pool of water. I hear him sigh, and something warm is ced on my shoulder. A towel. I nce at him, my heart erratic and my wolf anxious.

    ¡®Do you want me to kill him?¡¯ he asks.

 Chapter 7

    ra

    I stare at him shocked, I don¡¯t know if he¡¯s joking because he said it without flinching. He is serious about killing Alpha Connor,

    ¡®No, Zuriel, I¡¯ll be fine. But I do want to find him so that he can ept my rejection,¡¯

    ¡®That fucker,¡¯ he murmurs. I was tied to Connor, and I¡¯d feel it when he is fucking other women. That will be his great punishment for me. I hated Connor so much.

    ¡®I¡¯m sure he¡¯s on the run now and won¡¯t being anytime soon,¡¯ I sigh. Zuriel¡¯s phone rings, and he pulls it from his pocket with a frown and shows me the caller ID. It¡¯s my Dad.

    ¡®Don¡¯t tell him about the condition you found me in. It¡¯s embarrassing,¡¯ I say, my cheeks heating up from embarrassment. He looks at me wordless but nods. I don¡¯t want this to get out. It¡¯s a shame in my family¡¯s name. Everything I did was wrong. I wasn¡¯t supposed to go with him without my parent¡¯s blessing, and I especially wasn¡¯t supposed to mate with him without the ceremony. If it gets out, the rumormongers will be vicious. I wouldn¡¯t want that scrutiny on my family. I was the princess, not amoner. They were rules to my mating. I will only tell them I rejected my mate.

    Zuriel finished talking to my Dad and gave me the phone. I contemted answering, and just like I expected, he was fuming. I feel bad I worried them so much, especially my father, I was his little girl, his tiny princess,

    ¡®I¡¯m sorry, Dad,¡¯ I cry.

    ¡®You¡¯re impulsive. That has always been a w of yours,¡¯ he says. He is angry at me, and tears burn my eyes.

    ¡®I want you home now!¡¯ he says and hangs up. I stare at Zuriel, his gaze is somewhere else, in the forest. Is he thinking of chasing after Connor?

    After asking his beta and other men where Connor was, they confirmed he left the pack and didn¡¯t know when he¡¯d be back.

    ¡®Let¡¯s go,¡¯ I say, feeling defeated.

    As we leave the mansion, I catch a glimpse of the bitch, his girlfriend, I don¡¯t waste my time lunging at her and beating her up. She is screaming, but I don¡¯t stop. Even Zuriel does not attempt to stop me, while the people around us are watching in horror.

    ¡®You fucking bitch, tell your boyfriend I¡¯ll find him, and kill him,¡¯ I spite, and get off her after hitting her head against the floor.

    I inhaled and red at everyone watching us before leaving.

    Zuriel drives us back to the pack, and I¡¯m a nervous wreck. The drive wasfortable but neither of us spoke.

    ¡®Mom, did you see her?¡¯ I ask, looking at him.

    ¡®No,¡¯es his short reply.

    My mother must been dying with worry, I¡¯ll receive a scolding from her. My eyes were tired after what I¡¯d been through thest three days. I yawn and close my eyes to sleep for a bit.

    Zuriel

    She must be tired. She fell asleep forty minutes into the car. My eyes nce at her again. Why is she so naive sometimes? How can one go with a man they know nothing about simply because they are mates? Did they mate? A question that shouldn¡¯t even be ringing in my head does. My wolf wanted to know the answer to that too. Gods, I hope she didn¡¯t mate with that fucker Alpha.

    I reached the pack and took her to my penthouse. I couldn¡¯t take her home in the condition she was. She needed plenty of rest. I carry the little Princess upstairs in my arms. She¡¯s so tiny yet strong. I enjoyed watching her beat the shit out of that woman.

    I stared at her face as we were in an elevator. She¡¯s neen years old now and no longer a child. ra Silvius didn¡¯t have a single w except her obstinacy.

    I try to figure out what the Silvius could have done to the poor excuse of an Alpha. Even if the man suffered at the hands of her parents, it wasn¡¯t her fault. I think back to how she was struggling in that pool. I could feel my dragon and wolf¡¯s anger, making me want to burst out with something. I feel darkness around me, and my body shakes with rage.

    ¡®Zuriel, Zuriel, you¡¯re hurting me,¡¯ her smooth voice jolts me from my thoughts. It was rmed, and I took deep breaths, pushing back the two beasts and locking them away from me. She ces a gentle hand on my chest as she looks up at me in worry. Our gaze was locked, and my eyes fell on her pink plum lips.

    ¡®Put me down, I can stand,¡¯ her voice is low, yet doesn¡¯t remove her gaze from me. Her vibrant green eyes are mesmerizing, the color that suited her.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.

 Chapter 8

    ra

    He ignores my wishes and walks out of the elevator into his penthouse. He puts me down, standing close to me. Zuriel was over 6ft, and warmth radiated from his muscr body.

    I nce around the living room. It isrge, luxurious, and neat too.

    His scent covered the entire apartment, and my wolf was excited after being quiet for too long.

    She is still weak from the drugs they gave me. I will need to find out what it was. I have to visit the hospital when I get home.

    Zuriel moves away from me to answer his phone.

    He looks a little frustrated with the person he is talking to.

    They discuss business with the person over the phone as he leaves the living room.

    Zuriel was apetent businessman, and hispany was known globally.

    Zuriel is back as I inspect the penthouse and points upstairs,

    ¡®You can use the spare room tonight. I¡¯ll bring you a T-shirt to sleep in,¡¯

    I nod and go upstairs to the spare bedroom. I take a long shower in the bathroom. In there, everything that happened hits me like a truck.

    My mate¡¯s betrayal, and his punishments. Tears roll down my cheeks, and I don¡¯t stop the sob that escapes my lips.

    Having cried enough, I step out and wrap a towel around my wet hair and the other around my body. I go to the room, and I¡¯m shocked to find Zuriel there. His eyes keep me still, and my heart pounds in my chest. Did he hear me cry?

    Zuriel¡¯s gaze slowly travels lower, and his gaze lingers on my legs before they go up to my eyes. My heart skips at the raw hunger that clouds his ardent eyes.

    No man has ever looked at me like that¡­ With such vehemence. I bite my lips, waiting for him to react any other way than that. As his gaze persists to scrutinize me, I feel heat on my body, and blood rushes to my cheeks.

    ¡®Wear that,¡¯ he points at the white shirt on the bed.

    There is a pause in the air before he turns and starts to walk away, but I clear my throat slightly, and he stops walking,This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡®I¡¯m hungry,¡¯ I say quietly.

    My stomach has been rumbling, urging me to eat something.

    He nods and leaves the room, shutting the door. I hear the sound of footsteps recede, and I let out a sigh I didn¡¯t know I was holding.

    That was intense, so intense and hot.

    ¡® He has a nice ass,¡¯ Ara purrs. Indeed.

    I grab the shirt he put on the bed and bring it to my nose. It smells heavenly like him. I find myself hugging it before putting it on.

    Twenty minutes pass by, and I hear the door open. I jump off the bed, and I can¡¯t help but stare at him.

    He¡¯s changed into something more casual.

    ¡®Food,¡¯ he says.

    I nod and follow him to the dining room.

    On the round table is a three-course meal. I¡¯m surprised to see it but delighted. I was starving.

    ¡®Who made all this?¡¯ I ask as I sit down in my chair.

    He takes his seat, ignoring my question. I first have appetizers, appreciating how good the fried okra is before eating the main meal. I suddenly feel hot, and my heart is beating wildly in my chest.

    I can feel his eyes on me. I¡¯ve avoided looking at him. I nce at him, and indeed, Zuriel is openly staring at me.

    ¡®What?¡¯

    ¡®Did you fuck?¡¯ he whispers, and my face falls. I swallow thickly, almost choking on my saliva.

    ¡®Excuse me?¡¯

    ¡®I don¡¯t like repeating my words,¡¯ he says solemnly. I feel anger rising in my chest. I narrow my eyes at him, suddenly feeling angry at him for bringing it up.

    ¡®That¡¯s none of your business,¡¯ I spat.

    I wasn¡¯t supposed to mate with Connor, but I was carried away by the bond, now I will be the center of gossip and shame when it is revealed he rejected me after mating. No one can know that. His eyes are on me, and I exhale.

    ¡®I did,¡¯ I look away, shame filling my eyes. Zuriel doesn¡¯t say a word, but the tyrannical ambiance in the room speaks volumes. I nce back at him, and the abhorrence in his gaze terrorizes me. All my appetite to eat has gone now.

    ¡®Why?¡¯ he grits his teeth, ¡®Couldn¡¯t you control your urges?¡¯

    ¡®I- I didn¡¯t know he was a sick bastard. I thought we¡¯d mate, and he¡¯d mark me,¡¯ I tell him.

    Zuriel exhale and gulp his drink. His stare is making me uneasy.

    ¡®You¡¯re one to judge. I hear about everything you do, you know,¡¯ I mumble.

    ¡®Keeping tabs on me?¡¯ he questions, his lips curled into a smirk as he looks into my gaze. That¡¯s the closest I¡¯ve seen him to a smile.

    ¡®Not really, but when one has a different woman every night in bed, people talk, and I have ears. Why is it so bad when a woman does it? Why do we need a certain body count when men don¡¯t?¡¯ I question seriously. He seems intrigued. I hated that the rules for women, especially high born were so different.

    ¡®So, it wasn¡¯t the first time?¡¯ he asks, angercing his words. I decide to tease him a little.

    ¡®It wasn¡¯t. I¡¯ve been with other men,¡¯ I say nonchantly, drinking my wine.

    His face is priceless. ¡®And women,¡¯ I add.

    He growls, getting to his feet, and his vexation takes me back.

    ¡®It¡¯s not funny,¡¯

    ¡®It¡¯s not supposed to. I wasn¡¯t joking,¡¯ my expression is serious. Zuriel¡¯s fists are clenched on his side as he res at me. I maintain myposure and keep my gaze on him.

    ¡®So it¡¯s cool when men fuck around and not women,¡¯ I scoff. He was in front of me in less than a second, my chair is pushed back, and he cages me in it, his face so close to mine. I can feel his hot breath tickling my skin. Our proximity makes me hold my breath.

    ¡®You. Are. Not. Just. Any. Woman,¡¯ he says each word with difficulty. His eyes shed dangerously.

    ¡®Why are you so affected by this?¡¯ I ask him.

 Chapter 9

    Connor

    I was growling. Who the fuck was that man? His aura was like no other. He wasn¡¯t an Alpha, but something greater. The look in his eyes was severe. He wanted me dead. I felt like I was a man marked by death. Death roamed over my life since my encounter with him, and I could feel it. I needed to be careful.

    I hid out in the forest. I was blinded, and my eye was damaged. I needed to go to the hospital, but I couldn¡¯t as I don¡¯t know if that man is still in my pack. I mind link my beta.

    ¡®Beta, that man,¡¯

    ¡®He¡¯s gone, sir,¡¯ he says. I can tell he was distressed and in pain, after all, he was one of the people that the beast almost killed. I think back to my mate and the concern in that stranger¡¯s eyes.

    ¡®And ra?¡¯ I ask. I am feeling apprehensive and nervous. I want to know, but also I¡¯m scared that he has taken her, my mate.

    ¡®She went with him, Alpha,¡¯ he says softly. I feel many emotions swell in me.

    Fear, hurt, anger, and so much more. I¡¯ll never see her again now. ra was mine to like, arouse, punish, and do as I please. I need to get her back, but I know that won¡¯t be easy in her pack. They will protect her at all costs and hunt for me.

    ¡®Alpha Connor, I know that man injured you, and you need to see the doctor. That eye wasn¡¯t looking too good,¡¯ my beta says concerned.

    I¡¯m not too worried about the injuries on my body. I¡¯m worried about ra, the Alpha king, and what he¡¯ll do to me once he finds out about what I did to his precious little daughter.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    Fuck, Fuck! I scream.

    I tried to shift into my wolf, but the pain was unbearable. However, it will elerate my healing when I do.

    I shift into my form and notice my left eye is still not good. I run to the pack doctor

    The doctor looks terrified for a moment before he rushes to me.

    ¡®Alpha!¡¯ He helps me to the small bed, and I lie there. Two more nursese in. They clean my injuries, and as he examines my eye. He frowns.

    ¡®It will be giving you problems this eye, ¡® he murmures.

    ¡®Will it affect the other?¡¯ I growl. He withers, thinking it might, but he¡¯s scared to tell me. I don¡¯t react well to bad news.

    ¡®Tell me, damn it!¡¯ I growl.

    ¡®Y- yes, also, but I¡¯ll prepare a special herb for you. It will stabilize it but the vision won¡¯t be as great as before,¡¯ he says.

    I lie back and close my eyes. That man will pay for this, and ra will pay for this too. She and that man are connected somehow, and he caused this. I hate her more, and she will suffer by my hands.

    I left the hospital two hourster. However, I¡¯m not at peace. I keep thinking the Alpha King¡¯s men will appear. I mind link my warriors to keep a look out at the border while I sit in my office, thinking of ra¡¯s demise. I took her chasteness, rejected her, and now she is unmarked. I will ruin her reputation. It will be all over the news that she is a whore princess who allowed a stranger to fuck her.

    There is no prospective man who will want her. I smirk, thinking about my n. It¡¯s time to use the photos and videos I took of her when we were fucking.

    The door to my office opens, and Patty walks in. She gasps seeing my bruised face, and I raise an eyebrow at her. She looks terrible and has arge gush across her face.

    ¡®Alpha, did that tall man do that to you?¡¯ she asks,ing to my side in a hurry.

    ¡®What do you think?¡¯ I snort. I push her away from my face, and she whimpers.

    ¡®Don¡¯t be mean to me. Look at what that mate of yours did to my million-dor face!¡¯ she exims. I inhale and hide a smile. Of course, she would do that before she leaves. She¡¯s a feisty one.

    ¡®She¡¯ll pay,¡¯ I assure her. Patty hovers over me and kisses my forehead. She gets on her knees and pulls down my pants along with my boxers. She takes my cock in her mouth, and I close my eyes thinking about the woman I loathe, ra. I ce my hand on the back of her head, guiding her as she sucks my dick. Moans of pleasure escape my lips as she gags. I move in her pretty mouth, hitting her throat.

    ¡®Yes, suck my cock,¡¯ I moan. Her moves are faster and erratic. Her wolf is closer, helping her please me.

    ¡®Yes,¡¯ I moan as I feel my orgasm. I shoot my load inside her mouth, and she swallows my seeds. I smile at her as she smiles back. I¡¯m not seeing Patty, but ra. She sits on my desk, and spread her legs widely, exposing her pink pussy to me. She is wet, really wet. I shudder. ra is indeed the most beautiful woman in the world. No one canpare to her delicate, and unique beauty.

    ¡®More, my Alpha?¡¯ she asks, rubbing circles at her clit with her hand.

    ¡®Yes, Princess,¡¯ I pull her over my dick, and she takes it all. I ce my hands over her waist as she ces hers over my shoulder as she starts to ride me like a bitch. That¡¯s how I like to see ra, in this position pleasing me.

    I grip her tiny waist closer as she thrusts vigorously in me.

    ¡®Yes, yes! Oh yes,¡¯ Her moans fill my office.

    ¡®Alpha, Take me!¡¯ she screams. Her thrusts are fric, and so

    ¡®Connor!¡¯

    My pace is rough, and she begs me for more. I grip the back of her head, pulling her closer to me as I fuck her.

    Images of the first night I took her virginity rey in my mind. Her moans were subtle and were music to my ears.

    Her lips were soft like butter, and she smelt likevender. The memories are rushing back to me at an incredible rate, and I pump faster. I jerk, screaming her name as I reach my release.

    ¡®Fuck!¡¯ I growl as the face of Patty appears again. I was losing my mind. What was happening to me? Did I want ra? I did, she is my mate, the one the moon mother gave me, but I can¡¯t be with her because I promised my mother, my dead sister to make her family pay.

    ¡®You thought I was her?¡¯ Patty¡¯s voice jolts me from my thoughts. She is furious at me. I look around the office and grab the whiskey I keep in here. I takerge gulps of it, liking the burning sensation that it leaves.

    ¡®Say fucking something, Connor! Apologise or acknowledge me!¡¯ Patty screams. I can¡¯t bear it anymore so I leave the office.

 Chapter 10

    Zuriel

    I ce her hands over her head. My gaze is on her.

    I lost my mind when she suggested she had been with other men. I am angry at her, and my body is shaking.

    I re at her, and she holds my gaze. This proximity is dangerous. I can¡¯t be this close to her, but I can¡¯t move away either. I feel like a moth drawn to a me. My eyes fall on her soft lips. I hate that men had her, they tasted her!

    ¡®Your eyes¡­ They are beautiful,¡¯ She breathes. I didn¡¯t expect her to say that. She is drawn into my eyes. Her chest rising and falling, I can¡¯t help when my eyes linger¡­ She isn¡¯t t chest anymore. I need control of my emotions, I need to take back charge because if I don¡¯t, I might end up doing something I¡¯d regret. With great difficulty, I pull away from the green-eyed princess.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡®Go to bed?¡¯ I tell her.

    ¡®I like it when we are close,¡¯ Her voice is seductive. Since when is she not coquettish around me? What the fuck is she doing? Does she still like me?

    ra confessed once she loved me, then why was she with others? Did she not mean it? It might have been a child¡¯s crush. She had just turned sixteen then, but now, she is a woman. An attractive young woman, not that she wasn¡¯t attractive before. She was, and that¡¯s why I spent my time avoiding her because I started getting used to her presence. I couldn¡¯t let anyone in.

    After I rejected her advances, she iced me outpletely. It was good she did because I don¡¯t deserve love. I don¡¯t deserve to be loved, no one can love me, I am too broken. She would have left once she found out how dark I am, and how much blood these hands have.

    ¡®You¡¯ve had too much wine,¡¯ I tell her. She is about to respond, but I re at her. She scoffs and moves past me. I watch her as she goes upstairs. I do the same minutester. I m the door shut once I¡¯m in my bedroom. I need to stay away from ra is thest thing I think of as I close my eyes.

    ra

    My wolf is silent, and this is the night I don¡¯t want her to be. I want her to talk to me.

    ¡®Ara, are you alright?¡¯ I asked. She is silent still.

    The room is heavy and lonely, the onlyfort I have is that Zuriel¡¯s scent surrounds me. It is unique.

    I drift off to sleep, but I¡¯m soon awakened by the intense pain in my chest and abdomen. My body is hot too. Tears roll down my eyes as I writhe in pain knowing what that bastard mate of mine is doing. He is fucking his whore to cause me pain.

    ¡®Our mate is fucking another woman,¡¯ Ara wince, she is pissed. I grip the sheets tightly. I bite my lips, stifling a sob.

    ¡®It hurts,¡¯ I grit.

    ¡®I know. ra, focus on something else,¡¯ she tells me.

    ¡®What, Ara,¡¯ I whimper.

    ¡®His scent¡­ Zuriel¡¯s scent, we like it,¡¯ she says quickly. I do as she says and inhale the inside of the shirt I¡¯m wearing. My mind drifts to the intimidating man in the room next to mine. Zuriel, Zuriel. I chant his name on repeat.

    The pain only subsides five minutester, but my body is still hot. With difficulty, I get out of bed and go to the bathroom. A cold shower might help. I was right. It helped.

    I woke the following morning feeling calm. I thought I¡¯d be tired after what happened, but it wasn¡¯t like that. I wore the dress I had on earlier and went downstairs.

    My breath is caught in my throat when I see Zuriel. His silver hair is pulled in a man bun, and his sides are slightly shaved. He is so breathtaking. He is the sexiest man I¡¯ve ever seen. His eyes find mine, and my heart hitches in my chest. His gaze as always are intense on me, and my hands quiver.

    I rememberst night and how close we were.

    ¡®Good morning!¡¯ A female¡¯s chirpy voice jolts me from my staring. I twist my neck and narrow my gaze at the thin, dark-haired woman who walks towards him from the kitchen, almost wearing nothing. The shirt doesn¡¯t even cover the belly button. The female smiles and stands next to him.

    ¡®Hello, Princess,¡¯ She bows her head. They do that as a form of respect because of my rank. I don¡¯t react to her. My re is on that man watching me deeply.

    I exhale and go to Zuriel, standing in front of me, and looking into his emerald gaze,

    ¡®Thank you for what you did. I¡¯ll go home now,¡¯ I say and walk past him.

    I hide the fact that my heart stings seeing that woman.

    ¡®Wait,¡¯ he calls. I swallow and inhale, putting on a stoic expression before looking back.

    ¡®You can¡¯t go like that,¡¯ He says.

    ¡®Watch me,¡¯ I grumble and start to walk again, but his next words shock me.

    ¡®Have you looked in the mirror? You look like a whore,¡¯

 Chapter 11

    ra

    ¡®Have you looked in the mirror? You look like a whore,¡¯ he says, and my eyes widen. Did he just call me a whore. I scoff and fold my arms. Anger bubbling inside me.

    ¡®She looks like a whore, not me,¡¯ I grit my teeth, my eyes snapping to the woman standing in the corner now. Her eyes sh with outrage.

    ¡®I¡¯m not a whore. He¡¯s my boyfriend,¡¯ she spat confidently. One re from me shuts her up. Zuriel gestures for her to leave, and with an annoyed huff, she runs back upstairs¡­

    To his room. I watch after her with disdain, and suddenly my body is hot. It happens when he¡¯s staring at me, my body reacts in such a manner to him.

    ¡®Want to st her with your eyes?¡¯ he teased. Was he being yful right now?

    ¡®I¡¯m leaving, Zuzu,¡¯ I roll my eyes as a smirk forms on my lips. I used to call Zuzu to tease him. His eyes widen in shock at that nickname I used to call him as a kid. He hated it so I used the nickname to get his attention. He¡¯s trying to keep calm, inhaling in and out.

    ¡®Don¡¯t call me that,¡¯ he growls.

    ¡®Don¡¯t tell me what to do?¡¯ I spat.

    ¡®And you can¡¯t leave,¡¯

    ¡®Why?¡¯

    ¡®Your hair is disheveled, your dress barely covers your ass, and your eyes are puffy,¡¯ he points with a scowl. I was so eager to rush outside that I didn¡¯t even look in the mirror. My cheeks burn in embarrassment. I should have fixed myself a little.

    ¡®I¡¯ll take you home, but change first,¡¯ he says. He is right. I couldn¡¯t go looking like I slept in a club.

    I follow him upstairs and stand at his bedroom door. Hees outter with a ck silk dress, and I hand it to me, but I don¡¯t take it.

    ¡®I¡¯m not wearing her clothes,¡¯ I say. I know I sound bitter, but it can¡¯t be helped. Why would he bring her here while I¡¯m sleeping in the room next to him?

    ¡®It¡¯s brand new,¡¯ he informs me. I take it and go to the next room to change.

    I unzip my dress and pull it down as I pick up the new dress. The door opens, and I turn abruptly to look at the intruder. It¡¯s Zuriel.

    His intense eyes wander to my body, and my heart races in my chest. He looks at me with starvation as low growls emit from his chest.

    He doesn¡¯t bother hiding his lust. How shameless! I just realize I¡¯m only in my thong, no bra. I use the new dress to cover my chest, and he snaps out of his daze. I was hiding my body with the dress, even though it was no use as he had already seen me.

    ¡®Why didn¡¯t you knock?!¡¯ I hiss.

    ¡®There is a closet to change into, not the bedroom,¡¯ he finally removes his eyes from me.

    ¡®What do you want?¡¯ I bark.

    ¡®Shoes,¡¯ he holds out a pair of pumps to me, and I take them harshly. His gaze finds me once more, and goosebumps appear on my skin, as a shiver goes down my body.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    Once he leaves the room, I quickly get dressed. My heart still pounding from earlier when he walked in on me naked.

    Zuriel drives me home. The car ride is silent. I¡¯m worried about facing my parents. I will have to tell them what happened between Connor and me.

    They will know I am no longer a virgin. Shame, I was feeling shame before I could even face them.

    ¡®We messed up royally,¡¯ I say to my wolf, Ara.

    ¡®They will understand, ra. They love us,¡¯ she says, and I nod. I close my eyes the whole way there. I can feel Zuriel¡¯s nces, but I don¡¯t open my eyes to look at him.

    We reach the packhouse and stall. I don¡¯t want to face my father.

    I remember the times Zuriel would bring me after running away from home to follow him around. I always looked back at him as I¡¯m doing right now. I longed for him to take me with him but he never did. Zuriel always walked away without looking at me twice.

    ¡®Leave the car. I¡¯mte for a meeting,¡¯ his voice is a monotone. I exhale.

    ¡®Thank you,¡¯ I grab the door, and open it. I look at him one more time before hopping out of the car. I am about to walk away when his voice speaks,

    ¡®Call me¡­ whenever you need me,¡¯ his voice was barely audible but I heard him loud and clearly. I can¡¯t describe how I feel right now. I nod and smile at him. He doesn¡¯t return it though. He never smiles.

    I watch his car drive off and then turn towards the entrance of the massive packhouse.

    The guard on the door opens the door for me and bows. I notice the staresI¡¯m receiving from many, stares of shock, and others whispering openly about me. What is going on? I wonder.

    I decided to go to the queen of pack gossip, the beta¡¯s daughter, and my best friend, Solena. She owns one of the well-known news channels in the pack. I rush to her suite and push the door open, but she is not there.

    I go to my elder brother, Khai¡¯s suite. It is in the west wing, and the most luxurious wing in the packhouse followed by the Beta, and Gamma¡¯s.

    I know Solena will be in Khai¡¯s suite, she spends a lot of time there as she has a crush on him, but Khai doesn¡¯t know. He only thinks of her as a friend. Boys are so clueless sometimes. I push the door open, and I find her there.

    ¡®ra!¡¯

 Chapter 12

    ra

    ¡®ra!¡¯

    Solenaes to hug me, and I hug her back. I smile at my brother, Khai, and hug him. He looks relieved to see me and hugs me tighter.

    ¡®ra, we were worried,¡¯ he says. I inhale his scent, feeling better in his arms. Khai and I are close in age, and we grew up being close despite having different personalities.

    ¡®I¡¯m sorry,¡¯ I say,

    ¡®I was relieved when Zuriel found you,¡¯ he breathed. I look at Solena,

    ¡®They are looking at me strangely. What¡¯s going on?¡¯ I look between them. Khai scowls and Solena smiles tightly. It¡¯s creepy. She only does this when she¡¯s trying to conceal information, which is difficult because she¡¯s terrible at keeping secrets.

    ¡®Sol, you¡¯re doing that thing with your lips and teeth again,¡¯ I point. She stops and pulls a stoic face, but it soon contorts.

    ¡®You¡¯re so annoying. Can¡¯t you be normal for five minutes?¡¯ Khai says, bewildered.

    ¡®I can¡¯t help it. No wonder I was hiding out here,¡¯ Solena cries. They argue back and forth. I roll my eyes at their bickering, tired of it now. I scream at the top of my lungs, and that always gets their attention.

    ¡®What happened?¡¯

    ¡®Mom and Dad want to talk to you first,¡¯ Khai says.

    ¡®Is everything alright?¡¯ I ask, worried.

    ¡®Nothing is alright, ra!¡¯ Khai booms suddenly.

    He is angry at me, his aura radiating off him in waves, and Solena takes a step back. Khai was a strong wolf, one of the best, second to Dad.

    ¡®What happened?¡¯ My voice quivers, and my heart racing. What happened? Did the pack know what happened?

    ¡®Elle, explicit pictures and videos of you are circting the inte, and you are the center of a scandal, not only here but amongst packs away,¡¯ Solena informs me.

    I¡¯m mortified by this information, it had only been hours since I left Connor¡¯s pack. Howe everyone knows what happened already?

    ¡®Your mate recorded a short clip of you having sex. His face wasn¡¯t showing, only yours,¡¯ Her voice shudders as she tells me this.

    I grab her phone from her hands and check the video. Indeed, that was us. It was only thirty seconds long but you can see it¡¯s me.

    There are some pictures of the day I found him. We were making out in a dark corridor. Others I was in bed with him, moaning subtly. My body is shaking, and my wolf is growling and cussing at that bastard. She wants his blood.

    I look under thements.

    Scandalous!

    Whore princess!

    She¡¯s so disgusting. Her family should have taught her better!

    And to think everyone wanted her!

    I knew she wasn¡¯t as innocent as she pretended to be.

    Cunt.

    ¡®Don¡¯t look anymore, Elle,¡¯ my brother says softly, trying to get the phone from my shaking hands, but I move away.

    There is a scandalous article under it. The Alpha king¡¯s daughter, ra, is a loose woman and fucks around with different men. She has no morals and is a disgrace to the pack and her family. No man will want her now. Rumor has it that her mate even rejected her because of how immoral she was.

    Tears streak down my cheeks as I continue to read all the vile things written about me.

    Khai gets the phone from me and pulls me in a tighter hug. I am hyperventting, unable to utter any words. I wasn¡¯t like that.

    I calm down after a few minutes and start to breathe normally.

    ¡®H- how many people saw this?¡¯ I asked, my voice still shaking.

    ¡®Millions,¡¯ Sol answered, her honeb eyes sad.

    ¡®Don¡¯t worry, Mom and Dad will fix this,¡¯ Khai says confidently. I shake my head. How could they even fix this?

    I¡¯m theughing stock, and my character has already been stained. I¡¯ll be the center of media bully everywhere. My parents. My respectable parents, how will they face everyone?

    Nothing is more frowned upon than a woman who fucks around with just any man.

    My brother¡¯s eyes cloud. It means he is mind-linking. He exhales once his eyes clear and looks at me.

    ¡®Dad wants you in his office,¡¯ he tells me. Why didn¡¯t he mind-link me? Does he hate me too?

    Pushing down my hurt. I make my way to his office, my brother wrapping an arm around my shoulder, and I¡¯m thankful for that. I need his strength and support. Solena is walking with us, ring at anyone who looks at me a certain way, but they can¡¯t threaten everyone forever.

    Even the servants on our wing are looking at me strangely. It isn¡¯t the look of adoration I was used to. Khai growls at them, and they tear their gaze away.

    When I reached my father¡¯s home office. I contemte getting in. Maybe I should just run away and be rogue, a wolf without a pack. I won¡¯t have to face my parent¡¯s disappointed looks.

    ¡®Come in, ra,¡¯ I hear Das¡¯s gruff voice says on the other side as I ponder. I still before slowly push the door open and step inside. I feel the power of the Alpha king¡¯s aura fill the room, and I resist the urge to shake. I don¡¯t dare raise my gaze to him. His actions surprise me. He wraps his arms around me and kisses my hair.

    ¡®ra, I was worried about you,¡¯ his voice is gentle. I slowly wrap my arms around his waist, crying as I apologize profusely for embarrassing myself and him.

    ¡®Dad, I¡¯m sorry. I swear he was my mate, and I thought he loved me,¡¯ I sniffed.

    ¡®He made promises to me, and I believed him. I was a fool,¡¯ I bawled in my father¡¯s loving arms.

    He pulls away from me, and his hand cradles my cheek,

    ¡®Oh, sweetheart, I¡¯m d you¡¯re safe,¡¯ he gives me a lopsided smile. My father is truly the best.

    ¡®Where¡¯s Mum?¡¯ I croaked, looking around.

    ¡®She is out with Halsey Crawford, but they will be back,¡¯ he says. He runs his hand through his hair and looks at me again.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    ¡®Dad, what are we going to do about this? We need to fix her reputation,¡¯ Khai said.

    ¡®And kill her mate,¡¯ he growls.

    ¡®Halsey came to us with a solution, and we think it¡¯s for the best,¡¯ Dad said. I raise my eyebrow. Halsey Crawford? She is Zuriel¡¯s mother and a close friend of my parents. She is one of the wealthiest people in the pack.

    ¡®What solution?¡¯ Ara murmur.

 Chapter 13

    ra

    The scandal was the topic everywhere. I talked to my mother and I was d she held nothing against me. She encouraged me to move forward from this. Khai was relentless in pursuing Connor, but the mother fucker vanished from the face of the earth. His beta was the one running his pack. However, I did feel it when he fucked someone. It was unbearable. My family was by my side the whole time.

    I constantly received attacks online from my peers and the people I went to university with. Everyone looked at me with disdain except my closest friends, Solena, and Brandon.

    When I walk in the hallway, they shout vulgar words at me. I badly wanted to punch them and say something, but my tongue-tied each time. Solena and Brandon would be the ones to fight on my behalf.

    ¡®Should we get some milkshakes at Chia¡¯s? I miss my favorite strawberry milkshakes,¡¯ Brendon says as we leave our sociology ss.

    ¡®No,¡¯ Solena is quick to answer. I narrow my gaze at her. She never refuses to go there.

    ¡®Why can¡¯t we go there? I would like a milkshake, actually,¡¯ I say.

    ¡®I¡¯m banned there,¡¯ she shrugs. I grab her shoulders.

    ¡®Why?¡¯

    ¡®I hit that idiot, Parker,¡¯ Parker was the son of the woman who ran the milkshake ce.

    ¡®Solena! Why would you do that?¡¯

    ¡®He deserved to be hit in the face. The idiot talked andmented shit about you,¡¯

    My face falls. It has been happening a lot this week. My friends, and brother hitting people because of me. Because of my mistake.

    ¡®I¡¯m sorry, guys. I know just being my friend puts you in a lot of trouble right now,¡¯ I tell them, sitting in the hallway. I feel all energy has left me. This week has exhausted me physically and emotionally.

    The story and the video clip are going viral even though my father¡¯s team did everything to stop it from circting. However, some people saved it on their phones and reposted it.

    ¡®No, don¡¯t even dare say that. You are our friend, and we will stick up for you, always,¡¯ Brendon says. I give him a faint smile, and his chocte-brown eyes light up. He stretches his hand towards me, and I take it. He pulls me up, but someonees bolting towards me with lightning speed, presses my back against the wall, and cages me in their arms. Parker. He is an absolute asshole. He has a stupid grin on his face.

    ¡®Get the fuck away from me,¡¯ I all but growl. He shes me a smile, and I groan in disgust. His friends surround us instantly.

    ¡®Have you ever heard of the G-Whiz?¡¯ he asks, his face close to me. His four friends burst outughing.

    ¡®It¡¯s a sex position I¡¯ve been dying to do ¡­ But with you. I¡¯d eat your pussy first and- ¡® I raise my hand and p him across the face before he can finish his sentence.

    ¡®Ohh! Hot,¡¯ his friendsugh.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    ¡®The wheelbarrow would be a perfect fit for her so she doesn¡¯t use her hands to p you,¡¯ George mocks, his full teeth on disy inughter.

    Before I can approach him, Solena jumps on him and tackles him to the ground. She sits over him and punches him in the face.

    As one of the friends intervenes, Brendon hits him in the face and the two start to fight near the stairs. I take Parker. Parker was male and a strong wolf, but not as strong as I was.

    The hallway is filled with students cheering. I use all the anger I have on Parker.

    I remove my shoe and forcibly open his mouth. Park thrashes under me, but he doesn¡¯t shrug me off.

    ¡®You want to eat my pussy, here, eat this!¡¯ I scream, putting my shoe in his mouth.

    ¡®Fucking lick it, you bastard,¡¯ I shout as I force my shoe down his throat.

    I grab him by the neck, and my ws extend. One wrong move from Parker, and he¡¯s dead. He knows it. I see terror sh in his gaze.

    ¡®No more bold huh, fucking bastard,¡¯ I taunt, my eyes shing. Ara is on the urging of ripping his throat out.

    Everything suddenly quietened. The students in the hallway scatter as an oppressive aura fills the halls. Their wolves are whimpering and submitting. Is Dad here? Maybe Khai. They could only react like this to them, but I¡¯m wrong, so wrong when I see who stands at the entrance. His hands are in his pockets and looking effortlessly gorgeous.

    Zuriel, Ara purrs. I¡¯m in awe of the man¡¯s power.

    Parker uses my moment of distraction to switch our position and hit my head against the floor. I feel blinding pain course through me, and a sharp wince escapes my lips before he¡¯s yanked off me and thrown against the high ceiling, and hees crashing to the floor with a thud.

    ¡®Oh fuck,¡¯ Ara growls as the pain of betrayal starts. Seriously, that bastard now? I need to leave.

    ¡®Sol,¡¯ I call, my voice weak. She immediately knows I¡¯m in pain and rushes to me, not without kicking George in his skull.

    ¡®Punk-ass bitch!¡¯ she shouts and rushes to my side. My friends help me up, and even though I pretend to be alright, I¡¯m not.

    Zuriel has Parker in a chokehold. Parker is shaking in fear at the intimidating Zuriel. Everyone is silent in shock. They can¡¯t even nce up to look at them.

    ¡®Touch her again, and I will kill you and your lineage,¡¯ Zuriel¡¯s voice is low and deadly, sending cold shivers to everyone. He throws Parker against the wall like he weighs nothing. He stands a moment, ring at Parker who is writhing, and moaning in pain.

    Another sharp jolt of pain makes me whimper. My body is getting hot, and I withdraw from my friends knowing that they feel the hotness. We turn to leave when I feel arms under my legs and I¡¯m lifted from the floor.

    My eyes flutter and my stomach is in knots when I look up to the man who carries me bridal style. Zuriel doesn¡¯t look at me though. He is takingrge but graceful steps out of sight. I squirm as my pain intensifies,

    ¡®Just let me go. I know I¡¯m my body temperature is too hot,¡¯ I whimper, but he doesn¡¯t react. Did he hear me?

    Zuriel puts me in his sedan and gets in the driver¡¯s seat.

    ¡®It hurts,¡¯ I whine. My hands are sping my stomach. It feels like there¡¯s a volcano inside.

    Zuriel doesn¡¯t look at me. By the time we reach the packhouse, the pain is slowly fading, and my breath is back to normal.

    ¡®Thanks,¡¯ I say softly as I open my door to leave. I hop off, but my knees are wobbly. Zurieles to my side and carries me in his arms again. I blush profusely.

    ¡®I can walk, Zuriel,¡¯

    ¡®I have no time to wait for you,¡¯ his voice is emotionless.

    ¡®You don¡¯t have to,¡¯ I murmur. He sighs as though I exhausted him,

    ¡®Why are you causing trouble,¡¯ he asked, looking at me for the first time.

    ¡®He called me a whore,¡¯ I snarl. He seems to be in thought.

    ¡®Aren¡¯t you though?¡¯

 Chapter 14

    ra

    ¡®Aren¡¯t you a whore?¡¯

    I scoff and kick him in the balls hard. He almost doubles over, and I use it to p him.

    ¡®Fuck you,¡¯ I say and turn to walk away from him, but he grabs my waist and spins me to him. With one move, he presses me against his car. His handsome face is close to me. I re at him.

    ¡®You said it yourself that you¡¯ve been with many men and women, so why are you offended,¡¯ he speaks in my ear.

    I hate how a delightful shiver runs down my body.

    ¡®I¡¯m not whore. And I was fucking teasing you, asshat!¡¯ I bark and push him away from me. He doesn¡¯t move. An emotion I¡¯m unfamiliar with crosses his features, but I don¡¯t ponder on it. I duck and go under his arms before making my way to the huge ss doors of the packhouse. I was fuming in anger. How dare he think of me as a whore.

    As soon as I enter the packhouse, my mom¡¯s mind links me to go to the salon. They must have heard what happened at the university.

    However, when I reach the salon, I¡¯m surprised to find my parents, Uncle Roman, and Aunty Kaley.

    Roman is my father¡¯s young brother, and Kaley is my Mom¡¯s half-sister. She is mated to Alpha Layth, one of the prominent Alphas around, and my father¡¯s cousin Nemises. Yep, It¡¯splicated.

    ¡®Family affair? Where¡¯s Khai and Killian?¡¯ I ask, seeing my brothers are missing from the gathering.

    Mom runs to me and gives me a warm hug. She pulls away and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

    ¡®What is going on here?¡¯ I ask, scrutinizing each one of them.

    ¡®We¡¯ve found a solution for what happened to you,¡¯ Mom says. She seems ecstatic.

    ¡®Okay?¡¯ I say, unsure.

    ¡®I know what I¡¯ve been going through is hard, but if we can change the narrative to what we want it to be, the scandal will go away,¡¯ Kaley says gently. Her voice is soft and soothing. She was a psychologist and had a way with people.

    ¡®What narrative is that?¡¯

    I don¡¯t know why I¡¯m being apprehensive. There is a knot in my stomach. Something tells me I don¡¯t like their ¡® narrative,¡¯ is the cause of this.

    ¡®Me too,¡¯ Ara mumbles. But I know what happened hasn¡¯t only been hard on me, but on them too.

    ¡®We can say you were in bed with the man you love. You got carried away, and you two mated. Some stalker recorded you and posted those cruel things to ruin you after you rejected his proposal,¡¯ My mom tells me. I¡¯m unable to say a word for a moment. Even if we were to say that people weren¡¯t fools, they wouldn¡¯t believe that. I¡¯d never been seen intimately with any man!This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡®They will see through your lie, Mom,¡¯

    ¡®They won¡¯t because you have a fiance!¡¯ Dad says with a lopsided smile. I blink a few times, trying toprehend this.

    ¡®Fiance?¡¯ Aes out as a whisper.

    ¡®And you are to marry him within two weeks to show everyone how serious you are with this man,¡¯ Mom was too confident. I shook my head. I¡¯m not marrying anyone!

    I take steps away from my mother and fold my arms against my chest in stubbornness.

    ¡®Mom, what kind of madness is this? I¡¯m only neen!¡¯ I shout, unable to believe what she is saying to me. My eyes travel to my father, but it¡¯s clear he¡¯s on her side.

    ¡®I know, sweetie, but these past few days have been horrible for you, and I just want everything to go back to normal,¡¯ She doesn¡¯t understand me. Nothing will be normal for me again. My mate constantly put me in pain by fucking other women, and I¡¯m reminded of my rejection in the most brutal way. Getting me married won¡¯t solve a thing.

    ¡®I¡¯m not getting married to anyone. Uncle Roma, you couldn¡¯t agree with them,¡¯ I go to my uncle. We had a special rtionship, and I could get anything from him by batting my eyshes.

    He cups my face and kisses my forehead, ¡® We have exhausted every possible way. You¡¯re a royal, and your reputation is too important, sweetie,¡¯

    ¡®I¡¯m not your sweetie if you¡¯re on their side!¡¯ I snap. I¡¯m huffing as I pace the room. Everyone watching me. My family has gone crazy!

    ¡®And who is this man you want me to marry?¡¯ I ask in a mocking tone.

    Air gets caught in my throat as the door opens to reveal¡­ Zuriel. Hell no. My wolf jumps in excitement, wagging her tail.

    ¡®Zuriel Crawford,¡¯ Mom says with a knowing look. She knew I was in love with him, but I¡¯m over him now. I¡¯m not sixteen anymore. Zuriel looks angry as he walks over here. I didn¡¯t notice Halsey walking next to him with a huge smile on her rosy lips. The two looked regal, and elegant as always.

 Chapter 15

    ra

    ¡®You and Zuriel are getting married,¡¯ Halsey says, hugging me. She can¡¯t contain the excitement in her voice. I¡¯m stunned for a moment, and when it registers, my eyes wander to Zuriel. He looks angry, even when his mother stares at him. His eyes are focused on me. Why the hell does he look like he wants to kill me?

    ¡®I¡¯m not marrying him, Mom, Dad,¡¯ I say.

    ¡®But you are it¡¯s been decided. Even Zuriel agreed to it,¡¯ Mom says, ncing at Zuriel with a smile that he doesn¡¯t return.

    ¡®Why did you agree to this?¡¯ I ask Zuriel. He ignores me in front of everyone and gets a ss of whiskey. Well, this won¡¯t be pleasant.

    His mother and my parents are discussing everything. They are so eager, but I keep wondering why he agreed to this absurd wedding. I needed to catch him in private. My eyes go to him again, and I find his severe gaze on me.

    With doubt and a pounding heart. I go to him, but he turns and goes to an adjoining room to answer a phone call. I follow him there. I wait for him to finish speaking on the phone,

    ¡®Why are you following me, ra?¡¯ This is the first time he¡¯s spoken my name in years. My name from his tongue sends a shiver down my spine. I can feel my body begin to heat up again, but I shake my head. He insulted me earlier, and I can¡¯t be like this. I should be angry at him.

    ¡®So, what are we going to do about this?¡¯ I ask. He is silent, watching me, and he makes me ufortable with his intense gaze.

    ¡®Don¡¯t you want to marry me?¡¯ he asks. I purse my lips. Marrying him has been a dream of mine since I was ten years old. However, I am not going to tell him that,

    ¡®I don¡¯t,¡¯ I answer.

    ¡®Good. Don¡¯t expect anything from me because I don¡¯t want to marry you either,¡¯ His voice is rough.

    ¡®Then why did you agree to marry me?¡¯ I ask.

    ¡®Because this will fix your reputation. You need it after what I witnessed at your university earlier,¡¯ he says.

    ¡®You owe me nothing. So, why are you doing this,¡¯ I ask sternly. I¡¯ve been in love with him for so long, but marrying him knowing he¡¯s against it is wrong.

    ¡®I have my reasons for agreeing to this, It¡¯s none of your business,¡¯ he says. I bite my lips, containing my intense emotions. Zuriel is such a jerk!

    The door opens, and Halsey walks in, ¡® What are you doing here? The photographer is here!¡¯

    ¡®Photographer?!¡¯ We both ask.

    ¡®Yes, we are taking pictures to announce your engagement,¡¯ She exins as she leads us out of the room.

    ¡®And along with the statement about the video, and pictures that were released,¡¯ Mother adds.

    ¡®You expect people to believe it was him in that bed with me?¡¯ I sighed.

    Why doesn¡¯t Mom see how wild this is? I messed up, and I should take the heat alone. Why are they involving Zuriel when he clearly is unhappy?

    ¡®But he did say that he had his reasons for agreeing to the wedding,¡¯ Ara says in my head.

    ¡®I don¡¯t know, Ara,¡¯ I sigh.

    Two servants walk into the room, carrying arge box.

    ¡®The dress is here,¡¯ Aunty Kaley beams. This is happening too fast. I look in the corner and I see a group of camera crew setting up, and I¡¯m dragged to another room by Shonda. Shonda was the daughter of our chef. I was raised alongside her, and she was a good friend of mine.

    ¡®This is insane,¡¯ I mumble.

    ¡®Insane? You¡¯re marrying the love of your life!¡¯ She exims, her golden eyes shining with joy. Does that mean the others don¡¯t know what happened?

    ¡®I was worried when those horrid stories about you came up. Now, this will shut everyone up,¡¯ she says, opening therge box quickly to reveal the most beautiful ck dress. It is an off-shoulder dress with a high split. I wore that and twirled. It was gorgeous.

    ¡®You look so stunning,¡¯ Shonda cries. I sit in front of the vanity table as she does my hair into a beautiful updo that exposes my neck. She does my makeup just as I do it, minimalist.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    ¡®Perfect¡­ Just beautiful,¡¯ she praises.

    We go into the room, and everyone is gasping andplimenting how beautiful I look, but I don¡¯t smile.

    ¡®Okay! The couple should stand there,¡¯ The photographer says. He was an excited tall, slim man with messy dark hair.

    I hadn¡¯t dared look at Zuriel since I entered, but I felt his gaze on me.

    ¡®Can you be closer to each other, please?¡¯ The photographer asks, and we take a step closer to each other.

    ¡®You two make a lovely couple!¡¯

    Pictures were taken. However, the photographer whose name I¡¯ve just learned as Sandler wasn¡¯t satisfied with any of them.

    ¡®Can you please look at each other even once,¡¯ I could hear the exhaustion in Sandler¡¯s voice now.

    He is no longer as keen as he was when he got here. I¡¯m the first to turn¡­ Doing it slowly. And he does too. Our eyes lock. His eyes are emotionless and sad. His eyes are always sad though, so I can¡¯t me myself for that. It is clear how miserable he is to be marrying me, but our family doesn¡¯t care, not that they took a long look at us.

    ¡®Yes, nice,¡¯ Sandler cheers.

    ¡®Can you smile, please? And Mr Crawford, ce your hands on her waist,¡¯ he instructs. His hands go around my waist gently as he pulls me closer to his masculine, hot frame. My heart is pounding in my chest at our proximity. Ara is howling in happiness.

    ¡®Smiles,¡¯ Sandler shouts softly, holding his breath.

    My lips break into a faint smile, and I can tell my cheeks are red. Zuriel doesn¡¯t smile at me, but something in his eyes sparkles for the first time.

    ¡®Good job, Princess. Now, if only the groom-to-be would smile -¡®

    ¡®Oh, don¡¯t force it, Sandler. My son never smiles. It might get weird if he did,¡¯ Halsey giggles.

    Zuriel¡¯s face leans closer to mine. We are so close, and I can feel his breath on my face. I smile at that genuinely.

    ¡®Perfect!¡¯

 Chapter 16

    ra

    The pictures came out so perfectly after the fuss they caused. I can¡¯t believe it! We looked to be madly in love. Zuriel has left in a hurry and didn¡¯t say goodbye to me. He only talked to my mother and father.

    The statement about the video and pictures was the first to be released the following morning. It said I was with my fianc¨¦ in those pictures, and some perverted news reporter took and posted the pictures.

    People were doubtful at first, but they managed to convince them. They talked about how disappointed and hurt I was that those pictures came out. They made me a victim. Everyone only ever had encouraging words to give to me under thements. But some were trolling and doubting me. However, there were only a few.

    The engagement pictures were posted as well, and it was all the pack could talk about. Zuriel was praised for his good looks, and people said we made the hottest couple.

    I am sitting in the garden, eating breakfast when I hear a squeal. I turn and notice my best friend, Solena. She pulls out a chair and smiles. She is out of breath and gulps down my juice.

    ¡®I saw the pictures! They are so cute!¡¯ she screams. She¡¯s showing them to me on her phone.

    ¡®I was there,¡¯ I sighed, eating my bagel.

    The air in the garden is fresh and lovely. It makes me calm. Nheless, my mind keeps drifting to Zuriel. Has he seen the pictures? Does he like them, or maybe he¡¯s appalled by them? I close my eyes when memories of hime into my head. We were so close, and his body made sensual images roam my mind.

    Solena is saying something, but I don¡¯t even hear her. My mother joins us in the garden with a smile on her lips. She kisses my temple.

    ¡®Good morning, my Princess,¡¯ she smiled.

    ¡®Morning, Mom,¡¯

    ¡®Morning, Sol,¡¯ Mom greets my best friend who¡¯s busy stuffing pancakes in her mouth most ungracefully.

    ¡®Morning, aunt,¡¯ she answers with a full mouth.

    ¡®I thought you left already,¡¯ Mom says.

    ¡®Left? To where?¡¯

    ¡®Didn¡¯t Zurielmunicate with you?¡¯

    ¡®Mom, Zuriel isn¡¯t ecstatic about this wedding. He wouldn¡¯tmunicate with me about anything,¡¯ I roll my eyes, shrugging my shoulders.

    ¡®Oh, honey. Zuriel is the perfect match for you, and I know you will be happy together.¡¯ her eyes shine, and I want to believe her, but I can¡¯t.

    ¡®You and Zuriel should go on a date¡­ To know each other better. We need people to see you together,¡¯ She exins, and Solena nods in agreement.

    ¡®That¡¯s a brilliant idea, Aunty. A few are specting the engagement isn¡¯t real because they have not seen them together and that it is only for the show to fix her reputation,¡¯ Solena says.

    Well, looks like I¡¯ll be going on a date with my fianc¨¦. My eyes wander to my engagement finger, and my mom notices. She sees everything.

    ¡®Zuriel will get you a ring while you¡¯re on it, baby,¡¯ she says.

    Zuriel

    It has been a day since the engagement was announced, and it¡¯s all everyone can talk about.

    Bruce, mypany president, who ims to be my friend, walks into my office, carrying a magazine with a grin on his face.

    ¡®Boss, why didn¡¯t you tell me you¡¯re engaged to Princess ra!¡¯ he beams, putting the magazines on my task. We were on the front page of each one. I hated the attention this was receiving. It might get my father¡¯s attention. That is why I didn¡¯t want to take pictures, but Mom assured me they couldn¡¯t get that far.

    ¡®What do you want?¡¯ I ask. Bruce and I went to high school. He befriended me even though I told him I didn¡¯t want a friend. He was always there, no matter how much I pushed him away, so I let him be. We were roommates in college, and I hired him after graduation because he was the best candidate for the job.

    ¡®I didn¡¯t know you were in a rtionship with ra Silvius. Heck, you avoided her like the gue when you secretly wanted her,¡¯ he gives me a boyish smile that makes me cringe.

    ¡®It¡¯s an arranged marriage. I don¡¯t want her,¡¯ I inform him nonchntly. He gasps and takes a seat.

    ¡®So you don¡¯t want to wed her?¡¯ he asks.

    ¡®I have to because of my mother,¡¯ I had to agree to marry the little princess because my real identity had been revealed to the pack council. I¡¯m a proteus. A hybrid in simple terms.

    A Proteus is a shapeshifter that can change into two forms. They existed in the Middle Ages when cross-mating was allowed. It was abolished and considered a taboo now because most offspring of cross-mating went on a rampage and caused mayhem.

    The council doubts my loyalty to the pack, and they are scared that I might go on a rampage one of these days like in the tales. ording to them, marrying the little princess solidified my loyalty to the pack, but they didn¡¯t need to worry about that. My allegiance has always been and will always be with this pack, and since she¡¯s a white wolf, she can help me tame my inner beasts and avoid any havoc in the future. I could argue that it would never happen. I could never go ballistic because I know how to tame my dragon and wolf, but Mom thinks it¡¯s for the best. Just to keep them calm, I agreed to marry little ra. Plus, this will help fix her reputation after her sensual images.

    ¡®Well, she loves you, and you will love her too. Love develops,¡¯ I groan at Bruce¡¯s words. He Is such a cringe romantic. No wonder I don¡¯t like him around me.

    ¡®How¡¯s thetest version going?¡¯ I change the topic. Mypany manufactures and designs sports cars.

    ¡®It¡¯s going well¡­ Bids are going higher every day!¡¯ he announces, and I nod.

    ¡®How much,¡¯

    ¡®The Denventure racepany added ten million to their bid yesterday,¡¯ he informs me.

    My phone rings, and I answer it.

    ¡®What, mother?¡¯Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡®Rude much?¡¯ she retorts.

    ¡®I¡¯m working,¡¯ I sigh. She knows how much I hate to be disturbed at work.

    ¡®I¡¯m calling to remind you that you should take ra shopping. I want you to get to know each other better and for people to see you together,¡¯ she tells me. Ipletely forgot she told me to take her shopping.

    ¡®She needs a ring, not just any ring, Zuriel. A ring worth our family name and status,¡¯ she emphasizes.

    ¡®I know. Goodbye,¡¯

    ¡®Don¡¯t bete, she¡¯s waiting-¡® I end the call, or she won¡¯t stop talking. I stand up.

    ¡®Bruce, make sure the Denventure race up their offer, or Tra will,¡¯ I say, and leave the office. As I leave, my employees are congratting me on my engagement. I enter the elevator when one of the women I fucked, Ruth, enters. Ruth is mad at me.

    ¡®You¡¯re marrying someone else, how could you?!¡¯ she cries. I don¡¯t have time for this. Why do they always get attached when I make it clear it should only be about sex?

    ¡®You said you don¡¯t want marriage. You only care to fuck!¡¯

    ¡®Well, she changed my mind,¡¯ I tell her coldly.

    ¡®Your Fiance is not even that beautiful! Zuriel, please don¡¯t do this,¡¯

    ¡®She¡¯s the most the most beautiful girl in the world to me,¡¯ I didn¡¯t lie about my statement. ra is the most beautiful. She is wless. I like her smile, and I enjoy how her cheeks get red when our gaze meets.

    I reach the ground floor and I¡¯m about to go out when she blocks my path. ¡® Zuriel, let¡¯s not end our rtionship because of this, please,¡¯

    Without saying another word to her. I push her out of the way and leave.

 Chapter 17

    Zuriel

    I am standing in the driveway, waiting for my fianc¨¦. He¡¯ste. So rude. I see him pull in. He¡¯s driving an impressive ck sports car. I don¡¯t move back even as he gets closer. He stops just in front of my legs. I cross my arms and re at him with cold eyes, showing him how angry I am because he iste and does notmunicate.

    Zuriel doesn¡¯t leave his car. He¡¯s watching me too¡­ Bored. I huff and go to the passenger seat. I open the door and shut it.

    ¡®Morning,¡¯ he says curtly.

    ¡®You¡¯rete.¡¯

    ¡®My bad,¡¯

    I grit my teeth and ball my hands in a fist.

    ¡®Apologise for beingte. Have you no manners?¡¯ I sneer.

    ¡®It¡¯s not my fault, I forgot,¡¯ he answers.

    ¡®Screw you,¡¯ I murmured, looking out the window. In the corner of my eye, I see him smirk.

    ¡®You might soon,¡¯ he murmured, driving. I gasp and stare at him. He looks straight ahead to the road. I inspect the car. It¡¯s even better inside. I wonder if he made this. Hispany was the best at manufacturing sports cars. The silence was getting awkward, and I hastily pulled a phone from my bag.

    ¡®Um, Mom says we should get to know each other in case we are asked some questions. I prepared some questions,¡¯ I mumble.

    ¡®Uhuh,¡¯

    ¡®Um, how old are you?¡¯ I ask. I already knew it. He¡¯s turning 28 this year on September, 21.

    ¡¯28 this year, and you?¡¯

    ¡®I turned 19,¡¯ I say.

    ¡®When?¡¯

    ¡®February 20th,¡¯ I answered.

    ¡®Favorite food?¡¯

    ¡®umh. Grilled steak?¡¯ he asked as I questioned. I nodded.

    ¡®I like pasta,¡¯ I say, ¡® I can make it well,¡¯

    He only nods. I wanted to tell him that I would cook for him, but I didn¡¯t. He might be rude to it.

    ¡®I know about your work already. Um. I¡¯m pursuing a degree in design and marketing. I¡¯m in my third year,¡¯

    ¡®My best friends are Brandon and Solena. Do you have any friends?¡¯

    ¡®No,¡¯

    ¡®That¡¯s heartbreaking,¡¯ it was sad that he didn¡¯t have one friend. I couldn¡¯t imagine life without any of my friends.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    ¡®What¡¯s your wolf¡¯s name?¡¯ I ask. He stays silent for a moment before he answers.

    ¡®Riel,¡¯ A smile curled on my lips. His wolf¡¯s name is beautiful. I bet he is as powerful as he is from the aura that exudes from him.

    ¡®I like it,¡¯ I say,

    ¡®What¡¯s her name?¡¯ I know he means my wolf.

    ¡®Ara,¡¯

    ¡®Ara,¡¯ he repeats silently. My wolf purrs when he recites her name and jumps forward in excitement. Zuriel turns his gaze to me and for the first time,

    ¡®Hello, Ara,¡¯ he says, and I realize it¡¯s not him who speaks but his powerful wolf.

    Zuriel

    ¡®Hello, Ara,¡¯ My wolf leaps forward after he senses Ara take over the little princess¡¯ wolf. Riel has never been so excited about meeting another wolf as he is now. Her wolf has beautiful gold eyes that sparkle with green and has a bright personality.

    ¡®Just like her human,¡¯ Riel says. I nce at the little princess. She is having an internal argument with her wolf.

    Our wolves are now locked away. She continues the questions, but all I can focus on is her scent which is driving me crazy in the wildest way. She has always been so intoxicating, but now it¡¯s different, knowing that she¡¯s mine.

    ¡®I don¡¯t know if I should ask,¡¯ she sounds hesitant to ask her next question,

    ¡®Don¡¯t,¡¯ I feel like I know what¡¯sing. She wants to know why it¡¯s just my mother and I. I don¡¯t want to lie to her or talk about it. She obliges and purses her lips.

    A few minutester, we arrived at the shopping mall. She is a little dull. I park my car, and she¡¯s the first to get out. I follow her as she looks for the perfect dress for tomorrow¡¯s engagement party. The princess is indecisive, and we¡¯ve been to many stores already. She manages to pick out a few, but ¡® Not the one¡¯ in her words to the store assistants.

    ¡®Let¡¯s go there,¡¯ she points at the store on another floor. I carry her bags.

    As we walk, I notice lustful stares on her. Who wouldn¡¯t? She¡¯s wearing a short ck dress that leaves her long legs exposed to the eyes. Her luscious hair is tight in a ponytail, leaving her neck bare and begging to be marked. I shake my head, removing the thoughts from my head. It must be my wolf doing all this, not me, and I can¡¯t deny my dragon side finds the little princess fascinating. He¡¯s calm around her.

    Some are smiling at pulling out their phones to take pictures secretly. It seems the little princess is popr.

    ¡®She¡¯s so hot,¡¯ I hear a man whisper. My hearing was better than any wolf, so I often picked up things. That¡¯s why I was ustomed to shutting the world out. I grab her waist and pull her to me. I don¡¯t want men¡¯s lustful gaze on her. I have a prime urge to let them know she belongs to me now, and if they dare look at her a certain way, I¡¯ll kill them without flinching.

    I watch as she picks out the designer clothes while I sit, and wait patiently.

    ¡®Try them on, Princess,¡¯ A sales assistant says. She reluctantly goes to the changing room. Her eyes meet mine. She wants to know if it¡¯s alright to stay longer as she changes. I nod, and she goes into the changing closet.

    A momentter, she emerges from the changing room in a beautiful gown, and my breath ceases for a second. Princess ra is so breathtaking.

    ¡®They insist I show you,¡¯ her face turns red as she speaks. She is nervous.

    ¡®Her shyness is cute,¡¯

    I nod towards her in approval of the dress she shows me, and she walks away.

    Next. Rings. I texted Bruce about that, and he was happy to help me. We were going to the best jewelry designer. She is our Client¡¯s wife. They have already selected a few, so the princess will just have to choose which one she likes the one she likes.

 Chapter 18

    ra

    ¡®Mr Crawford, My princess. Wee, wee!¡¯ A tall, dark gorgeous woman beams as wee to us. She is refined and elegant. I recognize her immediately as Mrs. Simson, a renowned jeweler. She appears in almost all the magazines.

    ¡®Mrs Simson. Thank you for having us on such short notice,¡¯ Zuriel says, shaking the woman¡¯s hand.

    ¡®It¡¯s no problem at all, after the huge deal you made with my husbandst month,¡¯ she seems happy. She elegantly kisses my cheek and takes a step back from us.

    ¡®Congrattions on your union. It will be the wedding of the year!¡¯ she says. I only maintain a polite smile.

    ¡®I¡¯m pleased you want to buy your engagement and wedding rings from us. Do you have anything in mind?¡¯

    ¡®No, can you show us what you have?¡¯ I ask.

    ¡®Of course, dear,¡¯

    The store was cleared just for us. Everything was expensive and alluring. This experience would have filled me with joy if Zuriel wanted to do this with me. Even now as Mrs Simson shows us a beautiful collection of rings, he¡¯s uninterested.

    ¡®How about this one?¡¯ Mrs. Simson says, showing me a pear-shaped diamond ring. I frown, unable toe to a decision. Mrs. Simson extends her hand towards me and gently tips my chin to look into my eyes.

    ¡®You¡¯re beautiful. Your ring should match your beauty,¡¯ she smiles at me. She goes away a moment while I look at others. I drag my eyes to my new fiance. One of the salesdies is trying to get his attention by asking him useless questions, but he ignores her. Our eyes meet, and I look away quickly. He stands up and faces me.

    ¡®Have you picked?¡¯ his voice is gentle, and I¡¯m taken aback a moment. I swallow and answer,

    ¡®No. I can¡¯t decide,¡¯ I say, ¡®Can you help me,¡¯

    I¡¯m surprised when he nods and starts to closely inspect the rings that were selected for us.

    My heart warms seeing him focused on the selection, but like me, nothing seems to catch his attention.

    Mrs. Simson is back, smiling. She ces an oval diamond ring on the ss counter,¡¯ This will fit you wonderfully, my dear princess,¡¯

    ¡®It is a 12 carat. It is wless and rare, especially in this size. I¡¯ve been keeping it to someone who deserves it,¡¯

    I nce back at Zuriel for his opinion, and he nods in approval. It caught my eye the moment she ced it on the counter.

    ¡®I love it,¡¯ I say instantly. It was meant to be my ring, I know it.

    ¡®Mr Crawford, please put it on her finger,¡¯ she says. Zuriel looks at the ring and then me before he picks it up. My fingers are shaking slightly, and butterflies are bouncing in my stomach. Zuriel put the ring gently at me. Our eyes lock, and the world fades away. It¡¯s just us now, but an intense pain in my stomach jolts me, and I double over in pain. Fucking Connor Tomson won¡¯t ever let me forget him.

    ¡®Oh, goddess! Is she alright?¡¯

    My body is hot, and my abdomen is pulling painfully. I grit my teeth, holding a sob. I need to be strong. I can¡¯t let anyone know it¡¯s the pain of betrayal. Who knows what stories wille up next?This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡®Cramps,¡¯ I whisper to Mrs Simson through blurry eyes. She gives me a sympathetic look and nods. I exchange a look with Zuriel. He knows Connor is with another woman.

    My fiance suddenly carries me bridal style out of the mall and takes me to his car within three minutes. How fast is he? I have no time to wonder as I feel the pain, and a whimper escapes my lips. I¡¯m sitting in the car in the passenger seat while Zuriwl squats to my level. His huge hand is on my cheek, caressing me gently. Even though he doesn¡¯t say a word to me, his hand on my skin is making the pain bearable. I don¡¯t know how long we¡¯ve been in the parking spot. The pain is subsiding now, and my vision is clearing.

    ¡®I have people looking for him, you know,¡¯ Zuriel says quietly.

    At this point, so many are looking for Connor including my family, and grandmother. She was furious when she heard what Connor did to me.

    Zuriel wipes the tears from my eyes with his thumbs and exhales, ¡® You know, you can hurt him back,¡¯

    ¡®How?¡¯ My voice is weak.

    ¡®Like this,¡¯ he says in that deep yet soothing voice of his as he pulls me to him. My eyes widen as our lips connect, and I don¡¯t move as he kisses me passionately.

    He softly bites my tongue, and I open my mouth slightly. It allows him entrance to explore my mouth. I slowly move against his lips as well. His kiss is passionate and dominating. It is intense. My body feels hot, but not in a way it hurts. The sensation is wonderful. I feel my pussy clench and throb at once. With courage, I wrap my hands around his neck just as his hand tightens on my waist, bringing me closer. I kiss him back fiercely. Our first kiss together is everything and more than I ever expected.

    Low, sexy growls are emitting from his chest, and Ara is purring. An embarrassing moan leaves my mouth, and I couldn¡¯t be redder! He pulls away when we are out of breath, yet doesn¡¯t move from me. My body is slightly shaking from the kiss we shared.

 Chapter 19

    Mature

    Connor

    I was hiding out in my uncle¡¯s pack. People were hunting after me¡­ Many after what I did to their precious little princess ra. My beta was in charge of my pack, but I was leading it.

    ¡®What is your n, son? You can¡¯t hide out here forever,¡¯ my uncle Jofrey says as he hands me a beer. I don¡¯t intend to stay here forever or in hiding. I need a proper n to appear back in my mate¡¯s life, but for now, I enjoy the agony I cause her by fucking those bitches. I don¡¯t want her to forget me.

    ¡®I¡¯ll stay in this pack for a few months and then go back to mine when the heat on me stops,¡¯ I inform my uncle. This pack is the safest right now, and my uncle¡¯s cottage that I was staying in is secluded in the countryside. It is small and peaceful. No one knows my tie to it, so I¡¯m safe from those who hunt me. On the bright side, women throw themselves at me.

    ¡®You need to ept that poor girl¡¯s rejection and free her from you, nephew. The Silvius have men looking for you,¡¯

    ¡®And they won¡¯t find me if you keep your mouth shut,¡¯ I say. He only sighs and gets up.

    ¡®I should leave now, my Alpha requests for me. Enjoy the cottage, and I¡¯ll see you again next week when I bring supplies,¡¯ he says.

    I remained alone. My mind was gued by the images of princess ra. I try to distract myself, but she doesn¡¯t leave my head. That fucking woman. I grab my car keys and drive to the closest pub.

    I was having a few drinks when I felt hands on my shoulder. I smirk as I look at the beautiful whore, Brazil. She brought herself to my cottage naked as a wee present for me, but Patty was there and she kicked her out. I was disappointed because Brazil has a figure to die for with her big breasts and huge ass. I grab her waist and pull her curvy body closer to me.

    ¡®Hey again,¡¯ I smirk.

    ¡®You¡¯re back, handsome. Where is your insufferable girlfriend?¡¯ she asks with a bitter tone.

    ¡®She left, but she will be back,¡¯ I say, kissing her lips that were begging to the kissed. Patty left because the countryside was too boring, but she promised toe soon.

    ¡®I went lingerie shopping today. Want to see what I bought?¡¯ she says suggestively.

    ¡®I would love that,¡¯ I husk.

    I follow her upstairs, and I¡¯m surprised to see there is a small loft with a pleasing view. Brazil ps once, and everyone leaves. She pushed me on the couch and pulled down my pants as she removed her sheer dress. I stand up and stalk towards her with a smirk. Her nipples are hard at the sight of my cock.

    ¡®I want to fuck you,¡¯ I say in her ear.

    ¡®Yes, please do, handsome,¡¯

    ¡®I will call you ra,¡¯ I whisper, and a shiver goes down her back. I kiss her neck sensually, and she moans.

    ¡®You can call me whenever you want as long as you put your huge cock in me,¡¯

    I tear away her pants and press her on her stomach on the pool table. I enter her pussy with my fingers. She is so fucking wet for me. I rub and massage her entrance. She grabs my member and massages it while moaning.

    ¡®I want to suck it,¡¯ she whines. I nod. She gets on her knees. She starts by sucking my balls and then take my cock in her pretty dirty mouth. She is sucking me like no woman has ever done before. Her tongue is ying with my cock, and I can¡¯t help the groans that leave my mouth. I move my hips faster, and she follows my pace. I grab the back of her hair as I feel myself draw closer to my orgasm.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡®Yes,¡¯

    I hit the back of her throat, and spill my milky seeds in her mouth. She milks me dry, and I couldn¡¯t be happier. I smile and pull her up. I grab her neck, and she tilts her head. She wants me to suck herrge breasts. I oblige. I suck her nipple while ying with the other breast.

    After fooling around, I entered her. She was still, just smiling at me.

    ¡®Move,¡¯ I thrust in her slowly at first. She moves her hips, her pace is faster, and I follow.

    ¡®Oh, yes, fuck me!¡¯ she is moaning.

    Her screams bring me joy, and I delight in knowing ra feels this. I fuck the whore in every part of the room, in every position I can think of. All my fantasies and all I want to do to my mate is what I do to this whore.

    ¡®Yes, Yes, pump harder,¡¯ I oblige, pumping faster, and deeper in her. Our heavy breathing echoes through the room.

    I¡¯m drowning in the abyss. She is fucking too good and had years to practice. Ie out of her, making her whimper. I bend her over and take her from behind.

    ¡®Oh yes!¡¯

    I¡¯ming. I can feel it. I remove myself from her as I release. My cum spilling on her body.

    We are both on the floor, smiling and catching our breath.

    ¡®You¡¯re so fierce,¡¯ she breathes.

    ¡®Yeah. I needed that release,¡¯ I tell her.

    ¡®So you seem like a man of wealth. What are you doing here¡­ Far from civilization,¡¯ Brazil asks. I¡¯m about toe up with a lie when I feel my chest burn painfully. I growl and get to my feet, just waiting for it to subside, but it doesn¡¯t. It just grows painfully. I double over in immersed pain like never before. What the fuck is going on.

    ¡®Mate, she¡¯s with another man,¡¯ my wolf growls, and I stagger. The little bitch. What a fucking little whore! This time, a muffled scream escapes my lips at the pain I feel.

    ¡®Are you okay?¡¯ I hear Brazil¡¯s distant voice. She¡¯s concerned. The burning sensation in my chest fades away, and I exhale in relief. That was fucking diforting!

    ¡®Our mate feels ten times that difort you felt,¡¯ My wolf growls. He¡¯s still angry at me. I was fuming at his mate. The fucking princess is retaliating. Without talking to Brazil, I gather my clothes and leave the pub. I shift into my wolf to help ease the remnant of pain in my body.

 Chapter 20

    ra

    My stomach was still queasy, and I was still nervous. Zuriel gets to his feet and asks, ¡® How are you feeling?¡¯

    ¡®Better,¡¯ I answer, still out of breath. My throat was still sore. Zuriel gets in the driver¡¯s seat. He nces at me once before he starts his car. The ride home is silent, and my eyes sway to my ring. It suits me.

    We arrive at home. He gets out of the car to open the door for me. I am shocked by that manner. Why is he being gentle all of a sudden?

    ¡®The stores will bring in all the dresses,¡¯ he tells me before getting back in the car. I watch him with a frown as he drives away in a hurry.

    As soon as I enter the house, my mom, Aunty Kiya, and Solena surround me. They all want to see my ring. I show them, stering a smile on my lips.

    ¡®It¡¯s just too beautiful,¡¯ Sol purrs.

    ¡¯12 carats. Must have cost him quite a penny,¡¯ Kiyana grins.

    ¡®It¡¯s nothing to him, Mom. It is Zuriel Crawford we are talking about. He lives in a 50 million dor penthouse,¡¯ Sol says. She was right. Two million for a ring was nothing to Zuriel. Everyone is still in awe of my ring. All I want is to go to bed, but that isn¡¯t happening with these three hounding me.

    ¡®What about the dresses?¡¯ Mom asks.

    ¡®They¡¯ll be delivered tomorrow,¡¯ I sigh. I¡¯m still exhausted from the shopping and the pain I felt earlier.

    ¡®I¡¯m tired. I want to sleep,¡¯ I say.

    ¡®Alright. It¡¯s a big day tomorrow. I¡¯ll send dinner to your room. Good night, honey,¡¯ Mom kisses my hair. Yep, tomorrow is my engagement party.

    Once in my suite, Shonda prepares a bubble bath for it. It is just what I needed. It¡¯s like she reads my mind. I get in and sigh, rxing in it.

    ¡®You look stressed. Did something happen?¡¯ she asks, concerned.

    ¡®No,¡¯ I answer quietly, not wanting to trouble her. I hear footsteps recede, and the door shut. I close my eyes. My mind goes to the kiss I shared with Zuriel. It was empowering and just wonderful. Our first kiss was magical, gentle, yet passionate. My fingers moved to my lips and traced them. I can¡¯t help the grin that appears.

    Getting out of the hot tub, I dry my hair and wipe water from my body. The night is horrifically slow. I close my eyes, but the only face I see is Zuriel. I wonder how he¡¯s doing or where he is. Is he thinking about me?

    Zuriel

    My blood was boiling after what happened in the jewelry store. That mother fucking bastard will pay when I catch him. How can she cause someone as innocent as the little princess so much pain? He knows the consequences of his actions, and he does it on purpose. It¡¯s a way to punish her. My jaw tightened around the steering wheel as I thought of ways to murder Connor. For now, he escaped his pack, but I have people watching it every day. Once they spot him, they shall grab him and bring him to me.

    ¡®We should castrate him first when we catch him,¡¯ Riel growls. I nod in agreement. He shall suffer. My mind drifted to the green-eyed princess and her dazzling smile.

    Today was a total failure. I shouldn¡¯t have kissed her. Now she consumed my mind. I had to leave quickly when I dropped her off, or I¡¯d have done it again. That kiss was the most beautiful ever.

    Normally, I don¡¯t kiss women. I only fuck them, but Princess ra is different. Her lips are enticing, and I can¡¯t help myself. When we kissed, I felt the world fade away. Her soft lips moved against me in sync.

    I can¡¯t stop thinking about it. Her divine scent still lingers not only in my car but it¡¯s on me. I can¡¯t be with her in that way.

    I don¡¯t go to my apartment immediately. I go to thekeside. I go here to calm down. It soothes my troubled soul.

    I don¡¯t know how long I stayed there, but only left when it was dark.

    Getting home, I¡¯m surprised to see Bruce.

    ¡®How did you get in my penthouse?¡¯ I ask. He sighs.

    ¡®I¡¯ve always known the code. Dude, I lived here for three months when my house was under renovation,¡¯ he says.

    ¡®When?¡¯ I ask.

    Bruce looks offended, ¡® You need to be a better friend. I stayed in this house, and you didn¡¯t know?¡¯

    ¡®Whatever. What do you want?¡¯ I ask. His dull mood vanishes as he pulls out two bottles of my favorite drink. Scotch whiskey, Springbank 1919.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡®Tomorrow is your engagement and a week after your wedding day. I think we should celebrate,¡¯ The thing about Bruce is that no matter how rude I was to him, he never left, nor would he get offended. He has a cheerful personality, and we are so different. I always wondered why he wanted to be my friend. But even I must admit that having him around me wasn¡¯t the worst thing.

    ¡®Can you keep up?¡¯ I ask, and an eye-splitting grin takes over his features.

    ¡®The question is, can you, boss?¡¯

    We go to the lounge and start our drinking spree.

 Chapter 21

    ra

    I was dressed in a cream-white gown and did my hair and make-up to perfection. It is the day of our engagement party. I am nervous.

    ¡®Hi, sweetheart. Are you ready?¡¯ My father asks. I look up to him and nod. I stand up from my vanity table as he approaches my bedroom. I smile at him, and he gives me a charming smile back. My father is so good-looking. One might think he¡¯s still thirty-five. Werewolves age slowly.

    ¡®So handsome,¡¯ I caress his stubble beard. He brings my hand to his lips and kisses it.

    ¡®You¡¯re even more beautiful,¡¯ he tells me. ¡® ra, I love you so much,¡¯

    I know that. I am his little girl. His only daughter.

    ¡®I love you, too,¡¯

    No sooner did he leave, had the door opened. This time it was my two best friends Brendon and Solena who entered. They were dressed for the party.

    ¡®Beautiful girl,¡¯ Brendon cheers, kissing my cheek.

    ¡®Your mom asked us toe get you,¡¯ Solena says, taking pictures of us. I pose for the pictures happily.

    ¡®Your wedding is the talk of the town,¡¯ she informs me. I knew that. The most sessful, handsome bachelor was marrying a wolf princess.

    ¡®Have you seen Zuriel?¡¯ I ask, my heart pounding at the thought of him.

    ¡®No, but his mother is here,¡¯ Answers Brendon. Was Zuriel going to show up? I wondered. If Zuriel didn¡¯t show up, the stories that wille up will be vicious.

    ¡®You¡¯re too worried, rx!¡¯ Brendon says, jerking me slightly. I can¡¯t rx though. My nerves are a wretch. I can hear the chattering of people downstairs.

    ¡®Who hase?¡¯ I ask.

    ¡®Almost all the Alphas and lunas of the region are here. And higher ranks in the pack. Total of one hundred,¡¯ Solena informs me. That was so many people. My parents said it would only be close friends and family.

    ¡®Oh, Alpha Bryon is here too¡­ Sulking a little,¡¯ Brendon tells me. Bryon is the new Alpha to one of therge packs. He used to court me, and everyone thought we¡¯d get married because of how well we got along. We never kissed or did anything. I frown, remembering how he didn¡¯t answer my calls after the video of me was posted. I¡¯m sure he thought I was a whore princess like the others.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    We go outside. I stand before the double oak door while my friends go inside. I take a deep breath repeatedly, trying to calm myself. I stiffen when I feel Zuriel¡¯s scent hit my nose. I don¡¯t turn to him immediately.

    ¡®We should walk in together,¡¯ his voice is soft. I nod and turn to him. My breath gets caught in my chest. He¡¯s breathtaking. He¡¯s wearing a ck tux. His hair is shaved in the sides, and the rest is in a man bun. It gives him a sexy look. Zuriel is undeniably the most handsome man in the world!

    ¡®Done gawking?¡¯ he asks sternly. Shit. I always do this when I see him. I openly gawk at him until he notices. My cheeks are red.

    ¡®Are you ready?¡¯ I ask him to ignore the shyness I¡¯m feeling. He opens his arm to me, and I link mine to his. The guards open the doors, and we walk through to the balcony where we look over the crowd.

    I am astounded by the beautiful decoration in the ballroom. The decorators did a fine job indeed. It is all so ssy. Everything and everyone is so elegant. Everyone ps softly as we descend the stairs.

    I slowly look up at Zuriel, but his eyes look straight ahead. His expression is unreadable.

    People are stilling to us as soon as we stop, congratting us on our engagement. I am a little overwhelmed with everything, but I remain calm. I wish Zuriel could look at me once, but he doesn¡¯t.

    He doesn¡¯t want this. However, he gave his word to everyone and won¡¯t back out. He leaves me to talk to some people. My gaze keeps going to Zuriel. He is talking to a handsome man with brown hair. I¡¯ve seen them together a few times, too. The man waves at me when he catches me staring at them. He whispers something to Zuriel, and hees to me.

    ¡®Hello, Princess ra,¡¯ he bows politely to me. He has a smile on his lips that makes me feel at ease.

    ¡®I¡¯m Bruce. Zuriel¡¯s friend, but don¡¯t tell him I told you that,¡¯ he says, and I chuckle.

    Bruce is friendly and the opposite of Zuriel. He tells me they have been friends for a long time. Like me, he always followed him until Zuriel got used to his presence. I was happy to hear Zuriel has one friend who truly cared for him.

    I¡¯m too engrossed in the jokes Bruce is telling me that I didn¡¯t notice Zuriel earlier. I stop breathing when he stands close to me. His eyes locked on my face.

    ¡®Artemis is searching for you,¡¯ he says to Bruce. Bruce looks around like he spotted a ghost and excuses himself. He doesn¡¯t want Artemis to see him. I¡¯m left with Zuriel. We are not speaking, but his gaze is intense on me. I don¡¯t shy away from his gaze, either.

    ¡®Are you alright?¡¯ Zuriel asked, breaking the silence between us. I look around us to make sure he is talking to me.

    ¡®Me?¡¯ I ask. ¡®Are you talking to me?¡¯

    ¡®It¡¯s just us here,¡¯ he almost hisses.

    ¡®I just wanted to make sure, especially since you didn¡¯t look at me once the entire evening,¡¯ I sneer.

    ¡®It¡¯s not like you want this either, little princess,¡¯ he says.

    ¡®Why do you hate me so much?¡¯ I ask. I am frustrated with him detesting me. I don¡¯t even know why he dislikes me so much!

    ¡®I have no problem with you,¡¯ he says.

    ¡®Well, I think you do because I can feel the hate radiating off your body. Zuriel, we are getting married next week, and we¡¯ll spend our lives together. I just want some sort of reassurance from you,¡¯ I almost shout. I look around, checking if someone heard us. They are all busy with their dancing and chatting.

    ¡®What kind of assurance?¡¯ he sighs.

    ¡®For starters, stop ring at me, and let¡¯s get along,¡¯ I say. He looks surprised.

    ¡®Fine, little princess,¡¯

    ¡®ra, my name is ra. Let¡¯s start there,¡¯

 Chapter 22

    ra

    Zuriel has never called me by my name. It is always little Princess or tick. He stares at me, his mouth opening, but no soundse out,

    ¡®Say it,¡¯ I encourage. He¡¯s about to say it when my father joins us.

    ¡®How¡¯s the newest couple?¡¯ Dad asks. He seems excited like everyone else.

    ¡®We are alright, Dad,¡¯ I say. We make small talk for a moment before he sees Alpha Layth Thorn. He scowls and excuses himself from us.

    The party was lovely. Zuriel didn¡¯t re at me.

    He was normal towards me and kind. My friends and I danced, and I started feeling good about the union with Zuriel. I should be happy as Ara encourages me. I was marrying the love of my life, and he was warming up to me. I think we¡¯ll be happy together. I will make it work between us. I will take care of him and be patient with him until he loves me back.

    The following days I spent with my friends. The members of my pack loved me again, and the scandal that caused so much chaos stopped. No videos were circting, and no one made viciousments about me when I went to the university.

    As for Zuriel, I haven¡¯t seen him since the engagement, and when I called him, his secretary said this was a busy week for him. However, he sent me my favorite flower, Tulips.

    ¡®Your grandmother is the best!¡¯ Solena squeals as she looks at the wedding dress my grandmother made for me. It was the most beautiful dress ever.

    ¡®You will be the most beautiful bride,¡¯ Brandon says. I smile, still in awe of my wedding dress. Grandmother has outdone herself.

    My mother and aunty Kiyana enter the room, and they gasp seeing the wedding dress.

    I leave thedies while I go to Zuriel¡¯s penthouse. We were supposed to get a marriage license together. He hasn¡¯t answered my calls, so I¡¯m going there. Brandon is taking me to his apartment building.

    ¡®ra, I know you¡¯re excited and all, but are you sure about marrying Zuriel Crawford?¡¯ he asks without taking his eyes off the road.

    ¡®I know he¡¯s not the most charming, but I love him, and since we have been together, the scandal is gone!¡¯ I tell him. He sighs.

    ¡®I just heard bad things about him,¡¯ my best friend is worried. There are a lot of things that surround Zuriel. I know he is no saint and has murdered people, lots of them, but it is only to defend this pack.

    ¡®I know, but we can¡¯t judge him based on stories. Zuriel only did whatever he did because we had a rogue problem,¡¯ I tell him.

    ¡®Other people say he¡¯s not a wolf, that he is something even more dangerous. And his aura is insanely oundish. You have to sense,¡¯ I know Brandon is only looking out for me. But he¡¯s freaking out.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡®Zuriel is a strong wolf, and it¡¯s not surprising his aura is oppressing. Take my father and elder brother for example,¡¯

    ¡®No. The Alpha king and the prince are strong wolves, the strongest even, but there is something hazardous about Zuriel. I¡¯m just worried about you, ra,¡¯

    ¡®thank you, but no need to worry about me,¡¯

    ¡®He doesn¡¯t love you, and you said yourself he is marrying you for his agenda-¡®

    ¡®Please, let¡¯s talk about something else,¡¯ I interrupt him. He drops the issue reluctantly, but I can see distress on his face. I feel this is the right decision. I would have been happier if Zuriel loved me, but I¡¯m hoping love will grow in his heart for me.

    We reach the building, and I kiss my best friend on the cheek before hopping out of the car. The first thing I notice in the lobby is a thin woman talking to two conciergees. She looks shaken up, and her raven hair is tangled. She¡¯s not wearing shoes. I can see how much damage she has done to her feet. I go to them.

    ¡®What¡¯s going on?¡¯ I ask. I look at the woman¡¯s face. She¡¯s pale and looks sick. Did she leave the hospital? She is still wearing a hospital gown.

    ¡®Hello, Miss. Please help me talk to him. I¡¯m here for one of the residents, but they refuse to let me go up,¡¯ she says, her voice weak. I look at the two concierges.

    ¡®We can¡¯t do that, My Princess. The young woman is not providing us identification, and she wants us to let her go on the top floor,¡¯ The bald concierge, Allen, ording to the name tag, says.

    ¡®I don¡¯t have anything ID on me or a purse. Please just let me up, and the man I¡¯m here to see will be happy to see me,¡¯ she says in a begging tone.

    ¡®Can you call the person she wants to see? Just help her. Can¡¯t you see the state she¡¯s in?¡¯ I scold.

    ¡®Princess, um, the woman is here to see Mr. Crawford,¡¯ Allen says. I blink a few times and nce at the woman. My heart is racing in my chest.

    ¡®My name is River. And I¡¯m here for my boyfriend,¡¯ she says.

    Boyfriend? The words resound in my head. My breath shudders as I ask,

    ¡®Is Zuriel in?¡¯ They shake their head.

    ¡®Call him,¡¯ Imand. He grabs the phone to call Zuriel. They put him on hold. I take River to sit on the white couch in the lobby. Her hands were slightly shaking.

    ¡®Hi, River, my name is ra Silvius. Let¡¯s wait together,¡¯ I tell her. She gives me a small smile and nods.

    ¡®Is Zuriel Crawford your boyfriend?¡¯

    She nces at me with a slight smile and nods, ¡® Yes, but something unfortunate happened, and we separated, but I¡¯m back for good to be by his side,¡¯ She speaks with love, and my heart shatters. Does Zuriel love this woman? Was that why he didn¡¯t want to marry me?

 Chapter 23

    ra

    I can¡¯t tell River that Zuriel, the man she speaks warmly about, is my fiance. How can I?

    ¡®Did you just leave the hospital?¡¯ I ask.

    ¡®Yes, I couldn¡¯t bear it in there anymore. I needed to see Zuriel,¡¯

    ¡®You must love him,¡¯ I murmur.

    ¡®We were so in love. He¡¯s not too expressive, but I know he loves me,¡¯ she says, and I feel a sting in my chest. Will Zuriel cancel the wedding now that his girlfriend is back? I will be heartbroken. Now that I was getting a little closer to him, it will be hard to leave him. I look at the woman sitting next to me.

    We stayed there a moment as we waited. Therge ss doors open, and Zuriel steps in. He looks shocked to see us here.

    River is the first one to get to her feet and run to give him a huge hug. My heart feels like it has been pierced with a silver dagger mixed with wolfsbane.

    Zuriel

    I¡¯m looking at River, shocked. Next to her is Princess ra. She is looking at me with her big green eyes¡­ She is hurt.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    River sobs and runs to me, hugging me. I stiffen, looks like forgot I hate physical contact, but I give her a pass. She holds me as long as she wants while bawling. I want to hold her, but I can¡¯t, especially not when the green-eyed Princess is looking at me like that. I pull her away from me gently.

    River is the only woman I dated. I wasn¡¯t in love with her but I was attached to her. River was abused by her father growing up. I rted to her so much. That¡¯s why she was the one woman I didn¡¯t push away. She was frail and vulnerable. For so long, I thought she was dead. I med her supposed death on me.

    Over four years ago, I helped the alpha king get rid of rogues that were causing the werewolf realm terror. They were a vicious-organized group that killed, kidnapped, and raped women. They wanted to wipe off every wolf to create their world. It was a highly criminal organization. We managed to wipe them out while others escaped. I was staying at Asus, in the countryside where we were conducting our operation, and River came to visit me. Deciding she wanted to stay there longer with me, I went to the city to collect a few things she¡¯d need. When I returned, I found the house was sacked and blood covered the house. All the guards were dead, and a note that said they took her as payback for what I did to them.

    I searched for her with my team, and dayster, I found the dead body of River in an abandoned warehouse. She was barely recognizable, and half of it was burned. I carried guilt ever since. Now, she is standing in front of me, out of breath and looking pale and skinny.

    A clearing of throat jolts me, and I look away from River to the little Princess.

    ¡®What are you doing here?¡¯ I ask. She winces at my tone, and I bite my tongue. I didn¡¯t mean to sound rude.

    ¡®W- we are supposed to go get our license. You were not answering, so I came here as your mother suggested,¡¯ her voice is slightly shaking. Why has she been behaving so timid around me? She has always been fierce.

    ¡®Not now, I¡¯ll call you,¡¯ I tell her. She crosses her arms against her chest and stares at me defiantly.

    ¡®Don¡¯t order me around, Zuriel!¡¯ she barks, and there she is. ¡® I have things to do as well,¡¯

    ¡®I have a guest, Princess,¡¯ I gesture to River, who watches us with trepidation.

    ¡®Can we talk privately,¡¯ I say. I grab her arm, but I hear River grunt in pain. Her legs are failing her, and I carry her in my arms. I head towards the elevator.

    ¡®I¡¯ll call youter,¡¯ I tell ra. She doesn¡¯t listen and follows us in the elevator. She is ring at me.

    Reaching my penthouse, I put River on the couch. ¡® I¡¯m sorry Zuriel. I¡¯m still fragile,¡¯ she says softly, and I nod.

    Princess ra sits next to her, ¡®What happened to you, River?¡¯

    River stares at me. I also want to know. I thought she was dead.

    ¡®I thought you were dead,¡¯ I tell her. Tears rush down her face.

    ¡®It was horrible, Zuriel. I was in bed when you left me in the house, and masked men grabbed me. They took me to an abandoned house where they beat me and tortured me. One of them¡­ One of them raped me repeatedly,¡¯ she cries. I swallow, the weight of her words hitting me like a truck, but I remainposed.

    ¡®I saw your dead body,¡¯

    ¡®It wasn¡¯t mine. It was another girl¡¯s body you found. One of the men who raped me, Webster Rou, decided to keep me and faked my death because he knew you wouldn¡¯t stoping for them if you knew that I lived,¡¯ She told me. It was my fault. River suffered all this because of me. It was even worse than the guilt I¡¯d been feeling all these years.

    ¡®I even lost a baby- I was pregnant when they took me. That was why I came to the countryside to tell you, but I didn¡¯t get the chance to. Our baby died, Zuriel, it¡¯s dead,¡¯ she cries louder, gripping her stomach. I feel a sharp pain in my chest. A pain I¡¯d only felt once when I saw the little Princess in pain at the mall. My fist clenched on my side. I didn¡¯t even know about my child, and those filthy rogues killed it. I feel rage course through me, and I release my aura. River whimpers as the Princesses to my side.

 Chapter 24

    Zuriel

    ¡®You¡¯re scaring her. Please, calm down,¡¯ she speaks softly to me. My wolf listens more to her than me. He retracts to the back of my mind. I go to River and cup her face.

    ¡®I¡¯m sorry you went through all this because of me,¡¯ I say softly, and she hugs me.

    She buries her face in my chest. I hold her out of guilt and responsibility. I hear ra¡¯s breath shudder.

    ¡®How did you escape?¡¯ Princess ra asks. I was too angry to ask. River pulls away from me and looks at the Princess.

    ¡®There was a fire,¡¯ her breath quivers, ¡® Arge fire that was started by Webster Rogue¡¯s rival gang, and I used the chaotic opportunity to run. I ran for miles on end in the forest. I was dehydrated and tired but didn¡¯t stop until I reached this pack. I wish I could have helped the others escape, too,¡¯ she exins. I exhale, angry at what she¡¯s been through.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    She was hypernventting.

    ¡®Do you know where you were?¡¯ I ask. I¡¯m going to make them pay dearly.

    ¡®No, but even if I could point you to the ce, I¡¯m sure the rogues relocated after that immense fire that killed many,¡¯

    River wraps her arms around me.

    ¡®But how did you know where this pack was?¡¯

    ¡®Campass,¡¯ she shivers, looking at the little Princess through the side of her eyes. ra¡¯s face is stoic, so I don¡¯t know what she¡¯s thinking.

    ¡®Where is it? Who found you at the border? They need to write a statement,¡¯

    ¡®Please, I can¡¯t speak about this any longer,¡¯ River begs, her gaze pleading.

    ¡®But it needs to be addressed. How long have you been at the hospital, and which one?¡¯

    ¡®I can¡¯t talk,¡¯ River cries louder, shaking her head as she hides in the crook of my neck as though she sees a ghost.

    ¡®River, I know-¡®

    ¡®Enough!¡¯ I interrupt ra. The Princess res at me, and pain crosses her face.

    ¡®I want to sleep, Zuriel,¡¯ I carry her upstairs and put her in one of the guest¡¯s bedrooms. River gives me a small smile as I cover her with a sheet.

    ¡®I miss you, Zuriel, so much,¡¯

    ¡®Sleep. I¡¯ll call the doctor to check on you,¡¯ I tell her, and she nods, closing her eyes. I leave the room and go downstairs. ra is pacing the living area.

    ¡®It wasn¡¯t your fault.¡¯

    ra

    I didn¡¯t know what to do or the way to react. Zuriel had a girlfriend, and I didn¡¯t know about her. I was crushed when she hugged him. I wanted to push her away from him. He was my fianc¨¦, and he was supposed to marry me! So why was she hugging him, and why was he letting her do that?

    River then told us her story. I was mortified to learn what happened to the poor woman. No woman deserves to be raped and have their baby killed. I saw Zuriel¡¯s guilt. He med himself for what happened. Therefore, do anything to ease her pain and be there for her.

    Zuriel didn¡¯t understand that we needed to find out more about her. Maybe I¡¯m speaking out of jealousy, but something was off about River. She was kidnapped for four years, yet there was no evidence of that. She had no visible scars on her arms and legs even though she imed to be tortured. She looked sickly and weak, but that¡¯s all.

    ¡®I was thinking the same, and her attitude changed so much when she was with Zuriel,¡¯ Ara added. She doesn¡¯t care about River. She just wants her gone.

    ¡®The hyperventting and crying, I know,¡¯ I added.

    ¡®And tone and voice changed!¡¯ Ara spat.

    ¡®You-¡® I stopped myself. Why was I bashing a woman who was hurt? What if it was just my covetousness talking that way? What if she went through the horror she did? I need to be sympathetic and help her. I pace around the room until Zurieles downstairs. He looks tired.

    ¡®It wasn¡¯t your fault,¡¯ These are the first words that leave my mouth.

    ¡®They only got her to punish me,¡¯ he gritted his teeth. He sat on the couch. I sat in front of him, holding his hand. He didn¡¯t revolt against me.

    ¡®What happens now?¡¯ I ask after a moment of silence. He moves away from me. I wince at the distance he put.

    ¡®I¡¯ll arrange therapy for her, and I¡¯ll find her a home,¡¯ he says, and I let out a breath. I sympathized with River but didn¡¯t want her to stay here, especially since they had a rtionship. Zuriel already feels guilty for what happened, so he¡¯d do things to make her feel at ease.

    ¡®Yes, that¡¯s the right thing to do. We¡¯ll make her asfortable as we can,¡¯

    ¡®We?¡¯ he narrows his gaze on me.

    ¡®Um, yes. We are getting married, so we¡¯ll be like a team,¡¯ I say confidently. Zuriel¡¯s expression alone shuts down my confidence.

    ¡®Oh, that,¡¯

    I instinctively pull away from him. I smile tightly.

    ¡®Do you want to get married to me, Zuriel?¡¯ I ask.

    ¡®I have no choice,¡¯ My heart shatters at his response, but I don¡¯t show it. I knew he was only marrying me because he had no choice. His mother wanted this, not him.

    ¡®Zuriel, I¡¯m giving you a way out now. If you don¡¯t want this, I¡¯ll go to my father. I¡¯ll tell him I decided to end this engagement. I promise no me will befall you,¡¯ I say with a shaking voice. My heart breaks even as I say these words. I fell in love with him, but if he was unhappy, I needed to stop this and take all the me. I don¡¯t care about a scandal as long as he is happy.

    ¡®The dishonor will ruin you, and you will be bullied. Known as the whore princess, is that what you want?¡¯ his voice is soft.

    ¡®Don¡¯t worry about me, Zuriel. You have up to Friday to decide,¡¯ I say and turn to walk away from his penthouse. The elevator closes, and my knees fall. I sit on the floor crying until I reach the ground floor. I wipe my tears and get to my feet, leaving the elevator.

 Chapter 25

    Zuriel

    She was giving me a way out. Why was she giving me a way out? Didn¡¯t she want this?

    ¡®She saw you¡¯re miserable, that¡¯s why,¡¯ Riel says.

    ¡®Miserable isn¡¯t the word I¡¯d use,¡¯

    ¡®But that¡¯s how she sees it. You¡¯re angry and cold towards the little Princess!¡¯ he uses. Was I angry and cold towards her? I was just being myself. It can¡¯t be helped. It¡¯s how I¡¯ve always felt and lived.

    I can¡¯t back out of the wedding. The bullying of ra will be constant, and I need this marriage to happen for my benefit, too.

    ¡®Connor, Connor,¡¯ those words from her lips y in my head. She called her name in her sleep. Why the fuck does she love him after what he did to her? I shall never understand her.

    ¡®It was weeks ago. Get over it,¡¯ Riel groans.

    I close my eyes momentarily, removing all thought of Princess ra in my head,

    There was an issue of River. She was back now, and I needed to tell her what was happening. The news of my marriage will break her heart, especially since she confessed many times that she was in love with me.

    I hear soft footsteps approach from upstairs. River looks well-rested and has a smile on her face. She attempts to sit on myp, but I put her beside me. She tilts her neck in confusion but smiles.

    ¡®I missed you so much, Zuriel,¡¯

    ¡®I¡¯m getting married,¡¯ I break the news of my marriage before she can think of other things. Sheughs but stops when she realizes I¡¯m serious.

    ¡®No,¡¯ she cries, ¡® You can not do that, not after I¡¯m back. Not after what happened to me!¡¯

    Oh boy. River is crying for good now. Her petite frame is shaking under therge gown she is wearing.

    ¡®No, please, Zuriel, I fought so much just to get back to you. I have no one but you,¡¯ she sniffs. I caress her hair.

    ¡®You¡¯ll be well taken care of, River. I¡¯ll provide a house, money, and the best medical care. Everything you will ever need,¡¯ I tell her.

    ¡®It¡¯s not about money, Zuriel!¡¯ she shouts, ¡® It¡¯s about me and you. I know you don¡¯t love me as much as I love you, but that¡¯s okay. My love is enough for both of us,¡¯ she sobs again. If I wasn¡¯t already guilty, I¡¯m feeling it harder now. I move away from her and take a deep breath.

    ¡®I¡¯m sorry, River. I have no choice,¡¯ I tell her.

    ¡®No, you¡¯re Zuriel Crawford. You always have a choice. You have to find a way out,¡¯ she demands.

    I understand River¡¯s pain. She has been through so much because of me, and what I should have done was be with her as she wanted. I managed to calm her, and she wrapped her arms around her.

    ¡®So you have no choice but to marry that little Princess?¡¯

    ¡®Heck, I don¡¯t want to get married to anyone,¡¯

    ¡®I believe you have no option because I know how you feel about marriage,¡¯ She detaches herself from me. I¡¯m trying not to push her off me.

    ¡®Zuriel, I want to be close to you,¡¯

    ¡®I¡¯m not sleeping with you, River,¡¯ I tell her. There is a silent pause before she says,

    ¡®No, I mean. I can¡¯t stay alone after what happened to me. I get terrible nightmares, and I can¡¯t stay with people I don¡¯t know properly, either. I want to stay here with you until I get my life back, please,¡¯ she begs. I looked at her for a minute.

    ¡®This is the dumbest shit you¡¯ll ever do,¡¯ my wolf says. I inhale,

    ¡® Don¡¯t do this. It is trouble,¡¯

    ¡®Of course,¡¯ I tell River. Soon, she¡¯ll get her old life back. I can wait. I can give her this much. She wraps her arms around me, and this time, I hold her arms and push her from me gently.

    ¡®The hugs need to stop,¡¯ I tell her seriously.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ra

    Zuriel hasn¡¯t contacted me to back out of the wedding. What was he thinking? I gave him a way out. I would live with the shame of the videos and insults. No one would me him. Could it be that he felt something for me, too?

    I continue eating my breakfast. My brother asks me with his eyes if I¡¯m alright, and I nod.

    ¡®Are you excited to get married?¡¯ My younger brother, Killian, asks. I nod and take a bite into my bagel.

    ¡®Of course, she¡¯s marrying the love of her life,¡¯ Mom says with a smile. It was no secret in my family that I was in love with Zuriel.

    I wanted to be happy with this marriage, but why would I if Zuriel wasn¡¯t?

    ¡®If he hasn¡¯t called to tell you to back out, maybe he loves us,¡¯ Ara says. She has been too excited since our wedding was announced.

    I nced at my phone. Every time it rings. My heartbeat erratically in my chest, thinking it is Zuriel, wanting to ept.

    ¡®Azura ising for your wedding,¡¯ mom informs me. Azura is her dear friend in the world. She loves to travel with her husband, Zac, and they bring us presents.

    ¡®I miss her. I¡¯m so d they are flying in,¡¯ I say. The breakfast goes on smoothly. However, I notice my brother, Khai, is glum. I open my mouth to ask what is wrong when I feel a sharp pain in my chest. I grip the edge of the table. I will never get used to the pain of betrayal. I blink a few times. My vision is already blurry.

 Chapter 26

    ra

    ¡®I¡¯ll fucking kill him,¡¯ Khai roars through the mind link. He knows I don¡¯t want my parents to know I¡¯m in pain. That¡¯s why he didn¡¯t speak louder. His wolf is going crazy right now. I grip his hand painfully.

    ¡®Um, Mom, Dad. I should leave. I forgot I had onest fitting with Stan at LaCroix fashion house,¡¯ I tell them.

    ¡®ra, you hardly touch your food these days. No, stay and finish eating while I watch you,¡¯ Mom gives me a stern look. I frown.

    ¡®Mama,¡¯ I say sweetly, as I did when I was a child, ¡® I ate plenty, please. I can¡¯t wait to wear my wedding dress,¡¯ I force a smile through the pain. It¡¯s all she needs to let me go.

    ¡®I¡¯ll drive her,¡¯ Khai says. We stand up and quickly leave before they notice something is wrong. I fall to the ground once I¡¯m out of sight of my family, and my brother carries me in his arms.

    ¡®I¡¯ll fucking rip him apart,¡¯ he growls.

    ¡®If I don¡¯t kill him first,¡¯ I grit as pain ripples through my whole body. We reach my bedroom, and he ces me on the bed.

    ¡®Connor is hiding so well. I¡¯ve been working with Zuriel, and I still can¡¯t find him,¡¯ he says, pacing the room. The pain was subsiding.

    ¡®Zuriel is looking for him too?¡¯ I ask, surprised, and he nods.

    ¡®Seriously. Connor is not surviving this year,¡¯ he smirks.

    ¡®Zuriel,¡¯ Ara breathes. She was so enchanted by him.

    The painpletely dies down, and I smile faintly, feeling relief. I hop out of bed and step towards my brother.

    ¡®What¡¯s been in your pantiestely?¡¯ I ask. He runs a hand through his thick hair and lets out a sigh.

    ¡®My wolf is yearning for his mate,¡¯ he tells me. I frown. My brother just turned 21 years old. It is the time wolves crave their mate¡¯s presence. Most alphas will find their mates at 18 years old, but not the men in my family. My father found my mate when he was 30 years old.

    ¡®You will find her soon,¡¯ I say, hugging him. Khai deserves to be happy with his mate, not that insufferable girlfriend of his, Izzy.

    ¡®But what if I don¡¯t? , I think it¡¯s my one fear,¡¯ he confesses.

    ¡®I promise you¡¯ll find her,¡¯ I assure him. I know it in my heart.

    He sighs and pulls away. He cradles my cheek, and I smile.

    ¡®ra, are you happy about your marriage with Zuriel?¡¯ I swallow and contemte before answering. My brother is looking at me with sincere eyes that want to know my heart.

    ¡®I would be happier if Zuriel is happy too. But I know he isn¡¯t, so I¡¯m not too ecstatic,¡¯

    ¡®I¡¯m sorry to hear that because I know how much you love him, but if he doesn¡¯t feel the same about you, maybe you shouldn¡¯t go through with you. You will be unhappy and unsatisfied if it¡¯s one-sided love,¡¯

    ¡®I know. I gained courage and told him to back out, and I¡¯ll take the me,¡¯

    ¡®And?¡¯

    ¡®He hasn¡¯t confirmed anything with me,¡¯

    ¡®Zuriel is aplex man. He has a troubled past,¡¯ he sighs. That makes me curious.

    What has he been through?

    ¡®What has he been through?¡¯ I ask gently. I knew there was something about Zuriel Crawford that they were hiding.

    ¡®It¡¯s not my story, but Zuriel has been struggling. If you choose to be by his side, don¡¯t expect it to be easy or that he will fall in love with you quickly,¡¯

    I know my brother won¡¯t tell me anything else. I can only sigh and nod. I lie back on the bed. Tomorrow is my wedding day¡­ If he doesn¡¯t back out before midnight.

    The day was eventful. I spent it with my friends as they insisted we celebrate myst day being a single woman. My heart was still uneasy though, so I left the party early and went to my room. I took a shower andy in bed¡­ Waiting.

    It is a minute to midnight when I receive a text from Zuriel. I slowly open it, and it reads,

    {Tomorrow, you will be Mrs. Crawford } That¡¯s all his text says. I inhale, a sigh of relief leaving my lips after the message. I respond okay, but erase it and put my phone away.

    Mrs. ra Crawford.

    ¡®Oh, Princess, you are such a beautiful bride!¡¯ Solena cries. I smile at her in thanks. She is busy taking pictures as stylists dress me. My wedding dress is stunning, and it fits just right. It is an off-shoulder dress with a tail.

    Even though I didn¡¯t show it, I was nervous. After today, I will be Princess ra S. Crawford. The wedding is taking ce at the grandmother¡¯s luxurious vi.

    ¡®Have you spoken to the groom yet?¡¯ Sol asks, looking around to see if someone is eavesdropping.

    ¡®No,¡¯ I whisper. She frowns. Oh, no, she¡¯s hiding something. What is she hiding from me?

    ¡®Give me your phone,¡¯ I demand. She shakes her head and hides her phone from me.

    ¡®Sol,¡¯ I warn.

    ¡®Fine, someone saw your groom at a restaurantst night with a woman,¡¯

    I grab the phone from her hand and scroll on the newsfeed. It¡¯s a picture of Zuriel and River. They are standing close to each other, and the other picture shows them eating at a restaurant.

    ¡®When was this taken?¡¯ I ask.

    ¡®Last night,¡¯ she replies. I re at her. I now know why I lost my phonest night when we went out for a little celebration. Sol took it to prevent me from seeing this.

    ¡®Why was he having dinner with his ex? , this girl will be bad news for your rtionship,¡¯

    River has been through shit and survived. She came back only to find the man she loved was about to get married to another.

    ¡®I¡¯m sure Zuriel was just trying to make her feel better because he¡¯s getting married,¡¯ I tell her, dismissing the issue, but my heart remains unsettled.

    I stare at the mirror, unable to hide the faint smile on my face. I am marrying Zuriel. I have indescribable joy in my heart.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    My mother walks into the dressing room with a smile, ¡®Are you ready, ra?¡¯

 Chapter 27

    ra

    I nod. She adds a diadem on my head with a veil.

    ¡®is everyone here?¡¯ I ask slowly. I needed to know if Zuriel hade.

    ¡®Yes, the groom is already in the chapel, looking handsome,¡¯

    My hands begin to quiver as I stand at the entrance of the chapel.

    My fatheres to me and smiles. He gives me his arm to hold on to. I step inside the chapel, and all heads turn to us when we appear, and whispers of admiration run through.

    The chapel is decorated in white. Everything is so elegant. Zuriel is standing at the altar.

    He¡¯s wearing a ck tuxedo and looking breathtaking as always. His intense gaze is on me.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    Music that indicates for us to walk to the aisle starts to y. I swallow and walk, my hand shaking slightly, and I hold my father¡¯s arm tighter.

    ¡®Rx, sweetheart, you¡¯re alright,¡¯ Dad¡¯s calming voice sounds.

    My father shakes Zuriel¡¯s hand with a reticence,

    ¡®If you hurt my daughter, Zuriel Crawford, I¡¯ll kill you,¡¯ he whispers, and Zuriel nods, epting fate. Dad leaves us, and I¡¯m facing my groom-to-be. Next to us is Uncle Roman, who will be officing our ceremony.

    We repeated our wedding vows as we stared at each other. There is no emotion on Zuriel¡¯s face. It was time to exchange rings, and Solena gave us the rings. I take his ring and with trembling fingers, put it on his wedding finger.

    Zuriel takes my hand and inspects it for a moment. I wonder what he is thinking. He puts a unique diamond after my engagement ring. The ring catches my attention. The moment it is ced on my finger, a warm sensation washes over me, and it burns for a moment before it cools. It feels like it is in me.

    ¡®Zuriel, you may kiss your bride,¡¯ my uncle says.

    My heartbeat elerates in my chest. Zuriel pulls me to him by the waist. He kisses me. The kiss is long, passionate, yet tender. I want more of it. I deepen the kiss, taking him by surprise as my uncle yells,

    ¡®Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Crawford!¡¯

    Wild cheers resounds in the chapel, and flowers rain down on us.

    My hands are still on his shoulders as I watch everyone howl and cheer. However, scary gasps erupt from the crowd when I hear a thud.

    ¡®Is she alright?¡¯

    ¡®Oh my! What happened to her?¡¯

    ¡®She just gasped and fainted,¡¯ I hear murmurs.

    People are looking towards the entrance, and I realize who fell. It was River.

    ¡®You were photographed togetherst night, and she faints. Now, you want to rush to her? People will gossip,¡¯ I whisper. An emotion I don¡¯t recognize on him crosses his face.

    ¡®Brandon, please carry that woman and take her to one of the rooms to rest,¡¯ I mind linking my best friend. Brandon goes to her and picks her up, taking her away.

    ¡®Brandon will take care of her. I instructed him to put her in one of the rooms,¡¯

    I changed into another white dress andfortable shoes.

    The partymences with music, dancing, and drinking in an outdoor garden. It is decorated with nice lights and white flowers. Round tables are set, with a card on it where each person is supposed to sit. Alphas and high-ranking members came to witness our union.

    I stand beside Zuriel, and he nces at me. I¡¯m surprised when he holds my hand, making my heart beat faster.

    ¡®Are you alright, Princess?¡¯ When he calls me Princess, I feel in my heart he¡¯s not referring only to my position. His sad emerald eyes are warm.

    ¡®Yes, I¡¯m alright,¡¯ I answer finally.

    ¡®Are you alright?¡¯ he only nods to my question.

    For a while, peoplee to congratte us on our marriage. Everyone is rxed and interacting at the party. Zuriel¡¯s mom is ecstatic as shees to us,

    ¡®Oh, my perfect, love. You¡¯ve made me so happy!¡¯ she says. Zuriel caresses her cheek gently.

    ¡®I¡¯m d you are, mother.¡¯

    ¡®But I want you to be happy too¡­ Both of you,¡¯ she says.

    ¡®We are happy, aunt. Thank you,¡¯ I say.

    Zuriel and I dance together, and I love it. He¡¯s grumpy because he doesn¡¯t want to dance, but still obliges. His hands are on my waist as we move to the music. I was lost in his gaze as we danced.

    A few hourster, we had a fireworks disy. I was observing the fireworks disy when I heard Zuriel¡¯s voice in my ear.

    ¡®Want to leave?¡¯ Zuriel asks, looking into my eyes. I smile and nod. He grabs my hand, making warmth shoot up my arm.

    We are about to leave, but we are intercepted by River. She is wearing all ck, and her eyes and nose are red. One could tell she was crying.

    ¡®River,¡¯ I say, and her angry gaze snaps to me. I¡¯m almost taken aback. I guess I should understand her reaction since I took her man.

    ¡®River, are you alright?¡¯ Zuriel asks, letting go of my hand, and I couldn¡¯t contain the snicker that leaves my lips as I slightly re at him.

    ¡®I thought you¡¯de to see me,¡¯ she says weakly. Zuriel sighs.

    ¡®I¡¯m sorry, but I got held up,¡¯ he says. River gives him a small smile and nods. She looks at me and says.

    ¡®Congrattions on marrying my boyfriend. I hope you two will be at least happy even though he didn¡¯t want this marriage,¡¯ she says, and I still. Zuriel growls in warning, but she smiles.

    ¡®It was a joke,¡¯ she chuckles as she hugs me quickly. Zuriel¡¯s phone rings, and he moves a few paces to answer it. River¡¯s smile vanishes once Zuriel is out of sight.

 Chapter 28

    ra

    ¡®Seriously though, Princess, I won¡¯t wish you well because you¡¯re tearing my heart apart. You could have stopped this wedding but didn¡¯t because of your selfishness,¡¯ she whispers so that only I can hear her. I grab her shoulders and push her away from me harshly.

    ¡®He wants this marriage. He had a chance to stop it, and I¡¯d take the me, but he didn¡¯t,¡¯ I¡¯m ring at her.

    ¡®I don¡¯t believe that. He told me himself that he didn¡¯t want this, but he¡¯s doing it to save you from a scandal,¡¯ she sneers. I growl and take dangerous steps towards her. Her heart is beating fast in fear of me. She backs away slowly. I¡¯m so angry at her. However, before I can open my mouth to speak, Zuriel is back, and River smiles at him.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡®I¡¯m sorry for that joke, ra. I can see it didn¡¯t sit well with you. I will be the first to admit I¡¯m bitter about this union, but it is for the best,¡¯ River says, smiling at me. I don¡¯t smile back, just scowling at her. She goes to Zuriel and holds his arm. I re at the hand around my husband¡¯s arm.

    ¡®Tell her I have a dark sense of humor,¡¯ she giggles.

    ¡®Don¡¯t touch my husband,¡¯ I say calmly, yet my voice ismanding. Zuriel looks shocked. I notice a few people staring at us, curious and whispering among themselves. I wear a stic smile and show her my ring.

    ¡®Don¡¯t touch him,¡¯ I grit my teeth this time. River staggers away from my hubby.

    ¡®Why are you being rude to me?¡¯ she croaks and turns away, running as she cries. I roll my eyes. So melodramatic.

    I smile and wave at the spectators watching us. They awkwardly smile and look away.

    ¡®Why did you say that to her?¡¯ Zuriel asks in a smooth tone.

    ¡®She was clinging to you while people watched. Do you want us to be in the middle of a scandal right after our wedding?¡¯ I ask. I don¡¯t bother hiding the annoyance in my voice,¡¯ And why did you tell your ex-girlfriend you didn¡¯t want this marriage?¡¯

    He looks confused, but realization dawns, and he sighs.

    ¡®She was crying-¡® I snap before he finishes speaking,

    ¡®Don¡¯t tell her personal things simply because she cries. From the looks of it, it will be happening a lot,¡¯

    I¡¯m breathing heavily. I¡¯m angry at him right now. The tension between us is palpable. Zuriel¡¯s jaw clenches.

    ¡®Listen to me-¡®

    ¡®No, you listen to me, husband. I gave you a way out. You didn¡¯t take it. I won¡¯t let anyone embarrass me or my family,¡¯ I growl. We are in the middle of an intense staredown when his mother and mome to where we are. They are oblivious to the tension swirling around us,

    ¡®What are you still doing here? You should be in the car on your way to the airport,¡¯

    ¡®Where are we going?¡¯ I ask. Zuriel looks away, unimpressed.

    ¡®To your honeymoon, sweetheart,¡¯ Mom answers.

    ¡®To the Maldives. We have a resort there, and it¡¯s simply amazing! You¡¯ll be there for a week since this one says no to staying longer than that,¡¯ Halsey says, pointing at her son.

    Zuriel¡¯s eyes cloud. He is mind-linking with his mother. He suddenly carries me bridal style, and I yelp, holding his shoulders. The crowd cheers and howlse from every direction as he walks to the car. I lean into his ck shirt and inhale his scent. He puts me in the car. He drives us to a private airport.

    Connor

    I was roaring and growling in anger when I saw her wedding pictures. My mate was married to another man. The pain in my chest was immensurable. My wolf was wheezing and cursing me. How could ra do this to me?!

    I red at the phone in my hand. I haven¡¯t been using it for the past week, and when I did, I found this.

    ¡®You¡¯re not taking this well at all. I thought you didn¡¯t like her,¡¯ sneered Patty. I almost charged at her. I was barely holding it together.

    ¡®ra Silvius is mine whether I want her or not,¡¯ I growl, and she flinches. I feel like I¡¯m losing my mind right now. I need my mate with me. I want her with me. The thought of her being married to another man killed me inside. Not so long ago, I felt the mate bond betrayal burn through me, but I thought it was her getting vengeance on me. I know that girl. She was not a whore like I wanted the world to think. She was modest and calm with a beautiful soul.

    I checked out the man she married. Zuriel Crawford. A billionaire businessman and heir to the Crawford empire. He was impressive, indeed. I smash my phone against the wall in anger.

    ¡®I want my mate,¡¯ my wolf demands. I was seeing red, and staying in this cottage would make me angrier. I bolt through the door, but Patty follows me, trying to touch me. I turn and push her against the wall with inhuman strength, and she flies into the wall.

    I hear her scream as I run into the forest. I don¡¯t care about her. I shift into my wolf form and don¡¯t stop running. I howl to the moon in anger and jealousy.

 Chapter 29

    ra

    We arrived at our destinationte at night. We were just so tired that we went right to sleep.

    The following day, when I woke up, Zuriel wasn¡¯t in bed with me. I stretched and inspected the room we¡¯d be staying in for the week.

    The suite is elegant. It has tall ss windows that give us a perfect view of the ind. I can see the blue ocean and sand. We are surrounded by clear waters, and the air is fresh.

    There is a knock on the door, and four servants in neat uniforms walk in with smiles.

    A tall man with a mustache steps forward and bows. He then introduces the other servants. There are two house cleaners, one chef, and a supervisor.

    ¡®Have you seen my husband?¡¯ I ask.

    ¡®Yes, he is discussing with the manager of the resort,¡¯ he says. I nod and go to the bathroom as they stay to clean the room. I stayed in the jacuzzi for a while, and when I came out. I went straight to the walk-in closet where our bags were. To my surprise, everything was packed neatly. I opened a drawer and pulled out my thong. I picked out a long silk dress, paired it with pearls earrings and ne. I want to look modest and cute. I brush my hair and leave the closet.

    I go back into the bedroom. Zuriel is there, and my heart beats faster in my chest. He is wearing white cks and a white button shirt, the upper buttons of the shirt are undone, and I can see his eight-pack. As I openly gawked at him, he did the same to me.

    ¡®Good morning,¡¯ I greet him with a smile.

    ¡®Morning, breakfast?¡¯ he asks, and I nod. I follow Zuriel out.

    As we walked to god knows where, I admired the surrounding scenery. The staff bow to us as we pass them. We go to a gazebo near a pond. There, a two-for-two was set, and was delicious breakfast was served,

    ¡®So what are we doing today,¡¯ I ask, eating a bagel. He grabs his ck coffee and shrugs.

    ¡®What do you want to do?¡¯

    ¡®Maybe go to local sites,¡¯ I say, and he nods.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡®One of the supervisors can go with you. I have made arrangements,¡¯

    ¡®You¡¯re noting with me?¡¯ I ask, annoyed. I want to spend the day with him. We are on our honeymoon for fuck sake. He lifts his gaze, so he looks into my eyes.

    ¡®I have a meeting,¡¯ he says. I nced away and clenched my fist. I get up.

    ¡®Well, I guess I should go,¡¯ I say. Zuriel dares to look surprised at my sudden sour mood.

    ¡®Breakfast,¡¯

    ¡®I¡¯m full,¡¯ I say and went to our room. It angers me that he doesn¡¯t even follow me. I know he doesn¡¯t want any of this, but he can make an effort, especially since he knows of my feelings for him.

    ¡®Does he, though?¡¯ Ara asks.

    ¡®I¡¯m sure he does,¡¯ I mumble.

    ¡®He thinks you¡¯re in love with Connor. That¡¯s why he isn¡¯t even trying,¡¯ Ara always makes up excuses for his rude behavior, but I tune her out.

    I grab my purse and cell phone before going to the lobby. I requested to see the supervisor who was in our room earlier.

    ¡®My husband told me that you could show me around the ind,¡¯ I tell him, and he nods. He checks his wristwatch and frowns.

    ¡®I will call the tour guide now. I was supposed to go with you, but I have an emergency. I¡¯m sorry, Mrs. Crawford,¡¯

    Mrs Crawford, I repeat silently. I love it. He makes a phone call, and five minutester, a tall man approaches us. He is good-looking with a stubble beard and a muscr frame. I can tell from his scent that he¡¯s human. He gives me a charming smile. The supervisor speaks to him in a differentnguage, and he nods with a polite smile.

    ¡®Hello, Mrs. Crawford. My name is Rob, and I¡¯ll be your guide throughout your stay here.¡¯

    I extend my hand to him and shake it. Rob looks fondly at me.

    Robert is the best tour guide ever. He knows everything and everyone. The beach is ravishing here.

    After meeting the locals and eating their famous delicacies, Rob and I walk by the beach, drinking cocktails from pineapple cups.

    ¡®It¡¯s so peaceful and beautiful here,¡¯ I smile.

    ¡®Indeed,¡¯

    ¡®Were you born here, Rob?¡¯ I ask, and he shakes his head.

    ¡®No, but my mom originates here. I came when I was 10- years old after my father got a permanent position at the resort,¡¯ he tells me. His father was the head supervisor at the resort.

    I don¡¯t know how long we had been talking while walking.

    Rob gets a camera and takes a picture of me. He smiles and looks at it.

    ¡®Lovely,¡¯

    I check the picture, it is perfect. The sunset was hitting my face, and I was smiling, holding my coconut drink.

    ¡®Oh fuck, it¡¯s gettingte,¡¯ I say. I was having such a good time with Rob that I didn¡¯t notice it waste. He didn¡¯t even notice, either.

    ¡®Oh no,¡¯ he mutters, looking worried. We walk back to the resort, and he tells me about activities to do.

    ¡®All those seem fun,¡¯ I say. ¡® But I want to do something thrilling, you know,¡¯

    ¡®Scuba diving, your husband likes that,¡¯ he says. I slow down. I didn¡¯t know Zuriel enjoyed that. I want to know what he likes doing when hees here, but I¡¯m ashamed to ask.

    ¡®He also likes shark diving, swimming with crocodiles, motorcycle racing, free fall, skydiving,¡¯ he points out, ¡® Every dangerous activity there is,¡¯

    Of course, he¡¯d like all that.

    ¡®Does hee here often?¡¯ I ask slowly.

    ¡®It¡¯s been a while since he came. I remember seeing him a lot when we were younger,¡¯ I stare at Rob. I always want to know about my new husband.

    ¡®Did he spend time with anyone?¡¯

 Chapter 30

    ra

    ¡®He¡¯s a loner. There were times his mother would ask me to y with him, but he barely spoke to me,¡¯ he says, shrugging his shoulders. Zuriel has always been like that. He was a loner and pushed people away. I wonder why he did that. His life must have been lonely.

    ¡®I see,¡¯

    I smile at Rob when we reach the resort and sigh, ¡® Thank you so much. I had a wonderful time, and I¡¯ll see you tomorrow,¡¯

    ¡®Of course, Ma¡¯am,¡¯

    I groan, ¡® Again? I told you to call me ra,¡¯

    He smiles and nods, ¡® Good night, ra,¡¯

    I watch him leave. The female concierge is ring at me. She fosters a smile when our eyes meet, but I remain stoic. I¡¯m about to go in the elevator, but I hit my body into someone and dropped my phone,

    ¡®Sorry,¡¯ I murmur, picking it up. I nce up at the person I bumped into. Cold, dark emerald eyes are ring daggers at me.

    ¡®Hey, where are you going?¡¯ I ask, ignoring his angry stare.

    ¡®Why were you with that man?¡¯ he growls. I roll my eyes. Was he watching?

    ¡®He¡¯s my tour guide,¡¯ I retort and walk past him to the elevator. He follows suit. I draw in a deep breath. For some reason, I¡¯m just angry at him. Zuriel doesn¡¯t say a word or ask how my day was after not seeing me the whole day! We reach our suite, and I go straight to the bathroom. I take off my clothes and stand under the hot shower. I want to hit the wall and scream. I hate how Zuriel disregards me. I take a long time in the shower. I enjoy the water on my body. I blow my hair dry before leaving the shower.

    When I came out, Zuriel was at the door, blocking me.

    ¡®What?¡¯

    ¡®Are you mad at me?¡¯ he asks.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    ¡®Why do you think that,¡¯ I say with sarcasm, but it goes over his head.

    ¡®You were unusually quiet on our way here, and I can sense your anger,¡¯ he exins. Our proximity makes me feel overwhelmed, and I step away from him.

    ¡®I¡¯m upset that you didn¡¯te with me today,¡¯ I tell him. He looks shocked for a moment.

    ¡®Oh, but I was-¡®

    ¡®I know, in a meeting,¡¯ I snap and go to the walk-in closet. I pick out a night dress. Solena bought it for me as a wedding present. It was so sexy. I contemte wearing it,

    ¡®Just do it,¡¯ Ara purrs. She wants us to wear it so that Zuriel should notice and want us. Reluctantly, I do and turn in the mirror. My cheeks redden. I put my hair in a bun before going out. Zuriel¡¯s gaze found me immediately. I see longing and lust clear in his eyes. His heart skips a beat, and he looks away from me. He sucks in a breath and asks in a low, deep voice,

    ¡®Dinner?¡¯

    I smirk, pleased that my n to incense him up sexually worked.

    ¡®We can be dinner,¡¯ Ara muses.

    ¡®No, I already ate,¡¯ I say.

    I sit on the couch, crossing my legs and checking on my family. I can feel my husband¡¯s gaze on me. However, I don¡¯t look at him. My heart is racing, but I try to tame him. It is our first real night together as a married couple. What will happen now? Are we going to consummate our marriage?

    He goes to the mini-bar near the balcony. I can see him. His gaze makes my body burn in desire. I want him to make love to me, but he doesn¡¯t make an effort toe close to me.

    I give up on being with him tonight. He won¡¯t do it. He doesn¡¯t love me.

    I go to bed and close my eyes to sleep. But sleep doesn¡¯te easy. I turn and toss until I drift to sleep.

    His fingers on my body are driving me crazy. I want him to touch my core and pleasure me. I feel his hands on my body, and my hips arch, wanting more of his hands.

    A soft moan escapes my mouth as his lips descend on my neck. I hear a growl erupt, but I ignore him. He¡¯s in my dream, and I¡¯m in charge.

    ¡®Zuriel,¡¯ I moaned,

    ¡®Yes, little princess?¡¯ I hear his voice. It sounds so close and too ¡­ Real. My eyes snap open, and sit upright when I see him watching me. I¡¯m panting and blushing. Zuriel has a smirk on his face.

    ¡®You were dreaming about me,¡¯ his voice is low and sexy.

    ¡®No,¡¯ I mumble, getting out of bed. My eyes go to the clock. It is past 10 P.M now. I was only asleep for an hour. I go to the mini-bar and grab the bottle he was drinking from. I pour liquor into a ss and gulp.

    I pull a face. It is so strong. I am not used to drinking. It is only now that I started to drink wine.

    ¡®What were you dreaming about?¡¯ he asks with an amused look.

    ¡®Since when do you care what I dream about?¡¯ I retort.

    ¡®Since you called my name over four times in your sleep,¡¯ I¡¯m dying of shame after he says that to me. I evade his eyes and take another gulp of his liquor. Zuriel takes the bottle of scotch from me and takes the ss. He pours some in a ss and drinks it.

    ¡®It was just a dream,¡¯ I murmur.

    We are silent. It¡¯s not ufortable.

    ¡®We are married. What happens now,¡¯ I ask, breaking the silence,

    ¡®Nothing. We stay married,¡¯ he answers. Ara surfaces. She is nning something. I let her guide me. I¡¯m tired of being distant from him. We are married now. I might as well enjoy it while hurting my ex-mate.

 Chapter 31

    ra

    ¡®My body feels hot,¡¯ I say, taking off my sexy nightdress. Zuriel turns his gaze from me quickly.

    ¡®Princess,¡¯ he warns.

    ¡®Is it hot in here, Zuriel,¡¯

    ¡®What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡¯ he asks, his voice unstable. I¡¯m getting the reaction I want from him.

    ¡®I want to go swimming,¡¯ I tell him. I momentarily close my eyes when I remember I can¡¯t swim because of my fear of water.

    ¡®I want to cool my body,¡¯ I corrected myself. I grab a towel and leave the suite.

    Zuriel follows me to the inbuilt pool, just outside our suite. I¡¯m happy to see that it is empty. I step into the shallow water and throw the towel to the ground. Zuriel does a 180 and I chuckle so hard.

    ¡®You can look,¡¯ I say, taking off my thong.

    ¡®No,¡¯This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡®Why?¡¯ I pout, ¡® Am I not desirable for you?¡¯ I see his body go rigid after my words.

    ¡®You¡¯re drunk,¡¯ he growls. I¡¯m a little tipsy, but I¡¯m conscious of my actions.

    ¡®So, I¡¯m not good enough for you,¡¯ I say, feigning hurt. Zuriel draws in a breath.

    ¡®Your maniption won¡¯t work on me, little Princess,¡¯

    I bite myugh and step out of the pool. I stand in front of him.

    His mesmerizing, forlorn eyes widen but don¡¯t dare go lower. I want his gaze to go lower. I desire to see yearning in his gaze.

    ¡®Why are you doing this, little Princess?¡¯

    His gaze lowers to my lips. I lick my bottom lips.

    ¡®I want you to look at me,¡¯ I whisper. I slowly run my fingers on his smooth toned chest. His body jerks.

    I undo his shirt buttonspletely and take off his shirt. I suck in a deep breath as I take in his rippled body. It is a perfect work of art. His body isn¡¯t without scars. He has scars along his back and torso. They make him even sexier.

    Zuriel has a huge dragon tattoo on his back. I can¡¯t stop looking at it. It seems so fierce and alive. Why would a werewolf get a dragon tattoo? I slowly kiss it, and every scar on his body. He shudders.

    His willpower would snap anytime soon. I can feel it. I suck in a deep breath as I take him in.

    I caress him gently, and his breath shudders under my touch.

    He attempts to remove my hands from his chest, but he stops, only clenching his fist on his side. Zuriel doesn¡¯t like to be touched, but he tolerates it. It makes me happy. I move away from him slightly ¡­ His eyes fall on my whole body. Zuriel¡¯s gaze lingers on my bare chest and lower. I see the raw passion in his gaze. It is what I wanted to see. His eyes are dark with lust. I smile and touch him again.

    ¡®I- I don¡¯t like to be touched,¡¯ his voice is strained but so fucking sexy.

    ¡®I noticed, but I love touching you, Zuriel,¡¯ my voice is thick with lust.

    ¡®Don¡¯t try me, ¡®

    ¡®What happens if I do?¡¯ I ask, kissing his chest softly and biting it.

    ¡®ra!¡¯ he growls. It is the first time he¡¯s spoken my name. He spoke it with desire and passion. I can¡¯t help the smile on my lips. He grabs my cheek and stares down into my eyes,

    ¡®Whatever game you¡¯re ying is dangerous,¡¯

    ¡®We both know I always gravitated towards danger,¡¯ I whisper.

    ¡®You¡¯re teasing me. It won¡¯t work,¡¯

    ¡®Fine, I won¡¯t tease anymore. Make love to me. Let¡¯s consummate this marriage, please,¡¯ I beg.

    His eyebrows knit.

    ¡®You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re asking of me,¡¯ he husks.

    ¡®Oh, I know,¡¯

    ¡®You want to use me to hurt that mother fucker mate of yours,¡¯

    ¡®I¡¯m your wife, and my pleasure shoulde from you¡­ Or do you want me to go to other men?¡¯ I say. Zuriel is in front of me in a sh. He puts me in a chokehold.

    ¡®I¡¯ll kill him,¡¯ his voice grows deeper. His possessive jealousy was swirling around us,

    ¡®Then consummate this marriage. Is it so bad to do it?¡¯ I ask, staring into his gorgeous eyes. My breath is heavy.

    ¡®I don¡¯t love you. I will never love you,¡¯ he says.

    His words hurt me. It feels like a sharp de cut through me several times, and Ara whimpers. No more is she confident.

    ¡®Why, Zuriel,¡¯ I found the strength to ask after a minute.

    ¡®I¡¯m made that way. I don¡¯t love anyone,¡¯ he grits his teeth, ¡® I don¡¯t want to,¡¯

    He releases me. I want to ask why, but it would push him too far, and he might leave. He¡¯s slowly opening his feelings, and I need to tread carefully with him now.

    ¡®I¡¯m not asking you to love me tonight. Just my right as your wife,¡¯

    My hands caress my breasts. I run my hands all over my chest sensually, and down to my lower regions. My eyes are fixed on him, and I see him swallow as he watches me.

    ¡®You¡¯re making this so hard for me,¡¯ he says, bothered but trying to be calm. I was getting my way with him. I wanted him to be bothered.

    ¡®Oh well, I¡¯ll go for a run then,¡¯ I say. Zuriel lunges forward, and his lips m against my own. His kiss is savage and needy, his tongue forcing itself in my mouth. I try to match his movement.

    He pulls away and says,

    ¡®I don¡¯t love you. I will never love you,¡¯ he grounds. The words hurt more than the first time he said it. I feel coldness pass right through me, and it is not that I was in water. I press my lips together, and when I open them after a moment, the words that leave my lips are, ¡®Okay,¡¯

    He grabs my cheek tightly and whispers in my ear, ¡®I¡¯m coarser,¡¯

    ¡®I figured,¡¯ I whisper, biting my lower lips.

    A man like him would never be gentle. His eyes darken, lust consuming him. He grabs my hair roughly, and we meet for another kiss. The kiss is hot and intense. His taste fills me whole, and I can¡¯t help the moan that escapes my lips. My stomach is bouncing with butterflies. His one hand goes to my breast as the other grabs my waist. I¡¯m desperate to have more of him. My leg is in the air, resting around his waist, so I¡¯m only standing on one. He grabs my butt, hoists me up, and I wrap my legs around his torso. I cling to his body. My body rubs against him.

    His lips go down to my sensitive neck. He¡¯s nipping my neck area, my susceptible spot. My fingers are in his hair.

    I can feel his dick protruding through his pants, and I rub myself against his hard erection, desperate for him. I am wet, wet for him. I am radiating happiness that I can feel through my body.

    ¡®Fuck me, please,¡¯ I beg, my eyes burning into his own.

 Chapter 32

    ra

    ¡®Fuck me,¡¯ I beg, my gaze burning into his own. I¡¯m soaking for him. He continues to ravish me, his lips on every part of my body. I feel his hand trail from my belly button to my lower region. My toes curl as he touches my swollen clit.

    ¡®Please,¡¯ I whimper. I want more. I need much more.

    ¡®I like hearing you beg,¡¯ he husks, still kissing me. His movements on my throbbing pussy are erratic, and I cry out.

    ¡®Yes!¡¯

    While still pleasuring me, I cling unto him and thrust my hips against his.

    He starts to walk out of the pool area. He kicks open our bedroom door and throws me on the bed. I yelp, not expecting that. I rest on my elbows as I eagerly watch him pull down his pants. His dick is huge, long and stiff. I didn¡¯t know how he was going to fit inside me. Yet, my pussy clenches and my stomach is in knots. Zuriel watches me for a moment. I can¡¯t decipher his expression. I bite my lower lips and swallow thickly. Zuriel smirks and climbs on top of me, trailing kisses on my neck.

    My hands go to his back, caressing his smooth skin. He stiffens and halts movement.

    ¡®Don¡¯t touch me,¡¯ he murmurs against my neck. He is breathing heavily. I look at him shocked. I knew he didn¡¯t like to be touched, but we were being intimate. How can I not touch him?

    ¡®But, Zuriel, how can I not?¡¯ I ask. His hand curled around my neck, squeezing a little, ¡® You¡¯ll take whatever you¡¯ve been given,¡¯ his sexy voice sent a shiver down my spine. He dominates me. I was never one to submit to anyone. Zuriel leaves no argument.

    He stares down at me, his eyes glinting as he waits for me to nod. I nod to appease him, but he¡¯s so fucking wrong if he thinks I¡¯ll submit to him willingly.

    His finger finds my love button again and rubs it a few times before slowly entering his fingers in my pussy.

    ¡®You¡¯re soaking,¡¯

    I close my eyes in concentration on the pleasure, but he stops. He positions the top of his cock on my entrance. His gaze is intense on me.

    ¡®Rx, little princess,¡¯ he whispers. I let out a breath I didn¡¯t know I was holding. I gasp as he fills me halfway. It hurt even though he wasn¡¯t fully in. He pushes me deeper, and I whimper in pain that course through me. I feel like a virgin again.

    My eyes water. He doesn¡¯t wait for me to getfortable with his size as he thrusts in me, hitting my uterus.

    ¡®Aah!¡¯ I wince.

    Zuriel breathes and bites on my neck. I¡¯m sure it will leave a mark. He thrusts in and out, opening me to his cock. I grip the sheets tighter as my toes curl. Zuriel told me he was rough, but I could tell he was holding back for me. His eyes closed in focus. He doesn¡¯t want to abandon his control and fuck me mercilessly.

    He continues to pump into me. The pain is reced with pleasure. My moans be louder. His pace elerates as he goes deeper inside me.

    ¡®Your pussy is so fucking tight,¡¯ he groans.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    I¡¯m tempted to touch him but restrain myself, waiting for the right time.

    As he moves into me expertly, pleasure builds through me. High-pitched moans escaped my lips. My hips move against him. Everything he does res up desire in me and I want more of him.

    ¡®Yes!¡¯ I moan.

    His movement elerates, setting a new speed.

    ¡®Sweet girl,¡¯ he growls in my ear.

    My pussy clenches around his cock. My hips roll faster to meet his pace as my orgasm builds up. Our breaths areing out harshly now as we chase our release.

    Zuriel grips the headboard as he moves deeper into me, and I¡¯m screaming his name in pleasure. The sound of our lovemaking and the pping of flesh is what I hear in my ears.

    ¡®Zuriel, Yes!¡¯

    Euphoria after euphoria ripes through me as he pumps his dick painfully against my sweet spot. I wish nothing more than to touch him, and I do.

    Zuriel shudders when he feels my gentle hand on his side and I use this chance of weakness to switch our positions. My hands press against his hard chest as I move my hips, riding him. His eyes widen, his body shaking. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s anger, but slowly, I see him begin to enjoy himself as his eyes close to concentrate on the sensation of one riding him. I propel faster and faster as I feel my orgasming. I¡¯m going to cum¡­ Hard.

    ¡®I¡¯m cumming!¡¯

    His eyes shoot open, and he switches back to our position. He doesn¡¯t stop fucking me. This time he is doing it harder than before, deliberately wanting to cause me pain for disobeying him.

    ¡®DON¡¯T FUCKING DO THAT AGAIN!¡¯ he roars. Zuriel¡¯s eyes are scary as they shine dark. I¡¯m taken aback.

    ¡®I won¡¯t,¡¯ I whisper. He continues to fuck me. It brought a smile to my face because he didn¡¯t stop.

    My stomach tightens, and I feel his nails digging into my skin as he brutally fucks me.

    ¡®I¡¯m cumming!¡¯ I scream.

    ¡®No, you¡¯re not going to cum,¡¯ hemands.

    I open my mouth to protest, but no sound other than a moanes out.

    ¡®Zuriel, please,¡¯ I cry. I feel like bursting. He ignores my pleas. He grabs my waist and switches position. I was on four walls as he took me behind. This is my first time doing this, but I don¡¯t feel the least ashamed.

    The new position is even better. I want to pee ¡­ so badly. He grips my hair as he continues his brutal moves.

    ¡®I want to cum, please,¡¯ I beg.

    The only thing I know is that I can only orgasm when he approves. Zuriel is silent for a long time. I can only hear his grunts.

    ¡®Aah, Zuriel!¡¯

    ¡®Okay, little princess, cum for me,¡¯ he says, and my juices gust out of me as Ie undone.

    My pussy throbs as my orgasm ripples through me. Zuriel hastily removes his dick from me as he finds his release. His seeds spill on my skin before he grabs the white sheet and finishes his load there.

    Our breathing is erratic. I am smiling because I¡¯m so happy. Zuriel is crasser in bed. However, I loved every part of it. I turn to meet his eyes. His gaze is soft as he looks at me. The emotions in his eyes are unfathomable. I have a faint smile on my lips. I can¡¯t believe we did it. Finally. I¡¯m soaring in happiness.

 Chapter 33

    Zuriel

    The little Princess was driving me crazy. I fumed in anger when I saw her smiling fondly at another man. That tour guide. I hated how much it affected me. How much she affected me, She should only be my wife on paper and nothing more. I shouldn¡¯t allow myself to care for her or else she will get hurt in the long run.

    I wasn¡¯t a good man. I wasn¡¯t capable of truly loving or caring for another human. Not with the demons that reside within me.

    The voice of my father lives rent-free in my head, in my memories. His curses, his beating every time I showed any kind of emotion. He told me I was weak. He was mad, mad for power and territory like his dragon. A paranoia who thought he¡¯d be attacked anytime. He wanted me to be exactly like him.

    He killed so many and made me watch. A seven-year-old boy watched as heads rolled off bodies and as others burned while he drank andughed. That shit destroys you from the inside. It shuts you down, and you hate everything and everyone, including yourself.

    My father damaged me, and it can¡¯t be helped.

    ¡®Zuriel, this is what you do to apostates, those who revolt, those who refuse to obey,¡¯ he¡¯d say.

    I was horrified.

    ¡®Now, pull thetch and kill that man,¡¯ hemanded. I stared at my father with shock. I didn¡¯t want to be in this hell room of horror. I should be outside ying with the other kids, but my father never let me.

    ¡®PULL IT!¡¯ he screamed, and with shaking hands, I did. I gasped as an axe came from above and cut a man¡¯s head off his neck. His blood sttered to the floor, some of it on my face.

    ¡®You¡¯re the blood of the most powerful dragon line. They want to end it. You can¡¯t let them,¡¯

    I hid my hands behind my body, not wanting him to see me shake. If he did, it would be whipping for me.

    Unbidden thoughts of my father leap away when the door to the ensuite bath opens, and the little Princess stops, looking at me with her big green eyes.

    My eyes can¡¯t help but linger on her sexy body and down to her bare, long legs.

    She truly is breathtaking.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡®Are you angry at me?¡¯ I ask. I think she was because she hadn¡¯t said anything. She res at me, and I wonder what I did. I wasn¡¯t too great when it came to social cues or sarcasm.

    ¡®No,¡¯ she answers dismissively. I nod and go to the bar to drink.

    I notice it¡¯s too quiet. Is she sleeping? I peer towards the bed. Indeed, she¡¯s deep in sleep.

    With a drink in hand, I sit at the edge of the bed, watching her. Princess ra has the face of an angel.

    She is moaning in her sleep, and my wolf leaps forward.

    ¡®Zuriel,¡¯ she moans. She is dreaming about me. I¡¯m pleased, I don¡¯t know why, but I am. I watch her as she has an erotic dream about me. My body is reacting to her moans and movements. The urge to spread her legs and fuck her hard ovees me. The beast within me growled in approval. He wants her. He wants her, but I can¡¯t have her, not her.

    ¡®Why? She¡¯s our wife,¡¯ Riel says.

    ¡®I respect her,¡¯ I tell him.

    I can¡¯t treat her like I do others. Fuck and toss away. Princess ra is different, and I can¡¯t treat her like one of my whores. It would be awkward if I fuck her and we continue living our separate lives.

    ¡®Zuriel,¡¯ she moans again.

    ¡®Hmm?¡¯ I answer absentmindedly, and her eyes flew open. She sits up so fast that her face almost collides with me. The Princess looks embarrassed and hops out of bed. She is seriously so stunning.

    ra was tempting me with her body. She was openly seducing me. Her fucking sexy body. I wanted her, but I resisted until I couldn¡¯t anymore.

    I¡¯m lying in bed after having the best sex of my life. Her gaze on me looks satisfied. I can see she wants to sleep.

    I caress her jaw gently,

    ¡®Sleep, little Princess,¡¯

    She nods and is out like a light. I can¡¯t believe how fast she sleeps. She scoots closer towards me. I don¡¯t want to embrace her, but my body is on autopilot. I scoop her in my arms and hold her. I want to enjoy this while I can.

    When we go to the pack, we¡¯ll go back to normal. I take a whiff of her alluring floral scent before drifting to sleep myself.

    I fucking wake up in the morning with a boner. It is pressing against the Princess¡¯ abdomen. I want her so badly. I can¡¯t help as I rub my dick against her body, and slowly she opens her eyes. She smiles at me, and I kiss her.

    ¡®I want you,¡¯

    ¡®At your disposal,¡¯ she says. She loves this so much. My hand explores her wless body. My fingers invade her warm, wet core

    The Princess can¡¯t hold her moans as I suck on her nipples. She runs her hand through my hair. Her hands on my body are going lower, and I shiver, closing my eyes.

    Every time I¡¯m touched, I feel the hands of Patricia Homes over my skin, and I shiver.

    Patricia Homes was my therapist growing up. She was twenty years my senior. She fell for me when I was fourteen years old. We started a rtionship. Patricia said she was teaching me how to properly fuck a woman when I was ready. We were in a fuck rtionship for eight years. I fulfilled all her sexual fantasies, and she did the same for me.

    She was cruel, but I loved it. She did so many things to my body, and at some point, her touch startled me¡­ a lot. Even after ending my rtionship with her, her touch haunted me in all women.

    Being touched made me feel like I was with her again. I was a vulnerable fourteen-year-old under a sex crazed woman.

    I grab ra¡¯s hand and bound them together over her head. I take her nipple in my mouth and ravish it before giving the second one the same amount of attention. She is squirming and moaning in ecstasy.

    ¡®I want to touch you,¡¯ she moans.

 Chapter 34

    Zuriel

    ¡®No, baby. Do you want this to stop?¡¯ I husk, biting and licking her ear.

    ¡®No, don¡¯t stop. I want your huge dick inside me,¡¯ she moans. Her eyes are closed as she enjoys the pleasure I am giving her.

    ¡®Good girl. Then we¡¯ll need to bind your hands if you want me to fuck you. Are you alright with that?¡¯

    I don¡¯t stop pleasuring her. I need her to agree to this. However, the little Princess seems to be in turmoil. My finger goes down her stomach and down between her legs. I massage her swollen clit, and touch her soaked pussy. She is such a horny little girl. I lick her juices off my fingers. I push my finger into her. She arches her hips up. She wants more, and I push in and out of her slowly without detaching my mouth from her warm skin.

    ¡®Little Princess,¡¯

    ¡®I want more,¡¯ she whines, her gaze opening. Her eyes are dark with lust. She is breathing harder and faster. I thrust faster into her core, and she reacts. I y with her pussy, subjecting her to pleasure.

    ¡®I want more¡­ Zuriel,¡¯ she cries, biting her lips as I continue caressing.

    ¡®But those hands are naughty,¡¯

    ¡®Fine! Do whatever you want,¡¯ she cries. I smirked.

    She is mine. All mine. Alone.

    I fuck her hard and fast with two fingers. She is screaming my name as she rolls her hips, fucking my fingers. I love watching her reaction as I bring her to satisfaction.

    She whimpers when she cum undone.

    I grab my belt quickly and bind her hands to the bed. I position myself between her spread legs. I kiss her open neck and push my cock inside her tightly sweet pussy.

    I go back and forth. In and out until she getsfortable with my cock inside her. Slowly, she starts to roll her hips to the rhythm. My grunst and thrust are faster and she moans in pleasure.

    ¡®Yes, yes, yes,¡¯ shements.

    ¡®Fuck,¡¯

    She is so fucking tight.

    ¡®Zuriel!¡¯ she cries. Tears roll down her eyes, begging and wanting more. I move inside her. Her moans and my groans mix to create a perfect harmony. My cock is pounding into her.

    ¡®You¡¯re so good,¡¯

    My orgasm takes me by storm. I didn¡¯t see iting.

    Before I coulde out of her pussy, I spilled my warm seeds into her.

    I cuss at how reckless I was. I pull out and kiss her soft lips gently. She answers my kiss immediately. ra smiles at me when I pull away.

    I untie her hands,

    ¡®These are surprising, not bad,¡¯ she giggles, looking at her wrist.

    ¡®Zuriel, are you alright?¡¯

    I nod and head to the bedroom to take a shower.

    ra

    My entire body is sore when I wake up for the second time. I blush at the memory of intense morning sex with my husband. I sit up when I realize I¡¯m alone in bed. I check the time on my phone. It is after 11 A.M. I stretch my limbs and go to the shower. While in there, I discover I have bruises on my body. Zuriel is rough when making love to me.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    ¡®No, he fucked us¡­ Hard,¡¯ Ara muses.

    She is chirping and excited.

    ¡®Fuck,¡¯ I mumble the word.

    My gaze fell on my wrist. There are red lines that are now fading. He bound my wrists together because he didn¡¯t want me to touch him. I frown. I like to touch him, but he hates it. Why didn¡¯t he want to be touched? His body got so cold when I did, and goosebumps appeared on his skin. I need to find out why he hates being touched. Maybe it¡¯s childhood trauma or something. Talking to someone might help him, and I would love to help him.

    ¡®I will ask him about it today,¡¯ I told Ara,

    ¡®You should, but it¡¯s Zuriel. Don¡¯t expect him to open up so easily,¡¯

    ¡®I know. Nevertheless, I will keep pushing him about it,¡¯

    I smile to myself and hop out of bed. I go to the ensuite bathroom and stand under the shower.

    The shower feels so good against my sore body. As I shower, my fingers roam against my skin sensually. I close my eyes and bite my lip. My thoughts drift to my husband. His touch was rough yet so gentle and passionate.

    ¡®Oh, ra, I wish we could do it again. He is so fierce!¡¯ Ara moans.

    ¡®Me too,¡¯

    My hands venture lower, but I shake my head. I don¡¯t ever want to pleasure myself. I want Zuriel to do it.

    After blow-drying my hair, and putting it in a ponytail, I get out of the bath and go to the closet. I¡¯m feeling bright and radiant, so I pick out a floral sundance dress that reaches mid-thigh. I hear the suite door open. It must be Zuriel.

    I step out of the closet. I find Zuriel there. My heart sputtered in my chest.

    My eyes roam on his body. His hair is tousled and falling carelessly to his shoulders.

    He is wearing a long-sleeved shirt that clings to every part of his toned body.

    His gaze roamed over my body, his eyes lit with unspoken emotions as theynded on my lips. I feel the heat throughout my body,

    ¡®Good morning,¡¯ I greet him. I don¡¯t want this to be awkward. I decided I¡¯d be casual about the whole thing.

    ¡®Morning,¡¯ he answers slowly. I ignore his burning gaze and grab my phone. I¡¯m doing nothing on my phone but I want to keep busy.

    ¡®Have you eaten breakfast?¡¯ he asks. I¡¯m starving. It has been many hours since I ate.

    ¡®No, have you?¡¯ I ask.

    ¡®Let¡¯s eat,¡¯

    I nod and follow him to the table. There is a bouquet here of white peonies on the table how I love these flowers! I smell the blooms. I thought I saw a glimpse of a smile on his lips, but before I could adjust my eyes to look properly, it was gone. Or maybe I imagined it.

    ¡®Lovely flowers,¡¯ I say.

    ¡®Hmm,¡¯ he murmurs.

    I take a seat and smile. There are so many food on the table;

    meats, cheeses, and all you can have. It was brunch.

    Zuriel pours orange juice into a ss and gives it to me. His actions surprise me, but I don¡¯t show him. I¡¯m about to drink it when he stops me.

    ¡®Here, take this,¡¯ he gives me a white pill. I scowl and shake my head no.

    ¡®Why?¡¯

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    ¡®It¡¯s a vine for a local disease. I took mine already,¡¯

    ¡®We are wolves,¡¯ I narrow my gaze on him.

    Shifters rarely got sick. We have strong immune systems,

    ¡®I know ¡­ I¡¯ll feel better when you do,¡¯ he says, looking at me with sexy eyes.

    ¡®He¡¯s worried about us,¡¯ Purrs my wolf. It makes me happy that he is concerned about my health. I take the pill and swallow it,

    ¡®Thanks,¡¯

    We eat our food silently, but I feel his stare on me. He is observing me. I¡¯m afraid I¡¯d choke when our gaze met, so I avoid it. Eventually, I finished eating.

    ¡®I¡¯m going out. See youter,¡¯ I say, almost bolting out of the room.

    Zuriel grabs my wrist and pulls me on hisp. My hands instinctively go on his shoulders. My heart races in my chest at how dangerously close our faces are. No matter how much I try to tame my erratic heartbeat, I can¡¯t.

    Ara is purring in my head.

    His gaze lowers to my lips, and they linger.

    ¡®W- what are you doing?¡¯ I ask, my voice quivering. Damn, why am I acting like this?

    ¡®Why are you in a hurry to leave?¡¯ his voice is a low growl.

    ¡®R- Rob, the tour guide is taking me to explore, ¡®

    He frowns. I want to kiss him so much. He is tempting me with his lips. I feel his hands on my waist, and he tightens his grip.

    Zuriel suddenly buries his nose in my neck and inhales my scent. I¡¯m a goner. I feel his lips kissing my neck. It starts slow but intensifies. I moan at the intensity of his kisses. I grip his shoulders tightly. I¡¯m surprised he doesn¡¯t sneer or move away from my touch.

    My hands slowly go to the back of his head as he continues to pleasure me. I tilt my neck to allow him more excess. His kisses be severe. He suddenly lifts me and puts me on the table. The cutlery goes crashing down to the floor. He parts my legs, and his hands go between my legs. My pussy is throbbing. I want more of him. He rips my thong with his fingers expertly. He massages my clit, and slowly, two of his fingers enter me.

    ¡®Always ready for me,¡¯ he husks.

    I¡¯m a moaning mess as his fingers move deeper into me. He gets to his feet and removes his pants. I spread my legs wider for him, ready for his cock to enter me.

    I bite my lips, muffling my moans, but he doesn¡¯t like that. He connects our lips and bites my lower lip, seeking entrance. I open up, and his tongue slips in my mouth. I can barely keep up with his kiss.

    His stiff cock enters my pussy. I still, and a whimper escapes my lips at the pain that courses through me. It didn¡¯tst long though. I was getting used to his massive size. I inhale, and I nod affirmatively. Zuriel starts to move inside me. He pulls me closer to him as he pounces in and out of me.

    His movements elerate, and my moans get louder as he hits my sweet spot while his thumb rubs my clit.

    ¡®Hm,¡¯

    I bit his chest at the sweet goodness of it all.

    ¡®I¡¯m cuming,¡¯ As soon as those words leave my mouth, I cum undone.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    He thrusts a few more times before he removes himself out of me. He yanks his shirt hastily and brings it in front of his dick with a grunt.

    I¡¯m breathing heavily as I watch him. He falls back in his armchair and closes his eyes delightfully.

    After I catch my breath, I jump off the table and kiss his forehead quickly. I run out, not wanting to see his reaction.

    After changing my clothes, I rushed to the lobby. My heart is still pounding after what happened at the table.

    My body shivers, and a smile ys on my lips. I love that man. I can¡¯t believe this is happening right now. If someone told a thirteen-year-old me, I¡¯d be married and fucked by him. I wouldn¡¯t believe it. I don¡¯t even mind that he is coarse. I like it like that.

    ¡®ra,¡¯ A voice jolts me, and I turn. My eyes meet Rob¡¯s. I skip towards him happily.

    ¡®Hi, Rob!¡¯

    ¡®You are in good spirits today. I¡¯m pleased to see you like this,¡¯ he tells me.

    ¡®Thank you. So, where are you taking me today,¡¯ I say, going to the exit,

    ¡®I want to take you on the water today. We can see the fish up close,¡¯ he says, and I freeze.

    Water? No. I love looking at the ocean, but I didn¡¯t love being in the water or a boat, no matter how big it was.

    ¡®Can we do something else? I can¡¯t swim, so I¡¯m scared,¡¯ I confess.

    ¡®Really? Whye here then,¡¯ heughs.

    ¡®I love the ocean. I just don¡¯t like being in it.¡¯

    He chuckled.

    ¡®I¡¯m an excellent helmsman. The speed boat won¡¯t capsize. However, if it did, there is zero chance. I¡¯ll jump right after you and pull you out,¡¯ he says with a kind smile. I believe him instantly.

    ¡®Fine, but I want to see floaters close by,¡¯

    ¡®Yes, ma¡¯am,¡¯ he salutes, making me smile.

    I notice that women look at us in admiration as we walk.

    ¡®Are you married?¡¯ I ask. He frowns and shakes his head.

    ¡®No, my girlfriend broke up with me,¡¯ he says. I frown. He is good-looking and kind.

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    ¡®But why,¡¯

    ¡®Well, she found herself a CEO and fucked him. She thought they would be more, but he left her,¡¯ he says. I frowned, sad that had happened to him.

    I sat on the dock as we waited for his speed boat. One of his colleagues had gone out with it.

    ¡®It¡¯s good that happened,¡¯ I tell him. He raises his eyebrow.

    ¡®What?¡¯

    ¡®You found out her true colors before you got married. Imagine marrying a woman who leaves you for a wealthier guy.¡¯

    ¡®You¡¯re right,¡¯ he sighed.

    Heid his back on the floor. His feet were in the water, and I joined him in the position. We faced each other as we talked.

    ¡®I also had a man I liked. He was my soulmate, but he betrayed me in the worst way possible,¡¯ I inform him, thinking back to Connor. I know I¡¯m with Zuriel, and it shouldn¡¯t hurt, but it still did. I notice that my ex-mate hasn¡¯t been intimate with another woman since the pain I feltst on the breakfast table with my family.

    ¡®He didn¡¯t know what he had. I reckon he hates himself and regrets losing you,¡¯ Rob¡¯s voice was gentle. I smiled faintly at him. Connor doesn¡¯t regret losing me because he hates me for what my family did to him. However, I don¡¯t tell him that.

    ¡®You and I are lucky,¡¯ I smile, and he nods.

    Rob and I were so engrossed in our discussion that we didn¡¯t hear when a yacht stopped near us. I whipped my head to the side to see it, but I was surprised to see Zuriel standing on the deck. He is ring at us, and I immediately sit up. I didn¡¯t realize just how close Rob and I were lying.

    ¡®Zuriel, what are you doing here,¡¯ I get up and walk closer to the white yacht. I must say, he looked so gorgeous in his sunsses.

    ¡®Leave. I¡¯ve got her,¡¯ Zuriel orders Rob. Rob res at him, his eyes shing in anger.

    ¡®Zuriel, that¡¯s rude,¡¯ I hiss. Rob looks at me, all anger vanishes,

    ¡®Go sailing. I¡¯ll keep in touch,¡¯ he says, then looks at Zuriel. He bows subtly before turning to leave. I watch him sadly.

    ¡®Let¡¯s go,¡¯

    ¡®Why did you talk to him like that?¡¯ I growl. He groans, dismissing me.

    ¡®Just get in,¡¯ he orders. I scoff and grab my bag. I turn on my heel and leave him there. I wouldn¡¯t be talked to like that.

    He gets out of his yacht and follows me closely. I don¡¯t look at him as anger blisters through me.

    ¡®Princess,¡¯ he grabs my hand and turns me to him. I stare defiantly at him in the eyes as I wait for him to speak, ¡® I want to spend the day with you,¡¯ his voice is gentle.

    ¡®I don¡¯t like how you talked to Rob. You can¡¯t treat people like that,¡¯ I say. He nods.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡®I¡¯ll apologize somehow,¡¯ he says. Why was he agreeing with me easily? I thought he¡¯d have left already when I refused.

    Zuriel sighs and holds my waist gently, taking me back to his boat. It was huge, over forty feet in length. The yacht was lovely. I stand on the deck of the boat, watching the clear water.

    ¡®Are youfortable being in the water?¡¯

    ¡®Do you know how to drive this thing?¡¯ I ask, a little nervous about going on the water.

    ¡®I do, and we have staff for that,¡¯

    I stand close to the rear of the yacht, watching the water as we start to sail into the sea.

    I feel Zuriel¡¯s presence behind me, and my body stiffens. He doesn¡¯t talk, instead stands close to me. We are in silence.

    Our gaze meet, and we stare at each other. The desire to touch him is overwhelming me. My gaze fell on his full lips, and I swallowed. I don¡¯t lean in. I wait for him to make the move. He contemtes but slowly leans into me and ces his lips on mine. I don¡¯t move, so he stops and stares at me. So many confused emotions swirled in his gaze. He is as surprised as I am that he feels them. He cups my face and kisses me again. The kiss is gentle yet passionate. He carries me, and I wrap my legs around his waist. Before I know it, our clothes are on the floor, and we are naked against each other. I¡¯m on my back, and my legs are in the air. Zuriel inserts hisrge cock inside my wet pussy. Zuriel binds my hands together with hisrge one as he fucks me.

    ¡®Hm,¡¯

    ¡®Fuck,¡¯ he thrusts in me deeper and deeper.

    He kisses my neck, licking and sucking my skin.

    ¡®Baby, you¡¯re so sweet,¡¯ he groans.

    He reduces his pace suddenly. I wonder why. I raise my head to urge to go faster, but I don¡¯t utter a word after what I see in his eyes. They are darker with red splits, and I see a me in them.

    ¡®What¡¯s going on with you and that man?¡¯ he growls in my ear. I wince when he pounds into me.

    ¡®Nothing,¡¯

    His hand wraps around my neck, and slowly, he squeezes my neck.

    ¡®Then why were you so close to him, wife?¡¯

    ¡®We were just talking. I didn¡¯t even realize we were close,¡¯ I breathed with difficulty.

    ¡®I don¡¯t like you being close to another man,¡¯

    ¡®I- I can¡¯t breathe,¡¯ I whimper. He releases his grip around my neck and fucks me¡­ hard.

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    Zuriel cradled me in his arms and ced a lingering kiss on my head. My heart swelled, and tears welled in my eyes. I wanted more, so much more from him. However, he said that he would never love me. I needed to ept that, but it was so hard. Not when one minute he was hot and cold another

    ¡®Would you like a drink?¡¯ he asks.

    ¡®No,¡¯ I answer. I¡¯m very calm in his arms. I don¡¯t want to leave. We stay like this a while longer. My stomach growls, and gently, he puts me to sit on the leather seat.

    ¡®I¡¯ll ask the chef to prepare you a snack,¡¯ he says, going to another part of the boat. I sigh and rx. I close my eyes momentarily, enjoying the wind against my naked skin.

    We spent two nights on the boat. We slept and had sex half of the time. I thought by now, Zuriel would be open to me touching him, but no. He always bound my hands with handcuffs to the headboard when I touch him. It was exciting. However, I wondered why he hated to be touched so much.

    We watched the sunrise and sunset every day. He did his water activities. Zuriel enjoyed scuba diving while I waited on the deck for him.

    We were watching the sunrise together. It was so lovely. I sighed leaned my head against his arms, and ced a hand on his shoulder. He was startled but didn¡¯t move away from me. Nevertheless, his body was rigid.

    ¡®Zuriel,¡¯ I call gently,

    ¡®Hmm,¡¯ his voice is a raspy whisper.

    ¡®Breath in and out,¡¯ I instruct. He follows my instructions. He breathes in and out once more. His body rxes, but his heartbeat is racing.

    ¡®Just calm your heart and mind. It is as far as I will go. I won¡¯t touch you anywhere else, okay?¡¯ my voice was gentle, as though calming a wounded animal.

    He slowly settlespletely. A smile appears on my lips. I wanted to ask him why he doesn¡¯t like to be touched, but my wolf thought it wasn¡¯t best at the moment.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    In a few hours, we go back to the resort after spending two days at sea. Zuriel looks refreshed, and maybe it was just me, but he radiates happiness.

    I leave the car once the driver turns off the engine. Zuriel is concluding his phone call. Rob sees me and immediatelyes to me. He had been mulling the grass near the pool area.

    ¡®Hey,¡¯ he waves with a dazzling smile. My eyes fall on his bare chest. I must admit. He is well-built.

    ¡®Hi, Rob. I didn¡¯t know you were andscaper. Working 99 jobs, huh,¡¯ I smile. He returns my smile,

    ¡®Just helping out. Did you enjoy yourself?¡¯ he asks.

    ¡®It was wonderful. I had a good- ¡® I stop talking when I feel a sharp pain in my chest. I grab onto his hand. My wolf growls.

    ¡®Connor!¡¯

    ¡®ra, are you alright?¡¯ I hear Connor¡¯s distant voice. The pain is growing in my chest. I feel dizzy.

    ¡®Why the fuck are you touching my wife?¡¯ Zuriel snarls. I can hear the rage he holds within him. He doesn¡¯t want any man touching me.

    Rob cups my face, and this time, Zuriel had enough. He shoves poor Rob from me with incredible force that he flies a few feet from us and hits his body against the hard floor with a thud. A gasp escapes my lips. Rob is human, and such an impact is deadly. I try running to him, but Zuriel holds my hand,

    ¡®You told me nothing is going on between you, then why was he about to kiss you!¡¯ he snaps. His domance radiates in waves.

    Tears well in my eyes at his roughness. He has probably killed a human being, yet all he worries about is my rtionship with him. How cruel is he?

    I was angry at him. I p him against the cheek, and he looks startled.

    ¡®Don¡¯t fucking touch me, Zuriel!¡¯ I growl. I yank my arm from him and push him with my strength, but he doesn¡¯t bulge. The fog from his eyes is clear. Ignoring the pain, I rush to Rob and get on my knees. For a moment, I can¡¯t feel a heartbeat, and his eyes are shut.

    ¡®Rob,¡¯ I croak. He suddenly opens his eyes with a gasp, and grunts in pain. His eyes are red.

    ¡®Damn, werewolves are so fucking strong,¡¯ Rob groans, closing his eyes again. Did he know about werewolves?

    A few workers rush to help Rob. They take him to a check-up at the clinic.

    I intended to go with them, but they insisted I stay. I turned to Zuriel, ring at him. I shook my head and went past him. He follows after me. Once I see the elevator, I bolt towards it and close it before he can reach in. I¡¯m crying for good now. I feel so emotional.

    I get off the ride and go straight to the suite. To my surprise, I find Zuriel there. He is waiting for me at the entrance. I push past him.

    ¡®ra,¡¯ he calls. I go to the bathroom, stripping fully naked. I need a cold shower. Zuriel barges in and grasps my arm just as I¡¯m about to enter the shower. I re at him, but his eyes soften. I didn¡¯t expect that as I¡¯m almost knocked out by the gentleness in his gaze. We are both silent.

    ¡®I¡¯m very possessive of you,¡¯ he confesses.

    My heart races in my chest. However, I¡¯m still angry at him for what happened. He didn¡¯t believe me when I said nothing was going on between Rob and me.

    ¡®Do you love me?¡¯ the words escape my lips. He slowly let my arm go. His lips move, but no words escape his lips.

    ¡®Your behavior is unhinged. What you did was so wrong and uneptable. You could have killed him,¡¯ I point out. Zuriel is watching me as I go on and on about his behavior.

    I was so upset that the pain I felt from the betrayalpletely faded without being aware.

    ¡®I¡¯m trying,¡¯ he whispers atst, ¡® That guy has it in for me,¡¯

    I sigh and cross my arms against my chest,

    ¡®Why would he have it in for you?¡¯ I questioned in a hard tone.

    ¡®Because I fucked his woman,¡¯ he says, unbothered.

    My eyes widen, and my lips part at what he says. Zuriel shows no emotion on his face. I remember the conversation Rob and I had about his fianc¨¦. Was Zuriel the CEO? I feel a pang of anger course through me and something else: jealousy.

 Chapter 38

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    ¡®Why did you do that?¡¯ I scoff. A slither of jealousy rushed through me. It¡¯s the past, I know, but I can¡¯t help it.

    ¡®She seduced me. I didn¡¯t know she belonged to another man. Honestly, I didn¡¯t care,¡¯ he says. So, the fianc¨¦ seduced Zuriel because he was wealthier. What a despicable woman. I snarl.

    ¡®So, you are worried that he¡¯s close to me to exact revenge?¡¯

    He avoids my gaze after my question. I was right.

    ¡®You owe Rob an apology,¡¯

    ¡®I owe him nothing. His woman was ambitious. She would have done that with another man sooner orter,¡¯ he growled.

    ¡®I meant you owe him an apology for hurting him earlier, Zuriel,¡¯

    ¡®I¡¯m sorry,¡¯ he says.

    ¡®Not to me, but to Rob,¡¯

    ¡®I owe you an apology, too, little Princess. My behavior was unhinged. You were in pain because of your mate¡¯s betrayal, but I misinterpreted it,¡¯ his tone is sincere. I don¡¯t want to forgive him yet, so I just nod,

    ¡®Thank you,¡¯ I say and enter the shower. Zuriel watches in stunned silence.

    I feel rxed after the cold shower. Zuriel watched me the entire time, making me red in embarrassment, but I didn¡¯t cut my shower short.

    After I leave the shower. Zuriel follows me to the closet. Why is he behaving like a puppy now?

    ¡®May I help you,¡¯ I ask, grabbing a sweater.

    ¡®Why are you all dressed up?¡¯ he asks, his eyebrows creasing.

    ¡®Going to the clinic to see Rob,¡¯ I answer.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    ¡®No, you¡¯re not,¡¯

    ¡®You injured him because of me. It¡¯s a duty to see how he is,¡¯ I snap and wear my sneakers. He is silent. He grabs my arm and cups my face. Our faces are close to each other,

    ¡®Stay here with me,¡¯ his voice is sexy. Is he using sex for me not to go to the clinic?

    ¡®I don¡¯t want to stay here with you,¡¯ I push him off me and leave the closet. I rushed down the elevator and to the front desk. I asked for a driver. Hees within five minutes, and I head to the local clinic. Once I got there, I was directed to Rob¡¯s room. He smiles when I enter.

    ¡®ra, you are here,¡¯ his eyes lit up. I ce the flower I got on the bedside table.

    ¡®How do you feel?¡¯

    ¡®I¡¯m alright. The doctor thinks I¡¯m concussed. He asked me to stay a few hours,¡¯ he informs me. He did take a fall to the head hard. I sit by the visitor¡¯s chair,

    ¡®I¡¯m sorry about my husband¡¯s behavior earlier,¡¯ I apologize. He nods,

    ¡®He loves you,¡¯ he says. I go into silence. I scoff and shake my head. Zuriel enjoyed fucking me, dominating me, and hated the idea of another man touching me, but that didn¡¯t mean he loved me.

    I don¡¯t tell Rob that.

    ¡®Zuriel told me about your fianc¨¦,¡¯ I changed the topic. His eyes close momentarily, and a sigh escapes his lips,

    ¡®It¡¯s fucking embarrassing.¡¯

    ¡®No, it¡¯s not. You¡¯re not at fault here,¡¯ I say gently, holding his hand.

    ¡®The truth is neither is your husband. However, it¡¯s just easier to me the person I see,¡¯ he admits. He tries to sit upright with a grunt. I help him up,

    ¡®I got closer to you earlier on purpose. I wanted him to feel some pain¡­ Even just a resemnce of it,¡¯ he confessed. A gasp left my mouth. I should have known when Zuriel told me about what happened. However, I can¡¯t hold anything against Rob. It was so brave of him to confess.

    ¡®He could have killed you,¡¯ I whisper.

    ¡®Well, I did fly too close to the sun,¡¯ he chuckled, his voice a raspy grunt,

    ¡®Be thankful you didn¡¯t burn your wings, Icarus,¡¯ I muttered.

    ¡®Yeah, but it was a close call,¡¯

    ¡®Rob, I didn¡¯t know you knew about our real identity,¡¯ I told him. He frowns.

    ¡®That you are werewolves?¡¯

    ¡®Yes,¡¯

    ¡®I do. My mom is a werewolf. So, I¡¯m halfbreed. That¡¯s why I¡¯m still breathing,¡¯ he informs me. I can¡¯t believe it. Halfbreeds were rare, most of them didn¡¯t shift like we did, but they kept some abilities. They were quick, strong, and healed fast, too, but they were nowhere near an average wolf¡¯s abilities.

    We discussed more about the matter. I stayed in the clinic with him until he was discharged. Rob and I walked together to the resort. He was such a lovely guy.

    I didn¡¯t talk to my husband when I got to the suite. He was by the bar, drinking when I entered.

    ¡®Flowers!¡¯ Ara chimes. I turn my head towards the bed to see the white peonies carefully ced. I don¡¯t touch them. I sit on the edge of the bed, brooding.

    There is a knock on the door, and I stand up to get it. Two servants walk in with a cart of food. They quickly ce the golden tray on the table and leave. They sensed the tension swirling in the room.

    I avoid the food, but my stomach growls. I haven¡¯t eaten in hours. My eyes meet Zuriel¡¯s. His gaze is still soft like when I left, yet I can¡¯t decipher his emotions. Not wanting to punish my stomach any longer, I open the tray. My mouth watered at the delicious-looking lobster pasta with cream sauce. It was my favorite food in the world.

    How? How was this in front of me?

 Chapter 39

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    ¡®Zuriel did it. He asked them to make it,¡¯ Ara is excited in my mind. Does he remember when I told him my favorite food? I nced at him, but his gaze was out the window. I got my cutlery and dug into my food. A moan escapes my lips as I few on the pasta. The vors mix so well together.

    Everything is so delicious.

    I don¡¯t remember whenst I ate so much. I opened the other tray when I was done with the pasta, and this time, tears almost escaped my eyes. For dessert, they served a moltenva cake. My favorite dessert. It was so heavenly! I moaned when I took a piece in my mouth.

    ¡®Are you sure you want to moan like that in front of me?¡¯ a low growl escapes his lips. I freeze, mid-bite.

    Zuriel is close to me. His eyes stuck on mine. I want to kiss him when my eyes fall on his full lips, but I don¡¯t. I growl at him and continue eating.

    ¡®Do you want some cake?¡¯ I ask.

    ¡®No, but I want you,¡¯ he says. I gape at how bold he is. He raises his phone in my face and takes a picture of me. My mouth is still full of cake.

    ¡®Delete that,¡¯ I say sternly. He shakes his head,

    ¡®I like it. I¡¯m putting it as my wallpaper,¡¯ he says. I grab the phone from his hands. How can anyone like this? My eyes looked too big for my face, my mouth was open, and I had frosting on my mouth. He grabs it back. True to his word, that is his new screen saver.

    ¡®I¡¯m taking a bad picture of you, too,¡¯ I growled.

    I get my phone and try to take one bad picture of him. However, the bastard looks like some Greek god even without trying. I throw a cake in his face, trying to make him look bad, but my efforts are futile.

    ¡®This is unfair,¡¯ I give up. I stand against the window, looking at the water around us. I feel hands around my waist. Zuriel¡¯s touch is warm and safe. I lean my back against him, and his arms wrap around me.

    ¡®I¡¯m sorry, ra,¡¯ he says. I turn to face him.

    ¡®Thank you,¡¯ I say. I slowly raise my hand to put on his chest. He stiffens.

    ¡®Zuriel, why don¡¯t you like to be touched?¡¯ I ask, looking into his eyes. He swallows and tries to move away from me but I hold his hand.

    ¡®I just want to understand why I can¡¯t touch you. I deserve a reason,¡¯ I whisper. He remains quiet. I thought he wouldn¡¯t answer, but he did.

    ¡®When I was about 14 years old. I had a therapist. She was twenty years my senior. She and I were in a rtionship for eight years. Let¡¯s just say her touch left quite a startling mark on my body,¡¯

    I¡¯m stunned into silence. Zuriel tells me everything about his therapist. I was disgusted, not with him but with the woman. He was a child! She abused and hurt him. I see why he behaved like that. Zuriel fucks women, not make love to them because that was what she taught him. To be as rough as she wanted. To be degraded, it turned her on. She loved to be dominated by him¡­ A child.

    Zuriel was sexually abused, and he has a lot of trauma surrounding love and sex. I noticed as he told me.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    ¡®Zuriel, I¡¯m sorry you went through that,¡¯ I whisper. I¡¯m still trying to understand how an adult. A full-grown woman would do that to a child. A developing child. Her patient.

    ¡®It¡¯s not too bad. Other than her touch, I enjoyed myself,¡¯ he says.

    ¡®Zuriel, you were a child. Your mind had not developed. She manipted you into thinking it¡¯s what you needed. That¡¯s it¡¯s what men did to women,¡¯ I tell him. He only sighs and goes to the bar. I follow him. He grabs a bottle of scotch, but I get it from him.

    ¡®No, we are talking. You won¡¯t drink,¡¯ I say softly.

    ¡®Just a ss, please,¡¯ I nod and pour it for him. He gulps it.

    ¡®Zuriel, I¡¯m your wife, your partner. I know you don¡¯t love me and will never, but I want to touch him when we have sex,¡¯ I tell him. His gaze held so many emotions at once.

    My husband takes off his shirt suddenly. I swallow at the sight of his biceps and ripped body. He holds my hand and brings it to his torso.

    ¡®You can touch me. But gently. Only when it¡¯s necessary, okay?¡¯ his voice is vulnerable. I want to hug him, but I don¡¯t want to rm him so I keep to myself.

    He unexpectedly pulls me in his arms. I don¡¯t do anything. I¡¯m stunned. I slowly wrap my arms around him. Ara is squealing in my mind. It is such a big moment for us. It¡¯s the first time he¡¯s embraced me like this. It¡¯s progress on his part in our rtionship.

    Speaking about his demons might have been a step forward to ease the burden in his heart.

    ¡®Thank you, ra,¡¯

    ¡®Anytime,¡¯

    I let him hold me as long as he wants. He pulls away from me and caresses my face.

    ¡®Let¡¯s go to bed,¡¯ he sighs. I nod.

 Chapter 40

    ra

    The following day, we were going home. I don¡¯t know how I feel about that. River will be there, and Zuriel will want to take care of her. He mes himself for what happened to her.

    I hope our rtionship won¡¯t be kicked back after we go back to the pack.

    I want to make tonight count. I take my clothes off as we go to bed. He stops walking. His gaze is dark with lust.

    He smirks. Before I know it, he carries me in his arms and throws me against the bed. He pulls his pants off.

    How is it that he¡¯s so hard already? He hovers over me and slips his thick cock in my pussy.

    As he moves inside me, I ce my hands on his waist. He stiffens but rxes. He pumps in and out of me at a satisfying pace.

    ¡®Hmm,¡¯ I moan.

    ¡®You like it?¡¯ he breathes. I nod. He kisses my neck, nibbling my skin. A loud moan escapes my lips. His pace elerates as he nears his orgasm. His hand wraps around my throat. I feel like I¡¯m feeling to breathe. I tap his hand urgently, and he releases my neck from his clutch.

    Remorse crosses his eyes. I smile at him as we continue. My hips rolled to meet his pace.

    Zuriel is careful not to grip my throat as he wants.

    His body shudders as he cums undone. His seeds spill inside of me.

    ¡®Shit,¡¯ he cusses as hees out of me. He lies next to me. I lean in to kiss him.

    We are breathing heavily. For the first time, Zuriel sleeps first. I trail a finger across his face and kiss him again before I surrender to sleep.

    The following morning, my eyes flicker open. Zuriel is not in bed. I sit up and stretch. I get out of bed and do my morning routine. When I leave the bathroom, Zuriel is in the bedroom.

    ¡®Good morning,¡¯ I greet cheerfully. He gives me atte.

    ¡®Thanks,¡¯

    ¡®We are leaving in an hour. All the bags are bags already,¡¯ he tells me.

    After drinking mytte, I change into a white tank top, jeans, and stiletoes. I straighten my hair. I need to say goodbye to Rob before I leave.

    ¡®Zuriel, I¡¯m going to see Robert,¡¯ I tell him. He looks up from hisptop with a frown.

    ¡®Why?¡¯

    ¡®He¡¯s nice to me. I think he¡¯s my friend.¡¯

    ¡®You¡¯re his boss. That¡¯s why he¡¯s been nice to you. Don¡¯t mistake that,¡¯

    ¡®Some people are nice even if you don¡¯t pay them, and I¡¯m not his boss,¡¯ I scoff,

    ¡®We are married. What is mine is yours now,¡¯ I hide a smile when he says that.

    ¡®Well, I¡¯ll thank my employee for his wonderful service, then,¡¯ I said. He only nodded. I went to kiss him, surprising him.

    After saying goodbye to Rob and the staff, we went to the airport. Our way home was filled with silence. The good kind, though. I ate and watched movies while Zuriel worked.

    ¡®Are you not hungry? You didn¡¯t eat anything,¡¯ I say. He lifts his eyes to meet mine.

    ¡®I¡¯m good. Enjoy,¡¯N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    Wend after two hours. Bruce is there to wee us at the private airport.

    ¡®What are you doing here?¡¯ Zuriel asks, frowning. I hit his arm softly,

    ¡®He is here to wee his friend,¡¯ I grit my teeth. He sighs and says,

    ¡®Thanks foring,¡¯ he grumbles.

    Bruce raises his eyebrows and smiles at me,

    ¡®Teaching his basic manners. Thank you, Mrs,¡¯

    I give him a cheeky grin and nod.

    ¡®The driver is waiting. Let¡¯s go,¡¯ Bruce says. We are walking to the car when I catch a scent that makes me growl. River.

    ¡®This woman came too? ¡®

    I re at Bruce. He raises his hands and shakes his head,

    ¡®She didn¡¯te with me, I promise,¡¯

    I watch with a stern expression as River walks towards us. She is smiling from ear to ear. Not only that, she¡¯s wearing the most provocative outfit.

    ¡®Who wears that to an airport,¡¯ I murmur,

    She goes straight to Zuriel and wraps her arms around his waist. Zuriel gently pushes her away.

    ¡®I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m just d to see you,¡¯ she mumbles.

    She removes her sunsses and looks at me.

    ¡®Hello, ra,¡¯ she extends her hand to me. I look at the hand before shaking it,

    ¡®It¡¯s Princess ra. Use my title when you speak to me,¡¯

    The unmistakable shock on her face makes me almost smirk. However, I don¡¯t show her any reaction.

    ¡®River, why are you here?¡¯ Zuriel asks. She softly clears her throat and shakes her head.

    ¡®I found out from your secretary that you areing as you weren¡¯t responding to my calls and text messages for the time you were away,¡¯ she says, louring.

    My heart is filled with joy when I learn the two weren¡¯t talking during our honeymoon. I can¡¯t help but go closer to my husband. I¡¯m shocked when he wraps an arm around my waist gently. River res at me and then down the hand around my waist. She doesn¡¯t even hide her covetousness.

    ¡®Let¡¯s go,¡¯ Zuriel says to me. I smile and nod. My wolf is howling in happiness. River went in a different car. Once in the car, I leaned my head against his arm. I closed my eyes, enjoying the journey home.

    My new home.

 Chapter 41

    ra

    We reached home in a few minutes, and I was annoyed to see River in the lobby of the penthouse building.

    ¡®Zuriel, does she stay in this building, too?¡¯ I ask, annoyed. The woman walks to us with a smile.

    I¡¯m still waiting for Zuriel to speak, but he doesn¡¯t. He looks incredibly ufortable.

    ¡®Hi, Rommies,¡¯ River waves, and I flip. I scowl at Zuriel.

    ¡®No, no. Zuriel,¡¯ I say with tears in my eyes. I don¡¯t want her in my new home. I don¡¯t care if he thinks I¡¯m being inconsiderate of his ex after everything she has been through.

    Zuriel raises his hand to caress my face, but I revolt against him.

    ¡®I don¡¯t want her here,¡¯ I whisper. I¡¯m unable to hide it. This woman gives me a bad vibe, and I know she will ruin whatever progress we¡¯ve made thus far.

    ¡®I know you don¡¯t like me because of my history with Zuriel, but I can¡¯t be alone now. I get so frightened,¡¯ she croaked on the verge of tears.

    ¡®Please, I don¡¯t want to stay with strangers. I have no family anymore,¡¯ she cries.

    I turn my face away from her. She was truly unsettling me. I sympathize with what happened to her, but I don¡¯t want her close to my husband. I want her out of my husband¡¯s life!

    ¡®Princess, she¡¯s just staying until shepletes her therapy sessions,¡¯ Zuriel says, his voice soft. He sounded worried about me. I don¡¯t say a word. I only purse my lips and head for the elevator.

    Once in the living room of the penthouse, three people are waiting for me.

    They bow and smile politely at me.

    The man in an impable suit steps forward to introduce himself.

    ¡®Hello, Ma¡¯am. My name is Lou. I¡¯m the butler around here. I¡¯m at your service 24/7,¡¯

    I smile with a small nod. He steps back in line.

    An older woman with ck hair steps forward. She is a little plump with an hourss figure. She has one of the warmest smiles,

    ¡®Wee to your home, my Princess. I¡¯m Laban,¡¯ she says, ¡®I¡¯m the chef, and I make sure that one over there does a good job with her cleaning. She¡¯s my daughter, Miel,¡¯ Leban points to the lovely young woman. They did have simr features indeed, except she was lean and taller. Their hair color is different, too. Miel has curly brown hair.

    ¡®Hello, Princess! It¡¯s an honor to serve you. I¡¯ve been wanting to-¡® Miel starts, but her mother interrupts her,

    ¡®Dear, let¡¯s go get started on dinner!¡¯

    Miel frowns and side-eyes her mom before she bows to me.

    ¡®It¡¯s nice to meet you, Miel,¡¯ I say. Her big honey eyes lit up in excitement. She bows over and over again. I suppress a chuckle.

    ¡®Mama, can I show the Princess to her new room?¡¯ she asks.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.

    ¡®I¡¯m sure she knows where it is,¡¯ Leban says.

    ¡®No, show me, please,¡¯

    As we went upstairs, Miel couldn¡¯t stop talking about how excited she was that I was there. The workers were sent from the Crawford manor by Zuriel¡¯s mother.

    ¡®Miss River does as if she¡¯s the mistress of the house. Now that you¡¯re here, let¡¯s see how she¡¯ll be snapping,¡¯

    ¡®Is River unkind?¡¯ I ask. She nces around the hallway before nodding.

    ¡®She¡¯s very rude. No one likes her,¡¯

    ¡®Well, she won¡¯t be staying here for long,¡¯ I sigh.

    We reach thest room. It is Zuriel¡¯s room,

    ¡®Is this my room, too?¡¯ I ask slowly.

    ¡®Of course, silly! We are married to him now,¡¯ Ara chimes in. She¡¯s cheerful about it.

    Miel looks at me in confusion before she nods. I open the room. To my surprise, it¡¯s decorated with red roses. The ambiance is romantic. I blush deeply. Miel also flushes and smiles.

    ¡®Lady Crawford asked us to decorate it like this. She¡¯s excited, like everyone,¡¯ she informs me. I sigh and thank her. I tour the room. It is lovely and has a huge space. There is arge canopy bed.

    Manyrge windows illuminate the room with light. And I can see the whole pack from here.

    There is arge walk-in closet and an ensuite bathroom.

    I sit on the couch in my thoughts. I only break out of my thoughts when the door opens. Zuriel walks in. He sees me immediately. The truth is that I thought he would ignore me, but he came to me. My eyes widen when he crouches beside me.

    ¡®You need to understand River. She was hurt because of me. I can¡¯t turn her away just because we are married,¡¯ he exins.

    ¡®Zuriel, have consideration around me. How can you let her hug you like that? What articles will they write about when the press sees you,¡¯ I say.

    ¡®Have consideration?¡¯ he scoffs, ¡®I¡¯ve been nothing but considerate of you,¡¯

    He gets to his feet, and so have I. I get offended. He made it sound like marrying me was a favor to me.

    ¡®You had your chance not to be considerate, but you didn¡¯t take it. You will respect our marriage and not be seen with her alone,¡¯ I order. He snorts.

    ¡®There¡¯s nothing between River and I. You are my wife, ra. I will never betray you,¡¯ he says sternly. The sincerity in his eyes leaves no room for doubt.

    Without saying another word, he leaves the room.

 Chapter 42

    Zuriel

    Princess ra. ra. Her name rings in my head. Ever since I told her about what happened with my therapist, I felt like a heavy load was lifted off my chest.

    I didn¡¯t know talking about it would help me. I appreciated what she said. How concerned and understanding she was of me.

    As I spent more time with her, I realized how mature she was. She has grown to be a wonderful young woman.

    Princess ra was jealous of River. But she needed not to worry because there was nothing with River and me.

    I was attached to River a few years ago because of the abuse we both suffered at our tender ages. We bonded over that. It still makes me guilty that I married another woman after she came back. After she lost our child at the hands of those rogues. I had rejected River¡¯s propositions to get married, but, I agreed to marry another woman. That is why I couldn¡¯tpletely cut her out of my life. I made a promise to care for her as best as I can.

    I take a shower and step out of the bathroom. ra is nowhere to be seen. My eyes search for her. I see her standing on the balcony.

    I change and go to her, but stop in my tracks. What the fuck is happening to me? Why do I want to go to her? Why do I feel the need tofort her when I hurt her? To want to be close to her. I can¡¯t love the little Princess. I was incapable of love.

    I leave my room, ready to do some work in the study. However, when I step into the hallway, River is there. It can¡¯t be fucking happening.

    ¡®What is it?¡¯ I ask sternly. I don¡¯t want River to think that there can ever be something between us. She has tried to seduce me before, but I rejected her advances.

    ¡®Zuriel, my therapist thinks you should attend some sessions with me. It would help me with my recovery process,¡¯ she tells me. I sigh and run a hand through my hair. I don¡¯t want to see another therapist. I pause, unable to say anything.

    ¡®Zuriel, I know you don¡¯t believe in them,¡¯ she giggles. Why was she giggling? There was nothing funny. I did mention long ago that I didn¡¯t like therapists, but I didn¡¯t tell her why.

    ¡®I can¡¯t go with you, River,¡¯

    ¡®But why?¡¯ she pouts, stepping closer to me. My gaze instinctively goes to the door. I can¡¯t let ra see us talk like this. She might get the wrong idea. However, I don¡¯t know how to stay in the same house with River without talking to her. I know she¡¯d want to talk.

    ¡®Zuriel?¡¯ I hear my wife¡¯s lovely voice from the room. I feel the rm rise within me as footsteps approach the door. It was a strange feeling. I¡¯d never panic in my life.

    ¡®Okay,¡¯ I nod. I want River to be gone from here.

    ¡®Thank you, Zuriel!¡¯This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    Before I can react, she wraps her arms around me. I don¡¯t respond quickly. The door opens, and ra walks out. She gasps and holds her fingers over her mouth.

    Her eyes flicker with disappointment and hurt. She looks between us.

    ¡®Let¡¯s go down for dinner,¡¯ ra whispers and goes past us. I didn¡¯t expect the pain I felt in my heart. I want to exin it isn¡¯t what she thinks, but I don¡¯t formte any sentences. I re at River before going after ra. She elerates her pace, not wanting to be close to me.

    We were sitting at the dining table. The tension was high. The Princesspletely ignored me. River was eating and talking about the things she did while we were away.

    ¡®I know you don¡¯t like me fighting, but the ne was too cute. Also, Zuriel, you should see my new dresses,¡¯

    ¡®Do you ever stop talking?¡¯ ra sneers after staying silent for a long time.

    ¡®Also, shouldn¡¯t you be depressed or something? What you¡¯ve been through was horrible, yet you seem well ¡­Too well, actually,¡¯

    ¡®ra!¡¯ I growl. How could she remind her of that at this time? ra purses her lips and gives me a tight-lipped smile.

    The rest of dinner was dreadful. ra was being rude. River wouldn¡¯t stop talking all the damn time. I was beginning to have a headache. I couldn¡¯t stand it. River needs to leave my house soon.

 Chapter 43

    ra

    I can¡¯t fucking stand River. Her voice, face, and everything about her. River doesn¡¯t seem like prey as she makes it out to Zuriel. Rather, she looks like a predator. A low-life cunning predator ready to do what it takes to get a meal. That meal being my husband! I re at her on the table. Our eyes meet, and she gives me a polite smile. I don¡¯t reciprocate. It is time to listen to my gut and look into River¡¯s story. I want to know which hospital she was in before she came here and just who found her at the border beaten. I smirk inwardly. I would find out.

    After dinner, I get up. I need to go for a walk to clear my head.

    ¡®I¡¯ll take a walk,¡¯ I mumble to Zuriel. He holds my hand,

    ¡®No, it¡¯ste,¡¯ he says. My gaze goes to the arm holding me. I re at his eyes.

    ¡®I¡¯m not asking you,¡¯ I sneer, yanking my arm out of his grip.

    ¡®I¡¯lle with you then. I want to get fresh air, too,¡¯

    ¡®Don¡¯t talk to me then,¡¯ I sigh. We head for the door when River skips towards us happily.

    ¡®Are we going for a night walk? It¡¯s lovely,¡¯ she beams

    ¡®No, you¡¯re not joining us on the walk,¡¯ Zuriel answers harshly. I gape at him. I wasn¡¯t expecting him to say it. Zuriel realizes how harsh he is towards her and closes his eyes momentarily. River¡¯s lips are trembling, ready to cry. I hold Zuriel¡¯s hand and drag him to the elevator with me before he feels guilty for the way he spoke to her. I¡¯m pleased he doesn¡¯t fight me but walks.

    ¡®Serves her right!¡¯ Ara says. We get off the elevator and go out of the building. The air is delightful. I inhale and start to walk. Zuriel is following me silently. We are both at peace with each other.

    I don¡¯t know how long we walked but only stopped when his phone rang.

    He stops to answer the call. However, no one speaks, only heavy breathing at the end of the line.

    ¡®Hello,¡¯ Zuriel doesn¡¯t show his emotions. The call ends, and he checks the number again.

    ¡®Who called you?¡¯ I ask, concerned. I thought he wouldn¡¯t answer, but does.

    ¡®I don¡¯t know,¡¯ something is worrying in his tone.

    ¡®You¡¯ve got enough air. We should go back now,¡¯ he says suddenly.

    ¡®No, I haven¡¯t-¡®

    Before I finish my words, he carries me on his shoulder. A yelp of surprise leaves my mouth. Zuriel turns on his heels and heads to the apartment building.

    ¡®We are being watched,¡¯ Ara whispers.

    Zuriel¡¯s body goes rigid.

    ¡®Put me down,¡¯ I demand. He walks into the lobby. Once we were there, he put me down.

    ¡®What did you say?¡¯

    ¡®I felt like we were being watched,¡¯ I tell him. He exhales and nces back to the ss door.

    ¡®I didn¡¯t feel anything,¡¯ he murmurs, ¡®It must have been your imagination.¡¯

    I frown, looking at the elevator. Once we enter and go home. I will see River there. Gosh, she angers me. Zuriel suddenly throws me on his shoulder again. I find myself giggling. He enters the elevator with me still on his shoulder.

    ¡®What are you doing?¡¯ I chuckle.

    ¡®We are from our honeymoon. It is tradition for the husband to carry his wife to the bedroom.¡¯ his voice is so sexy.

    ¡®Bridal style, not like this, barbarian!¡¯

    ¡®Well, as you know, I¡¯m coarser,¡¯ he reminds me. I kiss and bite his shoulder.

    ¡®Teeth!¡¯ he smacks my butt.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    The elevator stops, and he steps out. I see River standing by the staircase, and my mood dulls. Zuriel tightened his hold on me and went past her.

    River¡¯s mouth is left hanging open. She is shocked. I smirk at her,

    ¡®Oops,¡¯ I giggle. River doesn¡¯t hide her anger as she watches us disappear. I enjoyed seeing the look on her face.

    Reaching the bedroom, Zuriel throws me on the bed. I gasp and bnce myself on my elbows as I watch him. His eyes are dark. I lick my lips. He hovers over me and leans in to suck my neck. Feeling his closeness makes butterflies bounce in my stomach.

    ¡®Are you mad at me, little Princess?¡¯

    ¡®Boundaries. Have some boundaries with River,¡¯ he doesn¡¯t even protest. He nods and continues to kiss me. His hands roam on my body most sensually.

    Zuriel tears the fabric on my body swiftly. My hands rest on his shoulder. At this moment, I feel so connected with my husband. I want more from him. Why do I feel this connection with her when I have a mate? Connor is my mate, yet my feelings for Zuriel are stronger than ever. I tangle my fingers in his long silk hair.

    ¡®I love your hair,¡¯ I whisper, patting it. He is stroking my clit with his fingers, making me wetter for him. His eyes find mine.

    ¡®I like yours,¡¯

    He enters my pussy with his finger, and I let out a moan. He continues to finger fuck me. I clutch onto his arms. My hips roll against his fingers fucking me.

    ¡®Fuck, yes,¡¯ I moan.

    ¡®You are a horny pretty little thing, aren¡¯t you?¡¯ he muses.

    A smile appears on my lips. I nod proudly.

    He enters in and out of me at a quick pace. I¡¯mmenting his name until I squirt all over his fingers. He gets on his feet and pulls down his pants. His stiff erection is standing tall. He grabs my ankles and pulls me closer to him. His knees are on the bed, and puts my legs over his shoulders. Zuriel enters me slowly and then thrusts deeply into me.

 Chapter 44

    ra

    ¡®Hmm,¡¯N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

    He continues the sweet pattern. He goes inside me gently with a few thrusts and then hits my sweet spot.

    Zuriel¡¯s eyes are on me the entire time. He pumps inside me faster and deeper.

    ¡®Yes, yes, yes,¡¯ I chant.

    We both copse on the bed when we cum at the same time. We are breathing heavily.

    Zuriel¡¯s gaze settled on me. Normally, I can¡¯t read his emotions, but his eyes show affection for me. He caresses my cheek gently. His skin is warm against mine. It brings mefort. Like the previous night, his breathing turns heavy, and he falls asleep. I lie there, watching him sleep. I¡¯ve loved this man all my life, yet he wasn¡¯t even my mate. I wish he was mine.

    My mind goes back to Connor. Where the fuck is he now? And why has he not been sleeping with other women? Is he nning something? Was he the one watching us earlier? Even though Zuriel assured me we weren¡¯t being watched, I did feel eyes on us. The feeling was lingering.

    I roll off the bed and go to the bathroom. When Ie back, something catches my attention. There is a message on his phone. It is from a strange number.

    With trembling hands, I get the phone and open it.

    [ They found you. Are you going to run again, Coward? Your Lovely Sister]

    I narrow my gaze on the message and nce back at my husband. He looks peaceful in his sleep.

    ¡®Sister?¡¯

    Zuriel has a sister? How did I not know that? I put the phone back. It vibrates, this time it¡¯s a phone call. I keep watching it before picking it up,

    ¡®Hello,¡¯

    There is no sound at the end of the line, but I can hear breathing.

    ¡®Are you Zuriel¡¯s sister?¡¯ I ask slowly. There is a long beep, and then the call ends. Should I have not answered it?

    I go back to bed. I force myself to sleep, but it doesn¡¯te. Zuriel has a sister. He never mentioned her, not even his mother said anything.

    ¡®I think Zuriel is hiding a lot of things,¡¯ Ara says. I agree with her. I would talk to him about it. However, I need to be careful how I go about it, or else I might push him away.

    The following morning, I opened my eyes. Zuriel wasn¡¯t in bed with me. I sat up and stretched my limbs.

    ¡®He couldn¡¯t just have disappeared! He has no money, no pack. Search harder!¡¯ I hear shouting from the closet. I get out of bed and go to the closet where my husband is talking on the phone.

    As soon as he notices me enter, Zuriel ends the call.

    ¡®Good morning,¡¯

    ¡®Why are you shouting so early in the morning?¡¯ I frown.

    ¡®My men still can¡¯t find that bastard mate of yours,¡¯ he snaps. I silently stand on a stool and help him with his tie. I can tell my actions surprise him, but he doesn¡¯t voice it out.

    ¡®Ask him about his supposed sister,¡¯ Ara says. I will ask him, but not now.

    When I¡¯m done helping him with his tie, he grabs my waist and gently ces me on my feet. He observes me up and down,

    ¡®Thanks,¡¯

    ¡®I¡¯m going to my university ss today,¡¯ I inform him.

    ¡®Don¡¯t get in fights with men,¡¯ that¡¯s all he says. I blush deeply, thinking back to the time I beat Parker.

    ¡®So, I can fight with girls?¡¯

    He scoffs, ¡®You know what I mean,¡¯ he says. He pulls one of the drawers open and gets a ck card.

    ¡®You can use this for whatever,¡¯ he says. I look at the card in his hand.

    ¡®I have my own money,¡¯ I say.

    ¡®I know. However, you¡¯re my wife now, and my responsibility. I don¡¯t want you using your father¡¯s money,¡¯

    ¡®Oh,¡¯

    he puts the card in my hand and leaves the closet. I follow suit, bracing myself for the question.

    ¡®Zuriel!¡¯ I call. He looks back at me. I fidget on my feet,

    ¡®I want to go out on a date,¡¯ I exhale after the words leave my mouth,

    ¡®Date? With whom?¡¯ he seems genuinely concerned. I almost chuckle.

    ¡®With my ex-boyfriend, and we might go to a hotel after dinner,¡¯ I jest. His eyes instantly turn dark, red slits glowing as he stares at me sternly. He wraps his hand around my throat.

    ¡®Don¡¯t ever dare say that, even as a joke,¡¯ he growls.

    ¡®Maybe I like aggravating you. It¡¯s sexy when you¡¯re jealous,¡¯

    ¡®I¡¯m not jealous. I don¡¯t love you,¡¯ his words pierce my heart. I retreat from him and turn my eyes on him.

    ¡®I¡¯ll take you on a date tomorrow night, okay? I have a meeting. I¡¯m leaving now,¡¯ he says and leaves the bedroom. I sigh and sit on the fluffy carpet.

    I don¡¯t love you. Those words ring in my head. How does he say it so easily? While it gets hard to repress my feelings for him. I want him to love me the way I love him. The door to the bedroom opens, and I instantly get to my feet, wiping all traces of tears in my eyes. Leban walks into the room with a coffee tray.

    ¡®Good morning, Leban. You shouldn¡¯t have. I could have gone downstairs,¡¯ I smile.

    ¡®Good morning, My beautifuldy. Caffette from Mr. Crawford, just how you like it,¡¯ she beams.

    I smile and drink it. I love that he does this for me.

 Chapter 45

    ra

    I get ready for ss. I wear a backless dress and heels. I carry my new bag and go outside. I find Lou waiting for me in the living area, wearing an impable suit as usual.

    ¡®Mydy,¡¯ he bows.

    ¡®Good morning, Lou. You don¡¯t have to drive me to uni. I can call a cab while I wait for my car,¡¯ I tell him. He scowls.

    ¡®A cab? No, mydy. I can¡¯t allow that,¡¯ he insists on taking my bag. Lou leads me to my husband¡¯s private garage. There are so many different types of cars. He has a fine taste in cars. Lou picks a sedan and opens the door for me. I drop my gaze to my phone when it beeps. Solena asks where I am, or if I¡¯m attending school today. I text her back.

    We reach the school parking lot, and he opens the door for me.

    ¡®Shall I walk you in, Lady Crawford,¡¯ Lou asks. Lady Crawford. It has a good ring to it. His words suddenly made me feel better. The slight heartache I felt earlier vanishes. I smile at him,

    ¡®No, I¡¯ll wait for my friends and we¡¯ll go in together,¡¯ I say. He only nods,

    ¡®Call me when ss is over. I¡¯ll be driving you around until your driver gets here,¡¯ he informs me.

    I watch him drive away.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.

    Solena squeals and hugs me from behind.

    ¡®My princess! I missed you. How was your honeymoon,¡¯ she asks at once. I giggle and turn around to face her.

    ¡®Rx, and one question at a time,¡¯

    I take a deep breath. She grabs my hand urgently.

    ¡®It was alright,¡¯ I¡¯m suddenly shy to speak about it. A pink color tints my cheeks, I¡¯m sure.

    ¡®Alright?! No! way. I need details, now!¡¯ she demands. I avert my eyes from her intense gaze.

    ¡®Hello, my lovelydies,¡¯ Brendones to hug me. I hold him tightly. I missed him.

    ¡®Hey, Mr. Why didn¡¯t I receive any calls from you when I was away?¡¯ I poke his shoulder. He frowns.

    ¡®I know you were busy. Heck, you didn¡¯t even respond to Sol¡¯s messages and calls,¡¯ he says. I sigh and stand between them. I link my arms, and we walk inside the school together.

    ¡®Tell tell us, please,¡¯ Solena begs.

    ¡®Zuriel is passionate,¡¯ I start. Three girls walk over to us.

    ¡®Congrattions on your marriage, Princess ra,¡¯ they say, smiling at me. I raise an eyebrow. I vividly remembered them snickering at me and calling me whore princess. I smile and thank them politely.

    It was like that for the rest of the day. My fellow students wereing to congratte me and ask me about the honeymoon. There were pictures of Zuriel and me going around the inte. We looked insanely in love with each other. How did they even get them?

    After my design ss. I met Solena outside. She had a concerned expression on her face.

    ¡®What is it?¡¯

    ¡®Let¡¯s talk about that woman, River,¡¯

    Zuriel

    We were being watchedst night. I felt it, but I had to assure the little Princess she was safe. I didn¡¯t want her worrying about anything.

    After the princess fell asleep, I checked the building¡¯s security cameras. Indeed, we were being watched. I could see a shadow in the corner building. However, I didn¡¯t know how the princess sensed the intruder as faster than me. I was irresponsible. I was reckless in her presence. That was why I hated being around ra. She made me reckless. She made me ¡­ unrestrained. It was such an odd feeling.

    ¡®You have developed feelings for her,¡¯ My wolf, Riel says.

    ¡®I can¡¯t. I¡¯m incapable of love,¡¯ I say.

    ¡®Well, you are wrong. I see the way you are when she¡¯s around,¡¯

    Her bright smile shes in my head. Her twinkling eyes rey in my mind. I shake my head and banish all memories of ra in my mind.

    My phone beeps, and I receive a clear picture of the man watching usst night. He looks harmless. He is a stranger to me. I send the picture to my team of men. They need to find him ASAP.

    I notice there¡¯s an open message on my phone. I unlock the chat, and I¡¯m sure my face pales when I read the message.

    [They found you. Are you going to run again, Coward? Your Lovely Sister]

    I stand from my chair and go towards therge windows. My hands are slightly trembling as I lean against the wall. I re-read the text message again from my sister. Is this really from her? My sister. I¡¯m sure she hates me after leaving her behind. What she went through in the hands of our father must have been horrible.

    No day went without thinking about her. It ate away my sanity that we left her behind. Until Patricia just told me not to think of her anymore. That I should expel every memory of my sister. It took time, but I did. Until I saw her text.

    All the memories we shared in the castlee back rushing hard to me. She was the only one who could make me smile. She was myforter. She loved me, and I betrayed her. I should have fought harder to have here with us. I did, but we had no way to reach her. She was locked in her room by my paranoid father.

    I try calling the number. There is no answer, yet I know she is seeing this. She picks up my call but doesn¡¯t say a word.

    ¡®Eloise,¡¯ her name left my lips breathlessly.

    My beautiful sister. My chest is strangling.

 Chapter 46

    ra

    ¡®Little Zuzu,¡¯ her voice is as arrogant as ever. I hated it when she called me that. That was why I snapped when ra called me Zuzu. However, I felt warmth run through my body when ites Eloise¡¯s mouth. I want her to call me again.

    ¡®I miss you,¡¯ I confess. I didn¡¯t realize just how much I missed her.

    ¡®Dad¡¯s dead,¡¯ she says nonchntly. I¡¯m stunned for a moment by her words.

    ¡®How?¡¯

    ¡®Killed by our uncle Reuben a few months ago,¡¯ Eloise sounds casual about it.

    ¡®How are you?¡¯ I ask.

    ¡®Don¡¯t act like you care about me. I want to warn you about Reuben. He wants the throne but can¡¯t get it because the council won¡¯t allow him, knowing you are alive,¡¯ her words unsettle me.

    ¡®I don¡¯t want want the crown. You take it,¡¯ I tell her. She scoffs,

    ¡®They won¡¯t let me because I¡¯m a woman.¡¯

    ¡®Then fight for it. You¡¯re the firstborn, and it¡¯s the 21st century,¡¯ If anyone could make a good leader for the empire, it was my sister. She has always been fierce and a great warrior, ¡®Or let Uncle sit on me,¡¯ I give her another option.

    ¡®Uncle can¡¯t sit on it. The bastard is far greedier than our father. He will continue raising havoc. He wants all the dragon empires under him, just like the old man did,¡¯

    I sigh. What was with that family and power? They are sick in the head.

    ¡®What can I do to help?¡¯

    ¡®You need to abdicate the throne and appoint me as Queen. Then you can go to your merry little life,¡¯ she snaps.

    ¡®You said they found me,¡¯ I tell her.

    ¡®I intercepted the spy¡¯s message before it could reach Reuben. However, there is a lurker for you. So, kill him. You can do that or have be weak with the wolves. You¡¯re pathetic,¡¯ I can picture her rolling her big violet eyes. I can¡¯t help but smile. It had been too long since I smiled.

    ¡®I have the guy,¡¯ I inform her, looking at myputer.

    ¡®And Reuben?¡¯ I ask.

    ¡®I¡¯ll call you when I need you toe here. I should gather allies before the general council meeting in a few months,¡¯ she tells me. In the next few months, I will abdicate my position and leave the empire behind me for good.

    ¡®Thank you, Eloise,¡¯

    ¡®Stay alive,¡¯ That¡¯s all she says and ends the call. I feel like a heavy burden has been lifted off my chest.

    Nevertheless, I¡¯m in more danger from my uncle now. He will want to kill me before the general council meeting.

    Hopefully, this was the only man who knew of my whereabouts.

    I was happy the rest of the day. I couldn¡¯t wait to get home and see my husband.

    Lou was already waiting for me in the parking lot when my sses ended. I smiled at him as I got in the car.

    ¡®Good evening, Mrs Crawford,¡¯

    There¡­ He did it again. There is something about being called Mrs Crawford that sends warmth to my body.

    ¡®Good evening, Lou,¡¯

    I notice that as we drive. We don¡¯t go to the penthouse. I narrow my gaze. I¡¯m not too familiar with this area of the pack.

    ¡®Lou, where are we going?¡¯ I ask.

    ¡®The boss asked me to take you to his location for your date night,¡¯ he answers. My heart almost leaps from my chest. Date night! Zuriel granted my request!

    ¡®Date? I need to change my clothes, Lou,¡¯

    The butler only nods and does a U-turn abruptly. A yelp almost leaves my lips.

    ¡®Lou!¡¯

    ¡®I¡¯m sorry, mydy. I¡¯ll take you home to change into new clothes,¡¯ he says.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡®I hope Zuriel doesn¡¯t get mad at us, especially you for not following his orders,¡¯

    ¡®You are my boss, too,¡¯ he informs me with a polite smile.

    Lou drives fast to the penthouse building. I get out of the car and rush to the apartment. When I enter, River is there, pressing on her phone, but I don¡¯t acknowledge her.

    ¡®Miel!¡¯ I call softly, and the girles rushing from the kitchen. I smile.

    ¡®Can you help me get ready?¡¯ I ask. She looks eager to know where I¡¯m going but doesn¡¯t ask.

    ¡®I¡¯m going on a date with my husband,¡¯ I tell her. An ear-splitting grin forms on her face.

    ¡®Yes, I¡¯ll help you,¡¯ she squeals.

    ¡®Hello!¡¯ Riveres over to us. I don¡¯t smile at her.

    ¡®You and my boyfriend are going on a date?¡¯ she looks sad. However, I¡¯m not falling for her trick. Zuriel can, but not me.

    I snort and cross my arms against my chest, ¡®He is not your boyfriend, let¡¯s start there,¡¯

    She takes a step back, like a scared little cat. Tears dance in her eyes,

    ¡®Zuriel is my husband. We were wed in the eyes of everyone. And yes, we are going out on a date. He asked me out on a date,¡¯

    I did lie on thatst part, but who cares? River res at me, her eyes shing red with anger. Red?

 Chapter 47

    ra

    It is the color of a Rogue. I wonder what pack she belonged to before she met Zuriel.

    I stare at her once and go upstairs. Miel follows me with a smile on her lips. She doesn¡¯t like River. As soon as we enter the bedroom. I let out a frustrated growl.

    ¡®River annoys her,¡¯Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡®She was red with anger,¡¯ Miel says.

    ¡®So fast from crying to anger,¡¯ I murmur, going to the closet. Once we reach there, we sack it for a new date dress. I want to look sexy for Zuriel.

    ¡®I want to take his breath away,¡¯ I say.

    ¡®You look so happy, Princess,¡¯ Miel muses. I look back at her. Indeed, I¡¯m delighted. I¡¯m ted to be Zuriel¡¯s wife. I¡¯m happy to be going on this date with him.

    We finally picked a dress. It is a deep red short sleeve dress with a plunging neckline and thigh-high slit. Miel helps me, giving it an elegant look. I do my makeup most naturally.

    I stare in the mirror once I¡¯m done getting ready.

    ¡®You look stunning, mydy,¡¯ Miel cheers. I inhale as I stare one more time in the mirror. I¡¯m feeling a little anxious for some reason.

    I go downstairs. I¡¯m d that I don¡¯t see River.

    Lou is driving the car. I¡¯m nervous. Zuriel and I have been together several times, but we¡¯ve never been on a date. This seems so real. I wonder what he has nned tonight.

    Lou¡¯s phone starts to ring, and from his reaction, I can tell it¡¯s Zuriel. He steps on the gas.

    The location we are at is pretty quiet. However, I can tell there is a board of water close by. I was right. Lou stops on the seashore. When I step out of the car, I shiver as the cool air hits my skin. I clutch my small purse tightly. Lou smiles at me,

    ¡®Follow me, Ma¡¯am, he¡¯s waiting,¡¯

    I follow the butler towards the lighthouse by the small hill. There is a passageway of lights as we go to the already beautiful setting. I can tell that there are other people around, not many though.

    I¡¯m speechless once I reach the setting. It is decorated with white flowers and beautiful small lights are hanging over the trees.

    Close to the edge of the hill, a ss table for two, with sses and silverware has been elegantly ced. It was perfect.

    ¡®You like it?¡¯ I hear my husband¡¯s deep voice ask. I was so focused on my surroundings that I hadn¡¯t noticed him sooner. He is looking at me with a prating gaze.

    My breath is caught in my chest. He is even more handsome than ever. He is wearing a gray suit and a white T-shirt. He doesn¡¯t wear a tie. His silver locks are shining more than ever in the light. I walk towards him and smile,

    ¡®I love it. I can¡¯t believe you did this,¡¯

    He grabs my waist gently and pulls me closer to him. Our eyes lock. Before I can say a word¡­ He crashes his lips on me. His kiss is rough and passionate, yet tender. I answer the kiss wholeheartedly. Our kiss is delightful, and butterflies dance in my stomach.

    I blush when we pull away. Since when is Zuriel so good to me? Does he love me? I don¡¯t want to rush to conclusions yet.

    ¡®You¡¯re blushing, little Princess,¡¯

    I avert my gaze from his intense ones.

    ¡®It¡¯s a little chilly,¡¯ I murmur. He doesn¡¯t argue with me about that. He pulls out a chair for me, and I sit. He leans close to my ear and whispers.

    ¡®You look exquisite, my Princess.¡¯ My, my. He called me my princess. I want to explode with happiness.

    ¡®Thank you. You, too,¡¯ my breath shudders at our closeness. He goes to his seat.

    Zuriel is watching me with meek amusement in his emerald eyes. He finally reaches for a bottle of champagne and opens it. He pours it in a ss, and his. We clink and then drink.

    ¡®How was your day?¡¯ he asks.

    I tell him about my day at the university. I¡¯m surprised he looks genuinely interested in listening, as his gaze never leaves mine.

    I stop talking when I realize I¡¯m the only one speaking all this time. He frowns,

    ¡®I¡¯m listening,¡¯

    I changed the topic, ¡®You seem to be in good spirits. Tell me about your day.¡¯

    He hesitates to answer me, and his eyes go to the sea. Maybe I shouldn¡¯t have asked him.

    ¡®I had a good day.¡¯

    ¡®What made it good?¡¯

    There is a ghost of a smile on his lips. My heart flutters. This is the closest thing to a smile I¡¯ve seen from him.

    ¡®My elder sister called me today.¡¯

 Chapter 48

    ra

    His sister, his elder sister. The words resound in my head. My husband is calm. He is so at peace.

    ¡®I didn¡¯t know you had a sister,¡¯ I say gently. He sighs and gulps his drink.

    ¡®Her name is Eloise. You remind me of her,¡¯ he says, scowling. Eloise, I practice her name on my tongue.

    ¡®Reminds you of me?¡¯

    ¡®Yes. She¡¯s fierce, stubborn¡­ Really stubborn,¡¯ I smile as he continues to point out our simrities.

    ¡®Are you two close?¡¯ I ask.

    ¡®We used to be,¡¯ Zuriel signals for the waiter toe, and he does. He asked for a stronger drink. The waiter leaves, and I stare at my husband, waiting for him to tell me more. After a moment of silence, he continues.

    ¡®Eloise was my biggest bully, yet my strongest defender. She protected me from my father¡¯s harsh punishment,¡¯

    His father. Zuriel had never mentioned his father. He doesn¡¯t even bear his name. Crawford is his mother¡¯s surname. I wonder what happened. Harsh punishments, he said? Was his father abusive to him? However, I have to be careful in how I ask questions. He infrequently opened up. The waiter, along with three other staff, started serving our food. Everything is elegant and delectable. He gestures for me to start eating, and slowly I do. I take small bites of my delicious food, and so does he.

    ¡®Do you miss her, Eloise?¡¯ I ask. He frowns but nods.

    ¡®I do actually. I was happy she called,¡¯ he answers.

    ¡®I¡¯m sure she¡¯s as beautiful as Halsey,¡¯ I add. He shakes his head negatively.

    ¡®She¡¯s my half-sister. We share a father, but you¡¯re right. She is beautiful,¡¯

    ¡®Oh, I see,¡¯

    ¡®So, does she have your eyes? I love your eye,¡¯

    ¡®Her eyes are violet. Her hair is silver like mine, but longer. She often wears her hair in braids,¡¯

    I nod with a smile.

    ¡®So, is Eloise with your father?¡¯ his eyes darken after I say that. I regret my words immediately. He blinks a few times, and they are back to their captivating color.

    ¡®Zuriel, can you please tell me about your family?¡¯ my voice is gentle. He stares at me. I can¡¯t read his emotions. I hate it when I can¡¯t.

    ¡®My father wasn¡¯t too kind to me and my mother, or anyone,¡¯ his voicecks emotions when he speaks.

    ¡®He never could control the beast inside him. It was too strong, and often gave into it,¡¯

    Werewolves often had a battle for control with their inner wolves. It is up to the human to create boundaries and tame their inner counterparts, if not, they would operate in an animalistic nature. Power, and bloodthirst. If his father¡¯s wolf was that strong, it could only mean he was an alpha.

    ¡®So, your father is an alpha,¡¯ I say,

    ¡®Something like that. And the old man is dead now,¡¯ he shrugged his shoulders. I don¡¯t know what to say to him. He seems nonchnt about it.

    ¡®I¡¯m sorry?¡¯ I say as a question.

    ¡®Don¡¯t be. I hated him for how he treated us. I¡¯m d he¡¯s dead,¡¯

    I¡¯m stunned and can¡¯t say another word. I ck back in my seat and sigh, absentmindedly ying with my fork. Even though he told me about his father. I have more questions for him. Did he run away from his pack because of his father¡¯s abuse? Can he go back now that he¡¯s dead? Does Eloise take over the pack? Usually, it was unheard of to have alpha females leading a pack.

    ¡®Did you run away from your pack?¡¯ I ask. Zuriel clearly doesn¡¯t want to talk about his life anymore. I¡¯ll take what I¡¯ve been given for now.

    ¡®We are here for a date. Enjoy it,¡¯

    Zurieles to me and extends his hand to me, ¡® May I have this dance?¡¯

    There is no music ying, but I nod,

    ¡®Of course,¡¯

    I take his hand. Suddenly, soft music begins to y.

    ¡®You¡¯re a romantic,¡¯ I tease, staring into his eyes.

    ¡®Bruce said they do this,¡¯ he says.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡®Bruce? You went to Bruce for help?¡¯

    ¡®Yes,¡¯

    ¡®Haven¡¯t you gone on a date before?¡¯ I ask, amused.

    ¡®No, I haven¡¯t,¡¯

    I smile and lean against his chest. I¡¯m pleased to be his first date. Hopefully, he shall think of this because I¡¯ll never forget this day. We sway slowly to the music. Everything feels perfect in this moment. We continue dancing when he whispers in my ear,

    ¡®I have something nned for you,¡¯

    ¡®What?¡¯ I asked in excitement.

    ¡®Look up,¡¯

    I look up to the sky, and immediately, it is filled with colorful fireworks. I pull away, watching the bright sky in awe. They are so many and beautiful.

    ¡®This is amazing, Zuriel!¡¯ I cheer. He only nods at me. I see pleasure in his gaze as he watches me. I can¡¯t help but hug him. However, I didn¡¯t expect him to hug me back. He pulls away and gently caresses my face.

    ¡®You have a lovely smile, ra,¡¯

    My husband crashes his lips on me. His kiss is passionate like the rest of him. I want more. I stand on my tiptoes, iming more of his delicious lips.

    He hoists me up, squeezing my butt.

 Chapter 49

    ra

    I chuckle against his lips at his eagerness and continue the kiss. We are interrupted by the ringing of his phone. Zuriel cusses at the disruption,

    ¡®I¡¯ll turn it off,¡¯

    He put me on my feet. He grabs his phone from the table and stares at it a while longer.

    ¡®Is everything okay?¡¯ I ask.

    He puts the phone to his ear,¡®Crawford,¡¯

    I listen to the conversation with my sharp senses.

    ¡®Sir, we are sorry to disturb you. We have a problem,¡¯ It is Lou speaking.

    ¡®What is it?¡¯ Zuriel sounds irritated.

    ¡®It¡¯s Miss River, Sir,¡¯ my heart sinks. What is happened with her this time? I grab the bottle of Champagne and pour it in a ss, gulping the whole thing.

    ¡®What is wrong with River,¡¯ I hate the worry in his voice,

    ¡®She was rushed to the hospital, Sir. She overdosed on her medication,¡¯ Lou says.

    ¡®We areing,¡¯ Zuriel says and ends the call.

    ¡®She did this purpose to ruin our date,¡¯ I mutter. Zuriel only exhales.

    ¡®Let¡¯s go,¡¯

    ¡®She¡¯s with the doctors, Zuriel. Even if we go, there¡¯s nothing we can do,¡¯ I say, shrugging my shoulders and drinking champagne. I seem like a grueling bitch right now, but I¡¯m almost sure she did it on purpose.

    ¡®I worry about her. She¡¯s in the situation because of me. Let¡¯s go, or I¡¯ll leave you here,¡¯ Zuriel is serious now, slightly ring at me. I gape butpose myself.

    ¡®Then go. I¡¯ll be alright,¡¯ I averted my gaze. I crossed my arms against my chest stubbornly. Zuriel starts to leave, and I feel tears burn my eyes. My husband is leaving me for his ex-girlfriend. Zuriel is back suddenly, standing close to me.

    ¡®I don¡¯t want to leave you out here alone. Please,e with me,¡¯

    His tone is no longer hostile. I feel a tear escape my eye, and I wipe it quickly. He is shocked to see me cry.

    ¡®I didn¡¯t mean to hurt you, baby,¡¯ he whispers, kissing my lips. My eyes light up when he called me baby despite being upset. Did he even realize it? He talks me into going with him. I take his hand. He leads me to his car. He opens the car door for me and gently buckles my seat belt.

    Ara is still pissed about River overdosing. I sigh and decide to mind link Brandon. He can help me find out information about River as he is not only an excellent tracker, but a good investigator.

    ¡®Hey, Brandon,¡¯ I mind-link my best friend.

    ¡®Hi, what¡¯s up,¡¯

    ¡®I need your help,¡¯ I tell him.

    ¡®Anything,¡¯

    ¡®I want an investigation done on River. I want to know every detail about her,¡¯

    Connor

    I was raging with anger. My wolf is getting weaker as our mate fucks that fucking man every damn time. I growl and curse when I feel the pain in my chest. ra is very happy with life. I need to get her back. I don¡¯t care who her husband is. My uncle enters the cottage, and as soon as his eyes find me, they well with sympathy. I don¡¯t want his pity. I need to know what he has found out about my mate.

    ¡®Where is she?¡¯ I ask urgently. He hesitates a bit and gives me a ck envelope. I open it slowly, and what I see there breaks my heart.

    ¡®They are back from their honeymoon,¡¯ Uncle sighs. He goes to the fridge and gets two bottles of beer. He turns on the TV.

    The pictures in the envelope only upset me more. They are acting like a real couple, smiling and holding hands as they walk.

    ¡®This is stupid.¡¯

    ¡®Not really. They are married,¡¯ Uncle says. I re at him, but he is not fazed. All this time, I wasforting myself that their wedding was only for show. They wanted to restore her reputation, which I had seeded in ruining for a while.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡®This must be for show,¡¯ I say.

    ¡®They are happy, my nephew. You need to ept that girl¡¯s rejection before they find you. You can live a happy life here,¡¯ he says to me. I roll my eyes. I can¡¯t live a happy life on the run. I¡¯m an alpha to arge pack. I need to get ra back. She is my mate.

    ¡®I can¡¯t be content on the run, Uncle,¡¯ I sneer.

    ¡®Her husband is Zuriel Crawford. He¡¯s powerful and influential. He has men after you,¡¯ he says. He looks worried. I remember the man I facedst time. He was strong. It is because of him that I¡¯m almost blind in one eye.

    I won¡¯t let him take my eye and my mate. I need to go out there and find a way to get ra. Hopefully, she will not cause a fuss and ept me back. I need to get my life back, even if I have to make things right with the Silvius. I¡¯d have plenty of time for revengeter.

    ¡®I need money. Lots of it from my pack,¡¯ I tell my uncle. He only sighs and leans back on the couch. Even though he doesn¡¯t support my actions, he does what I require him.

 Chapter 50

    ra

    Zuriel is driving to the hospital River was taken. I hate that we left our lovely date for this.

    ¡®Are you alright?¡¯ Zuriel asks. I want to answer something acidic but tame my tongue and only nod. As he drives, he ces a hand over mine. It seems so innocent, yet it warms my heart. Since when is Zuriel so attentive to my feelings? Does he like me?

    My heart is pounding, and I¡¯m sure he can hear it. He can, especially with that smirk he wears on his lips.Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.

    ¡®You keep touching me like this, and I might think you actually like me,¡¯ I say. He stiffens and after a moment says,

    ¡®I don¡¯t dislike you,¡¯

    I smile at him. I¡¯d take it. Lately, I¡¯m just taking anything from him. I know it¡¯s not easy for him to be expressive.

    We reached the hospital five minutester, and I dread going inside.

    ¡®Remember, she is vulnerable, please be kind with your words,¡¯

    ¡®Fine,¡¯ I roll my eyes and hop out of the car. I¡¯m about to walk inside when he grabs my waist and pulls me back to him. His face is close to me,

    ¡®Promise me, little princess,¡¯ he says.

    ¡®Promise what?¡¯ my voicees out in a breathless whisper.

    ¡®Promise you won¡¯t be snarky,¡¯ he says.

    ¡®I¡¯ll try not to be mean,¡¯

    ¡®I¡¯ll take it,¡¯ he pecks me on my lips. I¡¯m stunned. He doesn¡¯t notice how disarmed I am by his action. He grabs my hand and starts to walk. I follow.

    ¡®Oh my goddess!¡¯ Ara screams in my head. I¡¯m red, but Zuriel doesn¡¯t notice. Reaching the reception, a short woman smiles at us warmly.

    ¡®We want to know which room River Snake is in,¡¯ he says. Snake? I grimace at herst name. The woman goes through theputer and then looks up with a smile,

    ¡®The patient is in room 324, on the third floor,¡¯ she answers. We thanked her and made our way there. I exhale once I¡¯m at the door. Zuriel pushes it open. Leban and Miel are there in the room. They get to their feet once they see us and bow.

    ¡®How is she?¡¯ Zuriel asks, his eyes still on his ex. River is lying on the bed. Attached to her arm is an IV. She looks pale.

    ¡®When is she ever not pale?¡¯ Ara snickers.

    ¡®Behave,¡¯

    ¡®The doctors pumped her stomach. It was a close call,¡¯ Leban answers.

    ¡®Who found her?¡¯ I ask.

    ¡®I did, mydy,¡¯ Miel answers as Zuriel goes to the bed, ¡® She asked for soup earlier. When I brought it to her, she was on the bedroom floor. We called an ambnce and brought her here,¡¯

    ¡®You two look tired. You should go home and rest,¡¯ I dismiss the two servants. They nod and leave the room. I stand beside my husband.

    ¡®You must be relieved she¡¯s alright,¡¯ I say.

    ¡®We should go home. I¡¯lle tomorrow,¡¯ he suddenly says. Just as we turn to leave, we hear a frail voice call.

    ¡®Zuriel,¡¯

    Fuck. Since when am I so bitter? However, I made a promise to Zuriel, so I shove down my irritation and smile. She wants to act. I can do it, too. Maybe not as great as her, but I can try.

    ¡®River, how are you feeling, my goddess!¡¯ I say. Even in her state, she can¡¯t hide how shocked she is by my concern.

    ¡®You¡¯re here, too, Princess,¡¯ her voice is weak.

    ¡®Of course, I¡¯m here. You are a guest in my home. I had toe,¡¯ I tell her. Her gaze goes to Zuriel. She looks taken aback by what she sees in his eyes. I turn to look at my husband. He doesn¡¯t look pleased with River. I can¡¯t believe it after the fuss he made abouting here.

    ¡®Did you do it on purpose?¡¯ he asks, his voice cold. Tears roll down her face.

    ¡®I just couldn¡¯t take it anymore,¡¯ she cries. I hold her hand gently, nodding in understanding.

    ¡®But doing this!¡¯ he shouts.

    ¡®Zuriel, enough. We are in a hospital, and she¡¯s unwell. You can¡¯t shout at her like that,¡¯ I say. He looks surprised. I¡¯m impressed by myself.

    ¡®Sorry,¡¯ he mutters, resting his hand on my lower back. His action doesn¡¯t escape River¡¯s eyes. I smirk inwardly.

    ¡®Tell us what happened,¡¯ I ask gently.

    ¡®I was just overwhelmed with my emotions. I thought about the child that I lost and what I endured at the hands of that man. I just wanted it to end,¡¯ she sobs. River has been through difficult times, but she is acting. She wants my husband¡¯s attention. She is prying on his guilt. As soon as she says this, Zuriel¡¯s face falls into one of guilt and anger- His anger is directed at those rogues, not at River.

    ¡®I¡¯m sorry,¡¯ he whispers. River nods and extends her hand towards him. Zuriel hesitates to take her hand, ncing at me first. I don¡¯t react. I don¡¯t know how to. He slowly takes her hand, and she smiles brightly.

    ¡®Zuriel, I¡¯m sorry for what I did tonight. However, I don¡¯t know how to handle my emotions when I feel lonely, or when ¡­ I¡¯m sorry to say this when I see you with Princess ra,¡¯

    Fucking bitch. That is how she¡¯s ying it right now? I scoff and press my fingers on my lips.

    ¡®Hey, rx. Think aboutter,¡¯ Ara says calmly to me. I nod and look at River with sympathy.

    ¡®Well, we are married now, and I understand if seeing us together will hurt you, and I¡¯d hate that so much. That is why I suggest you move to the packhouse,¡¯ my voice is calm. I look up at Zuriel, and he nods in agreement with me.

    ¡®At the packhouse, you¡¯d meet people and socialize. You know, make friends,¡¯ I smile. I didn¡¯t expect the discreet re she sent my way, but I was smiling, waiting to see if she would find a way out of this.

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