《Alpha Knight鈥檚 Cursed Mate》


 1

    NIRVANA     ¡°Hey. Where are you? Our flight will leave in less than an hour.¡± The boarding area had just started checking in.


    I quickly went behind the woman with a kid. I wanted to get it done soon so I could rest during the fight.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Vana.¡± The voice from the other end of the line was somber. When he followed with a deep sigh, I knew what came next. ¡°It¡¯s obvious I¡¯m the only one trying.¡±


    I briefly closed my eyes. ¡°I¡¯m trying, Axell. That¡¯s why we¡¯re doing this.¡±


    ¡°Not hard enough. I¡¯m sorry if I have to do this over the phone.¡±


    ¡°You could have answered my call, Axell. And maybe I also canceled the trip we nned for almost two months.¡±


    ¡°You should go on this trip alone. Who knows, maybe you¡¯ll find what you¡¯re looking for and maybe shed some light on what you want in a rtionship. I hope we can still be friends when youe back.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± I had to bite my tongue not to argue or call him names, but that was all I could say. What was else left to say? He broke up with me over the phone before our trip.


    I stared at my phone screen when the call ended. In my other hand was my only luggage. Somehow, I felt relieved instead of wallowing in heartache.


    ¡°Next!¡±


    I dragged my not-so-sorry self and gave my economy ss ticket with a smile to the flight attendant. It was now or never. Maybe Axell was right. I badly needed this trip alone.


    I slept throughout the flight. I always traveled light. I didn¡¯t need a bag of cosmetics, a suitcase of clothes, and another for shoes. It was a miracle the kid beside me wasn¡¯t grumpy.


    The weather was a little humid in California. Kailin arranged a taxi to take me to the vineyards. She was my ssmate and best friend, but she had to go back to be with her family to help her cousin run the winery business.


    The taxi took me to her ce. The massive sign of ckwell Vineyard and Winery appeared before me while the driver seemed in a rush.


    I was amazed at how vast the ce was. I knew ckwell was loaded, but Kailin never bragged about how filthy rich they were, especially her cousin, who ran the business.


    The taxi stopped before the iron-wrought gate. It automatically opened, and the humongous colonial estate house stunned me. I immediately saw two big guys- McKaye, Kailin¡¯s twin, and the other was just around his age.


    Kailin was already grinning.


    Before I could open the door, the guy opened it from the outside.


    ¡°Vana, you made it!¡± Kailin engulfed me with a tight bear hug and then looked at me from head to toe. ¡°Oh, my God! You look incredible.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± I couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°We Facetimed almost every day, and west saw each other just three months ago.¡±


    ¡°I miss you.¡± She then looked behind me and oddly raised a brow. ¡°Wait. You¡¯re alone?¡±


    ¡°Yup,¡± I said with a pop.     I wasn¡¯t entirely disappointed, but Axell and I nned this trip for two months.


    Before the takeoff, I wanted to tell Kailin I wasing alone and that Axell wasn¡¯ting with me.


    ¡°Care to exin?¡±


    A clearing of throat interrupted me before I could tell her about Axell.


    ¡°Where should I put this?¡± A male voice behind me asked.


    I turned to see a guy around our age with curly dark hair.


    ¡°Take it to the room across mine. Thanks, Zander.¡±


    ¡°Um. That wouldn¡¯t be necessary,¡± I resisted. The least I could do was to be less of a burden since I would be staying here for free. ¡°I can take it. It¡¯s not that heavy.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Zander said before he left, leaving me puzzled.


    ¡°So, you finally made it.¡±


    I smiled at McKaye as I offered my hand. ¡°Hey, McKaye. d to finally be here.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t do handshakes around here.¡± He pulled me into a bear hug, just like Kailin. ¡°My sister¡¯s friend is my friend.¡±N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°Appreciate it. And thanks for amodating me.¡±


    He smiled, showing off the resemnce of his twin sister with their dark copper hair and chocte brown eyes; he was born on December 31st, while Kailin was born on January 1st, making him the eldest. ¡°Well, you should thank our boss.¡±


    ¡°Silly. Ignore him.¡± Kailin held my hand, dragging me away from her brother. ¡°You must be hungry.¡±


    ¡°See you around, Vana.¡± McKaye waved a hand.


    ¡°See youter, McKaye.¡± I looked at Kailin. ¡°You must have questions, K.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. What happened? You sounded excitedst night.¡±


    ¡°Well, Axell broke up with me over the phone while I was boarding. I knew something was off when I called and texted him, and he didn¡¯t reply or return my call, but I had no n on canceling this trip. I wanna be here, K.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Vana.¡± Her voice was tender as she squeezed my hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Maybe he got tired of waiting and my regarded excuses. I just wanted this trip to be special.¡± I followed her inside the house, and I was pinned with pairs of eyesing from steroid-boosted men who could snap my neck with their fingers.


    ¡°I forgot to tell you we have guys around, but don¡¯t worry. They may be big and tall, but they¡¯re harmless.¡± Kailin stopped, ring at least six guys in the entrance hall. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t be rude.¡±


    ¡°Hey,¡± they chorused.


    ¡°Hi.¡± I smiled politely, and they went back to their lives just like that.


    ¡°So? You¡¯re single, huh?¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s for the best. I need some time alone before I help Grandpa manage the restaurant.¡± I followed her upstairs.


    I was surprised to see many antiques, decorations, and paintings as we walked through the hallways and passed by many doors. Then, there was another sitting room with a regency interior style.


    ¡°So you will start working once you go back?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the n.¡± I found my suitcase before the door, which would probably be my room for a few days.


    ¡°First,e with me.¡± She opened the room across from mine. ¡°I¡¯ll show you the view of the vineyards.¡±


    We entered her modern aesthetic room, and she went to open the door leading to the balcony.


    The gust of warm wind rushed inside. The vast vineyards were spectacr and mesmerizing. It ranged through mountains.


    I could almost feel the peace and the solitude, see the beauty under the moon and stars, and feel the nocturnal air whiffing against my skin at night.


    ¡°Earth to, Vana.¡± Kailin nudged me. ¡°Where did you go?¡±


    ¡°This is striking.¡± Before I could finish my words, a Wrangler rushed against the dust, following the motorbike that caught my attention.


    ¡°What the hell are they doing?¡± Kailin asked almost annoyingly.


    The man driving the motorbike wasn¡¯t even wearing a helmet. He didn¡¯t even slow down as he got closer, and so did the Wrangler.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me!¡± Kailin yelled behind me as we watched the man do a sharp brake and get off of his bike before itnded on the ground.


    A man who was ridiculously tall with broad shoulders and tousled dark hair. His thick dark brows met together as if he was pissed off with something. His sharp jaw looked like it hadn¡¯t been acquainted with a razor for days.


    The man growled as the guys from the Wrangler jumped off. He was only wearing a white t-shirt with bloodstains and carelessly worn blue denim jeans andbat boots, yet somehow, he made it look expensive.


    A pair of dark sses hid his eyes, though, making me wonder if they were blue, green, or gray.


    The two college boys argued over something about fights.


    ¡°Knock it off!¡± The hot-as-hell grunted, scaring the college boys. His voice was deep and husky, crackling something like electricity ran down my spine.


    The college boys shut up, one with a bloodstain on his shirt. They must be identical twins.


    ¡°Who¡¯s the hot biker dude?¡± I couldn¡¯t just help it. I had to ask.


    Kailin only chuckled beside me.


    I turned to face her, my cheeks burning. ¡°Oh, shit. Your boyfriend? I don¡¯t know you¡¯re dating.¡±


    Crap.


    ¡°What?¡± Her eyes narrowed before crunching her nose. ¡°Ew. Yuck. Gross. That¡¯s my cousin.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± My lips formed an O shape before pressing them together.


    ¡°Yeah. Meet my cousin, Knight ckwell, who runs the ckwell Vineyards and Winery, the CEO.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± I could only smile.


    ¡°Oh? Really? And why are you smiling?¡± Her eyes narrowed further, but she was not offended. She was more likely making fun of me.


    ¡°Nothing.¡± I shook my head andughed.


    Kailinughed with me as well. ¡°Don¡¯t get fooled. I love him with all my heart, and he¡¯s straight as an arrow, but he doesn¡¯t do rtionships, doesn¡¯t mix business with pleasure either, and his mere goal is getting rich. Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t thinking like that.¡±Liar.


    Weughed out loud until I felt something was watching me- or someone. I turned and looked down. The big hot biker dude pulled his sunsses up, and his gaze was electrifying- forest green eyes, staring right back at me.


    I was sure my heart was beating so hard as I stood there in silence. A strange and unfamiliar feeling- abination of excitement, tension, and heat began creeping up my neck.


    And he just suddenly turned into a mighty lion with a disapproving re, and something changed in his eyes, almost glowing. It radiated a dangerous intensity or was just a reflection from the sunray before muttering something under his breath.


    Flustered, I felt appalled as he began stepping back. Without a word, he picked up his bike, cranked it, and hurried on his merry way, leaving nothing but dust behind.

 2

    KNIGHT


    ¡°What the fuck did you two do?¡± I blew out a hard breath. I was having a conference call when my third-inmand, Luka, used the link to inform me of these twins¡¯ brawl with the biker¡¯s son, Travis.


    They lowered their gazes, showing their respect for my rank. They both had busted faces and knuckles. They could have handled Cadogan¡¯s son if they weren¡¯t afraid of exposing us.


    ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± I cut off quickly when they both opened their mouths. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna hear excuses. And this is yourst warning. Do you hear me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Alpha,¡± they chorused in submission.


    ¡°I was in the middle of an important call, and here you two are trying to prove to be men when you both are just pups. And now I have to deal with Cadogan.¡± I looked at Maddox and Fabian. ¡°That these two idiots are out of their minds.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t happen again, Alpha,¡± North, the youngest, said.


    ¡°It¡¯s Travis¡¯s fault, Alpha.¡± Of course, West had to make an excuse for himself.


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna hear it, West.¡± I pointed at him. My anger still kept boiling. I grabbed him by his front shirt and made sure he looked me in the eye. ¡°If you want to blow some steam,e to me, and I will show you. Do you understand me?¡±


    ¡°Y-yes, Alpha.¡± He nodded quickly. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Alpha.¡±All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care if you apologize. The damage has been done.¡±


    And then he coughed, blood spattering on my white shirt. The guys gasped as they saw the bloodstain.


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± I let him go.


    ¡°I have a loose tooth.¡±


    ¡°Unbelievable.¡± I shook my head in dissatisfaction.


    My phone chimed. The message came from McKaye, my cousin, that his twin¡¯s best friend just arrived at the house. As an alpha, I had to wee our guests, especially those at the pack house.


    ¡°See the pack doctor, or I will be the one to pull that tooth off your mouth.¡± I went on my bike.


    I loved this baby that had been mine for two years. I could afford sports cars, but it wasn¡¯t my thing. Besides, I needed to run the winery business and invest till I grew old so the next generation had trust funds to continue the ckwell legacy.


    Being werewolves, we lived longer than normal humans. We needed to save for future generations. In my case, I also ran a pack.


    We arrived at the house, and the twins quickly argued, ming each other when it was all their fault and why they always got into trouble.


    ¡°Knock it off!¡± I was still pissed at them.


    It was easy to please Cadogan. All I had to do was give him a few bottles of wine, and I didn¡¯t want to have bad blood with bikers.


    We may be stronger than them, but they could y dirty. And I also wanted human allies. Besides, they couldn¡¯t open their mouths that we were werewolves if they found out our secrets.


    I just heard someone say from the house. A voice so buttery, soft, and sweet, and a smooth touch of bourbon vani with a human scent, and something more lingered in the air. A fizz of citrus atop a floral jasmine and rose after the rain with a warmth of Amber and Sandalwood yielded an incredibly sensual sige.


    Then I heard herugh, her voice so rich and free, almost catching me off guard.


    And I hated surprises.


    I was always ready for anything, but not this time.


    My heart nearly busted in my chest because I instantly knew what was happening.


    I took off my sunsses and lifted my gaze.


    ¡°Mine.¡± My wolf purred in delight, iming what was rightfully and fated for him.


    It should take me to the moon that she was stunning- so goddamn beautiful, and those incredibly innocent eyes were staring back at mine.


    This was not happening.


    Alpha Califf¡¯s words were a punch to my gut, but a human and distractions were thest thing I wanted in my life right now. No matter how gorgeous she was, she was also human. And I had priorities. She was not on the list. My eyes just glowed. I felt it.


    ¡°Fuck. Shit.¡± I stepped back and grabbed my bike on the ground, dashing away.


    I arrived at my house. I quickly took off my shirt and went to shower. Her eyes still lingered in my brain. My wolf just purred in agreement.


    Kailin¡¯s voice came through the link. I shut her off, but I knew her. She was stubborn and persistent.


    A momentter, a loud bang knocked on my door. She had a key to my house, and so did her twin.


    ¡°Knight, I know you¡¯re in there. Get the hell out. I need to talk to you.¡±


    I shook my head and wrapped the towel around my waist. I put boxers on before I went to the door.


    ¡°What the hell, Knight?¡± Her face flushed with anger, eyes narrowing at me.


    ¡°Be careful, Kailin.¡± It was a simple warning, but she received the message instantly.


    She scoffed, rolling her eyes at me. ¡°Of course. You¡¯re using the alpha tone on me.¡±


    ¡°Why are you here? I¡¯ve wasted enough time today.¡± I went to my walk-in closet and picked up a new shirt and a pair of jeans.


    ¡°Why did you suddenly leave? I wanted to introduce you to my best friend?¡±


    ¡°It can wait. I have important matters at hand.¡±


    ¡°Of course. You don¡¯t have time for me but for your business and whores.¡±


    Growling, I went to her. ¡°Watch your tone, Kailin.¡±


    ¡°I know everyone is depending on you. You¡¯re a good alpha, but you need to slow down. Running a business and a pack is not a sprint. You need to pace yourself. Why are you so grumpy anyway?¡± She followed me out of my room towards my kitchen. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°The twins.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not new. What did they do this time?¡±


    ¡°Travis and the bikers beat them. Tell Mac to send some wine to Cadogan. I don¡¯t want troubles with them.¡± I grabbed a bottle of water.


    ¡°Noted.¡± Kailin took some loaves of bread and cold cuts to make me a sandwich. ¡°Make sure to be at the pack house at dinner?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll try.¡± My answer got a re from her.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? It¡¯s amon courtesy to show up and wee a guest, Knight, as an alpha, the boss, and the owner of these vineyards. Of all people, you know that. I want you to meet Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana.¡± Her name rolled on my tongue.


    ¡°Yeah. My ssmate. I shared an apartment with her, remember?¡±


    I shook my head. I didn¡¯t pay much attention to the people around her because I knew McKaye kept an eye on his sister.


    ¡°You¡¯re such a jerk. She lives in New York. Her grandpa owns a restaurant, and she ns on helping him once she gets back, so I only have a week with her. And before you ask, she just broke up with her boyfriend.¡±


    A boyfriend. My wolf, being an ass he was, he growled.


    ¡°Why does it matter?¡±


    ¡°She just called you a hot biker dude.¡± She smiled before cing a sandwich on the te and gave it to me. She made one for herself, too.


    My heartbeat spiked- a sign that I should stay away from her as far as possible.


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a shit. I will be there and say hi because I¡¯m doing it for you.¡± I took a bite of the sandwich. Her gaze was still burning into me.


    ¡°Well, I do. I want you to be nice. She¡¯s human, so don¡¯t show up grumpy.¡±


    ¡°I know the drill. You don¡¯t have to remind me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I have to. Because sometimes, you forget you¡¯re human, too, and know decorum. Sometimes you act like an alien, Knight Orion.¡±


    ¡°Just eat and leave. I have work to do.¡±


    ¡°Jeez. Just work, work, work.¡± She began eating her sandwich. ¡°I¡¯m sure Mac has already informed everyone that we have a human guest. They can¡¯t just shift around and walk naked.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I don¡¯t wanna repeat what happened to Carter.¡± Carter Wade was the deputy sheriff in town who witnessed one of my pack members shift. It was difficult for him, but he kept our secrets secret, and I was grateful.


    ¡°Anyway, I informed Vana beforehand that you don¡¯t do rtionships.¡±


    I met her in the eye and red. ¡°What do you hope to achieve, Kailin?¡±


    ¡°She may have a crush on you, but she¡¯s off limits. You can¡¯t swing your dick on my best friend. Do you understand me?¡± She poked her finger at my chest.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like your friend. She¡¯s not my type. And you don¡¯t have to tell me. I won¡¯t sleep with my sister¡¯s best friend.¡± Lie and lie and more lies.


    ¡°Good.¡± She grinned and wrapped her arms around me. ¡°That¡¯s why you¡¯re my favorite cousin.¡±


    ¡°Lucky me.¡± I scoffed. ¡°You only have one cousin, brat.¡±


    ¡°See you then.¡± She looked at my face as if inspecting me. ¡°Maybe you should shave or trim.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Up to you, biker boy.¡±


    ¡°Get out of my house and stroll around with your pretty little human best friend. You have the entire vineyards at your disposal.¡±


    ¡°I got to go and see my beautiful best friend.¡± She finally walked away, swaying to piss me off. ¡°I think I should set her up with Kaleb.¡±


    Fuck.

 3

    NIRVANA


    ¡°I look ridiculous.¡± I nced at my reflection in the mirror.


    I chose the square softline neck ck midi dress since I didn¡¯t have many to choose from. Kailin offered her closet to me, but I bothered her enough.


    ¡°Yeah. You look ridiculously hot.¡± So was she, in her velvet teal midi dress. Kailin had an athletic body. She preferred going to the gym and heavy lifting to my Ptes.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re not dating anyone?¡±


    ¡°I told you. My family is traditional when ites to marriage. So why bother dating if I can¡¯t be with him forever.¡±


    ¡°You dated in college.¡± I recoated my lips and pressed them together.


    ¡°Because I was bored, and I needed dicks.¡±


    That cracked me up. ¡°Really? So these bunch of dicks are off limits?¡±


    ¡°Lower your voice. They can hear you,¡± she whispered but still smiling.


    ¡°Noted. They have superpowers.¡± I snorted and picked up my phone to check some messages. I got one from Grandpa but nothing from Axell. What was I expecting? We were over. I was not even sure if we could be friends.


    Axell was a coward. He could have just told me before I went to the airport, like everyone else would. Instead, he chose the easy way out.


    ¡°What are you thinking?¡±


    ¡°My ex.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t waste your breath. Axell doesn¡¯t deserve you.¡± She offered her hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go before my cousin sends a cavalry to drag us downstairs.¡±


    ¡°Your cousin is weird,¡± I told her honestly, yet she didn¡¯t look offended as I grabbed her hand.


    ¡°Yeah. He¡¯s a good guy, but I don¡¯t know why he acted like he forgot his pies in the oven.¡±


    Iughed softly as we headed downstairs. ¡°Maybe he really had pies waiting for him.¡±


    ¡°I told you. He¡¯s not amitment type of guy, and I never saw him bring women into the vineyards.¡±


    ¡°I bet he hooks up a lot.¡± I instantly heard chats and murmurs. I wasn¡¯t expecting to see a lot of people. I thought it was just a family dinner with me as a guest.


    ¡°Well, he¡¯s a guy with needs.¡±


    I felt a sudden jolt in my chest. ¡°He¡¯s loaded and hot, and he can have any women he wants.¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    The chatting stopped. The house went silent, except for my own heartbeat. My pulse quickened, and heat spread from my neck to my chest when I saw everyone¡¯s eyes on me. Most were guys in shirts and pants. They all cleaned up well.


    ¡°Hi. You must be Nirvana.¡± The man in his early thirties with tan skin came. He looked like he was important around here, wearing a light blue suit without a tie.


    I shook the hand he offered. ¡°You can call me Vana.¡±


    ¡°Nice to meet you. I¡¯m Kaleb with K.¡±


    I smiled. ¡°Nice to meet you, too. Well, Nirvana, like Kurt Cobain, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°How do you find the ckwell Vineyards so far?¡±


    ¡°I have yet to take her on a tour around the property. All we did was stay in my room all day, but we will do it tomorrow,¡± said Kailin.


    ¡°You won¡¯t regret it. It¡¯s pretty nice down here. It¡¯s not the same weather in New York, but if you love vines and wines, you came to the right ce. How long are you nning to stay? I hope for a few weeks.¡±


    ¡°She wille more often, Kaleb. Trust me.¡± My best friend patted my back.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You guys love K, huh? Do you like Keeping Up with the Kardashians?¡±


    Kaleb chuckled. ¡°I prefer Desperate Housewives.¡±


    ¡°Is Knight here?¡± asked Kailin.


    ¡°He¡¯s on his way.¡± Kaleb took two sses of wine and gave one to me.


    Kailin was already sipping hers. ¡°Try our Merlot. You¡¯re going to love it. I know you like fruits.¡±


    I swirled the dark liquid in the wine ss and took in the rich, fruity vor before I took a sip. The ckberries, cherries, and red plums flooded my tongue with the hint of vani and spice aroma of tobo, a lingering finish of choctey taste.


    ¡°Amazing. Three years old?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I just turned twenty-one, but I used to steal my grandpa¡¯s leftover wine. I learned a few things. And I really like the dryness and spiciness of it.¡±


    ¡°You have a good taste, Vana.¡±


    ¡°This is just so good.¡± I raised the ss at an eye level so I could see the red liquid.


    ¡°Knight just arrived. Let¡¯s go to the dining room,¡± Kailin informed excitedly.


    I suddenly felt nervous, which I never felt before. I was the type of person who went with the flow, but right now, I wanted to go back to the room and just drink wine there until I passed out.


    The dining room was surprisingly big and elegant, with a long, lengthy table, and the dark red velvety curtains were drawn to the sides. The crystal chandelier hanging low from the ceiling and interesting pieces of antique wood sculptures, particrly a wolf¡¯s head, caught my attention.


    Then, the room went silent. The man of the hour walked in, drawing all the attention to him. What was with this guy that caught all my attention and my senses alerted?


    Knight ckwell was only in a formal white shirt, sleeves rolled over his elbows, showing off those huge muscles and veins. He matched it with dark pants but clearly knew he could pull it off effortlessly.


    He was massive and taller up-closed, and he looked unbelievably attractive, not to mention his neat quiff cinnamon brown hair, full lips, straight nose, and the dark stubble covering his hard jawline made him look like he was ready to seal the billion-dor deal for tonight.


    I couldn¡¯t call myself petite with my height of five foot and seven inches, but he made me look dainty before him.


    ¡°Nirvana.¡± His expressive green eyes met mine. His voice was pleasing with a husky rumble that he didn¡¯t want anyone to hear. He somehow didn¡¯t look pissed off than this morning, but he wasn¡¯t happy either.


    A gasp escaped from my throat. My cheeks burned, realizing he was already standing before me. He was close enough that I could see the flecks of light green in his dark forest-green irises. And he just caught me checking him out.


    ¡°Just Vana.¡± I offered my hand even if he didn¡¯t. I cleared my throat when it somehow dried up. ¡°Nice to finally meet you, Mr. ckwell.¡±


    He pulled out a hand from his pocket and shook my hand firmly and briefly as if he could get cold or get electrocuted when he held my hand a little longer. I still felt the jolt of electricity in that evanescent moment.


    I heard a chuckle, and it definitely came from Kailin.


    Disappointed filled my chest. I didn¡¯t know why. I didn¡¯t know this guy, but I felt strange feelings when he was around.


    ¡°Knight is fine. Wee to my humble home.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Knight.¡±


    ¡°Kaleb.¡± That was all. He left and went to the head of the dining table.


    Kailin and I followed. The guys began upying the chairs. I sat beside Kailin before the big bad wolf while my heart was still hammering.


    I couldn¡¯t help but steal nces at him and everyone around who wasn¡¯t properly introduced besides McKaye, Zander, and Kaleb. The rest were still strangers to me.


    The dinner was served with a five-course menu.


    ¡°I¡¯m Luka,¡± said thete twenties guy with darker skin sitting next to my left.


    ¡°Vana.¡± I smiled at him.


    ¡°How do you like the vineyards so far?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t been to the vineyards, but I¡¯m excited to see the harvesting, processing, and the tasting room.¡±


    ¡°I can tour you around,¡± said the dirty blond college boy from this morning.


    ¡°Oh. I saw you this morning,¡± said the college boy, who had a bloody shirt but didn¡¯t look hurt or have bruises on his face anymore.


    ¡°I¡¯m West. The handsome of the twins.¡±


    Just a clearing of the throat from Knight felt like amand, silencing everyone.


    ¡°We have guestsing over in two days for the tasting. Sometimes we¡¯re short of staff. You can join us and get amission for every bottle you can sell.¡± The woman with straight brown hair smiled.


    ¡°That sounds fun. Count me in,¡± I replied excitedly.


    ¡°That¡¯s Heartley,¡± Kailin introduced her to me. ¡°She¡¯s the daughter of our family doctor, Dr. Duncan Shaw.¡±


    ¡°I sent the bottle you asked to Cadogan,¡± McKaye told Knight, who seemed bored in his chair.


    ¡°Thank you, Mac.¡±


    ¡°I received another email from Califf. The distributors like the Cabe more. That¡¯s the bestsellers, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Alpha?¡± I turned to McKaye.


    There was a long silence in the dining room before Knight replied, ¡°They call me alpha because I boss them around. I got the name in college.¡± It suited him.


    ¡°I see. Mind if I ask how did you get into the winery business?¡± I particrly asked Knight, but the dining room went eerily silent again, without a breath or a single sound from the cutlery. ¡°Sorry. I should have gone to the inte and checked the website.¡±


    ¡°This has been a family business for three generations. My grandfather started only ten hectares of vineyard. He only sold his Cabe in the farmer¡¯s market until a rich buyer tasted his wine. The man offered my grandfather a partnership, but he refused. It wasn¡¯t easy. It took years and years of blood and sweat before the ckwell Winery came to the local and state markets.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s beautiful and inspiring.¡± I smiled warmly. Something deep within my chest lightened up.


    ¡°How about you? What¡¯s your story?¡± Kaleb asked.


    ¡°My grandpa owns a small restaurant. Some rich men offered to buy it, particrly the ce, but Grandpa refused because of his loyal customers. He said this may mean nothing to them, but for me, this is my life. I sent you to school because of this restaurant, and I will keep this running until the day I die.¡±


    ¡°Wow. He sounds like a good man,¡± Heartley said.


    ¡°He is,¡± Kailin affirmed.


    ¡°Where are your folks from?¡± Heartley was a sweetheart. She sipped his wine.


    ¡°I grew up in the city, but my mother¡¯s side is from Pornd.¡±


    ¡°What about your parents?¡±


    I looked at Kaleb. It still hurt a lot, no matter how many years had passed after losing both parents. ¡°They died in a car crash.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m so sorry, Vana.¡± His hand came to my wrist, squeezing a little, but it was gone in an instant as if I burned him until my gaze met with the big bad biker¡¯s green eyes.

 4

    KNIGHT     Nirvana was fucking gorgeous, it should be a crime, and she wasn¡¯t even aware how beautiful she was that she caught everyone¡¯s attention. These guys had been warned beforehand to behave- this meant she was off-limits as Kailin¡¯s best friend.


    Despite only seeing her once, I couldn¡¯t stop thinking about her. She had already be my distraction. And her name alone was like a nirvana to me, and I wouldn¡¯t allow it to happen tonight.


    The dinner went well despite the constant ringing from Kailin, warning me to be polite to her guest. I quickly left the dining room while McKaye and Kaleb showed the ckwell wines to Nirvana.


    ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± Kailin followed me out.


    ¡°To my office.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re lying. You¡¯re leaving.¡± She sounded disappointed.


    I stopped and faced her, sighing. ¡°I did my promise, Kailin. I showed up and introduced myself to Nirvana. I can¡¯t stay here. I have tons of paperwork-¡±


    ¡°Boring,¡± she sang with an eye-roll.


    ¡°You can show her around or go downtown. Use the card, go shopping, and do whatever you girls do.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t get out of our hair easily, Knight.¡±


    Irritated, I drew a deep breath. ¡°When you had visitorsing over, you never dragged me to join you. What do you want from me?¡±


    ¡°You like her, do you?¡± The logic irritated me because it was true.


    ¡°I¡¯m a man, and I like nice women.¡±


    She rolled her eyes again. ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb with me. I¡¯m sorry, but you may be my alpha, I still call your excuse bullshit. Cut the crap, Knight. You¡¯re attracted to her, but you¡¯re scared.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not. Now shut it. Tell your friend good night.¡± I walked away before she could hear my heartbeat.


    Werewolves like us had excellent enhanced hearingpared to humans. We didn¡¯t have to use a stethoscope to listen to a human heartbeat. All we needed was to focus.


    ¡°Then tell me what made you so busy. You are always talkative during dinner, but tonight, you seem off. What¡¯s going on with you?¡± She still stalked me outside the house.


    I knew Kailin. She wouldn¡¯t let this one go until she heard what she wanted. So, I had toe up with another lie.


    ¡°I¡¯m meeting someone tonight. Happy?¡±


    Her brows met together. A deep frown appeared on her forehead. ¡°You¡¯re dating someone?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with me dating a woman I like? Besides, I¡¯m single, and I have needs. And I don¡¯t have to tell you my personal life, cousin.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t date. You can¡¯t fool me. You¡¯re telling me this to excuse yourself because, let¡¯s be honest, you like my best friend.¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°Whatever floats your boat, Kailin. Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I have somewhere to go.¡±


    ¡°So it¡¯s okay if I let Kaleb pursue her?¡±


    I hid my anger deep within me and suppressed the growling about to erupt from my throat. ¡°I don¡¯t give a shit, K. Kaleb doesn¡¯t have a mate. Maybe she¡¯s the one, and I¡¯ll be happy for them if they be mates.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re such an ass.¡± She finally left, stomping away from me.


    I went to my car, but McKaye was already there. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± he asked me, confusion brewing in his eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re also concerned with my personal life.¡± McKaye was not as nosy as his sister, and he knew how to keep secrets. He was my best friend, after all.


    ¡°Why did you say that?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I think your evil twin is trying to set me up with her best friend.¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯s wrong with that?¡± He stuffed his hands in his pockets as if listening to my business ns.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want distractions, and I¡¯m not up for rtionships right now, Mac. I have so many things on my te, and thest thing I want is a girlfriend wanting a dinner date, cuddling on a sofa while watching sappy movies, and joining me over business trips.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind if my girlfriend is someone like Vana.¡± He shrugged his shoulders. ¡°But she¡¯s my sister¡¯s best friend.¡±


    ¡°And so? Bro-code is overrated. If you like her, go ahead. You¡¯re a mateless werewolf. Maybe you won¡¯t be finding your mate for another ten years. Time for you to have fun.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re such a dick. I don¡¯t want her to be my girlfriend. I was trying to convince you that you would look good together as a couple.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s human.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wasting my time.¡± I got in my car. ¡°Warn everyone to be careful running into the woods.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re warned.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± I sped up, away from the pack house. I needed to get drunk and find someone willing for a good hard fuck. The word someone did a clenching in my chest, and it irritated my infuriating wolf as well.


    My wolf just growled at me.


    ¡°Shut the fuck up, mutt,¡± I growled back.


    ¡°Shit.¡± I stepped on the brake hard enough that the tires screeched against the pavement, and a smell of burning rubber hit my nostrils. ¡°Don¡¯t go back, asshole. She¡¯s better to be alone without you.¡±


    I drew a deep breath, thinking of how to get rid of her, but nothing came more logical than telling her face-to-face.


    ¡°Damn it.¡± I made a swift U-turn and drove back to the pack house.


    I jumped out of my car and almost bumped into McKaye in the receiving area.


    ¡°Why did youe back?¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s your sister?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s with her gorgeous best friend.¡± Everyone seemed to piss me off today.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± I muttered under my breath.


    ¡°You wanna talk to my sister or her best friend?¡±


    I eyed him suspiciously, but he only raised his brows at me.


    ¡°I just told K to meet me here. Alone. Up to you to do whatever you have in mind, Knight.¡± He patted my shoulder before he left.


    ¡°Shit.¡± I went upstairs towards the living area. Her scent became more potent, but she wasn¡¯t there. I knocked on her door.


    ¡°Just a sec,¡± she replied from the room.


    ¡°What am I doing?¡± Before I could turn my back, the door already swung open.


    The look on her face told me she wasn¡¯t expecting to see me. Her sky-blue eyes widened slightly, partly surprised and thrilled. And then a crackle settled between us, warning me of danger.


    ¡°Knight? Are you looking for K? She just went down to see her brother.¡±


    Goddess. Stunning didn¡¯t fit to describe her. She was like she just came from a fairy talend. I didn¡¯t know if I should be relieved or terrified. What is the Moon Goddess¡¯s mind giving me- fuck no.


    She was not my mate.


    Nirvana was not my mate.


    She was just attractive.


    That¡¯s all.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Goddess, her voice was like a hot chocte and a warm nket in winter, and I didn¡¯t even like hot chocte.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I took all my courage, even if it would hurt her. She would be better off without me. ¡°I want you gone by tomorrow afternoon. I will buy a first-ss ticket for you back to New York.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Her eyes bulged out. The pain began brewing. She clearly wasn¡¯t expecting to hear something harsh from me.


    ¡°You heard me. I want you to leave my property. You¡¯re not wee here anymore.¡±


    ¡°Asshole.¡± Unblinking gaze raked over me. Her jaw clenched as she breathed through her nose. ¡°I know the first time I saw you, you¡¯re a world-ss jerk.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been called worst.¡± My reply came hard, and my face hot.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your ticket. I don¡¯t need your damn money. I can go home just fine.¡± Her jaw snapped shut. I got the feeling that she was regretting her words.


    ¡°Good.¡± With my wolf growling and whining, my heart began palpitating, almost making it hard to breathe.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°Dickhead.¡± The door mmed shut before me, leaving me openmouthed in shock.


    I deserved that.

 5

    NIRVANA     What a jerk!


    Prick. Prick. Prick.


    I felt rejected.


    A sliver of pain pierced my chest. Disappointment seeped through within me. I didn¡¯t know this guy, but his words hit differenting from him- they sliced right into my heart. And it felt like I¡¯d known him for a long time, that he meant what he said.


    When Axell broke up with me, it didn¡¯t hurt like this. What was with this man that caused me such agony?


    He was gone for a few minutes. His footsteps faded in the hallway, but his expensive taste of cologne still lingered in my head.


    When he knocked on my door, I was expecting an invitation, maybe a walk in the vineyards under the moonlight. Obviously, I was way over my head. But something must have happened after he left the dining room.


    I saw the rage in his eyes and the clenching of his jaw. Whatever enraged him that had twisted his boxers- if he wore one, had nothing to do with me.


    Maybe he just hated me. Perhaps he was just an ass. Whatever.


    I picked up my phone and booked my first flight back to New York. I also arranged a cab early in the morning. I just didn¡¯t know how to break it to Kailin. It seemed that that dick only treated his family right. Beyond that, everyone could go to hell.


    He was such a jerk.


    I dialed my grandfather Case.


    ¡°Vana, is that you?¡± His voice sounded far.


    ¡°Yes, Grandpa, unless you are waiting for someone¡¯s call.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s wrong, Grandpa. How are you?¡±


    ¡°Honey, you wouldn¡¯t just call in the middle of the night. And I can feel it in your voice.¡± Sometimes, I thought Grandpa was a psychic, but maybe he just knew me too well.


    I didn¡¯t know how to tell him. As far as he knew, I would stay at least a week in California. He was pretty excited about my n to take a vacation.


    ¡°Um, I¡¯ming home. I booked the first flight.¡±


    ¡°What happened? Are you and Kailin have a misunderstanding?¡± The worry in his voice was palpable. He knew Kailin and I were like sisters. He also cared about her like his granddaughter.


    ¡°No. We¡¯re good. It just feels like somebody isn¡¯t happy with my presence. To be honest, Grandpa. I love it here. The vineyards are so beautiful, and some of these guys are awesome. I met Heartley. She¡¯s so sweet. She even invited me for the wine tasting, but I can¡¯t stay when someone might wring my neck while I¡¯m sleeping.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, honey, your n didn¡¯t go well. Come back home. Maybe Italy is good for you, or France.¡±


    ¡°Grandpa, I don¡¯t want to use my savings. Besides, I need a job.¡±


    ¡°I have money, Vana. And I thought you were going to help me around the restaurant.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the n.¡±


    ¡°Thene home, and we¡¯ll talk about it.¡±


    ¡°See you tomorrow, Grandpa. Love you.¡±


    ¡°I love you, too. Good night, honey.¡±


    I dropped my phone on the bed and went to the window, but the view wasn¡¯t as pretty as Kailin¡¯s. After drawing some deep breaths, I walked out of the room. If I only had one chance to see the vineyards, now was the time.


    It took me a while to get in there. It was a long walk, and my mistake was to put my stiletto back on. Nevertheless, it was worth the pain.


    The ce was so spectacr that I had only seen it in romantic movies where lovers chased or spread nkets and had pics or a vineyard wedding.


    It was so peaceful around here, so serene, and nothing was more beautiful than a Californian night under the silver moon and the light of the stars. It was pretty romantic, but everything didn¡¯t go as Axell and I had nned.


    The earthy, floral, and fruit scent lingered in the wind, and it suddenly got cold around here.


    I took fresh scents into my lungs as I walked through the lines of vines with white clusters of fruits hanging through them.


    I still wondered why they called white when they were actually green. I wasn¡¯t an expert on when the grapes would be ready for harvest, but they looked ripe enough.


    Then I remembered Kailin. ¡°Oh, God. I¡¯m so sorry, Kailin.¡±


    I was ready to leave. I was so done with moping until I heard thuds and crunches a few feet ahead of me. Despite the moonlight, I couldn¡¯t see through the thick rows of vines.


    ¡°Anyone there?¡± I bent over to see who was on the other side but saw no one. Until a giant brown wolf appeared that almost gave me a heart attack.


    With my breathing stuck in my lungs, my heart pounded so hard, and my feet seemed rooted to the ground.


    My gaze was still glued to the wolf, and I had no idea there were wolves around here.


    And then the cracking sound of something broken pierced my ears- it sounded like bones crunching and excruciating. Goosebumps erupted all over my skin.


    Shocked, my eyes bulged out, but I couldn¡¯t manage to blink or breathe until my lungs almost exploded and my chest began to heave.


    The wolf deformed before my very eyes. The bones cracked, and from the four-legged animal, it turned into a two-legged naked human in just mere seconds.


    It was not real.


    I was just dreaming, or the shadow was ying tricks with me.


    This was impossible.


    ¡°Oh, no, no.¡± Shivering, I stepped back with my shaky knees and immediately crashed into something huge, like a tree trunk, making me yelp in shock.


    I jerked back, my heels tripping off, losing my bnce. Before I could fall andnd on my ass, big hands reached out, enveloping me like a warm nket.


    ¡°Easy.¡± The familiar, pleasing, deep ramble somehow eased me. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be here alone.¡±


    I looked up, stared with wide eyes over a profound sense of shock, and met his forest green gaze, his eyes electrifying under the moonlight, almost mythical. My chin trembled as I choked out a gulp of air into my lungs. I closed my mouth.


    ¡°Breathe, Nirvana,¡± he said calmly, eyes raking through my face. ¡°Or you¡¯ll pass out.¡±


    I swallowed hard and shook my head.


    ¡°Hey.¡± His voice wasced with concern, enough to convince me he was sincere. He swiped hair on my face, tucking them behind my ear. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°L-let go of me,¡± I whispered in horror.


    ¡°You¡¯re shaking. Let me take you back to the house.¡±


    ¡°Just let me go.¡± I gripped his arms with my trembling hands.


    ¡°You look like you¡¯ve seen something around here. You¡¯re in shock.¡±


    ¡°Get off of me, Knight. I mean it.¡± With all the weirdness and something supernatural, I saw tonight that terrified and shocked me, I took all my strength and pushed him on his chest.


    ¡°I just wanna help you.¡± He gaped in disbelief. His expression unfolded a sense of dread.


    I scoffed. ¡°You¡¯re joking, right? Earlier tonight, you can¡¯t wait to get rid of me. Why are you here all of a sudden? I don¡¯t need your help.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana.¡± His voice seemed filled with misery, almost believable.


    ¡°Like what you wished for, I¡¯m leaving early in the morning. If I could find a flight tonight, I¡¯m already out of your hair right now.¡± My knees wobbled as I walked away from him, but it wasn¡¯t from an unexinable thing I saw. It was from anger.


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving without telling Kailin.¡±


    ¡°This is what you want, right? You think I¡¯m a bad influence and not rich enough to be your cousin¡¯s best friend.¡± I stopped and faced him. ¡°I couldn¡¯t think of anything I did wrong. Kailin and I have been friends since college, but you clearly hate my presence in your miserable kingdom.¡±


    Before I could walk far, Knight was on my heels, reaching out, grabbing my wrist, and whirling me around. He pulled me against him, took the back of my head with his hands, and growled- an animalistic growl with a heated look in his eyes. ¡°You think this is easy for me.¡±


    I wanted tough out loud, but I was more confused than I had the strength toprehend what he said. Yet I was so mad right now I began to shake.


    ¡°I, Knight Orion ckwell,¡± he started chanting, which confused me even more. ¡°Alpha of White Moon Pack, reject you, Nirvana-¡±All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I wanna chop your head off and use it as a ser ball because right now I¡¯m infuriated at you, you weirdo, arrogant, selfish son of a bitch!¡±

 6

    KNIGHT     Shit.


    Things went out of hand quickly.


    She had just seen Gage shift, and she was terrified. Who wouldn¡¯t be? She was human and only aware of our existence in fantasy, fiction books, and movies, and our representation was a terrifying beast that ripped human parts apart.


    And I pissed her off. It was better that way.


    She was away from our dark and dangerous world. She was better off out of my life. The longer she stayed at the vineyards, the harder it was to stay away from her. The pull was so strong it drove me crazy in just a little time I sat with her.


    She better hate me than drag her into my world.


    I dialed Alpha Califf, one of my allies. He had one of the biggest packs in the world, a witch coven, and the Lycan Alpha King at his disposal.


    ¡°Knight, how¡¯s life?¡± Califf found his mate, a lycan princess, Shadow Hawks, and they were stronger and fought enemies together.


    If I was being honest, I envied him that he had a stronger mate. Shadow was also a half-witch gifted with healing, but Moon Goddess somehow liked to y Russian roulette, and that one cartridge emptied at me.


    ¡°Great. How¡¯s Shadow?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s in Italy with her father, doing Goddess knows what,¡± he said with a chuckle.


    ¡°Well, her father has a private jet. She cane to you anytime.¡±


    ¡°Well, this is not a courtesy call, isn¡¯t it? Do you have trouble with other packs?¡± I instantly heard the worry in his voice. I knew if I got into trouble, Califf would have my back.


    ¡°So far so good. My only problem here is these bikers. They like to bully the twins, but nothing a crate of wine can¡¯t shut them up.¡±


    ¡°I understand how difficult it is to hide our kind and abilities from humans. So, what can I help you with?¡±


    ¡°Can I have Zarah¡¯s number? I have a consultation to make.¡±


    ¡°Huh.¡± He chuckled. ¡°You don¡¯t have erectile dysfunction, do you?¡±


    Iughed even if my life suddenly gotplicated. ¡°My dick is fine. Thanks for worrying.¡±


    ¡°Well, contacting Zarah doesn¡¯t work the way a human does. I will give you her number, but it depends on her if she calls you back, or she will send a message through a burning arrow or burn down half of the vineyards.¡±


    ¡°Wow. That¡¯s awesome.¡± I wished I had a witch in my pack, but given that Califf and I were allies and friends, Zarah was also a part of that deal.


    ¡°I will send the number.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Cal.¡±


    ¡°No problem. I¡¯m just a call away if you need anything, whether pack business or heartaches.¡±


    ¡°Appreciate it, man.¡±


    When the call ended, I received Zarah¡¯s number. I dialed it quickly, but she didn¡¯t pick it up.


    I went to my bed, hoping to get some sleep. My wolf was getting agitated. It had been days since myst run.


    All of a sudden, a gust of wind entered the room, and a light appeared on the wall. Zarah emerged, and it looked like something like a sci-fi movie. It¡¯s a holographic disy of some sort.


    ¡°Zarah?¡± She straightened her voluminous hair. She looked different but fantastic anyway.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky I¡¯m already awake.¡± She always puzzled me. Werewolves lived long, but witches lived longer. I wondered how old she was because she didn¡¯t look older than her mid-thirties.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for disturbing you. I was hoping a normal call would do.¡± I stood up and slipped my hands into my sweatpants pockets.


    ¡°What do you want, wolf?¡±


    I smirked. ¡°Really? Wolf?¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m a busy witch. Just spill it out.¡±


    ¡°So you can¡¯t read minds?¡±


    ¡°I can if I can touch you. I can teleport ande over, but I have things to do. Now tell me what your problem is, Knight.¡±


    ¡°Do you know any spell or incantation that-¡±


    ¡°Hold on.¡± She raised her hand. ¡°Whatever you are nning to do, I¡¯m not gonna help you.¡±


    ¡°Why? Because I¡¯m not Shadow?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but I can see it in your eyes and the atmosphere that I won¡¯t like what you¡¯re nning. So no.¡±


    ¡°Just hear me out first.¡± I threaded carefully because I badly needed her help. I was desperate.


    ¡°No, Knight.¡± She pursed her lips and crossed her arms over her chest, eyeing me intensely.


    ¡°I will pay you handsomely. Just name the price.¡±


    ¡°You, rich people, think money can buy everything in this world.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I don¡¯t mean it like that. It¡¯s just a matter of-¡± I scratched my scruff.


    ¡°You found your mate, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    My mouth gaped. I wanted to say something, but my brain went nk.


    I had to shut my mouth close because I didn¡¯t know where to start now that she somehow knew the reason for this call.


    ¡°You want to unbind the bond.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± I nodded glumly. ¡°She¡¯s better off without me. She¡¯s-¡±


    ¡°Human? Yeah. And the intoxicating mating pull was nothing I¡¯d ever felt before. It was so strong I couldn¡¯t control it, and it started to drive me insane.¡±


    ¡°Poor thing. I won¡¯t help you, Knight. You¡¯re being selfish. Werewolves and Lycans can have human mates. It works just fine.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± I met her gaze. ¡°What¡¯s the lifespan of a human? She grows old, and I barely age. I can¡¯t go through that. When my father died, my mother took her own life. And they were both werewolves and were strong, but my mother couldn¡¯t handle losing her mate. She couldn¡¯t handle the pain.¡± Every time I thought of having a mate, I saw my mother¡¯s lifeless body in her bed as she took poison to end her life.


    ¡°Is that why you don¡¯t want a mate?¡±


    ¡°Yes. We will both suffer in the end. Considering how weak humans are.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wrong. When Shadow lost her wolf and her ability, she did everything to fight against Aciano. She may not have what her mate has, but she remains strong for her pack. She¡¯s strong with or without her ability and a wolf because humans are not weak. They just choose to be weak.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°You are a coward, Knight, and selfish. How many werewolves out there who wish to find their mates? And you, you found her, and you want to choose the easy way out when you could have spent the rest of her life creating memories, making her happy, and showing her the world you are in. Messy or not, but you can¡¯t change who you are. What you must do is show her your true nature. So, I¡¯m saying no because I don¡¯t want you to regret breaking the sacred bond you and your mate have.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡± I forced myself to say a word.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you do. Take a leap. Start living. Califf is just like you when he found his mate. He wasn¡¯t ready, but he chose the hardest part, and in the end, the reward was great and fulfilling. You should do it sometimes.¡± The hologram shut off, and Zarah disappeared.


    ***


    ¡°Knight, get the hell up, or I swear I will knock this door down!¡± Kailin yelled and kept banging on the door.


    Fuck.


    She was starting to be more annoying since she invited her friend here.


    I wanted to punish her, but I knew why she was in my house. I stood up and opened the door, only to be hit on the chest.


    ¡°I hate you!¡± Kailin whined and pushed me in the chest. ¡°I hate you right now.¡±


    ¡°What did I do, Kailin?¡± I red down at her. ¡°I should punish you and let you clean my house. Before you leave, leave the keys behind. I don¡¯t want youing to my house again.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°Really? You will get to that part pretty quick, huh?¡±


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± I asked casually.


    She shoved the paper into my chest. I took it and unfolded the paper.


    It was a feminine penmanship, obviously from Nirvana. I read it over and over again, but she never mentioned anything about me or what she saw.


    ¡°Then what does this have to do with me?¡±


    ¡°She left without telling me because of you. I know it.¡± Her tone was hostile and using. Her expression grew stern.


    I got outside towards the kitchen. I knew Kailin was still stalking me. ¡°Sorry to break it to you, but I have nothing to do with her leaving the vineyards. I thought she-¡±


    ¡°Liar! And don¡¯t ever use that Alpha bullshit on me, or I swear to Goddess I will go rogue and stay with her in New York.¡±


    I grabbed one cold bottle of water and drank it half-empty. ¡°Don¡¯t ever do that, but if you wanna see her,e with me today. I¡¯m visiting the firm.¡± Yeah, I had a financial firm in New York, but I didn¡¯t have a schedule for a visit today.


    ¡°Just admit it so I won¡¯t be mad at you.¡± Kailin was about to cry.


    When I looked away, she grunted and punched me on my arm. ¡°I knew it, you selfish bastard!¡±


    ¡°Stop hitting me,¡± I growled and narrowed my eyes at her. ¡°Or you won¡¯t being with me.¡±


    ¡°What did you do?¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask her?¡±


    ¡°Her flight hasn¡¯tnded. You better book me in a suite and pay for my amodation.¡±


    ¡°When was thest time I didn¡¯t pay for your amodation?¡±


    ¡°Cheap amodation for you and Luka, then.¡± She turned on her heels and yelled, ¡°I¡¯ll book a private jet, Alpha!¡±

 7

    NIRVANA


    I felt so cold, my chin trembling.


    I was in my pajamas, barefooted, and walking in the woods alone in the dark. I couldn¡¯t remember how I ended up in this ce, but I had a feeling I was lost.


    I wrapped my arms around my body when chilly air seeped through my bones.


    My body shivered, and my breath steamed as I mindlessly walked through the dirt path. Then, a big gray wolf appeared before me.


    I stood frozen.


    My heart hammered as its dark eyes narrowed, and the rings around the irises glowed golden as if it just found its prey.


    I¡¯d never seen a wolf so big before, taller, more robust, standing with pride, its fur shining against the darkest night.


    The wolf prowled, growling, exposing its long, sharp, white fangs.


    ¡°Don¡¯t hurt me!¡± I jolted up in bed from a dead sleep, drenched with sweat, still catching my breath. My heart pumped so hard in my chest till it was so ufortable.


    And my dream felt so real.


    ¡°Oh, thank God.¡± I wiped off the beads of sweat all over my forehead and neck.


    I was beyond relieved that it was just a bad dream. I tried hard not to think of what I saw back in the vineyards-scratch that.


    There were things I didn¡¯t know existed in this world that could not be seen through the naked eye or what lurked in the dark out there. Who knew those myths and those monsters in the movies were true, or some kind of government experiments gone bad? -or something supernatural.


    When I arrived back home, despite the constant knots in my stomach and sharp stabbing pain in my chest, I Googled a lot. My search history was funny. If someone saw it, they thought I was about to write a paranormal fiction. Most results, I found nothing useful other than fiction books, series on TV and movies, Gamepedia, and Fandoms.


    I couldn¡¯t find concrete evidence that werewolves existed or that a man could shapeshift into a wolf, except for the myths and folklore. Or facts were filtered on the inte by the government agencies.


    I still didn¡¯t believe they existed, though. Maybe the shadow behind those vines was ying tricks with my eyes, and I saw things because I was angry.


    I got up from bed and went to the bathroom. After I washed my face and brushed my teeth, I looked at myself in the mirror. When I briefly closed my eyes, I could still see the image of that wolf and Knight, the jerk.


    ¡°Gah. I¡¯m going crazy.¡± I hadn¡¯t told anyone, even Grandpa. I didn¡¯t want him to think I was going insane with the idea that some mythical or supernatural creature existed.


    I was just about to go to the kitchen when someone just lunged at me and hugged me tight, making me yelp in shock.


    ¡°Ouch. Did you just elbow me?¡±


    My heart was in my throat when I faced Kailin. My eyes grew big. ¡°What the hell?¡±


    ¡°Is that how you say hello to me now?¡± She was smiling from ear to ear.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I pulled her into a hug.


    ¡°I feel bad.¡± She dragged a chair and sat in there while I was waiting for the reason why she was here in my kitchen.


    ¡°I¡¯m happy to see you here, K, but aren¡¯t you supposed to be in Cali?¡±


    ¡°I know Knight has something to do with why you left. Tell me exactly what he said to you, Vana.¡±


    I just left her a note that I had to leave. I knew it was unfair, but she was close to her cousin, and I didn¡¯t want to cause a rift between them. Family was the most important thing for them. I could see it now.


    ¡°It has nothing to do with him. I¡¯m sorry if I didn¡¯t wait till you woke up. But why are you here in New York, K?¡± I sat next to her. ¡°Coffee?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother. I got it covered.¡±


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I demanded when I couldn¡¯t get a concrete answer I wanted. I wished it had nothing to do with my sudden disappearance in the vineyards, but I bet this topic would be discussed.


    ¡°Knight is visiting ckwell Firm, and since I¡¯m his assistant, I came with him and used his card to book a suite for myself.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°You book a suite for yourself?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what we agreed upon, or I¡¯ll leave the vineyards, stay with you, and find a job.¡±


    ¡°Huh.¡± That was all I could say.


    ¡°He¡¯s loaded anyway. He has a penthouse here. He can stay there or book a suite for himself, but I didn¡¯t.¡± Of course, it wouldn¡¯t be a surprise, but Knight, besides his nasty, gruesome attitude, seemed grounded.


    Before I could reply, a knock on the door interrupted us.


    ¡°That¡¯s our coffee.¡± Kailin rose to her feet and went to the door. Since she was my roommate, she still had keys to our apartment, even if she left months ago.


    I was about to get up when I heard a familiar voice from my small living area. I was curious to know if it was still a remnant of my dream. I went to see if what I heard was right.


    ¡°Be nice, or I swear to-¡± Kailin warned Knight when they noticed me.


    Knight almost knocked me off guard, towering in my living room. He seemed to have taken the positive energy in the vicinity when he was around. He looked smolderingly handsome, and it pained me to admit that he really had a spectacr specimen.


    Knight was wearing an expensive blue Italian tailored suit, and he was a sight for sore eyes and highly pleasing as if he had just walked out from a men¡¯s suit runway. And he knew he pulled it off too well.


    ¡°Nirvana.¡± I thought he smiled. Yeah, he did really smile. A small curve appeared on his full lips.


    ¡°Knight, wee to my humble abode. I know it¡¯s nothing much to look around, but I call it home, and I don¡¯t kick out people I weed in the middle of the night.¡± I smiled politely. Too polite, he almost cringed.


    His smile was gone. Damn. I already missed it.


    ¡°You kicked her out?¡± Kailin growled in anger.


    ¡°Hey.¡± I caught her wrist. ¡°It¡¯s fine. And it was my decision to leave.¡±


    ¡°Apologize now, Knight,¡± Kailin said aggressively at her cousin, whose mood just soured.


    He met Kailin¡¯s angry stare without blinking, no words as if talking through their minds, and as if Kailin was challenging his authority. His eyes narrowed further, his jaw ticked, and I could feel his anger radiating through him.


    It passed a minute, and none of them tried to back down. And the silence in the apartment turned hostile.


    ¡°Guys, that won¡¯t be necessary. Water under the bridge.¡± I picked up a coffee cup on the coffee table and sipped it.


    They didn¡¯t badge, so I had to do something. ¡°Guys, if you wanna keep your staring contest, I¡¯m leaving. Unlike you, I got a job, and I have to go to the restaurant to work for my bills.¡± I left them and went to the kitchen.


    ¡°Vana?¡± Kailin followed me.


    I faced her. ¡°I¡¯m fine, K. Honestly, I¡¯m good, but why is your cousin here?¡±


    ¡°I know he¡¯s the reason why you left without telling me.¡±Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna talk about it, K.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re my best friend, and I want you to be okay with him.¡±


    ¡°As long as I won¡¯t see his face every day.¡± I rolled my eyes when I felt Knight standing behind me.


    ¡°Just have patience for a day because we¡¯re having lunch at your grandpa¡¯s restaurant.¡±


    ¡°I can do that.¡± I turned around. Knight was still having the same expression on his face. ¡°Do you have something to say to me, Knight?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡±


    ¡°Right. Thank you for being honest.¡±


    We stared at each other for a moment, and his gaze was smoldering. I felt he had something to say but held it hard through his clenched jaw.


    I looked at Kailin. ¡°I need to shower. If you wanna stay and maybe entertain my guest for a few minutes, your room is the same as how you left it.¡± I smiled. ¡°I¡¯m happy you¡¯re here, K.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m leaving. I have business to attend,¡± Knight said tly. Gosh, how could he be so dick but still hot?


    ¡°Very well. You know how you get in. I¡¯m sure you know how to find your way out.¡±

 8

    KNIGHT


    ¡°What the hell is wrong with you?¡± Kailin was still pissed at me.


    I didn¡¯t know what was wrong with me. It seemed that every time I saw Nirvana, the world stopped spinning, things suspended, and my mind went nk.


    The pull between us was getting stronger and stronger. I started to lose my mind, and it seemed that I was the only one who was affected. And it fucking drove me insane.


    ¡°Don¡¯t challenge me again, Kailin.¡± My warning didn¡¯t seem to budge her. ¡°You don¡¯t wanna see me mad. And I¡¯m still your alpha.¡±


    ¡°Then tell me, why do you hate her so much?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t hate her.¡±


    ¡°Then why do you act like she has some kind of infectious disease when she¡¯s around?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna talk about it. You can stay here if you want to. I¡¯m just going to visit the firm. See you at lunch.¡± I was already walking towards the door when she held my arm. ¡°What?¡±


    She sighed. ¡°I apologize because you¡¯re my alpha, but not as my cousin.¡±


    ¡°Apology epted, but don¡¯t ever challenge me again, especially in front of Nirvana. I don¡¯t care if she sees me shift before us. Do you understand me?¡±


    Her eyebrows met together. ¡°Something is really wrong with you, Alpha. If you don¡¯t even care, she will find out our secret, who we are. She¡¯s been my best friend for four years, and I know how hard it is to keep a secret from the people I care about, but I would never jeopardize her safety or her mental health. She might not going to take it well, and I don¡¯t wanna see my best friend in the mental hospital.¡±


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s wrong with me. And stop pissing me off.¡± I left before I could blurt out that Nirvana saw Gage shift.


    I went to the ckwell Firm in Manhattan. Though the first quarter report was outstanding, the meeting bored me.


    My mind went back to Nirvana in her pajamas. She looked so beautiful without a hint of makeup on her freckled face. Her blonde hair was in a messy bun, and I couldn¡¯t help but notice the absence of her bra- those firm tits made my fingertips itch, and her nipples poked through the thin garment of what she was wearing. She could be a perfect girlfriend or a better wife, but I couldn¡¯t drag her into my world out of selfishness.


    The longer I stared at her, the harder my cock went rigid in my pants. So I had to get out of her apartment as soon as possible, or my cousin would notice my groin and my racing heartbeat. She couldn¡¯t know how Nirvana mattered to me.


    It was almost lunch. I dialed Zarah. Thankfully, she picked up the call this time.


    ¡°You start to annoy me, Knight.¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°Thank you for picking up my call. I¡¯m in New York. If you are in town, can you meet me at Case Restaurant? I¡¯d love to have lunch with you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m with someone and very much happy, Knight.¡± I knew Zarah was joking, and who wouldn¡¯t know about her rtionship with the Lycan King, Sebastien Locklear?


    ¡°Yeah, right. So you can¡¯t spare me a minute of your precious time?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you there.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    I dialed my delta after I hung up the call with the witch. Luka was one of the greatest guys I¡¯d ever met. I could trust him with anything, and he would never betray me.


    ¡°Alpha?¡± he answered right away. Luka worked in the vineyards and studied Oenology. Soon, he would run the winemaking department.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your assistance right now. Take Zander with you. Do whatever you want. Just don¡¯t get him drunk.¡± Zander was still in college, but he was a good kid.


    ¡°Just let me know if you need us. See you soon, Alpha.¡±


    I arrived at the restaurant just before the lunch. Ady staff weed me.


    ¡°I have a reservation by the name of Knight ckwell.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir. Follow me,¡± the woman said as she walked before me towards the stairs. The VIP area was upstairs.


    Case Restaurant was awarded a Michelin starst year. No wonder some businessmen showed interest in this restaurant. It is also located in the center of the city.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I told thedy as she opened the door for me. I instantly caught the scent of a werewolf. It was distinctively strong. It meant it was a male and a werewolf with ancient blood.


    The staff left. I followed and sniffed where the scent took me, and the old man in his sixties stood before me. He was the werewolf.


    ¡°Mr. ckwell, wee to Case Restaurant.¡± He offered his hand.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I shook his hand hesitantly, but he was in a pack. I could smell that.


    ¡°Oh, you two have met.¡± My cousin had just arrived, or she was already here.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I was still confused, and the man didn¡¯t introduce himself.


    ¡°I¡¯m Case Woodrow.¡± He smiled as he must have seen the look on my face.


    ¡°You¡¯re the owner.¡± My pulse elerated. I looked at Kailin, and she just shut her mouth.


    ¡°Yes, son. And you¡¯re an alpha.¡±


    ¡°Yes. White Moon from California.¡± I paused for a moment to gather my bearing. ¡°Can we speak in private?¡±


    ¡°Of course. My office is downstairs. Follow me.¡± He gestured as he led me the way.


    Before Kailin could follow Case, I held her wrist. ¡°You knew?¡±


    ¡°Obviously, I can smell him.¡±


    I tightened my grip around her. ¡°Are you going to tell me about this?¡±


    She met my gaze, and I instantly saw the guilt in her eyes. ¡°I promised Case I won¡¯t tell what we are to his granddaughter.¡±


    Case opened the door to his office, filled with Nirvana¡¯s pictures from baby pictures until she finished college, then an old sword framed in sses. Once we were all inside, he locked the door before him.


    Case instantly noticed a million questions on my face.


    ¡°You¡¯re from the long line of ancient werewolves, but why your granddaughter is not one of us?¡±


    Kailin dropped her gaze. Case took a deep breath.


    ¡°Are you going to answer me, Mr. Woodrow?¡±


    A knock interrupted us, but I didn¡¯t feel the tingle or my heartbeat racing. It meant it wasn¡¯t Nirvana behind the door.


    ¡°Mr. Woodrow, someone is looking for you,¡± said a woman behind the door.


    Case went to open, and it was Zarah who appeared.


    ¡°My dear.¡± Case and Zarah did a cheek-to-cheek kiss.


    ¡°Good to see you, old man, still alive and handsome.¡±


    ¡°So, this is not a coincidence. You both know each other?¡± I bounced my gaze between them.


    ¡°Oh, drop the attitude, Knight. You figured out something, didn¡¯t you?¡± She locked the door behind her and chanted something. ¡°No one can hear us now, even if you yell into our faces.¡±


    Case blew a breath as if finding it difficult to open an old wound. ¡°My granddaughter is cursed before she¡¯s even born.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± My heart nearly stopped. I momentarily stared at the old man and watched the pain appear in his eyes.


    ¡°His daughter had a gift and has witch blood from her mother and Case¡¯ste wife. Her mother¡¯s name was Sophie,¡± Zarah began. ¡°Such as a beautiful woman. I saw her daughter once, and she just looked like her mother.¡±


    ¡°Her gift was what killed her,¡± Case added.


    ¡°What gift?¡±


    ¡°Ophelia had a gift as old as dating back to Oracles in Ancient Greece that had been worshiped in temples throughout history.¡±


    The hair rose all over my body. I was immensely shocked hearing the terrible truth that seemed impossible. At the same time, my brain stopped processing.


    ¡°Wait. You¡¯re the witch?¡± asked Kailin, bewildered as she pointed at Zarah. I could see the amazement in her eyes.


    Silence instantly swallowed the room, almost deafening.


    ¡°Not now, Kailin.¡± I didn¡¯t even realize I said it out loud.


    ¡°Sophie got the gift from her mother, which passed on to the eldest daughters. She had an encounter with a powerful warlock. If the story is true, she saw his future, and he didn¡¯t like it. So he cursed all her bloodline, her future eldest child, and the child of her child, and so on, to lose the power of her bloodline and abilities, if any.¡±


    ¡°Maybe there¡¯s something we can do, right?¡± Kailin spoke. She must not have known about the curse.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing in the spell books throughout history, in any witch Grimoire I had read. I¡¯ve known Woodrow for so long, and I would have helped Case in a heartbeat if I found something. The only thing that hadn¡¯t tried is a quest.¡± Then Zarah faced me. ¡°Now that I¡¯m here, and you know Nirvana¡¯s family¡¯s secret, are you still nning to do what you ought to, Alpha Knight?¡±


    Kailin gripped my arm. ¡°What is she talking about, Knight? What n?¡±

 9

    NIRVANA


    I checked the time on my phone- it was supposed to be lunchtime on the reservation. I had already been in the restaurant since morning, but Kailin hadn¡¯t arrived yet, nor did her grumpy hot biker cousin.


    To be honest, I was excited to see his annoying, handsome face, so I sent a quick text to her.


    ¡°Mara, has Kailin arrived yet?¡± She¡¯d been working here for five years and knew my best friend.


    ¡°Yes, and Mr. ckwell.¡± A small smile appeared on her lips. I knew what it meant. Even the blind could see how attractive Knight was. ¡°I saw them went to your grandfather¡¯s office and the beautiful woman.¡±


    ¡°Beautiful woman?¡± My brows knitted. A sliver of jealousy pierced my heart.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± That was all I could say before I went to knock on my grandfather¡¯s office.


    I still felt the pang in my chest when the door opened wide. Grandpa, Kailin, Knight, and the beautiful woman Mara talked about were there. She was indeed beautiful in her thirties, but I¡¯d seen her before.


    ¡°Oh, is this a private meeting?¡± I looked at them one by one, and none of them moved or replied but stared at me as if I had caught their hands in a cookie jar. ¡°I cane back.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± One single word came from Knight, and all ears were on him.


    ¡°Look at you.¡± The beautiful woman said, but I couldn¡¯t remember her name. ¡°You look just like your mother.¡±


    I smiled the moment I remembered where Ist saw her. ¡°You were on my 18th birthday.¡±


    ¡°Yes. You remember.¡± She came to me and hugged me. ¡°Good to see you again, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, me too.¡± I finally joined them. ¡°Are you here meeting Grandpa?¡±


    ¡°Not exactly. Knight invited me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, okay.¡± Maybe he was into older women. Knight was definitely younger than her, and now I just felt the clenching in my chest.


    ¡°I invited her to join us over lunch.¡±


    ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll go check the table.¡± It was my excuse to get out.


    ¡°You¡¯re joining us, Vana,¡± Kailin said. ¡°Zarah and Grandpa Case are joining us.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± I smiled tightly.


    ¡°Shall we?¡± Grandpa said.


    We went up and settled into the VIP area. I suddenly felt the tension in the room. I felt like something was going on between all of them. They wouldn¡¯t just talk in the office if it wasn¡¯t important.


    I sat next to Kailin while Grandpa and Zarah sat beside each other. Knight was on my left, looking all mighty.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re helping Case run the restaurant?¡± Zarah finally broke the tension.


    ¡°Yes. Since college, I have been trying to help him with bookkeeping.¡± I was still curious about why she was here and how she knew Knight. ¡°How do you know my mother?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a friend of your mother¡¯s friend. I met Case a couple of times. We are both into food. I met Knight through a friend, as well. Through Califf. He invested in winery business.¡±


    ¡°My parents died when I was just a baby. Aside from the pictures that Grandpa had shown me, I can¡¯t remember their faces.¡±


    She reached out for my hand, squeezing it. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear that, but they were good people. Your mother was your father¡¯s light and your grandpa¡¯s world.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. That means a lot. I never met any of their friends but you.¡±


    ¡°If you need anything, I¡¯m just a call away. I¡¯ll give you my number.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I turned to Kailin. ¡°Are you ready to order?¡±


    She smiled. ¡°Yes. I¡¯m starving.¡±


    I didn¡¯t pick up the menu as I told the waitstaff. ¡°I¡¯ll have what Kailin has.¡±


    Grandpa and Knight chose the red meat while Zarah went for seafood.


    ¡°How did you know each other?¡± Zarah asked me.


    ¡°Kailin is my college roommate, and we went to the same school together. And Knight, I just met him days ago.¡±


    ¡°What a twist of fate,¡± she said with a smile- a meaningful one.


    ¡°What made you say that?¡±


    ¡°Well, our world just gets smaller, my dear.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Right.¡±


    ¡°Why are you so silent, cousin?¡±


    ¡°Excuse me. I¡¯ll be back.¡± He suddenly rose to his feet. ¡°I need some air.¡±


    His action suddenly confused me because I didn¡¯t think I was at fault. I followed my gaze until he left the room, leaving me dumbfounded.


    ¡°Should I leave so he can enjoy the lunch?¡±


    ¡°No. He¡¯s just being him.¡± Kailin looked apologetic.


    ¡°Is he always like this?¡±


    ¡°Never. Knight¡¯s always focused and a little bit aggressive, but he¡¯s respectful, protective, and loyal to default. Forgive his manner, Grandpa Case, Zarah. My cousin is a lot, but he¡¯s very respectful. Lately, he¡¯s been temperamental.¡±


    ¡°Ipletely understand, honey.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all right, Kailin. Your cousin is under a lot of pressure,¡± said Zarah, agreeing with Grandpa.


    ¡°Excuse me for a moment.¡± I got up. ¡°I¡¯ll go find him.¡±


    ¡°Good idea,¡± Zarah and Kailin said in unison.


    ¡°He¡¯s probably in the parking lot, honey.¡±


    I went out towards the parking lot. He was there pacing before the rental car. I hadn¡¯t got closer, yet he somehow sensed me. He stopped and turned to me, still wearing a confused look on his face.


    ¡°Look, I know you hate me, but you can tell me now if I shouldn¡¯t join you over lunch. I don¡¯t want to make it more awkward than it already is, and I don¡¯t want you to look disrespectful in front of Zarah. I will understand.¡± I stopped before him, and he just stared at me, motionless, until I almost quivered with the intensity of his gaze.


    ¡°You know, you can tell me whatever is going on with you. I promise not to judge, and you know why it¡¯s good to share your problems with a stranger? Because there is a possibility that you might not cross paths again.¡±


    He blew a deep breath. ¡°Let¡¯s have lunch.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you want me around you? I may not have an infectious disease, but I¡¯m not blind. You don¡¯t very much like to be around me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t give me that crap, it¡¯s not you, it¡¯s me. You¡¯re not quoting me a Taylor Swift¡¯s song, Knight.¡±


    He chuckled as he opened the door and let me go in first. Wow. He could be a gentleman if he wanted to be. I didn¡¯t know he had that in him.


    ¡°I take it you¡¯re a fan.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m more of a ck Sabbath kind of guy.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    The food just arrived, and we settled back to our table. We ate in silence for a while until Kailin just cursed.


    ¡°Language, Kailin,¡± Knight chided her.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡± I had a feeling her apology was intended for my grandfather and Zarah. Then she stared at her cousin as if having a secret conversation. ¡°How did I miss it?¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    Kailin smiled at me and shook her head in amusement. ¡°Oh, my God.¡±


    ¡°Kailin, can we just eat in peace?¡± asked Knight politely.


    ¡°Of course, cousin, but you have a lot of exining to do.¡±


    ¡°This is amazing, Mr. Woodrow. You definitely deserve the Michelin star.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d you like the food.¡±


    ¡°Where do you get your wine supply?¡± He picked up the bottle of ckwell Cabe.


    ¡°Stone Distributor,¡± Grandpa said.


    ¡°Califf¡¯s new venture,¡± Zarah affirmed as she picked up her wine and sipped it. ¡°Yeah, this Chardonnay is to die for.¡±


    ¡°I thought Sebastien has the biggest winery in Italy,¡± said Knight. Who was Sebastien? Her husband? But I didn¡¯t see a ring around her finger. Boyfriend, maybe?


    ¡°Yes, but your wine and his have distinct tastes. I both love them.¡±


    ¡°To be honest, your wines are one of the best selections in the restaurant, Mr. ckwell,¡± I told him the truth.


    ¡°Cuz, don¡¯t start talking about business right now.¡± Kailin literally rolled her eyes at Knight.


    I hid my smile when Knight looked at me. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that. I bookkeep.¡±


    My phone just vibrated, interrupting him before he could say something.


    ¡°You can answer that, best friend. That could be important.¡±


    ¡°This could wait.¡± I fished it out, and it was Axell calling. I pressed the silent button before I slipped it back into my pocket. ¡°So, Knight ckwell, how¡¯s the firm?¡±


    ¡°Fine. I just went there to check the first quarter report. Boring stuff.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, can I ask you something?¡±


    ¡°Of course, Zarah.¡±


    ¡°Do you believe in dreams?¡±


    ¡°Um.¡± I dabbed my lips before answering. ¡°I think it has something to do with our subconsciousness and brain activity. Why?¡±


    ¡°Have you had weird dreamstely?¡±All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Iughed softly. ¡°Funny you asked. I just had a weird dreamst night. I was in the middle of the woods. It was dark and chilly. I was barefooted, and I saw a gray wolf-¡±


    They all coughed simultaneously, except Knight, who stared at me. They all stared at me, and I almost squirmed.


    ¡°Did I say something wrong?¡±

 10

    KNIGHT


    After lunch, Nirvana had to stay at the restaurant with her grandpa until the afternoon. Kailin and I went to the hotel suite she booked for herself. At the same time, Zarah told me to talk to meter before she left Italy.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± Kailin figured it out as I expected and wouldn¡¯t let it go.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me her grandfather is a werewolf with ancient blood?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not my secret to tell, Alpha. Besides, I already told you I promised not to tell anyone.¡±


    ¡°Even to me, your cousin and your alpha.¡± I was both offended and admired hermitment.


    ¡°Don¡¯t change the subject. I¡¯m dying to know here.¡± She was already grinning.


    ¡°Shut that grin off. I need a nap.¡± I took off my jacket and put it on the chair.


    ¡°This is my suite, Knight. Go and find your own.¡±


    I ignored her as I went to bed and shut my eyes, hoping Nirvana¡¯s face wouldn¡¯t appear in my sleep. Not that I wasining, but I had been sleeping terribly since meeting her.


    ¡°Let me guess, you kicked her out and offered a ticket to get home.¡± I felt her searing gaze on me. ¡°Hence, the note.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Why in the hell did you do that? Most werewolves would be throwing a party to have a-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t. Don¡¯t start.¡± I pointed a finger at her, even with my eyes closed. ¡°You¡¯ve been naughty and minding my personal lifetely, and it starts to piss me off.¡±


    ¡°Then just reject her. What are you waiting for? She¡¯d be happier with humans than with you. You¡¯re too obsessed with getting rich, and your money starts to get into your head. You¡¯re so selfish. All you care about is yourself.¡±


    ¡°I already did.¡±


    ¡°What the hell? Why?¡± Dead serious now, she asked me through gritted teeth.


    I opened my eyes and looked at her. ¡°Mind the pack business and your job, Kailin, but stay out of my personal life.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I will, Alpha. From now on, I won¡¯t interfere with your life!¡± She picked up her bag and left the room, mming the door behind her.


    The door suddenly opened again. This time, she walked in with Zarah.


    ¡°Zarah, I thought you would call.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, but I have to leave for Italy right now.¡±


    ¡°How did you get here so fast?¡± Kailin asked.


    ¡°I used portal.¡±


    ¡°Portal?¡± we asked in unison as we looked at each other.


    ¡°Wow. That¡¯s cool,¡± Kailin gushed.


    Zarah didn¡¯t look impressed. ¡°You need to take Nirvana with you.¡±Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°That¡¯s not happening, Zarah. He rejected her-¡±


    ¡°Partially,¡± I corrected her, defending myself.


    ¡°He kicked her out of the vineyards and made sure he wanted nothing from her.¡±


    I looked away because that was precisely what I did.


    ¡°We talked, and I told him not to reject her. Or maybe she¡¯s better off without your arrogant alpha.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m standing right here.¡± My chest clenched in anger, guilt, and pain.


    ¡°See? I was right. You love nothing but yourself.¡±


    I turned to Kailin. ¡°I don¡¯t want to drag her into my dark, hostile world. That¡¯s before I found out she wasn¡¯t human. Because if she does, you know how dangerous our world is. How many times had packs been attacked in thest few months? As much as I want to have a mate, I can¡¯t put her in any harm¡¯s way.¡±


    ¡°Because she¡¯s weak? Goddess, cousin. You have us. You have the entire pack to protect her. You have allies. I¡¯m sure Zarah can help us shield her from something. Right, Zarah?¡±


    ¡°She has been protected since she was born. I saw the small pendant she was wearing. It¡¯s amethyst with a protection spell. It came from me.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°But it can be broken. She doesn¡¯t know the purpose of that ne. All she knows is she thought it was her mother¡¯s. Now that she met you, she would dream more often.¡±


    ¡°What I¡¯m missing here?¡± Kailin asked.


    ¡°She saw Gage shift from wolf to human in the vineyards. That was after I told her to leave.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God! She must have been so terrified.¡± Her anger was about to detonate inside her.


    ¡°She¡¯s a strong soul. She hasn¡¯t had a nervous breakdown, but don¡¯t wait until it will happen, Knight. You must decide to keep or reject or stay away from her for good.¡±


    I red at Zarah. I knew what I wanted. I wanted her even the first time our eyes met. I knew she was mine, and I knew without a doubt that I would protect her with my life- but she was also human, so I thought I did what was rational at that time.


    Yeah, I wasn¡¯t ready to have a mate, didn¡¯t know how to deal with her, and wasn¡¯t near ready to meet her too soon. And things got out of hand, but she was mine and mine alone.


    ¡°Knight, please?¡± Kailin pulled me back to reality. ¡°We have to protect her. I don¡¯t know how to convince her toe with us, but I¡¯m the only hope you have. She trusts me. I will help you break the news. And maybe she will believe me if we show her the truth about us.¡±


    ¡°Just don¡¯t drop the bomb all at once,¡± Zarah warned us.


    ¡°She hates me.¡±


    ¡°And who¡¯s fault is that?¡± my cousin med me.


    I chuckled sadly. ¡°I never wanted to reject her. I don¡¯t know how to handle the situation, and the pull drives me crazy.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve never been in love. I got that, Alpha, but go easy on her and loosen up. Not the aggressive and controlling alpha you always are. I can see that she likes you but stop being a condescending asshole.¡±


    I ignored Kailin calling me an asshole. Perhaps I deserved it. ¡°What am I dealing with here, Zarah? What kind of werewolf is she?¡±


    ¡°First, how do we break the curse?¡±


    Zarah looked at Kailin. ¡°I told you I don¡¯t know. When Shadow lost her wolf and gift, she was willing to go through purification, but in her case, she was stronger. She¡¯s half lycan. In Nirvana¡¯s case, she¡¯s human since she was born because of magic. Think of it as if she doesn¡¯t have a werewolf blood. She¡¯s never shifted in her life. In fact, she doesn¡¯t even know her grandfather and her parents are supernatural beings.¡±


    ¡°There must be something we could do.¡± I understood Kailin. She wanted to help her best friend, but how?


    ¡°I have a theory.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± I asked excitedly.


    ¡°How did Snow White wake up?¡±


    Kailinughed. ¡°That¡¯s it? A kiss?¡± She then turned to me. ¡°Easy peasy. Just kiss her.¡±


    ¡°No, silly. One true love¡¯s kiss wakes her up, and it¡¯s just a theory. She may never be a werewolf,¡± I told Kailin.


    ¡°Hey. There¡¯s always a solution to a problem. I¡¯ll ask around the coven. And maybe Alexander has heard something about it.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s Alexander?¡±


    ¡°Sebastien¡¯s father,¡± I replied. ¡°Sebastien is the Lycan King. Califf¡¯s father-inw and her boyfriend.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± She tried hard to hide her smile.


    ¡°But you must keep her with you so she is protected.¡±


    ¡°Why is that?¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± Zarah widened her eyes at Kailin. ¡°Do you know how valuable she is? Werewolves, Lycans, vampires, witches, and faes would kill to have someone like her. And if they knew she existed, they would find a way to break that curse and use her to their advantage. Now that she has met you and seen someone transform, she will ask around, and her life will change forever and always be in danger. And you are an alpha, Knight. Whether you like it or not, you already sucked her into your orbit and dragged her into your dangerous world.¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t answered my question, Zarah.¡±


    ¡°What is she?¡± Kailin and I had been asking the same question.


    ¡°Her grandfather came from a long line of an ancient werewolf, and her grandmother is a witch, a sibyl. Do the math.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a half oracle?¡±


    ¡°She came from a long line of an ancient werewolf and powerful ancient warlocks, and women from her bloodline were gifted seers.¡±


    ¡°That makes her a half-werewolf and a seer? So she can see someone¡¯s past, present, and future? And that makes her a what?¡±


    ¡°Nirvana¡¯s werewolf blood and witch side are given. All we have to do is break the curse.¡±


    ¡°Whoa. I know Nirvana is special. I don¡¯t know. I just felt her positive energy when we first met.¡± Kailin nudged me as I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that my mate was not an ordinary human after all. ¡°Let¡¯s go kidnap my best friend.¡±

 11

    NIRVANA


    Axell caught me off guard when he tried to kiss me.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Vana. I know I made a mistake. I should have been upfront with you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Axell. I¡¯m sorry, too. I guess we¡¯re friends, and we¡¯re not supposed to kiss.¡± Yeah. My feelings for him just vanished into thin air. Maybe I never really fell in love with him. I wasn¡¯t sure what to feel anymore.


    ¡°Give me another chance.¡± He reached out for my hand.


    I agreed with him sending me home because my car was with Kailin, and he wanted to talk. So this was the talk that he wanted.


    ¡°Give me some time, okay? You hurt me, Axell. You shouldn¡¯t have told me you were having second thoughts about the trip.¡±


    ¡°I know, babe. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll call you.¡±


    He barely nodded. He must have seen the reaction on my face that there was no chance for us to be together again. In my defense, he was not honest, and he already broke that trust.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± I stopped him when he was about to help me out.


    Before I could unlock the door, someone must have opened it from the outside.


    I stepped out, carrying my dinner in the bag. I almost tripped to see the man towering over me. The smell of his cologne flooded my senses.


    Knight closed the car door without a word.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I met his gaze. I had to crane my neck to meet him in the eye. I was wearing knee boots, but he was still tall.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk inside,¡± he said calmly.


    I felt his hand on my lower back. ¡°Where¡¯s Kailin?¡±


    ¡°In the hotel.¡± His words seemed limited as if I would fine him a dor if he talked in long sentences.


    ¡°Okay.¡± We entered the lobby of my apartment. I had forgotten entirely about Axell until he said something.


    ¡°I thought you two broke up.¡±


    ¡°Thest time I checked, you were not my dad.¡± Then I noticed him carrying his luxury duffel bag. ¡°You didn¡¯t check in?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    We entered the elevator, and I pressed the button to my floor. ¡°Look, Knight, if we will have this conversation, at least say something more than just no or one sentence. I promise not to fine you.¡±


    He looked down at me. His gaze was intense, as if he wanted to say a lot of things but hold it back.


    I picked up my keys from my bag and unlocked the door. ¡°Wee back.¡±


    I tossed my keys into the bowl and hung my bag.


    ¡°Let me,¡± he said as he helped me remove my coat. Still, I only heard two words, but I didn¡¯t push this time.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    I walked to the kitchen to put the dinner on the countertop. When I came back, Knight had already hung his coat and loosened his tie but remained standing.


    ¡°Have a seat. Is Kailin joining us?¡±


    If he came here to apologize for what he did back in California, he didn¡¯t have to say it face to face, and I made my peace that he was not an apologetic kind.


    He went silently to the couch and dropped his duffel on the floor.


    ¡°If this talk would take time, let me change, and I¡¯ll be back. Feel at home.¡±


    I grabbed my bag before I headed to my room. I dialed Kailin, but she didn¡¯t answer. I changed into a T-shirt and pajama bottoms. When I came back to the living room, he was still in the same position.


    ¡°I¡¯ll prepare dinner. Feel free to use my TV.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± That was all he said.


    I blew a breath as I headed to the kitchen. I took two tes and cutlery and set the table for two. Then I went to get some water and wine. With my hips, I shut the door of the ref. Then I bumped into something hard, making me yelp. The wine bottle dropped on the floor, the content sprayed and spilled on his white shirt.


    My heart hammered, and my mouth hung open while he stood there, but he didn¡¯t look mad.


    ¡°Oh, my God. I¡¯m so sorry.¡± I was both terrified that he would turn into a beast and amused at the same time. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say something when you were behind me?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s not. That was my leftover wine, and I just spilled it on you. Are you always this hard as a terminator?¡± Oh, God. Why did I have to say that out loud?


    ¡°And you¡¯re like a pudding.¡±


    ¡°A what now?¡± I stared at him in disbelief. ¡°A pudding?¡± The longer I stared at him, I couldn¡¯t contain it anymore. I burst intoughing.


    ¡°If you want to see me half naked, all you have to do is ask nicely. You don¡¯t have to mess my shirt.¡± He unbuttoned it one by one before me. When he reached the third button, my eyes grew wide. Was he going to take it off in front of me? I wouldn¡¯t mind, but not right now.


    ¡°That was unintentional. Believe me.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s the bathroom?¡±


    ¡°Right, at the end corner.¡±


    ¡°Let me help you clean that up.¡± He left, maybe to take his extra shirt.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± I blew a long breath once he was gone. My pulse hadn¡¯t calmed down. ¡°Well, that was fun.¡±


    While he was in the bathroom, I mopped the floor and cleaned up my mess. Then I prepared our dinner. Thankfully, I always took home good for two people. I usually heated the leftovers in the morning.


    He came back with a gray shirt and jeans. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the dishes then.¡±


    ¡°Hey. You¡¯re my guest. I treat my guests with respect. Sit down so we can have dinner.¡± I took home some chicken and pasta. ¡°No more wine. Just water.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. I will send you a bottle.¡±


    I stared at him in disbelief. ¡°Not everything has a price, Knight.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± He looked at me. ¡°I meant it as a gift.¡±


    ¡°Well, thank you.¡± I started eating, but he just sat there. ¡°Bon appetit and my cutlery aren¡¯t silver.¡±


    ¡°And?¡± A brow arched.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    He picked up the fork and ate his dinner. Even swallowing, it looked sexy on him.


    Damn it. ¡°So? What do you wanna talk about?¡±


    ¡°I want you toe with us. Even just for a few days.¡± Was that his way of apologizing?


    ¡°I can¡¯t. Grandpa needs my help.¡± Grandpa and his employees could handle the restaurant without me, but the first time, it seemed to have traumatized me, not just because of what I saw. Honestly, I doubted if what I saw was real, but how he treated me scarred my pride.N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for what I did. Truly.¡±


    ¡°Why did you do that? I mean, I know from the start that you¡¯re not fond of me-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not like that.¡±


    ¡°Then what¡¯s your beef with me, Knight? I couldn¡¯t remember I did something terrible to you because, trust me, I never met you before.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s-¡± He put the fork down and drew a deep breath before looking into my eyes. ¡°It¡¯s hard to exin.¡±


    ¡°Well, try harder. I will only, maybe,e with you and Kailin if I know the reason why you dislike me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s quite the opposite. I don¡¯t dislike you.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t like me either.¡±


    ¡°I like you.¡±

 12

    KNIGHT     ¡°You know, you didn¡¯t have to do this.¡± She watched me clean the dishes while helping me put them into the dishwasher.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to help me, Nirvana. I can do it myself.¡±


    ¡°If you say so. Anyway, if you wish to stay, Kailin¡¯s room is open. Some sheets and nkets are clean. You can stay there. It¡¯s all yours.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good with the couch.¡±


    ¡°I think that¡¯s too small for you. Bed is better, but it¡¯s up to you. Knock on my door if you need anything.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°I suppose you¡¯re not gonna wring my neck in my sleep?¡±


    I could do many things, but definitely, it didn¡¯t involve wringing the neck. If there would be, it should be a kink. I held that thought.


    She left the kitchen. When I told her I liked her, she didn¡¯t react. I didn¡¯t know if she decided not to respond or didn¡¯t believe me. After that, we didn¡¯t talk about it anymore.


    After cleaning up her tiny kitchen, I brushed my teeth. Then I grabbed two pillows and Kailin¡¯sforter and arranged them on the couch.


    I grabbed myptop and ran through the spreadsheets I received in my email earlier.


    ¡°Onlyfans?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I chuckled as I showed her the screen of myptop.


    ¡°So you already set up here?¡±


    ¡°Do you mind?¡±


    ¡°If you feel morefortable here.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    She went to the single sofa. ¡°Kailin booked a suite for herself while you¡¯re here enduring the possible neck pain or backache.¡±


    ¡°I have a penthouse but wanted to talk to you.¡±


    ¡°Well, you can always pack your bag and leave, but don¡¯t get me wrong, I¡¯m not kicking you out.¡±


    For a moment, I hesitated, but curiosity got the best of me. ¡°Can I ask you something?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°Why were you with your ex earlier?¡±


    ¡°How do you know? What made you think he¡¯s my ex?¡± She arched a brow.


    ¡°Kailin told me.¡± I ignored my wolf stirring and the pang in my chest. ¡°If you¡¯re my girlfriend, I open the door for you, send you to your door, and kiss you goodnight. He didn¡¯t do it, and he¡¯s supposed to be threatened when I helped you out of the car.¡± And that fucker was a werewolf, and Nirvana didn¡¯t have any idea what kind of person she was dating.


    He dated someone other than his mate. One thing for sure was Nirvana was not his end game.


    ¡°Well, you¡¯re right. He wanted me to give him another chance. When he called at lunch, he wanted to speak to me. Hence, he offered to send me home, and my car was still with Kailin.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not good for you.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± She winced. ¡°Like I¡¯m so special. Grandpa doesn¡¯t like him that much, but he respects my decision.¡±


    ¡°You are, Nirvana. You are special.¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°Yeah? Do I produce diamonds or heal the earth?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to have that kind of gift to be special.¡±


    ¡°Whatever.¡± She rose from the chair. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you to yourself. Enjoy your Onlyfans.¡±


    ¡°Goodnight.¡± I smiled.


    ¡°Night.¡±


    I just couldn¡¯t control myself. I had to turn and watch Nirvana as she went to her room until I noticed a birthmark on the back of her neck. I didn¡¯t notice it before because she was wearing her hair down. ¡°Wait.¡±


    She paused and turned to me. ¡°Yeah?¡±


    I got up and went to her. ¡°You have a birthmark.¡±


    ¡°Birthmark?¡± She looked surprised. ¡°Not that I know of. Unless I grew one. Where?¡±


    ¡°At the back of your neck. May I?¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°Sure.¡± She gave me her back.


    I pulled her hair to the side to expose the mark, and it looked like a crescent moon upside down and something like the shape of a diamond. It was just the size of my thumb, but my vision was better than 20/20 for humans.


    ¡°Here.¡± I ran my thumb on the mark, and it burned my skin, the same effect as silver. I hissed in pain, but it wasn¡¯t all. It somehow glowed against my touch.


    What the fuck?


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I have one.¡± She put her fingers on where I touched it, and it didn¡¯t hurt her, and the glow was gone. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I checked my finger. It had already healed, but it didn¡¯t change the fact that it seared me, and that birthmark just glowed against my touch as if protecting itself. ¡°Goodnight, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Goodnight.¡±


    When she closed the door to her room, I was mind-blown and puzzled at the same time. I picked up my phone and sent a message to Zarah.


    KNIGHT: I need you in her apartment early in the morning.


    She replied right away.


    ZARAH: What¡¯s the emergency?


    KNIGHT: Have you heard about a birthmark that burned when someone touched it?


    ZARAH: I knew it.


    I let go of a shuddering breath before I typed my reply.


    KNIGHT: Tell me more.


    KNIGHT: Please?


    ZARAH: Have you told her about you?


    KNIGHT: I can¡¯t do it alone. I need you, Kailin, and Case with me tomorrow.


    ZARAH: Then start texting them. I¡¯ll be there.


    KNIGHT: See you. Thanks.


    ¡°Shit.¡± I shut theptop off andy down, but my mind was still on the woman inside the room. I didn¡¯t know how I could fall asleep when I had so many unspoken words I wanted to tell her and how to drop the bomb on her tomorrow.


    It might freak her out, but she needed to know who she was.


    I barely got a sleep, but I was already up early. I checked the time on my phone. It was only three in the morning.


    I went to the kitchen to get some water. When I came back to the living room, my curiosity and the desire to watch her sleep took the best of me, and I lost control.


    Either she intended to keep her door unlocked or forgot about it. She slept in the dark, only the light from themppost illuminating inside.


    In her pajamas, Nirvana looked so beautiful, young, and innocent, and I was going to corrupt her because of who I was. And she would be exposed to the cruel and dangerous world I lived in.


    She suddenly giggled in her sleep. She must have had another dream, and she looked so cute.


    When I couldn¡¯t take it anymore, I took the risk and stepped closer to her bed. I pulled her nket from her feet and covered her.


    My stupidity and our mating pull was getting harder and harder to resist. I swiped the hair on her face, caressing her cheek with the back of my finger before I left.


    I woke up to smell butter, bacon, and freshly brewed coffee. She was an early riser. It would be great for her as she could go out for a run when she finally turned into a werewolf.


    I got up and went to the kitchen. I could get used to her image messing in my house, and I was d she knew her way into the kitchen.


    ¡°Morning. How¡¯s your back?¡± She sounded enthusiastic while taking a waffle from the maker.


    ¡°Morning. How¡¯s your sleep?¡±


    ¡°Better.¡± She poured another batter and closed the lid. ¡°Can I ask you something?¡±


    ¡°Of course. Anything.¡±


    ¡°I had another weird dream. Before you call me crazy, I know this could be my stupid imagination, but I dreamed of the same wolf again.¡±


    Fuck. Zarah was right.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I asked back.


    ¡°You got that weird look again.¡± She whirled the spat before my face.


    ¡°Do I?¡± I came closer to her and helped her te the bacon and the waffles as she poured the eggs into the skillet.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you watched movies before you slept.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t, but this time, he was cute and funny and licked my face.¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°A cute wolf? That¡¯s something.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s weird, but I had that feeling that I could trust him.¡±


    ¡°You keep saying he and him. How do you know it was him?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t see his genitalia, if that¡¯s what you were asking. I just felt it was a male wolf.¡± She divided the scramble and put it into two tes. ¡°Anyway, Kailin will be here soon, and so will Grandpa. He told me to wait for him here. I don¡¯t know what it¡¯s all about. Do you?¡±


    ¡°Maybe he wants to convince you toe with us.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t, Knight.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s worth a try.¡±

 13

    NIRVANA     ¡°Hey, girl.¡± Kailin was unusually jolly today as she hugged me tight before entering the apartment.


    ¡°Grandpa.¡±


    ¡°Hey, honey.¡± He put his arm around my shoulders and kissed the side of my head. ¡°Mr. ckwell.¡±


    ¡°I think we passed the formality, Case.¡± They shook hands.


    ¡°So, how was your night?¡± Kailin asked her cousin.


    ¡°He probably has a headache or neck pain but hides it very well.¡± I joined them in the living area when the doorbell rang again.


    ¡°I got this,¡± said Kailin as she went to the door.


    Then Zarah walked in, looking gorgeous in her white corporate dress.


    ¡°Zarah.¡± I got up, surprised to see her.


    ¡°My dear, good to see you again.¡± We did a cheek-to-cheek kiss.


    ¡°Me too.¡± I suddenly felt uneasy when the apartment felt small for all of us, and I had a bad feeling that this meeting was set up.


    ¡°Can I get you something to drink? Coffee? Tea?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good, darling.¡± Zarah took a seat to my right.


    ¡°Honey, we have something to tell you.¡± When Grandpa started in that tone, my pulse began racing. ¡°I know it may shock you, but I have kept secrets in your life. But know this: I did all these to protect you.¡±


    My stomach had a nosedive, and I felt like he would be right- it may shock me. I swallowed hard before I nodded. ¡°Okay. What is it, Grandpa?¡±


    Grandpa shifted his gaze to Knight as if giving him a signal.


    ¡°What do you remember the night before you left?¡±Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    I looked at Knight. I suddenly saw the guilt in his eyes, which was surprising, considering he was unapologetic. ¡°Before you told me to leave or after?¡±


    ¡°The night you saw in the vineyards.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what I saw.¡± I shrugged it off. I mentally told myself it was all but my imagination because it wouldn¡¯t make sense. It wasn¡¯t real.


    ¡°That was Gage. He was one of my workers, and-¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a werewolf,¡± Kailin added.


    ¡°A what?¡± I asked breathlessly. No matter how hard I tried to hide my fear, it was still palpable in my voice.


    ¡°I¡¯m a werewolf, too,¡± said Grandpa.


    I stared at him for a moment before I burst outughing. My eyes began to sting with tears, but none of themughed.


    ¡°That¡¯s not even funny.¡± I rose to my feet when they remained silent. ¡°It¡¯s a myth. It¡¯s not real but in movies and fiction books.¡±


    ¡°I know this is shocking, but he¡¯s telling the truth, Vana.¡± Kailin also rose to her feet and came to me. ¡°I¡¯m one. It¡¯s been difficult for me to keep who I am from you, but I promised your grandfather to keep my true nature a secret.¡±


    This was getting out of hand. I blinked at her and looked her in the eye to see if she was lying, but she wasn¡¯t. I stared at my grandfather, who raised me since I lost my parents, and Knight, who looked more handsome, and then at Zarah, who was not denying what they said.


    ¡°No.¡± Shuddering, I shook my head violently. ¡°Guys, please, stop this nonsense. It¡¯s not funny anymore. If this is a prank, you better stop it, or I swear to God I walk out of this apartment. You¡¯re all insane if you think I fall for this crap.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana.¡± Zarah stood up, too.


    ¡°Not you, too, Zarah. You know my parents. They¡¯re not those monsters. Enough of this crap, please.¡± I left them and went to the kitchen to get something stronger to drink.


    A part of me knew I wasn¡¯t dreaming or having a terrible nightmare because I had doubts. I just didn¡¯t know what to believe anymore. I knew what I saw that night, but thinking of how my grandfather, the man who raised me, was one of them was just far-fetched and insane.


    ¡°Vana.¡± Of course, Kailin followed me. She held my arms and forced me to face her.


    ¡°Stop.¡± A single tear fell down my cheek. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you. You¡¯ve been my best friend for four years. You never kept a secret from me. Did you?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the only secret I kept from you because I knew something like this would happen. And you wouldn¡¯t still believe me. I¡¯m so sorry, Vana. You know you¡¯re like a sister to me, but you have to believe that it pained me to lie to you the entire time. My guilt choked me up, but I did that to protect you.¡±


    ¡°Enough, please?¡±


    ¡°Deep in your heart, you know it¡¯s true. Please don¡¯t hate me, and don¡¯t be scared of me. We may have animals inside us, but we can control it.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna hear it anymore.¡± I walked away from her until a strong wind suddenly appeared in my kitchen and stopped me.


    My heart was in my throat as I watched something like a mini tornado spin before me, but nothing was flying besides my hair, and then Zarah came closer. She looked like she was walking inside the golden, shiny magic weaved. And then it disappeared.


    ¡°I¡¯m a witch,¡± she said to convince me. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, I can show you something about your parents.¡±


    ¡°Is a witch supposed to be riding a broomstick or wearing a hat?¡± I was still denying everything I was seeing because it was just impossible.


    ¡°She can create a portal and appear wherever she wants.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re also a werewolf?¡± I scoffed at Knight.


    ¡°Yes. He¡¯s my alpha,¡± said Kailin proudly.


    Alpha.McKaye called him alpha, but it didn¡¯t mean anything, right?


    Iughed again. ¡°You guys must be under the influence of drugs.¡±


    ¡°Do you know your ex is a werewolf?¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Kailin asked in surprise. ¡°I never met the guy. They began dating as soon as I left for California. Is he? How did you know?¡±


    ¡°I caught his scentst night.¡±


    ¡°He is,¡± Grandpa confirmed it.


    ¡°Guys, please. I¡¯ve had enough. I¡¯m saving you the trouble if you¡¯re all here to convince me that werewolves and witches exist. Stop wasting your time exining.¡±


    Zarah grabbed me in the hand, and I sucked in a breath. I was brought to an old house with a white picket fence somewhere in the suburbs. It was like in a roll film so fast I couldn¡¯t catch it, but it was clearly someone that I knew. A woman with blonde hair was smiling at the dark-haired man while holding her baby bump.


    ¡°I love you so much, baby,¡± the man said. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to meet our baby girl. Our Nirvana.¡±


    Then it was gone. I was brought to a terrifying moment where the same woman was bloody, stuck in a car crash, the man was already unconscious, and the baby was crying in the backseat.


    ¡°Stop! Stop!¡± I was back in the kitchen, jolting, catching my breath. Before I could fall, Kailin and Knight caught me. With wide eyes, I stared at Zarah in horror. ¡°They were my parents, weren¡¯t they?¡± I wiped the tears unknowingly fell. ¡°I was the baby in the backseat. I was there in the car ident.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God.¡± I blinked the tears to clear my sight as I ran to my grandpa to hug him tight. ¡°Grandpa, I saw them. They were so happy. My mother was pregnant. And they named their baby girl Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°I know, honey.¡±


    I looked at him as I pulled away. ¡°So, you¡¯re a werewolf? Why am I not like you? Am I adopted?¡±


    ¡°No. You¡¯re my grandchild, honey. You¡¯re my blood, but you were cursed by a powerful warlock before you were even born.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± I swallowed hard. ¡°What did I do?¡±


    ¡°Your mother was a seer. She showed the warlock what his future would be. He cursed your mother that in every firstborn child would lose the power, the ability to see, and the true nature inside her.¡±


    ¡°So, why now? Why tell me now since I¡¯m just an ordinary human?¡±


    ¡°Since you met Knight, something triggered in you. Some supernatural beings would be interested in you and do their best to unlock what¡¯s inside you. You could be in grave danger,¡± Zarah exined.


    ¡°Why?¡± I had so many questions, and it hurt my brain knowing I wouldn¡¯t get the answer at this instant or I might not be able to take all the information all at once.


    ¡°You have to know how valuable you are to our world, to the witches, vampires, faes, sirens, and other beings you haven¡¯t met,¡± Kailin said.


    Did she just mention vampires? ¡°I¡¯m a human. I¡¯m a nobody.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a possibility that Knight can break the curse.¡±


    I chuckled bitterly as I pointed at him. ¡°Him? Why him?¡±


    ¡°Do you feel the intense pull towards him? Are you attracted so much to him that even science can¡¯t exin?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I just lied.


    ¡°I can hear your racing heartbeat, best friend. You can¡¯t also lie to a witch.¡±


    ¡°So? What¡¯s so special about him?¡±


    ¡°In our world, Moon Goddess, who we believe brought us to this world, gifted us to be stronger and fiercer and made us transform into a wolf, and she gives us the one- our one true love, one soulmate throughout our lives. We only love one person in our lifetime.¡±


    Oh, no.


    ¡°And you and-¡±


    ¡°No.¡± I pointed a finger at Kailin, shaking my head. ¡°Don¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re his mate, Vana.¡±

 14

    NIRVANA


    ¡°He¡¯s not!¡± I red at Kailin. ¡°This dickhead? This arrogant son of a bitch is my soulmate? No freaking way! I don¡¯t ept it! And I don¡¯t believe in that mate thing. This is insane.¡± I left the kitchen when the silence became deafening.


    ¡°You can¡¯t deny the mating bond, the pull, Nirvana. This is what it is,¡± said Zarah.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not one of them. At least, not right now. So, I¡¯m out that setup or whatever the Moon Goddess has cooked up there or wherever she is. Why him anyway? He hates me. He kicked me out and treated me like garbage.¡± All of a sudden, I remembered what he said to me before I interrupted him. ¡°Why? Because I¡¯m not like him? Because I¡¯m only human who happened to be blonde. Well, get this. I hate him, too.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say something like that, Nirvana.¡± Zarah just freaked out as if I pulled out a pin of the grenade in my hand.


    ¡°Why? Because he¡¯s a freaking werewolf and an alpha, whatever does that mean. I don¡¯t give a damn about any of these. Three days ago, I was just a normal adult and wanted to keep it that way. And he said something about rejecting me.¡±


    ¡°Your words against your mate are powerful. You can¡¯t say something like that. You meant it or not, it could hurt him, physically and emotionally. It hurts his wolf so much you can¡¯t fathom the effect on him.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care. Why did hee anyway? He doesn¡¯t need a soulmate. I don¡¯t even know if he has a soul anyway.¡± As stubborn as I was, I kept talking. ¡°He rejected me, so do I.¡±


    ¡°Please, stop.¡± Those words came from Knight in the kitchen, and he sounded like he was in pain.


    ¡°Why? Now I understand why you suddenly became nice to mest night because you didn¡¯t have much of a choice, did you? Or was it because I could be useful to your group of wolves.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s called Pack,¡± said Kailin. ¡°Please, don¡¯t hurt him. We need him, Vana. I know he hurt you, but I¡¯m begging you, as my best friend, to try to reconsider it. Don¡¯t reject him. It could kill him.¡±


    ¡°What? Why?¡± I asked her in shock.


    ¡°The rejection is too powerful. It causes misery and unbearable pain to mates, and eventually, it ends up with us dying or killing ourselves.¡±


    ¡°Well, he did it to me, did he? Why he isn¡¯t in pain?¡±


    ¡°He did not finish it, and you did not ept it,¡± Zarah replied.


    ¡°Then I¡¯d rather be alone in my life than to be with him. I reject-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t do this, please?¡± Kailin was so fast toe to me and cover my mouth. ¡°You have no idea what you¡¯re doing, Vana. I know you¡¯re in shock, but the damage will be permanent and fatal once the words are out of your mouth. Please? I don¡¯t wanna lose him.¡±


    ¡°Goddess! Agh! Stop!¡± Knight just screamed and growled, echoing in the entire apartment as if he were in so much agony.


    ¡°Oh, no.¡± Kailin let me go as she ran into the kitchen. ¡°Zarah, do something!¡±


    At a slow pace, I took a step toward where Knight was. He was on the floor, on four, but he looked like he was struggling with so much excruciating pain, his muscles straining. He was profusely sweating all over his body, and then he crawled towards the wall as if trying to w his way out.


    I still didn¡¯t understand what was going on. All I could see was he was haunted with spikes of rippled, never-ending agony that hurt me as well as I watched him in that position- I felt his misery and suffering.


    ¡°Make it stop! I can¡¯t take it anymore!¡± he whined again, growling like a feral animal in torture.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± No one seemed to hear me.


    ¡°Knight, take a deep breath,¡± Zarah said calmly.


    ¡°You did this, honey. You have to stop it before Knight hurts himself.¡± Finally, I heard Grandpa talk.


    ¡°What did I do?¡±


    ¡°I told you. Your words are more powerful towards him.¡± Kailin turned to me. ¡°Help him, Vana. Please?¡±


    I stared at her in disbelief.


    ¡°Whether you like it or not. He is your mate. And since he rejected you, it¡¯s like you are now epting his rejection.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Goddess. He¡¯s not going to turn in this room,¡± Zarah said urgently.


    I drew a deep breath before I stepped forward. It would be my fault if he were going to die. And if he wed my eyes out, then I would be dead.


    ¡°Honey, what are you doing?¡± Grandpa asked immediately. ¡°Be careful. He might not be in control of himself anymore.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Grandpa. Maybe, to calm him down.¡± I stopped before Knight. All I saw were his dark, sharp ws shining in the daylight. God, it was real. I saw the w marks on the wall. It was big and deep.


    My heart was hammering in my chest, but if I could stop his pain, I would try my best before he could sink those sharp ws into my skin. My limbs were shaking. My teeth tattered as I put a hand on his rigid shoulder.


    ¡°Be careful, honey.¡±


    ¡°Knight.¡± I put a little pressure on his shoulder when he no longer heard me. ¡°Knight, how can I help you?¡±


    ¡°It fucking hurts!¡± He began sobbing. ¡°It fucking hurts. I can¡¯t stop it. I¡¯m so sorry if I hurt you.¡±


    ¡°Hey.¡± Trembling, I kneeled before him and ced both hands on his shoulders. ¡°I guess I was shocked and maybe mad at you. I don¡¯t understand any of this, but I didn¡¯t mean what I said. I swear. How can I relieve your pain? I wanna help.¡±


    Knight just dropped to the floor, unmoving.


    ¡°Oh, my God.¡± Shocked, I stared down at him. ¡°What did I do wrong?¡±


    Kailin and Zarah rushed forward.


    Kailin checked her cousin. ¡°His breathing.¡±


    Zarah ced her hand on his chest. ¡°He¡¯s alive. I can feel his heartbeat.¡±


    ¡°Is he gonna be okay?¡± Grandpa asked.


    ¡°He¡¯s just exhausted. Help me take him to bed.¡± Zarah, Kailin, and my grandfather brought him. Knight was giant and probably weighed tons, but he didn¡¯t look heavy for the three of them.


    I opened the door to my room and pulled off the nket. ¡°Put him on the bed. Should we take him to the hospital?¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡± Zarah turned to me. ¡°You can¡¯t say something like that when you¡¯re mad. Don¡¯t ever reject your mate. You and him, whether you believe it or not, you both are stuck through eternity. You may not feel the mating bond, but he does. And it drives him insane to be far from you. What you feel for him and what he feels for you isn¡¯t just the pull. You both are attractive people. The attractions or chemistry are real.¡±All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°He just pissed me off.¡± I scoffed.


    ¡°Tell that to Califf. He locked his mate for three days because Shadow wouldn¡¯t submit.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t either.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t control it. He would die for you, Nirvana. Their kind is overprotective, possessive, and jealous, but they would give their lives to make you happy.¡±


    ¡°Why did he reject me?¡±


    ¡°His way of protecting you. He didn¡¯t want you to endure life in a dangerous world like where he belongs.¡±


    ¡°How do you know?¡±


    ¡°He reached out to me. I knew the first time he opened his mouth, he had found his mate. He was so adamant that he was not interested in finding one because he knew the risk. I saw it beforehand. Califf and Shadow. Shadow is my best friend¡¯s daughter. She also has a gift. They¡¯d only been together for more than a year, but they¡¯ve been attacked and betrayed.¡±


    ¡°Is that why he asked me toe with them?¡±


    ¡°You should go, honey. I can¡¯t protect you here.¡±


    I turned to Grandpa. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I can¡¯t leave you.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you can. My pack will protect me. We protect our own.¡±


    ¡°Then I will join your pack.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t. You should be with your mate. And he¡¯s an alpha.¡±


    ¡°So, he¡¯s like the boss?¡± I snorted as I stole a nce at Knight.


    ¡°Yes. He runs a pack of werewolves. We rescued an old pack five months ago and have forty-five members.¡±


    ¡°So you really are a werewolf.¡± I looked at Kailin, still finding it hard to believe she could turn into an animal.


    ¡°Yes. I hope it won¡¯t change anything between us and how you see me. It¡¯s still me, Vana, the girl you met four years ago.¡± She smiled apologetically.


    ¡°Well, Grandpa is one. I guess I just have to learn about all of you.¡± I looked at Zarah. ¡°Why do I have to be with them?¡±


    ¡°A werewolf that doesn¡¯t belong to a pack is called a rogue, a lone wolf.¡±


    I nodded at Grandpa. ¡°I read about that on the Inte.


    He continued, ¡°They can turn feral and vulnerable because no one can protect them. If humans know about our existence, they will do everything to get their hands on you. So make sure no one knows about our secrets. That¡¯s how we keep ourselves alive and how we survive.¡±

 15

    NIRVANA


    ¡°Hey. You need to sit down. You¡¯ve been through hell in thest three hours. Take it slow. It¡¯s not a sprint.¡± Kailin forced me down the chair and gave me a ss of water.


    ¡°I need to learn about you guys. Your strength. Your weakness. What made you vulnerable so I could avoid it.¡± I looked at Grandpa.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± He nodded.


    ¡°So, the silver can really hurt you guys?¡±


    Kailin had a funny look. ¡°How did you know?¡±


    I shrugged. ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t know what I saw in the vineyards, but at the same time, I was not drunk that night. So, I did some Googling. I didn¡¯t find anything useful that you guys exist, but is it true?¡±


    ¡°So a part of you believes that supernatural beings like us exist, but you still deny what you saw.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna end up in the mental hospital because who would believe me if I told someone I saw a wolf turn into a human.¡± I drank the water. My hands were still shaky.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry you have to go through that alone.¡± Kailin put a hand on my shoulder and smiled sympathetically.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be fine, honey.¡±


    ¡°Easy for you to say, Grandpa. I¡¯ve never known the deepest secrets of my family history. Maybe it¡¯s a good thing, though.¡± I reached out for his hand. ¡°I¡¯m not mad. You¡¯re the only family I have left, and you never give up on me. I owe you that much.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t owe me anything, Vana. You¡¯re my granddaughter, and I will do anything for you. I don¡¯t want you to feel any less that you don¡¯t have the gift your grandmother and your mother had.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s not meant for me. Maybe I don¡¯t deserve it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s your birthright, Nirvana. You can¡¯t ignore the calling. It may be taken away from you, but I will find a way to give it back to you.¡±


    ¡°How, Zarah? Maybe I don¡¯t want it. Maybe it¡¯s better to be kept locked somewhere. Maybe it could do more harm than good.¡±


    ¡°Just bear with me. I¡¯m working on it with Alexander. And you¡¯re at the right age to learn and possess it. It¡¯s what your parents would have wanted for you.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know that. That¡¯s what killed them anyway. Maybe we should not open a Pandora¡¯s box. Don¡¯t you think?¡± I stared at them one by one, but they seemed to have their own decisions. ¡°Oh, wow. I¡¯m okay being me without turning into a dog in a full moon. Can I do magic tricks like you did?¡±


    Kailin had that funny look again, trying to hold herugh.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re more than just a werewolf,¡± Grandpa said.


    ¡°So I can fly then?¡±


    ¡°Your grandmother Ophelia and your mother could see a person¡¯s future.¡±


    I chuckled at the same time, in awe. ¡°So they were like prophets?¡±


    ¡°They came from the long line of Sybil, from Ancient Greek.¡±


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t Apollo, the god of archery, music, and dance, a seer of Zeus? So this mythology was actually not a myth.¡±


    ¡°Something like that,¡± Kailin replied.


    ¡°Okay.¡± I stood up. ¡°I can¡¯t handle this. My head is gonna explode. First, I don¡¯t want to see someone¡¯s future. I don¡¯t want to turn into a wolf. If that guy in the room can¡¯t and won¡¯t ept me as his human mate, whatever the hell that does mean, then I¡¯m sorry, but I can¡¯t be that person. I¡¯m good with who I am right now. This is just insane and too much for my brain to process.¡±


    ¡°Take your time. Learn what they are,¡± Zarah said calmly, but her voice said more than that. She wanted me to be that Sybil or seer or whatever it was.


    But this was my life, my body, and my decision. And maybe I was really unprepared for this revtion. It was just too much.


    ¡°Maybe I can¡¯t do it, or maybe I will just turn into dust instead of having a gift. I¡¯m not fit for that. Anyway, I have to check on my-¡± I shrugged off. ¡°Mate? Is that how you call it?¡± God, it sounded even strangeing from me.


    Kailinughed softly. ¡°Yes. And you two will do a ceremony toplete the-¡±


    ¡°Kailin.¡± Zarah stopped her. ¡°That knowledge is for another day.


    I was in the hallway when I felt like whatever Kailin said was a big deal. ¡°Complete the what?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll find it out soon.¡± Kailin was smiling meaningfully as she dragged me towards my bedroom door. ¡°Go check on Knight.¡±


    ¡°Whatever.¡± I got in my bedroom, and the alpha of wolves was still passed out in my bed. ¡°You should get something to eat.¡±


    ¡°Okay. If you need anything, let me know.¡±


    ¡°Wait.¡± I held her wrist. ¡°He¡¯s not gonna shift into a wolf in my bed, right?¡±


    ¡°No. He¡¯s in control. He would never hurt you.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± I grabbed the chair and sat next to Knight. Kailin left and closed the door, leaving me alone with a supernatural creature.


    Knight was still asleep. He looked magnificent shirtless and got a view of his incredible physique. He obviously worked out religiously to get into this shape. Even with disheveled, messy hair falling onto his forehead, he was so handsome that he took my breath away. I wasn¡¯t sure if this was the effect of our bond thing or if I was just too attracted to him.


    He looked hard everywhere- skin looked soft, but that face was devastatingly adorably angelic. His shoulders were wide, his chest so broad as I watched it rise and fall, and I got to see those taut, sinewed muscles of his six-pack abs. I was surprised he didn¡¯t have a single ink.


    He let go of a single deep breath. ¡°Why is your heart rate racing?¡± His voice was calm but groggy.


    ¡°Will you stop doing that?¡±


    He cracked his beautiful green eyes open and turned his head at me. ¡°You okay?¡±


    ¡°Honestly? No. I¡¯m not okay. Are you?¡± I roared, still slightly pissed off at him.


    He nodded a little. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡±


    He moved to sit down.


    ¡°Easy.¡± I was fast enough to hold him on his arm. ¡°You may be a half-dog, but you passed out.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. And I¡¯m not a half-dog. I have an animal inside me and ampletely in control.¡± He leaned against the headboard and looked at his body. ¡°Why am I shirtless?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°You were sweaty and messed up my bed sheets, so Kailin and I helped each other to take off your drenched shirt. Don¡¯t worry, I did not take a peek down south.¡±


    ¡°I was just kidding.¡±


    I grabbed the bottled water on the nightstand. ¡°Drink.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± He took it from and drank the water empty.


    ¡°What happened earlier?¡±


    He put the bottle down and looked at me. He looked exhausted but still handsome. ¡°You happened.¡±


    ¡°Me?¡± I pointed at myself, offended, nose ring.


    ¡°Yeah. You. Some werewolves died and killed themselves because they couldn¡¯t handle the pain of rejection. Our souls are linked together, and when one died, half of them died, too. It¡¯s rare for werewolves to survive when their mates are gone.¡±


    ¡°Grandpa survives.¡±


    ¡°His mate is not a pure werewolf, and he¡¯s stronger.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re an alpha. I suppose you¡¯re stronger, too.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°But I didn¡¯t do anything. How could I hurt you so much?¡± I still denied that I was the reason for his intense pain. He deserved it, anyway-a little bit.


    ¡°You rejected me.¡±


    ¡°Did I? I don¡¯t remember rejecting you.¡±


    ¡°Really? You¡¯d rather live alone-¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± I shut my mouth close.


    ¡°Your words are more powerful than anything because of what you are.¡±


    ¡°A human.¡±


    ¡°Not only human.¡±


    ¡°Whatever. How did it feel?¡±


    His eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°Are you nning anything vengeful?¡±


    ¡°I want to know if it will hurt me.¡± However, I felt what he felt this morning, which wasn¡¯t pleasant.


    ¡°It felt like my bones were breaking. My blood was boiling. My internal organs were melting. My chest was crushing my heart. That¡¯s what it felt like.¡±


    I just stared at him in horror, unblinking. ¡°Oh, my God.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It wasn¡¯t your fault. And I healed faster.¡±


    ¡°I could have killed you.¡±


    ¡°Just don¡¯t do that again.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still learning about this mate thing, Knight. I suggest you be kind to me, or the next time you mistreat me, you won¡¯t going to like it.¡±


    A small smile curved up his lips. ¡°You¡¯re enjoying this, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Probably a lot more than you think.¡±

 16

    KNIGHT


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re awake.¡± Kailin pretended to be surprised. I was pretty sure she heard me talking to Nirvana.


    ¡°How are you feeling, son?¡± There was still a worry in Case¡¯s eyes. ¡°You should know that she didn¡¯t know what she was doing.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good, Case. I deserved it after what I did to her. It¡¯s all good.¡±


    ¡°I was mad, terrified, and immensely shocked. Everything just dropped on me, and he is fine. You don¡¯t have to defend me, Grandpa.¡± Herugh dried in her throat. ¡°And I see what¡¯s going on here. You¡¯re more concerned about his well-being than your own granddaughter.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s the alpha, Nirvana-the leader of the pack. Your grandfather is just showing him respect,¡± Zarah said.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Really. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°So what? People bow for him, kill for him?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Kailin answered confidently. ¡°And he will do anything to protect his pack, give up his life for us.¡±


    She slowly turned to me, both shocked and amused. ¡°So he wants me to submit to him? Not gonna happen. Besides, I¡¯m not one of you. I¡¯m not a member of your cult.¡±


    ¡°Vana,¡± Case chided her. ¡°We¡¯re not a cult. The pack is how we live to survive and live in the shadows because if we draw attention and show ourselves, chaos may arise, or we can rule the world. We¡¯re more powerful than you can ever imagine. And whether you like it or not, you are now bound to be by his side.¡±


    ¡°And respect goes both ways. He will worship you, take care of you, and make you happy.¡±


    ¡°Yeah? He¡¯s doing a bang-up job so far.¡± She rolled her eyes at Kailin. She probably thought mate was absurd. ¡°I¡¯m good with how human rtionships work. Thank you very much.¡±


    I was still trying to get used to the fact that I now had a mate. ¡°What she means to say is we don¡¯t have divorce or annulment in our world. We stuck together through eternity.¡±


    She rose a brow as she pointed at me and herself. ¡°You and me through eternity? We can¡¯t even stand each other in one room for five minutes, let alone a day.¡±


    ¡°Well, I can¡¯t stay here longer. You can squabble all yourself, but I have to go back to Italy.¡±


    ¡°Zarah, about the text I sent you,¡± I reminded her.


    ¡°May I see your birthmark?¡± she asked Nirvana politely. She probably knew what it could do to anyone who touched it.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have one.¡± Confused, she said to Zarah and turned to Kailin. ¡°Do I have a birthmark on the back of my neck?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± Kailin replied, wearing the same confusion on her face.


    ¡°Because only he can see it,¡± Zarah told her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me it has something to do with that mate thing again, or I¡¯m really going to curse myself.¡± I felt her irritation. We hadn¡¯t gone through the mating process, but I already felt how strong her emotions were. ¡°I¡¯m starting to get annoyed with the whole exclusivity thing.¡±


    ¡°Get used to it,¡± I muttered under my breath, but she still heard it and threw me a re.


    Kailin looked amused as she patted her best friend¡¯s shoulder. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what it is.¡±


    ¡°God.¡± She rolled her eyes. ¡°So, now my life depends on him? I don¡¯t think I can live like that.¡±


    ¡°The him you are talking about is right here, Nirvana. I won¡¯t force you to do anything you don¡¯t want to.¡± Her rudeness and disrespect started to get on my nerves. I should learn how to control my emotions because I got the feeling that it may take a while for her to adjust to the new life she just dove into.


    ¡°Good because you can¡¯t force me,¡± she said, showing Zarah the back of her neck. ¡°I don¡¯t have, do I? He¡¯s just hallucinating, or this mate thing gets into his head quickly.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not hallucinating. It was just concealed by a powerful spell,¡± Zarah confirmed as she swiped her palm above the hidden mark. I saw the mark glow again.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see anything,¡± Kailin said.


    ¡°So do I,¡± her grandpa seconded. ¡°I raised this kid her whole life. I should have seen it if there was something behind her neck.¡±


    ¡°How did you do it, Zarah?¡± she asked inquisitively.


    ¡°I unveiled it.¡±


    ¡°What else can you do?¡± She looked over her shoulder


    ¡°The right question is what she can¡¯t do,¡± Kailin said in awe.


    ¡°Are witches immortal?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not immortals, Nirvana, but we live longer than humans.¡±


    ¡°So, how old are you?¡± Kailin asked, chuckling.


    ¡°It¡¯s rude to ask a woman¡¯s age,¡± she said, making Kailinugh.


    ¡°But what does my birthmark mean?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a birthmark, so to say. It¡¯s an oracle mark, like a brand, a trademark of your ancestors.¡±


    ¡°Like a coat of arms for royals?¡±


    ¡°Yes. So when someone of your kind sees it, they will know you¡¯re one of them.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°I¡¯m not exactly one of anyone¡¯s kind, Zarah. I¡¯m human.¡±


    ¡°At least, not yet.¡± Kailin always knew what to say, trying so hard to convince her best friend.


    ¡°What does it do? Why it burned me when I touched it?¡± I asked Zarah.


    ¡°Wait. It burned you?¡± Nirvana asked in confusion and amusement.


    I looked down at her but couldn¡¯t reply. The mating bond was getting into my head so fast. Maybe it wasn¡¯t just the effect of the mating bond. I was just so attracted to her. And when those beautiful, big, sky-blue eyes stared at me, I instantly got lost in those depths.


    ¡°You are maybe her mate, but she doesn¡¯t trust you. So, it protects itself.¡±


    Kailin grinned. I thought she had something funny to ask. ¡°So if he, like, touches without her consent, the mark will protect her?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Zarah confirmed my theoryst night. I didn¡¯t have any bad intentions. It was just out of curiosity, but it still protected Nirvana.


    ¡°Well, shit.¡± Kailin had a lot of fun learning about her best friend.


    ¡°With bad intentions,¡± Nirvana added with little emphasis on the word bad.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll put it to a test.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Zarah, Case, and I said in unison to Kailin.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even try, Kailin,¡± I warned her. ¡°We don¡¯t know what this mark is capable of or the extent of its power.¡±


    ¡°But it didn¡¯t happen before.¡± Nirvana shrugged.


    ¡°Because no one has ever tried to hurt you,¡± I told her.


    ¡°Yeah, I guess so.¡± She rubbed the site of the mark on her neck.


    ¡°So you¡¯ll gonna have another mark soon, then.¡±


    Fuck. I hadn¡¯t entirely thought about that. I just wished Kailin would shut up for a moment. Nirvana wasn¡¯t ready to hear about the mating process.


    ¡°What another mark, K?¡± Fuck. I heard the curiosity in her voice. I knew she wouldn¡¯t stop asking until she knew.


    Kailin and I shared a look.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever fucking tell her about the mating rituals,¡± I warned her through our link.


    ¡°What¡¯s with that look?¡±


    ¡°We can talk to each other in our heads,¡± Kailin told her. ¡°It¡¯s called a pack link.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± She couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°What is it like?¡±


    ¡°I can hear his voice, so I just talk in my head if I want to say something. Since he¡¯s the alpha, he can block me or send messages to all his pack members all at once.¡±


    ¡°Like a group message or group chat?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Wow. Cool. What else can he do?¡±


    ¡°He will do a ritual for you to join a pack,¡± Zarah exined. ¡°It¡¯s a ceremony called a blood pact.¡±


    ¡°But I won¡¯t drink blood, will I?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. I expected her to go nuts the moment she saw Gage shift, but so far, she was handling it pretty well than I initially expected. She was strong, and I knew she would handle her newfound life just right.


    ¡°No,¡± Kailin said. ¡°We don¡¯t do that anymore. He will just make a small cut in your palm, in his palm, chant the pack pact invocation. Then tada.¡±


    ¡°What if I don¡¯t want to be a part of it?¡±


    Shit. What if she didn¡¯t want anything to do with me?


    ¡°Nirvana, it keeps you safe if you are a pack member, even if you¡¯re not a werewolf. Learn about them, and then you can decide, but it¡¯s best if you are a part of your mate¡¯s pack.¡±


    I was grateful Zarah was around to help me because, honestly, this was new to me, too.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never heard or met someone like her. What is your advice, Zarah?¡±


    ¡°So I¡¯m rare?¡± I smiled when I saw something in her eyes like pride and mischief. Our bond was somehow helping us.


    ¡°Are you kidding me? Maybe there are ten or less of your kind, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Stop saying my kind, Zarah. I¡¯m just human.¡±


    ¡°Thest seer I met was your mother. Maybe there are a few out there, but they choose to hide their identity to protect themselves from the abuse of powerful leaders or organizations. That¡¯s why you have to go with Knight. The moment he touched your mark, it triggered a beacon and sent a message to all oracles, sibyls, and even witches that a power of one of their kind just activated.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re scaring her,¡± I told her when Nirvana¡¯s heartbeat began racing.


    ¡°I can¡¯t sugarcoat it, Knight. She needs to be protected. First, she said it herself, she¡¯s just human. Can she protect herself?¡± She turned to Case.


    ¡°Hey. Don¡¯t me my grandfather. He just wanted to raise me as a normal kid. And I¡¯m d he did.¡±


    ¡°I know one day, the true you will prevail. I just didn¡¯t know it was too soon, and I never wanted you to carry the burden of our family secrets. The responsibility of a seer is just too big for a young woman like you. This kind of gift cannot be abused, no matter what. I witnessed how my wife struggled, and my daughter bnced her gift and her married life. I didn¡¯t want you to experience that.¡±


    ¡°I understand, Grandpa. What do you want me to do?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t decide for you anymore, honey. You¡¯re an adult. You¡¯re free to decide on your own, but you also have to consider him.¡± He stole a nce at me. ¡°He needs you. His wolf needs you. The pack needs you.¡±


    She nodded before she talked to Zarah. ¡°I might need you more than I¡¯d like to admit. Can I call you sometimes?¡±


    ¡°Alpha Knight has my number. If you feel something, even if how irrelevant it is if you feel it in your gut, call me. And Nirvana, always trust your instinct.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± She threw herself at Zarah.


    I felt the same. I had a feeling that we could trust her with our secrets and with who Nirvana would be.


    ¡°Just trust your mate. Whatever he does, it¡¯s for your own good.¡±


    She smiled in mischief. ¡°I make no promises.¡±


    Fuck me.

 17

    NIRVANA


    The goodbye between my grandfather and me took a while, and I became emotional even though I would be just in California.


    Knowing what I learned about their world changed my life forever, and there was no going back. I had to ept that this was my life now.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know we¡¯re traveling by a private jet.¡± I stepped inside. It looked brand new, but something caught my eye. A coat of arms is printed on the upholstered chair.


    ¡°The Alpha King lent me his jet,¡± Knight said. ¡°He told me to take precautions.¡±


    I turned to him. ¡°What do you mean? Who¡¯s Alpha King?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Sebastien is a lycan, an alpha of all alphas of Lycan, and he¡¯s Zarah¡¯s boyfriend. He¡¯s in New York with his daughter.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s a lycan?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re like us, but their wolves are bigger and stronger.¡±


    ¡°So they knew?¡±


    ¡°Just a couple of people I trust. We can¡¯t tell anyone about what you are.¡±


    ¡°You have to tell me whatever you find out about me, Knight. I came with you because my grandfather trusts you, and I want to trust you, too. No matter how bad it is, you need to tell me everything if it concerns me.¡±


    He looked at me. ¡°You have my word.¡±


    ¡°Then what do you mean by taking precautions?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s have a seat, and then we talk.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± I chose the seat near the window. Then, a familiar face walked in. ¡°Zander, right?¡±


    He bowed his head a little. ¡°Miss Thorne.¡±


    ¡°Just Vana. Sit with me.¡± I patted the empty seat next to me.


    He smiled shyly. ¡°Not a good idea, Vana. I¡¯m joining Luka at the back.¡±


    Kailin went at my back as well. ¡°How did Grandpa Case take it?¡±


    ¡°Why are you all sitting at the back? Does this have something to do with the big bad wolf?¡±


    Sheughed. ¡°Nope. You two should get to know each other. And maybe you want to rest.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re lying. There¡¯s something in the way Zander declined my invitation.¡±


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t do that often. Alpha or not, it¡¯s in our nature to be overprotective of our own mates. We mark our territory.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t pee in your backyard, do you?¡±


    Kailinughed. ¡°No. We don¡¯t do that. Also, no one would daree close to you once you and-¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough, Kailin.¡± Knight joined me, interrupting what she was about to say. ¡°You both should get some rest.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± said Kailin. ¡°You want drinks?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m good.¡±


    When the jet took off, I looked at Knight beside me. ¡°Just so you know, I¡¯m not gonna follow orders from you and do your crap. I¡¯m going with you to learn your kind and maybe find a way to break the curse. Honestly, I¡¯m good with how I am right now.¡±


    ¡°Just don¡¯t disobey me, Nirvana, especially in front of my pack.¡±


    ¡°Or what?¡±


    He sided-nce me. ¡°You don¡¯t wanna find out.¡±


    ¡°Just respect my boundaries, and we¡¯re good. I¡¯m actually good at following orders. You can ask Kailin. Just no submission and rope involved.¡± I smirked at him and watched his eyes darken. He held his searing gaze until my heart stalled.


    With a low growl rumbling from his chest, he said, ¡°I know the first time I saw you, you¡¯d be the pain in my ass.¡±


    I frowned. ¡°Good. The next time you kick me out, it won¡¯t only be a pain in your ass, it will be on your nutsack. And I stay in my old room.¡±


    ¡°No way.¡± He red at me. ¡°How can I keep an eye on you if you¡¯re far from me?¡±


    ¡°Not my problem. And I¡¯m going to be staying at the big house with a lot of people. I¡¯d be safer there than with you. Where do you stay, by the way?¡±


    ¡°I have a house at the end of my property with high-end security systems.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, dude, but you have to respect my decisions.¡±


    His nose red. His jaw clenched, and he didn¡¯t blink as he narrowed his eyes at me.


    ¡°We can do a staring contest all day, but that¡¯s what I want.¡±


    ¡°Vana, you can¡¯t stay at the pack house longer,¡± Kailin said. ¡°You have a mate, and you need to stay together.¡±


    ¡°Just give me time to adjust. Gee.¡± I rolled my eyes and gave him my back. I guessed I didn¡¯t really have a choice, for that matter. ¡°So the Moon Goddess yed a matchmaker and fixed arranged marriages. Have you heard mates didn¡¯t work out and ended up cutting heads off?¡±


    ¡°No. Rest.¡±


    ¡°We haven¡¯t arrived yet, but I¡¯m getting the feeling that you always bark order.¡±


    ¡°Get used to it.¡± He adjusted the seat and rested his back before closing his eyes.


    ¡°If you¡¯re the alpha and I¡¯m your mate. Does that mean I also have the same authority as yours?¡±


    ¡°Yes. But you¡¯re not a pack member yet, and we haven¡¯tpleted the ritual.¡±


    ¡°What ritual?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a subject for another time.¡±


    ¡°And you will be called as Luna. The Luna is her mate¡¯s anchor and supports the alpha¡¯s decisions. She helps the pack and should be the symbol of hope and serves as the mother of the pack. Just like the firstdy.¡±


    ¡°Luna like a moon?¡± I turned to Kailin.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m fit for it. I pass.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t run away from this responsibility, Vana.¡±


    ¡°The only way to undo this thing is by rejection, right?¡±


    Knight just growled beside me, even if his eyes were closed.


    ¡°We already talked about it, Vana. You can¡¯t undo once it¡¯s done. Unless he hurt you or forced himself on you, you shouldn¡¯t do such a thing, but I never heard a werewolf hurt his mate unless she cheated on him. Even though so, it will hurt one of them.¡±


    Knight blew a breath. ¡°That¡¯s enough for one day, Kailin. Let her rest.¡±


    ***


    Wended. At least two SUVs were waiting for us. I didn¡¯t say anything, but it started overwhelming quickly. We were weed by his pack members when we arrived at his property. Our things were carried by the guys on steroids without words. They just work without questions.


    ¡°Wee back, Alpha,¡± said Kaleb. Now, they addressed him as alpha before me. I could see the respect in their eyes.


    ¡°Thank you, Kaleb.¡±


    ¡°Wee home, Miss Thorne.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. Please, call me, Vana.¡± My face flushed as I smiled shyly. They probably knew the reason why I came back.


    ¡°Kaleb is my beta. My second-inmand. When I¡¯m not around to do my duty, he takes care of the pack business,¡± Knight said in a low voice.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°What should I call him?¡±


    ¡°Kaleb is fine.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    ¡°Son, you¡¯re back.¡± The man in his fifties joined us. He was Kailin¡¯s father. We met briefly once during graduation.


    ¡°Uncle, how was your trip?¡±


    ¡°Tiring.¡± They did a bear hug. And then he came to me. ¡°We met again, Vana.¡±


    ¡°Mr. ckwell, good to see you again.¡± I shook his hand.


    ¡°Wee to the family.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I looked at Knight. ¡°He¡¯s like you.¡± I had no clue.


    ¡°He¡¯s an elder. His job is to support me, give advice, and share opinions. An elder has more knowledge, wisdom, and experience.¡±


    ¡°Like an advisor.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Kailin said. ¡°Hey, Dad.¡±


    ¡°K.¡±


    They hugged each other, and K whispered something in his ear. My guess is he didn¡¯t know my rtionship with Knight. He looked at his nephew, and they were now probably talking through their unlimited wifi.


    ¡°Congrattions, son.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, uncle. I would appreciate it if you could keep it between us.¡±


    ¡°No problem.¡± Mr. ckwell looked at me. ¡°This must be all shocking to you.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m still wrapping my head around everything, but I¡¯ll get there.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in good hands. We will take care of you. Besides, you¡¯re a family now.¡±


    Kailin took me to my old room. At least two women fixed the room and put my things into the closet.


    ¡°Um. Please, I can do it myself.¡± I went to grab my bag, causing them to stop.


    They looked offended.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I don¡¯t mean it like that. It¡¯s just I¡¯m used to doing it on my own.¡±


    ¡°We were just trying to help you,¡± said the curly-haired woman.


    ¡°I know. I appreciate it, but I can take it from here.¡±


    The other woman with dark hair smiled shyly. ¡°I¡¯m Aspen. Let me know if you need anything. My room is just down the hallway.¡±


    ¡°Will do. Thanks.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Roisin, by the way. Nice to meet you.¡±


    ¡°Me too.¡±


    ¡°What did I miss?¡± Kailin got in.


    ¡°Um, they¡¯re helping me put my things, but I¡¯m good.¡±


    ¡°You girls can go,¡± Kailin dismissed them. ¡°See youter. And Aspen, can you steal a bottle of Cabe from the kitchen?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Once they were gone, I faced Kailin. ¡°I can¡¯t do this. I know they¡¯re good people, but I¡¯m not used to someone touching my things.¡±


    Kailinughed. ¡°Why? Did you take your sex toys with you?¡±


    ¡°Not funny. And I don¡¯t have sex toys. This is just too much.¡± I put my remaining clothes inside the closet and ced my suitcases on top.


    ¡°I have to set some ground rules, Kailin. I need some privacy.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me. Tell that to our alpha.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have to involve him. I¡¯m notfortable with someone touching my belongings and my underwear.¡± I couldn¡¯t help butugh. ¡°And I do myundry.¡±


    ¡°Not a good idea. Besides, Knight pays someone to do the job. You have to suck it up, best friend.¡±

 18

    KNIGHT     ¡°Where are you taking that?¡± Aspen was pushing the tray cart in the hallway. Kaleb told me that Kailin and Nirvana didn¡¯t join them over dinner.


    I also had to go to the office to catch up with work and missed dinner.


    ¡°Alpha.¡± She smiled. Aspen was still in college but lost her parents at a young age. I took her in and gave her a job while I paid for her college tuition. She was a little bit shy, but she was a good person. ¡°Kailin asked me to bring food for her.¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t she take her own food?¡±


    ¡°She asked me to take wine, too.¡±


    ¡°Huh. Well, next time, tell her to go to the dining room and have dinner there. Don¡¯t you have school tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°I have, alpha, but she doesn¡¯t ask for favors often, so I¡¯m good.¡±


    ¡°Let me do that. I¡¯m going there, anyway.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, alpha. It¡¯s not a big deal.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all right. Go to your room and study.¡±


    ¡°If you say so. Thanks.¡±


    I pushed the cart towards Kailin¡¯s door and knocked. The door opened wide. Kailin didn¡¯t expect to see me with the tray cart.


    ¡°Really? Why didn¡¯t you go to dining to eat?¡±


    ¡°I asked a favor, and I¡¯m kinda exhausted. It won¡¯t happen again.¡±


    ¡°Take your food.¡± I pushed it inside her room.


    ¡°Why won¡¯t you join us? I¡¯m actually having dinner with Vana.¡±


    ¡°I missed dinner, too. Where is she?¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Kailin smiled. ¡°So you came here to see me or her?¡±


    ¡°You both didn¡¯t go down.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s still adjusting. Give her time, and you should be with her, not drowning yourself with work.¡± Kailin was not just my cousin. Since I was a kid, she and McKaye were like my own siblings. When my parents died, Uncle Lennox became my second father.


    ¡°Go knock on her door.¡± I got in her room.


    I went to her sitting area. The tray had main, side dishes, dessert, and even appetizers. I also saw some sandwiches, sd, and bread.


    ¡°I¡¯m not that hungry, but I could use some wine. I need to-¡± Nirvana, in her pajamas, hugging a book, halted midway. ¡°Alpha.¡±


    Kailin chortled.


    ¡°I missed dinner.¡± I stood up, grabbed a te, put a little of something from the tray, and gave it to her.


    ¡°Thanks.¡± She was hesitant but took the te I offered.


    ¡°I can get my food, cousin.¡± Kailin grabbed the extra te and helped herself, joining Nirvana on the sofa.


    I got my dinner while Kailin poured wine into the sses.


    ¡°I have a stash of ss in my cab.¡± She went to get a ss for herself.


    ¡°What are you reading, Nirvana?¡±


    ¡°Kailin¡¯s book about werewolves.¡± She began eating. ¡°It¡¯s funny you missed to mention about mating.¡±


    I almost choked on my steak as I met her gaze.


    Kailin coughed,ughed, and shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s not for me to tell, cuz.¡±


    ¡°So, that¡¯s why you¡¯ve been cutting off Kailin and dodging my questions because it involved getting a chunk of my neck?¡± She was really pissed, her face flushing.


    ¡°It¡¯s not my intention to keep it from you, but when you¡¯re ready, then we¡¯ll talk about it.¡±


    ¡°So that involves biting, huh? Marking me?¡± She made a face.


    ¡°You can mark him, too.¡± Kailin smiled suggestively as if it was that simple.


    ¡°Kailin,¡± I warned her through our link.


    ¡°Oh, no, no, no. That doesn¡¯t work for me anymore. When you two pause and share a weird look, I know you¡¯remunicating with each other. I thought we should set some ground rules here. I¡¯m new to this world, but I want honesty.¡± She demanded.


    ¡°So you¡¯d be honest to me, too?¡± I challenged her.


    ¡°Of course. I¡¯d been honest with you from the start. Well, except for that thing that happened back in my apartment. I was just so mad and shocked and overwhelmed.¡±


    ¡°Are you still talking to your ex?¡± I had to know. I deserved to know. She was mine, after all.


    ¡°We exchanged texts today.¡±


    I absorbed that new information for a moment before a low growl erupted from my throat.


    ¡°You wanted me to be honest. This is me being 100% honest with you. I expect you to do the same not just because you¡¯re the alpha, but as-¡± She swallowed hard. ¡°As my. Whatever we are.¡±


    ¡°You should stop talking to your ex,¡± I told her tantly.


    ¡°I hope he won¡¯t text or call me again because I already told him I moved to California and started a new life.¡±


    ¡°Good. What else do you want to know?¡±


    ¡°Just pretend I¡¯m not around.¡± Kailin stood up, went to bed with her te, and put the AirPods on.


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna get bitten.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not possible. You have to wear my mark. I¡¯m sure you went through the exnation.¡± I put my empty te on the tray and grabbed the ss of wine.


    ¡°I guess it¡¯s really a part of you being an alpha werewolf to ward off other werewolves-¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I replied quickly so she knew this was serious. ¡°The mating process wouldn¡¯t beplete without markings.¡±


    ¡°I read in the book that male werewolf can refuse the mark from his mates.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re worried, I won¡¯t wear your mark. You can mark me.¡±


    She scoffed. ¡°I won¡¯t bite you.¡±


    ¡°You will have to if you want your curse lifted. Zarah and Alexander are working hard to find the cure or spell to break it. But she had a theory. Just a theory because nothing had happened like this before.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the theory?¡±


    ¡°It sounds absurd, but maybe a one true love kiss can break the curse.¡±


    She put her te down andughed- one big bellyugh without the care who could hear her or I might scold her. ¡°I¡¯m not sleeping beauty, alpha.¡±


    ¡°Will you stop calling me alpha?¡±


    ¡°It just sounds fun because it suits you. You¡¯re a scary big bad wolf who barks orders around here.¡±


    I breathed through my nose and emptied the ss. ¡°This is a serious matter, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°You should call me Vana then.¡±


    When I didn¡¯t reply, she rolled her eyes. ¡°Okay, Knight. You win.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not about winning, Nirvana. We¡¯re mates. You already epted our fates to be together.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not easy for me. I need a job while I¡¯m here. I can¡¯t just depend on the food around here. I need to be productive with my life.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not stopping you. You do whatever you want, but you can¡¯t leave my property alone.¡±


    ¡°Wow. I¡¯m a prisoner now. Excellent!¡±


    I sighed exasperatingly. ¡°You¡¯re really a piece of work, aren¡¯t you? What do you want? Let¡¯s hear it.¡±


    ¡°I want some privacy- a breathing room. I don¡¯t need someone to take care of my things. I love to have some time alone to myself. I like sketching, drawing, and painting. I want a job even in the winery or in the testing room. And don¡¯t control me.¡±


    I knew we were going to have these issues. She was an independent woman, but I needed her to trust me.


    ¡°What else?¡±


    ¡°I wanna know you if I¡¯m gonna be stuck with you.¡±


    ¡°Now that you mentioned that. Sometimes, I attend parties, and I want you by my side. And I have-¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not there yet.¡± She cut me off.


    I breathed through my nose. ¡°Don¡¯t get used to interrupting me when I¡¯m talking. What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t just have sex with you toplete the mating.¡±


    Iughed silently. ¡°Agree. Maybe we should go out on a date.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not funny.¡±


    ¡°It is if you think I¡¯m so neanderthal and barbaric, forcing myself on you. Remember this, kely Nirvana. We have all the time in the world to get to know each other, and I ought to keep my promise to your grandfather. I would never hurt you.¡±


    ¡°Very well then. All I have to do is make you fall in love with me, Alpha Knight, so you can kiss me, break the curse, bite me, and then I bite you back. Yay!¡±


    Fuck me now.

 19

    NIRVANA


    The tasting room was newly renovated and had a contemporary design perfect for the weather. Clients and guests had begun arriving, upying some chairs and tables. There were great appetizers, fruit and cheese boards, sandwiches and wraps, and Charcuterie boards.


    ¡°Just call me if you need any help, okay?¡± Haylo did a great job. She was a sommelier and managed the tasting room.


    I just met her this morning, and I thought she was fantastic. She was in her early thirties but hadn¡¯t found her mate.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to be busy. Kailin and Heartley are here to help me.¡±


    ¡°And thanks for being here.¡± She smiled.


    At least there was no bitch around her who was secretly in love with Knight, and if I was being honest, he was the epitome of a man with power and wealth, and the Moon Goddess showered him with so many blessings on the good-looking part.


    ¡°No problem, and if I sell some bottles, I¡¯m getting amission.¡±


    She chuckled. ¡°Right. Good luck, Vana.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I instantly saw a middle-aged man checking out the Pinot Noir. I went to him and said, ¡°Hello, sir. Let me help you with that.¡± I tried my best to remember what I had learned at the restaurant and not to look like an idiot. I poured the dry wine into the sses, swirled the liquid a little bit, and gave it to him. ¡°Can I be honest with you?¡±


    The middle-aged man looked confused, but he remained interested. ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Vana, by the way.¡±


    ¡°Jared.¡± He shook my hand with his left hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a wine expert. My only experience is what I learned from my Grandfather¡¯s restaurant. You probably know much better than I do, but our best-seller is Cabe from the ckwell Winery. The climate and their unique way of processing gave a very distinct special taste.¡± I poured a Cabe and gave it to him. ¡°Are you an old client? Forgive me. It¡¯s my first day.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your honesty, Vana.¡± He sniffed the ss. ¡°It¡¯s my first time here in the ckwell Winery.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna look like an idiot in front of clients, but I¡¯m learning. What do you say?¡±


    He took a sip of it. ¡°It¡¯s around five. It¡¯s good for collection. I admit, I was having a doubting over, but a friend of mine told me that I should check this winery one out.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God. Did I disappoint you now?¡±


    Jared smiled. ¡°No, dear.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t help but notice your ent. You¡¯re Greek.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± He picked up the Pinot Noir and tasted it.


    My toes curled as I waited for his verdict. He hadn¡¯t said anything but picked an appetizer, ate it, and grabbed the Pinot noir again.


    ¡°I want fifteen of Pinot and ten Cabe. Send it to Artino Enterprises.¡±


    ¡°Fifteen bottles of Pinot and ten Cabe to Artino Enterprises. Got it.¡± I wrote it down on a pad of paper. ¡°Thank you, Jared.¡±


    ¡°Cases, my dear.¡± He smiled when he saw my eyes widen.


    It took me a while to react. I giggled before him. ¡°Oh, my God. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee. And the wine is excellent and will be fantastic when it ages. And if your work bores you,e to Artino, and I¡¯ll give you a job in marketing. I appreciate your honesty.¡±


    ¡°My pleasure, sir.¡±


    I watched him leave, and then a man in a dark suit came to him. That man must be Artino. ¡°Holy crap, Haylo. I just sold some bottles to Mr. Artino. And I didn¡¯t know he was rich.¡±


    Hayloughed. ¡°His assistant will settle the bills. How many bottles he ordered?¡±


    ¡°Fifteen cases of Pinot and ten for Cabe.¡±


    Haylo had the same reaction as mine. ¡°What did you do? You didn¡¯t show your cleavage, did you?¡±


    I look down at my white sundress. ¡°No. I was just honest that I¡¯m a newbie.¡±


    ¡°Congrats! You will have amission and a gift from the owner.¡±


    ¡°Wew.¡±


    ¡°Not bad for a newbie, Vana.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll process his order right away.¡± When she left, I took the dirty sses and brought them to the kitchen.


    I almost bumped into a beautiful woman with silver-blonde hair, reminding me of the mother of dragons from Game of Thrones, and she had beautiful misty gray eyes. She looked like an heiress, with her luxury bag and clothes alone worth half a year of my apartment rent.


    ¡°Oh, hi. Can I assist you to the table?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m looking for my boyfriend. I can¡¯t find him anywhere?¡± She scanned her gaze around the room.


    ¡°Your boyfriend? Did you try calling him?¡±


    ¡°Yup.¡± She was still finding the boyfriend in the crowd. ¡°I went to his house, and he wasn¡¯t there. We¡¯re supposed to meet there, but he¡¯s gonna ghost me again.¡±


    Huh. ¡°Try calling him again. If he won¡¯t answer, maybe he¡¯s ghosting you. And maybe he¡¯s not good for you.¡±


    ¡°What made you say that?¡± She arched a perfect brow at me.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°If a guy ismitted, he won¡¯t bete to your date, and he wille and pick you up. Maybe you should do the same.¡± I shrugged. I didn¡¯t know why I was wasting my time, but it was probably because she was a client.


    ¡°Damn it, Knight. Where are you?¡± She fished her phone and checked for the call, maybe.


    Wait. Did she just say Knight?


    ¡°What?¡± She suddenly turned into a mean girl and just snapped at me.


    ¡°Nothing.¡± I swallowed hard. It wasn¡¯t nothing because jealousy was a bitch. It hurt even if I just met that manwhore days ago. What hurt the most was he never mentioned he was dating someone.


    So he did have a girlfriend, and he didn¡¯t tell me.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± she asked, using her sweet, annoying, rich girl tone, but I was sure she didn¡¯t care.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I nodded. ¡°I hope you find your boyfriend. I have to go back to work.¡± I dashed away from her before she thought I was stupid.


    It just hurt, and I never felt like this before. I felt like my chest was crushing, and I couldn¡¯t breathe.


    ¡°Hey. Where are you going?¡± That voice. That son of a bitch. ¡°Nirvana.¡± He was fast to hold my wrist. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you okay?¡±


    I lifted my gaze and looked at him. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    I looked around. I didn¡¯t know where I was but saw the exit sign. ¡°Stock room.¡±


    ¡°Stock room is that way.¡± He pointed to the opposite side. ¡°Just ask a male attendant if you want some bottles.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m lost.¡± I pulled my wrist, and he let it go.


    ¡°No. You¡¯re not. Something upsets you. I can feel it.¡±


    I dropped my gaze because I couldn¡¯t lie to him, and this mate thing was really beginning to infuriate me. ¡°I¡¯m good. I have to go back inside.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t go until you tell me why you were running absentmindedly, Nirvana.¡± He used that bossy mafia tone on me, and I hated it.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Anyway, your girlfriend is looking for you. She said you¡¯re ghosting her again. You didn¡¯t show up in your house.¡± I walked away while he was confused.


    ¡°Nirvana, what girlfriend are you talking about?¡± This time, he managed to hold my arm before I could bolt out.


    ¡°How would I know? Maybe your number eight, or is it twelve?¡± I shot him a death re.


    ¡°I don¡¯t date. I don¡¯t have a girlfriend. What does she look like?¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Daenerys Targaryen?¡±


    ¡°Huh.¡± A slight curve appeared on his lips, his eyes dancing with humor. ¡°Tall, gray eyes, silver blonde hair, looks like a princess?¡±


    ¡°Whatever. Let me go, Knight.¡± I twisted my arm around his grip.


    His lips finally formed into a full-blown smile. ¡°You¡¯re jealous, my little pretty mate?¡±


    ¡°No. Why would I? I just thought we agreed on no secrets between us, asshole.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m true to my words, Nirvana.¡± He groaned. ¡°I swear to Goddess, Shadow will pay for this. She just pranked you, and she thought it was fun.¡±


    ¡°Shadow?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Alpha Califf¡¯s mate. Can we go back? They¡¯re probably waiting for us.¡±


    ¡°You go ahead. I¡¯ll follow you.¡±


    ¡°No. We go together.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± I was still slightly upset but let go of a shuddering relief breath.


    As soon as we returned to the room, Shadow was already there, grinning.


    ¡°You, little witch. What did you do?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so happy for you.¡± She gave Knight a bear hug. ¡°Congrattions, handsome.¡± Then she came to me. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry about earlier, Vana.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°Wee to our crazy world. Zarah told me a little bit about you. I hope you¡¯re not having nightmares.¡±


    ¡°Not yet.¡±


    ¡°Is he already giving you a hard time?¡±


    ¡°More like she¡¯s giving me a hard time, princess,¡± said Knight.


    ¡°Oh. You¡¯re a princess,¡± I whispered, making herugh. ¡°Should I curtsy?¡±


    ¡°Hell, no. And you¡¯re a future Luna.¡±


    Then, a tall, handsome man in his early thirties walked in and shook hands with Knight.


    ¡°Cal.¡± Oh, the infamous Califf. Well, damn. He looked like a prince in a fairy tale book.


    ¡°You must be Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Nice to finally put a face to an infamous Califf.¡±


    ¡°I have something to tell you. Thest time I met Knight. You know what he told me?¡±


    ¡°Do tell.¡± I smiled at him.


    ¡°Really, Cal? We¡¯ll go back there right away?¡± Knight just blushed. I couldn¡¯t believe he blushed before his friends.


    Califf was amused with his reaction. ¡°That¡¯s all I wanted to see. To make you blush, my friend. I¡¯m happy for both of you.¡±

 20

    KNIGHT


    Alpha Califf and Luna Shadow stayed for a while until dinner.


    ¡°If what Zarah told me is true, you didn¡¯t know you were a half-werewolf untilst week.¡± Shadow sat next to her mate as she enjoyed her Wagyu steak.


    ¡°Yeah, but I like being human. You¡¯re lucky, guys. You know what you were since you were born,¡± Nirvana replied.


    ¡°Do you wish you could turn the time and never find out?¡±


    She shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t think I would change a thing, Alpha Califf. I can¡¯t live with regrets. My grandfather kept things away from me to protect me, but he knew the time hade when I needed to know what I was. So, I¡¯m okay with my life right now. At least I¡¯m not insane.¡±


    Shadow smiled. ¡°You must have freaked out.¡±


    ¡°I thought I was gonna pass out.¡± She chortled.


    ¡°My adopted father had experienced the same thing.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re adopted? I thought you have a father.¡± She swatted her hand a little. ¡°Sorry.¡±


    ¡°She found out about Alpha King just recently,¡± I told her. ¡°Her parents died when she was young.¡±


    She looked at me. ¡°At least, she knew she was a- what is she? Lycan?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Half-lycan, half-witch, and a royal,¡± Califf said proudly, squeezing Shadow¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Wow. So you¡¯re really a princess.¡± Her eyes widened a little in awe.


    ¡°Not a big deal. I don¡¯t like it when people act weird around me.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t me them. I, for one, am dying to know how you keep your hair color so vibrant.¡±


    Shadowughed, then covered her mouth. ¡°This is my hair color.¡±


    ¡°Wait. What? Really?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± I asked her in amusement. ¡°Is that why you called her Daenerys earlier.¡±


    She made an ample eye warning. ¡°She didn¡¯t have to know that.¡±


    ¡°I was brte until I lost my wolf and my gift. When I got them back, I got a hair makeover overnight. Since then, I had the same color.¡± Shadow looked at me. ¡°Credit to your chef. This Wagyu is so good.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Luna.¡±


    ¡°Wow. How is that even possible?¡± She sipped her Ros¨¦.


    ¡°Magic and you just have to believe the impossible and supernatural around you.¡±


    ¡°Agreed. Otherwise, I¡¯ll go nuts.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, but you can¡¯t go around telling humans.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Werewolf pros and cons 101.¡±


    ¡°She got highlights when she healed my father, and it was a warning from the dead witches and nature not to use her gift until she undergoes training,¡± Califf said.


    ¡°Yeah. I forgot to ask you about that. So you experienced being human for a while. How was it?¡±


    ¡°Fantastic.¡± Shadow raised her ss of sparkling water. ¡°I got to feel the silver in my hands. But it¡¯s exhausting sometimes when you¡¯re used to having supernatural strength. I felt how to be worn out, and my bruises didn¡¯t heal fast. When I went martial arts training, Goddess, I felt every pain in my body, and Alpha thought someone hurt me, but it was an unforgettable experience. So, are you staying here for a long haul?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean you¡¯re not sure?¡± I stared at her.


    And she stared back at me. ¡°What if there¡¯s no way to break the curse? And what if your people won¡¯t ept me as your, you know, Luna? The book says your pack should ept me. Right now, I¡¯m not one of your kind nor a pack member.¡±


    ¡°Vana, can I give you a piece of advice as a friend?¡±


    ¡°Of course, Alpha Califf.¡±


    ¡°I met my mate while she was a rogue. She¡¯s something. She liked to disobey me but did what she thought was best for her. You know what rogue means, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. A werewolf without a pack. A lone wolf.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I starved her so she would submit to me, but she didn¡¯t. She was strong-headed. My pack made fun of her, but they didn¡¯t know who exactly she was. It doesn¡¯t matter if you are powerful or human. When you show them who you really are and that you care for this pack, they will ept you as one of them, with or without a wolf inside you. Shadow was epted by my pack because she cared for the people around me. She won their hearts. It was not because of who she was, but what was in her heart.¡± I watched her reaction as Califf gave her some advice.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s hard for you to understand right now,¡± Shadow prompted. ¡°Your rtionship with Knight, it¡¯s strange. It feels like your whole life is already arranged for him, but trust me, you have to give it a chance because I can see myself in you. It may confuse you right now, but soon, it will make sense. Califf is one of the best things that has ever happened to me despite the fact we started on the wrong foot.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Luna. That means a loting from you.¡±


    Nirvana went awfully quiet after that but drank her wine.


    After the wonderful dinner, a portal appeared before us, making Nirvana gasp.


    ¡°Is that?¡± She pointed at the portal looked like a blue-purple ck hole without sucking us to the unknown.


    ¡°A portal,¡± Shadow said, smiling. ¡°Wee to the supernatural world, Vana.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God. I never imagined I would see a real portal in my life.¡± She giggled beside me.


    ¡°Stick around, and you¡¯ll see more weirdness in your life.¡± Shadow kissed her on the cheek. ¡°We have to go. Thank you for the lovely dinner.¡±


    ¡°Say hi to your father and Zarah,¡± she said, waving at Shadow.


    ¡°See you both soon.¡± Califf took his mate¡¯s hand before stepping into the portal and disappearing.


    I watched the portal vanish. I still wrapped my head around the fact of what Zarah could do. When I looked at my mate, she was still staring at where the portal disappeared before us. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll gonna be fine.¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡± She arched a brow. ¡°What just happened right now is far-fetched, but I guess I have to get used to it, right? Because my soulmate is a freaking werewolf and a leader of the pack.¡±


    ¡°What do you want me to do then, Nirvana?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Nothing!¡± She left, walking away from the dining room.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°Dinner is done, so I need to re-energize for another weirdness tomorrow.¡±


    I blew a breath once she was gone. I heard footsteps approaching, and the stinky smell of my best friend grew stronger.


    ¡°I saw Vana leave. She looked upset.¡±


    ¡°Still adjusting to this whole thing.¡± I stuffed my hands in my pockets. Honestly, I didn¡¯t know what to do. I¡¯d never experienced this whole serious rtionship long-term thing.


    ¡°Just spend some time with her. Take her on a dinner date or give her something she likes. Maybe a dry pic in the vineyards or show her the winemaking process. There¡¯s a lot to do around here that might get rid of her boredom. You have to understand that her life before she met you was mundane. You can¡¯t shove things like these into her for one day and expect a great result. You should be grateful she hasn¡¯t gone insane.¡±


    I red at McKaye. ¡°Are you done?¡±


    ¡°Not quite, but that¡¯s all for the day.¡± He patted my back.


    I shook my head in annoyance because what he said to me was all true, and it pissed me off for being so dumb and clueless. ¡°I have to go.¡±


    ¡°Where?¡±


    ¡°Sleep.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re such a dick.¡±


    ¡°Back at yah, Mac.¡± I left the dining room and went upstairs. I wanted to take a little piece of advice from McKaye, but I instantly heard murmurs in the corner.


    Nirvana¡¯s scent became more distinct as I got closer.


    ¡°Why are you acting so weird?¡± It came from Kailin.


    ¡°I¡¯m not. I felt so ashamed, and my cheeks burned the entire dinner with his friends. I mean, there was no awkward moment because Califf and Shadow were just so kind. Maybe they were trying to be nice because I was not like them.¡±


    ¡°Then what is your problem, exactly?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t be around Knight.¡±


    My cousinughed. ¡°And why is that?¡±


    ¡°This whole mating pull thing is driving me insane. You should have seen my face when I got jealous of Shadow. She knew exactly what to expect from me. She pranked me and pretended to be Knight¡¯s girlfriend, and guess what?¡±


    ¡°You said it already. And why is that a bad thing?¡±


    ¡°Gosh!¡± She must have just rolled her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re not even listening.¡±


    ¡°I am, Vana. Just stop fighting over your feelings.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the thing. Knight doesn¡¯t feel the same. He¡¯s probably just being kind because he has no choice.¡±


    ¡°He could have rejected you if he wanted you out of his life.¡±


    ¡°He already tried it once.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t rejection. He was trying to protect you.¡±


    ¡°It feels the same thing to me. He recited those specific words to me. Why are you my best friend if you¡¯re on his side?¡±


    ¡°Because I love you both.¡±


    ¡°Argh. You¡¯re useless.¡±


    Kailinughed. ¡°We¡¯re in the living area. Do you realize that we have enhanced hearing, and our conversation is like being broadcast all over werewolves¡¯ ears?¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God! Why didn¡¯t you tell me right away? Ipletely forget about your senses.¡±

 21

    NIRVANA


    I was about to get out of my room to meet Kailin when there was a knock on my door.


    ¡°Where should I put these?¡± A man whom I saw shifted now standing before me. He had a British ent, carrying a box and an easel in his other hand.


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember buying those things.¡± I was surprised to see some painting tools and a medium box carried by Zander.


    ¡°Alpha asked us to deliver these to you,¡± Zander said.


    ¡°Oh. I see.¡±


    ¡°Vana, are you ready?¡± Great. Kailin just came into the room. ¡°What are these?¡±


    ¡°Apparently, the alpha bought these for me.¡± I gestured for the guys to bring the boxes inside. ¡°Just put them on the corner. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Aw. That¡¯s sweet.¡± Kailin smiled, giggling.


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Of course, you find this gesture sweet.¡±


    ¡°He never did this to anyone. Well, he never brought women home. I guess he kept in mind what you like to do.¡±


    My eyes narrowed. ¡°I thought you were wearing AirPods that night.¡±


    She lifted her chin. ¡°I put my AirPods on and pretended I was listening to music, but I was actually listening to both of you. I thought you two were cute.¡±


    ¡°Not funny.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re done, Miss Thorne,¡± said the brown-eyed British guy.


    ¡°Call me Miss Thorne again, and I¡¯ll tell the world I saw you shift and naked butt.¡±


    His eyes widened.


    ¡°She¡¯s kidding, Gage.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re Gage?¡±


    ¡°Yes, miss.¡±


    ¡°Just call me Vana. Thank you, and to you, too, Zander, and tell Alpha I said thank you.¡±


    They nodded and left.


    ¡°You can tell him yourself,¡± said Kailin.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have his number and don¡¯t know where he is right now.¡±


    She justughed at me. ¡°You two haven¡¯t exchanged numbers? Wow! He¡¯s so dumb and slow.¡±


    ¡°Will you stopughing now? I thought we were going out.¡± I picked up my bag on the bed. ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be working?¡±


    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s why we are going to my job.¡±


    ¡°And then what? I will watch you work until I die of boredom.¡± I followed her downstairs.


    ¡°Nope. When are you going to start your job?¡±


    I smiled. ¡°Yay! I don¡¯t have to stay at the pack house 24/7 anymore. I¡¯ll start on Monday, and my boss is sweet and kind.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Haylo is a sweetheart, and she can keep secrets. Roisin, too, and she¡¯s mated to Tucker. If you see a serious-looking guy. That¡¯s him.¡±


    I climbed into the passenger seat. ¡°I need a bicycle to get to the winery. Unlike you guys, I don¡¯t have the same endurance as yours.¡±


    Kailin smiled as we drove off the estate. ¡°You can borrow one of his cars.¡±


    ¡°No way.¡±


    ¡°Why not? He¡¯s your mate. You have to understand Knight is sometimes dumb when ites to you, and he is used to someone asking something from him instead of giving. And he¡¯d love to give it to you.¡±


    ¡°Then you have to drive me to a bicycle store. I¡¯ll buy one for myself.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly, Vana.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s so beautiful around here.¡± I watched the view of the vast vineyards in awe. It was so surreal and magnificent.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I haven¡¯t toured you around. I¡¯ve been busy catching up with work.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not necessary. I can borrow one of those trucks and tour myself.¡±


    After twenty minutes, we arrived at the ckwell Building.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t tell me we¡¯reing to his office.¡±


    ¡°And then what? So you can make an excuse to unbox his gifts?¡±


    ¡°You always know what to say, do you?¡± I got out of her car and looked at the three-story modern building.


    ¡°Because I know you, Vana. And rx, he doesn¡¯t know you¡¯reing with me either.¡±


    ¡°Gee, thanks.¡± I followed her inside as she grabbed a visitor ID from the front desk.


    The interior looked spacious. The widescreen yed wine ads.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± She pinned the ID on the cor of my white shirt. ¡°And you look like a hot corporate woman who works at a male-dominated job.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get it over with so I can go back and unbox whatever is in that box.¡± I walked after her towards the stairs.


    ¡°Do you know where you¡¯re going?¡±


    ¡°Not exactly, but everybody seems to be going upstairs.¡±


    The upper setting was divided by ss walls and hallways, reminding me how freaking wealthy Knight was. He could be a billionaire, while I was a working middle ss.


    I followed Kailin through the hallway to the far end until Knight¡¯s name was on a gold te on the ss wall, pping me with his CEO position.


    Kailin pushed the door open without knocking. I guessed she didn¡¯t have to knock since she was the assistant. ¡°He¡¯s still in the meeting in the conference.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait in the waiting area.¡±


    ¡°Are you silly? Stay here. I¡¯ll go check on him.¡±


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you there with him?¡±


    ¡°My job is assisting his pack business, fixing his schedules, and then I forward it to his executive. Since she¡¯s human, she doesn¡¯t know what we are.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    I stayed in his modern, minimalist, spacious office. I checked some of the trophies and ques from the winepetition on the shelves. I also saw a family photo. I picked it up. Knight was still a teenager with his parents. I put it back when I felt someone was watching me.


    I turned around, and I almost tripped. Yeah, I wore high heels today.


    ¡°Hi.¡± I swallowed.


    Knight caught me off guard. He looked hot in his expensive dark gray suit and light gray tie.


    ¡°Hey.¡± He seemed surprised to see me, too but managed to put a small smile on his lips. Kailin was right. She didn¡¯t tell him I wasing with her.


    ¡°Sorry. I should go. I came with Kailin.¡±


    ¡°Stay until she gets back.¡± He walked closer to me, making me self-conscious.


    ¡°Wait. She came to find you. Haven¡¯t you bumped into her in the hallway?¡±


    ¡°No. She¡¯s probably with my assistant.¡±


    ¡°Yup.¡± I nodded slightly. Suddenly, I didn¡¯t know what to say or what to do.


    ¡°Can I get you something to drink?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m good.¡± I looked outside the window-nothing much to see than a giant Ferris wheel in the distance.


    ¡°Take a seat, Nirvana. Your heartbeat is piercing my ears.¡±


    ¡°Sorry.¡± I went to sit before his desk.


    ¡°Did you receive the painting supplies I gave you?¡± He went to his desk and picked up some folders.


    ¡°Yeah. You don¡¯t have to do that. I was nning to buy a sketchbook but haven¡¯t gotten out of the vineyards.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was nning on taking you to the mall this weekend. I bought those supplies online. Check out what is missing and let me know.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t really get ahold of you, and I don¡¯t have your numbers to thank you.¡±


    Knight smiled. ¡°Give me your phone.¡±


    I took it from my bag and unlocked it before giving it to him. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°For what?¡±


    ¡°For the supplies.¡±


    ¡°No problem.¡±


    The door suddenly swung open, but it wasn¡¯t Kailin who walked in. She must be the executive assistant.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t know you had a visitor. I must have missed it in my schedules.¡± She has the sweetest voice. I wanted to gag. She was also tall, blonde, and beautiful.


    I rose from the chair. My mind went a million miles an hour.


    ¡°She¡¯s not in my schedule,¡± Knight said calmly, didn¡¯t even mind looking at her.


    ¡°I¡¯m-¡± I was about to introduce myself when he cut me off.


    ¡°She came here to see me. This is my girlfriend, Nirvana Thorne.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± The woman had a funny look on her face beforeing to me and offering her hand. ¡°Hi. Nice to meet you. I¡¯m Jada.¡±


    ¡°Nice to meet you, too.¡± I shook her hand.


    ¡°Wait here. I¡¯ll get you something to drink.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡±


    ¡°Bring us cups of coffee. One sugar and two cream for her.¡±


    I shut my mouth. How did he know about my coffee? Of course, from Kailin.


    When Jada left, my phone rang in his hand. Before I could ask for it, he answered the call.


    ¡°Yeah. What do you want?¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s calling?¡±


    He ignored me, replying to the caller, ¡°She¡¯s with me right now. I suggest you stop calling her.¡±


    Oh, my God. Axell must be the one calling. He sent me a text this morning, but I deleted it.


    ¡°Knight, can I have my phone back?¡± I politely asked before I triggered his wolf. The book said a werewolf could involuntarily shift when enraged or became too emotional.


    The way he turned his head at me in slow-mo, eyes narrowing, brows meeting together, scared the crap out of me.


    ¡°I know what you are. If you want to keep your windpipe attached to your neck, I highly suggest you stop calling my mate. Do you understand me?¡± He hung up the phone and gave it to me.


    ¡°Ever heard of space and privacy, Knight? It doesn¡¯t mean we¡¯re bound through eternity that gives you the right to answer calls on my phone.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°I told you to stopmunicating with him. Why is he still calling?¡± He was terrifying when he was pissed off. At the same time, he looked hot, and it bothered me so much.


    ¡°My bad, I didn¡¯t block him. He called mest night, but I ignored it. He sent me a text, but I deleted it. Then he called again. Maybe I should confiscate your phone too, right, mate?¡±


    ¡°Go ahead.¡± He pulled out his phone from his jacket pocket and threw it on the desk. ¡°I have nothing to hide.¡±

 22

    KNIGHT     Shit. Fuck.


    Nirvana just left my office. When I thought everything was heading in the right direction, her stupid ex couldn¡¯t fucking understand what moving on meant.


    ¡°Nirvana, wait!¡± The door almost mmed into my face.


    ¡°Where is she going?¡± My assistant had always the wrong timing.


    ¡°Give me the coffee.¡± I grabbed them from her and followed Nirvana downstairs.


    I called her name again, but she was pissed off and chose to ignore me. ¡°Nirvana, please? Just hold on a sec.¡±


    She turned to me. For a second, admiration filled my chest as I saw the unyielding impulse and disobedience in her eyes. She would be a great Luna in the future. ¡°I¡¯m not talking to you.¡±


    ¡°I know. I¡¯m sorry. You have to understand one thing about our nature, especially me,¡± I whispered so everyone around here wouldn¡¯t think of me going nuts.


    ¡°God, I¡¯m so sick of hearing the word nature!¡± She hissed at me, eyes filling with rage.


    ¡°I¡¯m very possessive and jealous. It¡¯s not really what I wanted to, but I can¡¯t control my emotions, especially when my wolf senses a threat; he¡¯d be on edge.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± She glowered.


    ¡°And I haven¡¯t gone out for a run in days. It helps my wolf rx and helps me think as well.¡±


    ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you go out for a run?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still catching up on the work I left.¡±


    ¡°Whatever. Give me the coffee. Tell Kailin I¡¯m waiting in her car.¡±


    I gave her the coffee. ¡°It¡¯s hot outside. Do you have her car key?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°You can wait for her in my office.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going back there.¡±


    I drew a deep breath. ¡°Wait in the waiting area then.¡±


    ¡°No. She¡¯s here.¡±


    I turned to the stairs. Kailin wasing down. ¡°Will you join me tonight over dinner?¡±


    ¡°No. I have ns.¡±


    ¡°With whom?¡±


    She red at me. ¡°Alone.¡±


    ¡°Can I talk to you for a second, Kailin?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Kailin gave the car key to Nirvana.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let her drive.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°And why not?¡± Nirvana asked me.


    ¡°Because you¡¯re my mate.¡±


    She rolled her eyes before heading to the door.


    ¡°What is wrong with you?¡±


    I faced Kailin. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You should be touring her around your office building, introducing her to your employee to ward off women exposing their cleavage and thighs on you.¡±


    ¡°We were good until her ex called her. I snapped, and she was pissed at me. I answered the call and threatened her ex.¡±


    ¡°That served that idiot right.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I already apologized.¡±


    ¡°But I don¡¯t see she will ept your apology anytime soon.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± I slipped my hands in my pockets. ¡°I asked her to have dinner with me, and she turned me down. t.¡±


    Kailin hid her smile, but she burst outughing. ¡°Sorry, but I think you just found your match.¡±


    ¡°Not funny.¡±


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s one thing you can help, and maybe she¡¯ll reconsider that dinner date.¡±


    ¡°What do you have exactly in mind?¡±


    ¡°Give me your car key?¡±


    ¡°Why? You have your car.¡±


    ¡°For an alpha and a brilliant CEO, sometimes you¡¯re so dumb.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t get you.¡±


    ¡°She came here for you, and she¡¯s your mate, yet you never visited her, brought her flowers, or took her out. If you¡¯d only seen her reaction when we drove through the vineyards? It was priceless, Knight. If you really want this rtionship to work out, man, get your head out of your ass because she¡¯s still human, and she¡¯s not going to wait for you to make a move even if she feels the mating pull. Don¡¯t be overconfident because she feels something about you and is your mate. Don¡¯t wait until she moves on and be with somebody else.¡±


    ¡°The fuck she will.¡±


    ¡°Then do something.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± I drew a deep breath. ¡°Wait here. I¡¯ll go get the key.¡±


    ¡°You know she wants me to take her to a bicycle store? She can¡¯t be walking to her job. That¡¯s far for humans. And gee, alpha, she¡¯s our future Luna.¡±


    ¡°I got it,¡± I said irritably as I left her. I couldn¡¯t take more unsolicited advice from her and her twin.


    ¡°You¡¯re still here.¡± I found Jada in my office, dropping another file. I opened my desk drawer and grabbed a car key.


    ¡°So, how long have you been dating her?¡±


    I inwardly groaned. ¡°Just recently, but I¡¯m marrying her. That¡¯s for sure.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s kinda-¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I snapped at her. ¡°Be careful with your adjective, Jada. You know I don¡¯t date my employees, and I have no n on sleeping with any one of you. I practice fraternization policy at full length.¡±


    Jada asked me for a drink once, and I turned her down, even if it was just a friendly date. I didn¡¯t want to give everyone the impression that it was okay, but her bodynguage at that time said otherwise.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. ckwell. I meant no offense.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what you wanted to say. I wouldn¡¯t date her if I were not sure I wouldn¡¯t put my ring on her finger. Nirvana checked the list of the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, and I love her the way she is. I enjoy watching her being herself and not wasting her time in the mirror. She dresses just perfectly without showing much skin, but she¡¯s the sexiest and the most beautiful woman I¡¯ve ever seen. And trust me when I say this: I¡¯d rather live alone than not marry her.¡±


    I found Kailin waiting and listening to every word I said the entire time.


    ¡°Proud of you, boss.¡± She had a smile from ear to ear.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let her wait long. I¡¯ll call herter.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Right. Good job.¡±


    ***


    I called Nirvana on my way home, but she decided to ignore me instead of answering it. So, I made my night productive and ran to the woods. I linked Kaleb, McKaye, and Luka to join me.


    I shifted into my gray wolf with ck and gray patches on my belly. My wolf was very satisfied to feel the earth under the pads of his feet as I set my paws on the ground. It had been days since myst run before I met Nirvana.


    The weather was good, and I could not sense any threats in the perimeters.


    We rxed a little bit, and my pack members could run freely and catch some rabbits in the woods. Though I don¡¯t feel like feeding raw meat anymore, I was still up for a hunt from time to time. It was part of who we were- we hunt.


    The scents of familiar male wolves invaded my nostrils, and friendly growls followed behind me as I pitched forward. A small pup raced across the darkness, Kaleb¡¯s little brother, Azrel, who just shifted recently. And Maddox¡¯s dark brown wolf followed.


    Once we reached almost the end of my territory, I slowed my pace, and so did Kaleb, tagging his little brother at the back of his neck. Luka, McKaye, and Maddox joined us.


    After a few minutes, we ran back towards the vineyards, where there was a big tree. We made a small cabin to stuff our clothes and use them after our run.


    ¡°Tell the twins to make a scout in the south. Report to me if they notice an unfamiliar scent in that area.¡± I went to my locker to grab my sweatpants and a sweatshirt.


    ¡°Why? You heard any attack recently?¡± Luka put a shirt on.


    ¡°No. Just a precaution.¡± I could feel their eyes on me.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t the barbwire still up, Alpha?¡± Maddox asked.


    ¡°Yes. Nothing to worry about. I¡¯ll let you all know if I heard another pack attack.¡±


    ¡°I can join the twins,¡± Kaleb suggested.


    ¡°No. They have to apply what they learn. Put Maddox in charge.¡± I put my clothes on and turned to them.


    ¡°You mean to punish them for getting into troublest week,¡± McKaye emphasized.


    ¡°Something like that.¡±


    I left the cabin and headed towards the pack house instead of going home. I hadn¡¯t reached the stone paths but caught an alluring scent in the breeze. My heart beat faster the closer I got to the scent.


    Then she was there, alone under the tree, sitting on the bench. She was so lost with something in her hands that she didn¡¯t even notice that I was already behind her.


    My eyes instinctivelynded on the charcoal sketch of the vineyards and the ample amount of her cleavage.


    ¡°You¡¯re good.¡±


    She yelped in her seat, hand on her chest. Then she nced up at me, ring. ¡°What the hell? Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Don¡¯t sneak out like that again, especially when I have a knife.¡±


    ¡°You never heard meing?¡± I joined her on the bench. She had a bottle of Ros¨¦ and a half-full ss.


    ¡°No.¡± I grabbed the ss and sipped it.


    ¡°That¡¯s mine.¡±


    ¡°And mine, too.¡±


    ¡°Why are you here, cocky alpha?¡±


    ¡°You ignored my call. You didn¡¯t join them over dinner, yet you¡¯re here having alone time for yourself.¡± I met her gaze. Her eyes shone in the night. She was damn beautiful, and my fingers itched to feel the softness of her cheeks.


    ¡°I told you, I love to have a lone time for myself. It helps me think. You should learn to respect that.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re good at sketching. Not nning on making it a living?¡±


    She snorted. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be in your castle talking to your teapot?¡±


    I smiled as I used my thumb to wipe the dirt on the bridge of her nose. ¡°You have charcoal here. That is if youe with me.¡±


    She blushed and said, ¡°In your dream, alpha.¡±

 23

    NIRVANA


    ¡°There you go.¡± Kailin just threw something at me, and I caught it before it hit my face.


    I was just in the vineyards earlier when Knight joined me, ruining my peaceful moment alone.


    ¡°What the-¡± I opened my hand and saw a key with the Mercedes logo. ¡°Who owned this?¡±


    ¡°Your baby.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Knight?¡±


    ¡°Unless you have another baby who owns a Mercedes Benz S-ss car.¡± She already turned her heels and grabbed my room door.


    ¡°K, wait.¡±


    She frowned. ¡°Don¡¯t negotiate with me. Knight chose it for you.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Shut up and use it. You¡¯ll hurt his feelings if you refuse to use the car, and a bad mood alpha isn¡¯t so easy to deal with.¡± She shut the door before me.


    I went to my bed and grabbed my phone. I scrolled halfway through my Phonebook to find his name, and I ended up typing it, but nada. Maybe he didn¡¯t save his number before Axell called.


    I dialed Kailin.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but if you don¡¯t like that car, go ahead and return it to your mate.¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s fine. Can you send me his number?¡±


    ¡°He didn¡¯t save it on your phone?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t find his name.¡±


    Kailinughed. ¡°Try typing Nirvana¡¯s hot biker alpha. Maybe you¡¯ll find it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not funny.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯m sending it now.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I ended the call, and at the same time, I received his number.


    I dialed it. He saved his number with the name XMYKNIGHTX.


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Shit. I remembered the missed call logs. God, I was so stupid.


    He picked it up quickly. ¡°Nirvana?¡± His voice was the same in person but softer, like he was about to sleep.


    ¡°Did I catch you in a bad time?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m reading something.¡±


    ¡°I have to ask your number from K because I didn¡¯t know what name you saved your number for.¡±


    ¡°I got distracted by the call from your ex. Did he call you again?¡±


    ¡°I think you scared him enough he didn¡¯t even text me.¡±


    ¡°Good. I don¡¯t like your ex calling you.¡±


    ¡°So, do your exes still call you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have exes, Nirvana,¡± he said in annoyance.


    ¡°Whatever. The car key Kailin gave me, I can¡¯t ept it. What if I got into an ident and can¡¯t afford the repair.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s ensured. Use it. Tell K to drive you to my house so you can get the car.¡±


    ¡°The winery is not that far. I can-¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, I don¡¯t ept no for an answer, especially if it concerns your safety. Just do as I say.¡±


    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll return it once I get my car from New York.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to send it here. I don¡¯t use that car more often, especially if I¡¯m just around the area.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡±


    ¡°Bye.¡±


    ¡°Goodnight, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Night, Knight.¡± I chuckled in the end.


    ¡°Why are youughing?¡± He sounded like smiling, too.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me? I just said, night Knight.¡±


    ¡°I heard it. See you tomorrow, sweetheart.¡±


    My heart skipped a beat, even if he already hung up the call. Did he just call me sweetheart? I was expecting someone like Knight to call me maybe, babe, but I still felt the flutter in my belly.


    I couldn¡¯t sleep after the call, and I was still smiling for at least ten minutes, but what made me happy the most was the content of the boxes and the easel when I unboxed earlier.


    He didn¡¯t have to do all that, but I appreciated simple things and simple gestures more than the expensive and grander ones.


    He bought aplete supply of colors from acrylic to oil and watercolor, and the best part was he gave me high-quality brushes and different sizes of canvas. I also found sketch pads, charcoals, graphite, and pencils.


    My stomach suddenly growled. I went down to the kitchen to make some sandwiches. They had stainless appliances and a fantastic collection of kitchen utensils. It reminds me of my grandfather¡¯s kitchen in the restaurant.


    When the twins came in, I grabbed sourdough bread and some ingredients for my sandwiches.


    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t notice someone is here. We cane back.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly. Come on in.¡± I sliced the bread and heat a pan. ¡°The cook doesn¡¯t mind me using the kitchen, right? Or your alpha.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± The blond with tanner skin than his twin came to the table.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Alpha Knight.¡±


    ¡°Alpha?¡± asked the other twin, pretending he didn¡¯t know what I was talking about.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re both werewolves. Knight is your alpha, Kaleb is the beta, and Luka is the delta or the third-inmand. How am I doing so far?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about, Miss Thorne,¡± the tanner one said.


    ¡°Really, guys?¡± I poured a good amount of olive oil into the pan and put two slices of bread. ¡°Knight told me everything, and my grandfather is also a werewolf, a pack member of one of the New York packs.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re human.¡± There was a hesitation in West¡¯s voice as he sniffed the air.


    ¡°Long story, but yes. And call me Vana.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m North,¡± said the tanner, ¡°and my twin, West.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re kidding?¡± My eyes widened. ¡°Your names are North and West?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± they said in unison.


    ¡°Wow. So why are you here in the kitchen?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re hoping to eat some leftovers,¡± North said.


    ¡°Go ahead so I can heat it for you.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re good. Thanks.¡±


    ¡°Well, suit yourself.¡± I grabbed some lettuce, ham, tomatoes, goat cheese, and arug. Then I flipped my bread.


    ¡°Um, can I have one of your sandwiches, if it¡¯s okay?¡± West said hesitantly.


    I smiled as I put some tomato slices in the pan. ¡°How about you, North.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s okay?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± I made two more sandwiches and put a lot of ham. ¡°So why are you still up?¡±


    ¡°Alpha asked us to sweep the perimeters south of the property to make sure there were no unfamiliar scents or rogues around the area. Mad came with us, too.¡±


    ¡°Mad?¡±


    ¡°Maddox,¡± West said, ¡°The Goldilocks guy. Don¡¯t tell him I said that.¡±


    ¡°Noted. Are there any reports of an attack recently?¡± I put their sandwiches into two tes.


    ¡°It¡¯s been months since we heard of an animal attack.¡± West grabbed some bottled water in the ref. He gave me one, and they started munching their sandwiches. ¡°This is way better than the sandwich in the cafe near the school.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I took a bite, too. It was good.


    ¡°Maybe Alpha is just trying to be careful.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s right, though,¡± West replied to his twin.


    Once we were done, they volunteered to clean our mess.


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t tell Alpha you made sandwiches for us?¡±


    My brows furrowed. ¡°Why do you want me to lie to your alpha?¡±


    ***


    ¡°Are you sure he¡¯s here?¡± I nced up at his big three-story modern house, almost as big as the pack house. ¡°And he lives here alone?¡±


    ¡°Yup. He also greatly values his privacy, but the guys oftene to his house to watch football. He had a huge TV screen. I alsoe here when he needs me.¡±


    I got out of the car and looked around. His had an elegant driveway with a neatly trimmedwn.


    ¡°It screams luxury. He seemed so down-to-earth aside from when he¡¯s wearing a suit.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s who he is. He never brags about his wealth.¡±


    ¡°So where is he?¡±


    ¡°Looking for me?¡± He had juste out of the front door in his t-shirt and jeans, yet he still looked devastatingly handsome. ¡°Come inside.¡±


    ¡°I have to go back to work.¡±


    ¡°Wait. You¡¯re leaving?¡± I felt like I was being yed.


    ¡°Yeah. I just took you here so you could take the car.¡± Kailin quickly got in the car and drove off, leaving me stunned in my ce.


    Now that she was gone from the property, I didn¡¯t know what to do anymore. Or I could just ask where the car was so I could drive away or get inside his house where it would be just him and me.


    ¡°Nirvana,e inside.¡±


    Great.

 24

    KNIGHT


    Nirvana had an uneasy posture as she got into my house. She looked around the living room but hadn¡¯t said anything.


    ¡°Take a seat. You want coffee?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good.¡± She took a seat on the leather couch, and I went to the kitchen to take my coffee in the tumbler. I decided to work at home today, and maybe I could spend some time with her.


    When I came back to the couch, Nirvana was not there anymore.


    ¡°Nirvana?¡± I followed her scent and found her in the hallway, looking at one of the paintings.


    ¡°I really like this artist. He spent hours and hours perfecting his art. His masterpiece is ssic. His traditional way of painting made him one of a kind. This encaustic painting is one of my favorites.¡±


    ¡°Do you collect his paintings?¡±


    She chuckled as she looked at me. ¡°You know how much his painting is worth? He is one of the subjects in the painting ss I attended.¡±


    ¡°Well, I have more of his paintings, and you can have them too if you choose to stay here.¡±


    ¡°Tempting, but thank you.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± I gestured to the hallway leading to the back garage. ¡°This way.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have a car cheaper and older than I have?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t collect cars, and I rarely use the one you have.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for doing this.¡±


    ¡°I told you I will take care of you.¡± I opened the garage door, and she instantly saw the car I gave her. ¡°Let¡¯s take the car for the spin.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have some business video conference to attend?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡± I went to the passenger side as she unlocked the car.


    ¡°K set this up, did she?¡± she said as she got in the driver¡¯s seat and ignited the engine.


    ¡°No. Actually, it was my n. You¡¯ve been here for days, and I haven¡¯t taken you on tour in the vineyards.¡± We left the house, and she pulled up to the road.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m driving your car. Most men don¡¯t want their babies to be driven by other people, even their girlfriends.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re more than my girlfriend.¡±


    ¡°Yet you introduced me to your assistant as your girlfriend.¡±


    ¡°This is just a car, Nirvana, and I told her you¡¯re my girlfriend because you¡¯re not wearing my ring, and so you¡¯re not my wife yet. The next time I introduce you to other people, you¡¯ll be my fiancee.¡±


    ¡°So optimistic. Where are we going?¡±


    ¡°Turn right, and you¡¯re driving like a grandma.¡±


    A full-blown smile spread her lips. ¡°I drive like a grandma? First, this is not my car. I don¡¯t want it to get scratched on my first day. Second, I¡¯m not familiar with this road around here. There¡¯s no sign, so forgive me, Mr. ckwell.¡± She turned hard right, and dust flew on the dirty road, ¡°You better put your seatbelt on, sir.¡±


    ¡°Noted, grandma.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but smile as I strapped in my seatbelt, and she had just driven from sixty to eighty, then more. I could barely see the road behind us covered with dust.


    ¡°Okay, sweetheart. Just slow down and turn another right,¡± I told her when we were near the vineyards.


    ¡°Call me sweetheart again, and this car will end up in the vineyards.¡±


    ¡°Then you¡¯ll end up going to work on a bicycle.¡±


    ¡°Maybe that¡¯s a damn good idea. I haven¡¯t worked out in days.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a mini gym in the pack house. I have one, too, but it would put me at ease if you don¡¯t go to the mini gym. Guys use it a lot.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re wearing those tiny workout clothes, I have to poke each eye of my guys if they keep staring at you. I don¡¯t want to have blind enforcers.¡±


    Sheughed as she slowed down, watching the vineyards through the side mirror. Her rich voice filled the car.


    ¡°Wow. Overprotective much?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Very, and I just realized yesterday how jealous I could be.¡±


    ¡°This view is priceless. Incredible, like some shots in movies.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s true.¡±


    ¡°And it is so peaceful in here. The benefit of being outside the city. Is that why you chose to build that house over there?¡±


    ¡°Part of the reason, yes.¡±


    ¡°And the other reason?¡± She stole a nce at me.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stay in the pack house anymore. My unmated members keep growing. So when I saved some money, I called an architect friend of mine, and he made a n for me.¡±


    ¡°Do you have pack members outside the vineyards?¡±


    ¡°Yes. They live in the city, but theye to attend meetings, holidays, or if there are special asions like weddings or pack parties. Park here.¡±


    She pulled over the car at the harvesting area.


    ¡°I¡¯ll show you something.¡±


    We climbed out of the car.


    ¡°You put on the perfect outfit.¡± I nced down at her boots.


    ¡°Making fun of my shoes?¡±


    ¡°I think you look cool.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Your assistant is attractive.¡±


    I grinned, and she frowned. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re jealous of her?¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not, but you¡¯re young, attractive, sessful, and single.¡±


    ¡°Single?¡± I stopped and stared at her. ¡°Are you single, Nirvana?¡±


    She rolled her eyes as she walked through the spacing. ¡°I mean, before you introduced me. Some men in your position sleep with their secretaries. Have you?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I like about you. You¡¯re brutally honest, straightforward, and vocal.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no reason to talk bullshit, Knight.¡±


    ¡°No, sweetheart. I enforce no fraternization among my employees, which also applies to the boss. So, no, I never slept with my employees. I turned down her invitation to go for a drink. I tell you now. You don¡¯t have to worry about other women. I ammitted to you and would never cheat on you.¡±


    ¡°You mean to this mate thing. If you only have a choice, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve already done it.¡±


    ¡°I did. I did it to protect you, and I wasn¡¯t ready to have a mate.¡±


    ¡°Let alone a human like me, but I¡¯m not ready for you to bite me, alpha.¡±


    ¡°I know, my luna.¡±


    She snorted. ¡°Even the sound of it is so absurd.¡±


    ¡°For now, yeah, because you haven¡¯t fallen for me yet.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you should try making me fall for you then.¡±


    ¡°Trying here, Nirvana, but I¡¯m taking it as a challenge.¡±


    She suddenly halted, pointing at those rows of grapes almost ready for harvest. ¡°Oh, my God. Are those?¡±


    ¡°Almost ready, yeah.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God.¡± She kept saying that. ¡°Can I touch them?¡± She ran in that direction. ¡°I mean, I¡¯ve seen plenty in the farmer¡¯s market but haven¡¯t gone to the vineyards and watched them harvest.¡±


    ¡°You appreciate this a lot, but a hundred thousand dor car.¡±


    ¡°Shut up. Can I touch them?¡±


    ¡°You can go pick some, sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°Aw.¡± She caressed a cluster of grapes like a baby, and my mind went sideways or precisely south, thinking it was my balls in her palm. Then she picked a piece of grape and wiped it on her shirt before she popped it into her mouth, closed her eyes, and chewed it. ¡°Damn.¡±


    When she opened her eyes, and I looked down at her, she narrowed them. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that.¡±


    Tucker appeared. ¡°Alpha, if you wanna tour around, I can bring you a truck.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re good. Tucker. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Ma¡¯am.¡± He smiled, acknowledging Nirvana¡¯s presence.


    ¡°It¡¯s Vana. I could just sit here, look at this ce, paint it, and never tire of it. You¡¯re Tucker, Roisin¡¯s mate.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. The best job in the world. When you see the fruit of your hard workes to life.¡±


    ¡°I know that feeling, Tucker.¡±


    ¡°Let me know if you need anything,¡± he said before he left.


    Nirvana went to grab a cluster but couldn¡¯t take it off the vine.


    ¡°Need help?¡±


    ¡°I got it.¡± She twisted and twisted it, but the poor cluster wouldn¡¯t just separate. ¡°I think I don¡¯t get it, alpha.¡±


    I chuckled as I went to help her. ¡°Watching you struggle is fun.¡±


    ¡°Not funny, but I never picked grapes from the tree. I know what you¡¯re going to say. It¡¯s not a tree.¡±


    ¡°Here you go?¡± I put it on her palm, and she handled it like someone carrying a baby.


    ¡°I¡¯d been meaning to ask you. Why didn¡¯t you take an art major?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not good at it, and I can¡¯t make it a living, and I know one day I have to manage the restaurant when Grandpa retires.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re going back and leave me?¡±


    Nirvana looked at me intensely for a moment until the silence between us became unbearable.


    ¡°I need your answer.¡±


    ¡°What do you think, Alpha?¡±

 25

    NIRVANA


    ¡°You haven¡¯t answered my question.¡± He sounded pissed, so when he suggested to get out of the vineyards and drive, I didn¡¯t resist. Irritation boiled down the surface, showing all over his face. ¡°Nirvana, I¡¯m not talking to myself here.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t argue with an angry alpha, and I couldn¡¯t tell him the truth either, at least if I could keep it to myself longer.


    ¡°I heard you the first time, Knight.¡± Honestly, I wanted to stay, but I was not sure if we could work it out if Zarah couldn¡¯t find a way to break the curse, and I would stay human for the rest of my life.


    I had already sacrificed a lot here. I left my life, my dream back in New York, left my grandfather alone to be with him. I was still not entirely sure if he would do the same if he were in my position.


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°Maybe I stay human forever. Are you okay with a weak human mate? I know you wished you had a mate like Shadow. Strong, powerful, gifted, and with a lot of connections, and I can¡¯tpete.¡±


    ¡°For fuck sake, Nirvana. I know what I signed up for.¡± He was really mad, driving like a lunatic.


    ¡°Can you slow down?¡± Irritation rose in my chest, and he started to scare me. I remembered Kailin told me not to pick a fight with the alpha and piss him off. I had to check my seatbelt and make sure it was secured. ¡°You¡¯re scaring me.¡±


    ¡°Now you¡¯re scared. I¡¯m not even driving fast.¡±


    The car felt like flying as we reached the main road.


    ¡°Pull over if you have a death wish. I¡¯m human, and I don¡¯t heal fast like you. Whatever pissed you off is ridiculous. I wanna get out, Knight. I¡¯d rather walk home.¡±


    He stepped on the brake, tires screeching the asphalt road, and burnt rubber filled the air. He breathed hard before his angry stare fixed on me.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I want to say this once and for all, Nirvana, and make sure you keep this in mind. The moment I decided to take a trip to New York to take you with me, I epted the fact that you are human.¡±


    I watched him pour his heart out to me, and the more his face filled with emotions, the more he looked more beautiful.


    ¡°The Goddess wouldn¡¯t have paired us if we were not good together. With or without the mating bond, I like you. And I don¡¯t like youparing yourself with another woman. Yes, she¡¯s powerful because she¡¯s a Lycan with a gift, but you are you. You have your own strength. And I don¡¯t give a shit about you getting a gift. Just you being here is enough for me.¡±


    I didn¡¯t know what had gotten into me. I held my breath and unbuckled my seatbelt so I could cup his face and looked right into his eyes, and our sexual tension crackled up enough to cause a massive explosion inside the car.


    We stared at each other for a moment, our noses merely a thread apart. He looked so intense, fiery, and hot, and I could feel the warmth of his breath on my face. When his eyesnded on my lips, I took the leap and leaned in. I closed my eyes and pressed my lips against his.


    He gasped, unmoving for a moment, and I hoped it was a good gasp, or I swore I wished I wasn¡¯t here as he watched me face the shame.


    Knight had incredibly soft lips. His hand came to the back of my neck, and the other unbuckled his seatbelt and moved down my lower back as he kissed me back with enough insistent sucking that could melt me into a puddle. One light kiss turned into a firm, passionate kiss.


    I honestly had dreamed of my first kiss with him in a more romantic setting, but what was more romantic than kissing the man who would do everything to make me safe and be with him?


    I was totally helpless to the wave of emotions crashing over me.


    I hadn¡¯t expected this kiss to be so passionate, toe-curling, and even my clear head could not protest. I melted into him, and when he bit and nipped my bottom lip, a moan escaped my lips.


    A hum of approval and pride erupted from his throat, fueling an intense, untamed desire inside me, bringing an ache down my core.


    He pulled apart, and we were both breathing hard. He showered me with kisses on my face and lips. ¡°As much as I want to kiss you more on the highway, I¡¯d rather take it somewhere where no one can see us.¡±


    I swallowed and blinked, my face ming. ¡°Um. Sorry. I didn¡¯t know-¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re quick to regret.¡± He looked hurt and offended.


    ¡°Oh, no. I didn¡¯t mean like that.¡±


    ¡°Then what do you mean?¡± He leaned in to put my seatbelt back on.


    ¡°I never initiated a kiss.¡±


    And he just flipped from a brooding alpha to a smiling, beautiful man. ¡°Good thing you did.¡±


    ¡°Because you never n on kissing me?¡±


    He scoffed as he buckled his seatbelt and drove. ¡°I thought of you more than just kissing you. Why do you think I put distance between us? I couldn¡¯t keep my hands to myself when we were this close. I hope our first kiss wasn¡¯t that bad.¡±


    My cheeks were burning. ¡°Shut up, and if you tell a soul, I swear to God, alpha or not, I will strangle you in your sleep.¡±


    ¡°Did you just threaten me?¡± He was more amused than threatened. Eyes glinted with humor.


    ¡°Call it whatever you want.¡±


    ¡°Dully noted. Not telling a soul.¡± He did a cross-my-heart-and-hope-to-die gesture, which was cute.


    ¡°I¡¯m serious, Knight.¡±


    ¡°Men don¡¯t usually kiss and tell, but I doubt women could keep their mouth shut.¡±


    ¡°Are you saying-¡± His phone suddenly rang, putting my thoughts on hold.


    ¡°Hold on. Let me take this call.¡±


    ¡°Luka, what is it? I¡¯m out with Nirvana.¡±


    He just growled, which meant Luka, from the other line, said something that just pissed him off. ¡°What the fuck was he thinking? He¡¯s going to get himself killed.¡±


    I gripped his arm. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    He nced at me. ¡°Give me a sec.¡±


    I nodded. ¡°Okay.¡±


    He made a sharp right turn, driving off the road as if we were in a drag race. ¡°Put my name on, Luka. I will stop this madness.¡± He grunted. ¡°Yes. My name and I don¡¯t give a shit. Now! We¡¯re ten minutes away.¡±


    He hung up the call and tossed the phone to the dashboard.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Cadogan and his gang are not leaving these twins until they die.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean? North and West? I just met themst night in the kitchen. I made sandwiches for them.¡±


    ¡°You made them sandwiches?¡± He gave me that look again.


    ¡°Don¡¯t change the subject, Knight. How are you nning on stopping this madness?¡±


    ¡°Just watch out. The kids could just kill them in a heartbeat, but that would not stop them froming after us, escting havoc into my vineyards.¡±


    ¡°So what¡¯s the n?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the n.¡±

 26

    NIRVANA


    I instantly saw Luka, McKaye, and Kaleb outside the building, which looked like a nightclub named Lioness.


    ¡°Alpha, Vana.¡± Kaleb met us at the parking lot. ¡°The show is about to start.¡±


    ¡°All right. Who else is with us?¡±


    ¡°Guys from the pack house. They came with us when I told them you would be here.¡±


    ¡°Is Kailin with you?¡±


    ¡°Yes. She¡¯s with the guys,¡± replied Luka while I was still confused about what was happening.


    Knight turned to me. ¡°Nirvana, McKaye will take you to Kailin. Stay with them and keep your phone with you all the time.¡±


    ¡°Why? What¡¯s exactly going on?¡± My heart started beating fast. I had a feeling a terrible thing was about to happen.


    ¡°Hey. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m just going with the guys at the back.¡± He rubbed my arms as he might see the fear in my eyes, but I was not entirely convinced about going with the guys if it would not involve something dangerous and reckless.


    ¡°We¡¯re in a nightclub, Knight. Unless you¡¯re preparing for a dance number, which I am sure you¡¯re not, I know you¡¯re nning on doing something reckless after what they did to the twins. Tell me, or I walk out.¡±


    Luka and Kaleb just stood there, hiding their smiles from their alpha.


    ¡°Yes, this is a nightclub owned by the bikers, and it¡¯s still closed, but there¡¯s an underground fight club under it.¡±


    ¡°A what?¡± I asked in shock and terror. And you¡¯re going to fight?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± I punched his chest. He didn¡¯t even budge or react. ¡°Is this what you meant by putting an end to this? What if you get hurt?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a fighter and an alpha. Don¡¯t sell him short,¡± Kaleb defended his alpha.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to watch you get punched, Knight. I¡¯m going home.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. I promise.¡± He cupped my head and kissed me on the forehead, causing these two idiots to grin.


    ¡°Shut that grin off, or I will knee your nutsack.¡± ring at them made them more amused. ¡°Unbelievable.¡±


    ¡°Mac, take her to Kailin, and please, don¡¯t let her out of your sight,¡± he told McKaye, who wasing over to us.


    ¡°No! I¡¯m not going in there.¡± I stepped back. ¡°I can¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s gonna be fine. I bet my hundred bucks on him,¡± said McKaye as he gestured for me to join him. ¡°Come on.¡±


    ¡°You are all crazy. God, what did I get myself into?¡± I narrowed my eyes at them, especially Knight, who seemed too calm and rxed, given that he was about to face his death. ¡°If you lose, I will go back to New York. That¡¯s a promise, alpha.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go then, and if I win?¡±


    ¡°Then you¡¯re lucky.¡±


    ¡°No, I want more.¡±


    ¡°What do you want?¡± I challenged him, which was a terrible idea because I had no clue what he could do besides grow fangs and transform himself into a wolf.


    ¡°You¡¯reing home with me and finish what we started.¡±


    My face heated while he was beaming at me, and we just got whistles from the guys.


    ¡°No deal.¡±


    ¡°Then I might just let the bad guys win.¡±


    ¡°Fine!¡± I went with McKaye, still mad and worried at the same time. ¡°How good is he?¡±


    ¡°You just lost your bet, Vana.¡±


    I stared at him in disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re kidding, right?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s that good. You¡¯ll see.¡±


    ¡°Shit.¡±


    We went to the front door and walked through the long hallway. Next door had two guards wearing bikers¡¯ leather jackets named Coyote Bikers Club on them.


    McKaye pulled out his wallet and gave them two hundred bucks. ¡°For me and thedy.¡±


    The bikers barely nodded with the same pissed-off look.


    The taller guy said, ¡°Your guy is gonna die today.¡±


    ¡°Good luck with that,¡± said McKaye, smirking before we entered the door.


    ¡°Who¡¯s Knight¡¯s opponent?¡±


    ¡°Their best fighter.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I grabbed him by his shirt. ¡°He¡¯s fighting the biker¡¯s champion? How do you think Knight will have a chance over him?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a werewolf. He¡¯s stronger than any of us. What do you think his opponent had against him?¡±


    ¡°Is that even legal?¡±


    ¡°This is illegal, and they y dirty.¡±


    I closed my gaping mouth when I couldn¡¯t think of anything but fear.


    We stepped down to the crowded area. Men and women were waiting for the main events while the fight was still ongoing in the ring.


    ¡°Five hundred for the opponents.¡± McKaye had just ced the bets, and the man on the table snorted at him before giving him the bet slip.


    ¡°I¡¯m not gonna bet for him.¡±


    ¡°Just fifty bucks. Come on. This is your first underground fight club experience.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± I rolled my eyes as I took some bills from my crossbody bag. ¡°You guys are unbelievable.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    After betting, we went to find Kailin.


    Her eyes widened to see me joining her. Roisin, Aspen, and the guys were also there.


    ¡°This is insane.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my Goddess!¡± She got up and pulled me into a hug.


    ¡°Hey. You¡¯re here,¡± Aspen said. Roisin, Maddox, the Goldilocks, and Zander waved.


    ¡°It¡¯s my initiation day. I guess I¡¯m joining the club, but I¡¯m terrified.¡± I turned to Kailin. ¡°I thought you¡¯re working.¡±


    ¡°My boss is out, so there¡¯s no reason for me to keep working.¡± She strolled her gaze from my head down to my toes. ¡°Flushed face, dted pupils. I take it your date went well.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wrong. We fought on our way here. I¡¯m still pissed off hence the flushed face, and he¡¯s going to get himself killed.¡±


    ¡°When I told you he¡¯s protective of his guys. This is his way of protecting us. Sit with me.¡± She turned to her brother. ¡°You¡¯re staying?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here to babysit our luna.¡±


    ¡°Stop it,¡± I told McKaye. ¡°You can go with them. I¡¯m fine with K.¡±


    ¡°Alpha¡¯s order. Not breaking it.¡±


    This was absurd even for McKaye. ¡°You¡¯re not serious.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like god¡¯s words. I don¡¯t disregard Knight¡¯s order.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s fine. We¡¯re close to the ring. We can watch Alpha closely.¡±


    The winner was announced, and the guy with a bloody nose and swollen eyes won. The loser hadn¡¯t moved on the ground, causing me to palpitate.


    ¡°Is he dead?¡±


    ¡°Good as dead.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God.¡± I could hardly breathe, knowing Knight could be next on the ground.


    The announcer started introducing the man to fight against Knight, and my heart hammered even more. He was bigger and an inch or two taller than Knight. ¡°Bulldozer!¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t breathe. How will he take that giant down, K? And who named him Bulldozer? Seriously!¡±


    ¡°Rx. Our guy¡¯s gonna receive some punches, but he¡¯s gonna win. Trust me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, God. Why did I evene here? This is insane.¡±


    ¡°And the man who has enough courage to take the title from the defending champion. From the left¡­¡±


    Boos erupted from the audience. Irritation filled my chest.


    ¡°Assholes,¡± Kailin grunted while McKaye just sat calmly next to me.


    ¡°Let¡¯s give a hand to the man calling himself Alpha!¡± Knight took off his shirt and boots but wore the same pants. He was magnificent shirtless, showing off the prominent V between his hips and his sinewed muscles. Damn.


    The enthusiastic crowds erupted to boo and cheers.


    ¡°Please win this fight.¡± I found myself standing, apuding, and supporting Knight.


    ¡°You know the rules,¡± said the announcer. ¡°There are no rules!¡±


    The crowd just went wild.


    ¡°Let the fight begin!¡±


    I held my breath from the moment Knight¡¯s opponent came, stalking him. I¡¯d never watched violent sports before, even wrestling on TV. I just couldn¡¯t stomach watching someone bleed and knockdown to the ground.


    They started throwing punches, and I cringed every time it almost hit Knight. That guy had longer limbs and just kicked Knight in the abdomen.


    I started hyperventting as I watched Knight fall to the ground, hitting his back against the ring. The crowd roared.


    ¡°Breath, Vana. This is just the beginning.¡± K shook me. ¡°Breath, and don¡¯t ever pass out in here.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay.¡± I took deep breaths.


    Knight stood up and went on his stance. I hugged K tightly and hid my face on her back when the big guy tried to block Knight¡¯s strikes.


    ¡°Just get it done!¡± said the man a few seats to us.


    ¡°Bulldozer! Bulldozer!¡± They began chanting his name as he threw punches and kicked Knight.


    ¡°Maybe you can link him and tell him to knock that giant down. Why is he getting all those punches and not striking back?¡±


    ¡°Hey. He¡¯s just warming up. Where¡¯s the fun in that?¡± McKaye chuckled.


    ¡°Fun? He¡¯s getting beaten by that hippopotamus!¡± I just received a re from the D-cup-size woman sitting before us. ¡°What? Do you want punches?¡±


    McKaye held hisugh enough for his face to turn red while the woman with big fake boobs chewing gum just pissed me off.


    ¡°Alpha, I¡¯m getting bored! Unless you¡¯ll finish him now, or I¡¯m going home!¡±

 27

    KNIGHT


    I spat the blood on the ground.


    This was fun. I missed those times. This loser thought he could beat me- only in his dream.


    I was just giving his fans a little bit of a taste of happiness until I broke his jaw and left him unconscious. He had a strong kick and punch, though. If I didn¡¯t heal fast, I wouldn¡¯tst this long.


    I was sweating, yet I felt like I was only warming up. I did this in college to save money, and I never lost. Given what I was, I knew it was cheating, but I loved the attention and money.


    ¡°Alpha, I¡¯m getting bored! Unless you¡¯ll finish him now, or I¡¯m going home!¡±


    I chuckled as I heard Nirvana yell. Yeah, I knew where she was, and she looked terrified, clinging to Kailin.


    ¡°This is for you, sweetheart.¡± I straightened my stance and focused on the guy¡¯s weakness.


    My wolf growled inside me, agitated and excited to feel the blood on my fist. It was getting boring anyway. I had to finish this off and bring home my mate.


    Bulldozer threw his punch. I saw it in his eyes. The triumph was just within arm¡¯s reach. But not today. Call me cocky, but everyone should know I was winning. The guy was quickly burning out.


    I dodged my head back and blocked his arm. He hadn¡¯t grasped his surprise. My fist had already hit his jaw with an uppercut punch. A gasp erupted around the underground crowd. I watched Bulldozer¡¯s head tilt back, and his body fell to the ground with a thud.


    I wasn¡¯t nearly done- I wanted to make sure Bulldozer couldn¡¯t get up while I took and celebrated my win, but I made sure he wouldn¡¯t die in my hands. I locked him on his chest, punching him in the face until his head fell to the side, and he went unconscious.


    ¡°Our winner! Alpha!¡± The name Alpha in the ring was just for fun until it stuck in me.


    Luka and Kaleb came to me, wiping my sweat and blood.


    ¡°You did it.¡± Luka was grinning like a kid.


    ¡°You have doubts?¡± Kaleb asked.


    ¡°No fucking way. It just took too long for him to knock out that pig. He thought he had the chance to break your pretty face.¡±


    ¡°Boss wanted to see you,¡± said the bulky man in a ponytail.


    I nodded as I turned to Kaleb. ¡°Meet me outside. Luka,e with me.¡±


    ¡°Right, alpha. Link us if things go south with Cadogan.¡± He gave me my T-shirt back.


    ¡°It won¡¯t be long.¡± I put my shirt on and went with the man in a ponytail.


    We went into the office upstairs. Cadogan was waiting for me on his desk. Three men in leather jackets were standing at the corner.


    Cadogan was a man with many tattoos who owned and rode a Harley. He was a typical bully even in histe fifties, just like his son, Travis- an apple didn¡¯t really fall far from the tree.


    Maybe my luck in bribing him with wines was over, and I was also done with it when his son kept on hurting my people- the people I protected.


    ¡°I see. You won.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not about winning against your best fighter. I want your son, Travis, and his men to stop harassing my boys.¡±


    ¡°Or what?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t test me, Cadogan. I¡¯ve been patient for months. The twins had let your son beat them, and they chose to get beaten. I want you to tell Travis to leave the boys alone, or the next time they beat the twins, I will take it into my own hands, and you won¡¯t gonna like it.¡±


    ¡°Are you threatening me in my own home?¡± Anger filled his eyes, and his hands formed into fists on his desk.


    ¡°If it sounds like a threat, then it is.¡±


    ¡°Tell your boys to stay away where Travis is.¡±


    ¡°This is a free country. I won¡¯t tell them anything as long as they do not step into your property.¡±


    ¡°You might be in luck winning against Bull, but it will eventually run out.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±


    ¡°I have men and guns, and you¡¯re the only guy in your merry band of misfits who can fight.¡±


    I chuckled when the first guy in the corner formed his hands into fists. ¡°Don¡¯t try me, Cadogan. I¡¯m here as a courtesy call. The next time I step into this property, I either drop bodies or burn this building down to the ground. So, onest time, stay away from my boys.¡±


    I nced over at the three guys. If they even stepped forward, I would beat them into pulps.


    I stepped out, not waiting for him to intimidate me with his minions and guns. I also knew how to use guns. I had it at home and in the pack house just in case people woulde to harm us.


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± Luka asked as we walked out of the building.


    ¡°Not even the slightest.¡±


    ¡°What are we gonna do now?¡±


    ¡°We have to be careful this time. I think I just poked the bear. The grizzly bear.¡±


    Lukaughed. ¡°The ugly coyote. If it¡¯s a panda, I would love to pet him.¡±


    We reached the parking lot, where everyone was waiting for us.


    ¡°You son of-¡± Nirvana pursed her lips as she hit my chest with her fist. ¡°You¡¯re trying to give me a heart attack!¡±


    When no one seemed to react, she nced at them one by one, and her cheeks turned red like tomatoes. ¡°Was it bad to hit an alpha?¡±


    Everyone shrugged as they retrieved into the SUV and cars.


    ¡°You can do whatever you want. He¡¯s your man,¡± Kailin grinned before she joined her brother inside the SUV.


    ¡°Gosh.¡± She might have finally realized something. ¡°They knew, didn¡¯t they?¡±


    ¡°Knew what?¡± I unlocked the car.


    ¡°Give me the key, Knight. I¡¯ll drive.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m driving.¡±


    ¡°You just get punches and kicks. You should be going to the hospital for a thorough exam.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t heal fast if I tear a major artery, and I¡¯m feeling fine.¡± I opened the door to the passenger seat. ¡°Get in the car, sweetheart. Don¡¯t let them wait.¡±


    She blew through her nose and said, ¡°Fine.¡±


    We pulled out of Cadogan¡¯s property before he rained us with bullets.


    ¡°Let me guess. It wasn¡¯t your first or second fight in that kind of ring, is it?¡±


    ¡°Nope. I used to fight in a secret fight club in college, and that¡¯s how I paid my college tuition without touching my parents¡¯ money.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re that good, huh?¡± I could hear the pride and relief in her voice.


    I shrugged it off to not get too cocky.


    ¡°But you were cheating, Knight. They didn¡¯t know, did they?¡±


    ¡°Just like I did earlier, I received punches and kicks. I¡¯m not a pro, but I trained and worked hard to learn how to fight. So, I guess I deserved to win.¡±


    ¡°Whatever. It¡¯s hard to watch you fight against a giant man in that ring.¡±


    ¡°Hey.¡± I reached out to hold her hand. Fortunately, she didn¡¯t pull it back. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I promise I¡¯ll be careful.¡±


    ¡°You should stop doing it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just making a statement earlier, and I talked to Cadogan, father of Travis, who beat the hell out of twins. I gave them a warning, and if they don¡¯t stop what they¡¯re doing, I have no choice but to stop them.¡±


    ¡°Oh, God. What the hell did I get myself into?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. This is not the life I want for us, but the bullying has to end.¡±


    ¡°I guess I knew what I signed up for before I came here with you. I just need to get used to my life now.¡±


    I smiled at her when I remembered our deal. ¡°I heard you cheer for me.¡±


    Her cheek blossomed red. ¡°Shut up. I just got bored watching you both brawl.¡±


    ¡°If you say so, Nirvana. And a deal is a deal.¡±


    Her head snapped in my direction, eyes growing wide. She might have just forgotten about our deal.


    I grinned like a Cheshire cat.


    ¡°It was not valid. We didn¡¯t do it writing.¡±


    ¡°Really, Nirvana? Considering I¡¯m the alpha, my words are consideredw around here.¡±


    ¡°Shit.¡±

 28

    NIRVANA


    ¡°How¡¯s your first experience in the underground fight club, Vana?¡±


    ¡°It hasn¡¯t sunk in, Kaleb. I¡¯d never seen people fight, let alone watch them for entertainment. I don¡¯t even watch WWE or boxing on TV.¡±


    ¡°You did well, considering you didn¡¯t pass out back there.¡±


    ¡°Trying my best not to. It was terrifying, maybe because I knew who was in that ring.¡±


    ¡°Because you care for the person fighting in the ring. If it happens to a stranger, maybe it isn¡¯t that terrifying,¡± Kailin said. ¡°Want more mashed potato?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good.¡±


    ¡°You barely touch your food.¡± Knight saw the food on my te. He was the one who filled it for me, and it could feed five heads.


    ¡°If I eat more, I¡¯m gonna explode.¡± I wasn¡¯t sure everyone was listening until theyughed.


    ¡°Guys, the food is good, but I¡¯m not like you all, who can burn thousands of calories in one run. And it¡¯s worth it if it goes into your muscles, not your tummy.¡±


    They chuckled, still eating.


    ¡°Vana makes a good sandwich.¡± West grabbed anothermb chops and took a huge bite.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± That was all Knight said, making West sag against the chair. ¡°Sit straight, West. You¡¯re on the table of food.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°How much you win, Vana?¡± Aspen asked.


    ¡°Oh.¡± I smiled. ¡°I wish I bet more than fifty bucks.¡±


    ¡°Roisin in, I made two hundred bucks each.¡±


    ¡°If I¡¯ve only known. If McKaye didn¡¯t urge me to ce a bet, I won¡¯t do it.¡±


    ¡°Congrats.¡± Knight was amused.


    After the fun dinner, Kailin and I went upstairs. I took a shower. When I left the bathroom, Kailin was already in my room, checking my sketchpad.


    ¡°How long have you been here?¡±


    ¡°Just a couple of minutes. You improved a lot. Did you enroll in art sses?¡±


    ¡°No. I just do it when I have time,¡± I lied. ¡°Why are you here?¡±


    She ced down my sketchpad and smiled meaningfully. ¡°I can see the sparks between you two. I take it the tour went well.¡±


    I still felt his kiss. Damn, he was a good kisser. I¡¯d never kissed many, but Knight certainly knew how to make women fall on her knees.


    ¡°Earth to, Vana.¡± She snapped her fingers on my face.


    ¡°Um, aside from pissing me off and driving like a lunatic, yeah. It went well. He made fun of me and told me I¡¯m more pleased with a cluster of grapes than his hundred-grand cars.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s trying his best, Vana. He did not experience long-term rtionships. When his parents died, he changed. So just understand him if he seems clueless.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m also trying, K.¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s it? No ns?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Maybe he left.¡± I put on my clothes and brushed my hair.


    ¡°So he¡¯sing and staying here?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°You know what? I don¡¯t have long-term rtionships, but if you¡¯re into him, don¡¯t wait for him. We¡¯re in the 21st century, and Gen Z, like us, is making the first move. Seduce him, but I have a feeling no seducing needed.¡± She beamed.


    ¡°You¡¯re insane, K.¡±


    She got up from my bed. ¡°Just saying. I¡¯d love to take care of my little nieces.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God. We just got into the first base, don¡¯t get too ahead of yourself.¡±


    ¡°Oh, wow! I knew it!¡± She gushed, pointing a finger at me before throwing herself back in the bed.


    ¡°Gee. Calm down. You said it yourself. You guys have enhanced hearing.¡±


    ¡°I knew it. So, who kissed first?¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t kiss and tell. Now, get out so I can rest. I want to run in the morning. Knight said I shouldn¡¯t use the gym with my workout outfit.¡±


    She giggled, throwing a pillow at me. ¡°We¡¯ve been best friends for almost five years, but I never thought you were my cousin¡¯s mate. I should have invited you long before we were in college.¡±


    ¡°Hey. Everything happens for a reason. Maybe it¡¯s the right timing. At least I finished college, or maybe if I had met Knight then, he would have rejected me.¡±


    ¡°Maybe. Knight was a senior, and Mac was just a freshman. Mac told me Knight was a manwhore in college. He was kinda famous on the campus, and girls like bad boys like him.¡±


    ¡°How old was he when he lost his parents?¡±


    ¡°Eighteen. He just started college. It was difficult for everyone. It was one of the darkest moments of our lives, but I was grateful he didn¡¯t do drugs or impregnate someone. Instead-¡±


    ¡°He trained himself and began fighting in a secret underground fight club.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. He told you?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    A knock on my door interrupted us. I got up and went to open the door.


    I froze for a moment before I could speak. ¡°You¡¯re still here.¡±


    ¡°A deal is a deal, Nirvana.¡± He got in without an invitation. ¡°Kailin, go to your room.¡±


    Kailin got up, smiling with a salute. ¡°Aye, aye, captain.¡±


    ¡°See you tomorrow, Vana. Night.¡±


    ¡°Night.¡± I waited until Kailin shut the door closed. ¡°Why are you here aside from collecting our deal?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m staying here. Tomorrow, we go home to my house.¡±


    ¡°You will share my bed?¡± My heart started pumping hard.


    ¡°Yeah. I don¡¯t wanna sleep on the floor.¡± He removed his shoes and socks and got in bed like we had done it a thousand times. ¡°Come to bed and tell me a story.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t do bedtime stories, Knight. I also don¡¯t want to sleep on the floor. This house is too big, has enough empty rooms to sleep over, and you¡¯re the alpha. They will prepare the master¡¯s bedroom for you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, but I don¡¯t wanna go and sleep in the master¡¯s bedroom while my mate is here. And I¡¯m exhausted.¡± He arranged the pillows for both of us. ¡°Come to bed.¡±


    ¡°Why not? The bed in the master¡¯s bedroom has enough space for your feet.¡±


    ¡°Because that¡¯s my parents¡¯ bedroom.¡±


    ¡°Oh. I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t know.¡± I crawled to bed and sat before him. ¡°I was just talking about you before you knocked. I¡¯m sure you heard a part of it.¡±


    He reached out for my hand, linking our fingers together. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m not a good student in college. I slept around-¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna hear about it.¡± I took a deep breath to calm my heartbeat. It was stupid that even his past could affect me.


    ¡°You have small hands and slimmed fingers.¡±


    ¡°Does that disappoint you?¡±


    He smiled. ¡°No. For me, you¡¯re perfect.¡±


    ¡°I bet you¡¯ve said that a thousand times to the girls you slept with.¡±


    ¡°No. We didn¡¯t do much talking. I thought you didn¡¯t wanna talk about my time womanizing.¡±


    ¡°Good idea.¡±


    ¡°Are you sleepy?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± I picked up my sketchpad and grabbed a pencil from the drawer. ¡°I¡¯m not yet exhausted because I didn¡¯t go down punching and kicking a Godzi.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°You were worried about me.¡± He lifted my chin with a finger to meet his gaze.


    ¡°You¡¯re the main reason I¡¯m here. I¡¯m not ready to go back home because you fall into aa.¡±


    ¡°Harsh.¡± He pulled his t-shirt over his head, showing me his abs and distracting me.


    ¡°Yeah. I am.¡± I started doodling, hoping I could do justice to his eyes. For a guy who had been through a lot, he got expressive and warm eyes if he was not pissed off.


    I began with his dark, wavy hair that slightly fell into his eyebrows.


    ¡°Put your shirt back on if you wanna sleep in my bed.¡±


    ¡°I was hoping we could finish what we left off in the car,¡± he said with a smirk, making my pulse race.


    ¡°If you came here for that, I¡¯m sorry to disappoint you, Alpha, but there¡¯s nothing left to finish. It was apse.¡±


    ¡°Quite long for apse, sweetheart.¡± Every time he called me sweetheart, something deep inside me giggled.


    ¡°Shut up.¡± I hid my smile, but he was like a hawk watching my every move, making me almost squirm.


    ¡°What are you scribbling in there?¡±


    ¡°Nothing important.¡±


    ¡°Thene to bed. I promise to behave. My wolf wants to feel you.¡±


    ¡°Screw your wolf. Tell him to behave, or I will slip a wolfsbane in your sandwich.¡±


    ¡°Damn, woman. You¡¯re deadly.¡±

 29

    KNIGHT


    ¡°Can you move a little?¡± I could hear her heartbeat racing as she gestured at me.


    ¡°To the center or side?¡±


    ¡°To your left, Knight.¡± There was an irritation in her voice, but at least she hadn¡¯t kicked me out of her room yet, and the night was still young.


    ¡°This bed fits for both of us, even for three people.¡± I moved a little.


    ¡°I¡¯m not letting anyone in. I¡¯m not interested in a threesome, manwhore.¡± She fixed her pillow andid on her side, stiffed as a b.


    I inwardly growled as I turned to face her. ¡°I didn¡¯t say I want to do a threesome. I want to make things clear between us. I won¡¯t share you with anyone else. Do you understand me? I was trying to say that maybe we¡¯ll have kids someday, and if they want toe to our bed, I will let them. And I want more kids.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re too ahead of yourself, Knight.¡± She narrowed her eyes at me. ¡°Pull yourself together. We have a lot on our tes right now to think of having a big family.¡±


    ¡°This is not helping.¡± I blew a breath as I sat on the bed. ¡°I¡¯m pissing you off instead of gaining your trust. Should I leave?¡±


    ¡°Stay. Just no more talking. I want to sleep in peace.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± She turned on her side. ¡°And if you touch me, even if you¡¯re stronger and heal fast, I will stab you in the neck.¡±


    I chuckled as Iy back beside her. ¡°You¡¯re scary, my little human mate.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know me well, so I suggest you do not easily trust me.¡±


    ¡°Duly noted.¡± I faced her and rested my hand on her waist.


    ¡°What did I say-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not touching you, just resting my arm-¡±


    ¡°Knight, don¡¯t be a pain tonight, okay?¡±


    ¡°So, no making out then?¡±


    ¡°Gee.¡± She quickly turned and red.


    ¡°Okay, okay.¡± Iughed as I raised my hands to surrender. ¡°Let¡¯s get some sleep. Good night, Nirvana.¡±


    ***


    I woke up to something heavy on my abdomen and thighs. Nirvana snuggled tightly.


    I wasn¡¯tining, but if she woke up in this position, she would me me for getting into it. For now, I let my wolf get the satisfaction he craved for so long.


    I kissed the top of her head before I closed my eyes again. She smelled sweeter and sulent, making my cock hard.


    I hadn¡¯t had sex in months. I was busy with work and travel and then met my mate. It wasn¡¯t hard to find a hookup, especially when you had the looks, wearing a thousand-dor suit and driving an expensive car, but I would not hurt Nirvana¡¯s feelings, and my wolf would go wild if I cheated on his mate.


    I knew Nirvana was still fighting the mating pull, and I had done a terrible job of gaining her trust, but I couldn¡¯t even look at women the same way again. All I wanted was my mate.


    As insane as it sounded, I only wanted to make her happy.


    Califf and Shadow were right, after all. My priorities had shifted.


    I woke up to an empty bed. The sun had already risen. Her phone was on her sketch pad, but I didn¡¯t hear noises from the bathroom.


    I grabbed the sketchpad and checked out her work. The first sketch I saw was the vineyards and then my face. It wasn¡¯t nearly finished, but she was really good. She just made my heart race and my stomach flutter. She got my eyes and my hair right.


    I linked Kailin. ¡°Have you seen Nirvana?¡±


    ¡°Thought she¡¯s with you.¡±


    ¡°She was, but maybe she got up early and went out for a run.¡±


    ¡°You two shouldplete the mating process or do a blood pact so she could be a part of our pack. It will keep her safe, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, K. I¡¯m trying hard here, but every time I did something, it pissed her off more than getting her close to me.¡±


    ¡°Patience and just be your annoying yourself. She likes you, and I can see it.¡±


    ¡°Well, she has a terrible way of showing it to me because I see anger and irritated face.¡±


    Sheughed. ¡°You two are so dumb. It¡¯s her way of showing she¡¯s into you and she cares. You should have seen her face when you were in that ring. Goddess, my best friend likes you a lot. Just don¡¯t push her too hard.¡±


    ¡°Good to know.¡±


    ¡°Now go and find her before she runs too far.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    I got up from bed and used the bathroom. I put my clothes back on and got out of her room. Guys were already scattered in the living room.


    ¡°Can I bring breakfast for you, alpha?¡± Roisin asked.


    ¡°Maybeter. I have to find Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s probably in the vineyards. I saw her earlier. Thirty minutes ago.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll look out for her if she goes out, alpha. With your permission, of course.¡±


    ¡°That would be a great idea, Zander. Thanks.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡±


    On foot, I went towards the vineyards but couldn¡¯t catch her scent. Finding her on these ten thousand hectares ofnd was difficult without her phone and our pack link.


    I made my way toward the cabin. Maybe the guys had gone out for a run and seen her. Then, I instantly sniffed her scent and that of the other male werewolves.


    Laughs erupted from the cabin with distinctughs from the twins, Maddox and Gage.


    I pushed the door open, mming it wide because my wolf had just stirred inside me.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± Nirvana startled, her eyes widening as she stared at me, standing at the corner.


    ¡°Alpha.¡± The twins rose, looking terrified, and so did Maddox and Gage.


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± I asked Nirvana.


    The guys went awfully silent, dropping their gazes.


    ¡°I went out for a run while you were still sleeping. I kind of went far. Then I saw theming over here. And they told me this is where they keep their clothes before they go out for a run. And why are you here looking like you¡¯re about to maul us?¡±


    ¡°How was your run?¡± I calmed a little, or it was an instinct to calm down, or we both ended up yelling at each other. If there was one thing I learned about Nirvana, it was that she didn¡¯t yield. Like she said before, she would never submit, which made her a strong luna.


    She smiled and shrugged as she walked towards the door. ¡°Fun, and I like it here. The air doesn¡¯t smell of city pollution or fast food. Also, this is a huge ce. It would take me hours and hours to go around the circle.¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°If you will go out on a run next time, just leave a note or take your phone with you.¡±


    ¡°No can do, Alpha.¡± She cupped my face and squinted. ¡°I¡¯m not like most people who run with their AirPods or headset on and listen to music. I¡¯d rather listen to nature.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go out for a run then.¡±


    She smiled, amused, looking at my outfit. ¡°In that get up?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go home then. I¡¯ll make us breakfast.¡±


    ¡°That I won¡¯t say no to.¡± She let go of me and walked out of the door.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be there,¡± I told her as she walked towards the vineyards.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t do anything, alpha. We just talked,¡± North said.


    ¡°I know. I didn¡¯t smell any scents in her than her own. What did you all talk about?¡± I looked at them one by one.


    ¡°She asked if we went to check the border,¡± West said.


    ¡°And I apologized to her when he saw me,¡± Gage replied.


    ¡°We only talked in three minutes before you arrived, Alpha,¡± Maddox said.


    ¡°If you see her on a run, make sure to keep an eye on her. She¡¯s not an official member of our pack but an important person in my life.¡±


    ¡°We know. She¡¯s your mate and our future luna,¡± Gage¡¯s admission wasn¡¯t surprising.


    News in our pack spread quickly like wildfire. I hadn¡¯t confirmed or announced that Nirvana was my mate, but it didn¡¯t need a rocket scientist to figure it out. I never brought a woman home, and when I did, they all knew she must be important to me.


    ¡°And we will protect her with our lives.¡±


    ¡°I hope it won¡¯te to that, West.¡±


    ¡°Alpha, are youing or what?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± I left the boys and ran towards Nirvana at a supernatural speed.


    She gasped as she found herself in my arms. ¡°Wow.¡±


    ¡°Did you wake up this morning in my arms, Nirvana?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± she scoffed, but her face said otherwise.


    ¡°Right. Next time, I will take a picture as proof that we get along just fine, especially in bed.¡±


    ¡°Do that, and I will break your phone.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go home and make breakfast, sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°So they know?¡±


    ¡°What do they know?¡±


    ¡°That we¡¯re mates.¡±

 30

    NIRVANA


    I woke up wrapped up in his arms. I realized it wasn¡¯t the effect of the mating pull anymore. We liked each other and got along just fine if we were not like cat and mouse.


    Despite our differences, I really liked this guy. He could be domineering, but Ipletely understood, considering his line of work and how these guys look up to him.


    Knight had a reputation and integrity to maintain, and looking at those guys who followed him everywhere without questions and how they respected him, I should, at least, give this rtionship a chance.


    ¡°What are you thinking?¡±


    ¡°You can read my mind too?¡±


    ¡°No, but when weplete the mating process, we can read each other¡¯s thoughts.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I read it from the book, and we can also sense each other¡¯s emotions or if one of us is hurt or something. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s a little creepy?¡±


    ¡°No. Not at all,¡± he confidently said as he ced a waffle on my te. ¡°Do you like syrup or whipped cream?¡±


    After I showered earlier, Knight decided it was time for us to go to his house as part of the deal. So here I was in his massive kitchen, sitting on his stool before the dark granite countertop while he was making us breakfast.


    He told me to sit, so I did what he said as I watched him get busy like a bee before me.


    ¡°Syrup, and if you have strawberries, that would be nice.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Yeah. I have.¡± He grabbed a pu and ran the strawberries under running water.


    ¡°Just let me help you.¡±


    ¡°No. I told you I would make us breakfast. Are you that hungry?¡±


    ¡°No. I can¡¯t help just sitting here and watching you do it alone.¡±


    ¡°Look.¡± He paused. ¡°I know this is pretty inconvenient for you, but I want us to get along. I want this to work out. And you have to get used to me serving you, doing something for you even if you don¡¯t ask for it. And I hope you won¡¯t resist if I make a small gesture because sometimes, it hurts even for a human side of me.¡± He put another waffle onto my te, sliced some strawberries, and poured a decent amount of syrup.¡±


    ¡°I think that¡¯s enough,¡± I chuckled. ¡°I want a Belgian waffle, not a porridge.¡±


    ¡°Enjoy your breakfast.¡± He also smiled and ced a cup of coffee for me.


    I started eating while he heated a croissant on the waffle maker. Then he ced some ham and cheese on his te and carried a cup of coffee before joining me and sitting beside me.


    ¡°It¡¯s good. Thanks.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee. Are you allergic to any food?¡±


    ¡°Not that I know of. You?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    I watched him take a big bite of his croissant and eat with pleasure.


    ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡±


    ¡°I think about what you said earlier. I appreciate your trying your best here to make this rtionship work. I just want you to know that. And given that this must be difficult for you, making adjustments for me to be in your life, you deserve a little credit. Thanks for trying, but I don¡¯t wanna impose. I wanna know how long I should stay in your house. I may not have an enhanced olfactory sense, but I can see that this is your sanctuary.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying if I bring someone here or if you¡¯re invading my privacy. I want you to stay here as long as you want. If I have to decide, you can stay with me for the rest of your life.¡±


    As my brow arched, I stared at him in shock. ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°This house is for my mate.¡±


    ¡°And for your girlfriends?¡±


    He beamed before he sipped his coffee. ¡°Nice one, Nirvana. I told you I won¡¯t cheat on you. What I have for you is a long-term and hopefully forever responsibility.¡±


    ¡°But you don¡¯t even like me.¡±


    He smiled again. ¡°That¡¯sing from you. Not me.¡±


    ***


    ¡°This is my home office. That corner door leads to the mini gym, pool, patio, and backyard. Woods at the back, and you can run safely. I installed a security system at the end of the property.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s upstairs?¡±


    ¡°Masters bedroom, more bedrooms, bathrooms, another kitchen, living room, deck, and a family room. There is a cer underground.¡±


    ¡°Why am I not even surprised? How big is the cer.¡±


    ¡°A couple of oak barrels. Can fit a thousand wine bottles.¡±


    ¡°Wow.¡±


    ¡°You wanna see it?¡±


    ¡°Maybeter. Do you have a panic room?¡±


    When he smiled, I shook my head in amusement. ¡°Don¡¯t answer that.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s located just below the master bedroom. I¡¯ll show youter.¡±


    ¡°I can stay in one of the guest rooms. Thanks for amodating me.¡±


    Confusion was stered over his face before he said, ¡°I thought we were good with sleeping in the same bed.¡±


    ¡°Is that what you want?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I will tell Luka to bring your things here.¡±


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t like someone touching my things, but I can go back and pack them, and then I need help carrying them into the car.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡±


    ¡°Can I avail one of your living rooms or entertainment room?¡±


    ¡°To paint?¡±


    ¡°No. I want to watch movies.¡±


    His smile was from ear to ear. ¡°You can use one of the rooms as your studio. I¡¯ll call someone to clean it up so you can put your things in there.¡±


    I sighed deeply. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°For what?¡±


    ¡°For the troubles.¡±


    ¡°I want you to feel at home. Let¡¯s go and watch movies.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m watching a sappy romantic movie. Would you join me?¡±


    ¡°Whatever you want.¡± He opened the door to the entertainment room. ¡°Choose what movie you want to watch. I¡¯ll go make us some popcorn.¡±


    ¡°Do you have sodas?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll bring some.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I grabbed the remote and scrolled down some movies on the monitor. I chose a biopic movie and paused it when it started rolling.


    ¡°What are we watching?¡± He came back with a big bowl of popcorn and some sodas. He adjusted the recliner and pulled the lower part to make usfortable.


    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t have things to do? You¡¯re a busy person. I¡¯m fine with watching alone.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a shit about work right now. I¡¯d been working non-stop for years. I deserve alone time with you. Now y that crappy movie.¡±


    I smiled and pecked him on his cheek. ¡°Thanks?¡±


    He turned to me. ¡°What was that for?¡±


    ¡°For being cool.¡±


    When he looked right straight into my eyes, I thought I read something, maybe asking for permission. I instantly closed the gap between us and pressed my lips against him. It was quick, but I liked that there was no awkward moment between us.


    ¡°Let¡¯s watch a movie.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I pressed the y button.


    ¡°Last night was nice.¡±


    ¡°Which one? Me waking up in your arms or you suffering from the small and short bed.¡±


    ¡°Every moment of it.¡± When he realized we were not watching a romantic movie, he stared at me.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t watched this. Or you would rather choose the movie to watch.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good. I can¡¯t remember thest time I went to a movie theater-¡±


    ¡°With a date.¡±


    He shook tough.


    ¡°Maybe never. Right, alpha?¡±


    ¡°We can go together.¡± He wrapped his arm around me. ¡°As a date.¡±


    I looked up at him. ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°Can I kiss you?¡± That burst meughing, and myugh sounded so deranged.


    I stared at him in disbelief while I gathered all my courage to fight the urge and lust, screwing my head and heart from pumping so hard.


    ¡°Did you just ask permission to kiss me?¡± My words came out in a breathless rush.


    ¡°I respect my date.¡±


    I shook my head in amusement. ¡°I bet you don¡¯t do that often.¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡± He put the bowl on the seat next to him.


    ¡°Should we pause the movie or pretend we are in a cinema?¡±


    ¡°No pretending.¡± His voice was slow and velvety before he cupped my face and captured my mouth, proving to me that he wanted it more, making me gasp in surprise.


    My heart roared like a crashing ocean in angry weather. Goosebumps erupted all over my arms as I felt his lips against mine. I instantly kissed him back.


    From today forward, there was no going back. I might as well sleep with him and let him mark me toplete the mating process.


    I found my hands gripping those biceps. Knight was hard everywhere, but nothing hard about his kiss but soft and tender and worth moaning for.


    He kissed me passionately, slow and sensual, as he sensed that I was enjoying it, that his kiss had the ability to let all those worries and doubts go away.


    When he sought entrance, I willingly opened my mouth for him. His tongue invaded, exquisitely soft and warm, causing a moan to escape from me.


    Until a vibration from his phone pulled us apart.

 31

    KNIGHT


    ¡°Shit.¡± I caught my breath, and she chuckled at the interruption.


    We pulled apart when the vibration continued. I still wanted to make out with Nirvana, but the call seemed important. I shifted in my seat ufortably with the bulge on my groin.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to answer that? Could be important.¡±


    ¡°This better be.¡± I fished out my phone from my pocket and checked the caller ID. ¡°Shit.¡±


    I answered quickly. ¡°Hey. d you call.¡±


    ¡°Is this a bad time? Where are you?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m at home with Nirvana.¡± I turned to her and mouthed who I was talking to on the other line.


    ¡°I need to talk to you. It¡¯s important. It can¡¯t wait.¡±


    ¡°Of course. When do we meet?¡± She must have found something about the curse.


    ¡°How about now?¡±


    ¡°Wait. You¡¯re here?¡± Until the portal appeared before the white screen.


    ¡°Now I¡¯m here.¡± Zarah walked in.


    ¡°Oh, my God.¡± Nirvana¡¯s hand was on her chest, staring at the portal before it disappeared. She got up to meet Zarah, and they kissed each other¡¯s cheeks. ¡°I¡¯m still trying hard to wrap this all around my head. It¡¯s good to see you again.¡±


    ¡°I take it you two get along well.¡± She bounced her gaze between me and Nirvana, and she must have smelled arousal in the air.


    ¡°Yeah. We¡¯re getting there.¡± I grabbed the remote to stop the movie. ¡°What did you find out?¡±


    ¡°Complicated. We can talk alone if you want?¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°And you said that before her? You can tell us both. I won¡¯t keep secrets from her anyway.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good to know.¡± She sighed as if finding it hard to find the right words to break the news.


    ¡°I can take it, Zarah. Just tell us what you found out,¡± insisted Nirvana.


    ¡°When I heard about a seer from our coven, I went to Tibet to find her. She¡¯s old-ny years in supernatural age and about four hundred years in human age.¡±


    ¡°Wow. Did she tell you how to break the curse?¡± Nirvana asked.


    ¡°Something like that. She can only see the future through her dreams if imminent threats like pandemics, world conflicts, or natural disasters are about to happen. Despite that, she keeps only her ability if she remains maiden.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Nirvana was the first one to react. ¡°My mother did not lose her gift even if she was married to my father, did she?¡±


    ¡°Yes. There are certain types of seer. Some are channelers. The force, power, and strength depend on what kind of seer you are. Your mother can see the future of a person, human or supernatural. You, however, are about to be determined.¡±


    ¡°So my mother doesn¡¯t have to restrain from anything. Is that why she got married?¡±


    ¡°I talked to your grandfather. Your mother manifested her gift when she turned eighteen. She had already joined the coven and practiced her gift. The moment she chose your father, she left her coven. Their leader was a warlock-¡±


    ¡°The same warlock her mother saw the future?¡±


    ¡°The body, yes.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°He can mour everyone he wants and was the same warlock who killed her and her husband.¡±


    ¡°That son of a bitch. Is he still alive?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a lot of tales going around that another warlock killed him. But it is difficult to kill one. I have doubts if he was killed, but there is a way to stop him. Lock him up with ck magic. Take away his power or lock him in hell.¡±


    ¡°Hell? Like a literal hell?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Oh, thank God. Because I might be the one who will find and kill that son of a bitch,¡± Nirvana said angrily. ¡°Did you find a way to break the curse?¡±


    ¡°Are you a virgin?¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Nirvana¡¯s cheeks turned red like tomatoes as she stared at Zarah in shock. ¡°What does that have to do with breaking the curse?¡±


    ¡°Everything.¡±


    I went awfully silent because I didn¡¯t know how to react to the newfound information. If Nirvana was a virgin, I had nothing against it, but I was her mate, and I couldn¡¯t sleep with her? What about our ns to build a family? Would it all go to waste so she could practice her gift? That was fucking awful.


    ¡°Hey.¡± Zarah snapped her fingers before my face. ¡°Not the right time to overthink it.¡±


    Nirvana suddenly looked guilty.


    ¡°Hey. It¡¯s okay.¡± I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her head. ¡°The decision stilles from you.¡±


    ¡°So the only way to break my curse is if I am a virgin? And then what ceremony should I do?¡±


    Shit. She was a virgin. I made sure not to overreact around her, but it was toote. When I looked down at her, she was staring at me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that. I just didn¡¯t find the man I wanted to pop my cherry to,¡± she said sarcastically.


    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t care whether you¡¯re a virgin or not as long as you want and are willing to sleep with me.¡±


    ¡°Enough with sex talk,¡± Zarah said impatiently. ¡°You have to decide now, and this is a one-way ticket, Nirvana, or you lose the gift.¡±


    ¡°I changed my mind. I don¡¯t want it anymore.¡±


    I took a deep breath to calm myself. ¡°Nirvana, this is a gift-a special kind of gift.¡±


    Nirvana red at me. ¡°You call it special and a gift when I have to stay a virgin? And seeing people¡¯s future is scary. I may be able to save lives, but this is not the gift I want. This is a curse. It doesn¡¯t matter if I stay a virgin. At least I don¡¯t have to know if or how someone will die. I don¡¯t want this. Unless you don¡¯t wanna sleep with me.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, it¡¯s not a question if I want to sleep with you. I want to build a family with you, but I want you to make a wise decision.¡±


    ¡°So what? Can you stay celibate for the rest of your life? Or you will reject me and find somebody else.¡±


    I swallowed hard. Don¡¯t get me wrong, I enjoyed sex a lot, but cheating on my mate was not a question. I could never intentionally hurt her. ¡°I would never cheat on you nor reject you.¡±


    ¡°You did it before. It would be easy for you to do it again now that you have reasons to.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, are we really going to argue about this?¡± My voice was stern.


    ¡°Yes. Because this is my life, and I decide what¡¯s best for me. And if you don¡¯t wanna sleep around, then I can¡¯t let you stay celibate for the rest of our lives. That is not living if we couldn¡¯t be happy just because I have a gift, and it dictates us not to live the way we want to be.¡±


    ¡°Very well then,¡± Zarah said.


    For a moment, I paused to calm down. ¡°Can we talk about it first?¡±


    ¡°No, Knight. I already made a decision.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, please?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe we¡¯re still discussing this. This is my life, my choice, and my decision. If you can¡¯t ept me as human, then maybe we should not be together. I don¡¯t want to have a gift without my free will.¡± She looked at Zarah. ¡°I don¡¯t want it anymore. I need some air.¡± She left the room, leaving me and Zarah in an awkward situation.


    ¡°Why do you want her gift?¡± Zarah asked, watching me like a hawk.


    ¡°It¡¯s not just about her gift. If she could be like me, then we could live longer together, Zarah. I think I¡¯m falling for her. And I¡¯ve never been happier and have a reason to get up early in the morning. I found a reason to work hard and be my best version. In a short time, we met, and she made me realize many things. That¡¯s why I want her to be a werewolf. Her gift is just a plus. So what¡¯s the cure?¡±


    ¡°I will bring her to a temple in Tibet, where I met the seer. We will do the ceremony in the temple, which is in the highest ce in the area. When wee back, you should bite her during a full moon to activate the werewolf gene in her.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck? Do you expect me just to bite her? And then what? She will hate me for the rest of her life.¡±


    ¡°She won¡¯t undergo the transformation process because she already has a werewolf blood. It¡¯s just dormant because of a curse. You just have to guide her and teach her how to shift. It would be hard, but she¡¯s a strong woman.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t do it.¡± I shook my head violently. ¡°I can¡¯t bite my mate without her consent and then keep her virgin. That means we can¡¯tplete the mating process.¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°Then I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t help you anymore. You two have to decide. We can only hold the ceremony during the solstice, which would happen in two days. And the seer I met doesn¡¯t have a long time. You know two seers can¡¯t be in the same room together. It¡¯s like a paradox. It can cause a tremendous earthquake or a massive hurricane.¡±


    ¡°What the- are you for real right now?¡±


    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s why if there are two seers, one should live in another part of the world. Hence, Kushima has stayed her whole life in the temple away from civilization.¡±

 32

    KNIGHT


    ¡°Shit. This is getting moreplicated.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t let her go out there by herself.¡±


    ¡°Is there something you¡¯re not telling me?¡±


    Zarah drew a sigh again. A worry was deep in her eyes. ¡°Whenever I heard about young women with gifts, I became overprotective of them. Many years ago, I met this beautiful young woman. Just like Nirvana and Shadow, she didn¡¯t wanna be a part of it if it ended up sacrificing the people they cared about. Shadow came to me for help, but she would not leave Califf. I know Nirvana would do the same thing. She would not sacrifice her rtionship with you. Since you touched her mark, there have been rumors about a powerful ancient warlock searching for a young witch.¡±


    I felt like someone had just thrown a bucket of ice at me. A thrill of pure fear crawled under my skin. ¡°You¡¯re kidding, right?¡±


    ¡°I have a feeling he is looking for Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°But she¡¯s not yet a witch.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but the blood of a witch and ancient werewolf are running in her veins. Be careful. Don¡¯t let her take off her ne.¡±


    ¡°But she has a mark that protects her, right?¡±


    ¡°From supernatural beings, Knight. I don¡¯t want something to happen to her. Don¡¯t let her get out of your sight. Is she staying with you?¡±


    ¡°Yes. She finally decided to work on our rtionship, but I have a feeling it¡¯s gonna be a disaster.¡±


    ¡°She has to decide. Time is not our luxury here.¡±


    ¡°We might end up losing. Whatever Nirvana decides, I have to respect it, and I can¡¯t bite her without her consent.¡±


    ¡°I know. I expect nothing less from you, Knight. I have to go. Call me when she¡¯s ready.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for telling me.¡±


    Once Zarah was gone, I left the room and called Zander.


    ¡°Who¡¯s with you?¡±


    ¡°Alpha? I¡¯m with the twins and Maddox.¡±


    ¡°Come to my house. Bring Maddox and the twins with you. I need you here right now.¡±


    ¡°On the way, alpha.¡±


    I hung up the call and dialed Nirvana, but she didn¡¯t pick up. I started from the patio to look for her, but I couldn¡¯t smell her scent. It seemed that she went out of the house.


    I waited for the boys at the entrance. A few minutester, they arrived in the Ford truck.


    ¡°Is something wrong, Alpha?¡± Maddox asked.


    ¡°Help me find Nirvana. I couldn¡¯t find her scent in the house.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll go on foot. We will divide so we can easily find her,¡± North said.


    ¡°Link to me immediately if you find her. I¡¯ll have to check the footage and inform you if I find something.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Alpha. Guys, let¡¯s go.¡± Zander left ahead of them.


    I went to my office to check the footage. I rewound the footage and saw where did she go on foot. My gut suddenly took a nosedive. My instinct told me something didn¡¯t settle right, reminding me of what Zarah told me.


    I paused the footage when Nirvana appeared on the screen. She was heading south on foot but wasn¡¯t walking back home. She was probably clearing her head.


    ¡°Who¡¯s heading south, Zander?¡± I asked via our link.


    ¡°Me.¡±


    ¡°Continue heading south. Nirvana is there. Try to sniff her scent. She wouldn¡¯t get far. She¡¯s not familiar with that area.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    ¡°If you can¡¯t find her, let me know quickly. I¡¯ming over.¡± I got out of my office and dialed Case.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    He picked up right away.


    ¡°Hello, Case. I hope I didn¡¯t catch you in the bad time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m free for you anytime, son. How¡¯s my granddaughter?¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t take the news Zarah told us well.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t convince her whatever it is to undo the curse, son. She¡¯s happy with her life, and whatever she decides, I will respect it.¡±


    ¡°I know, Case. I¡¯m calling you to ask you something.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    ¡°Did you meet your wife¡¯s father or grandfather?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I did.¡±


    ¡°Why do you want to know?¡±


    ¡°Is he still alive?¡±


    ¡°No. He died a long time ago. I was there at his funeral. Is everything okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Was he a warlock?¡±


    ¡°Yes. A powerful one.¡± Why did I have a bad feeling he wasn¡¯t as dead as everyone thought?


    ¡°That¡¯s all I wanna know. Thanks, Case.¡±


    ¡°Anytime, son.¡±


    I just ended the call when Sander linked me. ¡°Alpha, I found Nirvana. I need your help. Something is wrong-¡±


    My world suddenly stopped. Everything around me seemed suspending. The phone fell off my hand.


    ¡°Hurry up, please!¡±


    I thought my heart nearly stopped beating, and my breathing stuck in my lungs. ¡°On my way!¡± As adrenaline kicked in, I bolted out of the house at a supernatural speed.


    My heart pumped so hard, and I could barely see my surroundings in a blur as I headed south, but it still felt like an eternity before I saw Zander running in my direction, carrying Nirvana in his arms.


    ¡°What happened?¡± I took Nirvana with me.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I just saw her on the ground and not responding to me when I called her name.¡±


    ¡°Go, tell the twins to ready the SUV.¡±


    He sped up right away back home. I followed him right away. I could be faster than him even if I were carrying Nirvana, but my head was not clear.


    I couldn¡¯t think straight. I looked down at Nirvana, who was still unconscious, and her heartbeat was weak and barely breathing.


    I arrived at the house, and the car was already at the front. ¡°Take us to the hospital now.¡±


    ¡°Yes, alpha,¡± West replied and went to the driver¡¯s seat.


    ¡°Hey, sweetheart. Can you hear me?¡± I sniffed for poison as I got in the SUV with her still in my arms, but I could only smell her own scent.


    ¡°What happened?¡± North asked.


    ¡°Not right now,¡± said Maddox.


    ¡°Nirvana, can you hear me?¡± She didn¡¯t respond. ¡°Her heartbeat is weak.¡± I could barely breathe. I checked her arms for something that might have bitten her. Her legs, her foot, I couldn¡¯t find any bite marks. ¡°Goddess, help me. What happened to her?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re close to the hospital.¡± West was driving beyond the speed limit, but I couldn¡¯t care less. I needed to know what happened to my mate.


    ¡°I swear to Goddess. Whoever did this will pay ten times worse.¡± I checked her mark. It should protect her if a werewolf did this. I slightly caressed the mark, but it didn¡¯t burn me anymore. That was when I saw a small redness surrounded by somewhat ck dead veins on her shoulder de. ¡°Fuck.¡±


    West pulled over the vehicle in front of the emergency room. I got out and ced Nirvana on the stretcher, and the medical staff took her away from me. I was just there standing, all my strength gone.


    ¡°She¡¯s gonna be okay, alpha.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so, Zander. She wasn¡¯t just bitten by Deathstalker. There¡¯s no Deathstalker in the property unless it was brought there and purposely let it bite her. That bite has something more than just a venom.¡±


    ¡°Should I call Kailin?¡±


    I stared at West and nodded.


    ¡°Who¡¯s the patient¡¯s rtive? The doctor needs some information.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m her boyfriend.¡± I followed the nurse inside. At least three people were tending Nirvana.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°She was walking in the property maybe twenty minutes ago. When she did note back, I asked the boys to find her. He found her unconscious on the ground. What¡¯s wrong with her? I saw a stung redness on her shoulder de.¡±


    ¡°We will do a test now. If she is bitten by something venomous, we will give her antivenom, but it won¡¯t lead to consciousness unless she¡¯s allergic to it, called anaphxis. Her heartbeat is also weak.¡±


    ¡°Is she gonna be okay?¡±


    ¡°We will do everything we can.¡± The doctor left.


    Until I realized something, she was not wearing her ne.

 33

    NIRVANA


    Unbelievable.


    Since I turned eighteen, I have been independent. Thest thing I wanted was to be controlled or dictated by some ancient practices. And we shouldn¡¯t be discussing my choices anymore. I hated it that we had to argue about it.


    I couldn¡¯t believe we had to discuss my body, my choices, and my virginity when, from the very beginning, I didn¡¯t want to be a part of this dangerous world.


    I didn¡¯t want anything to do with the gift or to be a werewolf anymore. I wanted to live a normal life, to be with my family and the people I cared about, and to be with someone who epted me and loved me for who I was.


    But not like this, where my choices were taken away from me.


    ¡°I need some air.¡± I could be disrespectful if I wanted to. Don¡¯t get me wrong, I had a huge respect for Knight and Zarah, but I felt like I could explode in anger any moment I heard an argument about my life decision.


    I walked out of the room, trying to process what Zarah had learned. I was still shaking with anger. I didn¡¯t get mad often, buttely, my situation has tasted my patience on many levels.


    I was living like every ordinary woman my age until recently. Then, I learned who I was, and my curiosity got the best of me- I was just so intrigued with supernaturals.


    I found myself walking out of the house in the opposite direction. Knight told me it was safe out there. I didn¡¯t have my phone with me if he called me or called Kailin toe and pick me up. At the same time, I couldn¡¯t just leave the house without telling him what we had agreed upon.


    A butterfly had caught my eyes, flying not so high as if it was wandering or lost. What was magical and hypnotic about it was that it somehow looked glowing. I was so amazed that I had to follow where it went.


    I must have walked far or lost track of time. Through the tall trees, I could barely see the roof of the house.


    ¡°Oh, my God. What am I doing here?¡± I rubbed my arms when it suddenly got cold as if the temperature had dropped significantly.


    ¡°Please, give me a sign if what I am doing was right for me.¡± I barely prayed, but I was sure He was out there. I believed there was a higher being.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I found you.¡±


    I was startled by the voice behind me. I turned around to make sure I wasn¡¯t dreaming because there was no way he was there when I didn¡¯t even tell him where I was staying.


    ¡°What are you doing here, Axell? This is a private property.¡± My heart pumped so hard, and my eyes widened to see him. He looked deranged, starving, and sleeping in the same clothes like he hadn¡¯t caught sleep in days. There were dark circles under his eyes. His hair was disheveled.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to see you.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve talked about this, Axell. We broke upst week, remember? And I told you I¡¯m going away to move on. You shouldn¡¯t havee here. How did you find me anyway?¡±


    ¡°I missed you, Vana. I love you. I made the mistake of not showing up at the airport, but I am here now. Give me another chance. Let¡¯s start over.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s toote, Axell. I¡¯m already dating someone else. You have to go home. You look like you haven¡¯t slept in days. Are you okay?¡± Despite his behavior, I still felt concerned that he suddenly acted like he was losing himself.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I just missed you.¡± He licked his cracked lips.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°How did you find me?¡±


    ¡°I have help. He showed me our future.¡± When he mentioned it, dread crushed me with so much fear.


    ¡°I think you should leave.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going to be rich and have a happy life. Let¡¯s go home, Vana.¡± When he took a step closer to me, I felt something odd. I felt someone was watching me. There was just a feeling I couldn¡¯t exin, and it was thick in the air.


    ¡°You¡¯re not okay, Axell.¡± I finally saw the nk look in his eyes, as if he wasn¡¯t there- as if he had lost himself in deep sorrow. ¡°You should get yourself checked.¡±


    ¡°I said I¡¯m fine!¡± he yelled, startling me.


    ¡°Okay.¡± I raised my hand. ¡°I have to go. Go home, but I¡¯m noting with you.¡±


    ¡°You will gonna regret this, Vana. You should have not left.¡±


    ¡°Please, leave-¡±


    A high-pitched scream erupted from my throat, echoing around me. My hand flew to my mouth as I watched Axell fly, thrown away like a dead animal.


    With my heart in my throat and my feet rooted to the ground, I stared at someone who just appeared a few feet away from me. I wanted to run as fast as I could, but my knees wobbled, my chin trembled, and my body shivered.


    ¡°He¡¯s useless now. Nirvana, the daughter of Sophie, the descendant of Katzius. Do you know me?¡± His voice was echoey, as if we were in a theater. The man stopped just a yard away from where I stood. He was a ck man, tall, in his fifties, but I had the feeling his age was ten times than his look, or maybe way older. He wore a ssic brown suit with a scarf in its pocket.


    ¡°Should I?¡± My voice shook.


    ¡°You know me by now, child.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I have to go.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re here because something brought you here. This circumstance is meant to happen. You and I are meant to meet this day. Do you wanna know what will happen if you will not do as I say?¡±


    Despite how terrified I was, horrified of what was going to happen to me, I lifted my chin. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t help you, sir. You should leave now. This is a private property. If you¡¯ve seen the sign on your way here, you shouldn¡¯t trespass.¡±


    ¡°Do you want to see how your life ends if you won¡¯te to me?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t show something that hasn¡¯t happened. I¡¯m sorry if youe all the way here and can¡¯t get what you want.¡± I turned around to run away, only to feel suspended in the air. A strong gust of wind knocked my breathing out. I felt something was taken away from me.


    ¡°Do you think a little trinket from a witch can save you from what I¡¯m about to do?¡±


    My body fell,nding my ass on the ground. I whined in pain, but at that moment, I was more horrified of my life and what he was going to do with me.


    It became clearer that this man was a warlock and probably the same man who cursed me and killed my parents- the man even Zarah was scared to face.


    ¡°This will happen if you won¡¯t give me what I want.¡± He barely touched my head with his fingertip, and I was instantly brought to somewhere unfamiliar, where I¡¯d never been before. It was in the forest, so cold, the sun just went down, and I smelled horrifying deaths and so much fear thick in the air.


    Gasping from the horror I saw, I fell on my knees, crying. I felt every pain, every sorrow, every loss of the people around me, dead bodies lying in the pool of their blood on the ground. It was a bloodbath.


    ¡°Oh, my God.¡± I could barely breathe. I barely had the strength to crawl towards Knight¡¯s lifeless body with a hole in his chest, lying on the ground like an animal, left alone and with no one there for him. ¡°Knight, who did this to you?¡± I wrapped him with my arms as I screamed to cry, but the pain was unbearable to bear.


    All dead bodies around me. All the people I cared about were dead, but me, leaving me alone to endure such losses.


    ¡°Stop!¡± My throat was hoarse as I cried for the pain to stop. I fell before the man who tortured me emotionally and mentally.


    ¡°You have six hours, daughter of Sophie.¡±


    I instantly felt an intense pain in my shoulder. Just seconds passed, and my body fell to the ground, unable to move until I drifted out.

 34

    KNIGHT


    It had been four fucking hours. Nirvana had received a prophctic drug, and she should have improved, at least woke up, but she remained the same.


    ¡°Maybe you should go home and get some rest.¡± Kailin and McKaye arrived earlier. ¡°I¡¯ll stay with her, I promise.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± I shook my head stubbornly as I watched Nirvana lying unconscious in bed. She had oxygen through her nose, and although her breathing had improved, her heart rate remained low. ¡°I won¡¯t leave her again. I won¡¯t let her out of my sight ever again.¡±


    ¡°You need to nap, cuz. You have to trust me if I say I¡¯ll always be with her.¡±


    ¡°Stop it, Kailin. I¡¯m not going anywhere. I¡¯m staying by her side.¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯re ming yourself for what happened, but your property is safe.¡±


    ¡°None of this should happen if I¡¯m more very careful. Suppose she¡¯s bitten by a wolf. At least we know how to treat her. I just let her walk out of the door. Who else should be med if not me?¡± My chest was in constant pain, and it was hard to breathe when I knew it was my fault. I could have avoided all this if I was not too lenient with her.


    ¡°You should call Case.¡± Nirvana¡¯s grandfather¡¯s name felt like a stab in my chest. My heart nearly stopped. I forgot about everything. My focus remained on Nirvana getting better, and it looked like it was not happening anytime soon.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± I cursed under my breath. ¡°Earlier, while waiting for Nirvana toe back, I called Case and promised him I would take care of his granddaughter. Look what happened, Kailin. I failed to protect her. I failed everyone, and I couldn¡¯t even protect my own mate. What good I am to all of you as an alpha?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Hey. We don¡¯t know this is going to happen, cuz.¡± She gripped my shoulder. ¡°ming yourself doesn¡¯t help her. Just be strong for her. She needs that.¡±


    ¡°I could have prevented this from happening, but I lost focus.¡±


    ¡°No, you didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for being here, but be honest with me, cousin. I want you to p me hard with the truth. I can handle it, but not watching my mate and being helpless to make her better.¡±


    ¡°What the doctor said?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve given her treatment, and it should have improved, but they¡¯re also puzzled because they are one hundred percent sure it¡¯s scorpion sting, a scorpion only in Arabian and African deserts.¡±


    ¡°Then how did it end in your own backyard?¡±


    ¡°Good question. Did they find anything?¡± I asked the guys to check around the area where Zander found Nirvana.


    ¡°No. Not even a faint scent. Maybe she isn¡¯t targeted. Maybe she¡¯s just stung by a scorpion.¡±


    ¡°I just threatened Cadogan and his man. If they did this, I swear I will kill them one by one, even if it¡¯s against the Werewolf Council.¡±


    ¡°I hope they didn¡¯t. I will fight with you. I will kill for both of you, Knight, but let¡¯s not jump to conclusions here. And we can¡¯t let our emotions cloud our judgment. And you know you¡¯re not alone at this moment. The whole pack is with you.¡±


    The door suddenly opened. The nurse and the doctor walked inside.


    ¡°Any updates?¡±


    ¡°Maybe you should call her rtives,¡± the doctor said.


    ¡°Why?¡± I would have almost lost my bnce if Kailin hadn¡¯t been beside me.


    ¡°You need to inform her rtives regarding her condition. We¡¯ve never encountered anything like this before. A patient should not fall into aa from a scorpion sting, even without antivenom. A Deathstalker scorpion is not lethal to an adult person.¡±


    ¡°You mean to say she¡¯s dying?¡± Kailin raised her voice in anger. ¡°She can¡¯t die. Do something, for God¡¯s sake!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve asked for a second opinion from the specialist, and he had the same opinion. We just hope she wakes up soon.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I felt Kailin¡¯s sorrow as she helped me sit back on the chair.


    When the doctor and the nurse left the room, Kailin called someone. ¡°We should have done this hours ago. I¡¯m calling Grandpa Case.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t talk to him.¡±


    ¡°You have to do and face this, Knight. You¡¯re her mate and our alpha.¡±


    Case answered the call. ¡°Kailin?¡±


    ¡°Grandpa, maybe you shoulde here to California. I don¡¯t want to give this terrible news, but-¡±


    ¡°Give it to me.¡±


    Kailin gave me the phone. ¡°Case, I failed. I failed to protect her. She was stung by a scorpion in my backyard while she was strolling. me me however you want, but you have toe. She received treatment, but she hasn¡¯t woken up.¡±


    ¡°This can¡¯t be happening.¡± I felt a deep sorrow and worry in his voice, and soon, when he met me, he would throw me at me for failing to protect his granddaughter, and I would be willing to take however he wanted to end my life because, without my mate, I was as good as dead.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. When she recovers, I¡¯m sending her back to you.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t protect her here. That¡¯s why I trusted you would take care of my granddaughter, Alpha Knight, and you would do everything to heal her.¡±


    ¡°Heal¡­Shit. I¡¯ll call you back.¡± I hung up the call.


    ¡°Did you just hang up on Grandpa?¡±


    ¡°Not now.¡± I dialed Zarah. ¡°Come on,e on.¡±


    Hopes rose in my chest as I saw the call answer. ¡°I need your help and Shadow.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you can sense it, Zarah. I¡¯m in the hospital. Nirvana is stung by a scorpion. Even with treatment, she hasn¡¯t woke up.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not just an ordinary scorpion.¡±


    ¡°I got the feeling, yes.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll call Shadow, but it¡¯s best if you take her out of the hospital.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t do that. She¡¯s in aa, Zarah. The doctor won¡¯t let me.¡±


    ¡°Go home against medical advice. Is Case there with you?¡±


    ¡°I just informed him.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯m sending him to your house. Let your people take him to the hospital. Hurry before it¡¯s toote. I know someone capable of doing such a thing. My worst nightmare just came true, Knight, and you should have called me the moment she¡¯s stung.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It happened so fast, and I¡¯m not thinking straight.¡±


    ¡°Stop talking and inform your people.¡±


    ¡°Right away. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me yet.¡± She ended the call, and I quickly dialed Luka.


    ¡°Alpha, how¡¯s she?¡±


    ¡°Not getting better. Are you still at the house?¡±


    ¡°Yes. We didn¡¯t find anything.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Zarah will send Case to my house. Don¡¯t ask how. He¡¯s Nirvana¡¯s grandfather. Send him here at the hospital. Fast.¡±


    ¡°Right away.¡±


    I blew a shaky breath as I put the phone back in my pocket.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t she treat her here?¡±


    ¡°A lot of people died in this hospital, sick people, and negative energy. I¡¯m not sure, but sometimes, witches need a non-contaminated area to do their magic.¡±


    ¡°That makes sense.¡± Kailin hugged me from behind. ¡°She¡¯s gonna be okay, cousin.¡±


    ¡°Why are you hugging him?¡±

 35

    NIRVANA


    I woke up to the beeping sound. I felt disoriented and so freaking exhausted, like I just climbed a mountain. Then I realized the room seemed familiar with a white ceiling, while the walls and scent alone were nauseating.


    When I was in high school, I got food poisoning, and I ended up in the hospital for two days. It all felt the same over again. The only difference was that my tummy didn¡¯t hurt, but my shoulder did. It is excruciatingly painful.


    Then my gazended on the man I¡¯d been longing to hug. He looked sad and exhausted, as did my best friend, hugging him behind his back.


    ¡°Why are you hugging him?¡±


    Their reaction wasical. They froze, eyes wide as they stared at me with mouths hanging open.


    ¡°Sweetheart,¡± Knight said breathlessly as he let Kailin¡¯s arms go, rose from the chair, and hugged me tightly. He showered my face with kisses. ¡°You scared the fuck out of me.¡±


    ¡°Ouch, ouch.¡± I hissed in pain.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°My shoulder. It hurts.¡± I wanted to scream. I¡¯d never felt this kind of pain before, like my skin was electrocuted, burned, and cut open.


    ¡°Shit.¡± When Knight said shit, I looked where the pain was worse. ¡°It¡¯s spreading.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡± I saw my shoulder swelling and something like necrotic veins in my skin.


    ¡°You don¡¯t remember?¡±


    I stared at Kailin as my brain tried to process. ¡°Oh, my God. That son of a bitch.¡±


    ¡°You know who did this?¡± Knight asked. His voice was filled with rage. His eyes just glowed, scaring the crap out of me.


    ¡°Easy before you turn into a wolfy.¡±


    ¡°I will kill him,¡± he said through gritted teeth, his jaw working.


    ¡°Not now, Knight.¡± I winced when I tried to look at the infected skin. ¡°It hurts a lot. Like someone tried to pull my flesh out of my bones.¡± I fell back in bed.


    ¡°Rx. I will call the doctor,¡± Kailin volunteered.


    ¡°Go,¡± Knight told her. ¡°The doctor will give you pain meds, but your grandpa is on the way here, and we¡¯re getting you out. So, you may have to pretend you don¡¯t feel any pain. This is more than just a scorpion sting. It may involve magic.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± I tried to breathe deeply as I held my arm, but the pain was getting worse- it came and went, and then it attacked me like a wild dog, biting off my flesh, ripping it from my bones.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± I couldn¡¯t unsee the pain in Knight¡¯s eyes. He felt my suffering, which was the cons of being a mate. He felt what I felt even if we hadn¡¯tpleted the mating.


    ¡°For what?¡±


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have let you go alone. I should have let you decide on your own. What I did was wrong. Forgive me.¡± He pressed his lips against my forehead, making me smile despite the unbearable pain I felt.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to forgive. We¡¯re mates. You have the right to give your opinion. I was just pissed at the whole virginity thing.¡± My cheeks might have just turned red. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I should have told you.¡±


    ¡°Nothing to be sorry for. I¡¯m d you woke up because it was the worst hour of my life. It felt like living in a nightmare that had no escape.¡±


    The door opened wide, and my grandpa was the first person I saw.


    ¡°Honey?¡± He rushed into the bed and hugged me tight.


    I didn¡¯t have good tolerance for pain, but the doctor was watching, so I had to suck it up for a while.


    ¡°I wanna get out of here.¡±


    ¡°We will do another test before you go.¡±


    ¡°No. I can¡¯t wait. I hate hospitals.¡± I did a little drama.


    ¡°Doc, she has bad memories about hospitals. Her parents died in a car ident when she was young. You have to understand her,¡± said Grandpa, supporting my theatrics.


    ¡°I do, but-¡±


    ¡°I will sign any documents. Just let me go home. Maybe you can give me a pain reliever because the bite still hurts a little bit.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re okay?¡± You couldn¡¯t just lie to a doctor. They would know, but what choice did I have?


    ¡°Yes. A hospital room is a little bit causing me ustrophobic.¡±


    ¡°Very well. I will arrange your discharge paper.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    When the doctor left, I screamed in silence.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, honey?¡±


    ¡°My arm is getting numb, but the site hurts a lot.¡±


    Grandpa checked my shoulder, and I saw his reaction that it wasn¡¯t looking good. ¡°Does it always look like this?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s spreading fast,¡± Knight confirmed it. ¡°Zarah and Shadow will heal you, sweetheart. We just need to get out of here. Fast.¡±


    I nodded. ¡°I need to change to something.¡±


    ¡°I brought you some clothes.¡± Kailin went to take the bag. ¡°Help her get up, Knight.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Take it easy.¡± Knight took off the probes attached to me.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait outside,¡± Grandpa said.


    I took off the gown with Kailin holding me steady. ¡°I can¡¯t almost feel my arm.¡±


    ¡°What-¡± His eyes widened. ¡°What the fuck?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Knight?¡±


    ¡°This poison is spreading fast each second?¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I nodded at Kailin as she helped me put a shirt over my head.


    ¡°How do you know, Nirvana?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you when we get home.¡±


    The waiting for the papers to be done was excruciatingly painful, literally. I had to lean against Knight¡¯s arm because I needed the energy and started feeling weak.


    ¡°The car is ready,¡± said Luka. ¡°I brought a wheelchair.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we should go now, Knight.¡± I knew I got paler. I saw the fear in his eyes. ¡°We have to go. Now.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sweetheart.¡± He stood up and carried me bridal style. I closed my eyes, and I felt he was running. ¡°Hold on, Nirvana.¡±


    I didn¡¯t have much time. I must have slept longer. That asshole only gave me six hours to decide, and I was running out of time.


    ¡°Can you hear me?¡±


    I licked my lips. ¡°Yeah. Your heartbeat is fast.¡±


    ¡°Stay with me, sweetheart. Just hold on for a minute. Zarah and Shadow will heal you.¡± No. They couldn¡¯t, but I couldn¡¯t tell him right now. I couldn¡¯t watch him in pain.


    At least if I died today, I would be surrounded by the people I loved.


    We must have arrived at the house. I heard whispers, smelled Knight¡¯s cologne, and felt a soft pillow against my head.


    ¡°Nirvana, can you hear me?¡±


    ¡°Zarah?¡±


    ¡°Yes, honey. How are you feeling?¡±


    ¡°You know how I feel?¡± I couldn¡¯t open my eyes anymore.


    ¡°I will help Zarah heal you,¡± Shadow gripped my hand.


    ¡°You¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m here.¡± She did a little squeeze of my hand.


    ¡°We both know it won¡¯t work.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I felt the bed dip as Knight came close to me. He touched my hair, swiping it away from my face.


    ¡°You¡¯ve seen what he¡¯s done to me. There¡¯s no cure, and I would never ever sacrifice any of you or put you in any harm¡¯s way. Just tell my grandfather I love him so much. I wouldn¡¯t have been so strong if not for him.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, stop saying that. You tell him yourself.¡± Knight grunted. No matter how hard he tried to be strong, I could feel the fear and pain in his voice.


    ¡°Stop talking, Knight. Let us heal her. We don¡¯t have much time.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing you can do now, Zarah.¡±


    I heard chanting. I felt a hand against my shoulder. It was getting warmer and warmer until it felt so cold I couldn¡¯t take it, as if I was thrown away to the coldest part of the world that had me frozen in mere seconds. I shivered. My body shook pretty hard.


    ¡°Why is it not working?¡± It came from Shadow.


    ¡°I-I told you.¡± My chin trembled. ¡°No one can help me.¡±


    ¡°You had an encounter with the warlock, hadn¡¯t you?¡±

 36

    KNIGHT


    ¡°What warlock are you talking about?¡±


    ¡°Cyrius?¡±


    ¡°Who the fuck is Cyrius? Why isn¡¯t she healing?¡± I stopped breathing. I stopped living the moment I saw the poison spread fast down her back, up to the back of her neck.


    ¡°Cyrius is the warlock that killed her parents.¡±


    ¡°I thought he¡¯s dead.¡± I red at Zarah.


    ¡°He is not dead after all. When you touched the mark on her neck, it weakened the spell that kept him locked up for years. Now, his mission is to find thest line of Katzius.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± I blinked off my tears when I felt like there was nothing they could do. ¡°This can¡¯t be. There¡¯s something we can do.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s drifting, Knight.¡± Even Zarah sounded devastated, and the room seemed filled with so much grief.


    ¡°No! I don¡¯t believe that!¡± I screamed at them. My voice boomed and rattled the room, startling Shadow, while Zarah didn¡¯t even flinch.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Knight. I thought I could do something to help her.¡±


    ¡°Try again, Shadow. Call your father. Maybe he can help. Please? She can¡¯t die.¡± My eyes glowed. My fangs itched toe out, and my wolf stirred while mourning his loss. My rage, anger, and regret came together as my weapon.


    ¡°Do something, Zarah. I¡¯ll pay the price,¡± Case said as he entered the room. ¡°I¡¯ll trade my soul for her. Just save my granddaughter.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Nirvana said breathlessly. ¡°I made a deal.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± we said in unison.


    ¡°Why the hell did you do that?¡± I couldn¡¯t breathe. My heart was breaking.


    I felt helpless and useless- I¡¯d never felt this feeling since that incident that took away my mother¡¯s life.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°To save you,¡± confirmed Zarah. ¡°That¡¯s what Cyrius is good for, knowing his enemies¡¯ weakness. And Nirvana¡¯s weakness is the people she cared about, the people she loves.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± Kailin dashed inside, crying. ¡°I¡¯ll trade my life. Where is that asshole? How can I meet him?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s done. It¡¯s over.¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯d rather die than lose you, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°I know you would say that.¡± I could barely hear her heartbeat. I could barely hear her words. She was getting paler, and the poison continued spreading to her face.


    ¡°Open your eyes, sweetheart?¡± I scooped her so she couldy in my arms. ¡°I want you to see me.¡±


    ¡°I feel you, Knight.¡± She could hardly open her eyes, and her irises started to turn white, but she managed to put a smile on her paler lips. ¡°I see you now.¡±


    ¡°Why did you do that, sweetheart?¡± I kissed her forehead. ¡°It should have been me.¡±


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t think twice to save me, so I did you a favor.¡±


    ¡°No. It shouldn¡¯t have been like that. I am your alpha. I am your mate, and we decide what¡¯s best for us.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t cry.¡±


    Toote. A single tear rolled down my cheek, and I¡¯d never felt such sorrow in my entire life, watching the only woman I promised to love drifting away from me, and I couldn¡¯t do anything to stop it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go, please? I just met you. This is unfair.¡± I instantly felt the silence, pain, and sorrow darkening the room.


    The lights flickered. The temperature dropped.


    Then I couldn¡¯t feel and hear her heartbeat.


    ¡°Nirvana?¡± I stared at my lifeless mate. Then I heard a howl echoing the room. I didn¡¯t realize it came from me until my throat was hoarse.


    ¡°Alpha, I know this is not the right time, but someone here wants to talk to you.¡± MacKaye¡¯s voice faded in my hearing.


    ¡°Nirvana, sweetheart?¡± I shook her, but she didn¡¯t respond anymore until I heard a howl- a howl of loss and sorrow, and it came from me.


    ¡°Oh, no. My beautiful Nirvana.¡± Case just shook to cry as he touched and kissed her hand.


    Kailin growled in pain. I felt everyone¡¯s pain in the room, but nothing could describe how I felt right now.


    My wolf mourned with me, but I was still not giving up. I was still in denial that my mate was gone, and I didn¡¯t think I could endure such pain, such loss. I didn¡¯t think I could live or wanted to live without Nirvana in my life.


    ¡°Oh, Goddess! How is it you¡¯re alive?¡± It came from Case.


    ¡°I can help.¡± The word help instantly picked up my sensitive ears. It came from a deep British ent.


    I lifted my gaze. Through my blurry vision, I saw an old man, as old as Case, in a ssic double-breasted coat with a cane in his right hand. ¡°I will do everything.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s still with us. Her spirit hasn¡¯t crossed into the spirit realm.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t do this, Knight.¡± Zarah stopped me firmly.


    ¡°No. I want her to live.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s always a repercussion of doing ck magic and resurrecting the dead. Think about it, Knight. I know it¡¯s painful, but you have to ept it.¡±


    My head snapped at Zarah. ¡°You don¡¯t have any idea of what I feel right now. Of all people who have lived longer, you should know what losing a mate does to someone.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have much time,¡± said the stranger.


    ¡°How do I know it¡¯s you? We buried you a long time ago. You could be Cyrius, for all I know.¡±


    ¡°Ask your witch.¡± He turned his head to Zarah and offered his hand. ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    ring, Zarah took his hand. She gasped and stilled for a moment before she let his hand go. ¡°You¡¯re Sophie¡¯s great-grandfather?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it seems he is,¡± Case said. And here I thought he was dead a long time ago.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t die. It was another body moured as me.¡±


    ¡°Then where the hell have you been all these years? Why should I trust you to bring my grandchild back?¡±


    ¡°The moment Ophelia was born, I knew someone would always get interested in our family gift and suffer the family curse. Can we talkter? I want to save my great-great-granddaughter, and I have the man who helped find her. Bring him here,d.¡±


    The door opened. McKaye had Axell terrified the moment he saw me, with bruises all over his face.


    ¡°I will kill him.¡±


    ¡°Later. To bring Nirvana back, I need a soul.¡±


    ¡°I told you this is a bad idea.¡± Zarah was still against bringing Nirvana back to life, but I would take whatever repercussions if I got the chance to be with my mate again.


    ¡°Take his soul,¡± McKaye said unapologetically.


    ¡°A willing one.¡±


    ¡°Take mine. I would die for her just to bring back my mate.¡±


    ¡°No, son. I¡¯m old. At least I die to save my granddaughter,¡± said Case.


    ¡°Mine, too. I¡¯m the reason why she¡¯s here. If I didn¡¯t let here with me, she could still be alive.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡± Without remorse, the old man touched Case¡¯s chest and chanted. One moment, Case was standing; the second, he was on the floor.


    ¡°No!¡± I stared in shock. Even with my fast speed, I couldn¡¯t do anything to save him.


    Even Zarah, a witch, and Shadow, a half-witch, could not do anything. It took us all by surprise. Then, the old man came in my direction.


    I wrapped Nirvana in my arms to protect her from this evil form, but at the same time, we sacrificed one life today, and it needed to be paid off.


    He ced a palm on Nirvana¡¯s chest and then walked away from the bed.


    ¡°Oh, no!¡± Kailin crawled towards the lifeless Case. ¡°Nirvana will kill us.¡±


    ¡°Why did you do that? Why did you all agree? This is not right.¡± I¡¯d never seen Zarah so terrified until now.


    ¡°Witch, you have so much to learn. You¡¯ve lived long enough, and I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve heard of me and my ability.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± McKaye asked.


    ¡°I can stop time. While you were all arguing, I stopped the time and exchanged Case and that young man¡¯s position. My test for all of you was how much you cared and wanted to save my great-great-granddaughter. You, the mate, the close friend, and the grandfather, willingly offered your souls for her.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± McKaye¡¯s eyes grew big to see he was already holding Case.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± Kailin yelped simultaneously to find her holding Axell¡¯s lifeless body.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard so many stories about you. You¡¯re known by many names, such as Gramien, Kazius, and Celekai, but in our time, you are Ambrose. A warlock gifted with Chronokinesis, who can control and manipte time.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± he confirmed to Zarah.


    Ambrose was Nirvana¡¯s great-great-grandfather, but I bet my penny he was centuries old.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Case asked.


    ¡°Then why is she still not alive?¡±


    ¡°Look.¡±


    Nirvana moved in my arms, stretching her arms out with a groan. Her eyes were wide as she met mine. ¡°Why am I in your arms? You okay?¡±


    ¡°Goddess!¡± Kailin lost her control. In a second, she was in bed, squeezing her best friend into a hug.


    ¡°Ouch.¡± She groaned, chuckling. ¡°You, werewolf, are breaking my bones.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Kailin. That¡¯s enough for now.¡±


    Nirvana looked at me, worry filling her eyes as she touched my face. ¡°You okay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m more than okay.¡± I kissed her on her forehead and sighed in relief.


    ¡°Great.¡± She slipped off myp, chuckling. ¡°We have an audience.¡±


    ¡°How do you feel?¡± Zarah asked.


    She paused for a moment. ¡°Thest thing I remember is-¡± She checked her shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s gone. The pain was like I¡¯d never felt before. It was burning, like something eating my flesh. It was unbearable. I thought I was dying. I felt my heart like it had stopped beating. How am I-?¡±


    ¡°Meet your great-great-grandfather, Ambrose.¡±

 37

    NIRVANA


    ¡°Wait. Are you my great-great-grandfather? My mom¡¯s great-grandfather. Whoa. That¡¯s cool. How old are you exactly?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Ambrose, little one.¡±


    My gazended on my dead ex-boyfriend. ¡°Is that?¡±


    Warlock Ambrose, or my great-great-grandfather, just waved his hand, and my ex, that son of a bitch, just vanished.


    ¡°Where did he go?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not important right now, Nirvana. How are you feeling?¡± asked Knight.


    I sat on the bed and held his hand. ¡°Why are you looking at me like I just died and brought back to life, and now you look at me as if I vanish if you blink?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly how I feel. I can¡¯t lose you again, Nirvana. Can you be a little serious right now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡± I breathed deeply because what I was about to say might shock them or piss them off. ¡°I¡¯m feeling okay like before. I died, did I?¡± I looked at their reactions, and they just stared at me like I was some kind of magical creature.


    ¡°Medically, yes, but magically, you did not die. Your breathing and your heartbeat stopped, but it was done by poison with ck magic. Your body won¡¯t rot, but you can¡¯t go through the bridge.¡±


    I turned to Shadow. ¡°So it¡¯s worse than death?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Your soul is eternally trapped in the purgatory until someone as powerful as Ambrose can undo it.¡±


    ¡°So he can undo- Oh, my God.¡± I touched the back of my neck. ¡°Is the curse broken?¡±


    Knight and I shared a weird look.


    ¡°Is it?¡± he asked Ambrose.


    It was still weird when I thought he was dead a long time ago, and now he was standing next to me and just saved my life. And I was beyond grateful that I got to meet him.


    ¡°Do you have tea around here?¡± he asked in his deep British ent.


    Shadow, Kailin, and Iughed.


    ¡°My apology, sir,¡± Knight said as he got up from bed.


    ¡°Master Warlock, High Warlock, Lord, but you can call me great-great-grandpa, Knight Orion, or just grandpa. And I get that everyone was still shocked.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s have some tea. I don¡¯t know how to thank you.¡±


    ¡°You just did, and it¡¯s good enough.¡±


    We ended up in the spacious family room. I still find it hard to believe Ambrose was alive, and he was sitting on the sofa with his cane on his side.


    ¡°So what does your cane do? Does it turn into a venomous snake?¡±


    The twins, West and North, Maddox and Zander, hid theirughs.


    ¡°It does many things, my dear,¡± he said as he sipped his tea. ¡°Why are you suddenly so silent, Zarah?¡±


    ¡°Who are you up against? Is it Cyrius?¡±


    ¡°That is not your problem anymore, young witch. As long as I¡¯m alive or walking this earth, I won¡¯t let hime to this youngdy.¡±


    Shadow smiled. ¡°When I was just learning to practice my gift, we called Aira a baby witch. Now Ambrose just called her young witch.¡±


    ¡°How old do you think he is?¡±


    ¡°Why are you both whispering?¡± asked Zarah, partly amused, partly angry.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you all heard it.¡±


    ¡°So, where have you been all this time?¡±


    ¡°Somewhere far, Case. I¡¯m d you¡¯re still alive. Ophelia left you too soon.¡±


    ¡°What are the repercussions of what you did to Nirvana?¡±


    ¡°I just broke the magic with magic. No soul is needed. I know what Cyrius did to Nirvana, and I knew my bloodline did not die with Sophie. I just wished Nirvana¡¯s mark stayed hidden, but I got the message that it was activated.¡±


    ¡°How did you know about it?¡± I asked because I had a feeling that there was more to it than he was telling us.


    ¡°He was the one who marked you,¡± Zarah answered. ¡°Am I right, master warlock?¡±


    ¡°Yes. The curse Cyrius did a good thing for Nirvana and every female born in our bloodlines. Our world is so dark for a good-hearted young woman to be a part of it, but there¡¯s no going back now. It¡¯s toote for her to live a human life. So, are you ready for that?¡±


    ¡°I may not be born ready, and I just found outst week, but I think I can do that.¡±


    ¡°Very well. You, young man.¡± He looked at Knight sitting across him. ¡°I may not be a part of her life growing up, but she is my blood. I don¡¯t want something like that to happen again that can put her in danger. If you love this young woman and are willing to give your life to save her, do me a favor. Don¡¯t let her out of your sight again. The next time it happens, I will not be there to save her.¡±


    When Ambrose turned to me, I froze for a moment. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Your grandfather raised you well, but he¡¯s too lenient. What do these kids say nowadays? Don¡¯t be a pain in his arse.¡±


    I grinned like crazy.


    ¡°So, what now, if I may ask?¡± Kailin said.


    ¡°You all will face a lot of challenges, but use your brain and your heart instead of the animal inside you. You may have to make impossible choices, cing everyone else over yourself. That¡¯s how you win the war. And it¡¯sing sooner than I expected.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re scaring me. What are we up against?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t tell you that. You figure out yourself, and you will do good things than you can ever imagine if you only follow the right path.¡± His words gave me goosebumps. Whatever it was, it made me nervous.


    ¡°So your gift, you can also see the future like my mother?¡±


    ¡°No. You won¡¯t get that either.¡±


    ¡°What? So, will I stay like this, a human, for the rest of my life? Because I¡¯m cool with that. It¡¯s hard to shift naked, you know.¡±


    Knight chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m cool if you are, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll find out soon. Zarah?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± Zarah looked at Ambrose.


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave them to you. Look after Nirvana and guide her like you did to this Lycan.¡±


    ¡°I will do my best. I¡¯d be honored.¡±


    ¡°Wait. You sound like you¡¯re leaving,¡± Grandpa said in worry.


    ¡°I don¡¯t stay long in one ce. And I still have to find Cyrius.¡±


    ¡°So I won¡¯t be seeing you again?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, little one, but it¡¯s how I live long.¡±


    ¡°You have some kind of enemies?¡± Kailin asked.


    ¡°Cyrius is one of many. I locked him up, but he got away when the mark was activated. It weakened the spell, and that¡¯s how he found her.¡±


    ¡°What exactly happened, Nirvana?¡± I wished no one had to ask me that, but Knight deserved to know. They needed to know.


    ¡°When I left the house angry, I went out to walk. Something that took me far. A butterfly. It looked like glowing. It was beautiful. Toote for me to realize it was a trick to lure me. I ended up near that tree.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s where I found you,¡± Zander said.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I was grateful for him that he found me quickly. ¡°Then the butterfly was gone, and I was standing with a tall, dark man with the darkest eyes like a deep abyss. I don¡¯t know how to describe it. That moment, I knew he was not human.¡± I breathed deeply, and I felt Shadow¡¯s hand on my arm.


    ¡°He gave you no choice.¡± I felt McKaye¡¯s gratitude and sorrow.


    ¡°My ex appeared.¡±


    ¡°That son of a bitch, I should have killed him when I first saw him.¡±


    ¡°Calm down, young werewolf.¡±


    ¡°My apology, Ambrose.¡±


    ¡°He was with him. That asshole. Sorry. He literally sold his soul for a brief happiness. Then the ck man showed me how our lives, your life, everyone if I wouldn¡¯t make a deal with him. I felt everyone¡¯s pain, sorrows, and losses. It was hard to bear. I fell on my knees, crying. If it was a trick, I still, and there was no way I could endure that kind of pain. Knight died with a hole in his chest. And I didn¡¯t have the strength to do it. Kailin-¡± I swallowed hard.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell us. I think you have endured enough thatsts a lifetime.¡±


    I looked at Knight, and I didn¡¯t realize how much he meant to me until I was in that moment.


    ¡°He made me choose between my loved ones ended in that horrible way, or I would choose to go with him. He gave me six hours. Suppose great-great-grandpa did note to save me. I died, and he would take my body unless I were cremated.¡±


    ¡°He will undo his magic. You are bound to him through eternity.¡±


    I looked at Ambrose. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°So, about the deal?¡± Knight asked. He may have gotten the impression that I was lying.


    ¡°I chose to die than be his eternal puppet.¡±

 38

    NIRVANA


    ¡°So you¡¯re leaving tonight? That can¡¯t wait until morning.¡± I was still not ready for Ambrose to go. I still had a lot of unanswered questions, and I wanted to get to know him.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stay, young one. You have Zarah to guide you and answer your questions.¡±


    I sighed. ¡°Thank you for everything. For giving me back my life.¡±


    ¡°You earn it. As they say, you only live once, but be careful out there.¡±


    I smiled and found myself hugging him. ¡°You too, take care.¡±


    ¡°How do you go from here?¡± Knight asked.


    ¡°I can send you wherever you go,¡± McKaye volunteered.


    ¡°I appreciated the offer, but I can take it from here.¡± He stepped out of the house with his cane until I watched him disappear into the dark.


    Once he was gone, I felt suddenly sad. We went back inside in the living room.


    ¡°I have to go, too,¡± Shadow said. ¡°I may not be able to heal you, but I¡¯m d you trust me enough.¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding me? You, being here is enough for me. I¡¯m eternally grateful.¡± I hugged her. ¡°I¡¯ll see you soon.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be staying here for a while,¡± Zarah told Shadow. ¡°I wanna make sure she¡¯s healing well.¡±


    ¡°All right. I¡¯ll tell my father.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, princess.¡± Knight shook her hand. ¡°See you soon.¡±


    ¡°Guys, see youter.¡±


    We waved goodbye. ¡°See you.¡±


    ¡°Why is she going inside instead of going to the door?¡± West asked. ¡°Is there a secret exit or something?


    Zarah created the portal before Shadow. McKaye, Zander, and the twins yelped in surprise.


    ¡°Whoa.¡± McKaye had eyes bigger than those saucers. ¡°Is that?¡±


    Shadow walked in, and the portal disappeared before us.


    ¡°Grandpa, stay with us as long as you want.¡±


    ¡°I will, honey. I want to make sure there¡¯s no side effect of what Ambrose did to you. Are you feeling something different?¡±


    ¡°Like not me or a knot in my stomach?¡± I shook my head. ¡°I feel the same, the annoying Vana before that asshole hit me with his magic ugly finger. A little bit overwhelmed, but I feel like I¡¯m not growing fangs or flying in a broomstick anytime soon.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s your ne?¡± Zarah asked.


    My hand instantly went to my neck. ¡°When I tried to run away from that ugly evil warlock, the first thing he did was pull that away from my neck, and I couldn¡¯t move. My legs weighed tons. He said, do you think a little trinket from a witch can save you from what I¡¯m about to do?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll pay for what he did to you, Vana.¡± Kailin hugged me tight. ¡°I¡¯m so d you¡¯re okay.¡±


    ¡°Me too. That poison hurt a lot, like, it freaking hurt.¡± I couldn¡¯t describe what it felt like.


    ¡°I want to sit with Nirvana and meditate for a while, Alpha,¡± Zarah said, asking Knight for permission even if she didn¡¯t have to.


    ¡°Of course. Whatever you want.¡±


    ¡°Are you up for a meditation?¡± she asked me, holding my hand.


    I sucked a breath. My eyes grew wide as our hands touched.


    ¡°What happened? Are you okay? Did you see something?¡± she asked me urgently.


    ¡°Nirvana, what did you see?¡± Knight came and held my arm. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    I looked at them one by one. My grandpa looked shocked and confused. Then I grinned at them. ¡°You should have seen your faces.¡± Iughed out loud as they sighed in unison.


    ¡°That¡¯s not funny, Vana. You¡¯ve put us in so many emotions today. I think that¡¯s enough of a joke for today.¡± Kailin groaned.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do that,¡± Zarah said, unimpressed.


    ¡°Guys, please, chill. I¡¯m okay.¡±


    North blew a breath. ¡°I bought it. You, too, Zander.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± He crossed his arms over his chest. ¡°I really thought it was real. She got a gift from the master warlock.¡±


    ¡°You need to get some rest, Case. Get the room you want. Let me know if you need anything.¡±


    ¡°How about us, Alpha?¡± North asked.


    ¡°Stay here. Where¡¯s Luka?¡±


    ¡°He went back to the pack house to inform our enforcers to watch the perimeters.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Mac.¡± He patted McKaye¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, young woman.¡±


    ¡°Where do you wanna do it?¡±


    ¡°A peaceful and clean room. Somewhere is not contaminated.¡±


    ¡°My home office. Follow me.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s not contaminated?¡± I asked him meaningfully.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t drink, have sex, jerk off, or do drugs in there, Nirvana. If that¡¯s what you mean.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t wanna rest?¡±


    ¡°How about you?¡± I asked Zarah back.


    ¡°I¡¯m good.¡±


    Knight unlocked his office with codes and ushered us inside.


    ¡°Yes. I can feel the positive energy around here.¡± She turned to Knight. ¡°Leave us alone. No knocking, okay? Wait until we¡¯re done. It won¡¯t take long.¡±


    ¡°Take your time.¡± He shut the door behind us.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°Sit in the center, Indian style. Tell me if you¡¯refortable.¡±


    I did as she told me to. The office was big, fully carpeted, with floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with hardbound books. The desk was made of dark hardwood. I saw a family picture hanging on the wall and a picture framed on his desk. It intrigued me to know who was in it-probably his parents.


    ¡°Okay, young woman. You¡¯ve gone through a lot today.¡± She sat across mine and ced her hands on her knees. ¡°I know it¡¯s hard, but I want you to clear your head. Just do deep breaths, breathe from your nose, exhale through your mouth.¡±


    I did deep breathing as I closed my eyes.


    ¡°You can think about anythingter. Right now, focus on your breathing.¡±


    ¡°It smells expensive around here.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, focus,¡± she said with a groan.


    ¡°Yeah, right.¡± I did as she asked. I finally felt rxed and could sense the air on my skin and hear my heartbeat. I heard Zarah¡¯s heartbeat, too. I smelled the musk in the room and tasted the bitterness of thirst in my mouth. I felt the carpet under my feet and felt like I was not in the room anymore.


    I yelped. My eyes went wide. My heart pounded frantically in my chest.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    I stared at Zarah for seconds because I didn¡¯t know how to exin it. ¡°I don¡¯t exactly know.¡±


    ¡°Close your eyes and focus.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± I took deep breaths and let it go through my mouth. I suddenly saw flowers in the pot. I felt it against my fingertips, the fresh air against my skin. I was about to touch another flower- a hydrangea, but I was back in the room.


    ¡°Zarah!¡± I fell,nding on my back, reaching for her hand.


    ¡°What the hell?¡±


    ¡°Ouch.¡± I rubbed my spine, wincing in pain. ¡°What the hell was that?¡±


    Zarahughed, shaking her head. I¡¯d never seen herugh, but she was so beautiful and young.


    ¡°I was here sitting. The next second, I saw flowers in the pot. I don¡¯t know the name of the small red flowers. Then I was about to touch a hydrangea, and I was back in the room, falling on my ass, Zarah. What the hell was that?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ask me. You did it yourself,¡± she said proudly. It was shown all over her face.


    My eyes grew even wider. ¡°You¡¯re kidding. What kind of spell is that?¡±


    ¡°The curse is broken. I think you start to manifest your gift.¡±


    ¡°What? Are you certain? But Ambrose said I don¡¯t have a gift.¡±


    ¡°I think I am. You¡¯re not a seer, and I couldn¡¯t sense dark magic in you. You¡¯re clean as a whistle, but be careful. We need to measure the extent of your gift. I¡¯m not entirely sure if it¡¯s teleportation or just your mind jumping into a ce you¡¯ve been there before.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t see that pots of flowers before. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s in the foyer.¡±


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s enough for today. Let¡¯s keep this a secret until we figure out your true gift. I know you can¡¯t keep a secret from Knight, but that¡¯s all. You can¡¯t tell anyone. You¡¯ve seen what happened when someone touched your mark.¡±


    ¡°One question. Am I a werewolf?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t sense it, and you don¡¯t smell like one, but try talking to your wolf. She¡¯s in there if you are.¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    Talk to her in your head.


    I closed my eyes.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to close your eyes.¡± She chuckled.


    ¡°Are you there, wolfy?¡± I inwardly said until I was disappointed. ¡°Nada.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s too soon, or you remain human, but give it time. You just recovered from the tremendous unthinkable life-altering events of your life.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. You¡¯re right.¡± I sighed in relief.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here.¡±


    We barely reached the living room. They all stood up with excitement in their eyes.


    ¡°So?¡± Kailin was the first one to ask.


    ¡°I¡¯m free from dark magic. So, I¡¯m good to drink a wine.¡±


    They allughed except Knight.


    ¡°What?¡±


    He came and pulled me into a tighter hug, kissing my head. ¡°I thought I couldn¡¯t hug you like this again.¡±


    ¡°Me, too.¡±


    ¡°Okay, guys. Stop staring at them. It¡¯s getting creepy.¡±


    ¡°I prepared a room for you upstairs, Zarah.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll stay until morning.¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t you stay for a few days?¡± I asked her.


    ¡°I have work at home.¡±


    ¡°And a Lycan King.¡± I smiled when she smiled.


    ¡°I¡¯m hungry,¡± West said.


    ¡°I could eat.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go buy some food,¡± McKaye said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go with you,¡± West suggested.


    ¡°I¡¯d love some pizza.¡±


    ¡°I was about to say the same thing, Grandpa.¡±


    ¡°I happen to know a nice pizzeria in town,¡± West said, rubbing his abdomen.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go upstairs and call Sebastien. Call me when the food arrives.¡± Zarah went upstairs.


    ¡°I need a drink.¡± Kailin got up.


    ¡°Are you settling in good, Grandpa?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, honey.¡± Knight must have lent him some clothes. He changed intofy sweatpants and a T-shirt.


    I looked up at Knight. ¡°Do you have hydrangea in the garden?¡±


    ¡°White. Yeah. Why?¡± The way his brows furrowed, his brain must have been reeling with questions.


    ¡°I wanna see it.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s go through the back door. We didn¡¯t get a chance to tour in that area.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± We went through the door from the kitchen to the stone paths. The grass was beautiful. ¡°This is real grass.¡±


    ¡°Yes. How was your meditation with Zarah?¡±


    ¡°It was great.¡± My heart skipped a beat as I saw the same plot of red flowers. ¡°What is its name?¡±


    ¡°Geranium, I think. That¡¯s the hydrangea.¡± He pointed at the nt with big white flowers covering the area.


    I was just standing where I was, in the same position. I noticed I was holding the Geranium against my fingers.


    ¡°You okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± I grinned. ¡°I¡¯m great.¡±

 39

    NIRVANA     I had the longest shower in history. In fact, I lost myself in the mist. I could still be there if Knight hadn¡¯t knocked on the door.


    ¡°I¡¯m done.¡± I stepped out and wrapped myself in a towel.


    I found myself staring at the mirror. I looked the same, except the irises in my eyes were slightly lighter. It was probably from the light in the bathroom because I felt the same.


    ¡°You okay?¡± Knight came beside me. I knew he was just concerned. After what I had been through, cheating death, I should have been horrified that magic could cheat beyond my understanding. If dying and getting saved by a master warlock counted as unnatural, then I was not a normal human being anymore.


    I squinted my eyes as I looked at him in the mirror. ¡°If you¡¯ll ask me one more time, I swear I¡¯m gonna punch your nose.¡±


    He smiled. ¡°We don¡¯t have to be violent tonight. I¡¯m just checking up on you. Anyway, I brought your clothes here. You said you didn¡¯t want someone touching your things, so they¡¯re still in your suitcases.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this your room?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    I turned and faced him. ¡°Then I should not be here.¡±


    ¡°And why is that?¡± He stared at me.


    ¡°Because this is your room. I¡¯m fine with the spare if you have an empty room.¡±


    ¡°I want you to be here with me. I want to make sure there are no side effects from what Ambrose did to you. Is that okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Besides, you need to keep an eye on me.¡± I smiled as I kissed him on the cheek, walking away from him. I went to his closet. I found my suitcases on the floor.


    I grabbed my underwear, a shirt, and pajama bottoms. Knight didn¡¯t follow me. I put them on and brushed my hair. I realized I didn¡¯t have my ne anymore; it was the only thing I had from my mother.


    As I stared at the mirror, I felt tingles all over my skin. They weren¡¯t strong, but they were enough for me to feel something, and then a voice somewhat pierced my ears.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°She just came from the shower. Is she okay during her meditation with you?¡± There was obvious worry in his voice.


    What the hell?


    ¡°Yes. Just keep an eye on her.¡± It was Zarah. Knight was talking to Zarah. I couldn¡¯t just figure out where this conversation took ce. ¡°I can make a protection ne like I did for Shadow. It warns her if there¡¯s a danger.¡±


    ¡°That would be great. Are you sure she¡¯s not changing? I can¡¯t smell anything. She¡¯s still human.¡±


    ¡°I think she¡¯s still the same. Maybe it should be triggered, but don¡¯t go there, Knight. She¡¯s been through a lot.¡± I felt the sincerity in her voice, a feeling like I was there with them. ¡°We should take things slow. Don¡¯t piss her off. And she should still enjoy without a lot of responsibility.¡±


    ¡°But there wasn¡¯t dark magic or side effects, right?¡±


    ¡°No. Her soul is clean. As far as I can tell, she¡¯s the same Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Do you wanna see her?¡±


    ¡°In the morning before I go.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t really stay for a couple of days?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t. I have other responsibilities, Knight.¡±


    ¡°I know. I understand, but thanks for everything. She-¡± Knight paused. ¡°I would have lost her if it wasn¡¯t for you.¡±


    ¡°I did nothing, Knight. It was all Ambrose.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe that. Ambrose wouldn¡¯t find his way here if it weren¡¯t for you.¡±


    ¡°Yes, witches use energy to do magic. It¡¯s like consuming a lot of power from a power grid. So witches and warlocks can trace where that magic is made. And you can always reach out. I wille as soon as possible.¡±


    I shook off and got out of the closet so I could not hear their conversation because it felt like eavesdropping, even if it wasn¡¯t my intention.


    When Knight came back, I was already sitting on his king-sized, well-made bed. I could smell him in it, a distinct scent I¡¯d never smelled before.


    ¡°Hey.¡± He crawled into bed to kiss me on my forehead.


    ¡°You can kiss me on the lips, Knight. I¡¯m sure if an evil spirit is inside me, it¡¯s not contagious.¡±


    He stared at me, eyebrows met. My joke apparently was dark.


    ¡°Gee.¡± I hit him yfully on his arm. ¡°I was just messing with you, but not the kissing part.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± He sighed deeply. ¡°The food is here. Let¡¯s go before the pizza gets cold.¡±


    Guys were already in dining, waiting for us to join them.


    ¡°Sorry for letting you wait.¡±


    ¡°We just came back. The food is still warm,¡± MacKaye said.


    ¡°And before we start, I just wanna say thank you for everything, for being here for your alpha when I couldn¡¯t.¡± When they nodded and felt grateful, I added, ¡°And please, no more asking me if I¡¯m okay. I¡¯ll let you know if I feel weird or being possessed by the great evil warlock.¡±


    ¡°How can you tell if you¡¯re being possessed?¡± Zarah chortled as she took a seat across the table. ¡°When you wouldn¡¯t know what you¡¯re doing anymore. Let¡¯s have dinner.¡±


    Knight put two slices of pepperoni pizza on my te, a slice of garlic bread, and a small calzone before he got himself the same as mine.


    ¡°I might have to leave tomorrow, honey.¡±


    ¡°Why so soon, Grandpa?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t leave the restaurant. I¡¯m sure you have things to do.¡±


    ¡°You can just call Zarah if you wanna see your granddaughter. I¡¯m sure she will portal you here,¡± Kailin said.


    ¡°Well, that would be great.¡±


    ¡°It feels like cheating time and space,¡± West said humorously.


    ¡°What do you know about time and space, West.¡± North snorted.


    ¡°You both know nothing.¡± Zander grabbed another slice of Hawaiian pizza.


    ¡°I should lock you in jail. I mean, I like to try some food I saw on TikTok, but putting pineapple on pizza should be a crime.¡± Kailin cringed as Zander didn¡¯t care about her opinion.


    ¡°Hey, mind your own taste in food. I like mine with a load of sweetness and savory. It actually tastes better than Tuna pizza,¡± Zander retorted.


    ¡°I like ssic pepperoni with a lot of tomato sauce, basil, and cheese. If someone gives me a pizza with Alfredo sauce, I¡¯m going to turn violent.¡±


    ¡°Did I lose your appetite, Vana?¡±


    ¡°No, Zander. We¡¯re good.¡±


    After our wonderful and fun dinner, Knight and I returned to his room. We brushed our teeth together and went to bed.


    ¡°I could use a good warm nket.¡±


    ¡°I could be your human pillow.¡± Knight opened his arms for me.


    I willingly went to his arms and hugged him. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°Me too, sweetheart.¡±


    I looked right into him, and his green forest eyes were burning. I could sense the desperation and sexual tension crackling between us.


    My heart was about to explode, and my emotions started getting turmoil. ¡°You¡¯re gonna stick to sweetheart, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± he said breathlessly, gently sweeping his thumb over my cheek. He breathed deeply, his chest rising before he mmed his lips into mine.


    I instantly kissed him, running my fingers through his hair. The kiss was passionate and slow, making me ache for more. I felt him everywhere- his muscr body pressed against mine, his soft yet demanding lips, the roughness of his tongue, seeking entrance, his smell and warmth, his ripped muscles, the bulge in his sweatpants, the ache between my thighs.


    I felt everything. It was overwhelming, yet I wanted more. I¡¯d never felt like this before- hence, it didn¡¯t work with somebody else.


    He slid his hand down my back, towards my ass, squeezing, pulling my thigh against him so I could wrap my leg around his waist and feel his hardness- a huge long thick hardness, grinding against my aching core.


    As our tongues dueled, he wrapped his arms around me and rolled over so he could be on top of me. With enough weight not to crush me, he moved his hips, putting a little pressure between my thighs, making me lose in so much pleasure.


    A moan escaped from my throat as his kiss turned savage and demanding. He broke the kiss, and I breathed hard, gasping for air.


    Moving his lips down my jaw, towards my neck, nuzzling his nose against my throat, he nipped the skin, sucked the spot where he should bite me during mating.


    With an animal guttural growl, he bit my neck.

 40

    NIRVANA     ¡°Fuck,¡± he cursed under his breath as he realized what he did. His eyes began to glow.


    I froze, cing my hand on his chest. ¡°Calm down. It¡¯s fine. It doesn¡¯t hurt, and it didn¡¯t bleed.¡±


    He looked at my neck. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. I never lost control like that.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we both need that.¡± I patted the spot where he bit me. It stung a little, but that was it. I was more horny and unsated.


    ¡°No, sweetheart.¡± His voice came out a growl, full of regrets. ¡°I could have hurt you. And you don¡¯t heal fast.¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°You don¡¯t want them to see your bite on my neck?¡±


    ¡°Fuck, I want to, but when we do the mating. Not like this.¡±


    Arching my brows, I teased him. ¡°So what are we exactly doing?¡±


    ¡°I ruined it, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    I cupped his face when I felt the guilt in his words, gauging his tone. ¡°No. Never.¡±


    He got off me and moved to his side, but he still pulled me into his arms. ¡°Next time, tell me to stop.¡±


    ¡°Maybe I didn¡¯t want to,¡± I teased further.


    ¡°I know this is not the right time to talk about your gift. The reason why your life was in danger was because of it, but after seeing you die in my arms, it felt like I died with you, too, but I still felt the excruciating pain in every cell in my body. I don¡¯t wanna go through that moment. I don¡¯t care. I don¡¯t give a shit about your gift anymore. I want you to be free and live your life as you want. No more bullshit, Nirvana. If that gift could tear us apart, then it¡¯s not a gift. It¡¯s a curse.¡±


    I giggled. ¡°Wow. That¡¯s the best confession I¡¯ve ever heard.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not joking,¡± he pointed out.


    ¡°When I fell, my body was paralyzed. It was the moment I had regrets. I let my anger lead me to danger. I had that moment when I wished I could turn back just three minutes and get the hell out of there. Now, I was given a second chance. I don¡¯t wanna waste every second of my life on nonsense. I wanna be with you.¡±


    ¡°We can do this together, Nirvana.¡± He hugged me tight, nuzzling his nose in the crook of my neck.


    ¡°Yes, we can. We¡¯re unbeatable together.¡±


    I closed my eyes, wanting to fall asleep, secured and protected in his arms.


    A gasp escaped my lips. I found myself in the middle of the woods, in the middle of the darkness, so cold that it could freeze my bones.


    My heart hammered in my chest the moment I realized this didn¡¯t feel like meditating with Zarah. This seemed looked real.


    I fell hard on my ass, dragging myself back away from that being-a wolf, a glowing big bad wolf. It was like a blue luminescent, glowing, LED light in the dark, yet with a blue me zing all over its body. The eyes glowed almost white.


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t hurt me. Don¡¯t hurt me, please?¡± I covered my head with my arms when it came closer, and I had no way of escaping. ¡°I have a family. I have a mate. Please, I still wanna see them.¡±


    That thing growled before me, but I was still there, alive, breathing, and unharmed. I slowly lowered my arms, and it was still there, staring right into my arms as ifmunicating with me. What the hell?


    It nearly gave me a heart attack.


    ¡°Whatever you are, I do not have a quarrel with you. Let me go, please? I promise I will stay out of your-¡± I looked around. It wasn¡¯t familiar. I couldn¡¯t see anything but darkness in the woods. I was sure I was in the woods because of the earthy scents and the rustling of leaves, and I felt the softness of the ground under my feet.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean to hurt you.¡± One moment, she was a glowing wolf, and now, she was a big white wolf standing before me. Wait. Did it just talk to me in my head?


    ¡°Oh. Who are you?¡± My voice still trembled.


    ¡°I¡¯m one of many spirits.¡±


    I chuckled, swatting my hand. ¡°Right. A female wolf spirit is talking in my head.¡±


    ¡°Be serious, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Wait. How do you know me?¡± I felt goosebumps erupt all over my body.


    ¡°You died by a dark magic and brought back to life by magic. Your soul has been saved. You are pure and chosen to have an animal spirit to protect you, guide you, and help you protect the people you care about from the evil that walks on earth, but you must never abuse it.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me? I¡¯m far from pure. I think you got the wrong, wolfy girl.¡±


    ¡°We had never been wrong. I symbolized power, loyalty, and guardianship.¡±


    ¡°Uh-huh. I¡¯m dreaming again, am I? But I say hard pass. I died once, and I can¡¯t do it again.¡± I cleared my throat. ¡°Look, I died and was brought back to life, and I¡¯m taking this second chance to good use, helping people, enjoying life, and being with my loved ones, but not to be controlled by whatever you are. You look cool, though, like an astral projection in Dr. Strange.¡±


    ¡°You need me, Nirvana, to help fight evils that walk the earth.¡±


    ¡°Enough with supernatural reference. I¡¯m going home.¡± I got up and waved at the wolf. ¡°Ciao.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m already you, a part of you. I don¡¯t need permission. How else are you still alive? This is the price you paid. All you have to do is use the power inside you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re kidding, right?¡± I did a swift turn and red at her.


    ¡°Call me, Asina.¡± Sheughed. Her voice was rich and free. ¡°Now, ciao, bellissima.¡±


    ¡°Ouch.¡± I winced in pain as I fell to the ground and quickly looked around and saw the house before me. ¡°What the hell?¡±


    I was barefooted and still wearing the same shirt and pajama bottoms before I slept. I was sure I fell asleep in Knight¡¯s arms, and now I had ended up outside the house.


    I was quickly on my feet and went to the back door, which was locked.


    ¡°Shit.¡± I drew a deep breath, closed my eyes, and triedmunicating with Zarah. She was a witch. I hoped I could get through her. ¡°Zarah, I¡¯m at the back door. I don¡¯t want to wake up everyone and freak them out. Please,e and open the door. I need to talk to you.¡±


    I waited on the patio with the hope Zarah woke up.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°What the hell are you doing here?¡±


    Startling, I stood up, ran towards Zarah, and hugged her tight. ¡°This is insane, and it starts to freak me out.¡±


    ¡°What is going on?¡± She inspected me from head to toe. ¡°You¡¯re not wearing slippers. Did you sleepwalk?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t think so, but I was dreaming. Then I woke up, felt like freefalling, and found myself on the ground at the entrance. How in the hell did it happen? Why is this happening to me? I can¡¯t just wake up and fall. What if I fall on a busy street the next time it happens, in theke or ocean? I don¡¯t wanna-¡±


    ¡°Calm down. Your heart is racing.¡± She held my arms.


    ¡°Of course, my heart is racing, Zarah. Every nerve in my body is humming with fear. Have you heard the name Asina?¡±


    Zarah looked shocked but not horrified. ¡°Where did you hear that name?¡±


    ¡°In my dream. Do you know her?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get inside. We¡¯ll talk about this in the morning. Wash your feet before you get in his room.¡±


    ¡°The door is probably locked.¡±


    ¡°I will unlock it for you.¡± She walked past me upstairs. ¡°Don¡¯t tell anyone.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    I went to the bathroom and washed my feet. My clothes had dirt on them. My dream felt real, and herugh still rang in my ears.


    The door to Knight¡¯s room was unlocked. I quickly changed my clothes and went back to bed.


    Knight stirred, wrapping his arm around me. ¡°Where did you go?¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t sleep, so I went to the patio to get some air. Get some sleep.¡±


    ¡°You smell good, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Sleep, alpha.¡±

 41

    KNIGHT


    Everything just felt right, and it scared me.


    It was my first time waking up in the morning with the same woman wrapped in my arms.


    Nirvana was a light sleeper who liked curling and tangling around me.


    ¡°Morning.¡± I kissed her shoulder de. ¡°Breakfast in bed?¡±


    ¡°No way. Zarah and Grandpa are leaving today.¡± She turned to me to kiss me on the lips, quickly got up, and went to the bathroom.


    I had to get on my ass as well. I typed an email to my assistant that I¡¯d be taking a vacation for the whole week.


    When she came back, she was wearing different pajamas.


    ¡°Did you change your clothes?¡±


    ¡°Yup. I kinda fellst night, but I¡¯m good. My butt didn¡¯t hurt anymore.¡±


    ¡°Be careful. Where did you fall?¡±


    ¡°I slipped in the patio. No biggie. I was just clumsy.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± I didn¡¯t know, but I felt she wasn¡¯t telling me the whole story.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go down if the squad is already awake.¡±


    ¡°At this time, they are. I¡¯m going to use the bathroom. See you down in a bit.¡±


    When I went down, she and her grandpa were busy in the kitchen. McKaye and Kailin were also helping.


    ¡°And you three are just sitting on your asses?¡± I yfully hit the kids in the head. ¡°Where¡¯s Maddox?¡±


    ¡°Went back at the pack house. And they said we will take care with cleaning.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t trust you in my kitchen, North.¡±


    North frowned, scratching his head.


    ¡°I¡¯m kidding.¡± I went to Nirvana to kiss her head. ¡°Need a hand?¡±


    ¡°Breakfast is my thing, son. At least I can cook for you before Zarah sends me back home.¡±


    ¡°I still need you here, Grandpa,¡± Nirvana said.


    ¡°Honey, you have the whole pack with you. You¡¯ll be fine without me. And I¡¯m sure you¡¯re in good hands.¡±


    ¡°We will protect her with our lives, sir,¡± West said.


    ¡°That¡¯s heroic of you, West, but I don¡¯t need protection.¡±


    ¡°Because Alpha will protect you?¡± Zander said, grinning.


    ¡°Hey, privacy.¡± McKaye hit him in the head.


    ¡°It was a joke, Mac,¡± bantered Zander. ¡°Besides, they¡¯re mates.¡±


    ¡°Shut up. Go and prepare the table before Zarahes down, Zander.¡±


    ¡°Why no one went up to wake her up?¡± Nirvana asked.


    ¡°We decided not to,¡± North said. ¡°What if she gets pissed off and turns us into rats?¡±


    Nirvanaughed as she sliced a strawberry. ¡°Ouch.¡±


    ¡°You okay?¡±


    She nodded as she sucked on her finger.


    ¡°Let me do that.¡±


    ¡°Nope, Alpha. I¡¯m almost done.¡± She continued with her chores again, and her finger wasn¡¯t bleeding. I noticed how she froze for a moment but finished her task.


    The twins got up and went to open drawers and cupboards.


    ¡°Coffee is ready,¡± McKay announced. ¡°How about you, K?¡±


    ¡°Onest batch of bacon.¡±


    ¡°Done here.¡± Nirvana had a bowl of sliced strawberries and a bowl of blueberries. ¡°I¡¯ll wake the witch before she turns us all into stones.¡±


    ¡°Is that possible?¡±


    ¡°Everything is possible, Zander. You¡¯ve seen what Vana¡¯s great-great-grandpa did yesterday.¡±


    ¡°Awesome.¡±


    Nirvana left the kitchen, and I followed her into the hallway, grabbed her wrist, pressed her against the wall, and kissed her hard until she squirmed.


    I broke the kiss and let her breathe. ¡°We should do this more often.¡±


    She smiled, amused. ¡°Do what now?¡±


    I took her hand and checked her finger. She curled where she cut earlier, but I didn¡¯t see an open wound.


    When I looked at her, she was biting her lip, showing me her neck where I identally bit herst night.


    ¡°When did you realize you healed fast?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go ask Zarah before they hear us.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± I didn¡¯t let go of her hand as we reached Zarah¡¯s door.


    My hand hung in the air when the door opened. Zarah was already in her blouse and pants.


    ¡°She healed fast.¡±


    ¡°I have a feeling she does.¡±


    ¡°I identally bit her enough to leave a visible teeth mark, but it was gone. Then she cut herself while slicing a strawberry.¡± I showed it to Zarah, but she didn¡¯t look surprised at all. ¡°You knew?¡±


    ¡°And she woke up in front of the housest night.¡±


    ¡°Zarah.¡± Nirvana groaned.


    ¡°What?¡± I stared at them in shock. ¡°How did I not know this?¡±


    ¡°Because I wasn¡¯t sure if I was sleepwalking. I just found myself falling in front of the house. That¡¯s why I changed my clothes. They got dirty.¡±


    ¡°Falling? What do you mean falling?¡± I turned to Zarah. ¡°What¡¯s happening to her? You¡¯re the only person I trust and have knowledge about magic.¡±


    ¡°Ever heard of Asina?¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°The ancient children¡¯s story, of course. The myth warrior werewolf Asina who died a hero after saving her entire vige from an evil warlord? But that¡¯s only in a children¡¯s book. She doesn¡¯t exist.¡±


    ¡°There was a story passed on in the witch¡¯s world that the Moon Goddess granted her a wish.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, she chose to be a wolf spirit warrior. I mean, how could she help her people if she was a spirit in the first ce?¡±


    ¡°In the spirit realm, a human could possess an animal spirit. There could be bad spirit or good spirit, but if you are chosen-¡±


    ¡°Your soul should be pure, yeah,¡± I added.


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°And they will choose you. Theye and visit you in your dream in the form of an animal and talk to you.¡±


    ¡°How do you know about this, Nirvana?¡± I was still confused. How did this have to do with her healing faster if she wasn¡¯t a werewolf?


    ¡°I dreamed of her.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re kidding.¡± I didn¡¯t quickly get shocked, but right now, I was, and I didn¡¯t find any reason not to believe her.


    ¡°You can check the CCTV on your front door if you don¡¯t believe me.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, I believe you,¡± Breathless and overwhelmed, I told her the truth.


    ¡°I¡¯d been given a chance to live again, and I¡¯m not wasting it for nothing. I told her I wanted to be with my family and those I cared about. She said wolf spirit coulde in handy against bad people. I paraphrased. She talked about power, loyalty, and guardianship. She also said she¡¯s already me, a part of me.¡±


    I looked at Zarah. ¡°Is that possible?¡±


    ¡°Yes. The reason I couldn¡¯t detect dark and negative vibes in her. The spirit warrior is protecting her.¡±


    ¡°She also told me she¡¯s the reason why I¡¯m alive.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m freaking out, Zarah. Is this thing going to consume me? Is this what Ambrose was talking about?¡±


    I made a nomittal noise instead of voicing out my thoughts.


    ¡°No, dear.¡± Zarah held her arm. ¡°It¡¯s going to protect you. You feel nothing but your true self. It¡¯s just like being a werewolf, but you don¡¯t have to go through transformation.¡±


    ¡°What else do you feel?¡± I eyed her, but I couldn¡¯t detect any changes.


    ¡°Where did you two talk about me before dinner?¡±


    Zarah and I shared a look.


    ¡°In my office.¡± I watched Zarah¡¯s eyes grow big. ¡°Why? How did you know that we talked?¡±


    ¡°She can hear us. She has supernatural hearing better than you and a pure lycan.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to eavesdrop. It just caught my hearing.¡± She shrugged.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go before someone hears us,¡± Zarah said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want this, any of these,¡± she begrudgingly said.


    ¡°That¡¯s the price you pay, but a good price, nheless. Centuries ago, werewolves and other supernatural beings prayed to have that kind of power, and the wolf spirit chose you, and you should be grateful.¡±


    ¡°I am. I was given a chance to be with you, guys. But I¡¯m not ready to embrace and channel this ability or whatever is inside me.¡±

 42

    NIRVANA


    ¡°I¡¯ll take your grandfather with me and send him home.¡±


    I suddenly felt emotional that I wanted to cry. ¡°I¡¯m grateful.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you soon, honey.¡± Grandpa kissed me on the cheek. ¡°Be safe.¡±


    ¡°You, too. Love you, Grandpa.¡±


    ¡°Love you, too.¡±


    I was still standing even though the portal had disappeared minutes before me.


    I didn¡¯t know what I would be if I were raised by a different person. I was d my grandfather was there for me growing up.


    ¡°Your grandpa is a strong man. He¡¯s going to be okay.¡±


    I looked at McKaye. ¡°Yup. After what happened to me, it¡¯s just that I don¡¯t wanna be far from him.¡±


    ¡°We can visit him. At least once a month.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a great idea, Mac.¡±


    ¡°Vana, we¡¯re going to the pack house. Are youing with us?¡±


    I turned to Kailin.


    Knight was standing next to her and smiled at me. ¡°Let¡¯s go?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    I climbed on his bike, and he revved it up. It purred and roared off down the road.


    The trip to the pack house was thrilling as I rode with Knight on his bike while the guys used the SUV.


    ¡°Maybe you could slow down a bit. Even if I heal fast, I don¡¯t want to take any chances. Maybe it was just a mishap.¡± I was yelling. Even with my helmet on, I knew people still died in a motorcycle ident.


    ¡°Are you scared?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious how I gripped my arms around you? I¡¯m terrified.¡±


    ¡°I thought you can¡¯t just get enough of my abs.¡±


    ¡°Silly.¡± I yfully pped his chest.


    ¡°But thrilling.¡±


    ¡°Knight, if you call this thrilling, then it is.¡±


    ¡°I should teach you how to drive a bike.¡±


    ¡°No, thank you. I¡¯m good with bicycles.¡±


    ¡°If you say so, sweetheart.¡±


    The pack house finally came into view. We entered the gate, and he parked at the front.


    ¡°Oh, my God. My legs are shaking.¡± I hopped off the motorbike, removed my helmet, and fixed my hair. ¡°Not going home in this thing again.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Knight was amused by my dramatic response. ¡°We¡¯ll go by car then.¡±


    ¡°Come on, guys. The game is about to begin,¡± Kailin gestured before she entered the house.


    ¡°What game?¡±


    ¡°Football.¡±


    ¡°Wait. We came here to watch football?¡± I took the hand he offered.


    ¡°Yes. At the back.¡±


    I didn¡¯t want to argue. If this is how he wanted to spend some time with his pack, then by all means. We went to the back-the field before the vineyards were already filled with people, kids, and yers.


    ¡°I thought we were going to watch football on TV.¡±


    ¡°No, Nirvana.¡± He kissed the side of my head, and the people just saw us, making my cheeks burn.


    ¡°They saw us,¡± I whispered.


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not used to this attention just yet.¡±


    Everyone greeted their alpha and me. Knight was used to this kind of attention he was getting. These were his pack, after all.


    We sat in the front row when Luka and Kaleb joined us.


    Luka smiled timidly. ¡°How are you doing?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m doing great. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°I heard what happened. I wish I were there for you,¡± Kaleb said.


    ¡°Your te is full, Kaleb, but thanks. Did you find anything in that area where I fell?¡±


    ¡°Aside from werewolf scents, nothing.¡±


    ¡°The game is starting,¡± Luka informed.


    ¡°What team are we, alpha?¡± I saw North, West, Zander, Azrel, Gage, Maddox, and Tucker among the yers.


    Luka and Kalebughed.


    ¡°I have to go with my brother, the blue team,¡± Luka said.


    ¡°Are you on the green team with the twins, alpha?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Is there a bet?¡±


    ¡°No, but there¡¯s a prize for the winning team and a constion for the losing team.¡±


    The game has started.


    ¡°Who¡¯s the referee?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s Antoine. He¡¯s a high school referee.¡± He looked at me with a smile on his face. He seemed to enjoy a lot watching these guys focus on sports instead of ruining their lives on drugs.


    ¡°That¡¯s great.¡±


    I suddenly felt a hand on my back. When I looked over my shoulder, it was Aspen.


    ¡°Hey. I heard you were rushed to the hospital.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. A bug bit me. Apparently, I¡¯m allergic to it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re okay.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, me too.¡± I also said hi to Roisin, Heartley, and Haylo.


    ¡°What team is leading?¡± Kailin asked, who had just joined us.


    ¡°Why are youte?¡±


    ¡°I brought us some snacks.¡± She carried a big stic bag full of chips, and McKaye carried two packs of beer and sodas.


    ¡°We¡¯re getting drunk, are we?¡± Iughed.


    ¡°We have good tolerance for alcohol.¡±


    ¡°Yay. Not me.¡±


    Kailin sat next to me.


    ¡°Are you guys done talking?¡± asked our irritated alpha.


    ¡°I guess you¡¯re really a football fan.¡± I gripped his knee, grinning. ¡°Or your team is losing.¡±


    ¡°My team will win, Nirvana.¡± He smiled confidently, taking a bag of chips from Kailin and a can of beer and soda from McKaye.


    ¡°Oh, full of confidence. I like that.¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Knight just stood up and pped his hands after his team earned points. ¡°Go, guys! You can win this again.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll get a touchdown, alpha.¡± Kaleb teased him.


    ¡°Good luck, buddy,¡± Knight teased back.


    ¡°Who gives the prizes?¡± I whispered to Kailin.


    ¡°The alpha.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. He also sponsors some college boys who can¡¯t afford like the twins. That¡¯s why he¡¯s protective of them, of everyone, actually. Their parents are working ss, but they also have kids in high school.¡±


    I felt proud of Knight, knowing he wasn¡¯t just about getting rich or being a protective alpha. He truly cared for these people and the boys.


    ¡°Next month, there will be a game between two packs. We lost in thest game.¡±


    ¡°Ouch.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Just by two points,¡± Knight still proudly said.


    ¡°Yes!¡± Kaleb was alsopetitive, trying to rile up Knight when his team got a touchdown, making them lead.


    Knight opened a beer can and sipped it. ¡°If they don¡¯t win in this game, I won¡¯t sponsor them in the pack game.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re kidding. This is just a warm-up and a practice. They need a motivation to y harder.¡± I stood up and pped even though Team Green was behind by two points. ¡°Good job, guys! You can win this. You still have time. Now move your butt and make me proud.¡±


    They huddled together before going to their respective positions.


    ¡°Right, guys.¡± I sat down when I noticed Kailin and the guys wereughing. I fist-bumped with them, including my alpha.


    ¡°Nice one, Vana,¡± said Aspen.


    ¡°That¡¯s a true Luna move,¡± Knight whispered.


    I couldn¡¯t help but smile until I heard a whooshing sound, which heightened my senses. The ball was overthrown andnded in our direction.


    Something inside me snapped, hyper-aware that it was about to hit my face. Before it struck me, I caught it with my left hand, making the crowd gasp.


    I looked at the ball in my hand and threw it back to the field.


    ¡°Thanks, Vana!¡± Azrel raised the ball before he ran to join his team.


    The guys with me through just stared at me for seconds.


    ¡°What? Never seen a woman caught a ball before?¡± I smiled meaningfully to stop them from asking.


    ¡°It was awesome to reflect you got there, Vana,¡± McKaye said, but I saw him steal a nce at Knight. ¡°Newfound ability?¡±


    ¡°I wish.¡±


    Ultimately, Knight¡¯s team won. Everyone left but us.


    ¡°You guys,ing?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be there in a minute, K.¡±


    I felt Knight had something to say but held it back.


    ¡°Just say it. We don¡¯t keep secrets, remember?¡±


    ¡°We have to search for something about Asina.¡±


    ¡°I was just about to tell you that. And I want to learn how to fight.¡±


    He stared at me in shock. ¡°Fight?¡±


    ¡°Self-defense. Since I am sure now that I can¡¯t shift into a wolf. Will you teach me?¡±


    ¡°Kailin can teach you?¡±


    ¡°Why not you?¡± I felt offended.


    ¡°I can¡¯t hit you.¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Yes, you can. It¡¯s part of learning unless you¡¯re busy.¡±


    ¡°That too.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Who knows how to fight?¡±


    ¡°McKaye and Luka.¡±


    ¡°Will you tell one of them who is willing to teach me?¡±


    ¡°Let me talk to Mac. How about shooting?¡±


    ¡°I hate guns. I wanna test the theory.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± He looked at me in the eye.


    ¡°Let¡¯s run from here to there and use your werewolf speed.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± He looked more worried than challenged.


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s just the two of us.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± He stood up, giving me a hand.


    ¡°From here to that tree.¡± I pointed at the tree about 100 meters.


    ¡°You can stop in the middle if you feel exhausted.¡±


    ¡°I know, Knight.¡± We stood side by side. ¡°You count one to three, then go, okay?¡±


    Okay.¡±


    We position ourselves. I closed my eyes and drew a deep breath before Iser-focused on that tree.


    ¡°One. Two. Three. Go.¡±


    Air rushed around me in a whoosh. Knight went ahead. When I started moving my feet, something unexpected supernatural happened. I didn¡¯t feel my feet move or exhaustion in my chest. Yet, I found myself standing before the tree, and Knight just reached the finish line.

 43

    KNIGHT     Holy shit!


    I was advanced. Nirvana was still standing when I sped up. Then, in the blink of an eye, she was ahead of me, standing under the tree at the finish line.


    ¡°How?¡± I went to her, inspecting her from head to toe.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± She shrugged. ¡°Please don¡¯t tell anyone. I want to keep it to myself first. I need to know my strengths and weaknesses. I want to know if there are repercussions. Maybe there are side effects. And I¡¯m terrified.¡±


    ¡°Sweetheart, you don¡¯t have to tell me. My priority right now is to keep you safe, and to do that, I shouldn¡¯t tell anybody. Does Zarah know?¡±


    ¡°While we were meditating, I think I went to the flowers in the backyard. That¡¯s why I asked you if there were hydrangeas, because I felt like I saw them and touched the red flowers in the pot, but I wasn¡¯t sure. I was sitting before Zarah, and the next thing I knew, I had somehow fallen off my seat. It was like a blow of wind threw me away.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t run fast like the sh.¡±


    She chuckled. ¡°No. I think I can go to another ce.¡±


    ¡°Like teleporting?¡± I asked in disbelief, amazed, and dumbfounded.


    ¡°Something like that, but I don¡¯t know how to control it. What if I did it and I ended up in the street and got hit by a car? What if the next time it happens while I¡¯m sleeping, I end up in theke? Or in the crater. I¡¯m scared, Knight, and I don¡¯t know how to control it or what¡¯s the limit.¡± I knew she was scared. I could hear it in her voice and hear her heartbeat racing.


    ¡°Hey,¡± I said, pulling her into a hug when she started to cry. ¡°We¡¯ll figure this out together.¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯d rather be a werewolf than have this spirit inside me that we don¡¯t know how to deal with.¡±


    I cupped her face. ¡°Look at me. We¡¯ll find a way. We¡¯ll do some digging. Maybe Zarah has books or Sebastien¡¯s. Maybe Ambrose has heard about this spirit, but the problem is we don¡¯t know how to reach out to him.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t summon him, Knight. It¡¯s too dangerous for all of us. He has Cyrius on his heels, or he¡¯s also hunting Cyrius, but maybe Shadow¡¯s father or grandfather knows something.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Let¡¯s get back to the pack house. But that ball was impressive.¡±


    ¡°Shut up.¡± She elbowed me on my side. ¡°I can sense you from far. I don¡¯t know, I can¡¯t describe it, but I can smell you when you¡¯re around. You have a distinct scent, like a kind of citrus, musky herbs, and bark of wood. You smell like an expensive cologne.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s amazing.¡±


    ¡°Since I did not inherit a seer gift, does that mean the celibacy thing is off the equation?¡± Her question and hesitancy made me smile, and I was ttered that she still thought about our rtionship.


    ¡°I think so, but there¡¯s no rush, Nirvana. If you¡¯re willing to wear my mark, the right time wille. I¡¯m not forcing you into something you¡¯re not sure about, and you¡¯re notfortable with.¡±


    ¡°I think this ability is triggered by emotion, just like a werewolf shifting prematurely.¡±


    ¡°Do you remember how you feel while meditating?¡±


    ¡°I was focused. My mind was clear then, like what happened right now.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you can also travel through time.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re kidding, right?¡± She snorted.


    ¡°Powerful witches can manipte time. Ambrose can do it. He can stop time. It¡¯s time warping, but it¡¯s against aw of nature, and there¡¯s a consequence for abusing a powerful ability like that.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I won¡¯t do this.¡± We arrived back at the pack house. The guys were already waiting in the living area.


    ¡°Where did you both go?¡±


    ¡°We made out,¡± I said without hesitation, causing them to look away awkwardly.


    ¡°He¡¯s kidding. We walked to the tree.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s far,¡± Uncle Lennox said. ¡°How are you feeling, Vana?¡±


    ¡°Dad, we already told you not to ask her that,¡± McKaye groaned.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Mac. I¡¯m doing great. So far, I don¡¯t feel any side effects.¡±


    ¡°I already gave them their prizes, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Kailin.¡±


    ¡°I should have my share. I almost lost my voice cheering for you, guys,¡± Nirvana joked as she joined them.


    ¡°I¡¯ll buy Boba tea for you, Vana.¡±


    ¡°Just kidding, Zander.¡± She smiled at him.


    ¡°No. Really. There¡¯s a good Boba Tea stall near our school.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s kind of you. Thanks.¡±


    ¡°Are you both staying?¡±


    I turned to Kaleb. ¡°No. We¡¯re heading back home.¡±


    ¡°We can tag along if you don¡¯t mind, Alpha,¡± Zander said, pping Maddox¡¯s back. ¡°Maybe you need us to run an errand.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have ss tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°We do, but we can go to school from there,¡± West replied.


    ¡°All right. Take the SUV with you.¡± I turned to Kaleb. ¡°Can we talk?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± He rose from the seat. ¡°I¡¯ll be in the office.¡±


    ¡°Do you wannae with me?¡±


    Nirvana shook her head. ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    I followed Kaleb into my office and locked the door behind me. Nirvana didn¡¯t have toe with me because she could probably hear our conversation, even if this were soundproofed from human ears.


    ¡°Is something wrong?¡±


    ¡°No. Who went to scout the parametersst night?¡±


    ¡°Gage and Tucker are in the south to west, and Luka and Fabian are in the north to east. There were campers outside the territory. They¡¯re humans.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t trust anyone, even humans. I¡¯m afraid Cadogan wille to us to retaliate. Then, this warlock problems. How can I deal with that when I don¡¯t even have the power to defeat him.¡±


    ¡°What about the warlock that healed your mate?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s hunting that asshole. If he loses and gets thrown into the underworld, we¡¯re doomed. Even though Zarah is powerful, there¡¯s no way she can defeat him alone. She needs her entire coven, even covens all over the world.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure our parameters are secured. You can take our best enforcers with you.¡±


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t want to leave this pack house undefended. Just stay alert and make sure our rm systems are working. Let Gage use hisputer skills. If the system needs an upgrade, let me know. I¡¯ll write a cheque. And if you need extra weapons and ammo, send me a list. Don¡¯t let the girls out all the time.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to talk to Mac about training Nirvana in hand-to-handbat. She wants me to teach her, but I have a lot on my te right now. She¡¯s in good hands with him.¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°I¡¯ll pick Mac myself to train her too. I¡¯m d she¡¯sing around. I¡¯m happy for you, Alpha. When is the party?¡±


    ¡°Not right now. She¡¯s still recovering.¡±


    He grabbed the folder on the desk. ¡°I¡¯ve been meaning to give this to you.¡±


    ¡°Budget?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± I grabbed the pen from the pen holder and signed the quarterly budget for the pack. I looked at the figures. ¡°Are you sure this number willst?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll make itst till next quarter, Alpha. And we¡¯re beyond grateful.¡±


    ¡°Hey. This is why I¡¯m working hard.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Anything else?¡±


    ¡°Just a suggestion. Maybe you should do a blood pact with Vana so she could link you when there¡¯s an emergency. And it¡¯s solstice today.¡±


    ¡°Damn it. Itpletely slipped my mind. I¡¯ll do it right now while everyone is around. Give me the chalice.¡±


    He took it from the cab and handed me the knife. I made a small cut on my finger and let three droplets of my blood fall into the chalice. Since Nirvana was human, this way worked more than themon blood pact.


    ¡°I will clean the knife and be there.¡±


    ¡°Okay. We¡¯ll wait in the living room.¡± I left the office to find the guysughing at what Nirvana told them.


    ¡°What did I miss?¡±


    ¡°Nothing much, alpha.¡± She smiled.


    ¡°Are you ready for a blood pact so that you enjoy the free wi-fi?¡±


    ¡°I thought you¡¯d never asked,¡± she said gleefully.


    I kissed her forehead and whispered. ¡°Make sure you won¡¯t vanish before me.¡±


    Sheughed nervously. Kaleb came with a knife and a Chalice.


    ¡°I¡¯m not drinking your blood, am I?¡±


    ¡°No, Vana. Since you two are mates, you will just share a drink,¡± my uncle exined in a shorter version, excluding the oundish part.


    ¡°Ready?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Wait. Isn¡¯t it a solstice today?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Now stand up before me.¡± My pack rose and began surrounding us in a circle. A console table between us with a knife and a chalice filled with red wine. ¡°You can close your eyes if you don¡¯t wanna see blood.¡±


    ¡°I think I went through hell yesterday. A small cut on my palm won¡¯t scare me or make me copse.¡±


    ¡°Okay, no more talking, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Alpha.¡±


    My pack chuckled.


    I picked up the knife, took her right hand, and ran the de through her palm enough to bleed.


    She hissed but didn¡¯t pull her hand back. I knew she was stronger, especially now she was turning into something powerful.


    I did the same to my palm. I was already immune, as I had done this many times with my pack members.


    Nirvana didn¡¯t break the eye contact. When my hand bled, I grabbed hers and pressed them together in the form of a handshake. I read the rite toplete the rituals.


    ¡°Wee to the pack, kely Nirvana Woodrow Thorne.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re so brave and beautiful.¡± I opened my link to hers, and I watched her eyes widen.


    ¡°Holy sh-¡°

 44

    NIRVANA     ¡°So, I¡¯m going home with this death trap again?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re safe with me, Nirvana.¡± He kissed me on the lips before helping me put on my helmet. ¡°I promise.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky I trust you.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I know I am the luckiest. I have a beautiful woman riding with me.¡± He turned on the engine, and his Ducati purred like a kitten.


    ¡°See youter, guys.¡± I climbed on his bike and waved at Kailin and her father.


    ¡°You both take care,¡± Lennox said. ¡°The boys will follow you behind.¡±


    Knight pulled out the gate instead of going towards the road where we came from his home earlier.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t we supposed to be going to the vineyards?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m taking you on a joyride. It¡¯s a fine night, sweetheart. There¡¯s a good burrito stand not far from here.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m supposed to be your biker¡¯s girl?¡±


    The word biker¡¯s girl made himugh. ¡°Would you be my girl?¡±


    ¡°Whatever, alpha.¡± I tightened my arms around his abdomen. I knew he would never intentionally put my life in danger.


    The night was beautiful, and it was just the two of us in the middle of the road, having fun.


    ¡°You can remove your helmet and feel the breeze against your face, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°You do this often?¡±


    ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking. To answer your question, no. I don¡¯t let someone ride on my bike.¡±


    ¡°So your bike is your baby, huh?¡±


    ¡°No, but if I let someone ride with me, it gives them a different meaning when all I want is just sex. Nothing more.¡±


    I took a leap and took off the helmet. I sucked a breath as I felt the wind against my face, my hair flying freely. ¡°It¡¯s levitating.¡±


    ¡°Live a little, Nirvana. Stand up.¡±


    ¡°Are you crazy?¡± I widened my eyes and stared at him, even though he could not see my reaction.


    Then he looked at me through the mirror. ¡°Come on, sweetheart. I won¡¯t let anything happen to you.¡±


    My heart pumped so frantically hard. I felt the adrenaline rush as I took the courage to stand up. I gripped his shoulder, feeling like I was flying. It was thrilling, even if it was dangerous.


    I raised my helmet and screamed, ¡°Here¡¯s to me taking the risk!¡±


    ¡°Good girl,¡± he said in amusement.


    I sat back and put my helmet on. ¡°Knight ckwell, You¡¯re a bad influence, but it was fun.¡±


    ¡°d you¡¯re having fun.¡±


    ¡°d I took your challenge. Thank you, alpha.¡±


    ¡°Anytime for my girl.¡±


    But our fun ended there. Abruptly.


    ¡°Who are these guys, Knight?¡± My pulse raced as Knight slowed down his bike when three Harleys and a Ford truck parked in the middle of the road.


    ¡°Stay calm. Your heartbeat is racing. Don¡¯t vanish, Nirvana.¡± Knight halted his bike a few meters away from the gangs. ¡°That¡¯s Cadogan¡¯s son, Travis, in the center and his men.¡±


    ¡°What do they want?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s find out.¡±


    ¡°You should not havee to the nightclub and threatened my father, ckwell. You know it won¡¯t end well for you!¡±


    ¡°Let us pass, Travis so that this night won¡¯t end horribly,¡± he said calmly.


    ¡°Says the guy who¡¯s alone and his chick.¡±


    Chick?I inwardly groaned.


    ¡°We can just turn around, Knight. We don¡¯t have to deal with them.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re armed, Nirvana. They will shoot at us as soon as we make a U-turn.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re about seven. I don¡¯t think we can go home alive. What does he want?¡± Dread crawled under my skin. I gripped his shoulders tighter when my hands shook.


    ¡°What do you want, Travis?¡± His expression seemed under his control while I was horror-stricken.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you asked. I want you to give us the chick, then go home and bring five million dors in cash. I¡¯m sure you can provide that amount in one hour, or I will send her fingers one by one every ten minutes you¡¯rete,¡± he confidently said, thinking he would be five million dors rich tonight with Knight¡¯s money.


    I was quickly on a short fuse. Travis was a son of a bitch. He thought he could rule the world and take whatever he wanted.


    Even if I wanted to go with them so this night could end peacefully and let Knight bring the amount he asked, I knew he would not trust these assholes with my life.


    ¡°That¡¯s not gonna happen,¡± Knight growled, his body vibrating angrily. His knuckles turned white as he tightly gripped the handles of his bike.


    ¡°Then you¡¯re both dead,¡± Travis said confidently with a smirk. His menughed, and the two men on his sides shared a high-five.


    ¡°Take me instead. She will talk to my ountant to bring your money.¡±


    ¡°I want her because I know you will do everything to get her back, and if you do some stupid antics, I will slit her throat. Do you fucking understand me?¡±


    I linked Knight. ¡°You should call a backup.¡±


    ¡°I already did. Stay on my back. Hold tight, sweetheart. I¡¯m so sorry this is happening.¡±


    ¡°What are you nning, Knight?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t, and I won¡¯t risk you.¡±


    I groaned, annoyed that he didn¡¯t want to share his n with me. ¡°You¡¯re not doing whatever I think you¡¯re about to do, Knight. You¡¯re not invincible. You can¡¯t possibly dodge those bullets.¡±


    ¡°You have ten seconds, ckwell, or we start shooting.¡±


    ¡°Then you will not get your money!¡± he screamed at Travis.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter as long as we get rid of you for good, motherfucker!¡± Then he started counting, ¡°Five, four, three, you¡¯re stalling.¡±


    I gasped when he signaled his man. Handguns pointed at us.


    ¡°You think your little goons areing to save your asses,¡± Travis added.


    My chest heaved. My pulse elerated.


    ¡°Okay! I¡¯ming with you.¡± I got off the bike and raised my hands. ¡°Don¡¯t shoot him!¡±


    ¡°What the fuck are you doing?¡± Knight was pissed off. He did a feral growl from within his chest.


    ¡°Saving both our lives and our pack are on their way.¡±


    ¡°Get back, Nirvana. This is not the time of heroism. I¡¯m supposed to protect you.¡± He was seriously pissed off. I thought he was going to explode. ¡°Get on the bike, now!


    I was startled when he used his alpha tone on me. I swallowed hard and defied him again. ¡°I can¡¯t. I¡¯m sorry. Just trust me on this, okay?¡±


    ¡°Fuck, Nirvana. You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re doing. You don¡¯t know these people than I do.¡±


    ¡°I think I have a pretty good idea what kind of people we¡¯re dealing with. Please, just go and bring the money.¡± When my chin trembled, I bit my lip.


    He gripped my wrist harder. His eyes began to glow. I knew his wolf was pissed off, and he was losing his control. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving you to those animals. I¡¯d rather die than have their hands all over you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t shift. You can¡¯t show them who you are and shoot you instead. Let me go. Please?¡± I twisted my wrist around his grip even if it felt like bruising my skin, crashing my bones.


    ¡°Walk towards us, woman. I¡¯m done waiting!¡± Travis grunted impatiently. ¡°My patience is running thin.¡±


    ¡°Just me go, Knight! This is my decision!¡± I jerked off my arm, and it freed from his grip. It must have hurt his wolf and his feelings, and I just defied my own alpha. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t do this.¡± He looked at me with such burning anger.


    ¡°You¡¯re done!¡±


    ¡°Wait. Don¡¯t shoot.¡± I marched in their direction. ¡°Just put your guns down. You¡¯re scaring me.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana! Don¡¯t fucking defy me!¡± Knight roared, so angry, almost unstable, and I heard his boots thudding on the ground. ¡°This rebelliousness doesn¡¯t work on me, Nirvana!¡±


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    ¡°Shoot her if he takes another step,¡± Travis ordered his man, and I halted.


    ¡°We have an agreement, Travis. I¡¯m going with you, and you let him go to get your money.¡±


    ¡°All right. I¡¯ll give you your money. Just don¡¯t fucking touch her!¡± Knight sounded devastated and helpless.


    ¡°Just do as I say, ckwell. I¡¯ll call about the drop-off.¡±


    ¡°Asina, if you are there. Now it¡¯s the time, and I badly need you,¡± I said under my breath, breathing in and out.


    My chest rose and fell in fear, and I was three yards away from these assholes, and nothing was happening.


    I groaned as I couldn¡¯t focus. All I could hear was the thrashing of my pulse in my ears as dread consumed me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t shoot her. I need that money,¡± ordered Travis.


    I took a deep breath and closed my eyes as one of Travis¡¯ men marched forward to grab me.


    ¡°Damn it, Asina. Now. I ept you.¡±


    All of a sudden, I felt a tingle at the back of my neck. I froze. My surroundings turned dead silent. Then a roar rumbled, my skin fizzled, and it began shaking around me until a strong force struck me like something powerful mmed hard against my chest and radiated in such destructive intensity that it made me fall on my knees.


    ¡°What the fuck is happening?¡± Travis asked.


    I squeezed my eyes shut. My heart throbbed like I¡¯d been sprinting a flight of stairs. Each thrash sent a wave of power surging over me, and I felt like my chest would explode. My muscles clenched. My knees gave up as if I was carrying tons of weight.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with her?¡± the man who walked to take me asked.


    ¡°I ept you, Asina. I can do it. I¡¯m stronger,¡± I said through gritted teeth, determined to take and channel whatever was inside me.


    ¡°Hey. Who are you talking to, weirdo?¡± the same man asked.


    Rather than panic and extreme fear, a wave of calmness swept over me. I felt stronger than I¡¯d ever felt before, which snapped me out. I opened my eyes and felt like I hadser vision-my eyes were glowing.


    ¡°Take her, and let¡¯s get out of here.¡± Those were thest words I heard from Travis as the anger inside me felt like a nuclear bomb about to detonate. I was so pissed I didn¡¯t even know where to start.


    Suddenly, they seemed to move slowly, or I was too fast. I grabbed the gun from the man before me and threw it away. Then I went to Travis, grabbed him on his shirt, and hurled him against the man beside him. They fell against the Harley on the ground like dominos.


    I wasn¡¯t sure what I could do, but I went with my guts. I drew a deep breath, formed a fist, and punched the hood of the truck. The impact sent the back flying. It looked like a wrecking ball had just dropped on top of it.


    For a second, it terrified me watching the aftermath- the truck waspletely destroyed.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have called me a chick,¡± I said before I turned around and ran back to Knight, who was still pissed off and ring, standing still.


    Then there was a slight problem. I didn¡¯t know how to put Asina back into sleeping mode.


    ¡°Please, let this work.¡± I breathed deeply. I could still feel the surge of energy in my veins, tingling everywhere.


    Before they could realize what happened, I wanted us to be far away from this area. At least, I slowed them down.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Knight blinked rapidly as he stared in shock at the aftermath. ¡°What the fuck!¡±


    ¡°Drive, alpha. Now.¡± I climbed behind him.


    ¡°Nirvana.¡± He gritted his teeth as he sped away.


    ¡°I know. I¡¯ll pay for itter. Let¡¯s get the hell out of here and tell the guys not toe over here.¡±

 45

    KNIGHT


    I could barely breathe.


    My heart was still filled with so much rage I didn¡¯t know what to do with it, but we managed to get back home safely. That was what mattered.


    Nirvana went into the house while I stayed outside for a while to calm my nerves because I didn¡¯t want to shift and run, but it didn¡¯t help.


    I wanted to kill someone. I wanted to feel my fangs as I sunk them into Travis¡¯s neck. I wanted to punch something to let out the rage inside me.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± I screamed out, but I got angrier and angrier.


    ¡°Are youing inside?¡± Surprisingly, Nirvana was calmer. Maybe this was why we were perfect. When I was mad, she was calm. We were opposites like Yin and yang, but it worked for us.


    My nose was still ring as I snapped my head at her. She knew I was pissed off. She could feel it because she defied my order, putting herself in danger to save both of us. It was stupid and reckless, but it worked.


    How in the hell did she manage to do what she did? It was still a mystery. Things seemed like a blur, and thest thing I knew, Travis and his men were lying unconscious on the ground, and the Ford was wrecked.


    I marched inside, and she was staring at her hands. ¡°Don¡¯t fucking defy me again, Nirvana!¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± she said calmly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fucking decide on your own! You were reckless and stupid.¡± I jammed my finger on her forehead. I swore I wanted to punish her, lock her in a cell for days until she learned who was the alpha of this pack.


    ¡°You¡¯re mad.¡±


    ¡°I am beyond mad. I¡¯m losing my fucking mind.¡± I growled enough to wake the dead.


    She pressed her lips together and nodded.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you understand what you put me through, and defying my order won¡¯t help your case here, Nirvana! Do that again, or I will lock you up. Do you fucking understand?¡±


    ¡°I did-¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say you can talk back.¡±


    She shut her mouth but raised her hand.


    ¡°No.¡± I walked away to find something stronger to drink. I went to the mini bar, grabbed the whiskey, and poured a shot.


    I felt her joining me. I drank it empty and poured another. ring at her, I emptied the ss and mmed it against the counter. The ss broke to pieces.


    She was startled but didn¡¯t say a word.


    ¡°I thought I was going to lose you that moment you walked towards those assholes. I don¡¯t think I can go through that again. I would lose my goddamn mind. I¡¯d rather take my own life than wake up every day you¡¯re not here with me.¡± I cupped her face and kissed her hard, causing her to gasp.


    I was pouring all my emotions into the kiss. I wanted her to know what it was like in that position, so helpless to save us, to save her and get out of there alive. It was the worst minute of my life, and it happened twice now.


    She kissed me back with the same intensity. We kissed savagely, fighting for dominance, but she dominated me once, and it would never happen again. I took the liberty to slide my tongue into her mouth, and her hands gripped my arms as she moaned helplessly.


    At the same time, I wanted to punish her, tie her in bed, spank her ass till raw. I wanted to dominate her body, take her however I wanted. I wanted to feel my cock deep in her throat, in her tight pussy, in her ass. I wanted to taste and eat every inch of her like myst meal on earth.


    Just thinking of things I wanted to do to her made my cock rock hard, thrilled. In a low groan, I bit her bottom lip and tagged it until she whined in pain. I kissed her onest time before I pulled away.


    She almost lost her bnce. I knew she was aroused. I could smell her wetness, and her pupils were dted.


    Breathing hard, I looked at her. ¡°I¡¯m being lenient right now. You won¡¯t like your punishment the next time you pull a stunt again.¡±


    ¡°Right. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Now go get some air.¡±


    Confused, she blinked. ¡°Why? I-I don¡¯t need-¡±


    I breathed through my nose. ¡°I¡¯m having a hard-on, and all I can smell is your arousal. I want you to give me a little space to think straight. My wolf won¡¯t calm down as long as he can smell you.¡±


    She blushed as she looked down at the bulge in my pants. Awkwardly, she pointed upstairs. ¡°Right. I¡¯m going to freshen up.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t stay long.¡±


    I let go of a shuddering breath before heading towards the bathroom. I washed my face and tried to process what had happened back there. How did she destroy that truck without hurting herself?


    When I got back to the living room, the guys and Kailin just arrived.


    ¡°Oh, my Goddess! Are you okay?¡± Kailin hugged me tight before inspecting me from scratch.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°Is Vana okay?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s pretty shaken up, but she¡¯ll survive.¡±


    McKaye, Luka, and the other guys hadn¡¯t said a word, but they were confused as they looked at me.


    ¡°How did both of you survive and leave unscathed?¡± McKaye made a gesture with his hand. Right, I was asking the same thing. Not that I was not grateful. ¡°I mean, you have no idea how relieved I was after not seeing you there.¡±


    ¡°You still went there?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. To make sure no one could follow you,¡± said Luka.


    ¡°They were still unconscious when we left, but the truck, though. It looked so crushed.¡± McKaye shook her head in disbelief.


    ¡°Vana!¡± Kailin ran towards Nirvana, going downstairs. They hugged each other. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe this is happening again.¡±


    ¡°I hope they will leave us for a while. How would they exin to the cops what happened to their truck?¡± McKaye said before he eyed me. ¡°What happened out there?¡±


    ¡°We decided for a joyride when Travis and his man stopped us. He wanted to take Nirvana with them and asked for five million dors.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t agree.¡± McKaye sighed.


    It wasn¡¯t a question. Over my dead body. My only concern was Nirvana¡¯s safety, but it looked like she could handle herself on her own.


    ¡°I would never let them take Nirvana. They had guns and threatened to shoot me if they did not get what they wanted. Things happened so fast. We got away and went home.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t exin how you totaled a car without them shooting at you.¡±


    ¡°He didn¡¯t. I did.¡±


    Shit.


    Kailin gasped and had her hands on her mouth.


    ¡°How? I¡¯m confused.¡± Not only McKaye but everyone was confused.


    ¡°This stays between us. If you, Zander, and you, two, twins will tell a soul, I swear with my life, I will hunt you down, even in your sleep, and I will break and destroy everyst-¡±


    ¡°Yes! Yes! I get it,¡± North said shakily. ¡°I won¡¯t tell a soul.¡±


    ¡°Care to share, Vana?¡± Kailin asked.


    She looked at me, asking for permission.


    ¡°I trust them. They won¡¯t betray us.¡± I nodded.


    ¡°Remember when I died?¡±


    They nodded in unison, except for Kailin.


    ¡°When I woke up, I started having dreams. Then, I began manifesting strange things like enhanced hearing and healing fast. I cut my finger, and it healed faster.¡± She showed them her palm. ¡°I¡¯m human, and there should be a wound from the blood pact. You guys can shift, but I don¡¯t have a wolf.¡±


    ¡°So you just have the ability like us, but you¡¯re not a werewolf?¡± Luka looked at her strangely and puzzled.


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m still learning what changed in me.¡±


    ¡°Is that why you caught the ball?¡± Perplexed, North grinned. ¡°Awesome.¡±


    ¡°Knight,¡± she called me through our link, ¡°I can¡¯t tell them about the spirit just yet.¡±

 46

    NIRVANA


    ¡°I will call Zarah toe. Maybe she found some answers.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea. I need a drink.¡± Luka was still shocked.


    ¡°Me too.¡±


    ¡°Get yourself a drink,¡± Knight told them before he turned to me. ¡°We¡¯ll take a raincheck for the burrito.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t think I can eat right now. In fact, I feel like I wanna throw up.¡±


    ¡°Hey. We¡¯re still here. I know you¡¯re probably better off without me after what you¡¯ve been through, but I will give my life to protect you. So, don¡¯t try to be a hero on my ount. If you wanna go back to New York and live a normal life, I will understand.¡±


    ¡°Wow.¡± I pursed my lips, faking my offended look. ¡°Is that what you think I would do? Leave you when things get tough. Well, take this, Alpha. You¡¯re wrong if you think someone who saves your life makes you less of an alpha. It means we¡¯re here for you, believe in you, and march hand in hand behind you. I may not be a werewolf, but I would die for you, too, just like how you would die for one of us. And I think you¡¯re awesome and badass.¡± I patted his arm. ¡°And you¡¯re wee.¡±


    Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Zander and the twins grin, and McKaye didn¡¯t try to hide his amusement.


    ¡°I have to call Zarah.¡± He took his phone out of his jacket and dialed Zarah¡¯s number.


    ¡°What¡¯s the emergency?¡± She picked up on the first ring.


    ¡°Did you find anything?¡±


    ¡°If you cane to Italy, that would be nice. Alexander wants to see her face to face.¡±


    When Knight looked at me, I nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Will you make a portal for us?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    When the call ended, he breathed deeply. ¡°Don¡¯t leave this house. We¡¯ll be back as soon as possible. Alexander, the Alpha King¡¯s father, might be able to help us.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll be here when you bothe back. Take care.¡± McKaye sighed. ¡°If you need us, just let us know.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll be fine. I trust Zarah and Sebastien. Maybe Shadow will be there, too.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving now?¡± Kailin came back with a ss of wine.


    ¡°Whoa.¡± West¡¯s eyes widened, amazed as the portal appeared before us.


    ¡°We should go. See youter.¡±


    Knight took my hand as we walked into the portal. It felt weird knowing we were in California inside the house one second and on the massivewn the next. Based on the structure of the castle before us, we were clearly already in Italy.


    ¡°Wow. This is massive.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s impressive. Thest time I was here was Shadow¡¯s party.¡±


    ¡°I still find it hard to believe that one moment we went through the portal, and now we are here.¡±


    ¡°Alpha Knight and Miss Thorne, the high king is waiting for your arrival at his study,¡± said the man with a thick Italian ent. ¡°Will you please follow me?¡±


    ¡°Maybe we should have changed to something formal.¡± I looked at my jeans, shirt, and leather jacket.


    ¡°It slipped my mind. I¡¯m sorry.¡± He squeezed my hand as we followed the man.


    ¡°Your attire is quite enough, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Right,¡± I said under my breath.


    We entered the entrance, and I forgot he was a lycan royalty and extremely rich. He was living in a castle, for God¡¯s sake, and the interior was luxurious, from furniture to curtains and chandeliers, and it smelled expensive and luxurious.


    The man stopped in the hallway and pushed the double dark wood door. ¡°Your Majesty, Alpha Knight, and his mate, Miss Thorne, have arrived.¡± He gestured for us to walk inside.


    ¡°Ahh. Alpha Knight.¡± The man in his forties with long ck hair tied behind his head rose from his royalty chair. He was only wearing a crisp white shirt and pants. ¡°Good to see you again.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty.¡± We met him in the middle as they shook hands.


    And then the Lycan king turned to me. ¡°Nirvana, I heard a lot about you.¡±


    I extended my hand. ¡°All good things, I hope, Your Majesty.¡±


    He held my hand without breaking eye contact for a few seconds before he let it go. ¡°Fascinating. You managed to keep it under control without driving you insane.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about, sir?¡± Knight asked.


    ¡°Uh. This is awkward. She epted the wolf spirit, and I¡¯m astonished at how she pulled it off. Anyway.¡± He signaled his hand. ¡°Let¡¯s have a seat. Zarah and my father will be here shortly.


    ¡°We have to talk, Nirvana,¡± Knight said to our link.


    ¡°I thought you knew.¡±


    ¡°I have a suspicion.¡±


    ¡°I apologized for breaking it to you, Knight. Nirvana, you should not keep something as huge as this from your mate, but why haven¡¯t you both mated yet? I don¡¯t mean to pry.¡±


    ¡°But you are prying, my love.¡± Zarah and an old man with white hair joined us. That must be Alexander.


    We rose from our seats.


    ¡°This is Alexander. My father,¡± said Sebastien.


    ¡°Pleasure to meet you, sir.¡±


    ¡°Wee back, Alpha Knight.¡± They did short pleasantries before he came to me. ¡°You¡¯ve been through a lot, young one. You remind me a lot of my granddaughter.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll live, sir. Thank you for having us on such short notice.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re very American,¡± he said, smiling. ¡°Take a seat.¡±


    ¡°What did you see, son?¡± he asked Sebastien.


    ¡°Aside from them kissing-¡±


    My jaw dropped as I stared at him in shock. My cheeks instantly heated.


    ¡°Stop teasing them, Sebastien,¡± Zarah said. She was also amused.


    ¡°I should have warned you. He can see through your mind.¡±


    ¡°Whoa. For real?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Knight knows that.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t. It shocked me, too. Shadow and Califf didn¡¯t tell me.¡±


    ¡°She had dreams, and she has gained newfound abilities,¡± Zarah informed them on my ount.


    ¡°Yes. I heal fast. I think I also have extra strength and enhanced hearing. Just like werewolves.¡±


    ¡°But you don¡¯t have a wolf.¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°Yes, Sir Alexander.¡±


    ¡°This is fascinating. I didn¡¯t believe it at first, but when she walked into the house, I felt she had something in her. It¡¯s a strong force like I¡¯d never seen before. And I¡¯ve lived long enough to meet and feel different forces, good or bad.¡±


    ¡°This thing inside me, is it good or bad? Can I somehow get rid of it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not a thing, Nirvana,¡± Sebastien chided me, making Zarah smile. ¡°It¡¯s a source of ultimate power, an energy that makes us survive.¡±


    ¡°Easy on her. She just found out about our world weeks ago, and she died. Give the kid a break.¡± Zarah just called me a kid.


    Sitting before these people who lived long enough to witness the world change was also fascinating.


    ¡°Very well. In your case, supernaturally, to be able to live again, your great-great-grandfather must have ensured your soul to the spirit world. You couldn¡¯t juste back without paying the price.¡±


    ¡°I knew it,¡± Knight said, regrettably.


    ¡°Is it a bad thing, Knight?¡±


    ¡°No, Alpha King. I¡¯m grateful she¡¯s given a second chance.¡±


    ¡°To answer your question, young woman. You can¡¯t take it away from you once you¡¯ve epted.¡±


    ¡°So you mean to say, if I didn¡¯t ept it, I-¡± I swallowed hard.


    ¡°You will die. Yes. Were you asked for a quest?¡±


    ¡°What quest?¡± Knight and I shared a look.


    ¡°Oh, my God. So, how do I know the limits? What about its strengths and weaknesses? Is there something that can hurt it?¡±


    ¡°You keep saying it. Wolf spirit is already a part of you. The only way to separate you and the spirit is by killing you, and I¡¯m not sure it¡¯s possible because you are protected,¡± Alexander exined, and it was hurting my head.


    ¡°Yes, you can be hurt and die when you¡¯re just you and not waking up the spirit, but as I said, you are protected,¡± Sebastien added. ¡°How do you control the spirit?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Earlier tonight, we were going home when the bikers stopped us and wanted to hurt me and Knight. So, I had no choice but to be reckless. I epted Asina to protect us. I felt the energy surge through me. I knocked those thugs and destroyed a pickup truck. Once I was done, it looked like it had just gone. I just took a deep breath.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t see anything.¡± Knight sounded disappointed. ¡°It happened so fast. I saw her fall on her knees and get up, and then it seemed the time had slowed down.¡±


    ¡°Can you show us?¡±

 47

    KNIGHT


    Nirvana swallowed before she told them honestly, ¡°I don¡¯t know how.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why we¡¯re here. Maybe you have knowledge about spirit possession.¡±


    ¡°It sounds like a horror movie,¡± Sebastien joked.


    ¡°Honestly, I¡¯d never encountered like this before, but during ancient times, lycans, werewolves, and other supernatural beings would pray to be in that spirit world when they died so they coulde back to their family or be the warriors who had pure hearts and intentions,¡± Alexander said.


    ¡°So it¡¯s like reincarnation.¡±


    ¡°Something like that, but more of a rebirth. You won¡¯t have the same memories as Asina, who lives in you. You are still you, Nirvana.¡± Zarah touched her knee as a form of encouragement because I could see that she¡¯d rather be human without thisplication. ¡°You are just given a gift to do good. At the same time, you¡¯ve be stronger.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m grateful, and at the same time, it feels weird knowing there¡¯s something inside me.¡±


    ¡°You are not a werewolf; hence, you haven¡¯t experienced the transformation process. You should start from that.¡±


    ¡°Good idea, Alpha King. We should try it,¡± she finally agreed on something.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do it.¡± Zarah stood up and swiped her hand in the air. ¡°I shield this room from the outside world.¡±


    ¡°What should I do?¡±


    ¡°Take off your jacket and stand up, my dear.¡±


    She stood up, removed her jacket, and gave it to me before taking steps away from us. ¡°Then what now.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Nirvana.¡± I went to her and cupped her face. ¡°You can do this. Just rx your mind. Remember your meditation with Zarah? Just like that. Don¡¯t of anything than-¡± Her face just gone in my palm, making me gasp. ¡°Shit.¡±


    ¡°What the hell?¡± Zarah searched the room for her. ¡°My spell didn¡¯t work on her?¡±


    ¡°Where is she?¡± Alexander asked in shock.


    ¡°Did she just-?¡± Sebastien was on his feet, pointing at Zarah.


    I went to the door to look for her, but it wouldn¡¯t open. ¡°Zarah, open the door. I need to find her.¡±


    ¡°Call her. I¡¯ll check the CCTV,¡± the Alpha King said.


    ¡°Her phone was in her jacket pocket.¡± The moment the door opened, I rushed outside. ¡°Nirvana!¡±


    I went back to where the portal took us and looked around, but she wasn¡¯t there. ¡°Nirvana!¡±


    Fuck. The castle was big, and it would take a while before we could find her, or worse if she teleported outside the property.


    I ran to the back. It was beautiful around here, and the maze garden was spectacr.


    ¡°Nirvana?¡±


    ¡°Alpha Knight, we found her!¡±


    ¡°Where?¡± I ran towards the Italian man. I couldn¡¯t contain my relief, and I could finally breathe. ¡°Where is she?¡±


    ¡°She fell on the pool.¡±


    ¡°Is she okay?¡± I followed the man. The pool was just behind the office.


    I rushed to her already with a towel wrapped around her. ¡°Sweetheart?¡±


    ¡°Hey.¡± She coughed and looked shaken up, but I was relieved she was okay. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the top of her head. ¡°I swear to Goddess, I¡¯m gonna die in a heart attack.¡±


    ¡°Does this happen often?¡± Sebastien asked.


    ¡°It happened, I think, three times now.¡± Her chin was trembling as she replied. ¡°I did sessfully once and made it to where I intended to be, but mostly involuntarily.¡±


    ¡°I think you should sleep and talk to Asina about this ability before you end up in dangerous ces like the ocean, a busy street, or worse, in a vault. It¡¯s great if you know how to get out of there. Then we can n a heist.¡±


    Sheughed. ¡°That¡¯s actually a pretty good idea, Alpha King.¡±


    I groaned as I helped her up. ¡°Don¡¯t even try.¡±


    ¡°I was just joking.¡±


    Let¡¯s get you dry up,¡± Zarah said. ¡°There are Shadow¡¯s clothes you can wear. You both have the same size.¡±


    ¡°I will agree to meet Asina.¡±


    ¡°Sure. We¡¯ll do it in the room.¡± She took us to the second floor and opened the door to the room. The clothes were already on the bed. ¡°Let her change. We have to talk.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t teleport, Nirvana. Just changed to dry clothes.¡± I closed the door behind us. She could hear us if she wanted to, but Zarah might have important things to discuss with me.


    We walked far from the room until she held my arm.


    ¡°You two shouldplete the mating process if she cannot control the teleporting. At least you have a mental, emotional, and physical connection. I¡¯m sure you both have developed feelings for each other. And I can sense she¡¯s already a part of the pack.¡±


    ¡°Yes. We did the rituals. I was hoping to do the mating when she¡¯s ready.¡±


    ¡°She is, but you still look at her as a fragile human.¡±


    ¡°What if she vanished while we¡¯re making love?¡± My words made her think.


    ¡°Good question. I will let her fall asleep and meet Asina. When it still won¡¯t work, then you just have to do it quickly. I¡¯m sorry, Knight. I know this is pretty inconvenient, but it¡¯s for her own good.¡± She was right. It was the only way to protect Nirvana, and somehow it made sense.


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll talk to her.¡±


    ¡°Or just go to a romantic ce or make a romantic gesture to begin with.¡±


    I breathed deeply before we got back to the room. Nirvana was brushing her hair when she sensed us.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°We¡¯ll do it right here?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ll go get an elixir so you can fall asleep quickly.¡±


    ¡°Hey.¡± I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her shoulder. ¡°You scare me.¡±


    ¡°Me too. I was just standing before you all, and suddenly, I fell into the pool. I drank some pool water, and it still hurt my nostrils.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± I let her turn so she could face me. ¡°I will do everything to help you, but I¡¯m as clueless as fuck right now, and I feel helpless.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll find it out soon.¡± She tiptoed to kiss me on the lips. ¡°And maybe we should take Zarah¡¯s advice.¡±


    My brows furrowed. ¡°What advice?¡±


    Her face turned beet red. ¡°I don¡¯t mean it, but I feel like you¡¯re gonna talk about me.¡±


    ¡°But we¡¯re far.¡±


    ¡°Not far enough.¡± She smiled shyly. ¡°No need for a romantic gesture. You are romantic enough for me and a walking aphrodisiac.¡± She kissed me again.


    ¡°d to hear that.¡±


    ¡°Shut up. Zarah ising.¡± She sat on the edge of the bed when Zarah knocked.


    ¡°Come in.¡±


    ¡°Take this.¡± Zarah had a small bottle with pink liquid. ¡°Then lie down. It will effect quickly.¡±


    Nirvana took the bottle and drank it empty. She grimaced after that. ¡°That¡¯s nasty and sweet at the same time.¡±


    ¡°Lie down.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± She instantly yawned andy on the bed. ¡°That fast.¡±


    Just a few secondster, her eyes slowly closed.


    ¡°So what now?¡±


    ¡°I will wake her up after five minutes.¡±


    ¡°Does she have enough time to get the answer we¡¯re looking for?¡±


    ¡°Yes. The time in the spirit world is different. She can¡¯t stay longer there, or she will fall into a deep slumber.¡±


    I groaned. ¡°You should have told her that before you gave her that elixir.¡±


    ¡°Do you trust me, Knight?¡±


    I snapped my head at Zarah. ¡°Yes. That¡¯s why I came to you.¡±


    ¡°Or you didn¡¯t just have a choice.¡±


    ¡°I put our lives in your hands more than once. And I know you would never want to put Nirvana in danger. So yes. I trust you.¡± I blew a breath. ¡°I¡¯m just under a lot of stress, and our issues are not something I can solve on my own. I, maybe, am an alpha, but this is beyond my understanding.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯ll be fine and get the answer she¡¯s looking for.¡±


    ¡°Is it possible that a powerful warlock can mour as Asina and pretend to be a spirit of the wolf just to lure Nirvana into his world?¡±

 48

    NIRVANA


    It was beautiful, like somewhere that came from a milk brand ad, with a blue sky, fresh air, and greener grass. I first noticed the farmhouse in the distance and smokeing out of its chimney.


    ¡°Asina?¡± I ran in that direction, towards the house, but she didn¡¯t appear, unlike the first time we met.


    ¡°Are you lost?¡±


    I abruptly stopped to hear a woman¡¯s voice. She was in her early thirties but looked seemingly familiar like I could trust her with my life. ¡°Hi. I¡¯m sorry, but I was looking for Asina.¡±


    When she smiled at me, I felt like I knew her my own life. ¡°Nirvana.¡±


    I swallowed hard and blinked when my eyes turned misty. ¡°Mom?¡±


    ¡°Come inside, my beautiful girl.¡±


    I threw myself in her and hugged her tight. ¡°Mom, how is it possible? Where is Dad?¡±


    ¡°You grow up into such a beautiful young woman, honey.¡± She ignored my question and walked inside the house to the small door.


    I followed her inside the kitchen. She must be baking something. I smelled butter and sugar. ¡°Grandpa raised me well. He¡¯s still running the restaurant.¡±


    ¡°You never let your hair short? I remember when you were little. I braided your hair or made pigtails. Why are you here, Nirvana?¡± She pulled a chair and sat down.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Mom. I was looking for Asina, but it brought me here.¡±


    ¡°Just say your intention. Maybe I can help.¡±


    ¡°Do you know I¡¯m still human? The curse is broken. By the way, I found my mate, but when I died, something changed when Ambrose saved me.¡±


    She didn¡¯t look surprised. ¡°The spirit realm chose you when Ambrose saved you and because I failed our ancestors. The responsibility is brought down to you, Nirvana. This is your quest now. I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± My throat tightened.


    ¡°Since ancient times, no one has defeated Cyrius. He changed faces, traveled both worlds and couldn¡¯t be killed. That is why your great-great-grandfather couldn¡¯t do anything but lock him somewhere where no one could find him, but you¡¯re here because he¡¯s out. Our ancestors wanted to cut this responsibility by sacrificing their little girls to learn to be warriors, but those practices were broken when your grandmother met your grandpa.


    I sucked in a low breath as my eyes glistened with unshed tears. ¡°I don¡¯t understand. I was a normal human who had just finished college until I met my mate and found out my grandfather was a werewolf.¡±


    ¡°Cyrius cannot ever seed, my dear child. No matter what. Ever. I know this is a huge responsibility. If your Ambrose fails this time, the evil will flourish, chaos will be unleashed, and your world will be thrown out of bnce. Many humans will die when the world is in chaos. War, famine, deaths. You name it.¡±


    ¡°And do you think I can defeat him? It¡¯s impossible. I¡¯m just a human who doesn¡¯t have the power like Ambrose. I can¡¯t even throw a punch. What made you think I can save the world?¡±


    ¡°You keep saying you¡¯re only human, but only a woman descended from Katzius¡¯s bloodline with a wolf spirit can defeat Cyrius. When you called Asina earlier, I knew you possessed the wolf spirit. I¡¯m so sorry I wasn¡¯t there to tell you this story. I failed you, Nirvana, and you shouldn¡¯t have to carry this burden of this family responsibility. Not many know about what Katzius can do.¡±


    ¡°I heard that name before. Who¡¯s Katzius? And why Grandpa doesn¡¯t know about this?¡±


    ¡°My mother chose not to tell your grandpa to protect him. Katzius is the most powerful warlock who ever lived, and he lived for thousands of years. We are descendants of the great Warlock Katzius.¡±


    ¡°Maybe the spirit has mistaken.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re here because you¡¯re still doubting your newfound ultimate power and that you possess the most powerful spirit in the supernatural world. To do-¡±


    ¡°Ow.¡± My head suddenly hurt.


    ¡°You¡¯re running out of time, Nirvana. The people waiting for you are calling you, waking you up.¡±


    ¡°I have so many things to ask, Mom. I¡¯m somewhat teleporting, and I can¡¯t control it. I epted the spirit, but I think this is a side effect.¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s not about epting the wolf spirit. It¡¯s about embracing who you¡¯ve be. Stop doubting yourself. If you can¡¯t do it, you¡¯d never be chosen to carry this huge responsibility. And you must learn about your ancestors and your power,¡± she said in a rush. ¡°Find your bloodline.¡±


    ¡°What should I do to defeat him?¡±


    ¡°By saving the world, it alwayses at a price.¡±


    I had a feeling I wouldn¡¯t like this price. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°The war ising to you, my sweet pea, and you should work together. Different beings should work hand in hand. I suggest you spend time with the people you love. Show them how much you care for them before it¡¯s toote.¡±


    ¡°Mom, you¡¯re scaring me. What do you mean by that?¡± I grimaced and felt like my head was going to explode.


    ¡°Your great great grandfather won¡¯t win against Cyrius. That¡¯s why you¡¯re here. When you win the fight against him, you maye back or not, or might not remember the people you love.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna be a part of this.¡± I started crying, tears falling like a stream. ¡°I can¡¯t do this to them, Mom.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the only way, by putting your duty and responsibility first and everyone else over yourself. Even your life.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± I sucked a breath and woke up. When I opened my eyes, I was still in the room in the castle.


    ¡°Nirvana?¡± The first person I saw was Knight.


    I sat down and pulled him in a tight hug. I remembered what my mother told me, which turmoiled my emotions. I sobbed in his arms, and he let me cry.


    ¡°Hey. It¡¯s going to be okay.¡± His voice was somehow soothing, and I felt his fingers running through my hair.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    He had no idea that everything would never be okay, that I had to do something that could break his heart, and that our time together was limited.


    If I regretted something, it was wasting my time instead of spending it with him.


    Knight cupped my face and kissed my lips. ¡°Whatever it is, we can get through this together, okay? I promise you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I nodded even though it felt hard to breathe, and my chest felt heavy with things I had learned that I couldn¡¯t share with him.


    I wiped my tears when I noticed I wasn¡¯t alone. Sebastien, Alexander, and Zarah had the same expression on their faces. It was taunting, but at the same time, we had bigger chances of defeating Cyrius now that lycans, witches, and werewolves could form an alliance together.


    ¡°Did you learn something?¡± Zarah came to give me a ss of water.


    ¡°Yeah. I didn¡¯t meet Asina.¡± I instantly saw the disappointment in their eyes. ¡°How long did I sleep?¡±


    ¡°Five minutes, and we had to pull you back.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Zarah. All of you.¡± I drew a deep breath before I spoke. ¡°I met my mother.¡±


    ¡°Sophie?¡± Zarah¡¯s eyes widened as she smiled sadly. ¡°What did she say?¡±


    I stole a nce at Knight. ¡°Ambrose might fail, and Cyrius will wreak havoc.¡±


    ¡°A war ising,¡± Alexander said out loud with a tremble in his voice.


    ¡°Yes. In order to defeat him, we should work together, and he can¡¯t win, Alpha King, or our world is doomed.¡±


    He nodded in understanding, breathing heavily.


    ¡°Did your mother tell you how to control your gift?¡±


    I nodded at Knight. ¡°I have to embrace what I have be. I should learn more about my ancestors. It begins with Katzius.¡±


    ¡°If your great-great-grandfather is Ambrose, then you have Katzius blood running in your veins,¡± Alexander said.


    ¡°Yeah, I heard that name before, but who the hell is Katzius?¡±


    I held Knight¡¯s hand, squeezing it. ¡°Cyrius¡¯s mortal enemy.¡±


    ¡°You should train yourself, Nirvana. We can¡¯t defeat him without you?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, Alpha King?¡± Knight asked, but I felt the worry in his voice.


    ¡°She¡¯s the key to sess.¡±


    ¡°Then you two should spend a few days together before you start training, Nirvana. There¡¯s a cabin in ska. Rest your mind. Then start your hand-to-handbat training.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Alpha King.¡±


    ¡°Here. A Hecatolite.¡± Zarah had a ne with a white stone pendant that shone blue. ¡°Put this one on so we can track you, and it¡¯s like an rm system when you¡¯re in danger. And Nirvana, don¡¯t ever take this off.¡±

 49

    NIRVANA


    When Sebastien said there was a cabin in the skan forest, I expected a small cabin in the woods. The portal brought us there. It wasn¡¯t big, but it was beautiful and seemingly newly renovated.


    Knight opened the door with Sebastien¡¯s key. He pushed it wide and dropped the bags on the wooden floor. Judging from his face, he was surprised, as well, as he flicked the lights on.


    ¡°Wow.¡± The living area was spacious, with aplete living room set, a ssic firece, and a TV screen. It was cozy, and the ambiance was somehow romantic. A small kitchen at the corner and a door was probably a bathroom.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get you warm.¡± He took off my coat and hung them on the rack.


    It was a bit chilly outside. I took off my shoes while he was removing his coat. We went quick shopping, and the Lycan King¡¯s men were happy to drive us to the town.


    I went to the brown leather couch when he picked up the bags on the floor and went upstairs to the bedroom. I knew why we were here. I wasn¡¯t worried that I would wear his mark. I was still shaken up about the dream and what my mother had revealed to me.


    I wanted to talk to Zarah before we came, but I had no chance, or Knight would be suspicious. I already felt the tragedy, even if it had not started. I already felt the pain inside my chest, and I couldn¡¯t stop the inevitable. It was going to happen sooner orter.


    ¡°Hey.¡± I felt his hands squeezing my shoulders. ¡°You haven¡¯t said anything since we arrived.¡±


    I rested my head and pulled him close to kiss him. ¡°We just arrived like a minute ago.¡± I tried to lighten up the mood despite the tragic ending of our rtionship, whether we won or lost in this fight. At least I didn¡¯t have regrets. I made him happy. I spent my time with the people I cared about, and if the world was going to end, at least I did my best to save them.


    ¡°Are you cold?¡± he asked, covering my shoulders with the fleece. ¡°Let me light up the firece.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t get cold.¡± I arched a brow.


    ¡°Yeah. I just get hot.¡± He smiled meaningfully, and he didn¡¯t make an effort to look hot and dangerous in bed.


    ¡°I bet.¡±


    Once the fire lit, he sat next to me, pulled me on hisp, and wrapped his arms to keep me warm. ¡°You must be terrified out there.¡±


    ¡°My mother had regrets for not being there for me growing up, but it was another miracle given to me to spend a little time talking to her, and it felt all real, Knight.¡±


    He drew a deep sigh and kissed my shoulder. ¡°I wish you had more time with her. When you woke up, I felt your pain, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Can we not talk about it right now?¡± I turned so I could straddle him. I cupped his face, and his breathing warmed my face as we were now nose-to-nose, our lips a thread apart.


    ¡°Good idea,¡± he said as he tightened his arms around me. He gazed at me in intense silence for a moment. ¡°but we don¡¯t have to-¡±


    ¡°Shush. Just kiss me.¡± My voice dropped, and his eyes turned hypnotic as he groaned in approval. ¡°This is just us tonight, Knight.¡±


    His eyes darkened, deadly forest green. Hisshes lowered as he exhaled. His body contracted hard. I felt his struggle, and I was already burning inside.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Knight-¡± I didn¡¯t manage to finish my words. He crushed his mouth to mine. The kiss was brutal and savage. It was demanding and intense. It was like a kiss of desperation like it was the air we breathed.


    He moved his hand up my neck, running his fingers through my hair before fisting and holding my head in his hand as he drank me deep, gliding his tongue into my mouth, giving me no way to resist.


    A moan slipped through my throat, and he made little grunts with his body pressed to mine. I felt like melting before him as the pleasure intensified.


    My pulse throbbed, my heart galloped, and my skin was on fire.


    We were fully dressed, and I was desperate to get naked under him. As I sunk my fingers through his hair, I gave him what he wanted.


    I surrendered myself.


    The kiss went on and on, and I was too aroused. My head was spinning. Then he broke away, chest heaving.


    Catching a breath, I said, ¡°Take me to bed.¡±


    Without a word, he slid his hands down my bottom and squeezed it as he pulled me closer and rose to his feet. I wrapped my arms around him and my legs around his waist. He made long strides heading upstairs. At that moment, I was sure where it was heading, and we were doing it- no going back but forward.


    He pushed the door open, mming it shut with his foot.


    ¡°You still have five seconds to decide,¡± he said with a groan. ¡°After five seconds, I wouldn¡¯t be able to stop myself, and I might not be going too slow on you, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Then don¡¯t.¡± As soon as I said those words, he growled and dropped me into the bed.


    I started tough like crazy while he remained the same-dangerous, dark, and deadly.


    This should have frightened me, but I trusted him and wanted him to mark me. I wanted him to own me, every part of my being.


    Breathing hard, he removed my shoes and socks and put them down at the bottom of the bed.


    I fumbled to take off my shirt and unhook my bra. I threw them over his shoulder, making him freeze.


    His eyes met mine, so dark and filled with so much promises. Groaning, he unbuttoned my jeans and pulled them down my feet.


    ¡°You better hurry. The world is ending, Alpha Knight.¡± I didn¡¯t know where that confidence came from, but we both knew we needed this.


    Then he took off his shirt, showing me what was mine. I bit my bottom lip hard to stop from blurting someone naughty out of my mouth. Knight was ripped everywhere. His broad chest was heaving. The V between his hips was perfect and drool-worthy.


    Without a word, he kicked off his shoes, carelessly pulling off his socks one by one. Then he moved to push his jeans down, and I couldn¡¯t take my eyes off him. Even if I wanted to, I¡¯d choose not to.


    He was in his boxers, and his bulge was long and thick. I swallowed hard. I¡¯d never doubted he was big. I just didn¡¯t think it was so big that the crown almost stuck out off the waistband.


    Looking so deadly serious, he crawled his way up the bed, and when he reached me, he lifted me up to the center like I weighed nothing.


    ¡°You¡¯re mine.¡± Those words should terrify me. I didn¡¯t want to be someone¡¯s property, buting from Knight, it just felt so right.


    He lowered his head, cupped my head, and kissed me again. Then he gently bit my bottom lip, making me gasp, giving him entrance to ess his tongue into my mouth.


    He hadn¡¯t done anything or touched me; I was already writhing and moaning beneath him. If this was what mates felt like and what sex felt like with Knight, then it was the best feeling in the world. As he moved his mouth down my jaw, I slid my hands to his back, feeling the soft warmth of his skin beneath my fingertips.


    Knight showered me with a soft kiss, gently biting the skin on my neck, and then ran his velvety yet rough tongue on the spot, nuzzling his nose up to my ear. I felt like I just purr. And when he cupped my breast with hisrge hand, squeezing a little, twitching my nipple with just enough pressure, I moaned helplessly.


    ¡°Knight,¡± I whispered his name, and he groaned in response before capturing my breast with his hot mouth. I thought my eyes glowed until I felt like falling to the ground.

 50

    KNIGHT     Shit.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± I screamed in frustration.


    One moment, I was all over her; the next second, she was gone.


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± I quickly got up in bed and grabbed my pants. My whole body was shaking from arousal and fear that she could have teleported far.


    For a second, I stared at my trembling hands.


    It took me a while to put my pants on with my cock as hard as steel. It was pretty awful, and I almost stumbled on my ass.


    I rushed downstairs, calling her name, but there was no response.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Nirvana!¡± With my unnatural speed, I went to the door, barefooted. I could stand in the cold, but she couldn¡¯t.


    I called her name again until I heard footsteps and a fast heartbeat. I ran towards the back of the house, and she was there, wrapping her arms around her almost naked body.


    ¡°What the fuck!¡± She grunted in anger as she tiptoed on her feet in my direction. I was thankful it was not snowing, but the weather would still be chilly for her.


    ¡°Sweetheart.¡± I scooped her in my arms, and she was shivering. ¡°Wrap your arms around yourself. The heat from my body will help you warm up.¡±


    ¡°What the hell is wrong with me?¡± Her chin was trembling as she pressed her cheek against my chest. ¡°I epted my fate, and still, I couldn¡¯t enjoy a day with you without flitting away.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°This is not your fault. This is mine. I couldn¡¯t control this thing inside me.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, and it ruined our moment.¡± I hid my smile, but she heard it in my voice.


    ¡°It¡¯s not close to funny, Knight. I fell on the ground, naked. My butt hurts, and I nearly got a frostbite.¡±


    I put her down on the couch and wrapped the fleece around her. ¡°Don¡¯t move and take a breath, okay? Don¡¯t go anywhere. I¡¯ll be right back.¡± I sprinted upstairs to take some nkets and pillows. I came back, and she was in the same position, curled into a ball.


    I spread nkets on the floor near the firece and put pillows on them so she could get warm and maybe continue where we left off.


    ¡°Rx. Don¡¯t overthink it.¡± I scooped her up and put her on the nket, then joined her and wrapped her in my arms.


    ¡°Easy for you to say. You¡¯re not the one who alwaysnded on an ass.¡±


    I grinned silently. It sounded funny but terrible at the same time. ¡°Maybe we should learn how to control it before we mate.¡±


    ¡°Fuck it, Knight.¡± She sat down, ring.


    ¡°What do you have in mind?¡± My eyesnded on her chest. She had gorgeous firm tits with perfect size, just enough in my palm.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want this thing to gain control of me. I epted and embraced it. Why can¡¯t I still enjoy a moment with you?¡± She quickly pulled her panties down and went to my jeans, unbuttoning them and dragging them down with my boxers.


    ¡°Nirvana?¡± My heart skipped a few beats, chest heaving in anticipation, knowing she wanted it to happen as I did. ¡°I can¡¯t let you teleport again. Your emotions can trigger it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s why you¡¯re going to blow my mind. Unless you can help me deal with this, then just shut up.¡± She came on top of me and kissed me hard.


    I kissed her hard, ravenously, and hungrily as my hand found its way between her thigh. She was soft and wet, and she shivered as I flicked her clit with my finger, and the sheer pleasure of mming my dick inside her made my head spin.


    I could hate myselfter, but right now, she wanted it to be done this way, and I would never deny her if this were what she needed.


    I was hard as a rock again as I wrapped my arms around her and rolled us over so she could be beneath me. I would take control tonight. I spread her thighs wide with my knee. I could eat her until I was satisfied, but I was afraid of losing her in my sight again.


    I ran my finger on her wet folds and slid it inside her pussy. She was tight as she danced against my finger while her hands were everywhere on my body, on my ass, squeezing it, thrusting her hips into my finger.


    ¡°Fuck, sweetheart. You¡¯re wet for me.¡± I added another digit, and she moaned into my mouth as I worked my fingers in and out while the rough pad of my thumb rubbed in small circles over her clit.


    It didn¡¯tst long. She was drenched and ready. And her orgasm was closed.


    The raw, bone-crushing cravings and obsessions I had for her went beyond what I could control, went beyond my limitations. My wolf became desperate to im her. I was desperate to have her, to mark her, and feel her around me, all over me.


    When her orgasm hit, her body shook, convulsing, breaking the kiss, crying out. Her head fell back, gasping for air as her eyes grew big, and her body turned crimson as she climaxed around my fingers.


    Pulling my fingers out of her pussy, I opened my mouth and shoved them, licked them clean. Her sweet taste flooded my tongue, making me moan in euphoria.


    I stared at her through hooded eyes. ¡°Nirvana, I can¡¯t make it slow. I had-¡±


    ¡°Do it. Take me. im me. Mark me. Make me yours. I¡¯m ready.¡± She became desperate.


    If I used my head, I might turn her down, but we were both desperate, and our minds were flooded with lust, and we chose our emotions to rule over us.


    But she was my mate, and these overwhelming feelings were expected.


    I held my cock and positioned my crown in her entrance. She shuddered, bit her bottom lip, her back arched voluntarily.


    ¡°Tell me if it¡¯s too much.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re always too much.¡± She thrashed her hips up, encouraging me.


    When I reimed her mouth, she moaned. I slid inside her, and she was already gripping me. My crown was barely inside, but the feeling of euphoria, of blissfulness, the heart-pounding, soul-bearing, skin-burning pleasure made me alive.


    She made a growl of frustration, and I grumbled. I didn¡¯t want to hurt her, and she had no idea I was losing my shit to take her slowly. My body shook for her, for control.


    I pulled out and mmed hard into the hilt. She screamed my name, eyes widening.


    ¡°Too much? Did I hurt you?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± She was strong, made for me, and I knew she could take me.


    The moment the word came out of her mouth, I curled my hands firmly around her so I could take her hard and fast, and I couldn¡¯t fail her not to give her another orgasm.


    I fucked her hard and fast. I wanted to mark her before her next orgasm. Pulling her up, I let her straddle on myp, and she cried. I knew I was stretching her. I was afraid she would be able to walk straight after this. But I had forgotten the fact that she healed fast.


    Surrendering her body to me, she let me fuck her, deep and hard, her tits bounced before my face. I sucked the tiny pink bud hard, and her head fell back, moaning. Her moan was music to my ear.


    My skin broke out of sweat. My lungs burned, and her cries echoed in the cabin, but that did not stop me from driving in over and over again with hard thrusts until she sobbed.


    I kissed her again, down her neck, nipping the side where I should mark her.


    ¡°Do it,¡± she said breathlessly.


    ¡°Mine.¡± My eyes glowed, and an animalistic growl rambled from my throat. My fangs erupted from my gums, and with one lick on the spot, I sunk my teeth into her skin, savoring the blood running down my lips, tasting it against my tongue.

 51

    NIRVANA     Our mating wasplete. His emotions rushed through me unimaginably, like an ocean, like a freight train barreling down on me. His presence in my thoughts crushed in like an avnche.


    Convulsions of pleasure rippled through me and went on and on, and I felt like I was in the Milky Way.


    His mouth returned to where he marked me, running his tongue through the sensitive flesh, his hips rolling. He picked up the pace as he growled and thrust and thrust until he stilled, roared like thunder, and his body shook around me.


    I felt like freefalling as the aftershock eased. My eyes fluttered close, catching my breath, and he helped me lie in his arms.


    ¡°Can you feel me?¡± he whispered in my ear. My skin was still sensitive. My body still hummed after the orgasms he gave me.


    I cracked my eyes open and stared at him. ¡°I feel you everywhere. How is this possible?¡±


    ¡°Close your eyes and open your thoughts. Let me in.¡±


    ¡°How do I do that?¡±


    ¡°Just rx, Nirvana.¡± He ran the back of his finger on my cheek. ¡°Open to me so we can share thoughts. You can build your walls after if you want to.¡±


    I looked at him. He was sweaty, his hair disheveled, and his dark green eyes were staring back at me. He looked so painfully handsome and hot.


    ¡°You¡¯re gorgeous, and I¡¯m the luckiest man on earth to have you as my mate.¡±


    My eyes widened. I felt his emotions and read his thoughts. It seemed impossible if I didn¡¯t hear it myself.


    ¡°I¡¯m yours, alpha.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m yours, Luna.¡±


    ¡°Wait. I¡¯m a luna now?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a ceremony to be done as the pack wees you as our luna, but yes, you¡¯re my luna, Nirvana.¡± He kissed my lips.


    I kissed him back, came on top of him, and grabbed his cock. He was hard again around my palm. I did a few strokes before I ran the tip on my entrance.


    He made a guttural sound like the primitive sound of an animal before I sat on him and felt his cock sinking inside me. I felt full and stretched. I was still puzzled that I didn¡¯t split in half after how he fucked me.


    ¡°Ride me, sweetheart.¡± Knight cupped my breasts, pinching my nipples and rolling them between his fingers.


    I did as he said as I moved my hips up and down. I felt his dick thrusting in and out of me. I felt like flying. This mating bond seemed devastatingly overwhelming. The pleasure was too much; I could explode like a star.


    With a groan, he wrapped his arms around me before he put me down on my back. He took control. He pulled out and spread my thighs wide. I was too exposed but too aroused to think of anything other than my pleasure.


    He licked my abdomen, and my muscles contracted against his tongue. My brain went haywire as he began nipping the skin between my thighs, sinking his teeth enough not to bleed.


    I was soaking, and my clit was pulsing. I could feel my wetness pooling. As anticipation made my head spin, I spread my thighs wider, demanding his mouth in other ces.


    I arched my back. I wanted to tell him where I ached the most, but he probably knew it already. As if he read my thoughts- he probably read my thoughts, he gave me what I was dying to feel.


    He flicked his tongue on my clit, making me yelp, and then he ttened it, licking me like an ice cream, eating me, and pulling my folds into his mouth.


    My hand found his head, slipping my fingers into his hair, pushing his face down, and asking for more. He groaned in satisfaction. I made a sound like I never made before.


    I was delirious, and the more he did with his talented mouth, the more I craved for more. He ate me, fucked me, and pleasured me as Iy there with my legs spread while I was moaning endlessly like a porn star, writhing and rocking my hips against his face.


    Then he slid two fingers inside me, scraping his teeth against my clit, tagging, and sucking it into his mouth. My body shook in such tumultuous force.


    ¡°Knight!¡± My eyes cracked wide open as explosions of pleasure rocked through me, screaming his name.


    We dozed off.


    ***


    ¡°Nirvana!¡± He screamed my name, and I thought he had a bad dream. I ran out of the kitchen towards the living room.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Fuck,¡± he cursed under his breath, rubbing his face as he sat straight.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± I cupped his face and kissed him on the lips.


    ¡°When I woke up alone, I thought you identally teleported again.¡±


    ¡°No. Not after you know.¡± My cheeks heated, and I noticed a frown on his forehead. I rolled my eyes. ¡°Sex. Sex. Sex. Sex. And after you marked me.¡± I showed him what he did. It had already healed and looked like a birthmark shaped like a crescent moon.


    He groaned. ¡°Yeah. You can say after you blew my mind.¡±


    ¡°Ego, alpha.¡± I got up. ¡°I made us something for dinner.¡±


    He sniffed the air. ¡°Smell delicious, but I demand to eat you for dinner.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Really? Do I get a break? I¡¯m still kinda sore.¡±


    He roved his gaze all over me as if not believing what I said. ¡°You don¡¯t heal fast? But your mark is healed.¡±


    ¡°Just kidding.¡± I linked my finger behind his neck as I tiptoed to kiss him. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s my turn to eat you tonight, but let¡¯s have dinner first.¡±


    His eyes turned dark, almost ck. ¡°Promise?¡±


    ¡°If you y nice, yes.¡± I pressed my lips against his and kissed him loudly. ¡°Let me finish our meal.¡±


    He followed me to the small kitchen. I felt he could bump his head on the door frame if he weren¡¯t careful. ¡°Maybe your teleportation is under control now.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not get ahead of ourselves. I need full clothes before we give it a try.¡±


    I cooked pasta with vegetables in white sauce, put it on two tes, and brought it to the small table. Knight already set up the table for two with white wine.


    ¡°I wish I could take you on a dinner date, sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°For me, this is way romantic. Just you and me in the cabin. It feels like we¡¯re already on a honeymoon. A dinner date in an expensive restaurant is overrated. A lone time with you is perfect for me.¡±


    ¡°We will experience a dinner date, too. We have the time to ourselves.¡±


    I felt like my heart was crushing to hear him say that.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± He reached out to hold my hand.


    I breathed deeply to calm myself because right now, we shared thoughts. ¡°It¡¯s just this ability and wolf spirit starting to get into my head and the war, my mother told me. And we have no idea when it ising. It could be after ten years, twenty years, or next month or in a week.¡±


    ¡°Hey. Take it easy. We¡¯re not alone fighting this war.¡±


    ¡°I know, but I still have a lot to learn, including controlling this spirit inside me and learning to teleport.¡±


    ¡°Sweetheart. We¡¯ll do this together. Right now, let¡¯s have dinner, have wine on the couch, make out, and watch a sappy movie together.¡±


    My chest lightened up. ¡°Yes. Nothing, no one, and nothing like Cyrius can break us apart.¡±


    Mark my words.

 52

    KNIGHT     ¡°Sweetheart?¡±


    She didn¡¯t say a word as she settled between my legs on her knees while I was on the sofa. My heart pounded so hard as if it were trying to break out of my chest.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    She yanked down the zipper of my jeans, fisted my cock in her hand, and moistened her lips, making me groan. Darting her tongue out, she licked the slit on my shaft.


    I sucked in a sharp breath. ¡°Fuck.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t only the most beautiful creature when she came, but kneeling before me as she was about to blow my mind was a refreshing memory that I could never forget.


    As those eyes danced with humor, she took me by her throat. I was not, by far, an average size. I knew my cock, and she struggled a little. Knowing she was a virgin, I could bet my bike, she¡¯d never done this before, probably watched porn. That was how she learned to deep-throat me, but I wasn¡¯tining. In fact, it was perfect, and I was instantly hard as steel.


    ¡°Take it easy.¡±


    She moaned against my girth as she did a good suck. The vibration caused me to fall my head back.


    ¡°Fuck, Nirvana.¡± I moved my hips a little as I slid my stiff cock in and out of her mouth. And it felt so fucking good. I groaned- a ragged, desperate sound, aching toe in her mouth.


    ¡°Take me all in.¡± I spread my legs further as I fucked her mouth, one hand fisted around her hair, the other at the back of her neck, pushing her head down until my shaft reached her throat, and she struggled with her breathing.


    I let her go, work on her own as she made a harsh breathing. She didn¡¯t give up on giving me pleasure. Pumping me with her hand while sucking me hard, she cupped my balls, squeezing a little that had my muscles clenching.


    I knew I was close. As much as I wanted toe in her mouth, I couldn¡¯t wait to fill her pussy with my cum.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough, Nirvana. Turn around and show me your ass.¡± I pulled my dick out of her mouth and flicked her around. ¡°Hands on the table.¡±


    Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she did as I told her, exposing her asshole and her drenched pussy.


    ¡°I can¡¯t go easy. I need toe.¡± The animal inside me groaned guttural roar rambled in my chest as I bent on my knees and spread her ass cheeks apart. ¡°You¡¯re fucking wet. Does blowing me turn you on, sweetheart?¡±


    She nodded with a little moan.


    ¡°I want your words, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Yes.¡± She arched her ass up, pushing it to my face.


    I would never deny what she wanted. I ran my tongue on her clit, up her soaked folds, towards her asshole. Her body trembled.


    I fucked her with my tongue and sucked on her clit before pushing her head down and shoving my cock inside her pussy.


    She groaned in ecstasy.


    ¡°Turn your head. I need to kiss you.¡±


    ¡°Bossy,¡± she said through gritted teeth. Her eyes were glossy, shining in satisfaction.


    ¡°You like it when I boss you around.¡± I crushed my mouth to hers, iming her. We groaned together and paused to enjoy for a moment.


    I broke the kiss, and we stared at each other for a moment. It still took my breath away every time I saw the adoration and respect in her eyes.


    I tried not to be overly emotional, but I couldn¡¯t help it when she had sacrificed a lot for me. I almost lost her. She died and came back to me. And now she was mine, and I was hers.


    Struggling not to be drowned by the wave of emotions crashing through me, I said, ¡°You¡¯ve finally wrecked me. You broke every wall I built in every possible way. I can¡¯t and would rather not live without you.¡±


    ¡°You mushy big wolf.¡± She smiled- that kind of smile could break my heart when it was gone. ¡°Fuck me, alpha.¡±


    I flexed my hips, withdrew, and then thrust back into her. I fucked her with hard and shallow thrusts.


    ¡°Is this how you want toe?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Yes, please?¡± She started to clench around my cock.


    I kissed her again, hard and desperate. My thrusts grew faster and faster and harder and harder. The coffee table rattled, and she was shaking and moaning until she shuddered to her climax.


    Convulsing around me, she grunted my name, and I fucked her straight through my own orgasm.


    ***


    ¡°She¡¯s stupid if she goes back with him again. God, I hate her.¡±


    ¡°Why? She loves him.¡± I looked down at her as we snuggled, resting her head on my chest, our legs on the coffee table. I felt terrible for that thing. It almost gave out.


    ¡°A cheater? She¡¯s stupid and blind.¡± I chose what movie to watch even if it didn¡¯t interest me.


    I chuckled. ¡°So you won¡¯t give me a second chance if I cheated on you?¡± It was not a question because it would never happen.


    ¡°No.¡± One t no made me smile. ¡°Go fuck yourself, but you can¡¯t put your lips on other woman¡¯s lips, or your dick into other woman¡¯s pussy, thene back home to me as if nothing happens.


    Iughed out loud. It shook her.


    ¡°You think it¡¯s funny? Try it, and you will see.¡± I took her warning and threat seriously, even if she was more than enough for me.


    I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. ¡°I¡¯m yours, Nirvana. I belong to you. As long as you bear that mark, I¡¯m yours, and you¡¯re mine. I don¡¯t share. You don¡¯t share. That makes us perfect. Call me possessive or obsessive. I don¡¯t give a shit. You¡¯re mine alone. Do you fucking understand me?¡± My voice turned dark and chilling. It was because I meant what I said.


    She looked up at me, right into my eyes, examining my expression. ¡°Ditto.¡±


    ¡°Ditto? Just ditto?¡± I inhaled deeply, my chest rising.


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m yours till the day I die and live again.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± I held her jaw, kissed her hard, and made sure she got my message.


    And that hit me like a wrecking ball against my chest. My feelings for her had nothing to do with our mating bond anymore.


    I¡¯m madly in love with her.


    Was I terrified? Yes. Definitely. I was terrified of losing her. I was terrified that I might hurt her. I was terrified that I might not be enough for her.


    With eyes glittering, she gazed up at me. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still finding it hard to believe you¡¯re mine.¡±


    ¡°Well, shit.¡± Her eyes widened, dancing in humor. ¡°I got you in your balls, ain¡¯t I?¡±


    That cracked me up. Iughed out loud. My body shook. Tears formed in my eyes. ¡°You just did, sweetheart. You did a pretty great job on that part.¡±


    Her cheeks flushed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be shy. I enjoyed every second of it.¡±


    ¡°Shut up.¡±


    ¡°I love your taste on my tongue, and I will make it my mission to make youe every night for the rest of our lives.¡±


    ¡°Knight, just shut up, or I will teleport back to the vineyards if you continue embarrassing me.¡±

 53

    NIRVANA


    I tried to meditate, but I was too distracted to focus. I could hear Knight talking to Zarah on the phone. I took a deep breath again, closed my eyes, and blocked everything around me. Breathed in and breathed out.


    Slowly, I challenged my mind to focus on one thing- my breathing when my mind went wandering.


    ¡°Let go,¡± something in my head told me. I breathed out. I thought of the pile of wood outside, the smell of earth, the dampness on the ground, and the fresh, chilly air.


    I took my ce there. I started to be aware of everything in the room. Tingles erupted across my skin. Something powerful force engulfed me, thrumming around me.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I felt the wind blow me, my hair flying, and my surroundings suspended like a clock stopped working, and the world stopped spinning.


    My breathing seized. My heart pounded, and the brutal swiftness of motion should terrify me, but then I sensed afort in it in that light motion.


    Then I felt the moist soil under my skin, the wood splinters on the ground, and the smell of fresh air against my face.


    I sucked in a breath as I cracked my eyes open.


    ¡°Oh, my God.¡± I was still in the same position. The only difference this time, I did not fall on my butt. I brought myself there. ¡°I did it!¡±


    Iughed like crazy, even though I was outside, and my butt was about to get frostbite.


    ¡°Nirvana!¡±


    I abruptly stopped to his urgent voice and his footstepsing close.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± His face filled with worry as he bent down to help me.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± I tried hiding my smile, but it broke out.


    ¡°You¡¯re gonna get sick.¡±


    I grabbed the hands he offered and got up. I didn¡¯t mind dusting my tights from the dirt. Instead, I threw myself into him and kissed him hard.


    I took the gasping from his soft lips. When I looked at him, he was still staring at me, confused, but I saw his eyes shine, now filled with humor. Knight was so handsome. Sometimes, it hurt to look at him. His days of scruff had added more sexiness to his face.


    ¡°You did it, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    I nodded in delight. ¡°But I don¡¯t know if I could do it again.¡±


    ¡°All right. We¡¯ll try to practice it. You know, it maye in handy when Zarah isn¡¯t avable to portal us.¡± He turned his back, bending a little. ¡°Hop in.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Come on before you freeze. You¡¯re not wearing shoes.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± I hopped on his back and wrapped my arms around his shoulder, making sure I wouldn¡¯t choke him. He piggybacked me inside the cabin.


    Once we got back, he put me down on my feet. ¡°Wear something thick. Put your shoes on. Don¡¯t forget your phone.¡±


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Now, I was confused.


    ¡°I talked to Zarah while you meditated. I guess you already knew that.¡±


    ¡°What did she say?¡± I asked as I climbed upstairs to change into jeans. I went back to him, and he was sitting on the couch fully-clothes. ¡°You¡¯re done.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± He got up to grab my coat and my scarf on the rack. ¡°She said maybe it works for both of us. This morning, you didn¡¯t teleport prematurely. Maybe it¡¯s a start.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still scared, but this is why we¡¯re here, right?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re here to take a vacation. You need to clear your mind and maybe enjoy each other a little.¡±


    ¡°Just a little?¡± I teased him. I still felt him inside me, all over my skin, everywhere, all over me. This man consumed me, and he knew it. Heatwaves suddenly rippled through me.


    ¡°Youpletely corrupted me, Nirvana.¡±


    Iughed- one bellyugh. ¡°Right? You little mushy wolf.¡±


    He strode across the room, stopped just a step before me, put the scarf around my neck, and pulled me closer. ¡°This little mushy wolf is yours, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Damn right, you¡¯re mine.¡±


    He crashed his mouth into mine and kissed me savagely, tongue delved into my mouth, demanding, dominating, iming what was his, and crossing all the wires in my brain. I shivered in excitement.


    With my weakened knees, my hands gripped tightly on his arms for support, or I would fall. The kiss was exactly what I wanted at that moment-to motivate and persuade me to do this task.


    I moaned helplessly into our mouths until he broke it, breathing hard. I felt lightheaded all of a sudden. Before I could take another breath, he kissed me again, soft and passionate. This time, he held my head in his hands like I was so delicate.


    ¡°Are you ready?¡±


    I blinked off. ¡°For what?¡±


    ¡°Sweetheart, you have to be serious about this.¡±


    ¡°Then you should not kiss me like that.¡± I smiled. I still felt the tingles all over my body. ¡°Now, I ache for you, alpha.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, do you want to get spanked?¡± He looked deep into my eyes. As the second passed, his eyes got darker, like a dark stormy forest.


    ¡°Later, alpha, and I¡¯m going to collect.¡± I breathed deeply. ¡°Where do you wanna go?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t go far. I¡¯m not familiar with this area.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, me too. Never been here before. I haven¡¯t seen your wolf, though.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right. I¡¯ll show you soon.¡±


    ¡°You should probably hold onto me, but I¡¯m scared that I might hurt you.¡±


    ¡°Only one way to find out.¡± He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me closer.


    ¡°Knight, this is not a joke. We can¡¯t be reckless about this. I don¡¯t know my limits or what could be the effect on you.¡± A thousand thoughts whirled in my mind, and one of them was a failure, knowing that many people depended on me.


    ¡°I know, but we have to try it, and the next time you move to another ce, I may not be able to find you.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± I felt that force again. I didn¡¯t feel swift motion this time, but I was hyperaware of my surroundings. Then, tendrils of wind whipped and swirled around us like a storm. In an instant, we were on the ground. It wasn¡¯t an unstable jump or perfect, and we were still in one piece.


    A flicker of surprise shed in his eyes.


    We were in a wide clearing in the forest, surrounded by tall trees covered in snow. The snow was thick above our ankles.


    ¡°Shit. It worked,¡± Knight said as he looked around. ¡°Where are we?¡±


    ¡°I think of snow where we could throw snowballs, and it brought us here.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± His face darkened as he sniffed the air. He wrapped his arm around me, shielding me from danger. ¡°We¡¯re not alone.¡±


    He was right. I sensed more than one smell. When I looked down at my ne, the pendant was blinking red.


    ¡°Whatever happens, save yourself, Nirvana. That¡¯s an order.¡±


    ¡°No can do. We¡¯re in this together, remember?¡±


    ¡°No, Nirvana. Listen to me. You brought us to a pack territory. We¡¯re trespassing.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± My knees went weak, and my heart raced as I noticed men had just appeared from nowhere. The man at the center was tall, big, and terrifying.

 54

    KNIGHT     She managed to take us to a ce in one piece, under her own control. Finally, she made some improvements. I knew Nirvana was strong, and despite her defiance and doubts, I never doubted she wouldn¡¯t stop figuring out what she could do, and I knew she would make a huge difference in our world.


    She should have anticipated the other packs out there, and she just brought us to a dangerous pack in ska.


    When five men appeared from a distance, my wolf turned protective, stirring and growling inside me. He became agitated, and my fangs tickled in my gums. My ws threatened to w their way out.


    Then I noticed the tall man in the center. He was, without a doubt, the alpha. I had yet to learn how big their pack was. I knew many packs, my allies, but none were in this area.


    ¡°We¡¯re lost in the woods. We didn¡¯t mean to trespass.¡± I wasn¡¯t lying, but they could not know about Nirvana¡¯s gift.


    ¡°I can smell you from afar.¡± That must be one of the enforcers. The alpha hadn¡¯t spoken yet. ¡°You came here on purpose, for what purpose? I don¡¯t know, but we¡¯re about to find out.¡±


    ¡°I apologize. We¡¯re leaving in peace.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°It¡¯s toote for that,¡± the alpha said, his tone deep and deadly, his expression remorseless. What are you doing in my territory, werewolf? Why are you wandering around in an skan pack territory? Are you spying on us?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Alpha Knight. And this is my mate.¡± I knew a dangerous alpha when I met one. Califf was dangerous, and so was Alpha King. The question was, did Califf know there was a pack near the cabin? ¡°We were on a vacation.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you. Your human mate¡¯s heart is racing. Why don¡¯t you tell me what the hell you are doing here?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m telling you the truth.¡±


    ¡°Youe with us, or I will rip you apart before your mate. Your choice.¡±


    ¡°Knight.¡± Nirvana¡¯s grip tightened around my arm as she said to our link. I could feel she was terrified. ¡°This is all my fault. I shouldn¡¯t have done something like this. I was so full of myself.¡±


    ¡°They can¡¯t know. Whatever they do to me, you will teleport and save yourself. Call Zarah to take you and inform our pack what happened.¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m staying with you. If they kill us, at least we die fighting together.¡±


    ¡°You have a mission to fulfill that¡¯s bigger than this than us, Nirvana.¡± I inwardly groaned, but I knew what this rtionship meant for her and us.


    ¡°No, Knight. Without you, my ns and missions are nothing. I have nothing to live for.¡±


    The enforcers stalked in our direction, focused, rmed, and dangerous. They were strong and highly trained.


    I steeled as I protected Nirvana behind me. ¡°Let her go. She¡¯s human, and she has nothing to do with this.¡±


    ¡°She knows about us. Confiscate any devices. Take them.¡± The alpha turned and walked away.


    My fists tightened as another group of werewolves in their wolf forms marched in our direction. Nirvana had a bigger chance of saving herself. She could teleport us back, but we might end up in the wrong ce or worse, exposing her gift that could put her in a more dangerous situation than we were facing.


    ¡°Please, just let her go.¡± I stepped back as fury heated my blood. I knew my pleading time was over. If I were in their position, I would do the same thing. Our nature was feral and wild. We protected our territory, and I expected nothing less from an alpha.


    ¡°We¡¯re staying at Luna Shadow¡¯s cabin,¡± Nirvana said. The guys stopped and nced at each other.


    ¡°We don¡¯t believe you. Everyone knows her. You could have just used her name to beg for your freedom. Come with us, and you might have a chance to go home alive.¡±


    I looked at Nirvana and nodded. ¡°We¡¯re going with them.¡±


    ¡°Walk or die,¡± said the bulky guy as he patted our clothes for phones and grabbed them from us.


    My chest clenched as I forced my wolf to hold inside. We followed their instruction despite my wolf¡¯s defiance. It was not about how we could survive. It was about making peace with them if they would give us a chance to talk. But I would take my chances if theyy a hand on Nirvana.


    A few minutester, the big house came into view- a country house in the middle of the woods, almost covered with snow, but the enforcers did not take us there. They turned left. They were putting us in one of their cages as their prisoners.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all right.¡±


    I was right. There was a small cave. It wasn¡¯t so much a prison cell as a cave gated with an iron door. Only a single yellowmp reflected the iron walls, which were probably five inches thick. I ignored the horrible smell inside. Someone must have died here, and they left it rotten to torment their prisoners.


    ¡°Get in, or I will rip your mate apart,¡± said the head of the enforcers.


    ¡°At least give us five minutes to tell your alpha that we didn¡¯t end here on purpose. As an alpha to alpha, I demand a face-to-face with him.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to ry your message,alpha,¡± he said disgustingly and mockingly.


    If I were only alone, I¡¯d already ripped his throat out, but I thought about Nirvana¡¯s safety.


    ¡°Just tell him to call Alpha Califf and tell him Alpha Knight and his mate Nirvana are your prisoners. No, tell him that Alpha Lycan King Sebastien brought us to his cabin with the help of a witch, Zarah.¡± Nirvana caught the attention of the bulky guy.


    ¡°How do you know them?¡±


    ¡°I told you we know them. Alpha Knight is a friend of Alpha Califf. We¡¯re from Californian White Moon Pack.¡±


    Without remorse, the bulky guy shoved Nirvana inside the cage.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fucking touch her!¡± My eyes glowed as I growled in anger at him. My wolf demanded toe out to protect our mate. The two enforcers growled back, and three wolves stalked behind them.


    ¡°Do that, and you¡¯re dead,¡± said the head of enforcers, the long-haired man. ¡°You¡¯re maybe an alpha of your pack, but you¡¯re nothing but our prisoner here. Get in, or we will stuff you out cold and bleeding.¡±


    I hissed at the blinding pain. It felt like something drilled into my brain, and I couldn¡¯t stop it. Millions of stabbing needles red into my exposed skin.


    ¡°Yes. There¡¯s silver everywhere, and you tried to w your way out. There¡¯s wolfsbane everywhere.¡± They locked the door before us and left.


    I rushed towards Nirvana as she curled on her knees. ¡°Sweetheart?¡±


    She was shaking, her jaw trembling.


    ¡°Hey, sweetheart.¡± I wrapped myself around her as every part of me throbbed. ¡°It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s gonna be okay.¡±


    ¡°It hurts. It hurts a lot.¡±


    Then it hit me hard. ¡°You¡¯re allergic to silver.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not. I feel my inside is burning. My blood is melting.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, sweetheart. Is your ne giving a signal?¡±


    ¡°Earlier. Right now, no. We¡¯re alone and trapped inside the magic cave.¡± She shook further like she was about to freeze. ¡°If you didn¡¯t stop me, I could easily take them down.¡±


    ¡°I know, sweetheart, but we have a bigger fish to fry, and if we could escape from here, I would dly w their hearts out of their chests. But we have to survive in here. Take this as your test.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m weak, Knight. I know you¡¯re in pain, too. I can feel you. I can feel your pain. You are the only thing that keeps me from being strong because I know you won¡¯t let anything happen to me. And I will do the same.¡±


    ¡°Save your strength, sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°I need to channel Asina.¡±


    ¡°You mean you will summon the wolf spirit in you?¡± I loosened my arms around her.


    As she drew a deep breath, I heard footstepsing and prepared myself for the worst. Protecting her was all that mattered to me, even if it could end my life.

 55

    NIRVANA


    I didn¡¯t realize I was sensitive to silver, just like werewolves, until today. I could feel my body giving out. I shivered when my skin was so cold while my inside seemed boiling like moltenva.


    The cage didn¡¯t help either. It was sickening. It smelled like rotten animals. The longer I stayed there, the more horrible the smell became.


    The cave must be spell-protected. I couldn¡¯t reach Zarah to ask for help, and my ne was useless.


    Knight was also in pain. Despite how hard he tried to hide the pain inflicted with silver, I still felt it. We shared a bond, and we shared thoughts in the first ce.


    I tried to block him, but somehow, he became my anchor, my hope, and he was the only thing that gave me a reason to stay strong and keep my mind sane. If it wasn¡¯t for him, keep telling me not to expose my ability. I¡¯d already fought these werewolves to protect us.


    At the back of my mind, I was so full of myself, thinking I had mastered my gift. Instead, I put my alpha in danger and had already jeopardized my entire pack because I wanted to prove something. I was stupid and reckless.


    At least, I learned something today before they decided to skew us and show what they would do to their uninvited guests.


    Then footsteps approached. I knew it was the alpha. I could sense the authority in the thuds of his steps. Then, more footsteps. He didn¡¯te alone.


    ¡°Open the gate. Let them out,¡± the alpha ordered his men.


    I didn¡¯t have the strength to look up, but I heard the iron door creak.


    ¡°Sweetheart, let me carry you.¡± Knight wanted to scoop me up, but I refused. No matter how weak I was, I couldn¡¯t show them this cage affected me. I¡¯d prefer they know less about me. It was for the better if it would save my alpha.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I can walk.¡±


    He helped me up but didn¡¯t let my hand go. He shielded me from these men. Once we finally left the cage, I closed my eyes and breathed the chilly air deeply into my lungs.


    As moments passed, I regained a little energy, and so did Knight.


    ¡°What are you gonna do to us?¡±


    ¡°Follow me,¡± the alpha said. ¡°I¡¯m Alpha Frye Hammonds. As you can see, we don¡¯t get too many visitors, especially uninvited ones. We must first check your identity if you¡¯re telling the truth.¡± He led us to the house. It was big, with a contemporary setting from the outside.


    ¡°I understand. I would do the same thing. I apologize for the trouble. We¡¯re just lost.¡±


    ¡°Luna Shadow vouched for both of you. I¡¯m more a friend than Alpha King¡¯s allies. So when he called you by your first name, I realized you were telling the truth. Let¡¯s get you both warm.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± We stepped inside the cozy house, and I felt the warmth.


    ¡°I apologize, Alpha. I was following orders and had terrible experiences with people pretending to be lost but with bad intentions. I hope you can forgive me.¡± His bulky head of enforcers provided me with a thick nket. ¡°I¡¯m Thomas.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.


    ¡°That¡¯s unnecessary, Thomas. Besides, we¡¯re the ones who trespassed your territory.¡± Knight wrapped the nket around me as we settled on the couch. Alpha Frye and Thomas joined us in the living room.


    ¡°So you two are newly mated?¡±


    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s why we are staying in the cabin,¡± Knight said as he took the steaming hot cup from the woman who brought us a tray of hot tea and cookies.


    ¡°Shadow stayed there for weeks while I trained her.¡±


    ¡°Trained her?¡± I asked him inquisitively.


    ¡°When she lost her ability and her wolf, she became human. With their enemies two steps ahead of them, she wanted to be helpful and not a burden. I taught her basic self-defense and shooting, and she became a good sniper.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I smiled at the woman who offered me a cup of steaming tea.


    ¡°I¡¯m Evelyn. His sister.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana.¡± I shook the hand she offered.


    She gasped the moment our hands touched. As if she was burned, she pulled her hand quickly, staring at me with wide eyes. ¡°You¡¯re not human.¡±


    Alpha Frye was quickly on his feet, rmed, stance in full alpha mode, protecting his sister from me.


    Knight and I shared a look before I spoke. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I mean no harm.¡±


    Knight came to my defense. Before things got ugly quickly, I put the cup on the table and raised my hand.


    ¡°What are you?¡± Alpha Frye¡¯s voice was stern, and men walked in, crowding in the living room.


    ¡°We will tell you if your men leave us,¡± said Knight. ¡°I need a little privacy if that¡¯s okay.¡±


    ¡°Out.¡± One word, Alpha Frye¡¯s men left.


    ¡°If you wanna know what I am, I need your assurance that you won¡¯t tell anyone.¡±


    ¡°You can trust my sister. She just found her ability two years ago. Evelyn has a gift to see someone¡¯s true nature by touching them.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean to frighten you,¡± I told Evelyn as I grabbed the cup and sipped the tea. ¡°I came from a long line of ancient werewolf and Sybil.¡±


    ¡°As in the seer?¡± He stared at me.


    ¡°Yes.¡± I nodded at Alpha Frye.


    ¡°But she was cursed before she was even born. So, she was human until recently,¡± Knight exined in a lessplicated way.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°After discovering your existence because my grandfather chose to raise me like every other human. Then apparently, Knight is my mate. So I went with him to California. Zarah has a theory that to break the curse done by an ancient, powerful warlock, maybe a true love kiss could break it.¡±


    ¡°But she died instead.¡±


    ¡°Goddess.¡± Evelyn gasped. Alpha Frye didn¡¯t even blink.


    ¡°My soul hadn¡¯t crossed just yet. My great-great-grandfather, whom I thought was dead, brought me back from the dead. He put a mark on me after I was born, something like a shield, but it was gone when I came back. Then I got a different gift. I¡¯m not a seer, but something is inside me that I haven¡¯t been able to control.¡±


    ¡°The reason why we ended up here in your own backyard,¡± Knight added.


    ¡°What exactly is inside you?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing like I¡¯ve ever seen before, Frye. It¡¯s powerful and vtile if in summoning mode,¡± said Evelyn.


    ¡°To bring me back, my grandfather had to trade my soul in the spirit world literally.¡±


    ¡°A good and powerful one. It¡¯s a warrior, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± I stared at Evelyn in surprise. ¡°How do you know?¡±


    ¡°I feel the fighting spirit, literally. And my family had an old book about myths.¡± She looked at Frye as if asking for permission.


    ¡°Follow us.¡± Alpha Frye gestured. ¡°We¡¯ll talk in the library. Zarah put a spell on it so no one could eavesdrop while we were inside.¡±


    We followed him to his study. It was small but filled with old books, and the smell of dust and molds hit my nostrils.


    ¡°I apologize for the clutter. I¡¯m terrible at finding things organized.¡± He chuckled. ¡°Have a seat.¡±


    ¡°You have a pretty awesome collection,¡± said Knight as he wandered his eyes around.


    ¡°Old habits die hard. And yeah, these are rare collections of ancient books, mostly not written in English. While I can¡¯t read most of these books, Evelyn can. She studied at the university, and she can read differentnguages. Anyway,¡± He searched for stuck books in the corner. ¡°Here.¡±


    ¡°Dated back fifteenth century.¡± Evelyn took the old book from Alpha Frye and opened the pages, carefully not damaging it. ¡°It trantes as a woman who possessed the ultimate power and strength of a thousand wolves. Her poweres from within and will defeat the undefeatable evil.¡±


    How would I do that when I couldn¡¯t even control myself from teleporting?


    ¡°Was there written how to control the power?¡± Knight asked while I had a million questions.


    ¡°During ancient times, people worshiped you when you have power like this. It said that she would be worshiped by many who believed and followed her. It doesn¡¯t mean worshiping like God. Nowadays, worshiping someone is idolizing celebrities, actors, and people they believe make a difference. This book was tranted from Sumerian. Could be lost in trantion.¡± She closed the book.


    ¡°Maybe there¡¯s another book that can help us deal with a power like hers.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do some digging,¡± Alpha Frye said to Knight.


    ¡°To answer your question, Alpha Knight, it said nothing. It was a long text but tranted short in English. To control power and gain control of what¡¯s inside you, you should stop questioning your worthiness and start believing in yourself. You could have easily destroyed that cave.¡±


    When Evelyn stared at me, I felt like she wanted to say something.


    ¡°Can I use your bathroom?¡±


    ¡°Of course. Come with me.¡±


    Knight gripped my hand before I followed Evelyn out of the study. She brought me to the back of the house.


    ¡°You read something you didn¡¯t want them to hear, did you?¡±


    ¡°Does Alpha Knight know that you might not survive fighting against as powerful a monster as Cyrius?¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org.

 56

    KNIGHT


    ¡°Thank you for everything, Alpha Frye.¡± I reached out for a handshake.


    ¡°We did nothing, Alpha Knight. Don¡¯t forget to reach out if you need anything; if you¡¯re going to war, my men and I will be there behind you.¡± He shook my hand firmly, cing his hand on top. ¡°I mean it, Alpha Knight. Consider us your friends.¡±


    ¡°That means a lot.¡±


    ¡°And you, young Luna. The only advice I can give you is this. If one thing can win good over evil, it is your love for the people you care about to motivate you, to keep you standing, and the sacrifice you will make for them; even a great evil would never do that.¡±


    Nirvana hugged him and sighed. ¡°Thank you so much.¡± She then went to Evelyn and hugged her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t wait till you don¡¯t have any more time.¡±


    We walked out of their house filled with hope, and the wisdom they shared with us somehow lightened the heaviness in my chest.


    Once we were far enough, Nirvana held me in my arms, and I felt that tingle again. This time, she did it with flying colors. We stood before the cabin.


    ¡°Now we¡¯re talking.¡± I couldn¡¯t help butugh.


    ¡°I guess practice makes perfect. And my butt hadined of constantly falling,¡± she said while I was opening the door.


    ¡°When we shift, we burn too much calories. Maybe you need it too.¡±


    ¡°Probably.¡±


    ¡°But this is awesome, Nirvana.¡± I hugged her tight. I could sense something was troubling her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°I was terrified when they put us in the cave. I felt the extreme helplessness.¡± She took off her coat and hung it on the rack. She looked so exhausted after that she threw herself onto the couch.


    I had a feeling her words meant more than she let on. I followed and sat beside her, letting her head rest on myp. I knew a huge responsibility could burden someone, and it wasn¡¯t just about handling a pack. The world-the underworld¡¯s fatey now in her hand. If she failed, our world would be doomed.


    ¡°I know I should stop doubting myself, but what if I fail?¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°You¡¯re not fighting that son of a bitch alone, Nirvana. I will be with you, our allies, and everyst pack member. Don¡¯t forget about that. What if your great-great-grandfather wins? Then he just saved the world.¡±


    ¡°What if I won¡¯t make it back? What if I die?¡±


    My heart felt like crushing in my chest. I knew there was a considerable possibility of hurting herself, losing in the battle, or losing the people I cared about, and I couldn¡¯t guarantee everyone would go home. Thinking about that always terrified me and felt like stabbing my chest all over again. And losing her again would kill me and my wolf.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever think of leaving me.¡± I ran my fingers through her hair. ¡°I know it¡¯s selfish, and the fate of the world and underworld is in your hands, but please,e back to me. I need you.¡±


    ¡°Then I make sure I¡¯m ready to face that son of a bitch,¡± she said confidently.


    ¡°You will train as soon as we get back home,¡± I said, pressing my lips against her hand. And remember, you¡¯re not alone in this.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± She caressed my cheek, and I still felt the heaviness in her chest. ¡°I will make it, Knight. No matter what.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good enough.¡±


    ¡°Now, let¡¯s chill. Turn on the TV.¡±


    I chuckled as I grabbed the remote on the coffee table and turned the TV on. ¡°We¡¯ll just watch TV?¡±


    ¡°What do you have in mind, alpha?¡± A wicked smile appeared on her lips.


    ¡°Once you rested, then we can talk about it.¡±


    The breaking news shed on the screen. ¡°This news may be graphic and triggering. A brutal attack this morning tragically ended the lives of a family of campers hiking in the woods. It said to be an animal attack, and yet to be determined what kind of animal killed a father, forty, a mother aged 39, and children aged ten and seven.¡±


    ¡°What the hell?¡± Nirvana got up quickly, her eyes glued to the TV screen. ¡°It¡¯s starting.¡±


    ¡°Nope, sweetheart. This could be an unrted incident.¡± I pulled her into my arms.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so, Knight. My mother told me no one knows when it happens, but signs will be obvious-unless there are wild animals or a sick werewolf out there.¡± She looked at me. You should call Kaleb or Luka and warn them. And maybe they¡¯ve watched the news.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea.¡± I picked up my phone and dialed my beta.


    Kaleb answered quickly, ¡°Alpha, how have you been?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good. We¡¯re good. How¡¯s the pack?¡±


    ¡°All good, but we missed you. How¡¯s Vana?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s listening.¡± Nirvana just mouthed to say hi. ¡°And she said hi to everyone. Where¡¯s McKaye?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s training the guys. Do you have a message for him?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll call himter. Anyway, have you seen the news?¡±


    ¡°Are you referring to the animal attack?¡± He knew. Everyone knew.


    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s the one.¡±


    ¡°Yes. They blurred the shots and images, but I saw the images and video taken by a passer who posted them on TikTok. It looks like a wolf attack. Do you know there was another attack two days ago? An old couple was attacked inside the trailer house. Same M. O.¡±


    ¡°Where did that happen?¡±


    ¡°Maine.¡±


    ¡°I told you. That¡¯s one of the signs,¡± said Nirvana silently, and she looked worried.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be home soon. We have one more stop before we head home.¡±


    ¡°No problem, Knight. You both take care.¡±


    ¡°You tell the guys to be very careful when going out for a run. Inform the scouts to report any unwanted scents they can smell, but make sure not to let everyone panic.¡±


    ¡°Noted. I¡¯ll see you both soon.¡±


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± she asked as I hung up the call.


    ¡°Oregon.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s in Oregon?¡±


    ¡°ording to your family history, you have rtives in Pornd.¡±


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t I heard anything about it?¡±


    ¡°Case kept your bloodline a secret, remember?¡±


    ¡°Well. When are we leaving?¡±


    ¡°After I give you an orgasm.¡±


    ¡°That I won¡¯t say no to.¡± She clung to my words. Her lips crashed against mine, all-consuming and demanding. Like a wildfire, something deep in every fiber of my being spread fast- my love for this woman, my mate.


    The desires ignited as electricity of lust-fueled both of us, burning our skin, settling in our every nerve.


    Back months ago, before I met Nirvana, sex was different. For me, it was just blowing off some steam, a relief to my needs. With Nirvana, sex was like a drug, an utter madness I didn¡¯t want to end. She made me feel alive. She gave me a reason to be a good person, a leader, and a selfless lover.


    We fumbled to take off our clothes, piling on the floor. Then we were back to kissing again, and it was nothing gentler- it was violent, just what we needed at this moment.


    With my body burning with sensations, I sat on the couch, spread my thighs apart, and lifted her so she could straddle me.


    She wrapped her hand around my hard dick, making me groan. After pumping a few strokes, she then rubbed the tip against her entrance. She was already soaking, always ready for me. My hands lifted her hips as I lowered her into my cock.


    She dragged a long moan as she sunk into me, delighted, shuddering.


    ¡°Fuck, sweetheart.¡± I began moving my hips as she rocked into me, and I devoured her mouth like the sweetest sulent I¡¯d ever tasted.


    As her fingers wed their way to my hair, pushing my head down, I licked my way down her chest, capturing the little dusky pink nipple into my mouth. She moaned, rocking my world. The pleasure was exquisite and mind-blowing, and her climax was just around the corner.


    ¡°Come for me, sweetheart.¡± Growling, I ran my tongue between the valley of her tits before I sucked another nipple.


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes. So good.¡± Her head fell back as she worked to her orgasm. Then I changed my pace as I fucked her hard and fast. She bounced on top of me, setting off an explosion of pleasure through her.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± One thrust was all it took.


    My body shook as my release jutted inside her in a powerful release.

 57

    NIRVANA     We made it to Pornd. I didn¡¯t even know how to feel or what to say meeting rtives I¡¯d never met. I always thought that after I learned that my parents died, it was just me and my grandfather.


    Knight pressed the doorbell to a two-story suburban house.


    ¡°Is this always wet around here?¡± My question made him smile.


    ¡°There are many werewolves in Pornd. And your distant rtives are one of them.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised that you know.¡±


    ¡°Your grandpa told me when he visited California. I forgot to tell you about that.¡± He rang the doorbell again. This time, I heard footstepsing to the door.


    ¡°It was a difficult time for both of us.¡±


    The door swung open. A man around Knight¡¯s age stood at the door, looking confused as he sniffed the air. He somehow looked friendly and kind. ¡°Can I help you?¡±


    ¡°Dn Hedrew?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Who¡¯s asking?¡±


    ¡°I know you know her,¡± said Knight. ¡°Case knows we¡¯reing here to see you.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s this all about?¡± Dn nodded as he opened the door wide. ¡°Come in.¡±


    I followed Knight as he entered the house. Three more men were inside, putting a bow and baseball bats down. I instantly sensed Knight¡¯s cynicism rising.


    ¡°Expecting somebody else?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not a werewolf,¡± he told me, ¡°but you know about us, and his scent is all over you.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I figured that out weeks ago. By the way, I¡¯m Nirvana, and this is my mate, Knight ckwell. He is my alpha.¡±


    ¡°Alpha Knight, you¡¯re the man who owned the winery.¡± He acknowledged Knight¡¯s position.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Pleasure to meet you, distant cousin Nirvana. These are Kol, Niko, and Phin.¡±


    ¡°Nice to meet you.¡± I waved at them.


    They nodded before they went to the kitchen.


    ¡°Have a seat. You traveled far to see me. This must be important.¡±


    I took a seat beside Knight.


    ¡°We¡¯re here to know and meet you. I know this is surprising, but it helps her learn the secret of her family.¡±


    ¡°You came to the wrong ce. I¡¯m not the right person to teach her that. My parents turned their backs on their family secrets. They live their merry lives in Boston.¡±


    ¡°When you said she¡¯s not a werewolf, you know why she¡¯s not one of us.¡±


    ¡°I know about the curse of our bloodlines. Since my mother gave birth to a boy, I¡¯m an exemption. How to undo it? I have no idea.¡±


    ¡°I know. None of us are.¡±


    ¡°If you know a witch or anyone who knows about the curse, maybe they can help Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I want to know about Katzius¡¯ descendants.¡±


    He stood up. ¡°Come with me. I will help you however I can.¡±


    Knight and I followed him upstairs, and then a tinydder led to the attic.


    ¡°I have old photos and journals of my grandmother.¡± He carried an old box and dropped it on the floor. The dust flew everywhere.


    ¡°That¡¯s great. I¡¯d like to see it.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead.¡± He gestured, and I sat down on the floor.


    Knight was about to help me, but Dn stopped him. ¡°Don¡¯t. Don¡¯t touch it.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Knight sounded worried.


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s spell-protected, and only our bloodline can touch it. My friend came here and touched a trinket. It set his arm on fire.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, be careful,¡± Knight told me urgently.


    ¡°I have a fire extinguisher downstairs.¡±


    When Knight narrowed his eyes at him, he added, ¡°Just in case, but you have to try if this is important for you, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°It is.¡± I touched the box and instantly felt the vibration tingling against my skin. I looked at them. ¡°It certainly is protected. I can feel it.¡±


    ¡°Feelfy. I¡¯ll bring some refreshments for both of you.¡±


    ¡°Can you trust your friends down?¡± Knight asked.


    ¡°Yes. We¡¯ve known each other for years and are from the same pack.¡±


    ¡°Why were you with a bow and bats? Are you in trouble?¡±


    ¡°Something is going on around here. Some members of the neighboring pack acted insane, like possessed or something. It¡¯s weird.¡±


    ¡°What about humans?¡± My question made Knight look at me.


    ¡°None that I know of. Just werewolves. Last week, I didn¡¯t know if he was high or something becausetely, someone has been selling a powder-like substance, and the effect is like coke and heroinbined, and he just ran into the bus.¡±


    I gasped. Knight and I looked at each other, and my mind quickly went to what my mother had told me.


    ¡°You should be very careful. If you can stay at home, that¡¯s better.¡± I opened the box, and I found a photo album on top.


    ¡°Sweetheart, are you okay with being alone here for a while?¡±


    I nodded. ¡°Yes.¡±


    Knight and Dn went downstairs, leaving me with the box I hoped would reveal my family history.


    I opened the photo album. ording to the date on the photographs, the first few pictures were taken in the nies. I had never met them before, except for the first person on the left. It was Grandpa Case.


    I flipped to another page where a photo was ck and white. There was no date, but maybe in the seventies orte sixties based on their outfit.


    I gasped as I recognized Ambrose. He didn¡¯t age. He looked the same asst week.


    ¡°Oh, my God.¡± I ran my finger on his image. He was really ancient.


    I checked the back page, and a single photograph fell on myp. I instantly recognized my parents, not the man with curly blond hair. I put it aside.


    ¡°Okay. I hope you are what I¡¯m looking for.¡± I grabbed a journal and unfastened it, but it wouldn¡¯t open. I tried it harder, but the pages wouldn¡¯t budge. Somehow, it is protected. This must be important.


    I wasn¡¯t a witch or knew a single spell. I dialed Zarah.


    ¡°You made it to Pornd?¡± she answered with a question.


    ¡°Yes. Thanks for the help. Dn told us that something weird is going on here.¡±


    ¡°Focus on your task, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Why? Because we don¡¯t have much time?¡±


    ¡°I take it you learned something from your stay in ska?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Alpha Frye has collections of ancient books, and Evelyn found something about the spirit.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good. Now tell me, why are you calling me?¡±


    ¡°I found a journal in Dn¡¯s attic. His grandmother owned it, but it won¡¯t open.¡±


    ¡°Try reciting your full name, or maybe it needs to be unlocked by your blood.¡±


    ¡°So I have to cut my finger?¡± I sighed.


    ¡°If the first one won¡¯t work.¡±


    ¡°Shit. Maybe I should keep a bottle of my blood. It maye in handy.¡± I rolled my eyes.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°Go ahead. Call me back if you learn anything.¡±


    ¡°Bye.¡± I ced my palm on the journal. ¡°kely Nirvana Woodrow Thorne, daughter of Sophie and Ezra Thorne.¡±


    I rolled my eyes when nothing happened until I noticed the pointy edge at the upper right side. I pressed my thumb on it, prickling my skin, and it magically opened effortlessly.


    I chuckled at my naivety.


    The journal opened on the page about The Dagger- the blood dagger. The size seemed small, around seven to nine inches long. ¡°A blood dagger is to be believed could kill any beings. A dagger made of the strongest metal on earth is soaked by the blood of beings of three kinds. A spell is read while the blood dripping is performed.¡±


    Well damn.


    The image seemed to be calling me. I felt the pull to touch it. I ran my fingers through the drawing. It was delicately designed that was capable of being used as a weapon. It had a golden silvery handle and a ck de, but something was carved into it. It was nothing I had ever seen before.


    Something was written down on the lower part of the page.


    ¡°Chant and conceal.¡± Now we had another problem-locating the dagger.


    Crap.


    ¡°Knight, I think I found something.¡±

 58

    KNIGHT


    ¡°Can I borrow the journal? I promise to take care of this and return it to you once I finish reading.¡±


    ¡°If you can take it out of the house, sure.¡± Dn picked up the photo on the floor. ¡°You can take this with you, too.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± Nirvana sipped her lemonade.


    ¡°No problem. I¡¯m d I met you. Your grandfather, all he ever wanted was to protect you from this, our world; that¡¯s why he never told you about this, not that you know about us; at least you never see us differently.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d I found you. If you encounter more trouble around here, feel free toe to the ckwell Vineyards. You have a ce there, Dn. And I¡¯d like to know more about you.¡± I felt the sincerity in her voice, and Dn seemed a good guy.


    ¡°I¡¯d love that.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t stay longer,¡± I told Dn.


    He showed me the photo and video of the man running towards the bus. That man wasn¡¯t himself. If this incident escted, both worlds would create chaos and panic.


    ¡°Let me guess. The reason why you are here has something to do with what¡¯s going on.¡± Dn bounced his gaze between us.


    ¡°Something like that. I want you to stay away from the street.¡± Nirvana held Dn¡¯s arm. ¡°I¡¯ll give you my number. Call me if things get worse. I¡¯ll arrange something to take you out from here.¡±


    ¡°I gave him my number.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Will do that,¡± Dn said.


    ¡°We have to go. Kailin arranged our flights, and it¡¯s leaving in less than two hours.¡±


    Nirvana hugged Dn. ¡°Take care.¡±


    I would be growling if I didn¡¯t know he was her distant cousin. Even if I was aware, my wolf was still possessive.


    ***


    Our flight back home wasn¡¯t supposed to be this exhausting, and business ss seats should befortable, but Nirvana was right about what was going on out there. Cyrius started spreading chaos and fear, and Ambrose had no luck defeating him. And that made me on edge.


    Nirvana dozed off when we were halfway to California. McKaye and Luka volunteered to pick us up from the airport.


    My mind went back to the blood dagger I saw in the journal. We had a theory that this could help kill Cyrius, but why had Ambrose not done this before? What was I missing here?


    My gazended on sleeping Nirvana. The woman possessed the power and strength of a thousand wolves. It was overwhelming and frightening at the same time.


    Shit.


    I squeezed my eyes shut when reality hit me. Fuck. Nirvana was the missing piece.


    I swallowed hard. It was unsettling knowing my mate was the only way to defeat this son of a bitch.


    My stomach did a nosedive. I had a strong feeling that Nirvana could be killed in this fight against this ancient warlock.


    I tried to shut my eyes closed when I sniffed a werewolf scent in the air. No. Werewolves. I scanned around. I found a man in his thirties wearing a leather jacket with a wolf head tattoo on the back of his hand. He quickly looked away when he realized I was looking at him.


    I nudged up Nirvana. ¡°Sweetheart, wake up.¡±


    ¡°Did we arrive?¡± She rubbed her sleepy eyes.


    ¡°Not yet.¡± I pulled her closed so I could kiss her on the lips and whispered, ¡°We¡¯re not alone, but don¡¯t panic.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± she said to our link.


    ¡°I smelled two werewolves in this area. There could be more in the economy, and I don¡¯t believe in coincidence.¡±


    ¡°Me too.¡± Her brows knitted together. ¡°What¡¯s the n?¡±


    ¡°Since we only have hand luggage, we will get in the bathroom together once wend. Then you can teleport us outside the airport.


    ¡°I think I can do it to the vineyards?¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± I searched for the doubts in her eyes, but I didn¡¯t find any.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± she said confidently. ¡°I can do it.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Don¡¯t let my hand go.¡±


    She nodded as she looked around, tipping her chin to the front seat. ¡°Yeah. The other guy is over there.¡±


    An hourter, wended. The passengers started leaving. I grabbed our duffel and took Nirvana¡¯s hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m nervous.¡± At least she admitted it, and I could hear her heartbeat racing.


    ¡°Rx. It¡¯s gonna be okay. They wouldn¡¯t do something in the crowd. My guess is there¡¯s a vehicle waiting outside.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± She breathed deeply and moved forward to get in line towards the exit.


    The two werewolves were a few passengers away, but they still thought we hadn¡¯t made them. Once we exited the airne, I grabbed Nirvana¡¯s hand tightly as we sprinted towards the restroom.


    ¡°Change of n,¡± I told her through our link. ¡°I can¡¯te with you in thedies room. We go to the exit and let McKaye and Luka block them. Once we get in the SUV, you portal us, and those assholes think we were still in there.¡±


    ¡°Excellent n.¡±


    We passed by throngs of people, and I saw them through the mirror, still following us. I sensed McKaye and Luka. They were closer.


    ¡°Guys, I need you to create a diversion. I think we¡¯ve been followed since Pornd. Two guys in a leather jacket and parkas.¡±


    ¡°Got it, Alpha,¡± McKaye said.


    ¡°I¡¯m seeing them right now,¡± Luka responded. ¡°Our transport is parked at the left, second row.¡±


    ¡°See you soon.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck, man?¡± I heard McKaye.


    ¡°Look where you¡¯re going, moron,¡± said the man, probably the parkas.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± I asked Nirvana when she went silent.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± She was breathless and terrified. ¡°I guess I should get used to being chased by bad guys.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re closed.¡± We rushed towards the parking lot.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Over there.¡± She instantly recognized the ck SUV.


    I looked around, sniffed the parking lot, and made sure no one followed us.


    Nirvana looked at her ne, blinking red. ¡°Stop.¡± She pulled my hand. ¡°Something is in the SUV. Don¡¯t get in there.¡±


    ¡°Shit.¡± A part of me was terrified for Nirvana to get hurt. If I was only alone, I could handle those guys easily, but she was critical to the n, and she was my mate. ¡°What the fuck is going on?¡±


    ¡°You better tell the guys not to get in that SUV.¡± She didn¡¯t let go of my hand, and I followed her wherever she dragged me. She took me to another SUV and hid behind it. ¡°Can you see if there¡¯s someone inside? I can¡¯t hear heartbeats or breathing.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s empty. I think they are trying to lure us out here.¡± I linked the guys. ¡°Don¡¯t get in the SUV. I think there¡¯s a bomb inside. You better call security to check it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Alpha. How about you, guys?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t think about us. See you at the vineyards.¡±


    Nirvana held my hand. ¡°Wrap around me.¡±


    I did as she said and closed my eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t let go of me. Wherever it takes us, at least we are together.¡±


    ¡°You talk a lot, but you¡¯re mute in bed.¡±


    I chuckled as I looked down at her. ¡°You want me to talk dirty in bed?¡±


    ¡°Just kidding. I think you¡¯re hot, and sleeping with you is the best decision I¡¯ve had in a while. I enjoy it very much.¡± I thought she was trying to divert her attention because her heart and nerves had never calmed down.


    ¡°I know.¡± I was hiding behind the SUV. In just a blink, I was in the living room of my house.


    I looked around to ensure I was in the right ce, but Kailin was standing, her brows meeting.


    ¡°That was fast. How did you get in here without me noticing? Portal?¡±


    ¡°I missed you, too, K.¡± Nirvana hugged her tightly.


    ¡°Ouch. You¡¯re stronger, and ew, you smell him.¡± Her eyes grew big as her gazended on Nirvana¡¯s neck, and she instantly saw my mark. ¡°Oh, my Goddess! You finally did it! You popped your cherry.¡±


    ¡°Shut up.¡± Nirvana¡¯s face turned red. ¡°You¡¯re embarrassing me.¡±


    Kailinughed so hard before she did a curtsy. ¡°Wee home, Luna.¡±


    I shook my head in amusement. ¡°You should tell your brother we arrived home safe.¡±


    ¡°Right. So, should I knock or call you guys before I get in the house?¡± Her smile was meaningful.


    ¡°You probably should.¡±


    ¡°Very well. Congrattions to both of you.¡± She came to hug me. ¡°I¡¯m proud of you, Knight. Alpha. When is the celebration?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid we have to hold it for a while. We have a pressing matter at hand.¡±


    ¡°Oh,e on. If it¡¯s an end-of-the-world problem, we should enjoy the lives we have left. It won¡¯t be too extravagant-just the pack and our friends.¡±


    ¡°Very well. We¡¯ll do it in two days.¡±


    ¡°In two days?¡± Nirvana¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°Yes, Nirvana. You have to train. We¡¯re running out of time.¡±

 59

    NIRVANA


    Knight took me slowly.


    I writhed beneath him. It wasn¡¯t that I didn¡¯t enjoy it. In fact, I felt every inch of him, every breath he took, every touch of his lips on my skin, and it was overwhelming how sex could make me feel. It was unbelievably and incredibly spellbinding, and it was an exquisite torture, but something was in his head.


    I tried to move my hips, rocking back and forth, hooked my legs behind his waist, but he was determined to make love with me tonight.


    It was our first night in his bed. Instead, he pulled his cock out and put it gently through my wet folds, rubbed it against my entrance up and down, and then pushed the head inside.


    Gasping, I arched my back at the sensation, and I was desperate for a deep and hard thrust. But I felt how thick he was, every ridge and every throbbing vein of his cock slowly intruding me.


    It was a sweet torture while my skin was burning, my heart was galloping, and my clit was aching. And I was drenched.


    For a short time, Knight knew how my body would respond to his touch.


    ¡°You¡¯re fucking beautiful, and you feel so fucking good, Nirvana,¡± Knight said through gritted teeth, and then he steeled, settled there for a while, and then ground his hips against mine.


    My swollen clit became more sensitive. I felt like floating. Every stroke, every grunt, every ragged breathing, and the tender touch of his lips against mine blew me away.


    I didn¡¯t want it to end. I felt somehow powerful. I felt worshiped.


    ¡°More please?¡± I begged for more, even if it was already too much.


    He didn¡¯t deny me. He reached for my ass, rubbing it, and then slid his hand and slid between my ass cheeks, finding my forbidden hole. I was soaking, and my wetness dripped down there.


    He stroke it with his finger. It should terrify me. No one else touched me there, but my skin burned, and my chest filled with extreme anticipation.


    Helpless to the pleasure, my whole body trembled. I moaned loudly, and my hand curled into a fist into his hair.


    ¡°Too much?¡± he whispered, his voice was husky and dark.


    ¡°Just perfect.¡±


    Then he kissed me hard. I felt him jerk inside me and then pull out and m in, making me groan into his mouth.


    Yes, it was too much but perfect. I felt him everywhere. Then he broke the kiss, sat up, and flipped me over without warning, causing me to yelp in surprise.


    He folded my knees, pushed my head down with his hand and the other, exposing the tiny knot of my flesh, and stroked it with his thumb.


    My chest heaved. My pulse rang in my ears. Before I could take a breath, he pushed his cock deep inside me. And then he fucked me hard and with his thumb pressed against my forbidden hole.


    I was satisfied with a cock in one hole but his big thumb in the other; it was so overwhelming. He was huge and stuffed inside me while his finger probed me gently. I knew I wouldn¡¯tst long. Waves of heat and pleasure began to blind me.


    ¡°Oh, God!¡± I screamed out and whined with so many sensations bearing down on me. ¡°I can¡¯t take it anymore!¡±


    ¡°Yes. You can. You take everything I give you. Remember you¡¯re mine, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°No. This is too much!¡±


    ¡°You wanted hard earlier. I know your body. You beg for it. I know you ache for this. Now take it!¡± His hoarse groan sounded like a feral, uncontained animal. Then, a loud smack echoed in the room. My ass cheek stung, and then he rubbed it with his palm. ¡°Don¡¯t ever say you can¡¯t. You¡¯re made for me, mate.¡±


    What we had was more than just a connection, an unnatural arrangement- it became everything for us.


    I lost myself in these tangled emotions and euphoria.


    My body shuddered. Sweat broke off my skin, but he kept thrusting at an almost inhuman speed.


    I¡¯d never experienced such intense pleasure before until I met this man who showed me bliss was possible. It felt like an addiction. The more I took it, the higher it brought me.


    I climaxed- a supernova kind. I sobbed, and his roar hit my ears. He convulsed and fell on my back.


    ***


    ¡°Is this really necessary?¡± Iined as I grew tired of fitting the evening gown I would wear for the pack party. I wanted to flee if I could. Well, I could, but Kailin didn¡¯t have to know it just yet.


    I felt like this celebration was a waste of time because we now have bigger problems. I would rather start my training, but this was important for Knight and the pack. It was to officiate me as their alpha¡¯s mate and their luna.


    I didn¡¯t know my duty and responsibility would be a big deal until I read the book about alphas.


    ¡°Try this one.¡± Kailin was carrying another gown. It looked divine in green sheered material with corset and flower details. It was not too shiny and glittery, and I loved the off-shoulder design and thigh-high slit.


    ¡°I¡¯ll put it on.¡± I stood up quickly and grabbed the hanger from her.


    ¡°Wow. What happened to my best friend?¡±


    ¡°I want this ridiculous fitting to be over.¡± I went back to the fitting room and put it on. I looked at myself in the mirror, twirled my hair around my hand, and put it on my head like a bun. Loose strands fell on the side of my face.


    I realized it had been a while since I dressed nice to impress. I still felt guilty for using Knight¡¯s money to buy us stuff for the one-night party. I stepped out and showed Kailin. I even made a turn.


    ¡°This is thest one, or I swear to God, I will disappear right now.¡±


    I saw the pride in her eyes, and her face split into a wide grin. ¡°Yes! You are, my dear, going to make my cousin¡¯s jaw drop on the floor.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not get too ahead of ourselves, shall we? Besides, your cousin is hot. It might be the other way around.¡±


    She took a step and cupped my face. ¡°You two are perfect, and I¡¯m d you gave him another chance. You make him happy, Vana.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t let that kind of specimen go to waste. I need to taste him.¡±


    She wrinkled her nose. ¡°TMI. Take that off. We still have our spa and mani-pedi appointments.¡±


    ¡°I think I need that one.¡± I checked my nails. I don¡¯t usually keep them long, and I prefer nude colors.


    Zander and McKaye came with us today; otherwise, our alpha would not let us go. Knight went back to work to catch up on some important meetings.


    ¡°My Goddess. It took you about three hours to pick two dresses?¡±ined McKaye as he carried the boxes to our car.


    ¡°And shoes. You canin to Alpha if he doesn¡¯t like his mate¡¯s dress.¡±


    ¡°Whatever. Girls are all the same,¡± he said as he stuffed them into the trunk.


    ¡°You boys don¡¯t understand our struggle to look good before you. All you can say is you look beautiful, and it¡¯s not even sincere. You have no idea how we sacrifice our skin for you.¡±


    McKaye smiled at me. ¡°Don¡¯t tell this to alpha, but at least we guys help you take off your dress.¡±


    Iughed, yfully punching him on his big biceps. ¡°Right. All you guys do is help us undress.¡±


    Kailin shook her head. ¡°I pretend not to hear this.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait for you to find your mate, McKaye. I hope she¡¯s an heiress and loves to shop.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°No, thank you, Vana.¡± He helped me get inside the car and shut the door behind him.


    Once he got in the passenger¡¯s seat, Zander pulled out of the famous luxury Haute couture boutique parking lot.


    My phone rang. It was Knight. I also saw messages.


    I answered the call. ¡°Hi.¡±


    ¡°Hey. Did you pick a dress?¡±


    ¡°Yes, but it¡¯s a surprise.¡±


    ¡°Sweetheart, I know you would look beautiful even if you wear a bup sack to our party, and I would still escort you and dance with you.¡±


    ¡°Wait. There¡¯s a dance?¡±


    Kailin gave me an odd look.


    ¡°Yes, don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s not a cotillion, so there¡¯s no need for choreography. Just trust me and follow my lead.¡±


    ¡°How many girls have you danced with before me, Knight?¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°Not many.¡±


    ¡°And you take them all to bed?¡±


    I watched Zander and McKaye share a look. ¡°Your guys are listening. Let¡¯s continue this conversation at home, alpha. Why are you calling me anyway?¡±


    ¡°I sent the copy of the dagger and talked to your grandpa. I¡¯m not sure if our line is secured, but he said he¡¯d never seen it before.¡±


    ¡°Shit.¡±

 60

    KNIGHT


    I wanted to strangle my cousin. She did all this, made me suffer for a few hours without seeing my mate, and my fucking wolf was agitated. I had to go out for a run for half an hour and came back to take a shower.


    I knew I would see Nirvana tonight at our celebration, and I was excited to tell my pack and the people close to me that I was lucky to have the most amazing mate.


    My pack members started to arrive at the pack house, which was elegantly decorated with ck and golden ents- a chandelier hung low on the ceiling, candbras and fresh flower arrangements were on the tables, ssical music yed in the background, and a red carpet was spread on the stairs.


    ¡°Well, look at you. You clean up pretty well. I¡¯m d you decided to trim your beard.¡± Kailin grinned at me, and she wore a beautiful white dress tonight.


    ¡°You look fantastic, Kailin.¡±


    ¡°Wait until you see Vana.¡± She patted my back. ¡°Nice party. I¡¯m happy for you.¡±


    When she was gone, I weed our guests. And then the entire ce went silent.


    My gazended on the woman I¡¯d longed to see. My jaw dropped.


    Consider me stupefy, but she was fucking exquisite and gorgeous in a green dress, which made her skin look elegantly soft and glowing, and her eyes stood out from the light makeup on her face.


    Wearing red lipstick should be a sin for her, and no woman left me speechless until she came into my life.


    The silence was electric. My heart pounded so hard I even heard it.


    We stared at each other in unblinking moments as Nirvana made her way downstairs. I wanted toe to her, take her hand, and kiss it, but my feet were rooted to the ground.


    The breath I had been holding came out in a rush as she stood before me, smiling. She looked even younger than twenty-one.


    I chuckled as she yfully touched my chin to close my mouth.


    ¡°You look hot, Alpha.¡±


    I swallowed as I tried to process the words I wanted to tell her, but I only came up with as honestly as possible. ¡°You¡¯re fucking beautiful.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°I mean it, Nirvana.¡± I held her hand and kissed it, causing her to giggle.


    ¡°I know.¡± She raised her hand and caressed my cheek. ¡°You look extravagant in your tux. You can just stand at the corner, and I can look at you all day and not get tired of it.¡±


    ¡°I love seeing you naked, but this dress is perfect for you.¡± I put my free hand on her lower back so I could look at her eye-to-eye.


    ¡°Thank you. It took me almost three hours to pick the perfect dress to impress you, and the color matches your eyes.¡±


    Huh. She chose the color on purpose. I was ttered. ¡°I¡¯m beyond impressed, sweetheart.¡±


    Most of our guests had arrived, including Califf, Shadow, and Zarah. Alpha Frye and his sister Evelyn made it tonight. Of course, our party wouldn¡¯t bepleted without Case.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    My uncle Lennox and Case went upstairs and tapped the Champagne ss.


    ¡°May I have your attention, please?¡± The music paused, and the house went silent as Uncle Lennox started.


    ¡°When I lost my brother, James, and his wife, a part of me went with him, but every time I saw my nephew, I knew he would protect the legacy of his parents. Our pack may not be bigger, but this is family. This is everything a pack should be with one goal. To protect and be with each other during tough times. Tonight is a special night for White Moon Pack and the people we cared about.¡±


    I looked at Nirvana while Uncle Lennox was giving his short speech. She was stunning, with a smile on her lips.


    ¡°Tonight, I¡¯m standing before you to congratte my nephew, Knight, the alpha of the White Moon pack, and his mate, Nirvana, and wee her to our pack.¡±


    The room filled with apuse.


    I assisted Nirvana up for the oath. The three elders, Lucian, Duncan, and Antoine, joined and served as our witnesses.


    ¡°Just follow my lead.¡± We didn¡¯t have time to rehearse, but oath-taking wasn¡¯t thatplicated.


    ¡°Nirvana, put your hand on your mate¡¯s and the other on the holy book of Moon Goddess.¡±


    She did as she was told to.


    ¡°Alpha Knight, do you swear to be faithful to your mate, Nirvana, to protect her, to guide her and devote yourself to her and the White Moon Pack and uphold thews and justice?¡±


    ¡°I swear.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana Thorne, do you swear to be faithful to our alpha, Knight ckwell, to protect his dignity, be his light, devote yourself to him and the White Moon pack, and uphold thews and justice?¡±


    ¡°I swear.¡±


    ¡°By the power vested in me as the head elder, and witness by Elders Lucian, Duncan, Antoine, and Case of Roadside Pack, I proimed you mates, and on behalf of ourte luna, Calista, we wee you as our new Luna.¡±


    Uncle Lennox gave me a de. I made a small cut on my thumb and signed the certificate with my blood. I helped Nirvana and did the same thing on her thumb. As soon as she pressed her thumb beside mine, our prints formed together as one.


    I took two flutes and gave one to my mate.


    ¡°Congrattions to Alpha Knight and Luna Nirvana!¡±


    I raised my flute to our guests and took a sip. ¡°Good evening, everyone. Thank you all foring. Our elders, pack members, friends, and allies. From myself and my untiring Luna, I wee you all for this wonderful celebration of our union. Thank you very much, and enjoy the night.¡±


    Nirvana and I shook hands with the elders, and she hugged her grandfather.


    I offered my arm, and she took it as we walked downstairs to entertain our guest and then danceter.


    ¡°Congrattions, Alpha. How¡¯s life with a mate.¡± Califf smiled from ear to ear, telling me that he was right.


    ¡°Fine. Now shut that smirk off your face. It¡¯s ugly.¡± I offered my hand, and he grabbed it as we gave each other a brotherly hug.


    ¡°I told you so.¡± Shadow kissed me on the cheek. ¡°And I saw your jaw drop on the floor.¡±


    ¡°Thank you foring.¡± Nirvana and Shadow kissed each other¡¯s cheeks.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t miss it, Vana,¡± said Califf. ¡°And you look fantastic.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. No wonder,¡± Shadow teased me.


    ¡°You guys, enjoy.¡±


    I took Nirvana as we went to Alpha Frye. ¡°I¡¯m d you made it.¡±


    ¡°You both deserve this,¡± he said as he gave me a gift.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to.¡±


    ¡°That is important to both of you,¡± Evelyn said. ¡°I found a special book with English trantion.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fantastic. Thank you.¡± Nirvana hugged Evelyn. I felt it in my guts that they had some connections.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, our alpha and luna.¡±


    ¡°May I have this dance, my luna?¡± I offered my hand to my mate, and she gripped it delightedly.


    We went to the center, and the orchestra yed a ssic love song.


    I ced my hand on her back, and we began dancing. ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t know how to dance.¡±


    ¡°I always wanted to be a ballerina.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯d be perfect in a pink tutu.¡±


    She tried hard not tough loudly, but her eyes danced in humor. ¡°You think so?¡±


    ¡°Yes, sweetheart. You have elegant legs.¡±


    Some couples, including Califf and Shadow, joined us in the ballroom.


    ¡°Now you¡¯re officially the Luna of this pack. You are my behalf and my equal.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re still my boss. I won¡¯t change that fact.¡±


    ¡°Very well.¡± I closed our gap and pressed her body against mine. She linked her hands behind my back, and I leaned over to whisper, ¡°I have something to tell you.¡±


    ¡°You can just link it to me so no one can hear it but me.¡±


    I did as she said, ¡°I want youpletely naked after this.¡±


    ¡°Sorry to interrupt, Alpha Knight. May I have the honor to dance with Luna Nirvana?¡±

 61

    NIRVANA     ¡°What¡¯s going on, honey?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, Grandpa?¡± Thest time I danced with him was when I turned eighteen. I always dreamed of dancing with him at my wedding, but maybe that chance was over.


    My grandfather raised me, and I was an awkward kid growing up. I didn¡¯t have many friends, or I preferred not to. I always knew I was different, and I chose scribbling in my notebook over going out with girls. I was always a loner until I went to college and met Kailin.


    Maybe that was why I was still a virgin until I met Knight. I had two boyfriends, and they both were after getting into my pants. Perhaps that was why Axell broke up with me.


    Before our trip, I was ready to sleep with him once we got to California, but there was always a reason for everything. We were not meant to be.


    ¡°Vana, why did you want to see your distant cousin? Knight asked me the address.¡±


    ¡°After great grandpa Ambrose brought me back to life, I acquired a gift.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I know that.¡±


    ¡°And I might face Cyrius again, but let¡¯s not talk about it here.¡±


    ¡°All right, but are you okay? You¡¯ve only gone for weeks and seem to have changed a lot, and I could feel the worry in Knight¡¯s messages.¡±


    ¡°Is that a bad thing?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the problem. It¡¯s too good to be true. I mean, you grow up too fast, honey. And you¡¯re making me worried.¡± I remembered how he looked at me when I first went on the school camping trip.


    Iughed. ¡°Seriously? I¡¯m twenty-one, and I finally have a boyfriend. How you look at him, he passed the long list of your granddaughter¡¯s boyfriend¡¯s resume.¡±


    ¡°All I ever want is what¡¯s good for you.¡±


    ¡°d you didn¡¯t like Axell. He was a world-ss jerk.¡± Did I feel guilty for what happened to him? Not really. He should have left me alone when I told him I had moved on, but he kept pushing it.


    ¡°Language, Vana. You¡¯re a luna now. Every action you make is considered a strong decision. Every word you said-¡±


    ¡°Can be used against me?¡± I smiled, causing him to frown.


    ¡°I¡¯m serious. Pack matter isn¡¯t a joke.¡±


    ¡°I know, Grandpa. I just missed you. I¡¯ve been busytely and didn¡¯t even call you once.¡±


    ¡°Knight was keeping me updated once in a while by sending me messages. And I know you¡¯re in good hands, and he will protect you with his life. I know you deserve a man like him. You deserve better, and he is better.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. That means a loting from you.¡±


    The dinner began. I wasn¡¯t sure what the menu was until Kailin showed me this morning. She was really good at her job as assistant to the alpha, and all the guys in the rank had all figured it out. That was how good they were, handling pack business. And I had a lot of things to learn.


    The menu was a five-course meal. The wine, of course, was courtesy of the ckwell Winery. Alpha even had a special bottle of a giveaway gift to our guests.


    I finally felt what it was to be an adult as I sat beside my mate and the elders.


    When Zarah excused herself and rose from her seat, I had a feeling it was more than just going to the powder room, and that had my pulse racing.


    Shadow, though, I didn¡¯t think she was a big deal. I knew she was a lycan princess, but damn, being a hybrid was something, and her gift was incredible, and the people around knew her. The way they looked at her was with utmost respect and admiration.


    I instantly remembered what Evelyn told us about ancient times- a werewolf with a gift like Shadow was worshiped like a god.


    Kailin went to Grandpa, kissing him on the cheek. They were closed even before they revealed what they were to me. I understood now what they had inmon.


    ¡°Sorry to interrupt, but Zarah wants to talk to you somewhere private,¡± Kailin said through our pack link. It still felt surreal about this Wi-Fi thingy.


    ¡°Excuse us. Enjoy your meal.¡± I rose from our table and asked her once we were far enough, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°I was hoping you could tell me. You¡¯ve only been gone for three days, but I sense something different about you. You¡¯re not pregnant, that¡¯s for sure.¡±


    I halted, held her on her arm, and stared at her. My stomach did a freefall.


    Shit.


    God, I am so irresponsible.


    It didn¡¯t ur to me the possibility of getting pregnant. What would my baby be? A werewolf, too? Or a human like me. Could I get pregnant? The reality hit me hard after what we did in the cabin and our bedroom without protection. And it wasn¡¯t definitely the right time to bear a child. With what was going on in the underworld right now, there would never be a right now. Now, it scared the hell out of me.


    ¡°Earth to, Vana. Where the hell did you go for a moment?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The way you stared at me, you didn¡¯t expect you couldn¡¯t get pregnant because he¡¯s a werewolf, and you¡¯re a human, did you?¡±


    ¡°Can we not talk about it right now?¡±


    ¡°Right. Let¡¯s go to the office.¡±


    The door opened. I only expected to see Zarah and Knight, but everyone, including Alpha Frye and Evelyn, was there.


    My pulse raced. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Come in and close the door behind you,¡± said Knight.


    I didn¡¯t even touch the doorknob. It shut by itself.


    ¡°Now, no one can hear us.¡± Zarah performed her magic trick, and she and Knight looked more serious than ever.


    I stood beside Grandpa, sitting on the chair. Califf stood near the window while Shadow was on the couch with Evelyn.


    ¡°I lost a man three days ago, just right after you both left. Then yesterday, we found him dead, floating in theke with dead veins all over his skin.¡±


    I stared at Alpha Frye.


    ¡°So, how long has this been going on?¡±


    I shifted my gaze at Grandpa. ¡°There¡¯s weird happening in Pornd. When we went to see Dn, they had bows and arrows, and he showed Knight the video of a werewolf running towards the bus. He died on the spot, but it seemed only the werewolf was affected.¡±


    ¡°And you didn¡¯t tell me about this?¡± Grandpa turned to Knight. ¡°You risked my granddaughter by bringing her there.¡±


    ¡°Grandpa, we just figured it out from Dn. We were shocked ourselves.¡±


    ¡°What about the guys who followed you from PIA?¡± McKaye asked. There was a bomb in the SUV, but it wasn¡¯t meant to detonate.


    ¡°We¡¯re not sure if it was a rted incident or they just targeted us,¡± Knight replied.


    ¡°And why have I just heard about it now?¡±


    Knight looked at Kailin. ¡°We¡¯re not sure what¡¯s going on, but it seems our world is in chaos.¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯s the Werewolf Council doing about these incidents?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not aware there¡¯s a meeting arranged, Kailin,¡± Knight replied.


    ¡°I want to arrange a meeting with the Werewolf Council.¡± They all stared at me in shock.


    ¡°Sweetheart, I¡¯m not sure if they will honor your request.¡± Knight was too polite with words.


    ¡°Why? Because I¡¯m not one of you? What about the alphas of those infected with something? What did they do? Wait until it esctes all over the country? No offense, Alpha Frye.¡±


    ¡°None taken, Luna,¡± he noted.


    ¡°I will talk to my father about this. He¡¯s on a business trip right now,¡± Shadow mentioned. ¡°How about you, Califf? Have you heard any reports from our allies?¡±


    ¡°No, but I will set a meeting as soon as we get back to thepound.¡±


    ¡°We need to investigate what¡¯s going on. If there¡¯s an incident in our pack, Alpha Grayson should have said something.¡± Grandpa sighed heavily. I knew he was worried about me, but I was more worried about him.


    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind, Zarah? You¡¯ve never been this silent, and it¡¯s unnerving.¡± I waited for her reply, but nothing happened.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°We must do something,¡± Kailin said.


    ¡°If Werewolf Council won¡¯t do something, I just have to find evidence and bring it to them myself.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not a good idea,¡± Knight countered me.


    ¡°Why is that?¡±


    ¡°You have more important things to do.¡±


    ¡°Why is this killing not important to them? Because those dead werewolves were not alphas; they were just ordinary lowlife and rankless werewolves. Well, let¡¯s forget me because I¡¯m just a human to them. It¡¯s settled then.¡±


    ¡°I told you. She¡¯s just like me. A real pain in the ass,¡± Shadow just told her mate, chuckling.


    ¡°You should train hard. Leave this issue to the alphas. Besides, your mate has a seat in the council. He can force them to take action.¡±


    ¡°Now you talk. Do you know something I don¡¯t, Zarah?¡±


    ¡°The fact that you¡¯re not ready and this is starting to happen scares me, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Well, maybe my bloodline ought to fail.¡±

 62

    KNIGHT


    We were both naked in bed inside the nket.


    I kissed her, and she kissed me back. I knew she was wet the moment we entered the bedroom. It proved to me right when I traced my finger between her folds.


    She went overboard with the wine, but she wasn¡¯t drunk enough not to know what she was doing. She spread her thighs for me, moving her hips towards my finger as I pressed the rough pad of my thumb, rubbing small circles on her swollen clit.


    I added a digit, sliding inside her, stroking her wet folds. She shuddered, and broken pants blew my face.


    ¡°Do you want toe?¡± I rasped.


    ¡°Yes, please?¡± She bit her bottom lip.


    ¡°Good.¡± I kissed her lips quickly before dragging myself down.


    I spread her legs apart and put them over my shoulder, causing her to yelp. I settled my head between her thighs. Her arousal was intoxicating, swirling through my head.


    I didn¡¯t waste any more time. I started nipping the skin, biting her inner thigh, and my teeth sunk into her tender flesh. She arched her back, anticipating where my mouth should be.


    Tracing kisses, I then ttened my tongue and ran it from her tight hole up to her clit. She writhed and moaned. I barely started.


    My dick was so hard, poking the mattress. The world might end today or tomorrow; at least I satisfied my mate, then we fought to live and ended the suffering that son of a bitch had caused.


    I captured her pussy with my mouth, sucking the hard bud, pulling it into my lips.


    ¡°Oh, God. Knight, don¡¯t stop. Don¡¯t stop. Knight, please don¡¯t stop.¡± Nirvana gripped my hair, pushing my head into her pussy, my name in her chant.


    Then I cupped her tits with my palms, rolling those tiny nipples with my fingers.


    When I slid two fingers into her, sucking her clit, she said something incoherent, and her climax was sudden and explosive.


    ***


    We woke up earlier than we used to. After we fucked each otherst night, she fell asleep right away. While snoring a little, I got up in bed and called the Alpha King.


    ¡°If you¡¯re expecting good news, I might disappoint you. No one has heard about the blood dagger. Maybe it doesn¡¯t exist or is yet to be forged. Who would forge? Probably a werewolf cksmith. But I could ask further. Just don¡¯t expect a positive result. How¡¯s she?¡±


    ¡°Not good. Things got into her head fast, and she¡¯s not dealing it well. She mayugh, but deep inside, she¡¯s struggling. We share connections in the first ce.¡±


    ¡°You just have to handle things even if she can. Let her focus on her training, and besides, your allies and friends are all hands on deck. Is that what they say?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not alone in this. Nirvana may y a bigger role, but this is teamwork. No. Not only that, but all the lycans and more werewolves are joining together. This is bigger than any of us. The underworld depends on the sess of this n.¡±


    ¡°I guess I just need a reminder.¡±


    ¡°Take it from the man who lives longer than any of you. We can¡¯t rush to the war unprepared. We should be strategic, especially when dealing with almost an immortal being, not to mention a powerful warlock. He probably has anticipated this already. That we will work together to win against him.¡±


    ¡°Exactly my thought.¡±


    ¡°Then we should be wiser than him.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say, but thank you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not necessary, Knight. I¡¯ll keep you posted if I find something.¡±


    I just hung up the call when Nirvana stirred.


    ¡°Who you¡¯re talking to?¡±


    ¡°My other girlfriend.¡±


    She turned to me and pinched my nipple. ¡°Tell her she¡¯s a bitch and that you belong to me.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± I cupped her face and kissed her lips. ¡°Does it mean you¡¯re mine?¡±


    ¡°It depends.¡±


    ¡°On what?¡±


    ¡°If you tell me what did you and Sebastien talk about?¡±


    I smirked. ¡°So, how much did you hear?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Not much. Only the I¡¯ll keep you posted part.¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t have good news regarding finding the dagger.¡±


    She breathed deeply, looking away. ¡°I have a theory.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±


    She sat on the bed and looked at me. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the knights, warriors, nobles, kings, and all those wealthy people buried their wealth with them?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, and?¡±


    ¡°What if whoever thest person possessed this dagger buried it with him?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s an interesting theory, sweetheart.¡± I sat next to her and pulled her close to me.


    ¡°Only my bloodline can hold the dagger, keeping it safe and ensuring it won¡¯t fall into the wrong hands.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Conan. Don¡¯t make it moreplicated than it already is, but what if one of your bloodlines has this dagger.¡±


    ¡°Now we¡¯re talking.¡± She grinned and even giggled. ¡°Or maybe he or she who has it is not yet dead.¡±


    ¡°Or many he hid it in the in sight.¡±


    She stared at me as if she just realized something. ¡°What if it¡¯s hidden inside where people least expect it.¡±


    ¡°Just say it, sweetheart.¡± My brain just slowed down.


    ¡°We should get up. I need to talk to Grandpa before he returns to New York.¡±


    I was about to say something, but she was already standing, naked, grabbing her robe, and walking towards the bathroom.


    I had to get up, too, even if I wanted a few minutes to cuddle. After I used the bathroom, I put on my T-shirt and sweatpants. Nirvana also put on the same getup.


    Case refused to stay in my house, and so as at a hotel room. So I had to let him stay at the pack house so everyone could look after him. He may not be that old, but he was my mate¡¯s grandfather and could be targeted.


    We arrived at the pack house. Kailin was already waiting at the front door, ring at me.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with your face?¡±


    ¡°I know I¡¯m just a member and don¡¯t have rank, but you are my cousin, and your mate is my best friend. That got me the right to know that she¡¯s more than what she is.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    ¡°Really? Is that how it is now?¡±


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m here. You know,¡± Nirvana said.


    ¡°Yeah. You, too. Since you found my dick cousin, I don¡¯t matter to you anymore.¡± Kailin turned to walk away, but Nirvana caught her in the arm.


    ¡°Wait.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t trust me. I get it.¡±


    ¡°Gee. You¡¯re one of a few people I trust.¡± I felt the pain in Nirvana¡¯s voice. She was hurting, but so was Kailin. ¡°I did this to protect you. The lesser you know, the better, and you¡¯d be the least target of whoever wants to kill me.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Kailin was shocked. Her eyes widened and started filling with tears. ¡°Is it because you and Knight found each other?¡± Of course, she started ming herself.


    ¡°No. It¡¯s her bloodline.¡±


    ¡°What the hell are you talking about, Knight?¡± She turned to me. ¡°Exin. Now. Or I will go rogue.¡±


    ¡°Do you realize I am your alpha?¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°Apologies.¡±


    ¡°After Ambrose brought me back, I literally didn¡¯te alone. Hence the special skills like yours, but there¡¯s more than that.¡± Nirvana held her in the arm, and so did mine.


    ¡°What the hell is going on?¡±


    ¡°You have to delete this footage, Alpha.¡± She looked around to make sure we didn¡¯t have to exin what had just happened, and then she did her magic.


    We jumped.

 63

    NIRVANA


    It was hard enough for me to stay sane with what was going on in their world. I guessed it was part of my world now.


    Keeping secrets from my best friend was hard enough and could destroy our friendship, and she wasn¡¯t like Grandpa, who would understand why I kept something from him.


    I loved Kailin like my own sister. I couldn¡¯t afford to hurt and lose her.


    When we teleported into the office, she gasped and braced on her knees. Then she looked around. I saw the shock in her eyes, and then she turned to Knight.


    ¡°Ask her.¡± He shrugged.


    Kailin then stared at me.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. I should have told you. I thought protecting you from the truth would protect you from whatever was happening out there.¡±


    ¡°Protecting me? Do you know how absurd that sounds? I¡¯m a werewolf. I¡¯m stronger than you. I can run fast, and I healed fast-¡±


    ¡°I do, too.¡±


    She swallowed hard and kept staring at me.


    ¡°I¡¯m still a human, though.¡±


    ¡°Wait a sec. It doesn¡¯t exin what you just did. Let me guess, it has something to do with what you did to Travis¡¯ truck, hasn¡¯t it?¡±


    I stole a nce at Knight, but my dick of a mate just walked towards the liqueur cab and helped himself, leaving me alone to deal with Kailin.


    ¡°How did you do it?¡±


    ¡°I can jump from ce to ce. I don¡¯t know yet-¡±


    ¡°Wait. Hold on.¡± She raised her hand and stared at me again like I was some alien species. ¡°You can teleport?¡±


    ¡°How do you think we escaped from those assholes at the airport?¡±


    She breathed through her nose as she red at Knight. ¡°And you kept this from me?¡±


    ¡°Not my secret to tell, K.¡±


    ¡°I feel guilty for keeping this from you. McKaye doesn¡¯t know yet. Just Zarah, the alpha king, and Alexander because they tried to help me control the jump.¡±


    ¡°How do you do that?¡± Dumbfounded, she asked.


    ¡°Do what?¡±


    ¡°Stay calm.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not calm. I¡¯m losing my shit here.¡±


    Knightughed and put the ss on his desk. ¡°Did you just say losing your shit? Let me remind you, mate, that you¡¯re a luna and should start acting like one.¡±


    ¡°You, two, stop flirting!¡± She pointed at us, her nose ring.


    ¡°I just began to control it, K. I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you hide this from me. This is huge.¡± She blew a breath and began pacing.


    ¡°K?¡± I called her when she went silent.


    She turned away, her hands on her hips. The next thing I knew, she pulled me into a hug, squeezed me, lifted me up, and spun me around.


    ¡°Easy.¡± My mate groaned.


    After she put me down, she pinched my cheek and began grinning like crazy. ¡°This is awesome!¡±


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Knight asked her.


    ¡°Do you know what this means?¡±


    We both shook our heads and were confused.


    ¡°You guys are dumb. She¡¯s our secret weapon!¡± she gushed proudly. ¡°That dickhead who killed you won¡¯t anticipate this because he doesn¡¯t know what you can do.¡±


    Knight didn¡¯t usually roll his eyes, but he did for an obvious reason. ¡°We know, but we still have no luck finding the dagger.¡±


    ¡°What dagger?¡± Again, she looked hurt.


    ¡°You have a lot of things to catch up on, K,¡± Knight said, teasing her.


    ¡°You¡¯re a jerk.¡±


    I hid my smile, but Knight saw it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that again before her, but I¡¯m giving you a pass because you¡¯re still mad.¡± A knock interrupted Knight.


    ¡°It¡¯s Grandpa.¡± I went to open the door. Grandpa did note alone. He was with Luka, Kaleb, and McKaye. ¡°How¡¯s your sleep?¡±


    ¡°Better that I know you¡¯re just at the other house.¡±


    ¡°Come in,¡± Knight said. ¡°Case, may I ask you something?¡±


    ¡°You know we passed that formality a long time ago, son. Just ask away. But, of course, what is it about?¡±


    ¡°Actually, it¡¯s Nirvana who wants to inquire?¡±


    ¡°Um, who gave you that antique sword disyed in your office?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the only thing I kept when your mother died.¡±


    Knight and I shared a look. ¡°I think it¡¯s the dagger.¡±


    ¡°But it looks different from the one in the picture.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but Ambrose can create mour. I was thinking that the dagger was hidden inside that sword. The size is perfect, the sword is longer, and it doesn¡¯t look like swords from the Knights Temr that everyone wouldn¡¯t be interested in.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s right, Case. It¡¯s worth a try.¡± Knight backed me up.


    ¡°Then we should go and get it.¡±


    ¡°I will ask Zarah to portal us, Grandpa.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you-¡± Kailin shut her mouth when Knight looked at her. He probably told her to stop.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go then.¡± Grandpa gave it a go.


    ¡°I¡¯m noting with you. You have to take it with the ss casing.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I have a feeling it¡¯s protected, K. Just like something I found in Pornd.¡±


    ¡°Why are you noting with us, Nirvana?¡±


    ¡°I need to train with McKaye. We have to divide the tasks if we wanna get it done.¡±


    ¡°Now you sound like a true luna, Vana.¡± Luka nodded with pride.


    ¡°Knight, I suppose you will protect my grandfather with your life?¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Knight came to me and kissed my forehead. ¡°You don¡¯t have to ask. Your family is my family.¡±


    ¡°Aw,¡± Kailin reacted, giggling.


    ¡°All right then. Case, Luka, and I will take the sword while Kaleb handles the pack business. Tell everyone to stay vignt and away from the crowd, but don¡¯t panic. Report any violent and unnatural incidents to me. That¡¯s also your priority.¡±


    ¡°Got it, alpha.¡±


    ¡°Mac, you train my mate. Don¡¯t go easy on her. I want her to learn the hard way.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s the n.¡± McKaye grinned.


    ¡°What about me? What should I do?¡± Kailin asked.


    ¡°Stay close to your phone. Check some emails, especially from our friends, skan pack, and allies.¡±


    ¡°On it.¡±


    ¡°Take care, okay? You all be very careful. Someone is working against us. I can feel it. I just don¡¯t know who.¡± My mind went reeling, but I couldn¡¯t think of anyone who wanted us dead. ¡°I¡¯m missing something here.¡±


    ¡°Maybe Cadogan knows our secrets,¡± Luka suspected. ¡°Alpha, if you don¡¯t mind, I want to ask Tucker to survey Cadogan¡¯s club.¡±


    ¡°Tucker was a good tracker and scout, and he could blend in very well. Do it.¡±


    ¡°We should go. No time to waste,¡± said Grandpa.


    I hugged Grandpa first before I went to Knight to kiss him. ¡°Call me as soon as you get there.¡±


    ¡°I will. Have fun with Mac.¡±


    ***


    After I changed into a workout outfit, MacKaye and I did not waste any time. We went to the mini gym to start my training.


    ¡°Have you tried boxing before?¡±


    ¡°No. I only run on a treadmill, but I prefer Ptes.¡±


    ¡°Ptes, huh?¡± he scoffed.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I stood before the punching bag.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need gloves. Punch it.¡±


    I looked at him before I punched the bag. It didn¡¯t even move.


    ¡°Look. If you want to learn fast, you should not hesitate to punch. Get your mind out of Alpha or anything that worries you. Focus on our training.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not thinking of Knight.¡±


    He snorted. ¡°Think of this punching bag as the warlock who hurt you badly. Whatever ising can hurt us all, and I can¡¯t protect everyone if I am wasting time protecting you.¡±


    I red at him. ¡°Is that your way of getting out my rage into my strength?¡±


    McKaye red back. ¡°You talk a lot. I don¡¯t want a weak little girl student. I want a strong woman who can handle a punch and hit like a man. Now punch it!¡±


    I gasped at his voice, yelling at me. My jaw locked as I tried hard not to let him get on my nerves.


    ¡°Get into your position. One foot forward.¡± He kicked my foot so I could get a bnced stance and pushed my head down. ¡°Always protect your head and neck. Then breathe out and punch. Move your hips, little girl. Put that strength to your fist. You don¡¯t want to disappoint Alpha.¡±


    I kept all his words in my mind. I was starting, and I already felt the adrenaline kicking in my system. While he kept talking and bullying me, I continued jabbing and jabbing for minutes.


    My heart pumped harder. My muscles worked fast, and sweat broke out my skin.


    ¡°Is that all you can do? Well, we will all fail and die, and we barely started, Luna!¡± The way he said Luna sounded so disgusted, and it hurt me. Somehow, he got into my head.


    My eyes narrowed at him. Something inside me woke up like a ball of nuclear energy trapped there for so long.


    My neck tingled.


    I could feel goosebumps all over my skin when my senses heightened further. I could hear his heartbeat racing without trying harder. I could smell his aftershave and taste the hunger in my mouth as energy surged through me.


    Then his words slowed down, or I was working out fast, and everything around me moved in slow motion.

 64

    KNIGHT


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back,¡± I told Case and Luka before I left the office. ¡°I¡¯ll just tell my mate we¡¯re leaving.¡±


    As soon as I entered the gym, I instantly felt something was wrong. McKaye was staring at Nirvana in utter shock, who was throwing punches at the punching bag at full speed like I¡¯d never seen before.


    The bag was almost torn in half, like an animal gutted in the ughterhouse, and the grain and sand dripped down the floor.


    ¡°Shit.¡±


    ¡°What the hell is going on?¡± McKaye finally found his words.


    ¡°Nirvana?¡± I called her name as I carefully stepped closer to her. When she did not respond, I held her shoulder. One moment, I was behind her; the next second, McKaye and I were thrown against the wall like lifeless, useless pieces of meat.


    The st was strong enough to shake the entire gym, rattling the equipment and TV screen hanging on the wall.


    Groaning, McKaye and I got on my ass from the fall. He was still in shock, rubbing the back of his head.


    ¡°Nirvana?¡± I called her again.


    She stopped, turned, and stared at us, seemingly unaware of what had just happened. ¡°You¡¯re still here.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I cracked my shoulder. It was a good thing we healed fast. Otherwise, we just obtained an internal injury.


    The energy that hit us was like a mini st from an atomic weapon, not that I experienced one.


    She came and offered her hand for help, but McKaye jerked back, refusing to touch her.


    ¡°Step back, sweetheart.¡± I got up on my own, and so did McKaye. He was still wearing a confused look, and fear was obvious in his eyes.


    Nirvana took a few steps back and stared at me and McKaye. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡±


    ¡°Look at the punching back, Vana.¡± He tipped his chin behind her.


    ¡°I did that?¡± She gasped and jerked back. She wasn¡¯t even aware of what she¡¯d done. She looked at her hands. Her knuckles were the same, not even a scratch, like she never punched that bag.


    ¡°Certainly not me,¡± McKaye said. ¡°What¡¯s going on, Alpha?¡±


    ¡°She has sort of power. I think you pissed her off.¡±


    ¡°I did not. I just motivated her.¡± McKaye went on full enforcer, respecting an alpha.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I wanted you to do. Treat her like anybody else, not your luna. I want her to learn fast. Make her cry or bleed. Exhaust her. She has the same strength as ours. Don¡¯t hesitate to order her around if it is what it takes for her to learn.¡±


    ¡°I think I got a little bit emotional when you bullied me.¡± She pressed her lips together as she hid her guilt from McKaye.


    ¡°Control your emotion and what¡¯s inside you, sweetheart. If we¡¯re human, we are already rushed to the hospital. You just shook the entire building and hit us with some kind of energy. My guess is it¡¯s protecting you because you¡¯re angry.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God. I¡¯m sorry.¡± She came and hugged me. She only sweated but looked like she wasn¡¯t near to being worn out.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± I hugged her back. ¡°Just do what McKaye told you.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± She turned to McKaye. ¡°Sorry. I¡¯ll do better next time.¡±


    ¡°I should go before I piss off Zarah. Take care, and I¡¯ll see you soon.¡± I kissed her on the lips before I talked to McKaye. ¡°Take her to the woods, but make sure no one is watching you. Let the beast out of her.¡±


    ¡°All right. Good luck, Alpha.¡±


    Just as I went back to the office, the portal appeared, and Zarah walked out of it.


    ¡°I will send you to thepound. It¡¯s safe there. No one will see you. From there, you will travel to the city.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like a n. Anyway, are you busy?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I may need your helping back. It¡¯s not safe for us to travel by air. I think someone wants us dead.¡±


    ¡°Not just someone. A lot of people want you dead.¡±


    ¡°How did you know?¡± My brows knitted in confusion.


    ¡°Cyrius had begun spreading his gue. My guess is Ambrose failed to trap him. He could be dead if I knew. But right now, I think whoever is after you can be personal, and if Cyrius finds this out, he will use it to his advantage and offer something to your enemies that they can¡¯t refuse. Like Axell.¡±


    ¡°I never expected this would happen so fast.¡±


    ¡°Now, go get whatever it is in New York. Just be careful and watch your back.¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Zarah created a portal. ¡°I told Califf that you may need an extra backup. See you soon.¡±


    I stepped into the portal. Case and Luka followed me. The portal brought us to Califf¡¯s office. I knew the interior. I always saw it in the background every time we Facetimed.


    ¡°Wee.¡± Califf was waiting for us on his desk.


    ¡°This is surreal,¡± Case reacted as he looked around. ¡°Good to see you again, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Me, too, Case.¡±


    ¡°Unbelievable. So we¡¯re in New York?¡± Case reacted.


    ¡°Yes. In mypound at the pack house. Unfortunately, I can¡¯te with you, but my two best enforcers, Lyon and Tor, will.¡±


    ¡°I appreciate it, Cal.¡±


    ¡°This is for all of us. Anyway, the SUV is waiting outside. I¡¯ll walk you out.¡±


    The pack house was as big as mine. Califf had a property in the middle of the forest where his pack could run freely as wolves. Although his enemies had attacked this ce, he stood still because he had good strategies and help from Lycans, witches, and his allies.


    I helped protect Shadow¡¯s adopted father, Kent after a stupid, arrogant alpha attacked him.


    ¡°This is Tor. He¡¯s the best hunter and fighter.¡± The blond vic looked, and the other one was Lyon. ¡°And this is Alpha Knight, his delta Luka, and Case, his mate¡¯s grandfather, from Roadside pack.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve met,¡± I told Califf. ¡°At the banquet.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Good to see you again, Alpha Knight. Case, Luka, wee to thepound.¡±


    I shook both of their hands. ¡°We should get going.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll drive,¡± Tor volunteered.


    Our drive to the city took almost an hour, and the traffic was horrible. We arrived at the restaurant to themotion outside.


    ¡°Something happened here,¡± Tor said as he parked the vehicle at the corner.


    We jumped out while Tor and Lyon went ahead to scout for werewolves around.


    ¡°What happened to my restaurant?¡± Case asked, shocked. I could hear the worry in his voice. It had been a family business for decades, and I felt his pain.


    The restaurant shut down, protected with a police tape barrier.


    ¡°Mr. Woodrow, I¡¯ve been trying to contact you. Where have you been?¡± he must be the manager-a man in his forties in a suit.


    ¡°I was with some friends outside the city.¡± He checked his phone, and I saw missed calls. ¡°What happened here?¡±


    ¡°Two guys came as customers, and then they excused themselves to use the restroom. Then Ali saw them trying to break into your office. They knocked Ali down. She is brought to the hospital. She hit her head pretty bad, but the paramedic said she¡¯d be okay.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re robbed in the middle of the day? How in the hell did it happen on your watch, An?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, sir, but we got them in the CCTV. The police had their faces.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t worried about it. This restaurant was insured, but what worried me was what they came to take.


    ¡°Did they take something from my office?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but they were definitely looking for something,¡± supported An.


    ¡°I have to check what they stole.¡±


    ¡°But you can¡¯t get in, Mr. Woodrow. The police locked the ce down.¡±


    ¡°Let them stop me. This is my restaurant and my life.¡± He pointed out angrily as he marched towards the back door.


    ¡°Case, calm down.¡± I held his arm.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me to calm down, young man. This is my restaurant.¡±


    ¡°Alpha,¡± Luka connected me to the pack link. ¡°We¡¯ll watch your back.¡±


    ¡°Make sure no one follows us.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Woodrow, you can¡¯t go in there.¡± His manager still tried to stop him but shut up when he saw Case was beyond pissed.


    ¡°If you want your job, don¡¯t stop me, An, or start finding a new one!¡±


    When An left, he unlocked the exit door and looked around. ¡°Get in. How did I do?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m convinced.¡± I hid my smile. I really thought it wasn¡¯t a part of his n. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about your restaurant, Case. I guess we¡¯re not the only ones after this blood dagger.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, me too. Maybe Nirvana was right. The dagger is inside the sword.¡±


    After he unlocked the door to his office, he opened it, and it looked like it was ransacked. They turned the office upside down.


    ¡°Damn it. We¡¯re toote.¡± I looked at the wall where Ist saw the sword. ¡°It¡¯s gone.¡±

 65

    NIRVANA


    ¡°I can¡¯t. I can¡¯t do it anymore.¡± I could barely catch my breath. I had never been exhausted like this in my entire life, but today I felt it. My lungs were about to copse. My heart pumped so hard I felt like it would explode in my chest.


    I bent, my hands on my knees, breathing hard. ¡°Mac, please? Can we just take a break for five minutes?¡±


    ¡°No. You¡¯re still not fast enough.¡± He looked down at his stopwatch. I didn¡¯t even see a hint of sympathy in his eyes. ¡°Run. You still have fiveps to finish, then we¡¯re done for today.¡±


    Shit.


    He forced me not to use my supernatural speed, so I ran like human Nirvana. My knees weakened, my muscles clenched everywhere, but I couldn¡¯t give up now.


    I managed to control my emotions and wasn¡¯t mad at McKaye. In fact, I respected him. He kept his word and followed orders from his alpha not to give me special treatment because I was their Luna.


    Despite my exhaustion, I ran again into the woods, following the trails towards the vineyards. Sweat broke out from my skin again, and it was freaking hot. I felt my skin was burning from the afternoon sun, but a slight sunburn would not be the reason to give up now. Besides, this was just a warm-up. I was just warming up.


    ¡°You¡¯re running like a girl!¡± he yelled at me.


    ¡°Because I¡¯m a girl, jackass. I do have a vagina!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m bored, Vana.¡±


    ¡°You forbid me to run like you, and now you¡¯reining? Suck it up, dickhead!¡± I yelled back at him. Yeah, I just called him names, and he justughed because he was standing there while I was dying to catch my breath.


    A few minutester, he came with me in the quad bike as I turned right. ¡°Are you thirsty?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m parched.¡± I stopped, breathing harder, only to show me how he emptied the water bottle to the ground.


    I swallowed hard as I watched the ground absorb the water dry. I licked my lips and growled at him. ¡°When I¡¯m done with this training, trust me, I will remember this and get back to you, jackass.¡±


    Instead of getting mad, he shook his head,ughed, and drove away, burning me in anger.


    I breathed deeply to calm down before I started jogging away again.


    It took me at least two hours to finish the fifth and finalp and meet him at the starting point.


    ¡°Tomorrow, you wake up at five. One secondte, you will do ten moreps. Do you understand me?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± I raised my hand. ¡°Wait. I¡¯m going to do the same thing I did today?¡±


    ¡°Yes. For two hours. After that, I will teach you self-defense.¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t we start-¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°No. You follow me. That¡¯s Alpha¡¯s order.¡± He left with the bike.


    ¡°Wait. Why can¡¯t I ride with you?¡±


    ¡°Because I¡¯m your sensei,¡± he said with a smirk. ¡°Walk back to the pack house. See you there.¡±


    I cursed him under my breath. I had no choice; the sun would have gone down, and I would still be there.


    God, I was parched, dying of thirst, not to mention I could barely stand on my own feet. I was sweaty, and I probably smelled like a boy¡¯s locker.


    Fifteen minutester, I was back at the pack house and found everyone sitting in the living room, enjoying their little chat. They stopped and looked in my direction.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Never seen an exhausted, stinky woman?¡±


    I heard them chuckle.


    ¡°Can I get you something to eat, Luna?¡± Zander asked.


    ¡°That would be nice. Thank you.¡± I climbed upstairs and went to my old room.


    The door in Kailin¡¯s room opened. ¡°You have some clean clothes in the closet. If you need anything, link me.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, K. I¡¯ll hit the shower. See you in a bit.¡±


    After stripping off my clothes, I went under the spray. It felt so damn good as the cold water hit my skin. It took me longer than necessary. My body calmed a bit, but I still felt the pain despite my healing fast. That was how worn out I was.


    I dried my hair and put on my clothes. A few minutester, I heard a knock, and the smell of butter and egg hit my nostrils. I was quick to open the door and took the tray from Zander.


    ¡°God, you¡¯re a blessing. Thank you, Zander.¡±


    ¡°No problem, Luna. Let me know if you need anything.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Z. You can go. I¡¯ll take care of her.¡± Kailin got in my room, and Zander went down.


    I put the tray on the bed while I sat Indian style. ¡°I¡¯m famished. Your brother is a dick.¡±


    Kailinughed. ¡°He was hard on you, wasn¡¯t he?¡±


    ¡°You have no idea, and he made fun of me, insulted me, bullied me, and killed me with thirst and hunger. He emptied the bottled water on the ground instead of letting me drink it. I watched it evaporate, K. He¡¯s a piece of shit.¡± I took a huge bite of the toasted bread and shoved a forkful of scrambled eggs into my mouth. Then, I grabbed a piece of pancake and took a huge bite.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re hungry, but slow down. It would be terrible for a woman who can jump to another ce but died of choking.¡±


    ¡°You really are alike. I¡¯m surprised you¡¯re not identical.¡±


    ¡°I never heard of identical of different genders.¡±


    ¡°Well, shit, gicist. You both are bullies.¡± I emptied the bottled water in one drink. Then I sipped my coffee and moaned. ¡°It feels so good.¡±


    When Kailin smiled, I realized I didn¡¯t even share my food.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I ate alone and emptied the te. I did not even share it with you.¡±


    ¡°As best friends, I won¡¯t eat your food. You¡¯re starving. As our Luna, everyone will understand. During the old times, you and Knight were treated like royalty, had a dining room of your own, had servants, and you had your owndies to attend to your needs. But as you can see, we¡¯re evolving. We live and blend well with humans. They don¡¯t know we exist. Even alphas like Knight, humans treat them alike, and sometimes, it hurts us.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna be treated as someone special. I¡¯m maybe the luna of this pack, but it¡¯s just me. I don¡¯t even have a wolf.¡± I pointed at her. ¡°Which reminds me, I have never seen your wolf.¡±


    She smiled. ¡°Wow. You wanna see it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s you. Of course, I wanna see you, so as Knight. Do you have distinct looks?¡±


    ¡°My wolf has dark brown fur. Knight is gray with white and ck patches under the tummy. Alpha has a bigger wolf and is scarier and intimidating, but he will recognize you and won¡¯t harm you.¡±


    ¡°How would he recognize me?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just Knight turns into a wolf. He can sniff you from far away.¡±


    I wrinkled my nose. ¡°It¡¯s so weird.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. When we¡¯re in our wolf form, we can see in the dark and are more hunters-like to protect our pack.¡±


    ¡°So you got night vision.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    I sensed something outside the door. ¡°They¡¯re back. Knight is pissed off.¡±


    ¡°You sensed him?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± The moment I said yes, the door opened, revealing Knight with a frown on his forehead.


    ¡°Hey. What happened?¡± I went to him and hugged him tight.


    ¡°It¡¯s gone.¡±


    I stared at him. ¡°What do you mean it¡¯s gone?¡±


    ¡°Some assholes went there just before we arrived, turned the office upside down, and stole the sword.¡±


    I could feel the anger vibrating through him as I ced my hand on his chest. ¡°Hey. I know you¡¯re mad, but we¡¯ll find a way to track it down, and we¡¯re not even sure if the blood dagger is hidden in the sword.¡±


    He breathed through his nose and groaned. ¡°We wasted our time. We would have the sword by now if we had been only ten minutes early.¡±


    ¡°I take it I¡¯m the reason why you¡¯rete.¡±


    ¡°No, sweetheart, but someone has the same interest in the dagger and might know its purpose.¡±


    Another knock cut us in.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    Kaleb appeared. ¡°Alpha, someone¡¯s at the tasting room wants to see you both.¡±

 66

    NIRVANA


    ¡°Who?¡± I asked.


    ¡°He said he knows you both. A werewolf from Pornd.¡±


    Knight and I shared a look.


    ¡°What is going on, guys?¡±


    We shifted our gaze to Kailin.


    ¡°It¡¯s Dn.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s Dn?¡±


    ¡°Long story short, he¡¯s my distant cousin. Let¡¯s go and see why he¡¯s here.¡±


    We rushed the ride to the tasting room. Dust covered the Hammer behind us. Now that another yer could be in the game, the guys took our safety seriously.


    I instantly saw Dn pacing before the counter. He seemed worried or scared. He hugged the backpack into his chest as if protecting it with his dear life. The moment he saw us, he came to us, but the guys went forward to stop him.


    ¡°Whoa, guys.¡± He raised both hands. ¡°I mean no harm.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, guys. I know him.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t guarantee his words, Luna,¡± Tucker said.


    ¡°I swear. I¡¯m not here to cause trouble. In fact, I came here if you could give me a ce to lie low.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Knight said, gesturing for the guys to calm down.


    ¡°Alpha, how do we know he¡¯s not a bad guy taking this guy¡¯s body?¡± Maddox had a point, but I knew this was Dn.


    ¡°Mad is right,¡± North seconded.


    ¡°That¡¯s absurd. He¡¯s my distant cousin.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s me. You came to my house days ago. I took you to the attic, and you opened my grandmother¡¯s box.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s him.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not convinced.¡±


    I rolled my eyes at West. The twins were really alike, but I got it. They were just trying to protect us.


    ¡°Guys, enough!¡± Knight red at them before facing Dn. ¡°What did you tell me when we left Nirvana in the attic?¡±


    His cheeks turned red, grimacing. ¡°I told you that I found my mate, but she rejected me because I belonged to a low-ss family, and she¡¯s after demigods. And then youughed and told me I did the same when I met your cousin, but it fucking hurt; it made me insane. When I was given a second chance, I proved to myself that I was more than just a jerk of an alpha, and she was more than just my mate. She¡¯s my everything.¡±


    While Dn was saying those words, I didn¡¯t know I was smiling.


    ¡°Damn it, Dn. You don¡¯t have to tell them the details.¡± I felt the shame in Knight¡¯s voice as he stepped forward to shake Dn¡¯s hand. ¡°Why are you here? Are you alone?¡±


    ¡°Long story.¡±


    ¡°Well, we got time. Come with us.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t turn rogue, did you?¡± I hugged him, making Knight groan. It probably mostly came from his wolf. I felt his anxiousness, and I thought he was hiding something and leaving that vital detail to himself.


    ¡°No, but kinda. Maybe I¡¯m already rogue, but I have reasons.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, meet Maddox and Tucker. North and West are our annoying twins. The guy who has been shooting you res is Luka. And my best friend, Kailin.¡± I raised a brow at my mate. What was that all about? ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s go to the pack house.¡±


    Once the car pulled over at the driveway, I linked Knight. ¡°Take him to the office where there¡¯s a spell. I think he¡¯s hiding something from us. I want you to grill him.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re noting with me?¡± He held my hand, allowing the guys with Dn to go first inside the house.


    ¡°Oh, I will.¡± I told Luka, ¡°Luka, grab the backpack from him once he¡¯s in Knight¡¯s office.¡±


    ¡°Noted, Vana,¡± said Luka.


    Then I realized something. ¡°Wait. Where¡¯s Grandpa?¡±


    He groaned. ¡°Damn it. I forgot to tell you. I let him stay with his pack for a while. There, they can protect him. I informed Alpha Grayson of what happened to the restaurant. I left some details. Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I kissed him on the lips.


    Humor flooded in his eyes. ¡°What was that for?¡±


    ¡°For taking care of my grandfather and what you said to Dn back in Pornd.¡±


    ¡°I know I was an asshole, and I will be making it up to you for the rest of my life for the pain I¡¯ve caused.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be dramatic. Let¡¯s go and find out what secret he¡¯s been keeping from us.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t take that.¡± At the office, Dn looked terrified when Luka snatched the backpack away.


    I felt like he was trying hard to control his wolf froming out.


    ¡°And why is that?¡± Knight locked the door.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on, Nirvana? I thought we were cousins and we were supposed to protect each other. Why are you treating me like some kind of bad guy?¡± He shifted his terrified gaze at everyone in the room.


    ¡°Good question, Dn. We¡¯re cousins, but I didn¡¯t even know about you three days ago. Tell me what you¡¯re keeping from us, or I swear I will put you in the cell.¡± I looked at Knight. ¡°We have a prison cell here, have we?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Luna. A dungeon. I should give you a tour. Let me know when you¡¯re free.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Luka. I¡¯d like that.¡± I red down at Dn, sitting on the chair surrounded by these feral werewolves.


    ¡°I left Pornd yesterday. I told Kol, Niko, and Phin I¡¯m leaving to find a family.¡±


    ¡°And who might that be?¡± Knight asked, showing no hint of emotion.


    I looked at him, terrified. How could a warm and loving man turn off his emotions in a snap?


    ¡°Her grandfather, but I was toote.¡± He swallowed hard. Guilt filled his eyes.


    ¡°Why are you looking for my grandfather, Dn?¡±


    Finally, he looked me in the eye confidently. ¡°Am I allowed to say before your men?¡±


    ¡°North, West, out,¡± Knight ordered. Tucker stayed at the Tasting room.


    Once they were out, Luka raised his hand. ¡°Forgive me for the interruption, Alpha, but why are we trusting his words? Maybe he came here, spying on us. Maybe there was a third man in-¡± He shrugged.


    ¡°I wanna hear his side, Luka. Talk.¡± One word, Dn dropped his gaze.


    ¡°Case is tasked with keeping the sword at all costs, but I have a feeling he doesn¡¯t even know the purpose.¡±


    ¡°Shit. He knows,¡± I told Knight telepathically. ¡°Let¡¯s hear him out.¡±


    ¡°And then?¡±


    ¡°My grandmother told me to remember what she said before she died. Only a bloodline of Katzius can find and open my journal.¡±


    ¡°I say this is bullshit,¡± Kailin reacted.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, I¡¯m going.¡± He shrugged. ¡°I hope you set me free.¡±


    ¡°What do you know about the sword, Dn?¡±


    ¡°Not much, Alpha, but if Nirvana could read the content of the journal and not gibberish like how I saw it, then she would have the blood of Katzius, and I have a feeling she knows what the sword is used for.¡±


    ¡°You were at the restaurant?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I got to the back door. I know those guys. They were from one of the New York packs.¡±


    ¡°What pack?¡±


    ¡°Horizon pack. They¡¯re a group of rogues who formed a new pack. They think they¡¯re badasses. I guess someone asked them to steal the sword and paid them a hefty amount. That¡¯s what they do.¡±


    ¡°So they have the sword?¡±


    Dn smiled. ¡°Not really. They stole it with the ss and broke it, but it wasced with a spell. Unlucky for them, they¡¯re not our blood rtives.¡±


    ¡°They can¡¯t touch it,¡± Knight said.


    ¡°Yes. It burned their hands. I mean, it literally lit up. While they cried in pain, I picked it up, and I swear, I felt it vibrated in my hand.¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°Where is it now?¡±


    He smiled again. ¡°Somewhere safe. You were there with Case, weren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°No. Knight and Grandpa.¡±


    ¡°So what now? Do you want money? You¡¯re selling the sword to us?¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± He looked offended. ¡°There are lives, probably millions of lives are at stake here. I don¡¯t give a damn about money. Whether you like it or not, you need me. There are people tasked to keep these secrets called the keepers and the wielder of the secret weapon, aside from our bloodline.¡±


    ¡°And you didn¡¯t tell me about this while we were in Pornd?¡±


    ¡°I just wanna make sure you are my cousin, but you both were able to get in the house without harming yourself.¡±


    I looked at Knight, and he was looking at me in surprise.


    ¡°The house is protected?¡± I stared at Dn in disbelief.


    ¡°You both have good intentions, but yes.¡±


    ¡°Shit.¡±


    ¡°You need all the help you can get. My grandmother and hers did not fulfill their destiny, so, as her cousin, I¡¯m here to help Nirvana fulfill it for them.¡±

 67

    KNIGHT


    ¡°Do you believe him?¡± I asked Nirvana through the link.


    ¡°Yes. Do you?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I think he¡¯s telling the truth. Are we sure he¡¯s on our side?¡±


    ¡°One way to find out.¡± I wished I could read his mind. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell your alpha?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I did. Not about the sword. I asked him that we should do something before one of us gets infected with that ck virus.¡±


    ¡°ck virus?¡±


    ¡°Well, what do you call it? No one can treat that thing except maybe the person who did it. If he¡¯s even a person. It¡¯s like the virus is linked to him. The hospitals denied having such patients. The local government tried hard to hide the situation from escting to avoid mass panic, and how do they exin it exactly? When it¡¯s something beyond theirprehension. And this is not good for us. This virus will expose our world to humans.¡±


    ¡°What did your alpha say?¡±


    ¡°He said it¡¯s beyond his capability. He only warned us to be careful.¡±


    I took a deep breath before I picked up my phone and dialed the Werewolf Council hotline.


    ¡°What are you calling about, Alpha Knight?¡± the assistant head answered.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve received a report about werewolves infected with a ck virus. What is the Werewolf council¡¯s action about this?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re working on the solution.¡±


    ¡°Do you have a vine or a cure to treat this?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t disclose it to you, but we¡¯re handling this matter as our priority.¡±


    ¡°I can help. Alpha Califf and I can help. So as our friend from the Lycans.¡±


    ¡°You will not do such a thing. Leave it to the council. When it is resolved, we¡¯ll let you know.¡±


    ¡°You know that I have the right to know. I have a seat in the council, but I haven¡¯t gotten a memo regarding meetings to solve this issue because I know you don¡¯t have one.¡±


    ¡°Yes, you have a seat, but you¡¯re not one of the councils. You are a representative of the werewolf businessmunity, so you wait for instructions before making any rush decisions. Is that understood?¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± I hung up the call and smiled.


    ¡°You¡¯re not gonna listen to them, are you?¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°Of course not. We have a n. And I have a feeling that they are sending their seasoned mercenaries to eliminate those infected werewolves. That¡¯s how they solve the problems.¡±


    ¡°Son of bitches.¡±


    We all looked at Dn.


    ¡°You figured out something, didn¡¯t you?¡± Kailin asked.


    ¡°Yeah. We found a dead werewolf with a virus in the woods before you guys came, but he didn¡¯t die from it. He was executed, closed range with a bullet hole right through his skull. I know that guy. He used to eat at the diner where Phin¡¯s ex-work.¡±


    ¡°Now that you mentioned it, take your clothes off.¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding right now?¡± He sounded rm, ring at Luka.


    ¡°If you have nothing to hide, just do as Luka said, Dn. Then you can have your bag back.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not infected, but whatever you say, Luna.¡±


    ¡°Hey,¡± I growled, as my wolf wanted to wolf out. You¡¯re here as a guest. Show some respect to my mate.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean any disrespect, Alpha Knight. My apology.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s the sword?¡±


    ¡°I mailed it here. It will be hereter today or tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Why do I feel like there¡¯s a buting?¡± I was losing patience here. ¡°What is it that you want?¡±


    ¡°For me, nothing, but I want safety for my friends. I want them toe. Please? They¡¯re like my family, and my alpha is useless. I¡¯m sorry to say this. I¡¯ve been loyal to him for years, but if he can¡¯t protect us, I have to find shelter for my friends.¡±


    Crossing my arms over my chest, I showed him my disinterest in helping his friends unless he had something to trade. ¡°I¡¯m not sure I can help you.¡±


    ¡°Please, they can be helpful. I¡¯m begging you. I will do everything to give them a ce to stay. They can camp on your property and work in your vineyards for free, but I can¡¯t afford them getting infected. They saved my life. They¡¯ve been there for me throughout the years. That¡¯s all I¡¯m asking.¡±


    ¡°If I have the sword, I¡¯ll think about it.¡±


    ¡°Where are your friends?¡± Nirvana asked, sensing sympathy in her voice.


    ¡°At the motel. They arrived here today. They didn¡¯t go to New York with me.¡±


    ¡°What else are you hiding from us, Dn? I¡¯m good at persuasion if you want me to help you. I can persuade Knight to help you, but you have to earn our trust. In doing so, you have to tell us everything that you know about the-¡±


    ¡°The dagger?¡±


    I straightened my stance.


    ¡°Huh. You read the journal,¡± he specifically told Nirvana. Then you know what you must do. Does he know?¡±


    ¡°What should I know?¡± I asked Nirvana.


    ¡°Yes. He knows. Katzius¡¯ bloodline wielded the dagger and the only bloodline who could kill that son of a bitch.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s more to it than that. You know that, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    I heard a racing of Nirvana¡¯s heartbeat. ¡°Is there something you¡¯re not telling me, mate?¡±


    ¡°You know what I know so far, but I doubt Dn knows about the wolf spirit.¡±


    ¡°What is wolf spirit?¡± Luka asked.


    ¡°Guardians. They are spirits and protectors who restore bnce in our world. Like a wolf spirit, for example, the spirites to a person with a pure heart, and that person bes the protector, but they are powerful enough to make humans extinct,¡± Dn replied. I don¡¯t believe it until I see one. I believe they walk amongst us and protect the human race and underworld when in endmost threat.¡±


    I ignored the hair rising all over my body as I looked at Nirvana, who pretended she didn¡¯t know anything.


    ¡°So I believe the Guardian can help us win against this powerful evil.¡±


    ¡°One question, Dn,¡± Kailin said, ¡°how do we know what you are saying is not bullshit?¡±


    ¡°My grandmother used to tell me this story, and it was not something she just made it up. She told me that a wolf spirit would choose a woman with a pure heart because she represents the prime of the moon goddess, the mother of all werewolves. She said that only a woman has that empathy to choose to save humankind and the supernatural beings over her happiness and maintain bnce.¡±


    ¡°This is bullshit. We will get that sword and use it to kill that son of a bitch who killed our Luna.¡±


    ¡°Wait.¡± Dn rose to his feet, and his eyes widened as if he just realized something. ¡°You died? How are you here?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a ghost,¡± she said calmly, making Kailin and Lukaugh.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m serious. Who brought you back to life?¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t disclose that information, Dn.¡±


    ¡°Huh.¡± As if relieved, he smiled and shook his head in amazement as he pointed at Nirvana. ¡°Oh, Goddess, you possessed the spirit of the wolf. You¡¯re the Guardian.¡±


    Nirvana scoffed. ¡°Excuse me? I wish I were because I will be the first to march in finding that son of a bitch who poisoned me.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me, Nirvana, because you¡¯re the Guardian, but you need to know something.¡±


    ¡°This conversation is over.¡± Nirvana just walked out of the office.


    I missed something here- something important.


    ¡°You¡¯re dead, Dn.¡± Kailin pointed a finger at him before she walked out, leaving Luka and me alone with this jerk.


    ¡°What does the Guardian need to know, Dn? You have ten seconds toy your best answer, or I will snap your neck.¡±


    He sighed deeply. ¡°If she¡¯s the Guardian, and I strongly feel she is. Otherwise, how did she know about Cyrius, and why did she suddenlye to find her living rtives? Because our bloodline ys a big role in ending this war.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not following.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all connected. Cyrius has lived for thousands of years, took different faces, and lived amongst us. Legend has said Cyrius died, killed by Katzius. He was reborn. Celekai or Kazius or whatever name he has now be best friends, but for some twists of fate, it seemed the bloodline of Katzius was cursed and could never be friends with Cyrius. They fell in love with the same woman, a beautiful warrior, Asina, who chose to save her vige over them.¡±


    ¡°I say this is full of shit,¡± Luka reacted.


    ¡°Believe it or not, it¡¯s up to you. To make the story short, Cyrius and Kazius became mortal enemies over many centuries, but Cyrius seemed immortal. Since they fought over her, Asina cursed them. Even if she loved Kazius, she didn¡¯t want them dead. So, the curse is that only a woman in Katzius¡¯ bloodline can kill Cyrius. Unlucky for us, Cyrius killed every woman in our family except.¡± He gestured his hand.


    ¡°Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Yes. The only way to kill-¡±


    ¡°Shut up, Dn.¡± Nirvana walked back inside with the rectangr package, which I guess was the sword. Here¡¯s the package. Now what?¡±

 68

    NIRVANA


    I had to walk out when Knight took the box from me. Dn knew something more than he let on, and if he went to New York to talk to my grandfather and came all the way here, maybe he really wanted to help, and he could help us fight this war.


    I found myself sitting alone in the woods where McKaye trained me. I still had so many things to learn, and we were running out of time.


    My hearing caught up. I heard footsteps and twigs breaking.


    ¡°Should I leave?¡±


    ¡°No. Sit with me.¡±


    Dn sat next to me, picked up a piece of grass, and started ying with it. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Nirvana. This must be difficult for you.¡±


    ¡°You have no idea, and I have no one to talk to.¡±


    ¡°Well, I am here. I know you all don¡¯t trust me, but my only intention is to help you not end this world, our world. If I could trade positions with you, I would already have done so. At least I have nothing to lose, and my friends will understand.¡±


    ¡°How much do you know about the Guardian?¡±


    ¡°Not much. There¡¯s nothing written in the modern books than a children¡¯s version of the spirit of the wolf.¡±


    ¡°An skan alpha gave us a book, but I haven¡¯t been able to read it. It has something to do with a wolf spirit and a woman with the power of a-¡±


    ¡°Thousand wolves? That¡¯s absurd, but yeah.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell your mate? He has to know Nirvana. His support and his focus y an important role in winning this battle. If you and him are preupied, we will lose before it starts. I know I don¡¯t have the right to say this, but I suggest you tell him before finding out from someone else.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t break his heart. I can¡¯t.¡± I sniffled when tears filled my eyes. ¡°I love him, Dn. I don¡¯t think I can tell him right now that we¡¯re behind schedules, and the dead werewolves are piling up, and we can¡¯t do anything.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s better now than telling him while on the verge of sacrificing yourself to save us.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do anymore, but I promise myself I will tell him. He deserves to know the truth. He deserves a little bit of happiness before I¡¯m gone. All I want is to see him happy before things fall apart.¡±


    ¡°I know it¡¯s hard. I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I wiped my tears with the back of my hand when I suddenly saw a big, robust wolf prowling in our direction. His pace oozed power and authority. His dark eyes focused on me, squinting as if he just found his perfect prey, but there was something more to it. He was showing off.


    ¡°Shit. He¡¯s pissed,¡± Dn said, backing away.


    Then I saw the white color on its underbelly and the ck patches that Kailin had told me about. His scents flooded my senses.


    ¡°Well, just don¡¯t lick me, and we¡¯re fine. You look handsome for an animal.¡±


    ¡°Wait a minute. You¡¯ve never seen his wolf?¡±


    ¡°Nah. Only in my dreams.¡±


    ¡°You dreamed of him?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    The wolf stopped and moved his snout an inch to my face, snarling and showing his sharp,rge fangs. This should have terrified me, but somehow, I trusted him; he wouldn¡¯t do any harm.


    ¡°I should go before he uses me as his chew toy.¡± Dn rushed to his feet and ran away.


    ¡°What do you want from me, Knight?¡± I slowly raised my hands and touched his chest and neck. Then he purred, bent his legs, and lowered his body. I cupped his strong jaw and pressed my nose against his nozzle. ¡°This is insane, you know.¡±


    He then nuzzled his nose into the crook of my neck.


    I giggled. ¡°Stop it. It tickles.¡±


    As naughty as he was, he licked my neck, the spot where he marked me.


    ¡°Ew. Enough, Knight, or you¡¯ll sleep on the floor.¡±


    His reaction was funny. He snorted at me. His snout wrinkled.


    I came beside him and hugged him from his back. ¡°You¡¯re such a softie. Do you groom yourself? I mean, who brushes your hair?¡± I sniffed his fur, and he didn¡¯t smell like a wild animal. He smelled more like a well-groomed pet.


    ¡°Maybe I should shower you and apply your body wash on yourself.¡±


    He gave me a whining reply.


    ¡°Wait. What do you mean by that? We can¡¯t talk through our link?¡± I slightly scratched the thick fur on his jaw. ¡°I take that as a yes, but we haven¡¯t showered together, and they said sex in the shower is good,¡± I whispered the part in his ear. His ears pointed up. His eyes widened at me before he groaned.


    I pressed my head against him as I breathed deeply. ¡°You¡¯re a big bad alpha. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m talking to you in your wolf form. Do you know I dreamed about you twice? And you¡¯re actually handsome even if you¡¯re a wolf.¡± Iughed at thest part. ¡°If someone sees me hugging and talking to a wolf, they think I¡¯m going crazy. Wait. If there¡¯s a horse whisperer, should it be, there¡¯s also a wolf whisperer.


    He grunted.


    I kissed him on his jaw before I got up. ¡°Let¡¯s go, big guy. We have a lot of work to do. See you back at the pack house.¡±


    Thirty minutester, Knight walked towards the living room, came to me, cupped my face, and kissed me harder, even with these guys and Kailin around. He didn¡¯t give a damn about their reactions.


    ¡°We¡¯ll do itter,¡± he said to our link.


    I hid my smile, and my inner self rejoiced in anticipation.


    ¡°Very well. Call your friends toe. They will stay in the pack house under observation. My pack is my priority, and if any of you pose harm to any of my people, I won¡¯t hesitate to rip your throat out of your neck. Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Alpha. I do understand.¡±


    ¡°Make sure they follow the rules of this pack house, and they will undergo screening to make sure they¡¯re not infected.¡±


    ¡°They will follow the rules. I¡¯ll make sure of that.¡±


    McKaye raised his hand. ¡°Luka filled me up earlier. I¡¯m not sure if I should trust them, but I respect your decision, and he seems to know about this virus. Shouldn¡¯t we talk to our friends in Italy about this?¡±


    ¡°I already messaged the Alpha King and Zarah. Alpha Califf gave me a go, but to proceed with caution.¡±


    ¡°I totally understand the safety measure, and we are willing to undergo tests, like blood samples, if necessary.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re that desperate, huh?¡± Kailin said.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯m after the bigger picture, the big fish here. I may not have a rank in our pack, and now I¡¯m a rogue, but my intention is good. What we are up against is not just amon werewolf, a human cavalry, or anything we¡¯ve faced before. You should know all those he has infected will march together to infect and kill everyst one of us.¡±


    ¡°So they¡¯re linked together to one-¡±


    ¡°Master,¡± he finished my sentence. ¡°That is why we need a good strategy to make sure Nirvana can get to him.¡±


    I instantly sensed Knight¡¯s worry and restlessness. I linked our hands together and gripped them tightly.


    He kissed the top of my head and said, ¡°I should set a meeting with our friends and allies.¡±


    ¡°We still have a problem.¡±


    ¡°Oh, boy,¡± said Kailin while everyone in the living room groaned.


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem, Dn?¡± Knight asked irritably.


    ¡°Should we open this now?¡± Luka asked, carrying the package.


    ¡°We should,¡± I stood up. ¡°But not here.¡±


    We ended up back in the office.


    ¡°Anyway, Alpha. I texted my friends. They¡¯ll be here in thirty,¡± Dn informed Knight. ¡°Back to the sword.¡± He quickly ripped the box open and revealed the sword wrapped in what looked like an old bed sheet and taped with duct tape. ¡°Sorry about this. I was in a hurry and told the shippingpany I was attending a cosy.¡±


    ¡°You talk too much,¡± McKaye said, grabbing the sword from Dn. It quickly fell on his hand as if it had electrocuted him.


    ¡°Oh, I should have warned you.¡± He picked the sword up from the floor and unwrapped it. ¡°It¡¯s only harmless to humans.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± McKaye reacted that the sword somehow didn¡¯t hurt Dn.


    ¡°Do the honor,¡± Dn told me.


    ¡°What should I do?¡± I asked hesitantly.


    ¡°Pick it up, and your instinct will find a way to unlock it. Wait. Did I tell you guys this is not the dagger?¡±


    ¡°What the fuck is that supposed to mean?¡± Angry alpha just growled.


    ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t know?¡±


    ¡°Know what, Dn?¡± I was also affected by Knight¡¯s emotions.


    ¡°Just pick it up, and you¡¯ll find the answer.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± they said in unison, except, of course, Dn.


    ¡°Maybe it will hurt you,¡± Luka said, worried.


    ¡°One way to find out.¡± I picked up the sword by its handle, and the beautiful, intricately designed patterns lit up in a golden hue.


    ¡°See. Nothing happened because she¡¯s the only person who can unlock the sword and find the key.¡±


    ¡°What key?¡± we chorused, eyes pinned on him.


    ¡°The key to the dagger.¡± He rolled his eyes.


    Knight groaned in irritation. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be fucking kidding me.¡±

 69

    KNIGHT


    Nirvana still had the sword in her hand. After the patterns on the de lit up, something clicked.


    ¡°Did you hear that?¡± McKaye asked. He and Kailin took steps back away from Nirvana.


    ¡°Rx. It¡¯s not Gabriel¡¯s sword,¡± Dn¡¯s said.


    I was impressed he knew a lot more than we did. Maybe it was fate, or that was why Nirvana¡¯s mother advised her to learn about her ancestors so that her questions would be answered.


    She then inspected the handle, which somehow had an almost unnoticeable gap between it and the de. She pulled it apart, and the key fell on the floor.


    ¡°The key.¡± I picked it up. Thankfully, it didn¡¯t electrocute me or burn me. It was a skeleton gold-ted key with a wing handle.


    ¡°Yes. Now, all we need is to find the blood dagger.¡±


    ¡°How do you expect us to find it, Dn?¡± Kailin asked impatiently.


    ¡°We need a witch, and I happened to know a good one.¡± He picked up his phone. ¡°I¡¯m calling Zarah.¡±


    ¡°Zarah?¡±


    ¡°You guys always do this? Like a choir?¡± He looked amused.


    ¡°How do you know Zarah?¡±


    ¡°I worked at an old library in Pornd. I happen to know how to find antiques and artifacts. She asked my help a few times.¡±


    ¡°And you didn¡¯t tell us you knew a witch back in Pornd.


    ¡°I don¡¯t usually expose my clients. I valued their identities. How did you know her?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a friend. We asked a few favors.¡±


    ¡°Huh. Is that why she asked me something about a certain book? Unfortunately, I did not find one.¡± The call was answered. ¡°Zarah, how are you? Is this a bad time?¡±


    ¡°It depends. What is it all about, Dn?¡±


    ¡°You know my distant cousin. I happened to be here with her and her mate.¡±


    ¡°At the vineyards?¡± Zarah sounded surprised.


    ¡°Yes. We have the key. I need a favor. To find the dagger, only a witch can locate it using a key.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be there.¡± The call hung up. The portal appeared. Zarah and Sebastien walked into my office.


    ¡°Good to see you again, Knight, Nirvana. How¡¯s everyone?¡± Sebastien always knew how to make an entrance.


    ¡°Exhausted, but I think we made some progress in finding the dagger, Alpha King.¡±


    ¡°Good to know because I just lost contact with a friend of mine in Vietnam. The virus is spreading fast there.¡±


    ¡°Sorry to interrupt, Alpha King. I thought the ck virus could only affect a werewolf.¡±


    ¡°We have one inmon. That¡¯s why it affects us too. How do you know about it?¡±


    ¡°We call it ck virus because of the nature of the infected. It bleeds ck blood after all the veins turn ck and burst. Thest time I heard, at least eight werewolves are dead in Pornd.¡±


    ¡°So what do you want from me, Dn? You finally found each other.¡± Zarah looked at Nirvana. ¡°I know Dn. You can trust him.¡±


    ¡°So far, he¡¯s proving himself to be useful.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a good guy, Knight. And you need all the help you can get,¡± Zarah said.


    ¡°This is the key hidden in the sword.¡± I showed it to them. ¡°Dn said only a witch could find this dagger.¡±


    ¡°Let me see.¡±


    I gave it to Zarah, and she chanted something in Latin before throwing it up. It suspended in the air and started spinning fast.


    Kailin and Nirvana gasped as what looked like a map appeared in the air before our very eyes.


    ¡°Where is it?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not gonna believe this,¡± she said to Sebastien as she let the key fall into her hand and gave it back to me.


    ¡°Where?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Your old friend Archibald.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s Archibald?¡± Nirvana asked.


    ¡°A vampire.¡±


    ¡°A vampire?¡± Nirvana and Kailin asked unison, causing Dn to shake his head andugh.


    ¡°Wait. A vampire exists?¡± my mate asked in disbelief. ¡°What does a vampire look like? Do they look like-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Kailin warned with a finger pointed at her. ¡°Please don¡¯t say, Stephan or Damon?¡±


    ¡°I was about to say, Edward.¡± Nirvana made a dreamy-look face before they both giggled like high school girls.


    ¡°You, two, we have guests.¡±


    After they apologized and behaved properly, I turned to Zarah. ¡°Where is this Archibald, the vampire?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s in Cumbria, Ennd.¡±


    ¡°So he had the dagger?¡±


    ¡°No. The dagger is probably buried in his property. In his Castle.¡±


    ¡°Let me talk to him first tonight and offer him something he can¡¯t refuse, then we will dig it up,¡± Sebastien said.


    ¡°Then we have a n. I¡¯ming with you.¡±


    All eyes were on Nirvana.


    ¡°What? Don¡¯t tell me I can¡¯t travel?¡±


    ¡°I thought you would have training with McKaye tomorrow?¡± I told her yfully.


    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll stay. Good luck holding the dagger.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s right, Alpha Knight. She has toe with us.¡±


    I nodded at Dn. He had a point. ¡°Fine. You¡¯reing with us tomorrow, but you will train harder as soon as wee back.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s all, then we¡¯ll see you tomorrow morning,¡± dered Sebastien.


    ¡°Zarah, one question?¡±


    ¡°What is it, Nirvana?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ask.¡± Kailin elbowed her, making me amuse.


    ¡°Does the sun hurt a vampire?¡±


    ¡°Yes. They don¡¯t exactly burst to me, but it burns them painfully and horribly.¡±


    Once they left, I looked at them. ¡°We all aplished something today, which was impressive, but it¡¯ste. We should continue this tomorrow.¡± I looked at my watch.


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m tired,¡± Nirvana seconded, her eyes on McKaye. He must have let her work harder, following my order.


    ¡°Your friend will be here shortly,¡± I informed Dn. ¡°Luka will provide you with rooms and dinner.¡±


    ¡°After we cleared you up from the virus,¡± Luka added.


    I couldn¡¯t me him for being cynical. After what we¡¯d been through, we should be careful with the people we took in.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go home. I¡¯m exhausted.¡±


    As soon as we got back at the house, Nirvana quickly stripped off and hit the shower. I removed my clothes and joined her. She was naked, and her gorgeous round ass had my cock turned instantly hard.


    She sensed me, her back stiffening as I stood behind her under the spray, then I pressed my body against her, letting her feel my hard-on, and ttened my hand over her belly down between her thighs.


    She made a sound of anticipation, resting her head against my chest.


    ¡°Spread your legs, Nirvana. I missed being inside you,¡± I ran my tongue on her neck, nipping her earlobe. ¡°I promised to fuck you in the shower.¡± Then I slid my fingers between her folds. ¡°Then we fuck.¡±


    She gasped, pushing her ass against my cock, making me groan.


    ¡°You¡¯re wet, Nirvana. Were you expecting me to join you when you stepped in here?¡± I thrust my fingers in and out, and she was wet enough to take me. I gripped my dick. ¡°Bend over, press your palms against the wall, and show me that pretty ass.


    She did as I told her. I could hear her breathing hard and fast in anticipation as I positioned my tip on her ass, then slid between her wet folds.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    We groaned at the same time as I slid inside her and stretched her open around my cock. Then, I wasted no time. I fucked her deep and fast, thrusting in and out as I gripped her hair, pushing her head down.


    Nirvana neverined but moaned harder, her firm breasts dancing to my pumping. When my entire body tensed, I pulled out, turned her to face me, and kissed her hard enough to make her gasp. Then I gripped her ass, lifted her up so she could wrap her legs around my waist.


    One thrust, I was inside her again, invading and impaling her sweet pussy. I pressed her back against the wall and fucked her hard until we both groaned, her head tipped back, losing her mind in pleasure.


    ¡°Mine.¡± I sucked my mark on her neck as she writhed against me, bowed, and clung to me as she grunted toward her climax.

 70

    NIRVANA


    ¡°Ahh!¡± He sunk his teeth into the flesh of my ass. I thought I was dreaming until the pain was bing more real. Then he licked the spot where his teeth marked me.


    As my skin got hotter, Iy on my tummy, my cheek against the pillow. As if he knew what I wanted, he came over my back, pressed his rigid cock between my butt cheeks, then kissed me all the way from my shoulder to my neck, sucking the spot of his mark.


    I didn¡¯t know why it was always sensitive in that part. I moaned as Knight slowly rocked his cock while nipping and licking the shell of my ear, and then he whispered, ¡°Do you like morning sex?¡±


    I still remember how he fucked me in the bathroom, and we continued it in bed until I finished with two more orgasms. This man was relentless with a voracious sexual appetite.


    ¡°How would I know?¡± Arching my ass at him, I was up for anything he wanted to do to me before we started our breakfast and got ourselves busy with pack business. I just woke up horny, and I would love a relief before we met a vampire today.


    ¡°d to know we have many firsts together.¡±


    ¡°I doubt that. I hope I¡¯m yourst, Knight.¡±


    ¡°You are, and you will.¡± He glided the crown of his cock into my forbidden hole.


    I tensed at first, but I would take whatever he could give, and I was ready for it, but slid down my entrance.


    ¡°You really trust me with your body, sweetheart. I¡¯m ttered and honored.¡± Groaning, he pushed it in and wrapped his arms around me, both his hands cupping my breasts.


    ¡°You just noticed it now? I trust you not only with my body but also with my soul and my heart. How about you?¡± This morning sex, suddenly became more than just sex. It became intense as we opened our hearts to each other.


    ¡°With my life, with everything I have. You know this is more than just a matchmaking under the moonlight, Nirvana.¡± He began thrusting in and out, and I felt his thick length inside me.


    I groaned as it got more intense and rougher. He followed by kneading handfuls of my breasts in his palms. With each thrust, he grunted.


    ¡°Too much?¡±


    ¡°Perfect.¡± I titled my ass up as he fucked me harder.


    He plunged deeper and stilled, and we moaned together. The sensation was indescribable. He pulled out and thrust it again while he kept rolling my nipples between his fingers, enough for me to lose control.


    ¡°God.¡± I shivered and felt suddenly hot. I throbbed everywhere, tingled, pulsed, and ached.


    He flipped me over, pressed his body on top of me, and spread my legs apart. One slide of his dick, he was inside me, stretching me fully. Then he kissed me slowly and passionately, which made me ache for more.


    We fucked, then made love until we came together in a violent explosion.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    At this moment, I knew what we had was the beginning of something extraordinary.


    We stayed in bed for a couple of minutes, cuddling, me wrapped in his arms, and none of us wanted to let go.


    ¡°I believe in marriage. Do you?¡± I didn¡¯t know why I said that out loud, probably because I dreamed of getting married and having a family someday.


    It took him a few seconds to reply, but I didn¡¯t want to overthink it if I caught him off guard or he never believed in it. ¡°I haven¡¯t thought about that.


    Considering that werewolves have mates for life, I¡¯m good with werewolves¡¯ ceremony.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± I wished he could not hear my heartbeat or see my cheeks burning red. Panicking, I blocked him in my head.


    ¡°Why did you do that?¡± He held my arms so he could let me face him, but I remained still.


    ¡°Do what?¡±


    ¡°You blocked me.¡±


    ¡°Well, getting into someone¡¯s head is not always right. It¡¯s intrusive.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re my mate, and I don¡¯t do that to you unless you¡¯re hiding something from me. Is it because of what I said?¡±


    ¡°No. It has nothing to do with that.¡± I loosened his arms around me and pulled a sheet as I got up from bed and wrapped it around my body.


    ¡°It is. We¡¯re good a while ago before we talked about marriage.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s forget that this topic came up.¡± I walked away towards the bathroom, but Knight came to me and held me on the wrist.


    ¡°Sweetheart, it was me being honest with you. I would never lie to you.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°Remember when I first met you? I never really wanted to have a mate, let alone a wife, but it all changed because of you. The marriage didn¡¯te up until you said it minutes ago, but it doesn¡¯t mean I won¡¯t marry you in the future, maybe when these things are over. Then we cane back to this topic, but I love what we have right now, and it¡¯s the only thing keeping me sane. I have a reason to wake up in the morning to work hard. It¡¯s because of what we have.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for your honesty.¡± I tiptoed to kiss him on the lips. ¡°I¡¯ll hit the shower. We have a busy day today.¡±


    ¡°Or we can save some water.¡± His suggestion was tempting, but I thought we would bete and waste more water.


    I smiled when he smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll be quick. Maybe you can call the kitchen to bring us breakfast.¡±


    ¡°All the way here?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°I can do that. I¡¯ll tell the guys to meet us here.¡±


    ¡°Good idea.¡± I dropped the sheet before I stepped into the shower, and it didn¡¯t end without giving me a groan.


    I took the quickest shower in the history. When I entered his walk-in closet, Knight was already there, done with the shower but with a towel wrapped around his waist.


    ¡°You¡¯re done?¡±


    ¡°We have enough bathrooms in this house, sweetheart,¡± he said with a smile.


    ¡°Huh. Yet you still wanna shower with me?¡±


    ¡°I have reasons.¡± He smirked, finding something to wear in his closet.


    ¡°Whatever it is, you can keep it to yourself.¡±


    Heughed before he came, hugged me tight, and kissed my neck. ¡°You smell good.¡±


    ¡°Shut up.¡±


    Ten minutester, we came down to the kitchen full of bustling men and ady.


    ¡°Breakfast is ready,¡± Kailin announced. ¡°Morning, Alpha, Luna.¡±


    I looked at Knight. ¡°You made it possible in like twenty minutes?¡±


    ¡°Less than thirty, but yeah. We can¡¯t let a vampire wait.¡± He fished out his phone and typed something. ¡°I texted Zarah, and we¡¯ll wait for her reply.¡±


    We settled on the kitchen counter instead of the breakfast table. Knight ced a te full of healthy breakfast on it, and we ate half of it in silence.


    ¡°My friends are grateful, Alpha.¡± Dn looked at Knight. ¡°I¡¯m grateful, too.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve proven yourself useful,¡± he said tly.


    I elbowed him. ¡°You and your friends are wee to stay, Dn, as long as they stay out of trouble. When things are over, you can decide whether to stay or return to Pornd.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. It means a lot, but I can¡¯t leave the house in Pornd longer.¡±


    Knight¡¯s phone vibrated. He checked the message. ¡°Zarah will be here shortly.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go strike a vampire through his heart with a wooden stake.¡±


    We all turned speechless but stared at Kailin in both amusement and surprise.


    ¡°What? I watched The Vampire Diaries.¡±


    ¡°I wonder if Archibald is hot, though. I expect a thick cockney ent, but surely a Northern English ent will suffice.¡± When none of them reacted, I stared at them one by one, and they all had the same reaction except Knight. ¡°It was a joke. Gee, loosen up a little, big bad scary alpha.¡±

 71

    NIRVANA


    I¡¯d never been to Cumbria, let alone Ennd. The weather was chilly. Archibald castle was built on a hignd with greener grass, surrounded by a moat, like one of those featured in a popr historical drama series.


    It looked surreal. I expected a Drac¡¯s castle with a dark and Gothic theme. This one, though, was exemry.


    ¡°Don¡¯t show off. Stay calm, and remember we¡¯re his guests and want something from him, even if he throws insults.¡±


    ¡°Is he that terrible person, Alpha King?¡± I asked.


    ¡°When he¡¯s not in his mood. By the way, his guards are humans.¡±


    We arrived at the gate after walking ten minutes from where Zarah sent us through the portal.


    ¡°Lord Archibald is expecting us,¡± Alpha King said, and these are my presents. He showed two cases of his wines carried by Luka and McKaye.


    ¡°I¡¯ll assist you to his study,¡± the other man, older than the blonde at the gate, said.


    The thick double doors cracked open. The interior of his castle was magnificent-gorgeous was an understatement. It was ssic with a royal gold ent. That chandelier alone was worth thousands of dors when it was auctioned. One thing that made it so lonely was that there were no windows.


    We passed through the vast living room filled with antiquities, mostly vases and sculptures. Candbras in gold were everywhere.


    ¡°Does silver hurt a vampire, Your Majesty?¡±


    ¡°Yes, honey,¡± Sebastien answered.


    ¡°That says it all with the gold.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s just rich. He doesn¡¯t know what to do with his money.¡±


    ¡°So do you.¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°I have a child, and I intend to save for her future and the future of her children. Califf might havee from money, but you know our kind, we live longer than humans, and we need investments to support our living lifestyle.¡± When he said child, it was as if Shadow was not an adult and married.


    ¡°Please,e in.¡± The dark and deep voice echoed from a slightly opened door.


    Sebastien walked in first, Knight and I followed, and Kailin and Dn came after me. Luka and McKaye carried the cases of wine inside.


    We expected an old or at least forties like Sebastien in a double-breasted ssic suit with a pocket watch.


    My jaw literally dropped. I thought Archibald would be wearing a Victorian fashion-era style, but the man looked like he had just walked out off a runway with a white shirt, wool and cashmere overcoat, dark jeans, and fashion boots. He had thick dark hair and thick, perfect dark brows. His blue-gray eyes were too good to be true.


    ¡°My friend.¡± He removed the scarf around his neck, dropped it on the chair, and smiled. His smile was hypnotizing as those dimples popped out on his clean-shaven face.


    ¡°Archie.¡± Sebastien met him in the middle as they shared pleasantries.


    ¡°These are my friends. I told you about themst night. Alpha Knight ckwell, his mate Nirvana Thorne, and his friends.¡±


    ¡°Huh. Werewolves, except for the beautifuldy.¡± He came to me and curtsy elegantly before kissing my hand. ¡°Nirvana Thorne.¡±


    ¡°Lord Archibald.¡± I did curtsy as well, making him smile.


    I instantly felt Knight. He was tensed, his jaw clenching.


    ¡°Rx, boys, and a prettydy. There is no need for fangs and ws around here. You need me, and I need those exquisite drinks in those boxes.¡± He picked up one bottle from the case and popped it. Then he went to his liquor cab, grabbed a liquor ss, and helped himself.


    I swallowed hard as I realized what it was- the thick red liquid filled the ss in half- fresh blood.


    I blinked rapidly to unsee what I had just seen. It was toote. I should have known better what he would ask in return for helping us.


    Turning my head at Knight, who had his hands constantly in his coat pockets, he wasn¡¯t impressed, or blood triggered his wolf.


    The smell of sweet iron from the blood flooded the room.


    ¡°My apology, guys. Why won¡¯t you all take a seat?¡± he said as he breathed in the scent of the blood in the ss before he sipped it like an expensive liquor.


    Sebastien was already sitting on the chair next to the dark wooden desk.


    My stomach quenched hard. It was unsettling, but I guessed this was his way to survive.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± I asked Knight when he remained standing, and so did everyone.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, wolves? Does this squirmy?¡±


    ¡°Archie, we have an important matter to discuss; that¡¯s why we are here.¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes. My apology, Bastie. You¡¯re looking for a knife, and your beautiful witch led you here. Where¡¯s Zarah, by the way? I haven¡¯t seen here in a while.¡± Still holding a ss of blood, he sat and crossed his legs before the Alpha King.


    ¡°We¡¯re a bit in a hurry, Lord Archibald. There¡¯s a serious matter left in the US that¡¯s escting fast.¡± Knight turned to a serious alpha that I didn¡¯t see often. His stance remained strong, confident, and admirable.


    ¡°Is it about the virus infecting beings?¡± He turned in our direction.


    ¡°As a matter of fact, it is.¡±


    ¡°Huh.¡± He slightly nodded. ¡°It is everywhere. A friend of a friend of mine in Germany rotted to death. He was bitten by a werewolf.¡± He pointed a finger at us. ¡°I know your fangs are deadly, but we don¡¯t die like what happened to him. Here, look at this.¡± He showed Sebastien the video on his phone.


    Knight and I went to watch it. My hand flew to my mouth. I was horrified to watch a person dying, but this one was a nightmare. The man was still breathing while his skin was slowly eroding from its bone, like someone threw acid at him, corroding his body inch by inch. The flesh was melting in ck and green viscous substance.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Then someone just struck a stake into the dying man¡¯s chest, which had me yelping. Knight quickly wrapped his arms around me, and I buried my face against his chest.


    ¡°Will you help us find the dagger that could kill this thing?¡±


    ¡°I will fight alongside you, Alpha Knight. I know this is inconvenient and unusual, but whatever you need, we will help. Our coven is at your disposal to end this gue; even after this, we could be enemies again.¡± He shrugged. He was not the only one who was desperate. We were, too. At least we had onemon enemy.


    ¡°I agree. This is a unique circumstance. We can work this out as long as we have the same goal. But first, where can we find the dagger?¡±


    He gazed at me and said, ¡°You¡¯re too beautiful to be with a wolf.¡± When Archibald¡¯s words came out, a growl erupted from Knight¡¯s chest.


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°I¡¯m too good to be with you. No offense. And I love sunlight and beaches.¡±


    ¡°None taken.¡± He cracked up, grinning. He was really handsome, like a billionaire¡¯s spoiled son handsome. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Kailin and the guys followed us to the secret door behind the bookshelf. How original? Then, there were steps downstairs to a dusty dungeon full of cobwebs.


    ¡°Do all of you have dungeons?¡±


    ¡°Probably,¡± Sebastien answered.


    We stood before the tomb in shock.


    ¡°A catb,¡± Kailin said in awe.


    ¡°You buried your family here?¡± I asked Archibald.


    ¡°Yes. And the dagger you¡¯re looking for is buried with my brother.¡±


    ¡°What? So you¡¯re telling me we will dig up your brother?¡± I stared at him in disbelief.


    ¡°Yes. If you¡¯re not up for that, then you may go up. I¡¯ll let your bodyguards of dogs break into one of these graves.¡±


    ¡°Right. I¡¯m not going anywhere. I just respect the dead to stay dead and buried.¡±


    ¡°If the dagger is the means to end this gue, I¡¯m going to dig my brother.¡± He pointed at the upper deck. ¡°That one at the center.¡±


    Luka and McKaye began removing the stone tablet with tools.


    ¡°Just break it. I will ask someone to fix itter,¡± Archibald said impatiently.


    They quickly broke the namete with their fists, pulled out the shiny dark wood coffin, and put it on top of another grave.


    ¡°Be careful. This one is my father¡¯s.¡±


    The guys carefully lift off the lid. The coffin just made a creaking sound. I grimaced and looked away to make sure I wouldn¡¯t see a mummified corpse.


    ¡°Nirvana, do the honor.¡±


    I stared at Dn. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You pick up, my dear,¡± said Sebastien. ¡°Or if anyone wants to test the theory, feel free to take it from Lord Archibald¡¯s brother¡¯s dead body.¡±


    ¡°What am I missing here?¡± The arrogant, handsome vampire stared at us one by one.


    Grimacing, I tentatively reached out towards the body. ¡°Oh my God!¡± My eyes widened. ¡°Is he alive?¡±


    His brother didn¡¯t look dead at all. He looked like he was sleeping like a sleeping beauty. Hence, the still shiny coffin.


    ¡°Chance¡¯s sleeping. In a way.¡±


    ¡°How can he breathe in inside?¡± I stared at him. My life was getting crazier and crazier every day.


    ¡°Just take it,¡± Dn insisted.


    Chance, Archibald¡¯s brother, had a beautiful gold dagger with a steel de, not ck.


    I breathed deeply and slowly pulled the dagger out of his grip before he woke up. I was halfway to having it to myself, feeling the triumph in my chest, when he suddenly opened his eyes.

 72

    KNIGHT


    Nirvana almost had the dagger when Chance woke up. In a blink of an eye, he had his fang on my mate¡¯s neck, his hands locking her arms.


    With my heart in my throat, my wolf urged me toe out. I already felt my eyes glowing. The guys growled, ready to attack and rip Chance¡¯s head off.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    ¡°Rx!¡± Archibald became the middleman, stopping us from killing his brother.


    Tension quickly erupted in the tomb. I felt their anger everywhere, and my wolf turned feral, about to attack and kill, where hisser eyes focused on the one who had his mate.


    ¡°I will fucking kill you and your brother if you won¡¯t let my mate go. You bloodsuckers, maybe fast, but you can¡¯t take us all down in five seconds.¡± My anger instantly boiled in my blood as I watched Chance¡¯s teeth grazing against my mate¡¯s skin.


    ¡°He¡¯s not gonna bite your mate,¡± Archibald grunted.


    ¡°Chance, let her go before it gets bloody down here. She¡¯s not your type, bastard,¡± Sebastien said impatiently. ¡°We don¡¯t have time for this.¡±


    ¡°Let her go, bloodsucker! Or you will have this stake through your heart.¡± I was unaware Kailin had a stake until she showed Archibald, who was now ring at Sebastien.


    ¡°I thought we agreed on no weapons.¡±


    ¡°I swear I didn¡¯t know, Archie. I would never break my word,¡± Sebastien assured him, but Archibald shifted his gaze at me.


    ¡°Let my mate go, Archibald. This is yourst warning.¡±


    Archibald rolled his eyes. ¡°I hate it when people threaten me in my own home. For fuck sake, Chance, enough with your stupid games. Let Nirvana go, or I will be the one to stake your heart.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, darling.¡± Chance let my mate go with a grin.


    Nirvana ran to me, buried her face into my chest, and wrapped her arms around me. I hugged her tightly and shielded her from the vampires.


    ¡°I was just being dramatic. I¡¯m not going to hurt that poor girl.¡± He grinned wickedly.


    ¡°You think you¡¯re funny, asshole?¡± Kailin was still pissed off. ¡°You don¡¯t know what she¡¯s capable of. One bite from you could kill you instantly, and she¡¯s maybe a human, but she¡¯s a force to be reckoned with, you dicksucker.¡±


    He raised his hands and shrugged. ¡°My apology then. Let¡¯s start over, shall we?¡±


    Archibald shook his head in disappointment. ¡°You¡¯re unbelievable. By the way, apologies for his old antics. Meet my stupid brother.¡±


    I was still furious at Chance, but we had more important things to do than throw a pit at a vampire that could possibly help us kill Cyrius. However, his joke didn¡¯t amuse me. I could still feel Nirvana¡¯s racing heartbeat, and she was still shaken up.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever fuckingy your hand on my mate again, or I swear to Goddess, I will kill you myself.¡±


    ¡°Duly noted, man.¡± When I thought Archibald was cocky, this guy was a bold son of a bitch.


    ¡°It¡¯s Alpha Knight, dickhead.¡± Luka grunted.


    ¡°All right. Enough. Let¡¯s finish what we came here for.¡± Sebastien cut the tension.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± I whispered into her.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± She lifted her chin and met me in the eye. ¡°I wanted to punch his jaw, but the dagger is more important than my anger towards him.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, take the dagger,¡± Dn said.


    ¡°I¡¯m still itching to w his neck out,¡± McKaye said.


    ¡°They are not the enemy. Stop with the threats. We may need their help,¡± Sebastien reminded us. ¡°Now, Nirvana, take the dagger. We have things to do after here, and more infected are dying or joining that son of a bitch.¡±


    ¡°Take it, my dear.¡± Chance offered the golden dagger in his hand.


    ¡°How long have you been in this coffin? You looked like you were not dead.¡± That was the first thing Nirvana said to chance.


    ¡°Before you arrived.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Kailin asked, surprised. ¡°But it was sealed.¡±


    ¡°From the front, yes, but not from the back.¡±


    ¡°Take the dagger, Nirvana.¡±


    She nodded and then reached out for the dagger in Chance¡¯s hand. It was in her grasp, but she couldn¡¯t lift, pull, or take it from him. She tried harder, but it felt like it stuck in his palm, which reminded me of something.


    ¡°The Excalibur,¡± I muttered under my breath.


    ¡°Thor¡¯s Mj?lnir,¡± said Kailin.


    ¡°No,¡± Chance replied.


    Grunted, Nirvana let the dagger and red at Chance. ¡°You have to give it to me, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Wait a sec. Why can you hold the dagger without hurting yourself?¡± Nirvana asked. That was an excellent question.


    ¡°Remember what I told you about a few people secretly tasked to protect something with their lives, the Keepers? Just like Case, he is tasked and responsible for protecting the key, and I am tasked to keep the journal by birthright, and Chance¡¯s job is to give the dagger to thest female Katzius¡¯ descendant,¡± Dn exined.


    ¡°That makes sense,¡± Luka said.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s been an honor having this dagger with me for almost a century and a half since my father passed it on to me. It¡¯s yours now, Nirvana.¡± He took my mate¡¯s hand and ced the dagger on her palm. ¡°Protect this with your life and use it to do good.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± She grasped it, and something just activated in the dagger, making her gasp.


    ¡°It epted you. Do you know how to use it?¡±


    She smiled shyly. ¡°I have no clue.¡±


    ¡°Neither do I. You¡¯ll figure it out.¡± The cocky vampire chuckled.


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s notplicated. You just aim it at the bad guy and stab his heart, right?¡± She looked at everyone, including me, and they all nodded as if they had no clue either.


    ¡°Yeah. Now let¡¯s get out of here.¡±


    ¡°Good idea, Alpha,¡± Kailin seconded.


    We were back at Archibald¡¯s study when Dn said, that turned our heads at him. ¡°I need your blood.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Archibald didn¡¯t look offended but confused. He looked younger than Chance. I wondered how long it had been since they became vampires.


    ¡°What he meant to say is, we need a few drops of your blood and other supernatural beings. It¡¯s a part of the elixir we are working on that might help fight this thing.¡±


    ¡°Oh. So you brought me my poison, and you will take something from me?¡± Archibald¡¯s eyes were filled with humor at his long-time close friend.


    ¡°Just give it to him, Archie, so that we can get out of your hair.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± Archibald grabbed the small tube from Dn and bit his wrist, dropping his blood into it.


    ¡°I¡¯m having some drinks. You can join me if you want.¡± Chance grabbed the wine bottle with blood and helped himself.


    ¡°Thanks, but no.¡± Nirvana grimaced.


    ¡°Is this enough?¡± Archibald handed the tube full of his blood to Dn.


    ¡°Yes. Thank you. Now, where to next?¡±


    ¡°Archie, keep your phone with you. You might receive a call from me sooner.¡± Sebastien then turned to me. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I answered, but my eyes remained with my mate.


    ¡°We should leave. We need to be in the pub in Inverness in five hours.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s in there?¡± she asked Sebastien.


    ¡°I¡¯m meeting a friend of mine, Kain. You guys can stay in the hotel if you wish.¡±


    ¡°Hell no. I¡¯m drinking Scotch in the pub.¡± She was still holding the dagger. ¡°Chance, can I ask you something?¡±


    ¡°Of course, my dear Nirvana.¡±


    I rolled my eyes. Chance saw it, making him smile.


    ¡°Can anyone take this from me?¡±


    ¡°Yes. The one who created it.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I wasn¡¯t told who.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± She slipped the dagger in her boot and hid it carefully.


    Archibald lent us his SUV. We were all stuffed in one vehicle.


    ¡°You guys can take a nap. I got the direction.¡± Luka volunteered to drive while McKaye sat in the passenger¡¯s seat.


    ¡°What if Cyrius was the owner of this dagger?¡± Nirvana rested her head on my shoulder.


    ¡°Why would someone make a dagger that could kill him in the end?¡± Dn had a point. ¡°I did not read this in any books.¡±


    ¡°Probably not written on purpose. And maybe not just to kill him, but since Ambrose and he were friends and powerful warlocks, maybe he made it to kill Ambrose.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, right.¡± She looked at me, shocked. ¡°So this can¡¯t ever be in his hand if he made the dagger. He can also destroy it.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Maybe if he wielded it, the only reason he couldn¡¯t find it is because the witches hid it from him for centuries, and only Katzius¡¯ bloodline can unlock and hold the dagger.¡±


    ¡°Or maybe it¡¯s Katzius¡¯s. Hence, his bloodline can wield it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. That also makes sense,¡± Dn nodded.


    Nirvana breathed deeply, resting her head back.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana-¡± I wasn¡¯t finished talking. The tires screeched against the pavement, almost throwing us forward.


    ¡°What the fuck, man?¡± Dn groaned.


    ¡°We have a problem.¡± Luka¡¯s eyes were transfixed on the road.


    ¡°Shit.¡±

 73

    NIRVANA


    ¡°Oh, my God.¡± Air stuck in my lungs as I stared at the giant wolf in front of our vehicle. His eyes were pitch ck, snarling at us, drooling in ck blood.


    We had two problems. We couldn¡¯t drive to the other line, or the wolf would throw us off the bridge. If we ran it over, it would damage the car, and if the wolf would not die, it would kill us all. Then, we had to walk if we could not find a passing vehicle.


    ¡°What should we do now? We can¡¯t run over a wolf or changenes.¡± Exactly.


    ¡°Stay in the car, Luka-¡±


    ¡°Wait.¡± Knight was instantly rmed. ¡°What are you going to do? You can¡¯t fight that wolf, or you get infected if you get bitten, or maybe the scratch is also infectious.¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I know. I¡¯ll be careful.¡±


    ¡°No, Knight.¡± I grabbed his arm. ¡°I¡¯ll run to the woods and let it follow me.¡±


    ¡°Are you insane?¡± The way Kailin looked at me, she thought I was out of my mind. Maybe I was, but I could teleport.


    ¡°How many werewolves are we in this car? We even have a Lycan royalty, and you are-¡±


    ¡°Just a human, Dn?¡± I red at him, but I was not offended. ¡°Before the- Shit!¡±


    Another wolf appeared, lighter than the first one. It was also sick. That one was worse. It could barely stand.


    ¡°I think the whole pack is infected.¡± Sebastien began taking off his jacket.


    ¡°What are you nning to do, Alpha King? You can¡¯t go out and fight against infected wolves. I have a n.¡± My heart raced.


    ¡°No!¡± They all disagreed with my n, but I was fast, and they could not stop me.


    ¡°Wanna stop me?¡± I looked at them. ¡°Good luck then.¡±


    I ended up beside the road just a few yards from the infected wolves.


    ¡°Hey, wolfies!¡± I yelled and made sure I caught their attention. At the corner of my eye, Knight was pissed off, his eyes glowing and about to shift.


    I raised my hand and shook my head. I caught the first wolf¡¯s attention. His predator eyes fixed on me, baring his fangs, and then he stalked in my direction. Once the second wolf followed the first, I ran fast towards the woods.


    My heart hammered in my chest, adrenaline pumping in my veins. I still heard the wolves on my heels. I jumped over the log and imagined being inside the SUV, sitting beside my mate.


    One moment I was running in the forest, and I took a deep breath and found my ass sitting on Knight¡¯sp in the moving vehicle, hearing them gasp.


    ¡°Huh. I made it.¡± Still breathing hard, Iughed like crazy and felt a sting on my side. Knight just pinched me hard enough it would bruise my skin.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fucking do that again, Nirvana!¡± He growled, his voice vibrating inside the car. ¡°I mean it this time.¡±


    I ignored his growl but cupped his face and kissed him hard to shut him up. I could still feel his anger in every bone in his body, and when he kissed me back, that was all I wanted. I wanted to calm him down and apologized through the kiss.


    ¡°You are far more important to our n than drawing sick wolves off the road.¡± His eyes narrowed despite his dick was hard poking my butt.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, okay, but it worked. At least I could use my hours of running when McKaye punished me for being weak.¡±


    ¡°Oh, so now you¡¯re ming me?¡± McKaye turned to me, grinning. ¡°But I must admit that was impressive. I didn¡¯t know you could do that. Now, I¡¯m not sure if you cheated that morning.¡±


    ¡°I did not,¡± I defended myself. ¡°You told me to run in human strength, and that was what I did.¡±


    ¡°How?¡± Dn barely blinked. ¡°How did you do that?¡±


    ¡°So you mastered how to jump from ce to ce?¡± I could see the pride in Alpha King¡¯s eyes. He nodded with a smile. ¡°Yeah. That was impressive.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know yet the limit-¡±


    ¡°But you better not try with dangerous werewolves around, Nirvana.¡± Knight¡¯s chest vibrated as he groaned.


    I slid to sit on the empty seat. ¡°I know you are my alpha and my mate. You don¡¯t want me to get hurt, but when the timees that I need to make my own decision to help others, you have to respect that, Knight.¡±


    He shut his mouth, his jaw ticking, his nose ring as he looked outside the window.


    ¡°You will probably hate me, but I agree with Alpha.¡± Of course, Kailin agreed with Knight. ¡°We could still draw those sick wolves away, and sometimes, the easier way out is sometimes dangerous. You can¡¯t risk yourself if you have a far more important role to end this gue.¡±


    ¡°Fine. I won¡¯t do that again.¡± I sat, rested my head back, closed my eyes, and crossed my arms over my chest. ¡°How far are we? I can¡¯t wait to get out of this car filled with testosterone and werewolf hormones.¡±


    ¡°Check the dagger. Make sure it didn¡¯t fall in the woods.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s in my boot, Dn. I can feel the energy drawing from the dagger. Now, if you all excuse me, I need to nap.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re mad at us. We just want you to be careful next time, and that¡¯s why we¡¯re here, so you don¡¯t have to risk your life saving us.¡±


    I opened my eyes and red at Knight. ¡°You mean it bruised your ego that a woman just saved your life, not to mention just a weak human like me?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve been over this, Nirvana. This is not the point. I thought you wanted to save more lives. If you¡¯re bitten or scratched by those sick wolves, you could die because we don¡¯t have a cure for that, and all our ns have just gone to waste. We are after Cyrius. You should keep that in mind.¡±


    ¡°Okay. You win. Whatever you want me to do, that¡¯s what I will do next time, Alpha.¡± I turned my back to him and closed my eyes.


    He blew a breath. I could feel his anger and rage shaking his body. All of a sudden, his voice echoed in my head. ¡°I couldn¡¯t breathe when you were just gone from your seat. I was so terrified that you might get hurt out there. I knew your intention was to save us, but that-¡± I blocked him.


    ¡°If you two want to talk this out of the car, we can pull over for a while,¡± Sebastien said calmly.


    ¡°I¡¯m good. I¡¯m taking a nap anyway.¡±


    ¡°I see Shadow in you. She¡¯s a stubborn, strong-headed, impulsive, and selfless young woman, but she¡¯s also my daughter. Their pack was threatened twice in a short time. Every time she went out there risking her life to protect her people, I couldn¡¯t breathe. I may not get to raise her, but she¡¯s my blood, and I love her with my life.¡±


    ¡°Your twin raised her,¡± Knight said.


    ¡°Yes. I was always scared for her, getting hurt, and I also felt what it was like to be in Califf¡¯s shoes because I had no doubt he loved my daughter, just like earlier when you were gone to serve as bait to those wolves. You can¡¯t stop Knight from worrying you, especially after what happened to you. He lost you once and knew what it was like, Nirvana.¡±


    I breathed deeply to calm my nerves. ¡°I just exposed what I could do because we were running out of time. Yes, I wanted to save more lives, but the more we were traveling, the more people were going to die; but yeah, we can¡¯t save all of them. My bad. I¡¯m not even sure if I have what it takes to end what Cyrius is doing, but I will do my best even if I end up sacrificing myself so you can all live.¡±

 74

    NIRVANA     I was back to the ce where it all started. Where I first met Cyrius, how he showed me everyone I loved died. It was painful, and I was hopeless. And then he appeared.


    ¡°I¡¯ve shown you, your future-how it will end. Resisting against me, you know you can¡¯t win, Nirvana. Come and join me, and see how your future changes, just the way you¡¯ve ever dreamed, having family and kids-¡±


    I felt extreme fear again as I watched the future, losing hope. ¡°Over my dead body! You can stop spreading your tentacles, asshole. You won¡¯t get what you want. Even if you will kill everyone I love, I will find a way to kill you.¡±


    ¡°You had your chance.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you!¡± I jolted to sit, my heart galloping in my chest. I realized I was still in the vehicle, and we hadn¡¯t arrived at Inverness.


    ¡°Whoa.¡± I thought it came from Kailin.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I saw their worried face.


    ¡°You must be dreaming. You just cursed in your sleep,¡± Knight said. He still looked hurt. I knew he cared about me, but I was more concerned about what this gue could do to them.


    ¡°You can¡¯t protect me forever, Knight.¡±


    ¡°Well, that might be a problem because I will not stop protecting you. I¡¯m your mate. My job is to protect you and give you what you need.¡±


    ¡°What about you? Who will protect you? Your pack? What¡¯s my role then? If we can¡¯t win this, everything is over. Our pack, our lives, and everyone we love will die. That son of bitch just showed me how you all die because I was resisting joining his army of octopus ink-drinking buddies.¡±


    Knight didn¡¯t say a word but breathed deeply, and it just pissed me off.


    ¡°Too bad. The world will end anyway, so why join Urs if we can build our resistance for Ariel and Prince Eric? We fight till the end,¡± Kailin said, offering her fist for a fist bump.


    ¡°Really?¡± I bumped my fist at hers. ¡°You quickly went overboard referencing Little Mermaid.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, why not.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m up for war, but I¡¯m not gonna die from the ck virus.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so quick to go to war, Dn. If we do this, we make sure we¡¯re ready.¡± McKaye blew a breath. ¡°We can¡¯t lose. This is not just about us anymore.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been silent, Alpha,¡± Sebastien said.


    ¡°A lot going on in my head. Cyrius¡¯ only goal is to kill all women in Katzius¡¯s bloodline so he can eliminate the threats.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Alpha. One question for Nirvana. If you can jump to another ce, have you tried jumping through time?¡±


    I ping-ponged my gaze between Sebastien and Knight, and my mate looked like I had just figured out what was in my head.


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever think about trying.¡± Knight faced me.


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know how or what my limit is. If I know, maybe there¡¯s a side effect I haven¡¯t felt every time I teleport. If it¡¯s unnecessary, I don¡¯t even want to do it.¡± I looked at Dn, sitting behind us. ¡°If you ever tell a soul or your friends about what you saw earlier, I will take you with me and lock you in that tomb.¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re not serious.¡±


    I showed him my angry face. ¡°Try me.¡±


    Heughed nervously. ¡°You¡¯ll do it to your cousin?¡±


    ¡°If it put her life in danger, I will not hesitate, Dn,¡± Knight told him.


    ¡°Jeez, guys. Rx. I¡¯m dedicated to ending this gue, just like all of you. I¡¯m one of the Keepers and intend to be on the right side of history. If I die, at least you have a story to tell your great-great-grandchildren that Dn helped save the world.¡±


    For the first time, I heard Lukaugh. ¡°And why in the hell would I do that?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, man. What¡¯s your role anyway?¡±


    ¡°Stop. This is not a joke. Once we got to the pub and met Kain, we should go back to the States. I had a bad feeling the vineyards are not safe anymore.¡± I stilled when all their gazes were on me, including Luka¡¯s. ¡°Eyes on the road, Luka.¡±


    ¡°What made you say that, sweetheart?¡±


    ¡°That dream I had, it was where I badly hurt. I don¡¯t know, a gut feeling, I guess. I don¡¯t wanna risk the people there.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯re fifty miles away from Inverness. By then, Zarah will be done with the meeting with her coven.¡±


    Later in the afternoon, we finally arrived at the Inverness. We entered the pub, and most customers were local humans. I couldn¡¯t feel other supernatural beings but us.


    ¡°Where¡¯s your friend, Alpha?¡± Knight asked.


    ¡°He¡¯ll be here, but Kain is always on time.¡± He looked at the time on his watch as we took a table while Luka, Dn, and McKaye took another table.


    ¡°I wanna drink Scotch.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t look twenty-one, Nirvana,¡± Knight whispered, amused.


    ¡°Really? Thest time I checked, Scots can start drinking at eighteen. Then you shouldn¡¯t be sleeping with me.¡± I put my hand on his thigh, slowly tracing up just below his crotch.


    ¡°Not funny.¡±


    We ordered drinks and the rest of the guys.


    Before our order arrived, Sebastien said, ¡°Something is wrong.¡± He picked up his phone and quickly typed a message.


    ¡°Alpha King, may I ask you something?¡±


    ¡°Go ahead, Nirvana.¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°What was like about fifty years ago?¡±


    ¡°No cell phone and people just read newspapers.¡± He wandered his eyes around until he sniffed the air.


    ¡°Maybe it was nice living with fewer distractions, and people would just eat in the restaurant without wasting time taking selfies and pictures of the food on the table.¡± Kailin¡¯sment made me smile.


    Our drinks arrived. Before I could pick up the ss, Sebastien put some bills on the table and said hurriedly, ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I held Knight¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Kain is here, but I sensed some fear in the air.¡±


    We hurriedly made our way out of the pub while locals got our attention. We were about to climb back into the SUV when a tall, bulky man with salt-and-pepper hair walked in our direction, and everyone was growling.


    ¡°What is he?¡± McKaye asked.


    ¡°Who is he?¡± Dn came before me, shielding me from the man.


    ¡°Rx. That¡¯s Kain,¡± said Knight.


    ¡°He smells different.¡± Luka sniffed the air.


    ¡°You¡¯rete,¡± Sebastien grunted.


    ¡°My apology, Your Majesty. You¡¯re lucky you see me in one piece. I just came across two sick werewolves, and they came after me.¡±


    ¡°Are you scratched or bitten, sir?¡± Dn asked.


    ¡°No, young man. I used my gun with silver bullets and shot them in the head.¡± His eyesnded on me. ¡°You must be Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    ¡°Alpha Knight, good to see you again.¡± They shook hands. ¡°I take it you have an extra seat for me.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Let¡¯s get in the vehicle and find a safe ce so Zarah can portal us.¡±


    ¡°I missed Zarah, Alpha King. How¡¯s she? And Shadow?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re good but terrified. I heard the gue can infect every supernatural being, and they were somewhat controlled.¡±


    ¡°So we¡¯re not safe.¡± Knight¡¯s voice sounded worried.


    ¡°Oh, no. We¡¯re not, my friend.¡±


    ¡°What is he?¡± I asked Knight.


    ¡°He¡¯s a shapeshifter.¡±


    ¡°Whoa.¡± The guys were as surprised as me. Dn was more amazed, checking Kain from head to toe.


    ¡°Wait.¡± I chuckled. ¡°But you are, too.¡±


    ¡°No. He¡¯s a nasty fe. I¡¯m a werewolf. I can only shift to a wolf. He can shift to any animal, but he has to shed.¡±


    ¡°So what is your go-to, sir?¡± Dn asked.


    ¡°He¡¯s a werecat,¡± Knight answered.


    ¡°Cool. Never seen a werecat before, not a Lycan wolf, but I just met a vamp, so I guess you are not extinct.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re limited in numbers, young man,¡± Kain told Dn, who seemed so interested.


    ¡°His face is Califf¡¯s half-brother¡¯s uncle,¡± Sebastien said.


    ¡°One question, Kain. Isn¡¯t it that you shed if you shapeshift to a new host?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± I heard the fear in Dn¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Wait. What am I missing something here?¡± I muttered.


    ¡°He can have any face he wants, but he keeps his victim alive.¡±


    I blinked as I swallowed hard. ¡°You can take my face, too?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t do that anymore. I¡¯m stuck with this body as a promise to Calder¡¯s uncle.¡± Heughed. ¡°So you¡¯re not just human, are you, Nirvana?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty much just human, Kain.¡±


    Everyone snorted except Knight and Sebastien.

 75

    KNIGHT


    ¡°Are you going to ignore me the whole time?¡±


    We were all exhausted, but we were finally back at the vineyards, and I didn¡¯t want Nirvana to stay angry at me. So far, she was doing a great job of ignoring me.


    ¡°I need to talk to Kailin. I¡¯ll see youter.¡± She just took off her jacket and went to the door.


    ¡°Nirvana, you¡¯re not leaving this room until we talk.¡± It was not a request but an order.


    Her head snapped in my direction, her eyes narrowing. ¡°What are you going to do?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna talk, okay? Not now. I¡¯m tired and need a good friend, and you¡¯re definitely not my friend right now.¡±


    ¡°I already apologized.¡±


    ¡°Did you? First and foremost, I¡¯m an adult. I¡¯m not your wife. Yes, I¡¯m your mate, but you can¡¯t tell me what to do.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you getting hurt, and we¡¯re not even close to ending this madness. We don¡¯t have a vine or a cure for this ck virus, and if you get hurt, what will happen to our mission? It¡¯s over, Nirvana. We can¡¯t do it without you. That¡¯s why we have to keep you safe all the time. When this is over, I swear to Goddess, you can do whatever you want: go skydiving, bungee jumping, even race on a dirtbike or drive a monster track. You¡¯re free to jump from country to country. I won¡¯t stop you.¡±


    ¡°So you don¡¯t care if I get hurt because we already saved the day?¡±


    ¡°See?¡± I pointed at her. ¡°This is your problem. You think I don¡¯t care about you. What I want for you is to be happy, and if doing something dangerous and reckless will make you happy, then by all means, because I trust you will take care of yourself. This battle is bigger than all of us. Millions of supernatural being¡¯s lives are at stake here, Nirvana. This is not just about us.¡±


    ¡°I know. I¡¯m trying my best to stay sane because the longer we¡¯re here, the more people will get hurt and die because of the virus, but we can¡¯t save them all, and the people from the Werewolf Council are not doing their jobs. Who else would try saving lives if not us? I may not know much but lives matter, Knight. And I want you to know, whatever it takes, you won¡¯t stop me from doing what¡¯s right when Cyrius wille to kill us all.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±


    ¡°I will kill him. I never killed anyone, but he¡¯s taken a lot of lives. And I won¡¯t hesitate.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± I stepped closer to her and caressed her cheek with my thumb. ¡°Just don¡¯t y a hero. It¡¯s my job. Whatever it takes, I¡¯ll stop you from dying.¡±


    She nodded and looked at me. I still saw something in her eyes no matter how hard she tried to hide- I still saw it. She was terrified.


    ¡°We¡¯re here, sweetheart. We will fight together, and no matter how it ends, you promise me you will save yourself.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I can do it. If something happens to you-¡±


    ¡°Use your mind. Don¡¯t let your emotions-¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s bullshit. I will follow my heart, Knight.¡±


    I sighed exasperatingly. ¡°Do you always do what I tell you not to do?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re only the boss of me in bed. Nothing more.¡±


    I found myself smiling. ¡°Is that so?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s what you¡¯re only good at, big bad alpha.¡± She smiled, too.


    ¡°I¡¯ll prove you wrong.¡± I cupped her head and kissed her.


    She sighed against our lips and kissed me back. Wrapping my arms around her, I deepened the kiss and made sure I poured all my emotions into it so she never doubted what I felt for her, that she was more than just my mate. She was everything to me, and I couldn¡¯t afford to lose her again. I would rather die than watch her die trying to save us.


    I would be happy in the other life knowing she survived. She would still find someone better than me. I would rather take my own life than watching die in my arms again or sacrifice herself to end Cyrius¡¯s madness.


    I took her to bed, pulling off her shirt over her head. Then I kissed her again, down her jaw, while unhooking her bra. She was also busy unbuttoning my jeans, pulling my boxers down, and grabbing my cock into her hand.


    My dick jerked against her grip as she stroked itzily while I had my mouth on her tit, sucking and nipping her nipple.


    She moaned, arching her back.


    ¡°Alpha, please tell me you can hear me. We have a problem.¡± Pissed off with the interruption, I growled when Kaleb¡¯s voice came to our pack link. He sounded terrified, and my stomach just did a nosedive.


    Nirvana froze. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°I hear you, Kaleb,¡± I mind-linked him. ¡°What seems to be the problem? Make sure it is important, or I swear to Goddess I¡¯lle and punch your ugly face hard.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re here near the northwest border. I think you shoulde and see it for yourself.¡±


    Groaning, I looked at Nirvana. ¡°I¡¯ll be there.¡±


    ¡°Something happened?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    When I tried to kiss her again, she pressed her finger against my lips. ¡°We should go. Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll continue thister.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sweetheart.¡± I got up, groaning. My dick was still out and hard, and I saw a smile on her lips when her gazended on my crotch.


    She quickly grabbed her shirt and bra and ran towards the bathroom.


    Breathing hard, I tried to calm myself. I fixed my jeans, washed my face, and changed my shirt.


    ¡°Wait for me down. I¡¯ll be there quickly. Maybe you should call Dn. Whatever the problem in the border, maybe he can help.¡± Nirvana grabbed some clean shirts in the closet and tied her hair.


    ¡°See you down.¡± I walked out of the room and went downstairs. I instantly saw Dn, Luka, and McKaye.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Vana?¡± McKaye asked.


    ¡°She¡¯ll be here in a minute. Kaleb didn¡¯t tell me the details. What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°He didn¡¯t tell us either,¡± Luka replied, ¡°but I have a feeling it¡¯s not good.¡±


    Nirvana rushed downstairs. ¡°Grandpa just called me. One of his pack is bitten by an infected werewolf, and his alpha is panicking. I want him toe to us. Califf hasn¡¯t picked up his call.¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s dangerous here.¡± I held her hand as we went to the driveway. I picked up the helmet and put it on her head. ¡°I¡¯ll ask a favor from Alpha King. I will send Case to stay with Alexander for the time being.¡±


    ¡°You would do that?¡±


    ¡°Why are you still surprised?¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± She smiled. ¡°I could kiss you right now, but that can wait.¡±


    ¡°Hop on, beautiful.¡±


    She climbed onto my bike and held onto me tightly. The guys followed us behind from the Pickup.


    ¡°I have a bad feeling since we¡¯re in Inverness. This is about the virus, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, sweetheart, but we¡¯re about to find out.¡± I drove faster toward the location where Kaleb was waiting.


    Kaleb, Tucker, Maddox, and the twins were there, and I instantly saw why they called me urgently.


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± I stopped my bike abruptly.


    ¡°Oh, my God. I think I¡¯m going to be sick.¡± Nirvana got off my bike and rushed to take off her helmet.


    ¡°Who the fuck did this?¡± McKaye stared at the wolf¡¯s head hung on the barbwire.


    It was not just an insult to what we were, but someone just killed an animal to send us a message.


    Nirvana came to me. ¡°This message is for you, Alpha.¡± She did an emphasis on the word alpha. She didn¡¯t need to do that. I knew exactly who did this.


    ¡°Why did you say that?¡± Luka said.


    ¡°This is not the head of the werewolf, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Luna. This is just a wolf,¡± Kaleb said.


    ¡°Then Travis is back for his revenge.¡±

 76

    NIRVANA


    ¡°Who has his number? This has to end today.¡± Knight was shaking in anger.


    ¡°You can¡¯t do this out of anger. Let that emotion calmer, and then we can make a n to deal with this.¡±  I knew what it was like to feel vited and disrespected.


    ¡°This is our fault, Alpha Knight,¡± West finally said. ¡°I will do whatever they want just to stop harassing us.¡±


    ¡°You will not do such a thing. Travis is an arrogant son of a bitch, and if they think they can scare us because they have guns, they just make their biggest mistake. This can¡¯t go on. It has to end today, and they shouldn¡¯t haveid their hands on both of you.¡±


    ¡°What are you going to do, Knight?¡±


    He looked at me. ¡°What I should have done a long time ago when they started bullying the twins. I gave them a chance, and they came for us. Now, I have to eliminate one problem at a time.¡±


    ¡°I went scouting outside the nightclub. I think they don¡¯t do business transactions there anymore. I couldn¡¯t follow up where they transferred to, but I have a feeling they are in the warehouse,¡± Tucker said.


    ¡°Where is it, Tucker?¡±


    ¡°Perry Road, Motor parts Warehouse.¡±


    ¡°Knight, may I have a word?¡±


    He was torn between giving me a chance to lecture him or ripping body parts. ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°In private.¡±


    He breathed deeply before he walked with me. ¡°I know you disagree with my ns, but-¡±


    ¡°What is your n exactly? Walking into Travis¡¯s trap? You don¡¯t have a concrete n, Knight, and if you let your rage and anger decide your actions, that can kill you and these guys because they will follow you to the end of the earth. We should n this carefully. I know you don¡¯t want to hear about me giving you unsolicited advice. Still, you can¡¯t just go raiding a warehouse where you don¡¯t even know what you¡¯re walking into, how many people are waiting, or what about the floor n. Maybe they put some traps because that¡¯s what he expected from you when he hung the wolf¡¯s head.¡±


    ¡°What do you want me to do, Nirvana? They won¡¯t end this until they get what they want?¡±


    ¡°And if you do this without a n, it¡¯s like giving them what they want on a silver tter, Knight. Be strategic here before going with the guys. Remember what you said to me? We have bigger problems than Travis, and it¡¯s even bigger than us. He is a lowlife thug. If you can call the police for harassing you-¡±


    ¡°And then what? Show them a wolf¡¯s head?¡±


    I smiled. ¡°Yeah. That was terrible. One question.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± he asked impatiently.


    ¡°Do they know you are werewolves?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Otherwise, they¡¯ve already left us alone and stopped harassing the twins. And I don¡¯t think they believe werewolves exist.¡±


    ¡°I may have a n.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s hear it.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go back to the pack house.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡± He signaled the guys. Luka rode our bike to us.


    ¡°You, twins, bury the head of the wolf.¡±


    ¡°We will, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°So what are we gonna do now?¡± Kaleb came to us.


    ¡°We will do something that they least expect?¡±


    ¡°What is it, Luna?¡± Luka asked.


    ¡°We will go to Travis¡¯s house.¡±


    ¡°What? That¡¯s your n?¡± Knight questioned my decision.


    ¡°Yes. We show them what you all are. Anyone they would tell their story to that you are werewolves, they think they are crazy. Scare them away, but if they already know what you are, they should have silver bullets or traps. That¡¯s what we should be prepared for. I¡¯ll pretend I control all of you-¡±


    ¡°No, no, no. No fucking way you¡¯reing with us.¡±


    ¡°Let her go with you. She¡¯s actually stronger than maybe all of us. No offense,¡± McKaye agreed.


    ¡°What can you do, Luna?¡±


    ¡°Shut up. Bury the head, and don¡¯t question her like that,¡± McKaye scolded North.


    ¡°That was an honest question, Mac. I¡¯m just curious,¡± North replied.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m a mermaid,¡± I told him seriously.


    ¡°Really, like a siren?¡±


    ¡°You wanna hear me sing, North?¡±


    ¡°No, ma¡¯am.¡± He took it seriously or didn¡¯t want to tell me I was lying.


    ¡°That¡¯s Good because my voice will keep you awake at night for the rest of your life.¡± I sighed. ¡°I want to be involved, Knight. Don¡¯t bench me on this.¡±


    ¡°But how do we know if they still don¡¯t know about us?¡±


    ¡°You go together and knock on their door,¡± Dn suggested.


    ¡°Bad idea, cousin. We should catch them off guard.¡±


    ¡°How?¡± Kaleb asked.


    ¡°This is probably against the council, but we should go before sundown. Where¡¯s the house?¡±


    ¡°I know where he lives,¡± Knight said.


    ¡°We can link, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ***


    Travis¡¯s house was in the uphill, and no one seemed home. It was past eight in the evening when we arrived by foot at his property. It was actually lovely.


    I didn¡¯t know bikers could earn pretty good, but a part of me knew what kind of business his father had. They dealt with illegal fighting clubs and probably drugs, as well.


    We began climbing the walls while McKaye was handling the electrical power and rm system.


    ¡°Stay with me all the time,¡± Knight said to our link.


    ¡°I have no n improvising, Alpha. We stick to the n.¡± I followed him as the lights turned off from the house. I wouldn¡¯t ask how Knight owned a smart unlocking device, but I thought it was impressive.


    I heard the door unlock. We got inside the house while McKaye, Luka, Maddox, Kaleb, Dn, and the twins had nned on their own.


    ¡°I can¡¯t see anything,¡± Iined because werewolves in wolf forms could see in the dark.


    ¡°You can, but don¡¯t use your power.¡±


    ¡°Only when I need it. Got it. Where is his bedroom?¡±


    ¡°Probably upstairs.¡± Knight held my hand as we headed to the second floor. Travis had a modern house with ss walls and a minimalist interior.


    ¡°Guys, we have movements. Two vehicles are headed your way,¡± Tucker said as he was assigned as the lookout. Apparently, he was good with long-range rifles.


    ¡°This is his bedroom.¡± Knight unlocked it with ease. The room was spacious and too colorful for someone like Travis.


    ¡°Are you sure? Red velvet bed sheet and duvet, really?¡±


    ¡°Maybe he has a thing for colors.¡± He chuckled and went to the drawers. ¡°Look what we have here.¡± He found Travis¡¯s gun inside the drawer. It was a good thing we came prepared with our gloves and masks on, but we took off our masks once we were inside his bedroom.


    ¡°Heading your way, Alpha,¡± Luka updated us.


    ¡°We¡¯re in position,¡± McKaye said.


    And I heard footsteps.


    ¡°Why is it dark? Did someone forget to pay the bill?¡± a male voice asked yfully.


    ¡°Roy will check it.¡± That was Travis.


    I was already sitting on the corner chair while Knight was standing beside me. He drew the curtain of the ss door to the balcony so the moonlight would reflect inside.


    The door swung open. I held my gasp. My hand was on my mouth as I held my breath, but my eyes were wide to watch what was happening before me.


    Travis was kissing a man, and their hands were all over each other.


    ¡°Well, this is an interesting plot twist.¡± Knight pped his hands.


    Travis and his man pulled apart, shocked to see us in his bedroom. ¡°What the fuck, ckwell?¡±


    ¡°Sit down.¡± Knight gestured the gun for them, but Travis was a son of a bitch. The man with him was handsome, and he took a seat slowly. ¡°I let you live that night, and you should just let that go, but you came to my property and hung a wolf¡¯s head for what? To show me you got balls in you?¡±


    ¡°You ruined my life.¡± He spat out his anger.


    ¡°Did I? Who bullied my boys? And how is it that I ruined your life when we almost got killed? But you never learn, and you¡¯re still a fucking moron.¡± His voice echoed. His chest filled with rage when he took a step forward.


    ¡°What are you going to do, huh? Kill us? We have cameras everywhere. I don¡¯t know how you get in, but I have men down. You and your bit-¡± He did not finish his words. Knight¡¯s fist hit his face, and he stumbled onto the bed.


    The man with him shook. He definitely had no idea who Travis was. Maybe he had just been picked up in the club and didn¡¯t know what he had just gotten himself into.


    ¡°Call her bitch again. I swear, I will pull out your teeth one by one. Do you fucking understand me?¡±


    ¡°I know who you are?¡± I admired his guts.


    ¡°Who am I?¡± Knight grabbed him on his chest. ¡°Tell me, and I will show you who I really am, Travis. Does your father know you like cocks?¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t dare.¡± Oh shit. Cadogan didn¡¯t know. Travis still talked, but I could smell his fear in the air.


    ¡°Guys, move but be careful. They are armed.¡± Just right, Knight finished his words through our pack link, and I heard screams.


    The man crawled and curled into a ball at the corner while Travis just heard the fate of his men. Horror filled his wide eyes, and his body began shaking. He didn¡¯t call his men because he knew there was no one else to call.


    Knight wasn¡¯t done. ¡°I will not kill you because I want you to send this message that if any of you pull that stunt again or hurt any animals, I wille and cut your head off myself and send it to your father. Do you fucking understand me?¡±


    I made a whistle as a sign as if I controlled the wolves downstairs.


    ¡°Whatever you know about me, that¡¯s probably true.¡± Knight threw him in bed.


    I got up and went to the door. The wolves entered his bedroom, and that was when I heard Travis scream for his life.

 77

    KNIGHT


    ¡°Is everyone ounted for?¡±


    We got back to the curb, where we parked the vehicle. I was still pissed that I didn¡¯t have the opportunity to sink my ws into Travis¡¯s jugr, but if he did not learn from what we did tonight, I would kill him myself the next time he tried sending his message again.


    ¡°Yes. We¡¯re good.¡± McKaye was thest one to enter the SUV. ¡°I should have killed that son of a bitch.¡±


    ¡°Consider this as a win. If he will try again, you don¡¯t have to ask permission from me.¡± I pulled out from the curb to the main road. ¡°I tried hard not to kill him. He deserves to die, but we have a worse enemy than a thug like Travis.¡±


    ¡°He peed in his pants, though.¡± I heard the pride in West¡¯s voice.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°Yeah. He will probably have nightmares for the rest of his life.¡± Dn did a high-five with West.


    ¡°If only you¡¯ve seen the living room.¡± Maddox shook his head in amusement.


    ¡°His men were running everywhere. I say they deserved what they got. They are all sick sons of bitches who made fun of kids,¡± Luka said through gritted teeth.


    ¡°What did you do?¡± I stole a nce at him.


    ¡°I made sure I destroyed the living room, making it look like the animals did it.¡±


    ¡°I specifically told you to scare them.¡± I looked at him through the rare view mirror.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Alpha. I was so done with them. They kepting back. I hope they won¡¯t do it again, or I will rip their hearts out in their sleep.¡±


    ¡°Well, I learned something today,¡± Nirvana said, looking behind her back. Apparently, Travis is gay, and that poor guy, though. I feel bad for him.¡±


    ¡°Wait. Travis is gay?¡± McKaye chuckled. ¡°I thought he¡¯s straight. I mean, his father is so proud of his son and will be next in line to his throne. Cadogan probably is not aware, or he will disown his own son. He¡¯s kinda homophobic, misogynistic fucker.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. They were making out. How are you feeling, Alpha?¡± Nirvana squeezed my knee.


    ¡°I¡¯m good.¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no but.¡±


    ¡°Come on. Tell me.¡±


    ¡°If you didn¡¯t stop me,e up with my n. It could end up pretty bloody. I would have killed them all, and someone from these guys could have gotten hurt. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°It may not be the result you wanted, and we can¡¯t guarantee they won¡¯t retaliate, but you guys did a good job tonight.¡±


    ¡°We did good, Luna. Your n worked,¡± Kaleb said.


    ¡°Dn, howe you did not practice magic?¡± she asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s my personal choice. I enjoy reading and finding artifacts rather than casting spells.¡±


    ¡°If I choose between a werewolf and a witch, I think I like being human. Sometimes, being vulnerable makes life worth living.¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± North reacted. ¡°But it feels good to be stronger, faster, and healed faster than human, too.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, and maybe I just want to be normal, but right now, I¡¯m far from normal.¡±


    ¡°You have a higher calling, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to think about it right now. I just want to go home, throw myself in bed, and snore until morning.¡±


    I chuckled as I took her hand and kissed it. ¡°Poor thing.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, and she has to wake up for her training tomorrow,¡± McKaye said, reminding her that she had to work hard.


    ¡°Agh. I thought I could sleep until noon. I¡¯ll be there, sensei.¡±


    We arrived at the pack house. Luka, Kaleb, Dn, Maddox, and McKaye exited the car.


    ¡°You, twins, wille with us.¡±


    ¡°Alpha, can Ie with you?¡± Zander was already in the backseat before I could decide.


    ¡°Fine.¡±


    ¡°Where did you go, guys?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re scouting for possible infected werewolves,¡± West said.


    ¡°Huh. I could have joined you, guys.¡±


    West patted his back. ¡°Next time, man.¡±


    ***


    Nirvana got naked and went to shower while I was calling Zarah.


    ¡°You know what time it is?¡±


    ¡°I was busy earlier. I had to deal with a thug here intimidating the kids.¡±


    ¡°Why are you calling, Knight?¡±


    ¡°We got vampire blood; you have your blood, I will give mine; what else is needed to make that toxin?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all I need. I will let you know if it¡¯s done but don¡¯t get your hopes up. It may not work. In the meantime, don¡¯t let Nirvana wander around with that dagger. It¡¯s the most important weapon we have against Cyrius, or our ns will fall apart.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll talk to her. Is there a possibility we can cure that infected, that we don¡¯t have to kill them?¡± I put the phone on speaker as I pulled off my shirt.


    ¡°What Ambrose gave to Nirvana to save her is out of this world. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s possible, even maybe science can¡¯t find a cure because it¡¯s a supernatural disease, and I don¡¯t know if it affects humans, then we¡¯re gonna have a bigger problem.¡±


    ¡°How do we start this witch-hunt? Literally.¡± After I removed my shoes and jeans, I went to bed. Nirvana was still in the bathroom.


    ¡°Where there have many infected beings? I have a feeling he will target a crowd of ces.¡±


    ¡°Like markets, schools-¡±


    ¡°No. Like football games, live concerts, and events.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to look at the uing events. I want to ask Alpha King for a favor.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m listening, Knight.¡±


    ¡°Oh. I apologize. I didn¡¯t know-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Tell me what you want from me?¡±


    ¡°Case¡¯s pack has infected werewolf. I told Nirvana I¡¯d take care of her grandfather. I was wondering if-¡±


    ¡°Tell him to go to thepound. Zarah will take him there. He will be safe here in the castle.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fantastic, Alpha King. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°No problem. Now, if things can wait tomorrow, I want to spend time with Zarah.¡±


    ¡°Apology. Timezone sucks. Thanks. Bye.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but smile as I hung up the call andy in bed.


    Nirvana appeared only in a towel. When she met my gaze, she dropped the towel on the floor, ced her hand between her thighs, and touched herself.


    A jolt of electricity rushed through me, hot and powerful. Blood rushed to my dick like a bolt of lightning.


    I licked my dry lips, quickly removed my boxers, and kicked them off down my feet. Then I wrapped my hand around my cock, and stroked myself.


    ¡°Shall we continue what we left off?¡± She came, crawling in bed.


    ¡°I thought you¡¯d never asked.¡± Iid on my back and showed him how hard and eager I was to have her gripping around me.


    ¡°I want you to fuck me, alpha. I want you to make me forget what was out there tonight. I want you to make me scream your name. Do you think you can do that?¡± She pulled the nket away, straddled me, and cupped my head.


    ¡°Do you doubt what I can do to you, Nirvana?¡± My voice deepened. I quickly sunk my fingers into the curve of her hips so I could lift her up and she could sit on my cock. ¡°I can do more than that. I will fuck your sweet cunt hard and make sure you won¡¯t just scream my name but also make you never forget the best fuck of your life.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± She positioned my crown into her entrance. We moaned together as she sunk into me inch by inch, shuddering as she hit the root.


    She felt tight around me, making me dizzy with pleasure. Then I ran my hands on her back, down her ass. Her skin was so soft, smooth, and warm.


    ¡°Are you ready?¡±


    Her eyes darkened. Her smile faded, but lust, desires, and anticipation made her pant. She hadn¡¯t given me an answer, and I had already lifted her ass and pistoned my hips.


    ¡°Don¡¯t answer that.¡± I thrust into her faster as I fucked her harder. I barely started, but Nirvana was already screaming my name.

 78

    NIRVANA


    He fucked me hard. I could still feel him inside me and how every muscle in my body tensed.


    Knight was true to his words. He didn¡¯t give me time to breathe until he was thoroughly done with me.


    He flipped me over, fucked on four, ate me like he was starving until I came in his mouth, but he wasn¡¯t done. He bent me over, then I was on my knees as he fucked my mouth.


    I¡¯d never felt so full and exhausted, yet I was wearing a satisfied smile on my lips.


    Then I woke in the morning with the bright sunlight streaming through the open curtain.


    Stretching my body like a cat, I felt all tensed muscles were still there, reminding me of what we had done before we fell asleep. Then, I burrowed my face on his chest with a happy sigh.


    After he fed me breakfast in bed, he let me do my thing in the bathroom while he worked in his home office.


    ¡°I talked to Zarah and Sebastienst night. He said your grandfather could stay at the castle while this problem with the ck virus is unsolved. And Zarah is still working on the potion.¡± When he came back, I was already wearing a T-shirt and jeans.


    I put on my work boots. ¡°Thanks. So, what¡¯s our agenda for today? I still have to train with McKaye.¡±


    ¡°I will send you there and pick you upter. I have to go to the office downtown.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to send me. I¡¯ll ride with the boys.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, I will send you there, okay? And Zarah said you shouldn¡¯t carry the dagger around.¡±


    I furrowed my brow. ¡°Then where am I going to keep it? I think it¡¯s best if it¡¯s with me. At least I know it¡¯s safe.¡±


    He sighed. ¡°Don¡¯t put it anywhere. Keep it with you all the time.¡±


    ¡°No one can take it except that asshole, but okay.¡± But that was a theory. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him on the lips. ¡°Don¡¯t go to work alone. Take the guys with you.¡±


    His phone rang. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Luka wille with me.¡±


    ¡°I guess I¡¯m fired at the testing room since I haven¡¯t reported since day one.¡±


    He smiled and pressed his lips against mine. ¡°I will hire you once this is over.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll discuss itter, but you have to answer your phone.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Kaleb,¡± he said as he answered the call.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°I sent you a link. Check it out.¡±


    He clicked the link and brought it to the local news website.


    ¡°ording to the Sheriff who first arrived at the scene, the house was attacked by animals, damaging thousands of dors worth of properties. The owner, Travis Cadogan, seemed unable to give a statement as he was brought to the nearest local hospital for observation. The Sheriff said the man had been traumatized and had developed some signs of mental illness behavior. Some heavy firearms and drugs and paraphernalia were found in the scene, and those men with him were arrested for illegal positions,¡± the female broadcaster reported.


    ¡°Huh. I didn¡¯t see thating,¡± he said as if surprised.


    ¡°Yeah, right. Who would have thought? I wonder what kind of animals entered his house. He must be so terrified that I feel bad for him.¡±


    Knight grinned. ¡°I should send a fruit basket to the animals.¡±


    Once I began my training, Knight left for work. McKaye shifted to his unapologetic Sensei mode. Today, he would train me in basic hand-to-handbat.


    Twenty minutes passed, and I never got to hit him. Either my buttnded on the mat, or he tackled me and twisted my arm.


    ¡°I think this is useless. I can¡¯t beat you.¡± I huffed a breath, wiping off my sweat.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°It¡¯s not about beating me. You can¡¯t beat me because I¡¯ve never stopped training since I hit puberty. It¡¯s about muscle memory when you are already fighting and protecting yourself. You have to anticipate your opponent¡¯s move, weakness, and when he was distracted, but you never observed my movements for thest twenty minutes until you exhausted yourself. I basically have only three moves: punch, block, shift.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s actually five. You twisted my arm and locked my feet,nding my ass on the floor.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not all about the moves you learned. You can be fast or stronger, but what you need are tactics and strategies.¡±


    ¡°Tell me, how can I defeat Cyrius?¡± I rolled my eyes. ¡°He just moved a finger, and I was thrown away, and he stung me with his venom.


    ¡°Your heart will win against Cyrius, Vana. You have a heart, and he doesn¡¯t. Remember that. Now, let¡¯s start over.¡±


    ***


    I found myself sitting on the bench alone. I was exhausted from the training but didn¡¯t think I had learned anything.


    Don¡¯t get me wrong, McKaye was a good teacher. It was just me who was too eager to be an expert when fighters and martial experts had years and years of training and still never stopped.


    ¡°Hey.¡± I felt a kiss on my shoulder, startling me. ¡°What are you doing here alone?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I can do it, Knight.¡± I looked at him, and he almost caught me off guard. He was hot and handsome in his dark blue suit with sunsses on. He smiled as he saw my reaction. He knew how good-looking he was, and it was distracting.


    I lifted his sunsses and set them above his head because I also wanted to see his eyes. ¡°How can you be so perfect, Knight?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re gorgeous, and damn, your eyes are so beautiful and expressive. Then you¡¯re fucking rich, sessful in business, you¡¯re the boss and also an alpha, and people follow you everywhere. Then there¡¯s me. I don¡¯t have a job, savings, or home, and I have only one task, yet I¡¯m failing it.¡±


    ¡°Hey.¡± He rounded to sit beside me. Then he put his arm around me and kissed the top of my head. ¡°This is not the time to feel insecure and bad about what you¡¯re not good at. You¡¯re under a lot of pressure. You didn¡¯t even know this world existed a month ago, yet you are here, and so far, you¡¯re doing great handling all the changes in your life. You only have one task, but it¡¯s bigger than me being a boss, an alpha, and a rich businessman.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the thing. The pressure is on because if I fail this, I failed everyone, and I could never forgive myself, Knight.¡±


    ¡°Get up.¡± He got up, too, offering his hand.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a surprise.¡±


    We arrived at the testing room ten minutester, but what surprised me was everyone was around, even Shadow and Zarah.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°Have fun. You deserve this.¡±


    Kailin came and took me away from Knight. Then, the lights were turned off and reced withser disco lights. The music started, sting the entire room. Guys and gals began dancing to the center.


    ¡°Drink,¡± Kailin literally ordered me as she took the martini from Phin, who served as a bartender for tonight.


    ¡°Who¡¯s idea is this?¡±


    ¡°Your man,¡± she said, kissing my cheek. ¡°He feels bad for you. You worked so hard for days, and you barely slept at night. He wants you to have fun before the world ends.¡±


    ¡°Not funny.¡± I grabbed the martini and sipped it.


    ¡°So tonight, we¡¯re not gonna talk about the world outside,¡± Shadow said, clinking her ss to mine.


    ¡°So what are we gonna talk about then?¡±


    ¡°We should have fun.¡± She looked at Zarah. ¡°Maybe you can put a little potion to our drinks?


    ¡°Why? The alcohol content is not enough?¡±


    Iughed, emptied my drinks, and ordered another. I slid off the stool and joined the guys dancing on the dance floor.


    ¡°Kailin, Shadow, Zarah, what are you waiting for?¡± I raised my hands in the air and danced. My heart started pumping hard. For a moment, I forgot why I was in this situation and what would be in the future.


    I let myself lose in the music. Kailin joined me, just like in old times in college parties with horny college boys. I still wondered why I did not lose my virginity to one of them.


    As if she read my mind, she said, ¡°I missed this.¡±


    ¡°Me too, K.¡± My gazended on Knight with Kaleb and Dn in what seemed like a serious conversation, but it was hard to concentrate with the loud music and the voices around me. ¡°What do you think are they talking about?¡±

 79

    KNIGHT


    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea. You two need a little time for yourselves before things get crazy.¡± I was grateful Kailin hade to the office earlier, but that was not why I took her with me.


    ¡°You think so?¡± I picked the first ring that caught my eye. It was a three-carat diamond brilliant-cut engagement ring.


    ¡°Nah. That¡¯s too ssic. She¡¯s a gorgeous woman. Try this one.¡± She pointed at the pear-shaped cut with the stone, one carat bigger. ¡°You can afford any size you want. Vana has slender fingers. This is perfect for her. Do you know her ring size?¡±


    I picked the ring up at eye level. I didn¡¯t measure Nirvana¡¯s finger, but I knew this would fit perfectly. ¡°Not exactly, but this is perfect.¡±


    Kailin smiled. ¡°You know, I¡¯m proud of you, cuz. Weeks ago, you rejected her because you thought she was better off without you, and now you¡¯re madly in love with her. You¡¯re picking a ring. Did you tell her how much you love her?¡±


    I frowned. ¡°She knows how I feel.¡±


    ¡°Wait.¡± She held my arm, eyes widening. ¡°You didn¡¯t tell her the three-letter word?¡±


    The saledy smiled. ¡°Some girls didn¡¯t have to hear the three-letter word from their men. They said it¡¯s overrated. They prefer honesty and actions, nning a future together, and discussing starting a family. Something like that.¡±


    She raised a brow at the saledy.¡±We¡¯re not asking for unsolicited advice,dy. Did my cousin talk to her girlfriend about their future and having some mini-Nirvana and mini-Knight?¡±


    ¡°Ignore her.¡± I picked the perfect ring for Nirvana. ¡°I¡¯ll take this one. Same size.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m happy for you. Nirvana will say yes. Trust me. I can see how much she loves you without saying a word.¡±


    I breathed deeply. ¡°I hope so because she hasn¡¯t said she loves me either.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Her brows were drawn together. ¡°What¡¯s the matter with both of you? You are crazy with one another, yet no, I love you. You¡¯re the weirdest but perfect couple I¡¯ve ever met.¡±


    When thedy came back, I gave her my card.


    ¡°No going back, alpha.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I will marry her, even tonight.¡±


    ¡°Why rush?¡±


    ¡°Days ago, she kinda told me that she believed in marriage. It was sudden, and it caught me off guard.¡±


    ¡°I understand. For us, our mates are already our lifetime partners. What did you tell her?¡±


    ¡°I told her the truth that I hadn¡¯t thought about marriage. Her mood just soured, and she just blocked me, but I knew I hurt her, and she didn¡¯t want me to read her mind. At that moment, I realized she wanted to get married and have a family. I would never deny her if that would make her happy. Truth be told, I want to make our rtionship official for both worlds to know.¡±


    ¡°With what¡¯s going on in our world, you need something to hold on to, the reason why we are doing what we are doing. You made the right decision, Knight. I¡¯m so happy for you and my best friend.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. That means a lot.¡±


    ¡°Of course. I can¡¯t wait for her to wear your ring. Do you have any idea how to propose?¡±


    ¡°I was thinking-¡±


    ¡°No grand gesture. Just show her how you feel?¡±


    ¡°Right. Later tonight, I told Roisin and Tucker to arrange a small party in the testing room. I was thinking of taking her to Paris.¡±


    ¡°Did you tell Zarah?¡±


    ¡°Tonight. I already invited her with Shadow so that Nirvana won¡¯t suspect.¡±


    ¡°Huh.¡± I could see the pride in her eyes. ¡°Look at you, Knight ckwell.¡±


    ¡°Shut up. I¡¯m calling Case and asking for his blessings.¡±


    ***


    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s a good idea?¡±


    I groaned at Dn. ¡°I don¡¯t want her to suspect anything.¡±


    ¡°Suspect about what?¡±


    My back stiffened. Dn and McKaye just looked away while Luka slid off the stool, saving his own ass.


    ¡°Did I catch you in a bad time?¡±


    Fuck.


    I turned around to face her. She had a frown on her forehead. ¡°How many martinis did you drink?¡±


    ¡°Really, Knight? What¡¯s so important that you can¡¯t tell me about your secret with the guys?¡±


    I held her hand, squeezing it. ¡°Nirvana, I want you to have fun. That¡¯s all. And this is for you. I¡¯ve been a terrible mate for youtely. We were too busy trying to save this world, and I realized I neglected our personal lives. Just don¡¯t get too drunk, okay?¡±


    I instantly felt her emotions- she was upset.


    ¡°Fine. Have fun, too, Alpha. I need some air.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t go far.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be just outside.¡± She left. The pain settled in my chest. Now, she would not ept my ring. I just fucked up my n.


    ¡°So when are you gonna pop up the question?¡± Kailin came over.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°I just fucked it up, K. She heard our conversation, and I didn¡¯t know how to lie to her. And these assholes are useless and didn¡¯t even back me up.¡± I grunted as I rose from the stool, grabbed my drink, and downed it empty.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°To find my woman.¡± I followed where she left the exit, outside the testing room, but she wasn¡¯t there. ¡°Nirvana?¡±


    I looked around, but I saw nothing and felt nothing but cold night air. I sniffed her scent and caught a trace of her, but that was it. My stomach just sank. Agitated, my wolf growled, twitching inside me. I suddenly had a bad feeling about this.


    I dialed her number, but it rang, and I heard her ringtone somewhere nearby. I followed the music a few feet away from the testing room. I picked it up, and she had a missed call from her grandfather. And I also caught different werewolf scents.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± The phone almost cracked in my palm. I linked everyone in the room. ¡°Party is over. Nirvana is missing.¡±


    Secondster, everyone came.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Kaleb asked.


    I showed them the phone. ¡°She wouldn¡¯t just leave this behind.¡±


    Dn sniffed the air and threw the bottle of bourbon in his hand. ¡°They¡¯re dead! So fucking dead!¡±


    I went to him and grabbed him on his shirt. Staring at him right through his eyes, I felt my wolf wasing out. My body shook in anger. I felt my skin tingling, fur attempting to sprout.


    When his eyes widened, I saw my reflection in there, my eyes glowing. ¡°You¡¯re dead too if you won¡¯t tell me in five seconds where my mate is.¡±


    He swallowed hard, his chin trembling. ¡°My fucking friends, I thought they were my friends.¡±


    With my chest heaving in anger, I hung him up and growled at him. ¡°Why did they betray me?¡±


    ¡°They betrayed me, too.¡± Tears rolled down his cheeks. I vouched for them and begged you to give them a roof. I can¡¯t think of anything. Forgive me, Alpha Knight.¡±


    ¡°Knight, put him down.¡± Zarah came. She looked devastated as well. ¡°He¡¯s telling the truth. He doesn¡¯t know anything about this.¡±


    ¡°Maybe he just knows how to lie undetected.¡±


    ¡°I sense something else. Put him down, and I need your anger and rage somewhere else. If there¡¯s someone who can help us to find your mate, it¡¯s him.¡±


    I dropped him on the ground like a sack. ¡°What did you sense, Zarah?¡±


    ¡°They probably drugged her or let her smell a potion. There¡¯s another witch in y. And here I thought she¡¯s dead.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Shadow asked. ¡°What another witch?¡±


    When Zarah didn¡¯t even hide her disappointment and worry, it felt like someone just pulled the ground under my feet.


    ¡°It¡¯s Dayana. She¡¯s the same witch that helped you lose your power and wolf.¡±


    ¡°Wait. She¡¯s alive?¡± Shadow¡¯s voice thundered. ¡°I thought she¡¯s dead. I thought Margaret handled that bitch!¡±


    ¡°I thought the same, but Margaret hid this from me, and now she¡¯s gonna pay for it, and I¡¯m going to kill that witch for good.¡±


    ¡°Where can I find this witch, Zarah?¡±


    ¡°Let me take care of her, but where did your friends n to take Nirvana, Dn?¡±


    When Dn couldn¡¯t answer immediately, I grabbed his arm. ¡°Think! Or I swear to Goddess, I will use you as bait for those infected werewolves!¡±


    ¡°I have no idea.¡± Frightened, tears filled his eyes again. ¡°They¡¯ve been here for days.¡±


    ¡°Do they know about the dagger and Nirvana?¡± McKaye asked.


    ¡°No, but I told them about the sword.¡±


    ¡°Moron.¡± As fury settled in my gut, I snarled, baring my teeth. ¡°You just sent Nirvana to her death!¡±


    ¡°Is she wearing her ne?¡±


    My eyes lit up, my chest filling with hope as I turned to Zarah. ¡°Yes.¡±

 80

    NIRVANA


    I didn¡¯t know why I felt emotional these days. I quickly got upset over something.


    I shouldn¡¯t have eavesdropped their conversation. Boys were boys, and they had the right to their own privacy.


    Yet, here I was- upset. I just had this feeling that they were talking about me or this ck gue pandemic, and being the sacrificialmb did a number on my head. I became paranoid.


    I walked out of the party that Knight threw for me. I was having fun earlier, and now I had ruined one thing I should value the most-his trust.


    I drew a deep breath as I sat on the ground. The night was supposed to be perfect- beautiful moonlight, nice weather, fresh air, and I had the people I cared about.


    I sent a text to my grandfather.


    VANA: I missed you, Grandpa. I wish you were here with me. Call me soon. I love you.


    I was so caught up with my moping that I didn¡¯t notice I wasn¡¯t alone anymore. The first person I saw was Phin.


    ¡°Hey. I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t evene to check up on you guys. How have you been? Are the guys treating you well?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. We¡¯re good. Thanks.¡± Something was off about his reply, and his heartbeat suddenly went haywire.


    ¡°Are you okay? You look-¡± I looked at my ne when it suddenly lit crimson.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Vana.¡±


    ¡°For what?¡± It happened so fast.


    I didn¡¯t realize he didn¡¯te alone. Someone just held me tight, arms wrapped around me, and put a damp cloth on my nose. The smell was horrible, and it stung my nostrils. My senses quickly weakened, my body sagged, and thest thing I saw was Phin putting a sack over my head.


    Panicking, I jolted awake with a hammering headache and a constant bumping of my body against something hard. And I felt dizzy, pressure rising in my head.


    I felt like I was tied upside down and hung up in a tree, ready for them to be hit by a bat and turned into a pinata.


    Then I realized I was being carried upside down, something in my mouth, and tied my hand behind my back.


    ¡°He-!¡± They gagged me. These sons of bitches gagged me.


    Horrified, I started to hyperventte.


    My chest heaved. My heartbeat raced. Tears formed at the corner of my eyes as my greatest fear came to life, shaking me to the core.


    Some lunatics were kidnapping me, and I had a fair of ideas about where I was heading.


    I tried to scream and curse the hell out of Dn¡¯s friend, but no voice came out of my mouth, so I struggled to breathe. I opened my eyes, but I saw nothing but darkness.


    How long had I been carried this way? My head hurt so bad. I felt like I wanted to throw up.


    ¡°You carry her.¡± I thought it was Phin.


    I groaned in pain as I found myself on the ground. He just dropped me. I shook to cry, not from pain but from how I trusted these assholes.


    Was Dn part of this? If he was, I swore to God, I would be the one to kill him.


    ¡°She¡¯s awake,¡± another guy said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care, Kol. She needs her alive, but she didn¡¯t say unscathed,¡± Phin replied irritably.


    Who¡¯s she?


    ¡°I suggest we move, or her mate wille and find us.¡± That was probably Niko.


    I still waited for Dn to talk but didn¡¯t hear his voice. Somehow, I felt relieved.


    ¡°That alpha moron thinks he was helping us. He¡¯s pathetic and has no clue what we want from him. And you should have taken care of Dn. He could be a liability.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s our friend, Phin,¡± said Kol. ¡°He helped us get a room at the vineyards.¡±


    ¡°Wake up, Kol. Our world is changing. The faster it gets to your thick skull, the better. At this time, business and connections are the only way for us to survive.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s right, Kol,¡± Phin agreed with Niko. ¡°Alpha Knight is rich, but he doesn¡¯t think like us. He doesn¡¯t see the bigger picture.¡±


    I wiggled to catch their attention, hoping we could talk this out and make a deal. Instead, someone just whipped me. I felt the boot on my side, arching me in pain.


    ¡°Stop it, or you will have the heel of my boots on your face next time.¡± It was Phin.


    I whined in anger and pain. I may heal fast, but it hurts like hell. I sobbed and steeled, not wanting to get more of their beating.


    Niko chided Phin, ¡°Hey. We won¡¯t be getting paid if she¡¯s dead. And the alpha can¡¯t find us if we start moving.¡±


    ¡°Dn could be dead by now. I¡¯m sure the alpha killed him already, thinking he let us escape and kidnap his mate.¡± So Phin was the mastermind of all of this.


    ¡°We should have talked to him. Maybe we could persuade him to join us.¡± Kol seemed not entirely on board, but he could have just informed Dn about their n.


    ¡°You¡¯re insane if you think Dn will betray his cousin. And this bitch will make us rich, so just shut up. We already agreed on this. There¡¯s no backing out, Kol, or you won¡¯t get your share.¡±


    Someone picked me up again and threw me over his shoulder. My tummy was crushed, and I thought the alcohol I drank would spew out of my mouth.


    ¡°Just a few more miles out of his property. We can camp at the valley and call the woman.¡± They all nned this out before Dn came to the vineyards.


    And who was the woman?


    ¡°What does she want from Vana anyway?¡± Kol asked.


    ¡°I told you already. I didn¡¯t ask. She wanted her, we¡¯re getting paid. Now stop asking questions, Kol,¡± Phin grunted.


    I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, no matter how hard it was to focus. One thing I was grateful for was leaving the dagger behind.


    When Knight told me not to carry it around with me, I refused first with the idea that it mighte in handy when Cyrius started attacking us. On the other thoughts, he was right- not until everything was ready since no one else could wield it.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    Minutes or hours, I lost track of time. My body hurt, my head hammered, and the tie around my wrists was too tight, wringing and ying around my bones.


    I breathed deeply, focusing on something that mattered to me, and channeled Asina. She was here, her presence lingering inside me, but she couldn¡¯te out.


    My fear was getting worse and worse. If I needed her the most, she was dormant and useless. Maybe this was one of her limits. She could have protected me, but she didn¡¯t. Something was blocking her path, trapping her froming out.


    The drink.


    Shit.


    Phin made that drink. He must have put something in it.


    I thought of another option. I pictured the testing room. My skill should work now because I sessfully did it during a crisis. I instantly felt the energy surging, waving around me, my skin vibrating, and the power pulsing through me, but I was still here.


    Something was wrong with me, or I hadn¡¯t mastered my gift to its total capacity.


    ¡°We can camp here for a while,¡± Phin suggested.


    ¡°Are you sure we¡¯re far enough?¡±


    ¡°Yes. We¡¯re between mountains. There¡¯s no way he can find us, even with his best scout.¡±


    My hope surged when I felt my ne was still around my neck.

 81

    KNIGHT     ¡°We should hurry up. They haven¡¯t gotten that far if they¡¯re on foot.¡± Kaleb just got back with a rifle over his shoulder.


    ¡°Give me a moment.¡± Zarah closed her eyes as she held on to a bead bracelet. They will be heading north.¡±


    ¡°North? Towards the mountain?¡±


    ¡°Yes. They will probably rest for a while or wait for their contact. I¡¯m sure they¡¯re not working alone.¡±


    ¡°They will be safe from humans. And it¡¯s basically hard to track out there.¡± I found Zander in the crowd. ¡°Go bring us some clothes, and follow us. Take Maddox and the twins with you.¡±


    ¡°What about us?¡± Roisin asked.


    I took my jacket off and gave it to her. ¡°Stay here with the girls, and don¡¯t leave this ce unattended. Contact Uncle Lennox to double the guard in the pack house. The rest wille with me.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯reing with you.¡± Shadow looked up at me.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have toe.¡± I couldn¡¯t risk her even if she were stronger. Considering she was also a princess, the royals woulde after me if something terrible happened to her.


    ¡°There could be more out there waiting for you because they already anticipated this. You need more men, Knight,¡± Shadow said.


    ¡°We¡¯reing with you. This is our decision. She can help, and I have unfinished business with that bitch,¡± said Zarah.


    ¡°Luka, Mac, you shift and follow their scents. Just be careful. There could be traps in the woods. The rest we will go on foot. Use your ears and your senses.¡± I turned to Maddox and the twins. ¡°Stay behind me all the time. And if any of you find them, report to me, but do not engage until you hear my order.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a good tracker and can help them,¡± Dn offered.


    ¡°If I found out you¡¯re just your buddies, I will kill you myself. Go with Luka and Mac.¡±


    We began moving on foot while our trackers shifted to their wolves. Kailin went with Zarah and Shadow. Tucker, Fabian, Gage, and Azrel came with me.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go ahead, Alpha. I¡¯ll link if I find a good spot.¡± Kaleb patted my back. ¡°Be careful out there.¡±


    ¡°Stay put.¡± Tucker kissed Roisin on the lips.


    I had to look away when I felt a pain in my chest. I had failed her again and wondered if I deserved to be her mate.


    We were on foot, but we used our supernatural speed. We made it out of my territory, but I still couldn¡¯t smell her scent nor those bastards who had her. Despite the moonlight just a few days to the full moon, it was dark out there, giving an advantage to our enemy.


    ¡°Keep moving forward northeast, Knight. Her ne stopped moving, but it didn¡¯t mean it fell from her neck. It could also be they¡¯re resting, or their contact just arrived.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going fast. Be careful.¡± I made my way northeast, leaving Zarah and her group. They could take care of themselves. I connected to the guys behind me. ¡°Shift and spread out. Report if you find something.¡±


    The bone-cracking echoed in the forest. Momentster, paws thudded on the ground, and they spread and headed forward. I was still on foot, agitated and frightened for my mate that they would hurt her, or worse, I would never get the chance to see her again.


    But I couldn¡¯t be pessimistic.


    ¡°We will fight for her,¡± my wolf just talked to me.


    As adrenaline rushed through my bloodstream, I could feel himing out, but he had to stay in for a while. Despite my anger and rage boiling inside me, I hung on to something far more important-saving Nirvana. Once she was safe, my wolf could do whatever he wanted for those who had endangered our mate.


    I felt my foot barely stepping on the ground, and I jumped over the logs and rocks as I followed the path between tall trees. I could see the two mountains from where I was. Hope rose in my chest as if it felt like an arm¡¯s length.


    ¡°They are a hundred yards from your location, Alpha. I have eyes on them,¡± Kaleb reported.


    ¡°I heard you. Stay put as we regroup.¡± I let go of a shuddering breath.


    The guys came to me. Later on, Zarah, Shadow, and Kailin arrived.


    ¡°I¡¯m going first with Zarah. I will give you a signal when we need backup.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Knight.¡±


    Zarah and I walked towards Nirvana¡¯s location. I could feel my anger brewing, my muscles tensing.


    ¡°We¡¯re getting her back. You can do whatever you want as soon as we have her safe. I¡¯m not stopping you. Right now, her safety is our priority.¡±


    ¡°Why did she not fight back?¡±


    ¡°They caught her off guard. She trusted them because they were Dn¡¯s friends. But that¡¯s not what you¡¯re asking. Am I right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Whatever is given to Nirvana or used to drug her has a spell on it to suppress her power. And maybe she was still knocked out and couldn¡¯t teleport. We will know sooner.¡±


    ¡°Alpha, I think they put Luna in the sack,¡± Kaleb said.


    ¡°Motherfuckers,¡± I grumbled. My wolf became more restless. The muscles on my shoulders tightened with restrained fury.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°They put Nirvana inside the sack.¡± I gritted my teeth in anger. I couldn¡¯t imagine how terrified she was. ¡°They will pay for this.¡±


    ¡°Calm down before you spook them.¡± Zarah gripped my shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯m truly grateful you¡¯re here. Otherwise, I¡¯d followed my anger and put my people in danger, including my mate.¡± I breathed deeply and tried to control my wolf as we headed to the valley. Then I caught the scent of my mate.


    ¡°Can you smell her?¡±


    ¡°Yes. She¡¯s terrified.¡±


    As soon as we got closer, we walked in discreetly. Phin and hisckeys hid behind the tallest rocks.


    ¡°Where is she? She should be here by now.¡± That was Phin- that motherfucker.


    ¡°Just sit down. You¡¯re giving me a headache. You worried too much,¡± Niko replied.


    ¡°Maybe we can take her out of the sack. She¡¯s probably tired. She might need some water,¡± Kol said. I had a feeling he was just forced to go with them.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care. We¡¯re getting paid soon anyway.¡± Phin looked down at the sack on the ground.


    My heart ached. I blinked off as I shared a look with Zarah. When she gave me a go, I showed myself.


    The first one to notice me was Niko. He went pale, and I instantly smelled his fear.


    ¡°Don¡¯te close, or I will kill her.¡± He grabbed the sword and pointed down at Nirvana inside the sack. I didn¡¯t realize he was armed.


    He just threatened my mate.


    Then you¡¯re dead.


    A low growl erupted from my chest as I watched how they treated my mate. I wouldn¡¯t let this one go. I was done ying kind and sympathetic alpha. It was time for me to be aggressive and ruthless.


    She must have sensed the rescue wasing and caught my scents. She wiggled inside the sack and groaned. They gagged her, too. Part of me was relieved that she was still alive.


    I sucked in an unsteady breath as frustration tore me. ¡°Let my mate go, Phin. I will pay twice the amount you will get.¡±


    I gave them a roof to stay. I took them in as someone desperate for shelter, but they chose the easy money.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your money!¡± he blurted out.


    ¡°I thought we were doing this to get paid.¡± Niko looked at Phin.


    ¡°Shut up.¡± He red at him.


    I sensed their desperation as tension rose in the air. Fury burned through me. ¡°Looks like you guys have disagreements. Let my mate go. I won¡¯t ask you again. You know I didn¡¯te here alone.¡±


    ¡°So do we,¡± Phin said proudly.


    I growled. ¡°Then we¡¯re just gonna do it the hard way.¡±


    Before Niko could stab my mate in the sack, the sword pointed down at her and flew away, shocking him. Then, the sack was dragged in my direction. I reminded myself to thank Zarahter.


    ¡°Kailin, take care of her.¡±


    ¡°Got it, Alpha.¡±


    Phin was right on one thing- they were not alone. Another party just arrived.


    ¡°Now!¡± I gave my people, patiently waiting for my signal, a go.


    My heart pumped hard. My skin burned. My bones began cracking, and I lunged into Phin.


    As I shifted into my wolf, my clothes shed a thousand pieces in the air. Inded right before him, and he shifted into a brown wolf.


    His wolf was not as big as mine. In fact, I saw the fear in his eyes. But it was toote for forgiveness or mercy.


    I didn¡¯t take betrayal lightly. It was in our nature. We could be loyal, but we were also fucking feral.


    My throat tightened at the overprotectiveness that surged inside me. They hurt my mate and treated her as some animal sold in the ck market when I couldn¡¯t even think of mistreating her, hurting her. They knew the punishment for that.Death.


    I was eyeing his jugr. I could see how vulnerable he was right now- I saw regrets in his eyes.


    A feral growl erupted from me as I snarled, bared my fangs, and jumped onto him.


    Pinning him against the ground, and no matter how hard he tried to get off of me and w me, I already sunk my teeth into his neck and tore off the flesh from his skin. Blood sprung out like a fountain from his veins.


    Phin whined in pain, and I tasted a metallic tangy in my mouth as I spat his flesh out. I watched him bleed with satisfaction until his life left his eyes.


    I turned to my side. Niko was dead, while Kol didn¡¯t even manage to shift.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Dn shifted back, standing before his friend with blood dripping from his mouth. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Alpha Knight. I thought I knew them.¡±


    ¡°Alpha!¡± Kailin called me urgently.


    I shifted and ran in her direction. She had Nirvana in her arms.


    ¡°Two runners were dead,¡± McKaye said. ¡°They were at least eight, but I don¡¯t think we have their alpha.¡±


    ¡°No, you don¡¯t.¡± Out of nowhere, a woman just sauntered and appeared before us.

 82

    KNIGHT


    ¡°Look how it is easy to corrupt a dog,¡± said the white woman older than Zarah.


    ¡°And here I thought you were dead, Dayana.¡± Zarah tsked, shaking her head. You¡¯re still desperate for attention.¡±


    ¡°So she¡¯s back.¡± Dayana eyed Shadow. ¡°I wonder how she did that. I don¡¯t think you have that in you to get what she lost, Zarah.¡±


    ¡°Yes, wicked bitch. I¡¯m back, better, and stronger.¡± Shadow snarled, eyes glowing silver.


    ¡°You can¡¯t defeat me, young Lycan,¡± Dayana said proudly, her eyes glittering. ¡°I¡¯m stronger than you and your motherbined. Losing your wolf and your gift proves I¡¯m more powerful than Margaret and Zarah.¡±


    My fists clenched. ¡°Well, you¡¯re outnumbered. Unless you have extra wolves with you, you can try.¡±


    Dayana raised her hand, making the ground just quaked. A tree on her left began to shake, leaves flying, and then she motioned her hand up, and a tree pulled out from the ground. One swift, it flew in our direction.


    I dodged the tree, but it didn¡¯t fall on us. Zarah countered Dayana¡¯s force and hurled the tree away.


    I¡¯d never seen a hybrid lycan shift. Hearing my guys gasp, I turned to Shadow, now in her hybrid form. It was something I didn¡¯t see every day. She was terrifying, but at the same time, I was proud to call her my friend.


    She ran faster in Dayana¡¯s direction while she was distracted by Zarah. I shifted and followed her, too, but Shadow had already thrown her away before she coulde close to Dayana. They were all forces to be reckoned with.


    ¡°Knight, you should take Nirvana away!¡± Zarah caught my attention.


    I ran back, shifting my way to Kailin to protect them. ¡°I can¡¯t leave you here, Zarah.¡±


    ¡°I can handle her, but Nirvana needs to be out of here. She came from her. Now, Knight!¡± With one hand, she created a portal. ¡°Go! I¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°Kailin can take her.¡±


    ¡°Damn it, Knight!¡± she yelled at me, her eyes turned stone-white. ¡°Trust me on this.¡±


    ¡°Alpha, I¡¯ll stay here. Take her to safety.¡± Kailin put Nirvana in my arms and pushed me into the portal.¡±


    The portal took me to the living room but didn¡¯t look familiar. It was modern and smelled like an ocean. A whooshing sound caught my hearing, and then a tree branch entered, hitting the wall before the portal closed behind us.


    I looked around and froze to see three men with guns pointing at me. My heart was still in my throat when Sebastien walked in barefooted.


    ¡°Knight?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I need your help.¡±


    ¡°Put your gun down, guys. He¡¯s a friend.¡± He looked at unconscious Nirvana. ¡°What happened to her?¡±


    ¡°She got kidnapped.¡±


    ¡°Take her to the room at the corner. I¡¯ll be right back.¡± He went downstairs, and the man who pointed a gun at me came with me and helped open the door.


    I stared at what looked like an infirmary withplete medical equipment. I put Nirvana on the bed; she hadn¡¯t moved a muscle, except she was breathing. I wiped the hair away from her face and kissed her forehead.


    ¡°Sweetheart, you¡¯re safe now.¡±


    ¡°How did you get in here? Where¡¯s Zarah.¡± He put a probe on Nirvana¡¯s finger and a cuff on her arm before he turned on the monitor. The machine started working.


    ¡°We rescued Nirvana from her cousin¡¯s friends.¡±


    ¡°Let me guess, you took stray dogs and stabbed you in the back?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, if that¡¯s how you put it.¡± My chest clenched with guilt and regrets. ¡°I was trying to impress my mate, I guess.¡±


    ¡°Where are Zarah and my child, Knight?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re behind me. I wanted to stay, but Kailin pushed me to save Nirvana. Werewolves who kidnapped her are dead, but they are still fighting the witch who masterminded the kidnapping.¡±


    ¡°Witch who?¡±


    ¡°Dayana.¡±


    ¡°The witch who helped Aciano poison my daughter? That fucking witch?¡± His voice boomed, shaking the room. Shadow was scary in her hybrid, but a pissed-off Sebastien? He was frightening.


    ¡°The very same.¡±


    ¡°I will kill her myself.¡± His eyes glowed silver as he red at me.


    ¡°I wanted to help, but Zarah told me to save Nirvana, and she could handle her. They were not alone. My guys were with them.¡±


    ¡°Make sure Zarah will not get hurt, or I will hang you in the neck.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna leave them. Trust me.¡±


    ¡°I believe you. Zarah is selfless like my daughter, but if they said they could handle the witch, they¡¯d be fine. I can feel my daughter, and she¡¯s furious.¡± He looked at the monitor. ¡°She¡¯s stable, but Zarah will figure out what spell the witch put on her.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    The man came back with clothes.


    ¡°Get dressed, Knight.¡± He grabbed the clothes from his man, giving them to me. ¡°You can¡¯t swing your dick around my house.¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°Sorry for showing up in your living room unannounced.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s Alessandro.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Alessandro.¡± I nodded at Alessandro before they left us. After I put the clothes on, I sat back close to Nirvana. I was still worried that Zarah hadn¡¯t arrived yet.


    ¡°Nirvana, can you hear me?¡± I held her hand and closed my eyes to connect to her mind, but she must be so exhausted, or the spell on her prevented us from linking each other.


    I was quick on my feet when I heard themotion. I left the infirmary and went to the living room. ¡°Zarah?¡±


    ¡°Kailin is hurt. There¡¯s a splinter in her thigh. It needs to be removed so I can heal her,¡± Shadow said, helping Kailin inside the infirmary.


    ¡°Everyone is fine.¡± Zarah must have felt my tension. ¡°I told them to lockdown your territory until you¡¯re back.¡±


    ¡°Is anyone hurt aside from Kailin?¡±


    ¡°Luka is pretty bang-up but didn¡¯t want toe with us. He decided to help watch the pack.¡±


    ¡°My love.¡± Sebastien hugged and kissed Zarah.


    I looked away and went back to the infirmary. ¡°K, are you okay?¡±


    She hisses as Shadow helps her to the other bed and lifts her leg. ¡°Bitch! Can¡¯t you even warn me first?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a badass. Stop whining.¡± Shadow made fun of Kailin as she poured saline on the wound. ¡°This is not even alcohol.¡±


    ¡°Just take it out and heal me.¡±


    ¡°Gee, you¡¯re demanding andmanding. I can¡¯t wait until you find your mate and submit to his order.¡±


    ¡°It hurts, princess. Now, please?¡± Her sarcasm made Shadowugh.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°Father, can you help this woman?¡±


    ¡°What happened to her thigh?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s a wood splinter in her thigh. She can¡¯t heal properly.¡±


    ¡°We have to cut it open,¡± Sebastien said. I saw how they were so rted. Both had dark humor.


    ¡°What?¡± Kailin¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°You¡¯re not serious.¡±


    ¡°For the love of Goddess. I need to check on Nirvana.¡± Zarah pressed her fingertips on Kailin¡¯s wound and lifted the splinter. It was big, the size of a chopstick. She gave it to Kailin. ¡°A souvenir.¡±


    ¡°Shit. That¡¯s why you won¡¯t heal.¡± Shadow looked surprised, too. ¡°Let me heal you.¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m fine. Just heal Vana.¡±


    ¡°I can do that, too, as long as it¡¯s not witch-rted.¡± She pressed her palm on my cousin¡¯s wound, and I saw it light up. When she took off her hand, the wound began closing.


    ¡°Wow. Impressive, princess. I barely feel the pain.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee. Now rest.¡±


    When Zarah came to touch Nirvana¡¯s head, ¡°I¡¯m d Dayana is dead.¡±


    ¡°Is Nirvana gonna wake up soon?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. The spell on Nirvana is wearing off, which prevents her from using her power. I have a feeling she couldn¡¯t teleport when she¡¯s tied.¡±


    ¡°But she moved while she was inside the bag.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Her power is trying to recuperate her body right now. That¡¯s why she¡¯s sleeping. Let her rest.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m grateful. All of you. I wouldn¡¯t be able to take her back if-¡±


    ¡°Shut up.¡± Shadow rolled her eyes as she headed towards the door. ¡°Your n sucked. Maybe you can do it here. Check the view. It¡¯s romantic.¡±


    ¡°What n?¡± I pretended I didn¡¯t know what she was talking about.


    Shadow just had an evil grin on her lips. ¡°Do you want me to tell the sleeping beauty instead? I¡¯m good at ruining surprises?¡±


    ¡°I take it I¡¯m the sleeping beauty.¡±

 83

    NIRVANA


    I knew Knight would find me. I never lost that hope. The moment I heard his voice, relief filled my chest. I was grateful he was on time, or I might not be able to see him again. Before everything went ck, I felt safe.


    I woke up in a hospital room, but not entirely by the sound of that monitor. It was good enough for me because I felt hisrge hand, the warmth in his touch, and his voice, so he was indeed there for me.


    ¡°Do you want me to tell the sleeping beauty instead? I¡¯m good at ruining surprises?¡±


    I thought it was Shadow teasing.


    ¡°I take it I¡¯m the sleeping beauty,¡± I said before I cracked my eyes open.


    I met the most beautiful face I¡¯d ever seen, and those green eyes filled with worry and relief.


    ¡°Hey.¡± He pressed the palm of my hand on his lips. ¡°How are you feeling?¡±


    ¡°I felt like a sack of potato passed on to another vendor.¡±


    He beamed and kissed my hand again. ¡°I was so worried.¡±


    ¡°Before I passed out, someone was there, and they kept saying she. Who¡¯s she?¡±


    Zarah and Shadow shared a look.


    ¡°The witch who helped Aciano poison me and took away my gift and wolf.¡±


    ¡°Wait. Where are those assholes?¡± I asked Knight.


    ¡°We took care of them?¡±


    ¡°You killed them?¡±


    It took him a while before he nodded. ¡°We did.¡±


    ¡°Good. Those assholes-¡±


    ¡°Language, my dear.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Your Majesty, I didn¡¯t realize you were here.¡± I looked around. ¡°Wait. Where are we?¡±


    ¡°In my house in Southampton,¡± Shadow replied. ¡°Well, technically, Father owned the house.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re in Southampton. Wow.¡±


    ¡°How are you feeling? Do you feel any side effects?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± I looked at my arms and wrists. ¡°Why couldn¡¯t I teleport while I was a potato?¡±


    Kailin smiled. ¡°Why do you keep saying you¡¯re a potato?¡±


    ¡°Do you prefer a pinata? Those- those a-holes, they carried me, head down, leg up, and then dropped me and kicked me.¡±


    Knight quickly growled, his nose ring as he watched me intently. ¡°They kicked you?¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Phin. If they¡¯re dead, then you can stop the growling. Niko and Phin nned all that. Kol was just forced to join them. Dn didn¡¯t have any clue. Where is he? Is everyone okay?¡±


    ¡°Jeez, Vana. You did not even ask how am I. I¡¯m the one who turned you from a potato back to a human.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± I gripped her hand, and I realized that her jeans had blood on her right thigh. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°The wicked witch happened, but Shadow healed me.¡± She showed a stick or a splinter. ¡°I¡¯m keeping this as a souvenir.¡±


    ¡°Is anyone else hurt?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re all good. High alert.¡±


    I suddenly felt guilty as I looked at everyone. ¡°Kailin wouldn¡¯t be hurt if I wasn¡¯t moody and stubborn. I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    ¡°It was not your fault. If there¡¯s someone to me, it¡¯s me. I let them into our pack. I gave them a roof over their heads because I want you to feel that your rtives and friends are wee to the pack.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t me yourself, Knight. You didn¡¯t know they would betray your trust,¡± Zarah said.


    ¡°Stop adopting stray dogs from now on. Focus on protecting your pack. And you can¡¯t be lenient all the time. Be a tough alpha. You¡¯re lucky you get her back. The next time it happens, your luck might have run out.¡±


    ¡°Gee, father,¡± Shadow reacted. ¡°I should me your ex-lover, too. I thought she killed that bitch.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± I blinked out my surprise.


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna have a word with Margaret.¡± Zarah¡¯s mood changed.


    ¡°Margaret?¡± Kailin and I had the same thought.


    Shadow huffed. ¡°The High Priestess of her coven. When she said she would take care of her, I thought she ripped off her power and cut off her head.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s the dagger?¡±


    ¡°Ah.¡± I fisted my hands, feeling so grateful. ¡°I could kiss and hug you right now, Zarah.¡± I stopped. ¡°How do I know you¡¯re Zarah and not that witch who wanted to kidnap me?¡±


    Shadow and Kailin stepped back, except Sebastien. Knight held my hand tight.


    ¡°Yeah. Witches can mour and steal faces. Let¡¯s put her to the test.¡±


    ¡°This is ridiculous.¡± Zarah rolled her eyes.


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what a copycat would say.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s Zarah.¡± Sebastien gripped her hand for a few seconds.


    ¡°I¡¯m going back to my house if you won¡¯t let my hand go, Sebastien.¡± Zarah pulled her hand, but he wouldn¡¯t let it go.


    ¡°You promised me you wouldn¡¯t go back there.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t, old dog. You just made the annex in your castle my workce.¡± Zarah spat out, annoyed. ¡°Now, if you all are done, I have work to do.¡± Before she walked out, she turned to me. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have left the tasting room because you couldn¡¯t get what you wanted. Now you just ruined your night.¡±


    ¡°I told you, she¡¯s my Zarah,¡± Sebastien proudly said, walking out of the room.


    ¡°I¡¯ll apologizeter.¡± I pressed my lips together as I turned my head to Knight. ¡°You¡¯re mad, aren¡¯t you? Well, you don¡¯t have to wait until we get back home. Just let it out. Curse me, spank me-¡±


    ¡°Oh, Goddess. I¡¯m gonna puke.¡± Kailin got up from bed and walked out. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Shadow.¡±


    Once they were gone, I helped myself to sit, but Knight adjusted the bed so I would feelfortable.


    ¡°I¡¯m not mad. I know there¡¯s a lot of pressure on you, but I would never lie or hide something important to you. I was scared, yeah. I was fucking terrified that I might not see you again. I was helpless. I felt so weak, I couldn¡¯t breathe when I saw your phone on the ground and you were gone. I felt like reliving that moment I lost you. I can¡¯t be in that position again, Nirvana. It felt like ripping my heart out of my chest. I can¡¯t lose you, or I will die.¡±


    I pulled him closer so he could sit on the bed. ¡°Can I get a hug?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to ask me, sweetheart. I intend to hug and kiss you for the rest of my life.¡± He sat beside me, pulled me in his arms, and hugged me tightly and securely. From that moment, I knew I couldn¡¯t live without him.


    While I was in the middle of the woods, captured, all I could think about was regrets-the things I ignored, the moments I let go, and the man I didn¡¯t give so much of my time to.


    Iy in his arms, feeling his breathing and the warm security of his presence. I listened to his heartbeat. It felt like it beat with mine.


    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind, sweetheart?¡±


    ¡°You. Us. The pack. I put them at risk, saving me.¡±


    His chest rumbled as he chuckled. ¡°Do you realize you¡¯re their luna? Of course, they will give their lives to protect you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want that. I want to protect them, too.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure they know that.¡±


    ¡°Are you guys done? Or should I cover my eyes?¡± Kailin peered her head on the door.


    ¡°We¡¯re just talking, K. Come in. I need to talk to Zarah.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here, Nirvana. What is it about?¡±


    ¡°What happened to me out there? Why did it feel like Asina was trapped inside me?¡±


    ¡°You took somethingced with a spell. Knowing Dayana¡¯s reputation for ck magic, you¡¯re lucky Asina still protected you somehow. Can you feel her now?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯m not sure if I can channel her.¡± I removed the probe and cuff attached to me.¡±


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Knight asked quickly.


    ¡°I need to test it.¡±

 84

    KNIGHT


    ¡°You need to work on your emotions, Knight. Just tell her you love her and you wanna marry her.¡±


    I blocked Kailin. I knew she was listening, but that could wait until Nirvana was back on her feet.


    She was literally back on her feet. She just stood before us and breathed deeply.


    ¡°Is Asina still trapped?¡±


    Sheughed softly. ¡°I haven¡¯t done it, Zarah.¡±


    ¡°Take it easy. Are you sure-¡± I hadn¡¯t finished my words; she closed and opened her eyes, and they were glowing.


    ¡°Whoa.¡±


    We all had the same reaction as we stared at her. Her eyes were glowing in a blue hue, and so was her whole body. She was med but not burning.


    ¡°Oh, my God. It¡¯s awesome.¡± Kailin stepped closer to her, but Shadow held her in the arm.


    ¡°I think she can¡¯t burn me, can you, Vana?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± She tried it on the bed, pressing her palm on the mattress. Nothing happened.


    ¡°Only when triggered.¡± Sebastien came back. ¡°Maybe we should test it.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Zarah and I said in unison.


    ¡°Maybe she doesn¡¯t know how to control it.¡±


    ¡°I think I can.¡± She snapped her fingers, and the me was gone. She did it again and again. She blinked, her eyes glowed, then blinked again, and it was gone.


    ¡°Can you fly?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a silly question, K. I can¡¯t fly.¡±


    ¡°Come down.¡± Sebastien gestured his head.


    They left the room while I helped her put on her boots. ¡°Where did you keep the dagger?¡±


    She smiled. ¡°How do I know it¡¯s you?¡±


    I chuckled and shook my head. ¡°Right. Do you know where I first kissed you?¡±


    ¡°In the car?¡±


    ¡°Wrong. You saw me in your dreams.¡±


    ¡°That was a dream, and you were a wolf and scared the hell out of me. You did not kiss me. You licked me.¡±


    ¡°I really wanted to kiss you that day you were with Kailin looking out the balcony, but I chickened out.¡± I tied thest shoce and stood up. Then I cupped her face and pressed a kiss on her lips. ¡°I was a coward and chose to hurt your feelings.¡±


    ¡°You still are?¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± I held her hand and linked our fingers together as we went down.


    ¡°Over here.¡± Alessandro opened the thick iron door for us. Once Nirvana and I entered the empty room, he locked it behind us.


    ¡°Hey. What¡¯s going on?¡± I looked around, and it was just the two of us in thick concrete walls, nothing inside, even a light, but a small window with iron bars.


    ¡°Alessandro, open it.¡± Nirvana banged the door while I searched for a trigger or something, but it was built to withstand a strong force.


    ¡°Shit.¡±


    ¡°You find something? Maybe you can use thoseser eyes of yours.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not Superman, Nirvana. I have night vision. Don¡¯t panic. Okay?¡±


    ¡°Is this some kind of a test?¡± She started yelling.


    ¡°Sweetheart, you¡¯re hurting my ears. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s a two-waymunication device here. Maybe a camera is hidden somewhere. That¡¯s what I would put if I have this kind of containment.¡± I searched for it, but whoever built this was either a genius, or there was really no device in here.


    ¡°We should take a seat. They will open when it¡¯s time.¡± I took a seat at the corner, and she joined me.


    ¡°I hate you all. I¡¯m starving. I just got kidnapped, and now you locked me up. My trauma just hit the roof, bitches.¡±


    I wrapped her in my arms and kissed her head. ¡°You didn¡¯t just call them bitches.¡±


    ¡°I just did, including the big dog. I¡¯m sure he¡¯s listening or watching us. Maybe we should get naked and see if it won¡¯t get awkward.¡±


    ¡°You should let Asina out and knock the door down.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m hungry. I was thinking of double whooper, french fries, and arge size of soda.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re starving, huh?¡±


    ¡°I told you. Thest thing I had was the martini.¡± She lifted her gaze and looked at me. ¡°Thanks for the party. I had fun until those dicks ruined my night. What did you do to Dn?¡±


    ¡°I did not do anything to him. Dn was telling the truth when he said he had no idea. And I like him around. He¡¯s like a walking grimmopedia.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re here. I thought I wouldn¡¯t see you again.¡±


    ¡°Me too, Nirvana.¡± I sniffed when something reached my nostrils. ¡°What the fuck?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that smell?¡±


    ¡°Wolfsbane.¡± I got up and helped her up.


    ¡°What? Isn¡¯t it like your Kryptonite?¡±


    ¡°It can hurt us in small doses, but it could kill our wolf.¡± I just saw the mist from the left corner of the room. ¡°Get it in the corner, Nirvana. It could hurt you, too.¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    My pulse raced. My wolf became restless. What was this test all about? For Nirvana to save me if I lost consciousness?


    ¡°Take this. Cover your mouth and nose.¡± I took off my shirt and gave it to her.


    ¡°No, you do it.¡±


    My eyes narrowed. ¡°Stop defying me, sweetheart. You just had the traumatic night of your life. I can¡¯t risk you getting hurt again.¡± I eyed the corner. ¡°Hey! This is not funny anymore! Open this door. Now!¡±


    The mist began to spread in the front, and I started coughing. My eyes began to sting.


    ¡°Hold on to me. Maybe we could get through the door.¡± Nirvana hugged me tight. In a blink, we were in the same room but hitting the wall. ¡°I can¡¯t believe this. Zarah, I will break your nose. I swear. You can¡¯t kill Knight. Enough of this fucking test!¡±


    My eyes widened as I thought she was about to do something reckless. ¡°Nirvana, don¡¯t!¡±


    She just went to the mist, but it didn¡¯t hurt her. Only silver and magic could hurt her, while I began to sweat, and my wolf started to go wild.


    She looked up. ¡°I wish I could fly. Fuck this.¡±


    ¡°What are you nning to do, Nirvana?¡± I continued coughing and punching the wall, but it was nothing I¡¯d seen before. It was like a panic room that served to stand a nuclear bomb. Maybe it was made of Titanium or something denser.


    ¡°Stay there.¡± She must have been trying to summon Asina, but she didn¡¯t glow. She then hit the door. The impact just threw her back, whining on the floor. ¡°Son of a bitch. This is not a joke or test anymore.¡±


    ¡°I will lift you and try to pull those iron bars,¡± I said,ing to her. The mist had just reached half the room, and my skin started blistering.


    ¡°I will not forgive them. Put your clothes back on.¡± She pulled out her shirt and gave it to me. ¡°Cover your nose, baby. We can get out of here. I promise you.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    ¡°We¡¯re about to die, and you get to smile?¡± She red at me


    ¡°You called me baby at times like this?¡±


    ¡°So?¡± She lifted a brow. ¡°Fuck them.¡± She cupped my face and kissed me hard. ¡°If we die today, I want you to know that I liked you the first time I saw you. Now get back, baby.¡± She blew a breath and eyed at the small window.


    ¡°What are you going to do?¡± But Nirvana was gone.


    My breathing became ragged. My body weakened, and I fell on my knees as I coughed out blood.


    Just secondster, the door unlocked from the outside, and she came running to me and jumped us out.


    Nirvana brought us to the shore. I felt the sand on my palms.


    ¡°What took you both so long?¡±


    ¡°Do you think it was funny?¡± Nirvana growled at Sebastien, sitting on the chair facing the ocean. He even had a drink in his hand and a phone in the other as he watched us suffer inside the room.


    ¡°It was to test you both when you could think straight in a time of desperate needs. That room is built to lock any supernatural beings. No one has ever escaped in that room, even Kain. Zarah put a spell on it. You can¡¯t escape it unless you¡¯re a ghost or a demon. Nirvana didn¡¯t use her power but her teleportation gift. Why?¡± He looked at her. ¡°Did you hesitate even if your mate is suffering and about to die?¡±


    ¡°I knew you were watching us. I can show someone Asina¡¯s true nature, or I won¡¯t. You wouldn¡¯t know. I scanned the blueprint of the room. There were built-in cameras on all corners, probably an audio device, but you only turned on one Wolfsbane gas. That means you didn¡¯t intentionally try to kill us. And there¡¯s one w in your design.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°The entire house.¡±

 85

    KNIGHT


    ¡°Hey. Are you up for a swim?¡±


    Nirvana turned to Shadow. ¡°At this very hour? The water is freezing.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure with the power inside you, you should know by now it can regte not to freeze your ass. I have an extra pair of swimsuits.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll be right there.¡±


    Shadow went back to the house. Sebastien left earlier with Zarah.


    ¡°Go ahead. I¡¯ll be here.¡±


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± She cupped my face and checked the blisters that had already healed. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t wanna rest?¡±


    ¡°Look at the view, sweetheart. This is the rest I want.¡±


    Woods lit up in the fire pit, creating an amber glow dancing against the soft blow of the wind. The night was peaceful. The silver moon hung beautifully above us. The ocean was serene. It was romantic, but something was missing. I wished I had the ring with me right now. There may have been a reason, or the timing was not right.


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll be right back.¡± She kissed me. It was supposed to be quick, but I wanted her to know how much she meant to me. I cupped her face with my hands and kissed her back.


    As she sighed into our mouths, the three-letter word was just at the tip of my tongue, but Kailin called her name.


    ¡°Love birds, you can do thatter.¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Nirvana chuckled.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let the girls wait.¡±


    As she left to change, Alessandro came with a tray of a bottle of Bourbon and a ss. ¡°The High King extends his apology for the test earlier.¡±


    I looked up at him as he ced the tray on the table. ¡°No apology necessary. If there¡¯s one thing that proves to me right, I could never have someone as busy and powerful as him who gives us a ce in his busy life and treats us as friends. I owe him that much, and as simple a test as that won¡¯t budge how much I admire and respect the Alpha King.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s right to trust you, Alpha. You¡¯re a good man. Enjoy the Bourbon.¡±


    I smiled as I grabbed the bottle. ¡°This is worth a fortune. Can I take this home?¡±


    Alessandro barely smiled, but I just saw a small smile curve up his lips. ¡°Let me know if you need anything, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    He left, leaving me alone in this beautiful ce. I poured myself a shot, and the smokiness filled my lungs before I sipped it. It was really good.


    A momentter, I heard footstepsing. When I turned my head to my mate, I just found my jaw on the sand.


    Fuck me.


    I knew she was gorgeous with or without a cloth on her body, and she had fantastic tits and ass, and she was not the skinny type of woman. She just had enough amount of muscles, but not muscly. She wore an open robe, showing off her t abs with perfect curves on her waist. Those long-toned legs that could walk a mile made her look even taller.


    She was just perfect, and she was mine.


    ¡°Done checking me out? Here. Put these on.¡± She gave me a pair of shorts and a shirt. ¡°Califf¡¯s clothes. You have the same size.¡±


    ¡°You look-¡± I couldn¡¯t even find the right word. ¡°Hot.¡±


    I saw a tint of red on her cheeks when she smiled.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°Yellow suits you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah? I look like a banana.¡± That cracked me up.


    ¡°You can wear any color and pull it off, Nirvana.¡± I took off the shirt and pants and put Califf¡¯s clothes on.


    She removed the robe and ced it on the chair beside mine. Then she walked towards the water, tiptoeing as if testing the temperature. Her ass made my fingers itch. I grabbed the ss and sipped my drink instead because I just felt my dick harden the longer I watched her.


    ¡°You should propose. The ce is romantic.¡±


    I blocked Kailin and looked behind me. She and Shadow were watching from the deck. When the water was above Nirvana¡¯s knee, she swam away.


    Months ago, I never thought I would be sitting in this chair watching my mate. I would have imagined sitting before the boards and discussing some business ventures and profits. It may be fulfilling, but what I had with Nirvana was more fulfilling-it gave me a reason to work hard and live, and she made me happier than I ever felt.


    What we had been through together-the pain, struggles, and challenges-only made me want to be with her. I knew our rtionship would be tested, making us stronger and better people. And I would rather be with her than live a luxurious life without my one true love.


    My heart hammered in my chest. It had been minutes since she hade out of the water, or so I thought.


    ¡°Nirvana!¡± I rose from my seat and ran to the water where Ist saw her. ¡°Nirvana?¡±


    I looked around the dark water until I saw the blue light emerge before me that had my mouth hung open. Then she swam my way, and the blue light was gone as she saw me.


    She wiped her hair away from her face. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re gonna kill me with a heart attack.¡±


    ¡°Gee. That¡¯s my line. Now that you¡¯re here. Let¡¯s swim.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good.¡± I tried to calm myself, but she had already snaked her arms around my neck and kissed me.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you like water, big bad wolf?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say I don¡¯t like water. In fact, I like to swim, but watching you sway your ass just gives me a hard-on, and now that you cling to me, I want to fuck you in the water, but we have an audience, and we¡¯re guests. I can¡¯t fuck you in this house.¡±


    ¡°Wow.¡± She kissed me again, pressed her tits against my chest, wrapped her legs around my waist, and thrust her hips against my aching cock.


    When my hands moved to her ass, giving a little squeeze on her ass cheeks, I kissed her back hard, urgently, and filled with desperation. All I could think was to slip my hand between her thighs, pull that tiny piece covering her pussy, slide my finger inside her, and fucked her until she came.


    I pulled my mouth away despite I was so horny my dick was hard as a stone. ¡°I¡¯ll make it up to you. I promise.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± She let her hands go around me and swam back.


    I went back to shore with a raging hard-on. Thankfully, the guys were not on the deck anymore. I served myself a drink again. The ss was halfway to my lips when she snatched it from me.


    She took the liberty to empty it and said with a grimace, ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re barely twenty-one. You shouldn¡¯t be drinking strong alcohol.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t need a father.¡± She sat on myp, getting me wetter.


    ¡°That¡¯s thest thing I want.¡± I snatched her robe and put it over her shoulders. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you use your power while we were in that room.¡±


    ¡°I trust Sebastien, Zarah, and Shadow, but I don¡¯t know his men. They maybe are loyal to him, but not sure to us.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want them to know I could destroy a house.¡±


    ¡°Can you?¡± My eyes went wide.


    ¡°I think I can. A thousand wolves, Knight. That truck on the road, I barely mmed my fist, and it scares me if I have this power of destruction.¡±

 86

    NIRVANA


    When I thought I would see the fear in his eyes, I was wrong. He was even proud of me.


    When he rejected me, I thought it was because I was merely human- a fragile, weak human. Maybe it was, but I didn¡¯t care that much right now.


    After what happened to me and to our lives for these past few weeks, I understood why he didn¡¯t want me to be a part of this strange and dangerous world. He was protecting me.


    Knight wanted to protect me, but I could not escape my fate, which was destined for me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that while you are sitting on myp, Nirvana. It¡¯s dangerous to poke a bear.¡±


    ¡°Is that the other way around? A literal word of poking? To poke a wolf.¡±


    He smiled. It was wicked. I saw the glint in his eyes and felt his bulge poking my butt. ¡°I try to behave like a gentleman here, Nirvana. My wolf is naughty tonight.¡±


    ¡°Tell him I like him being naughty than nice.¡± I traced a finger on his bottom lip.


    He rubbed my arms. ¡°Are you cold?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re distracting me. What¡¯s nice with Asina? Shadow was right; her power is more than destruction. I don¡¯t feel cold anymore.¡±


    ¡°Wanna go up so you could change to somethingfy?¡±


    ¡°Why do I feel like you¡¯re scared of me, Alpha? Are you avoiding me?¡± I grabbed his hand and ced it on my breast.


    Knight didn¡¯t need encouragement. He was by far more experienced than me when it came to seduction and sex. He had more sexual partners than all my fingers and toes. He knew how to make women fall under his spell. He was just holding onto his self-control a little more.


    His jaw ticked enough for his teeth to crack with a little more pressure. ¡°You¡¯re a tease, and you¡¯re fucking hot.¡±


    I saw the truth in your eyes. He swallowed, and his jaw clenched further.


    ¡°I like your honesty, Alpha.¡± I pulled the top to the side so my breast was exposed.


    ¡°Fuck. I want to fuck you.¡± His nature was possessive and protective. He covered it quickly with his palm.


    ¡°Then fuck me. No one is stopping you. I¡¯m sure it would be awkward if they watch you fuck me.¡±


    A low growl rumbled in his chest, and the ring around his irises glowed neon green. He began kneading my breast, rolling my nipple between his fingers. ¡°This is me trying to control myself.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you to behave like a gentleman or control yourself like a human. I want you to follow your desire and let out that animal inside you.¡± I pulled the knot of my bikini and put his hand between my thighs. ¡°Be bad tonight, alpha.¡± Then I slipped my hand into the waistband of his shorts.


    He groaned as I wrapped my hand around his thick erect cock and pulled it out of his shorts. He was smooth and hard at the same time. His chest rose and fell as I began stroking it, applying a little pressure around the shaft.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± He let out a curse as I wet my hand and spread it all over his length. ¡°You¡¯re killing me.¡± His voice turned deep and husky as he moved his hand between my thighs, pulling my bikini to the side.


    I stiffened at the first contact of the pad of his finger against my clit, teasing my bud, and sucked a breath as he slipped his finger between my wet folds.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.


    I was already soaking.


    ¡°Add another finger. Fuck me, baby.¡±


    His eyes darkened to my words, and he did not deny me. He pulled his finger out and shoved it into his mouth, and sucked it clean.


    I swallowed as my body and my mind were consumed with lust. I widened my legs apart, weing his fingers. He then slid them again, his rough thumb pressed against my clit, moving in circles while his other digits thrust in and out of my wet pussy.


    I bit my bottom lip harder to stifle the moan about to slip from my mouth. I squeezed my eyes shut as I pumped him hard. It jerked around my grasp, throbbing. Our strokes moved in sync. Our breaths warmed our faces.


    My chest ached for breathing hard, my body shuddering.


    A long moan finally slipped out.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± It felt so good. He knew when exactly I would lose my mind. He found where I was most sensitive. I gasped. My eyes went wide, and my back arched as I danced to his fingers, clutching my free hand on his shoulder while stroking him faster.


    He responded with a grunt from deep inside his chest. With his free hand, he quickly caught me and pulled me closer, letting me rest on his shoulder.


    ¡°Come around my fingers, sweetheart,¡± he whispered in my ear. His words rushed.


    I was helpless to stop myself. I was lost in pleasure. My body trembled, and my orgasm hit me with such force, moaning his name.


    Knight groaned loudly, his cock jerked in my grip. Warm, thick liquid jetted out, dripping down my fingers.


    We stayed there for a while, trying to fit into the beach chair as we cuddled under the moonlight. It was pretty romantic, wrapped in his arms, not thinking about tomorrow.


    Resting my head on his arm, I looked up at him. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna wake up in the morning without you in my arms.¡±


    ¡°Wow.¡± My lips gaped. ¡°That¡¯s nice.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s nice?¡± He met my gaze, his eyes dancing with humor. ¡°I was trying to tell you my feelings, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°I know. I just don¡¯t know how to respond to that.¡±


    ¡°Do you believe me if I say I love you?¡±


    My heart pumped so hard I thought it would explode in my chest. I knew he could hear my heartbeat. I blinked rapidly. I knew we cared for each other, but Knight admitted that he loved me- it was unexpected and brought me to the gxy.


    ¡°You don¡¯t believe me?¡±


    The more I blinked, the more I became emotional. My eyes watered.


    ¡°I do.¡± Nodding, Iughed. Tears rolled to the corner of my eyes. I tried wiping them, but they kepting.


    ¡°Hey. I didn¡¯t know telling you my feelings would make you cry.¡±


    ¡°Well, you rejected me.¡± I got up, wiped my face, and sniffled. ¡°You didn¡¯t like me because I¡¯m not special, and then you¡¯re actually not that bad. You protected me. Every time you kissed me, you made me feel what it¡¯s like to be loved. I know it doesn¡¯t make any sense, but when I was captured, all I could think about was you, if I was ever going to see you again, and if there was one thing I regretted the most, it was not telling you how much I love you.¡±


    Knight caught my hands and kissed each knuckle. ¡°After that party, I was supposed to take you on a joy ride, watch the stars, and propose to you, but things didn¡¯t go as nned, and then you got kidnapped. It was the worst feeling in the world.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to propose?¡± I asked him breathlessly. ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t believe in marriage, and I was okay with that?¡±


    ¡°You talk a lot tonight.¡±


    Iughed out loud as he wiped my tears. ¡°I¡¯m nervous, but I would have actually said yes.¡±


    Knight just slid off the chair and went on his knee.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Just shut up for a moment, Nirvana. You¡¯re making me much more nervous than going on a battle.¡±


    I held my smile harder and pressed my lips together as he took my hands.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say, and I left the ring in my jacket, but since I first saw you on that balcony, I thought you were the most beautiful girl in the world, and you looked too innocent to be part of my life. The first thing that came to my mind was Fuck, I didn¡¯t want to corrupt this girl, but you gave me a second chance. You became my light, you became the air I breathed, and you became my entire world. I don¡¯t wanna be alone anymore. I wanna be with you through crazy shits. I want you to be my mate, soulmate, and life partner. Will you give me the honor of being my wife?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    He kissed my hand, his body shaking. ¡°I love you, Nirvana, with every light of my soul.¡±

 87

    KNIGHT


    ¡°It¡¯s our first day as engaged,¡± she whispered, kissing my lips. Good morning.¡±


    ¡°Morning.¡± We¡¯d been awake for an hour, but we only got up to use the bathroom, and then we made love again inside the nket.


    I never knew it would feel like this. I was fucking overjoyed to wake up in the morning with the person I loved most.


    Though I still wanted to spend a few hours wrapped her in my arms, unfortunately, things outside were getting crazier and dangerous for humans and us.


    ¡°There¡¯s something I¡¯ve been wanting to tell you.¡± Her tone was serious, but someone knocked on the door and interrupted us.


    ¡°Hold that thought.¡±


    ¡°Guys, lovebirds, wakey wakey. We have to get back to the vineyards.¡± It was Kailin.


    ¡°Give us five minutes.¡± I looked at Nirvana. ¡°You were about to tell me something seemed important. What is it?¡±


    ¡°That can wait.¡± She kissed me and got up, gorgeous and naked.


    ¡°Sweetheart.¡± I followed her with my gaze as she headed to the bathroom.


    ¡°Stop looking at me like that, fianc¨¦.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but smile as Iy back in bed. She was my fiancee now, and it still seemed impossible and far-fetched.


    Ten minutester, we were both dressed and ready to go home.


    ¡°What took you both so long?¡± Zarah was ring when she met us in the living room.


    ¡°Sorry.¡± Nirvana smiled.


    ¡°For a woman about to be sold yesterday, you¡¯re cheerful today.¡±


    ¡°I have so many reasons to live my life and be grateful for than shed tears over their failed attempt.¡±


    Zarah was flustered and looked at her hands. She knew I was going to propose, and she might have also seen our future. ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡±


    ¡°What is it, Knight?¡±


    ¡°Why did that witche after us?¡± Good question. I¡¯d been meaning to ask how we fit for any of this.


    ¡°Margaret punished her for what she did to the coven, disgracing us to the lycan royals. She came after your mate because she knew I knew Sophie and I¡¯m close to Nirvana. Margaret ripped off her magic, but she thought the man she¡¯d been falling in love with for decades just came back to life for her, but it was Cyrius using her.¡±


    ¡°What the- so he can use any of us?¡± I heard Nirvana¡¯s heartbeat racing.


    ¡°Yes, but don¡¯t worry, unless you¡¯re dead or captured, he can¡¯t mour himself as you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a relief,¡± Kailin said.


    ¡°Why did she want me if she could just kill me?¡±


    I expected an answer connected to Cyrius because that was the only thing that made sense on why they kept Nirvana alive, not that I wasn¡¯t beyond grateful.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t have the time to ask.¡± Despite all, Zarah managed to throw out sarcasm. ¡°My guess is she would offer you to Cyrius. Just be careful out there.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure she¡¯s dead?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I wasn¡¯t aware you needed proof.¡±


    Nirvana hid her smile. ¡°What¡¯s gotten your grandma¡¯s panties in a twist?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s not much body to bring her as a present. And Nirvana, stop being stubborn, or you get us all killed. If it wasn¡¯t for your ne, we couldn¡¯t have found you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. I forgot to say thank you.¡±


    ¡°Just go home. Keep the dagger safe.¡± She created the portal. ¡°See you soon.¡±


    Kailin went first.


    ¡°Just a second, Nirvana. You go first, Knight.¡±


    I hesitated at first until Zarah red at me. ¡°Fine, but I¡¯m waiting on the other side.¡±


    Kailin and I arrived at my office in the pack house. A few momentster, Nirvana stepped out, and the portal disappeared.


    ¡°What did she want from you?¡± I asked when she seemed bothered.


    ¡°We have to be careful in this area. ording to the mystical ley lines, Zarah said this is one of the epicenters of the energy source for witches. Cyrius might take this ce, and he will be more powerful.¡±


    ¡°Shit. Why she didn¡¯t tell me about this?¡±


    ¡°Because you might disagree with her n.¡±


    ¡°And why is that? What¡¯s her n?¡±


    ¡°She might use me as bait.¡±


    ¡°Hell fucking no.¡± My voice roared.


    ¡°See?¡± Unimpressed, she shrugged at Kailin. ¡°He still treats me as a fragile human.¡±


    ¡°Whether you¡¯re powerful or not, you¡¯re still the same Nirvana I know. I will still protect you with my life, not the other way around.¡±


    ¡°How about we protect each other, Knight? You can¡¯t be just the Knight in shining armor while I¡¯m the damsel in distress. We¡¯re equal. You might be my alpha, but I am your mate and fianc¨¦e.¡±


    ¡°Wait. Hold on.¡± Kailin stopped and came in the middle, her eyes widening. ¡°You proposed? When?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still talking to your stubborn best friend, but yes.¡±


    She looked at Nirvana¡¯s fingers. ¡°Where¡¯s the ring we bought? Why is she not wearing it?¡±


    ¡°You knew?¡± Nirvana asked her, astonished.


    ¡°Yeah. We went together to the jewelry shop, and the ring is-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me,¡± she stopped Kailin. Her smile was about to break. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna know. I wanna be surprised.¡±


    ¡°Since when do you like surprises?¡± Kailin was amused, hugged Nirvana, and lifted her up. ¡°I¡¯m so happy for you. You¡¯re finally bing my sister.¡±


    ¡°Put her down, for fuck¡¯s sake. You¡¯re crushing her.¡±


    ¡°Overprotective jerk.¡± Kailin red at me before hugging me. ¡°Congrattions, cousin.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I blew a breath. ¡°Now, let¡¯s go back to where we left off.¡±


    ¡°Knight, don¡¯t stop me if that¡¯s how we win this battle. Please?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s exactly the n?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have it yet, but she said that since Cyrius is after me, maybe a bait will work.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like this n.¡± My jaw locked hard.


    ¡°She said we might use Kain to shapeshift as me.¡±


    ¡°But it won¡¯t work if you¡¯re not with Kain.¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t have to hold me captured, but that¡¯s only if we didn¡¯t have a choice. Can we not talk about this right now?¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    ¡°So when is the engagement party?¡±


    ¡°No engagement party,¡± Nirvana and I said in unison.


    ¡°Why the hell not?¡± Kailin¡¯s gaze ping-ponged between us.


    ¡°We still have important things to do. What matters is she said yes. She¡¯s my fianc¨¦e, and I¡¯m going to marry her. We¡¯ll discuss the wedding after this gue is over. I¡¯ll link the guys and call Dn.¡±


    ¡°Where are you two going?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going home,¡± I told her as I looked at Califf¡¯s clothes I¡¯d been wearing. ¡°I need to change.¡±


    ¡°Okay. We¡¯reing.¡± Kailin left.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go home, sweetheart.¡± I held her hand as we headed to my bike.


    ¡°Yeah. I can¡¯t wait, and I¡¯m starving. We didn¡¯t get to eat breakfast in Southampton.¡±


    Our ride back home was smooth. I couldn¡¯t wait to make love to her in our bed and make breakfast for her in our kitchen as we spent our first day as an engaged couple in our house.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°Where do you want to get married?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care where, in the backyard, at the tasting room, in the vineyards, at the beach, on top of the Himyan mountain, as long as I¡¯m marrying you.¡±


    I smiled. My stomach fluttered. ¡°Me too. We can get married anytime, anywhere.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want a big wedding, but considering you¡¯re the alpha, I suppose your alpha friends should be invited.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but we can get married in an intimate ceremony and then get married again with two hundred or three hundred guests.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d love that.¡±


    We arrived home. It felt surreal that I was going to be a husband soon. I was appeased and blissful being with my mate, but knowing she and I would be married, the feeling was different. My chest could explode with so much happiness.


    ¡°Come here.¡± Iy in bed, gesturing for her to join me.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t we making breakfast?¡± She came to me andid in my arms.


    ¡°I just wanna feel you for a moment. Then I will feed you. I promise.¡±


    She came on top of me, cupped my face, and kissed me softly. ¡°I wanna get married sooner.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will sign a prenup.¡±


    I snorted. ¡°I don¡¯t give a shit about prenup. What¡¯s mine is yours. Tell me why?¡±


    ¡°I wanna be your wife before we go to war with Cyrius.¡±


    ¡°What are you not telling, Nirvana? We don¡¯t keep secrets with each other. When you came from the portal, you looked upset, and I could feel the heaviness in your chest. What did she tell you?¡±


    ¡°I just wanna marry the man I loved. We wouldn¡¯t know what would happen to me, to us, while fighting that son of a bitch. If I wouldn¡¯t-¡±


    I pressed my finger against her lips. ¡°Fuck. Don¡¯t ever say something like that. If you die, I die. We die together.¡±


    ¡°You, don¡¯t ever say something like that.¡± She poked my nose. There is, maybe, an ultimate power inside me, but he¡¯s an ancient warlock who draws out his power from darkness. He¡¯s evil, and we don¡¯t know his strength and capabilities. If he¡¯s not that strong, he could have been dead a long, long time ago.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not fighting him alone. We have the lycans, the witches, our werewolf allies. We also have vampires with us, and we¡¯re concocting something that can kill him.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± She kissed me again. ¡°I love you, Alpha Knight.¡±


    Something in the way she said those words hurt me instead of assurance and relief.

 88

    NIRVANA


    Knight had been in a meeting all day in his office and another with the alphas in the country. Kailin was also busy assisting him, which left me alone, training the entire day with McKaye.


    ¡°You may have the strength, but you need a break. That¡¯s all for the day.¡± McKaye finally gave up. He¡¯d been barking since we started, my boxing partner and he also received punches and kicks from me.


    I was actually exhausted, but I was trying to push my limit. I wanted to train harder and learn faster. There was no time to waste or to idle. The war was already there, and we were not even close to being ready and finding out how to kill that evil.


    Luka also trained the enforcers and scouts. I didn¡¯t even know there were enforcers, and these guys were willing to risk their lives to protect their pack. I admired their loyalty to their alpha and their luna.


    ¡°I can still take another round,¡± I insisted, following him to the locker room.


    ¡°I know, but we¡¯re done for today.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I leaned against the locker next to his.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me. It¡¯s an honor to train you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m honored and grateful, Mac. You should know that. Anyway, can I ask you something?¡±


    ¡°Of course, anything.¡± He stopped before opening his locker.


    ¡°What¡¯s his favorite food? Does he have any?¡±


    He smiled. ¡°Knight is not choosy. He eats everything, but he does like pasta with tomato sauce. Basic.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Pizza, too.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡±


    I showered and left the gym. I headed to the pack house, but my phone rang. The caller came from Shadow.


    ¡°Hey.¡±


    ¡°Congrattions.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, but for what?¡±


    ¡°A little birdie told me you and Knight are engaged.¡±


    ¡°A little birdie? Tell that to the little birdie he¡¯s nosy and can¡¯t keep his mouth shut.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle.


    I still felt the flutter in my stomach, knowing I was engaged to Knight. At the same time, I felt sad and guilty about hiding something from him, even for a good reason. It was still unfair, and it pained me that any day from now, I might lose him, or he would lose me.


    Shadowughed. ¡°He¡¯s listening. The meeting just wrapped up, but Knight is still here, and he says hi.¡±


    ¡°Say hi to both of them.¡±


    ¡°I just told him earlier that I told you so. He didn¡¯t believe he had a mate. He¡¯s just like Califf, actually, too focused on getting rich and running their packs. I¡¯m happy for both of you. If you need help with the wedding prep, call me.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. It means a lot, but aren¡¯t you supposed to be busy with royal and luna duties?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no biggie. You¡¯re my friend. I will always have time for you.¡±


    ¡°We haven¡¯t talked about the date yet, but sure, I could use some help.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m just a call away.¡±


    Zander was already in the car when the call ended while North held the door for me.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this.¡± I got in the car, and my phone just buzzed.


    ¡°You¡¯re like our mother.¡± North shut the door close and went to the passenger seat.


    I checked who messaged me. It came from Grandpa.


    I dialed his number as soon as we left the pack house. ¡°Hey. How have you been?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good to hear your voice, honey. I¡¯m good. I¡¯m with Alexander. How¡¯s everything in the vineyards?¡±


    ¡°Tense, busy, but we¡¯ll live. I wish I could bring you here, Grandpa, but you¡¯re also not safe in the vineyards.¡±


    ¡°Honey, I¡¯m supposed to protect you, and not the other way around, but I know Knight will protect you with his life. I heard what happened. Are you okay?¡±


    I huffed a breath. ¡°I wish you didn¡¯t have to know that, but I¡¯m okay.¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe Dn¡¯s friend would do that to you. How¡¯s he, by the way?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s doing fine. I think he wants to join the pack, but he hasn¡¯t approached Knight yet, and he¡¯s very knowledgeable and useful around here.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. He¡¯s good with research, and he has connections. So you found what are you looking for?¡±


    ¡°Almost, but I can¡¯t discuss it with you on the phone. I¡¯m hoping to meet you soon, Grandpa.¡±


    ¡°Me too, honey. Please, take care of yourself.¡±


    ¡°You, too. And, Grandpa?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Vana.¡±


    ¡°Knight just proposedst night, and I said yes.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± He just gushed. It didn¡¯t sound like the grandfather who raised me, and it made meugh. ¡°He asked for my blessings, and he didn¡¯t have to do that because I knew he would take care of you. Congrattions, honey.¡±


    I suddenly felt emotional. I blinked back my tears, but they still fell. I looked away so the boys would not see my face as I wiped my tears.


    ¡°You have no idea how he makes me happy, but you know how this ends Grandpa, and I haven¡¯t told him.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do that, but it doesn¡¯t mean we can¡¯t win this war.¡±


    I started sobbing, and my heart was breaking. ¡°If I have no other choice, Grandpa. I have to do this. I can¡¯t sacrifice everyone over my selfishness. I love him. I love you and these people. They are my family, too, and I would do everything possible to save everyone.¡±


    ¡°You have to tell him, honey. It might break his heart, but at least ites from you.¡±


    ¡°I know. I love you, Grandpa. Please take care of yourself. I¡¯ll see you soon.¡± I hung up the call and wiped my tears.


    North offered me a facial tissue. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    I smiled at him, even if my heart felt like breaking. ¡°Yeah. Thanks.¡±


    I cleaned my face and blew off my nose. ¡°Excuse me.¡±


    ¡°We love you, too, Vana.¡±


    The guys went to their room down the hallway while I went to the kitchen to prepare dinner for Knight. This would be my first time cooking something for him.


    Everything happened so fast, and I wasn¡¯t in control anymore. But maybe this was how I should live my life-being free.


    Though I had never lived with someone, let alone cooked for him, before I met Knight, and our living situation might have started as an inconvenience, I learned to adjust, and I would do anything to make him happy.


    An hourter, I was done with the pasta. I also cooked some chicken breasts that were good for five people. I knew they ate a lot of calories and protein.


    Just right after I prepared the table, I heard the door open.


    ¡°Nirvana?¡± My heart skipped a bit just hearing his voice.


    ¡°In the dining.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s that smell? Smells delicious.¡± He walked in, looking handsome as ever, and always took my breath away.


    ¡°I hope you hadn¡¯t had dinner with the alphas.¡± I tiptoed to kiss him, but he effortlessly lifted and kissed me.


    ¡°I miss you,¡± he said to our lips.


    ¡°I miss you, too.¡±


    ¡°You cooked?¡± He looked surprised.


    ¡°Yeah, but I can join the boys if you¡¯re still full. I cooked enough for five werewolves¡¯ stomachs and will reheat it for youter.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m starving. What do we have?¡±


    ¡°I hope Mac wasn¡¯t ying with me when he said you like pasta, or I swear to God, I will knee his nutsack tomorrow during training.¡±


    Knight chuckled. ¡°I eat everything edible, and I love pasta.¡±


    ¡°Oh, thank God.¡± I went to the kitchen, and I knew he was following me.


    He held me on my hips, wrapped his arms around me, and kissed his mark on my neck. He then whispered, ¡°Or we can skip the dinner and do itter. I can take you to bed and eat you instead.¡±


    ¡°No skipping, big guy. We¡¯re having dinner.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± He pressed his lips on the side of my head. ¡°You¡¯re a good cook. You know how lucky I am to have you?¡±


    I turned to face him. ¡°Not as much as I am to have you, Knight.¡±


    I felt my stomach twisting, and my heart was breaking, but I would deal with itter. Right now, I had my man to feed, the man I wished to spend the rest of my life with-the only man I wanted to love, to kiss, and the only man I wished to see before myst dying breath.

 89

    KNIGHT


    ¡°Fuck!¡±


    Her body flushed, and I could sense her orgasm was just around the corner.


    ¡°Knight, baby, don¡¯t stop, don¡¯t stop.¡± Every time she called me baby, it sent pleasure sizzling through me, down my spine and my balls.


    ¡°You wannae? How desperate are you toe, my love?¡± I let my fingertips trace down the line on her spine.


    ¡°Just fuck me, please?¡± she begged, reaching for me, pushing her head down against the pillow, her ass arching up. And when she begged me like that, it almost made me lose my mind- it was enrapturing. She was my undoing.


    ¡°I will fuck you hard, Nirvana. Just as you begged me to. I would never leave you wanting.¡±


    As if she clung to my words as I promised, she began panting, moaning, hands grasping the sheets. Then I pulled out my rigid cock, not even waiting for her to get another breath. I mmed back in, hitting the hilt.


    It felt so fucking good. It got even better and better every time we made love, we fucked, or kissed each other till we fell asleep.


    Life with her was just perfect. The moment I had her as my mate, I knew there was no going back- only a one-way ticket, but I had never imagined I would be this happy, rejoicing the contentment filling my chest. I could explode into million stars, and I didn¡¯t give a shit.


    I like my life now. Scratch that- I love my life right now.


    I loved my life where it was going as long as Nirvana and I were together through eternity.


    Between the deep strokes of my cock inside her, she pushed her ass back, and the intense pressure in my balls was rising and rising.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    Gripping a handful of her hair, I thrust harder and faster, almost at supernatural speed.


    Roar erupted deep from within my chest, stars shed in my eyes, and she purred right beneath me, her head pressed against the pillow.


    ¡°Knight.¡± She was writhing, fingers wing, and catching her breath.


    ¡°Come for me, Nirvana.¡± My chest tightened. My heart would give out, pumping so hard. ¡°You¡¯re going to destroy me, my love. You¡¯re going to fucking destroy me.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes!¡±


    ¡°Say my name, sweetheart. Scream my name.¡± I grunted. My climax was near, and it was going to be explosive. Every muscle in my body clenched. ¡°Look at me, Nirvana.¡±


    She turned her head, staring at me with those glossy, teary eyes filled with so much pleasure and contentment. There was something in the way she looked at me that had me falling absolutely fucking in love with her over and over again.


    With one thrust of my hips, she screamed my name over and over again until her voice had grown hoarse. Her orgasm brought her to euphoria, gripping my cock as she kept clenching around me, her body sagging after.


    ¡°Take me, sweetheart. Take all of me, Nirvana. Fuck!¡± I grumbled as convulsion of pleasure rippled through me, taking me to somewhere I¡¯d never been before.


    We dozed off.


    I woke up to the vibration of her phone on the nightstand.


    ¡°Sorry.¡± She grabbed it to silence it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t apologize.¡± I pulled her even closer to me until we became one. ¡°You should check it. It might be important.¡±


    ¡°Later. When I¡¯m done contemting how lucky I am to have you.¡± She turned and faced me, staring into my eyes and tracing her finger on my cheek.


    ¡°That should be my line, beautiful.¡± I pressed my lips against hers. ¡°You¡¯re the best thing that ever happened in my life.¡±


    She smiled so beautifully that it almost hurt to look at her.


    ¡°You really have a beautiful smile. It lit up this room. Your sky-blue eyes are so expressive. They are stormy when you¡¯re sad. That¡¯s how I know something¡¯s bothering you or upsetting you.¡±


    ¡°And now?¡±


    ¡°As clear as the blue sky.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re the hottest man I¡¯ve ever met.¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°So it¡¯s true you called me a hot biker guy?¡±


    A red tint blossomed on her cheeks. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I love you, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°I love you, alpha.¡±


    ¡°Just a minute.¡± I opened the drawer and grabbed the small box from it.


    I got my jacket from Roisin earlier before I went home. I considered making a big gesture, but Kailin said I couldn¡¯t top my first proposal. I hoped she was right.


    I pulled Nirvana into my arms again and kissed her forehead. She saw what I had in my hand. Her eyes widened, sparkling as she tried to hide her smile. I felt like she¡¯d been anticipating to wear my ring.


    I flipped the box open and grabbed the ring. ¡°I want you to be officially mine, kely Nirvana. Will you marry me?¡±


    She giggled, offering her hand. ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m Knight Orion. It is yours forever, sweetheart.¡± I slipped it to her ring finger, and I was right. The size fits well, and the ring was perfectly crafted for her.


    When she looked at me, and her eyes went misty again, I couldn¡¯t help but think that getting married was really her dream, and I couldn¡¯t wait to marry her and be my wife.


    She kissed me on the lips, and a single tear dropped from her eye.


    ¡°Hey. I love you, and I will marry you even today or tomorrow. I will make everything possible. Just say it.¡± I wiped the tear on her cheek.


    ¡°It¡¯s not about that. I know you will make things impossible for me, and I know you sincerely love me. I just never thought our unconventional rtionship would work. I never thought you were my forever, though I wished you were. I guess I have Moon Goddess to be grateful for. And you know what I love about it?¡±


    I smirked. ¡°My dick.¡±


    ¡°Silly.¡± She yfully hit me on the chest. ¡°Well, I love that one, too, but you never tried to be perfect in my eyes. You¡¯re true to yourself and everyone around you, even as infuriating as overprotective, overbearing boss, controlling and aggressive you are. I love every bit of you.¡±


    ¡°Just my negative aspects, huh? And a lot of it.¡±


    ¡°Shut up.¡± She kissed me again and checked her ring. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful. I love it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s my hope, but?¡±


    ¡°What made you think there is a but?¡±


    ¡°We share thoughts, Nirvana.¡±


    Sheughed. ¡°You should not do that more often. Sometimes, when I looked at you, I thought a lot naughtier than I¡¯d like to admit.¡±


    I shook my head in amusement. ¡°So do I. You have no idea, but what don¡¯t you like about the ring? I¡¯ll take you to the shop, and you can choose for yourself.¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°No. I wouldn¡¯t change anything. It¡¯s perfect.¡±


    ¡°Kailin helped me choose that.¡±


    ¡°She knows my taste. I don¡¯t like too shy. I want simple, timeless, yet elegant, and this is perfect, but thestoneisalittlebitbigger.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± My brows met.


    ¡°Thestoneisalittlebitbigger.¡±


    ¡°Slow down. The what?¡±


    ¡°The stone is huge.¡±


    ¡°Suck it up, sweetheart. I would have chosen bigger than that because my devotion to you is limitless and priceless.¡±


    ¡°Guys, why are you not answering my call?¡±


    Nirvana yelped in my arms, and my heart was in my throat as Zarah had just appeared on the wall in a hologram-like form. She was pissed, ring down at us.


    ¡°What the fuck? A little privacy, Zarah.¡±


    She rolled her eyes. ¡°As if I don¡¯t know what you two are doing?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the urgency?¡± Nirvana sat up, covering her chest.


    ¡°Get dressed. I will portal you in ten minutes.¡±


    ¡°Fifteen. It¡¯s early in the morning.¡±


    ¡°Ten.¡± Her image was gone.


    ¡°That was unsettling.¡± I got up from bed.


    ¡°That must be so urgent. Zarah would never do that unless something happened.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. She respects us. Let¡¯s get dressed. I¡¯ll use the bathroom down and brew some coffee.¡± I put my boxers on and saw the disturbing, deep worry in her eyes.


    ¡°Yeah. I need a lot of caffeine before I hear whatever bad news she drops on us.¡±


    ¡°And sweetheart, take the dagger with you.¡±

 90

    NIRVANA


    ¡°What¡¯s the emergency, Zarah?¡± She took us to her house in a peaceful neighborhood for the first time.


    ¡°Big rock. Congrattions,¡± said the pretty Asian girl with long, straight hair. She was around my age, but we¡¯d never met.


    ¡°Thanks. I¡¯m Nirvana.¡± I offered my hand for a handshake.


    ¡°Aira. The witch apprentice,¡± she said humorously, shaking my hand. ¡°Who¡¯s the lucky man?¡±


    ¡°That would be me. Knight.¡±


    ¡°Knight? Like Knight with K in shining armor?¡±


    Knight chuckled. ¡°Precisely, but I left my armor in the Californian desert.¡±


    She whistled. ¡°With humor, too. Are all alphas hot? Well, except for an old wannabe alpha. Thank Goddess, he¡¯s dead.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± I was genuinely surprised. ¡°There¡¯s a witch apprentice?¡±


    ¡°Aira, not now. d you two made it.¡± Zarah had opened books before her.


    ¡°Nirvana, you¡¯re here.¡±


    I turned around and saw Dn. ¡°Hey. How long you¡¯ve been here.¡±


    We hugged each other.


    ¡°Yesterday. Congrats, by the way. I¡¯m happy for both of you.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. So what are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Apparently, Zarah forgot to mention the Alpha King had vast collections of books, and I read some of her Grimoire and other Wan books.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s Grimoire? Wan?¡±


    ¡°Book of spells, Book of magic. Wans are people who believe in supernatural magic,¡± Aira answered. She looked like a girl you just wanted to sit with on the couch, had some margaritas, and talked all day.


    ¡°Oh, okay. Did you find anything useful?¡±


    ¡°Nada,¡± Zarah replied. ¡°Do you have the dagger?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Wait. Where do you keep it?¡± Knight asked.


    ¡°I keep-¡±


    ¡°Never mind.¡± He waved his hand dismissively. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me. Keep it to yourself. If I know where it is, those sons of bitches can use my knowledge to get to the dagger. Anyway, why are we here?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m making the potion. Sebastien and Archibald will be here shortly.¡±


    ¡°What do you need us to do?¡±


    ¡°You are a part of the ritual. I tested the blood Dn took, and it worked, but the dagger and the wielder are needed for thepletion.¡± Zarah seemed on edge. There was something she was not telling us.


    ¡°Zarah, what¡¯s going on? When was thest time you slept?¡±


    ¡°I can only sleep if Cyrius is dead. The underworld is on the brink of ending, and your council is doing nothing.¡± She pointed at Knight. ¡°And my coven has given me the liberty to do what¡¯s necessary. That¡¯s why I need you all here right now. The death toll and infected have significantly risen, and we¡¯re not even close to finding out if our method will work.¡±


    ¡°Werewolves and vampires are not the only ones affected, are they?¡± My stomach twisted painfully.


    ¡°Yes. One of my old friends¡¯s apprentices just got infected. She¡¯s trying to slow down the infection. It works so far, but until when?¡± She looked distraught, and I knew what it felt like when the whole world depended on you, and there was a huge chance of failure.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Zarah.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t apologize. Just do your part.¡±


    ¡°One of Califf¡¯s pack members got bitten yesterday, so I got homete.¡±


    I looked at Knight. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯d be affected, and we couldn¡¯t do anything, Nirvana. At least, not right now, but we are doing the best we can. Now, Califf¡¯s enforcers have been watching their territory 24/7.¡±


    ¡°What about us?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re doing the best we can.¡±


    ¡°I tried my best to put a spell around your territory yesterday because we need to keep the vineyards safe,¡± Zarah said.


    ¡°You did it? I didn¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°You have your own job, Nirvana. You can¡¯t do everything on your own, and that¡¯s why we divided our tasks. Focus on your training and doing your part.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Zarah just waved her hands, and the entire house darkened as if she had put the house on lockdown.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I felt suddenly nervous and scared.


    ¡°Archibald ising.¡± And with a swift of her hand, the portal emerged.


    Sebastien and Archibald in his fashion aficionado walked in.


    ¡°Good. You both are here,¡± Sebastien said.


    ¡°Nice to see you both again, Alpha Knight and my dear Nirvana.¡± His eyes widened a bit. ¡°With a statement, a huge rock on your finger. I guess congrattions are in order.¡±


    ¡°Get in here, Vampire, before I turn you into dust.¡±


    ¡°Whoa. Feisty. You didn¡¯t give her orgasmsst night, Bastie?¡±


    ¡°Shush now, Archie,¡± said Sebastien to his friend. ¡°Don¡¯t piss her off. She has a lot on her te right now.¡±


    I followed them into her kitchen. Well, I thought it was her kitchen, but the whole world spun. My vision felt dizzy as I hung onto Knight. The feeling was ufortable and gave me a vertigo effect that had almostnded my butt on the ground.


    ¡°Whoa! That was something. What the hell was that, Zarah?¡± Archibald asked.


    I looked around. The ce had changed. We were not in her kitchen anymore, but somewhere looked like a tomb or temple- their sacred ground. ¡°Where are we?¡±


    ¡°This ground is sacred like a sanctum and can never be contaminated.¡± She gestured for us toe around the table with a big thick book with writtennguage I¡¯d never seen before. There were some tools like bowls and knives and small decanters of some sort.


    ¡°Dn, stay behind. Sebastien, Knight, Archibald, and Aira will cut your palm when I tell you to drop your blood on the bowl. That¡¯s when you do it. You should do it together for the potion to work.¡±


    ¡°What about me?¡±


    ¡°You will have your turnter. Once the blood mixes, it will turn ck, and then you do the same as they did. Do you have the dagger?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± I bent down to take the dagger in my boot and cast an inconcealment chant, and the dagger appeared. ¡°Here.¡± I put it down on the table beside the bowl.


    ¡°Take each knife and get ready.¡± Zarah began chanting in an unfamiliarnguage as the guys, and Aira grabbed their knives.


    A strong wind suddenly appeared out of nowhere and began swirling around us.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. Just focus on your task,¡± she continued chanting in a foreignnguage. ¡°Now.¡±


    Sebastien, Knight, Archibald, and Aira made a small cut on their palms and let the blood drop into the bowl. It somewhat started melting and smoking as if it burned inside.


    ¡°Get your knife, Nirvana.¡±


    I took thest remaining knife and cut my skin. I hissed in pain and watched their blood start to turn muddy, oily ck. It onlysted a few seconds, then turned ck like an abyss. I squeezed my hand, and my blood started dropping into the bowl.


    I yelped in shock. My heart pumped so hard as the bowl lit on fire.


    ¡°Leave it.¡± She flipped a page and read whatever was written in there. The fire stopped abruptly.


    I only believed in magic once I met Knight and discovered the supernatural underworld existed. When our blood was ck earlier, it just turned red again.


    ¡°Take the dagger and dip it. Just sink it and don¡¯t do anything.¡±


    I picked up the dagger and felt its power vibrating into my palm. Then I did as she told me to. The dagger seemed to suck up the blood, absorbing it in. I watched in awe until the bowl emptied like it was never used.


    ¡°Whoa.¡± Dn looked down at the empty bowl.


    ¡°What the-?¡± I stared at the dagger¡¯s de, which turned ck while the handle remained golden, which reminded me of the image of the dagger in the journal.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let it out of your sight. We only have one chance to do it, Nirvana. Just once.¡± Her warning made my stomach churn.


    ¡°Now you carry the most powerful weapon to defeat Cyrius,¡± Dn said as I couldn¡¯t take my eyes off it.


    ¡°Do you feel anything?¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    I shifted my gaze to Alpha King. ¡°It feels like there¡¯s a ma. And it scares me. What if I fail?¡±


    ¡°You have us behind you, Nirvana. You just have to believe that you can do it. And good will always win against evil.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Alpha King. That means a lot.¡± I put the dagger back in my boot and concealed it with the spell.


    ¡°If you both have important things to do, you better not waste more time.¡±


    ¡°Us?¡± Knight and I shared a look as if Zarah was referring to us.


    ¡°Yes, both of you.¡±


    Knight nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll let you know.¡±


    ¡°So what now? How do we know this dagger works?¡±


    ¡°We will catch an infected and see it for ourselves.¡±


    ¡°If we are done here, I have to get back to the elders. We¡¯re having a meeting, so to speak,¡± Archibald said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll send you back.¡± Zarah shut the book by just motioning her hand in the air.


    ¡°Then you guys have an infected creature to catch. Good luck.¡±

 91

    KNIGHT


    ¡°You can¡¯te with us.¡±


    We were back to the vineyards an hour ago, and now we were arguing because Nirvana didn¡¯t want to back down.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Luna, but I¡¯m with Alpha on this.¡± Luka shrugged, shifting his gaze to McKaye.


    ¡°Why is that? Because I¡¯m a freaking human?¡±


    Kaleb and the twins didn¡¯t react but held their smiles.


    ¡°We all know it by now if you¡¯re just a freaking human, Luna, but we¡¯re with Alpha on this one. Please don¡¯t get mad at us. We¡¯re just protecting you,¡± said Kaleb.


    ¡°How do you suggest to find an infected werewolf?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a good scout,¡± McKaye said. ¡°You can call Kailin to stay with you and print your fingernails and toes while waiting for us toe back.¡±


    She red further. ¡°I don¡¯t paint my nails, Mac. God, I hate you all right now.¡± She stomped away, leaving us all stunned.


    ¡°Shit. She hates us,¡± Zander said, scratching his head.


    ¡°She¡¯s upset, but she doesn¡¯t hate you.¡± I breathed deeply as I looked at them. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡± I hadn¡¯t taken a step when she came back.


    ¡°Alpha,¡± West called me as we watched Nirvana walk toward us.


    ¡°Look, Nirvana-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I kinda overreacted. You can go, but be careful.¡± She looked at everyone. ¡°You can¡¯t ever be scratched or bitten. Remember, there¡¯s no cure for this ck virus. Wait. How do you try capturing one?¡±Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    ¡°We have tranq guns. Once a werewolf is knocked down, we cuffed him if he¡¯s human or double the dose if he¡¯s in wolf form.¡±


    ¡°We have a truck equipped to carry an elephant. Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll be careful, Luna,¡± said Maddox. ¡°And we will protect Alpha.¡±


    ¡°An elephant? Probably a baby elephant.¡±


    I still saw the deep frown between her brows. ¡°It¡¯s a calf.¡±


    ¡°Whatever. Just watch your asses out there, okay? Call me if things go south. God, I hope it won¡¯te to that.¡± She cupped my face and kissed me on the lips, making the guys look away with a smile. ¡°I won¡¯t kiss you again if your ass got a scratch, Alpha. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll make sure I get back to you with unscathed ass.¡±


    The guysughed.


    ¡°Good luck. See you guys soon.¡±


    We took two vehicles to find infected werewolves; one was an armored van. It was not ideal-it was inhumane and against the council to experiment on our kind or any kind, but this was a challenging situation, leaving us without many options. We were running out of time and had to make drastic adjustments to end this horrific gue.


    ¡°Alpha, you haven¡¯t told us how the meeting went?¡±


    ¡°The meeting was a waste of time, Kaleb. Everyone agreed on protecting their packs but not working on stopping this gue, which left Califf and me to do the hard work.¡±


    I never heard from the council again, but during our meetings, alphas had lost some of their pack members, and they never found the bodies. It was unsettling that the mercenaries from the council were taking down sick werewolves, their way to eradicate this gue.


    ¡°But they have encountered infected?¡±


    ¡°Yes. And ording to Sebastien earlier today, all creatures are vulnerable to the virus. That¡¯s why we had to test Zarah¡¯s theory, which might help us stop this gue. I haven¡¯t told Nirvana that some of Case¡¯s pack members had been infected, and they have no choice but to kill them. Otherwise, everyone would be exposed.¡±


    ¡°What about the other packs?¡± McKaye asked from the driver¡¯s seat.


    ¡°Califf has one infected member. It got worse in just a few hours. They contained him at first, but there was no hope. Zarah¡¯s friend¡¯s apprentice got the virus, too, but her friend managed to slow down the infection until they figured out the cure. It¡¯s highly unlikely that the apprentice will survive. That¡¯s why this test is important for Zarah.¡±


    ¡°Maybe they have a way of finding Cyrius, then we will just march into his location and kill him.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s suicide, Mac,¡± Kaleb said, ¡°and how do you n on killing a powerful ancient warlock? He¡¯s cloaking his location for sure. It might just shock all of us that he¡¯s already flying above us.¡±


    ¡°Can you not say something like that? It gives me creeps.¡± He rubbed his arm on the steering wheel. ¡°We¡¯re halfway out of the territory.¡±


    I looked over the side mirror. Luka, Maddox, and the twins rode the military-grade armored truck.


    ¡°So, I saw the ring on Luna¡¯s finger. When are you nning on telling us?¡±


    I looked over my shoulder with a smile. ¡°When I feel I want to. You know where it¡¯s heading, Kaleb.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m happy for you, Alpha. I hope this virus will end soon so I can put my suit to good use.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Kaleb. It means a lot.¡±


    ¡°I like Vana from the start. She¡¯s perfect for you. You are both argumentative and authoritarian,¡± he said.


    ¡°With hearts,¡± McKaye added. ¡°Protective and fearless. Wait, Kaleb. Did Gage call you back? I¡¯ve sent texts sincest night, and he hasn¡¯t replied. That dimwit just went out whenever he wanted without telling us where he was going.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean Gage didn¡¯te backst night?¡± I looked at them both, rmed. ¡°And how I don¡¯t know about this?¡±


    ¡°You have a lot on your te right now, so we decided to solve it on our own, but we¡¯re nning on telling if he won¡¯t show his arse tonight,¡± McKaye mimicked Gage¡¯s ent.


    I red at McKaye and Kaleb. ¡°Do you realize this is exactly why I told all of you to be careful out there and report to me if something came up? I don¡¯t give a shit about if my te is full. You are all my responsibility. You will always be my priority over anything else.¡±


    McKaye swallowed hard. Kaleb looked away.


    ¡°Where did he usually stay when outside?¡±


    ¡°Besides the winery, he¡¯s dating a human,¡± Kaleb replied. ¡°She works at the cafe downtown. He hasn¡¯t picked up his phone. And I¡¯m starting to get worried because no matter how busy he was, he always replied if he stayed with his girlfriend.¡±


    ¡°Fuck.¡± McKaye stepped on the brake harder, my head almost hitting against the windshield.


    ¡°What the fuck, Mac?¡± I red at him, but his gaze pinned ahead of us.


    ¡°Alpha?¡± Kaleb gripped my shoulder, staring at the road before us.


    I didn¡¯t have to look at what they saw. I had a feeling it could break my heart.


    ¡°Fuck. Fuck.¡± I fisted my hands harder, my jaw clenching. My rage made my wolf roar.


    ¡°Shit, man. I¡¯m sorry,¡± McKaye said, but definitely not to us.


    ¡°Inform the guys at the back.¡± I opened the door.


    ¡°Alpha, what are you doing?¡±


    I red at McKaye before stepping out of the truck. ¡°What do you think? Grab your guns. Don¡¯t shoot until I told you so.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Alpha.¡±


    The moment Gage saw me, he shook to cry. ¡°Alpha, help me. Something¡¯s wrong with me.¡± At least he was still conscious and knew what was happening to him.


    ¡°Calm down. Stay where you are.¡± I gestured my hand. ¡°Tell me what happened?¡±


    He looked pale, puffy redness circling his eyes. He was dehydrated, for someone just disappearedst night. He had sweat all over his shirt and blood on his left shoulder. He was bitten there, and now he was burning from the inside.


    ¡°I was about to go home from my girlfriend¡¯s apartment when someone attacked me from behind and bit me.¡± He showed off his shoulder. I saw the infected bite of a werewolf on his skin. It was big and bleeding.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t youe home quickly so we could treat you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m scared you would kill me.¡±


    ¡°I would never hurt you, Gage. I¡¯m your alpha.¡± I¡¯d never felt helpless that I couldn¡¯t do something to ease the pain and treat him. ¡°Here¡¯s what we¡¯re going to do. Get in the truck at the back, and we¡¯ll take you home, okay? But I must cuff your wrists as a precaution that you might lose control. Don¡¯t worry. This is a police cuff. It has no silver in it.¡± I grabbed the cuffs from McKaye and gave it to Gage. ¡°Put them on.¡±


    He nodded and did willingly as I asked. ¡°Thank you, alpha.¡±


    ¡°Guys, open the back door of the armored, then step aside. Get in the truck. I¡¯ll drive the van.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t let you do that alone,¡± McKaye said to our link.


    ¡°Fine. Come with me.¡±


    Gage went inside the armored van, and Kaleb locked the door securely.


    I grabbed my phone and dialed Zarah before entering the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°I got one for you.¡±

 92

    NIRVANA


    ¡°Zarah, what are you doing here?¡± I grabbed my coffee and I met her in the hallway.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t know?¡±


    ¡°Did they find a sick werewolf?¡± Kailin asked her as we got out of the pack house. ¡°Tucker and Dad have prepared the cell.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Gage.¡±¡® The way Zarah said, I instantly felt the hesitation and sorrow in her voice.


    ¡°What about him?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re on the way to bring Gage.¡± That was all she said.


    ¡°Gage is infected?¡± Blinking, I asked in shock. ¡°How did it happen?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all I know. Knight just called me to tell me that they got one.¡±


    I held her wrist. My eyes stung with tears. ¡°You can¡¯t do that. You can¡¯t experiment on him, Zarah. He¡¯s part of our pack. I won¡¯t let you do that.¡±


    ¡°We have no choice.¡± I¡¯d never seen Zarah so cold until now. It was like she blocked her emotion somewhere no one could reach it. ¡°How do we know the dagger works if we wouldn¡¯t try it?¡±


    ¡°How do we know if it kills the virus can kill Cyrius?¡±


    ¡°Why are you second-guessing right now, Nirvana? We¡¯ve worked hard to find something to end this gue, and suddenly, you¡¯re not on board? We must try this one way or another, or you know what would happen if we fail. Even if we try this on other victims, the virus will still kill Gage. We don¡¯t have a cure.¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You do that. I¡¯m not going to kill Gage. What if this happens to Sebastien or Shadow? Are you going to stab them, too?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± she answered without hesitation. ¡°You may not understand it right now, but soon when you¡¯re in my position.¡±


    ¡°You like to be the hero saving people, Zarah. You break the naturalw to y God. I¡¯m not you. I don¡¯t have that strength.¡±


    ¡°You can hate me right now, Nirvana, but don¡¯t wait until more of your pack members get infected. Gage got infected because the sick werewolves were getting closer to the vineyards. If you don¡¯t act fast, one of your loved ones can be infected anytime soon. Don¡¯t ever call me ore begging for my help. I¡¯m done here if you don¡¯t do what I told you. I¡¯ll deal with my own problems at home.¡± Zarah red at me one more time before she walked away.


    I wiped my tears as we parted ways. I didn¡¯t know what to do anymore. Why did God or whoever gave me this task if they knew I would hesitate to hurt my people for the good of others? Why did I have to leave the people I loved to save many? This was unfair.


    ¡°Hey. It¡¯s gonna be okay.¡± I felt Kailin rubbing my back.


    ¡°No. It¡¯s not. I can¡¯t hurt Gage.¡±


    ¡°Vana, you have to think about how many people you could save. At least you have to sacrifice one, even if it seems immoral and illegal. We don¡¯t have a cure, and Gage is already sick and will die soon. At least.¡± She blew a breath. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m gonna say this, but he will serve his purpose. I feel bad for him. Truly. It breaks my heart knowing that one of us, our family, is sick, but we don¡¯t have a choice.¡±


    ¡°Maybe there¡¯s another way that doesn¡¯t involve me stabbing him. Besides, his body and Cyrius are different.¡±


    ¡°I thought all infected are somewhat linked to this son of a bitch, that¡¯s why we¡¯re doing this. It means it can hurt him if it can kill the virus.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know anymore, K.¡± I wiped my face when I heard vehicles approaching.


    ¡°They¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be there soon once they put Gage in the cell. God.¡± I looked up to hold back my tears, but they fell anyway. ¡°They¡¯re treating him like a bad guy.¡±


    ¡°Vana, I know this situation is difficult, but he¡¯s sick. If his wolf bes feral, he can hurt any of us, or worse, he can scratch or bite us. This is just a precaution to keep us safe from him.¡±


    ¡°Hey. What¡¯s going on?¡± Knight walked towards us.


    I breathed deeply and wiped my face clean when he came closer.


    ¡°What happened?¡± He looked devastated. Watching his pack member slowly being destroyed by a virus must have been very difficult for him.


    ¡°Nothing.¡± I tried to smile and hugged him tight.


    ¡°You¡¯re upset.¡± He hugged me back.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, baby, this happened to Gage.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, sweetheart.¡± He sighed deeply, and he hadn¡¯t let me go. ¡°I hope he would be thest one. I can¡¯t take this. Watch the people I cared about slowly dying before my eyes.¡±


    I pulled away and cupped his face. ¡°I know this is hard, but we will do everything to find a way to stop this madness. Gage will be thest one to be infected. This has to end, Knight.¡±


    ¡°I hope so.¡± Watching him so helpless almost broke my heart.


    ¡°We should go.¡± McKaye came. ¡°He¡¯s cooperative, but he¡¯s getting worse, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Is Zarah not here yet?¡±


    I dropped my gaze in shame. ¡°I made a mistake. I said something terrible to her. I¡¯m sorry.¡± I cried again. My tears fell like a stream.


    ¡°Hey. It¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll call her again. Don¡¯t worry.¡± He wrapped his arm around me, rubbing my arm as he soothed me.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go see Gage then.¡±


    The pack had created what looked like a state-of-the-art underground bunker. It had rooms andplete supplies for emergencies. At the end corner was the cell. It was separated by thick iron bars and a vault door from the bunker.


    ¡°So you guyse here when there¡¯s an attack?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the purpose. It can withstand a nuclear st.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s incredible but kinda unsettling that you have to build something like this because there¡¯s always no guarantee of a pack attack.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true.¡±


    Lennox and Tucker left the vault door open. McKaye and Luka were already there watching Gage.


    I swallowed hard as I saw what it was like to be infected. He was so pale, as if someone drained his blood. He had an infected wound on his shoulder. His eyes were red and sunken. When his nose started bleeding ck, I looked away.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Luna. I¡¯m such a disappointment.¡± He went down from the iron bed to the cemented floor.


    I went closer to him even if it broke my heart while terrified. With my heart pumping so hard in my chest, I held the iron bars and bent to sit down before him so I could look directly into his eyes. ¡°This is not your fault, Gage.¡±


    ¡°If I get worse, promise me you won¡¯t make me suffer.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t. Don¡¯t say something like that. We¡¯re doing our best to find a cure.¡±


    Heughed sadly. ¡°You know there¡¯s no cure, Luna.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not giving up on you, Gage. If not for you, I wouldn¡¯t have opened my eyes to the possibility that you existed. You¡¯re the first werewolf I witnessed shift. Can you believe that? Because of you, you opened this world to me.¡±


    ¡°I feel it¡¯s consuming me. Every blood in my body feels like burning. Every cell in my body is crawling. You can¡¯t keep me in here.¡± He looked up at Knight, who hadn¡¯t said anything since we came down. ¡°Alpha, myst dying wish, don¡¯t make me be something you won¡¯t recognize anymore. Please, at least let me die as me, your enforcer.¡±


    ¡°You have my word, Gage.¡± Knight¡¯s jaw ticked, and his eyes were red.


    ¡°Thank you, Alpha, Luna. Thank you, guys. At least I¡¯m going to die before my pack, my family. I¡¯m so sorry you have to see me like this.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t apologize.¡± I smiled sadly. ¡°You couldn¡¯t have known.¡± I stared at him for a moment as I realized something. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    I dragged Knight out of the cell.


    ¡°What is it, nirvana?¡±


    Once we got out of the bunker, I asked Knight. ¡°Where did you find him?¡±


    ¡°He was on his way here.¡±


    ¡°I have a bad feeling about this.¡± Goosebumps crawled over my skin.


    ¡°About?¡±


    I turned my head to my right when I heard Zarah. I smiled, ran in her direction, and hugged her tight. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was caught in my emotions and stupidity. I didn¡¯t mean what I said.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. So tell us why you feel bad about something.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t Dn say all infected are somehow linked together or are being mind-controlled by a master?¡±


    We all shared the same look with one terrifying realization.


    ¡°Fuck.¡±

 93

    KNIGHTBelongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    I quickly mind-linked everyone down the bunker. ¡°Get out of there now! All of you.¡±


    My heart hammered in my chest. What terrified me was they were my best enforcers. Cyrius was targeting them. He knew exactly how we think.


    Then it hit me. It was probably true that he could get into the infected brings¡¯s mind to control them.


    I went down with my superspeed. I found Luka was still inside, while Gage seemed to be terrified. His eyes widened as if he felt something happening inside him.


    ¡°Oh, shit!¡± Luka saw it, too. He was just staring there, rigid, somehow shocked even to move and follow my order.


    ¡°Luka!¡± When my adrenaline kicked in, Ipletely forgot that Luka and I had almost the same weight. I gripped his arm and pushed on his chest outside the vault room,nding him at Uncle Lennox¡¯s feet.


    Then, I rushed out and pushed the door quickly.


    McKaye was fast, and his mind worked better in desperate times, just like his training and expertise in mixed martial arts. He came to help and rotated the gauge to seal the door locked. And then bang.


    Gage just exploded.


    I tried to block that sound off in my head, but it still echoed. Nirvana came down, meeting my gaze, and I saw the pain in her eyes, too.


    As my knees weakened, I dragged myself down the floor. When everyone depended their lives on you, then you failed them, it fucking crushed you.


    How many more lives should die? How many more of these people should suffer?


    ¡°I¡¯ll decontaminate the room.¡± Kailin pressed the red button to clean the room, but I wasn¡¯t sure it would work when dealing with a deadly incurable virus.


    ¡°We did what we could,¡± Uncle Lennox said, gripping my knees.


    ¡°Did we, Uncle? Because, as far as I know, I failed to protect him. I failed everyone. How many of you guys can be infected before we stop him? Can we stop him? He is wreaking havoc, and we¡¯re not sure if our ns will work. And I¡¯m fucking terrified for all of you. I don¡¯t know what to do anymore. These aren¡¯t some pack issues that I have always encountered. This evil is an ancient being whose limit no one knows. And I¡¯m helpless.¡±


    ¡°Hey.¡± Nirvana sighed, came to me, and gripped my hand. ¡°I know this is terrifying. You have no idea how terrified I am every single day, every time I hear someone got the virus, but this is not the time to lose hope. I know that sometimes, giving up is easier than fighting when things get tougher. If there¡¯s one thing I learned since I met you, we¡¯re stronger together.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Nirvana. I feel like I¡¯m drowning and helpless right now.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we should think like him. Why is he noting back to find me? Why is he just spreading this gue? Because he can¡¯t get what he wants. He wants to break me, to let me watch everyone I care about die until I give him what he wants.¡±


    ¡°What he wants from you, Vana?¡± Lennox asked. I didn¡¯t realize he hadn¡¯t known it until now.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t told him?¡± Nirvana asked through our link.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t tell the elders. Just us and the guys.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a descendant of Katzius, a powerful warlock. Dn, too. Ambrose is also one.¡±


    ¡°Katzius? He¡¯s a myth.¡±


    ¡°Trust me. He sounds like a myth, but Katzius is real. He and Cyrius had been enemies for eternity. When Ambrose couldn¡¯t kill him, he locked him up for years, but he somehow got away. There¡¯s a story that only a female descendant of Katzius can defeat him. That¡¯s why he killed every female descendant he had ever known. He came after me weeks ago and tried to kill me, but I have a feeling he wants more than that. He wants me to join his parade.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me about this?¡± Lennox faced me, feeling betrayed. ¡°Are you nning on telling us?¡±


    ¡°Zarah, Lycans, and Vampires are working together on how to defeat Cyrius. When he came after my mate, it became more personal to me. I only told everyone to be careful with the virus. I didn¡¯t tell you it was not because I didn¡¯t trust you, but I didn¡¯t want you involved, or he could use everyone toe after Nirvana and me. I didn¡¯t mean to offend you because you¡¯re one of the elders, Uncle, but you¡¯re also my father¡¯s brother. I can¡¯t risk you.¡±


    ¡°You already did, Knight. I wish you could have been more upfront so we know what¡¯s happening and how to deal with it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, uncle.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t realize you put me and the entire pack at risk. I¡¯m an elder, for Goddess¡¯s sake, and I have a say in this. I may have known something that could help you, but you chose to work with them and with vampires. Really?¡±


    I dropped my gaze as I breathed deeply. I felt ashamed and hurt that I hurt the person who trusted me and who never gave up on me when my parents were gone.


    ¡°Elder Lennox, we found a book that said something that may help defeat Cyrius. The reason why we work together with the vampires is because we may need our blood to create a weapon.¡± Nirvana chose her words carefully, and I admired that she considered my uncle¡¯s feelings.


    ¡°What book? Where did you find it?¡±


    ¡°After I died, Ambrose-¡±


    ¡°Ambrose? The same Ambrose?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± She swallowed hard. ¡°My great great great grandfather.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m hearing this. I¡¯m sorry. I don¡¯t mean to disrespect you, Alpha and Luna, but I don¡¯t wanna hear it anymore.¡±


    Lennox was about to leave when Nirvana held his arm. ¡°Elder Lennox, please? I¡¯m so sorry we didn¡¯t let you get involved. Knight and I were trying to protect everyone in this pack. I know I just became a part of this family, but we did what we thought was good for everyone. It was in our good intention.¡±


    He looked at his arm in Nirvana¡¯s grip. ¡°Do you realize people out there were dying because of you? You bloodline?¡±


    ¡°Uncle, I suggest you respect my mate, who happens to be the Luna of this pack. I know I hurt you, but that is not her choice to be born into that bloodline. She has been cursed since her birth. She¡¯s also a victim of this long cycle of war. She has nothing to do with this, and she died and paid for the thing she hadn¡¯t done wrong.¡±


    ¡°Dad, please, don¡¯t me Nirvana.¡± Kailin came to her father.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Lennox snorted. ¡°So you knew? My twins knew, and you didn¡¯t give a damn telling me?¡± He spat out his words at McKaye and Kailin. ¡°Do you realize what you all have done?¡±


    ¡°I know this a family matter. I know what it¡¯s like to feel betrayed.¡± Zarah also joined the conversation because I felt we just lost my uncle¡¯s support.


    ¡°Stay out of this, woman.¡± He pointed at Zarah, throwing her daggers.


    ¡°This woman you called might be the only person who could help end this. I want to stop this gue as much as everyone, but you have to set aside your anger so we can work together-¡±


    ¡°So, now, together, huh? Where was I when you started this n? How are you doing so far?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that simple, Dad,¡± Kailin said. ¡°We¡¯ve scoured the world to find something.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you should just let her go with those sick mutts.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t just say that to my mate, Uncle. For once, set aside your grudge against me and my mate. If you want to help us, help us. If not, then stay out of our way. We¡¯re good without you, and I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll seed without your help.¡±


    ¡°Knight.¡± Nirvana narrowed her eyes at me. ¡°This is exactly what Cyrius wants. He wants us to fight one another. He wants to tear us apart because he knows we all are stronger if we work together. This is not the time for your pride to get in the way.¡±


    Nirvana was right. Cyrius wanted to tear everyone apart, and I wouldn¡¯t let this happen to my pack and family.


    I breathed deeply. ¡°Uncle, I¡¯m talking to you as your nephew. I¡¯m so sorry. As your Alpha, you deserve to know. I admit I made a mistake keeping you, all elders, in the dark. Since you¡¯re the head of Elders, you decide whether to tell them, and you can tell them the decision came from both of us. But I want to know if you¡¯re on board, and I¡¯d love it if you are.¡±


    Lennox breathed deeply and looked at everyone. ¡°When do we start?¡±


    His children sighed. Kailin hugged her father and muttered a thank you. Nirvana and I shared a look and smiled.


    ¡°I never doubted you¡¯d make a good Luna, Luna,¡± Kaleb said.


    When I opened my mouth to say something, my phone buzzed, as everyone¡¯s.

 94

    NIRVANA


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I asked everyone when they received texts, except me and Zarah.


    When they read the message and looked at me, I raised my brows, waiting for them to break the tension inside the bunker.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Zarah asked.


    Instead of a reply, Knight growled. His eyes glowed as he showed us his phone¡¯s screen with my picture.


    I widened my eyes at how my picture looked- like a mug shot. ¡°Why is my picture on your phone like I¡¯m some kind of a criminal?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s an APB, a BOLO to all werewolves. Fuck.¡± His face was red in anger. His jaw clenched, and his phone almost cracked in his grasp as he stared at me, so pissed off and dangerous.


    ¡°Why would the Council make this sudden move?¡± Lennox asked.


    ¡°So, I¡¯m wanted now? They didn¡¯t even know me, and I¡¯m not a werewolf.¡±


    ¡°When Knight let you be a part of his pack, he sent your profile to the council as a registration. That¡¯s mandatory,¡± Zarah exined, but it still didn¡¯t make any sense unless they knew something we didn¡¯t.


    ¡°Every werewolf, including rogues, is listed in the Werewolf Council as part of our world order. When you and Knight became mates, you officially became the Luna of this pack, and you and him are married in their eyes,¡± Kailin added.


    ¡°The Werewolf Council put you on the wanted list because they probably want to take you in.¡± Lennox¡¯s theory seemed rational, but the council just pissed me off.


    ¡°Why the fuck didn¡¯t they ask me first?¡± Knight dialed a number on his phone and waited to be received from the other line. ¡°Over my dead body. I¡¯m not handing my mate to them to be ughtered.¡±


    ¡°Calm down. We¡¯ll make a n,¡± Lennox said. Suddenly, he sounded like a father when he was mad at us for not keeping him in the loop about our ns.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± Nobody answered, and he became furious. ¡°Kailin, send a message to all pack members that I-¡± He blew a breath.


    I could feel he was struggling inside and out, no matter how he tried to be strong in front of everyone. I could feel him breaking.


    ¡°Hey.¡± I was about to ce my hand on his chest to calm him, but his fist just collided against the wall, startling me and everyone.


    ¡°Our n is over. How do we fight thousands of werewolvesing after my mate? Any moment from now, the vineyards and my territory will be flooded with werewolves to get their hands on my mate, aiming for rewards.¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°Half a mil,¡± McKaye said.


    ¡°I¡¯m worth five hundred grand? Damn. I should go and turn myself in and get my reward.¡± My sarcasm didn¡¯t impress them, especially our alpha. They all stared at me as if I just turned mad.


    ¡°Are you fucking kidding me right now?¡± He red at me as if ready to chew my head off.


    ¡°No.¡± I red back. ¡°I¡¯m fu-¡± I looked at Lennox. ¡°Apology for this. I¡¯m fucking terrified. I¡¯m fucking terrified for everyone in this pack getting hurt defending from those dicks to get to me. I won¡¯t ever allow them to risk their lives for me. I¡¯d rather turn myself in than any of you get hurt in the end.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯d rather die than let their hands on you.¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Good luck, Alpha. Try fighting their mercenaries and rogues at one time. I won¡¯t let you do that. I won¡¯t-¡± When my chin trembled, I looked away. ¡°This is bad. This is really bad, and it¡¯s getting out of our hands.¡± I stepped away from them as I wiped my tears. ¡°What was I thinking that I had a chance of defeating that monster when I had to face another monster?¡±


    ¡°Hey.¡± I felt Knight¡¯s hands on my arms. ¡°We¡¯ll figure this out. You said it yourself. We¡¯re stronger together, and we can¡¯t let him win.¡±


    ¡°You should call a conference with your allies, Knight,¡± Lennox suggested. At least one of us was still thinking straight.


    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea,¡± Zarah said, ¡°in the meantime, I can double the shield around your vineyards.¡±


    I sniffled as I faced them. ¡°Kaleb, tell everyone has families here, women and children, to get out of the vineyard. Anyone who can defend themselves can stay, but it¡¯s not obligatory. It should be their choice-¡± I stopped when they just stared at me as if I turned into a blue alien president of the confederacy until I realized the alpha was around, and I just gave him an order. ¡°Sorry, I shouldn¡¯t have given you the order.¡±


    ¡°Go on. That was a good idea,¡± Knight said, backing me up.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± I looked at Knight. The ring around in his eyes almost glowed again.


    ¡°You¡¯re the Luna. Everyone will listen to you.¡±


    ¡°Right. We will shut down any operation in the vineyards and winery. If you want to protect me, I¡¯d be honored. If you wish to go, I won¡¯t hold any grudges. I don¡¯t want you to feel obligated to save my butt. As much as you want to end this gue, I want you to save yourselves. If you stay for our alpha, I¡¯ll be indebted to all of you and do my best to protect you all. Thank you.¡±


    Kailin pressed a button on her phone. She sent and done.


    ¡°You recorded what I said?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Do you have a problem with that?¡± She arched a brow.


    ¡°I could have given a better speech?¡± I grinned at her even if I was beyond terrified.


    ¡°How are you so cool about this while my tail is literally shaking right now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m terrified, Luka, and the council? They¡¯re all bunch of assholes.¡± I turned to Knight. ¡°Do you trust me?¡±


    ¡°Do you really have to ask me that? Yes.¡±


    ¡°Good. Give me the number of the council.¡±


    ¡°What are you gonna do?¡± I instantly saw the hesitation in his eyes because he probably had anticipated that I would act impulsively.


    ¡°Trust me. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not turning myself in.¡±


    ¡°Good, because you have to go through me first,¡± he said confidently, and then these guys followed him without a doubt.


    ¡°Really?¡± I smirked.


    Zarah shook her head in annoyance.


    ¡°At least we try our best,¡± McKaye said.


    ¡°Knight, the allies,¡± Lennox reminded him.


    Knight gave me the council¡¯s number, and I dialed it on my phone when no one picked up from Knight¡¯s number.


    It was picked up right away as if monitoring my call logs.


    ¡°Yes? Who am I speaking to?¡± a man answered, sounding as old as Lennox.


    ¡°You know who I am. I¡¯m sure my number is already registered in my profile, but let me introduce myself. ¡°I¡¯m kely Nirvana Woodrow Thorne, a human mated to Alpha Knight ckwell.¡±


    ¡°I know who you are?¡±


    ¡°Then you shouldn¡¯t have asked in the first ce. One question that I¡¯m dying to know the answer to. Why didn¡¯t you ept a sitdown with Alpha Knight?¡±


    He was about to reply, but they just pissed me off by putting my name on their wanted list.


    ¡°Hold that thought, whoever you are.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m-¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a shit. Why did you put a half-million-dor bounty on my head? Do you want my life or what I have?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the head of the council.¡± Knight mouthed. ¡°Victor Fredrick.¡±


    ¡°I need my family to be safe.¡±


    ¡°What about the lives of the others? How cruel and selfish you are. And that doesn¡¯t help your case, council, but take this; I wille for you and kill you myself if you don¡¯t do as I say. Call it off now, Victor. Don¡¯t turn me into a killer.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t. By this time, you¡¯re already surrounded. It¡¯s already a matter of time before you end up in the council prison cell.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see about that. You must be at home right now, right?¡±


    ¡°Turn yourself in, Miss Thorne, before your territory turns into a blood bath.¡±


    ¡°Come in, get me yourself, asshole.¡± I ended the call.


    ¡°Why did you do that?¡± Knight was more pissed off than me.


    ¡°Does he have a family?¡±


    ¡°He has a wife and a son. His son runs the council in Montreal. He and his wife live alone in his estate in New York. Why?¡±


    ¡°I think he was forced to put a bounty on my head. I¡¯m still wondering why Cyrius did all this but did note after me here in the vineyards if this area could be the power grid of his power.¡± I turned to Zarah. ¡°He can¡¯t get inside thisnd, can he? He infected Gage to lure us out and leave this ce. He¡¯s not afraid I could kill him, but he¡¯s waiting for me toe to him so he cane and take over this ce.¡±


    ¡°One question.¡± Kaleb raised his hand. ¡°Can hee in even if this ce is shielded?¡±


    ¡°If he has hundreds or thousands of minions trying to break in, he can tear the shield down easily, and let¡¯s face it, he¡¯s more powerful than anyone I know,¡± Zarah answered but ignored my question. Why?


    Until I realized something, making meugh out loud and shaking my head in amusement. ¡°Well, shit, Zarah.¡±


    ¡°Took you so long figuring it out.¡±

 95

    KNIGHT


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Nirvana wanted to cry again but pushed her emotions back in control. ¡°We just lost a good man, and here I amughing at some stupid idea.¡±


    ¡°But you¡¯re right,¡± Zarah confirmed it to her. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here. You should take some people. It¡¯s safe down here.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the n,¡± Kaleb said.


    Some of my pack are already waiting for us-at least fifteen heads, including women and older werewolves.


    ¡°What should we do, Alpha?¡± Lucien asked. He¡¯s one of the elders and Kaleb¡¯s father.


    ¡°You¡¯re still here, Dad. I told you to leave.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t do it and save myself while everyone is here.¡±


    ¡°Then go down with these people,¡± I told Lucien. ¡°Take charge of the bunker. You know the code if things go wrong, and remind everyone never to open the vault. There¡¯s a dead body down there, and it¡¯s still probably contaminated.¡±


    ¡°You hear our alpha. Let¡¯s get down,¡± he said to the others who chose to stay.


    When they started moving, I turned to Kaleb. ¡°You can stay with your father. You don¡¯t have toe with us.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Alpha, but I¡¯d rather stay with you. You need any help you can get right now. We don¡¯t know if there¡¯s a reinforcementing.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. I should call our allies. Let¡¯s head to the office.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about earlier, Vana?¡± Lennox asked.


    ¡°This ce has an energy source for witches and warlocks. If Cyrius will take over this ce, we¡¯re over. We have to protect this, or he will be invincible.¡±


    ¡°But he can¡¯te here either because it¡¯s Nirvana¡¯s booster. That¡¯s why he has to lure her out so she won¡¯t be stronger when she¡¯s out of these ley lines. Have you heard of the spirit of the wolf, specifically, the Warrior Spirit of Asina, Lennox?¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    I watched my uncle¡¯s reaction. His eyes widened as he stared at Zarah and then at Nirvana, rubbing his arms for the goosebumps. ¡°That¡¯s impossible. How?¡±


    ¡°When she died-¡±


    ¡°Ah. She has a good soul. Goddess, I can¡¯t believe this.¡± When he looked at me, I saw his eyes light up with pride. ¡°If I die protecting her, so be it. At least I die a hero.¡±


    ¡°You better not die, Uncle. You still have to marry us.¡±


    Nirvana shook in amusement. ¡°We¡¯re about to face hundreds of werewolves, and all you can think about is getting married. Nice one, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s optimistic, and if this is his way of dealing with what¡¯s going on, let him be.¡± Kailin wrapped her arm around Nirvana and kissed his cheek. ¡°I think Dad is fanboying over you.¡±


    ¡°Fanboying? Is that even a word?¡± McKaye joked.


    I went to my desk and opened myptop after sending a group message to our allies. I hit the video call button and waited for them to answer.


    Califf was the first face to appear. Then the rest followed. Alpha Ryden, Alpha Grayson, and Alpha Grady greeted.


    ¡°I know this is a bad time, and we received the message from the council, and I¡¯m sorry, Alpha Knight.¡± Ryden was a young alpha who hadn¡¯t found his mate but fought hard to take his rank. That was why he was feared and respected. He was not just a good alpha but also a good warrior.


    ¡°Thank you, Alpha Ryden.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s Nirvana dealing with this?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s doing good than I am, Califf. I¡¯m calling this emergency meeting because I, as you all know, my mate has been hunted by the council, and I know you¡¯re probably warned not to help me and not to interfere with this. I still don¡¯t know what they want from her and why she¡¯s on the wanted list. She¡¯s human, and as far as I know, she did not do anything that breaks anyw.¡± My allies didn¡¯t know the truth about Nirvana, except Califf, and they could never know.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to ask where my loyalty lies, Knight. I¡¯m with you on this. We tried contacting the council, but they did not allow you to open a forum. I¡¯ll support whatever you decide. My pack is behind you on this, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. That means a lot, Califf.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Alpha Knight, but I have to say no. My pack was under attack, and I wasn¡¯t aware Nirvana was Case¡¯s granddaughter, and now, he is missing. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on, but my pack is terrified. I lost men, and I can¡¯t afford to lose another.¡±


    I saw Nirvana¡¯s reaction, and she wasn¡¯t happy about it.


    ¡°I respect your decision, Alpha Grayson. Case is missing because he wanted to protect your pack when you did not take action when the incident started. I can¡¯t force you if this is what you have decided. Appreciate for joining this meeting.¡±


    ¡°My pack is divided by the decision to help your mate, Alpha Knight, but I am their alpha. We can send you help. Our territory is closer to yours.¡± Alpha Ryden nodded in agreement. ¡°I know I can count on you if my pack will be in trouble.¡±


    ¡°How about you, Alpha Grady?¡± He was a new alpha, recing an ambitious sinister alpha who attacked Califf¡¯s territory to take Shadow.


    ¡°No questions asked. I¡¯m with Alpha Califf. Let us know how we can send help sooner.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Alpha Grayson ended the call, leaving just my remaining allies that I could count.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t thank you enough. I just lost a man from a virus just a few hours ago. This is a challenging time for me and my rank. So I don¡¯t want to make this long. I will stay and defend my territory and protect thisnd. If you are willing to send your men to help me, you need to give them a code so I know who our allies are. I couldn¡¯t trust anyone anymore after someone just kidnapped my mate.¡±


    ¡°Sorry to hear that, Alpha,¡± said Alpha Grady. ¡°Here¡¯s the code my men will tell you when theye. Mine blood will shed in thy honor.¡±


    ¡°The same,¡± Alpha Califf and Alpha Ryden agreed.


    I closed theptop after the call. ¡°Fucking Grayson. What an asshole.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t waste your energy on the wrong people. They want to save their own skin. Let them. So what is your n, son?¡±


    I looked at Zarah. ¡°How do we know if your shield is breached?¡±


    ¡°You have a security system and CCTV, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but our expert in that kind of just exploded inside the vault.¡± It still broke my heart knowing Gage was gone, and I failed to protect him, but I would mourn himter. Right now, we have a pressing matter that cannot wait.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Knight.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll mournter.¡±


    ¡°Zander is good, but not as good as Gage. I will assign him to monitor the security system,¡± Luka said.


    ¡°Then he¡¯s assigned to that job. Tell the twins, Maddox, and the other enforcers to scout the perimeters. Report to me once they spotted intruders. Use guns and bring walkies. I don¡¯t give a shit who dies or who lives. They wille to my territory to take my mate because of money, and I will put bullets in their heads. I will deal with the councilter.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t let your anger and revenge control you, Knight.¡±


    I looked at Nirvana. ¡°I¡¯ll deal with my anger issues and revenge plotter, Nirvana, but the moment they decide to take that bounty, they be my enemy.¡± I rose from my chair.


    Zarah sighed. ¡°Califf just texted me, asking for a portal.¡±


    ¡°A portal?¡± Lennox asked.


    ¡°Gee, Dad. You have a lot of things to catch up.¡± Kailin grinned at her father.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the dagger?¡±


    ¡°With me.¡±


    ¡°Good. Let¡¯s go and wee our allies.¡±

 96

    NIRVANA


    Tension suddenly rose in the vineyards. I could smell everyone¡¯s fear and anxiousness in the air as they started to arrive to help us defend our territory, but anyone could also turn and betray us.


    I looked at at least nine unfamiliar heads. I did not doubt Califf¡¯s enforcers, Zack, Lyon, and Tor, but these guys remained strangers to me.


    ¡°Thank you all foring. I¡¯m sure she needs no introduction. She¡¯s very popr these days. This is my mate, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re here to help, Alpha Knight, Luna Nirvana,¡± the guy in his mid-twenties said. If I remember right, his name was Ben from Crimson Heart, Alpha Ryden¡¯s pack.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how long it would take, but you can always leave. I will divide your assignments, and I¡¯ll be checking every now and then.¡± Knight looked down at the map of his property. ¡°I will take care of the northeast. It¡¯s near my house.¡±


    ¡°Is this a cliff?¡± Ben pointed at the map on the southeast.


    ¡°Yes. That¡¯s the end of mynd. Outside of that is the valley. I suggest you all not try getting out of my property. Once you¡¯re out, you can¡¯t enter unless youe through the two main gates from the pack house and the vineyards,¡± he exined.


    ¡°Got it. Liam, John, and I will take the southeast,¡± Ben volunteered.


    ¡°We¡¯ll take the South,¡± said Zack. ¡°Lyon and Tor will be with me. We can work effectively if we are together.¡±


    ¡°Of course. James, Ricky, and Lara, you are all assigned to the west side. If anyone tries to enter, you know the drill, if they won¡¯t tell their purpose.¡± Alpha Grady sent them and promised to send more when needed.


    ¡°One thing you guys should know. Our territory is protected by walls and barbwire. There are cameras and a security system. Also, there are traps just outside the vineyards. So be careful.¡± I looked at everyone. They listened attentively, except for Ben, who seemed full of himself.


    ¡°Thanks for the heads up,¡± James said.


    Luka joined us. ¡°Beta Kaleb, Maddox, the twins, and I will cover the rest. Fabian and Azrel are assigned at the gate.¡±


    ¡°Good idea. Food and drinks are at the tasting room. There are wines if you can tolerate alcohol. My pack put food, drinks, and camping chairs in each vehicle. If you need anything, contact me,¡± Knight said dismissively.


    ¡°Please be careful, guys. I owe you one.¡±


    Once they went to the vehicles, I grabbed Knight¡¯s hand. ¡°Are these the right decisions? Putting them in danger? I don¡¯t know what to feel if someone gets hurt.¡±


    ¡°I know, but we can¡¯t fight those werewolves alone. I have a bad feeling that more areing our way.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, me too. Are you sure you can trust these guys and won¡¯t betray us?¡±


    ¡°No, but I trust their alphas. Califf¡¯s guys, I know them. I can trust them with my life. And I know I can trust them with you.¡±


    ¡°You better ask their alphas for their pictures. Just in case, someone gets to their enforcers first.¡±


    ¡°Good idea.¡± Knight stared at me for a moment before he picked up his phone and sent a message to their group chat. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Kailin was waiting for us at Knight¡¯s bike. ¡°You guys, take care. Let me know if you need us.¡±


    ¡°You, too.¡± I hugged her tight.


    ¡°You, too, cuz.¡±


    ¡°Stay alert, and look after those guys in the bunker.¡±


    ¡°No problem.¡±


    Knight and I headed to the house when his phone buzzed. ¡°Check my phone, sweetheart.¡±


    I grabbed it from his jacket pocket, but it needed his face. ¡°You should wear a helmet, big guy.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going home anyway.¡±


    After his phone was unlocked, the alphas had already sent the photos of their members.


    ¡°I received the photos.¡±


    ¡°Check if they are the same persons we met.¡± We were halfway to the house when he stopped his bike and parked at the side of the road.


    ¡°Wait.¡± I checked the image from Ryden. ¡°Baby, we should go back. Alert the guys. ¡°Ryden¡¯s men are not who they are.¡±


    ¡°Fuck!¡± He made a swift turn and sped up back to the pack house. I could feel his body tensing, and he was driving like crazy, not wearing a helmet but his sunsses. ¡°Let me link them.¡±


    I dialed Kailin, and she picked up right away. ¡°Why are you calling me?¡±


    ¡°That smug son of a bitch, Ben, is not who he is. Tell everyone not to engage but be careful. We¡¯re on our way back.¡±


    ¡°Put the phone down.¡± I just heard Ben order Kailin, and the call hung up.


    ¡°Shit! No.¡± My body shook. My ears rang with anger.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°I was right. Ben just took Kailin hostage.¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°What? Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± I began to cry.


    ¡°Fuck! He will pay for this.¡± Knight gritted his teeth and sped up more.


    ¡°If something happens to Kailin, I will never forgive myself.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sweetheart, but I can¡¯t drive slow.¡±


    ¡°Then don¡¯t!¡± The moment I gave him a go, I felt like I was flying, and I could feel the tiredness barely touching the asphalt.


    I wrapped my arms around his body tightly. If we got into an ident, I might never have survived if I hadn¡¯t healed fast. But lives were at stake, and we needed to be there on time.


    ¡°I will fucking kill them.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not gonna stop you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d you doubted that dick. He¡¯s smug and egotistic.¡±


    In less than five minutes, we¡¯re back. McKaye ran in our direction. The bike stopped in front of him, and I almost flew forward. I got down even if my knees were still shaking.


    I breathed deeply before I faced McKaye. His nose was ring. His wolf could have taken him over if he hadn¡¯t the strongest self-control.


    ¡°The rm just went off from-¡±


    ¡°Southeast.¡±


    McKaye looked at me. ¡°How do you know?¡±


    ¡°Hence, he asked about the cliff. There are moreing from that area. The cliff is essible from someone like you guys.¡±


    ¡°I will fucking kill those sons of bitches. I already told Dad to prepare the detonator, but he knows we have a bunker. How? I have no idea. And he¡¯s taken my sister down.¡±


    ¡°What does he want? Don¡¯t answer me.¡± He growled, rage stirring up inside him. I could feel it.


    Knight and McKaye, when angry together, could kill anyone by just their look. They frightened me.


    ¡°He¡¯s asking for Vana.¡±


    ¡°Just the three came into my territory and want to take my mate? Are they fucking insane?¡± Knight¡¯s eyes shed with fury. His scent was mixed with anger, screaming chaos, and revenge.


    When McKaye gave us this look, I felt we would not like it.


    ¡°What is it, Mac?¡± Knight asked impatiently.


    ¡°They have bombs.¡±


    I gaped in shock and horror. ¡°How were they able to bring it in without detection?¡±


    ¡°Not just any bomb.¡± Now, he looked worried. We had at least fifteen people in the bunker, and he just took the bomb down.


    ¡°What kind of bomb?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a gas.¡± He showed us the live feed from his phone. ¡°Hence, it¡¯s nearly undetectable.


    ¡°Give me your alpha, or I will turn this bunker into a blood bath,¡± Ben, that son of a bitch, just talked to the walkie-talkie.


    Knight grabbed it from McKaye and growled. ¡°What do you want?¡±


    I braced myself for his answer even if I were aware it was me who he wanted.


    ¡°You know what I want.¡±


    ¡°I will double the prize. You can leave this ce unharmed with one million dors in cash.¡±


    I blinked at Knight with my stomach coiling.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want your money, Alpha. No offense. I want your mate. If I don¡¯t see her down in five minutes, I will shoot them one by one, including this beautiful, unmateddy with me,¡± Ben said confidently, and I could see his smug face smirking.


    Outraged, Knight and McKaye growled together. And I felt like my body just turned a hundred and eighty degrees hotter.


    ¡°How do you expect to get out of here alive, Ben, if that¡¯s even your name?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not your problem anymore. And I know you will do as I say, Alpha. What would you choose? These people here, or your mate? I bet your mate.¡±


    I grabbed the walkie from Knight, making him angrier. His eyes filled with fury. ¡°Don¡¯t hurt them. I¡¯ming down.¡±

 97

    KNIGHT


    That son of a bitch.


    I should have known better. I was d it came to Nirvana¡¯s senses when I couldn¡¯t. Her mind worked differently than mine, and she could think of checking out the identities of these guys. Or the scenario could have been worse.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be reckless. That jackass asked for you, but it didn¡¯t mean you gave him what he wanted,¡± McKaye said.


    ¡°Do you have any idea? Now it¡¯s time to share it with the ss, Mac. We just lost Gage. I don¡¯t want to lose any more men today. And your sister is down with the hostages.¡±


    ¡°Alpha, I just saw four guys down the cliff,¡± Uncle Lennox reported.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Nirvana asked. She must have noticed my reaction.


    ¡°Uncle just saw four men down the cliff.¡±


    ¡°Shit.¡± McKaye didn¡¯t know what to do. He was torn between staying for his sister or going to his father.


    ¡°Go to your dad. I¡¯ll take care of the problem in the bunker. I promise I will bring your sister alive.¡±


    Somehow, he lightened up a bit as he looked at us. ¡°Thank you. You both take care. Whatever n you have, I trust in you.¡±


    I watched him run away at a blinding speed. Once his back was gone, I held Nirvana¡¯s hand. ¡°You can¡¯t go down there.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have a choice. Our people are stuck in there.¡± I grabbed my phone and texted Dn. He was still with Zarah. I needed the help we could get.


    ¡°You have two minutes left, or I will blow this brte¡¯s head off,¡± he said to the walkie, making Nirvana gasp.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± My anger wasn¡¯t much of a help. It should have fueled the rage inside me and turned it into my strength, but right now, all I could think about was the lives of those people down and the life of my mate. I checked the live feeds on my phone. ¡°He has Heartley.¡±


    ¡°You need to trust me that I can do this. I promise I will take care. And the bounty did not say they want me dead. I can escape on the way.¡±


    ¡°No, Nirvana. I can¡¯t risk you, too.¡± The heat of my anger seared into my skin as I clenched my hand around her little wrist. ¡°You are too important for the n to work out. I know this is unfair, but think of the bigger picture.¡±


    She wrestled and pulled her wrist free of my grip. ¡°I am thinking of it right now, Knight, but we¡¯re running out of time. I don¡¯t want them to die because of me. I can¡¯t take it. I just can¡¯t. You can¡¯t just protect me. I should protect them, too. I can¡¯t do my job with one hand tied behind my back. You can hate me now, but you should let me go. I love you, Knight, but I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Fuck!¡± She was just right in front of me. In a blink, she just jumped. How could I stop her when she was more powerful than me? I linked Luka. ¡°I need you here outside the bunker. Ben and his stooges took Kailin and everyone down hostage.¡±


    ¡°Shit, Alpha. I¡¯ll be there.¡±Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Dn just ran in my direction. A few momentster, Luka arrived.


    ¡°We have a situation here, and your cousin just did the stupidest thing she¡¯d ever done, and I couldn¡¯t stop her.¡± I¡¯d never felt so weak and useless as I showed them the footage on my phone.


    ¡°Do you need any more men?¡± Luka asked.


    ¡°No. He demanded Nirvana down, or he will kill them one by one. He and his assholes friends took Ryden¡¯s guys¡¯ identities. My guess is they forced them to get what they wanted before killing those poor guys.¡±


    ¡°I know that son of a bitch.¡± Dn pointed at Ben. ¡°That¡¯s Dave Mull. He¡¯s a notorious drug dealer and a very resourceful man. And if he said he would kill someone, he would do it. Shit.¡±


    I watched Nirvana just walk down to her death trap.


    Fuck.


    ¡°Don¡¯t provoke him, Nirvana.¡± I opened the link to her. ¡°He¡¯s a bad guy. Dn knows him. His name is Dave Mull.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, baby.¡± She just blocked me.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± I grunted in displeasure, not knowing what to do anymore. ¡°She just blocked me.¡±


    ¡°I trust her, Alpha. I¡¯m sure she has a n,¡± Luka said, ¡°she¡¯s reckless, but we should give her a chance.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not helping, Luka.¡± I fisted my hands when one of Ben¡¯s men, or Dave or whoever the hell he was, started patting Nirvana¡¯s body for weapons or something. ¡°I swear I¡¯m gonna rip their throats if I get a chance.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s the dagger?¡±


    ¡°Fuck.¡± I squeezed my eyes shut as if we might have another problem.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Dn. I told her not to tell me.¡±


    ¡°Shit, Nirvana. She didn¡¯t just risk herself, but the entire n.¡± He shook his head in disappointment. ¡°I can¡¯t me her, though. Someone like Dave never joked about threats. I¡¯m sure he nned this meticulously, but Dave doesn¡¯t work with a team.¡±


    Luka and I looked at each other as I tried reaching out to Nirvana. Thankfully, as an alpha, I controlled this pack, and I managed to reach our link. ¡°He¡¯s gonna kill his partners.¡±


    ¡°I have a feeling he will,¡± her voice just came through my head.


    ¡°I will kill him, sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°I know you will.¡±


    ¡°Please, be careful. I will deal with youter.¡±


    ¡°I know, and I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Stop with mind-linking. He can¡¯t help you now,¡± Ben mocked Nirvana.


    ¡°Alpha, I have good news.¡± McKaye just reached out.


    ¡°The four guys are the real men Ryden sent for help. Dad and I will watch this area. I can send them to you now.¡±


    ¡°No. Keep them with you. We¡¯re handling the situation here. Be careful.¡± I closed the link.


    ¡°They¡¯reing out,¡± Luka informed me.


    Liam was the first toe out from the bunker, carrying the gas. ¡°Don¡¯t ever think of ying a hero, Alpha. Your human mate will die first if this gas drops to the ground. You don¡¯t wanna be stupid.¡±


    I clenched my jaw harder. I could lose control any moment, but maybe there was a chance- even a minuscule chance I would take it, and I prayed whatever Nirvana was nning would work. That was the only thing I held onto, or I would lose my mind.


    ¡°You will pay for this. I will hunt you down myself,¡± Luka said. He only got a mockingugh from those assholes, which stirred my wolf.


    ¡°You don¡¯t mind if I use your car, do you, Alpha?¡± Ben smirked at me.


    ¡°Knight.¡± I could feel the fear in her voice as my mate called my name, her eyes pleading. Her smile almost made me fall to my knees. ¡°I wish we had time to watch my favorite movie. You¡¯d love Andy Dufresne.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I muttered under my breath. ¡°I will pay you three million. Just let her go. One million in cash and two million in Ethereum. It¡¯s untraceable. Take it, Ben. Don¡¯t be stupid.¡±


    ¡°I have a contract, ckwell. Sorry, but I have to decline.¡± The way he smirked, he was confident he would get paid, and I felt the whish of my anger sink into my bones.


    ¡°Calm down, Alpha. There¡¯s a huge chance Nirvana will get hurt if we try to stop them.¡±


    The other guy, John, pushed Nirvana inside the backseat, making me growl, mostly from my wolf. Then Ben took the driver¡¯s seat while Liam still carried the gas.


    ¡°Tell your men to stand down and let us go, or you all will die.¡± He raised the gas canister, showing us he wasn¡¯t bluffing.¡±


    ¡°Fabian, let Ben and his friends go. Don¡¯t try to stop them. They could hurt Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± His voice was hesitant, but I knew he would do his job.


    I watched the car pull away from the driveway with my mate in it, and my heart felt like crushing inside my chest.


    I¡¯d never felt so helpless as I just let my mate be taken away from me without a fight. I let those men walk into my territory without a bit of a doubt. I failed her again.


    ¡°She will make it back,¡± Zarah said behind me.


    ¡°I hope so, Zarah, or I will jump off the cliff and kill myself.¡±


    ¡°Are you doubting her capability?¡± She held my tensed shoulder so I could face her.


    ¡°No. Never.¡± I looked right into her eyes. ¡°She can be reckless and selfless, but I trust her. Who I don¡¯t trust are those assholes that won¡¯t hurt my mate or if Cyrius is waiting wherever they will take her. I¡¯d never felt so helpless and a disappointment like this, Zarah. Never in my life.¡±


    ¡°You will feel more lost and helpless when Cyrius brings the war into your pack, but you got us. This is not the final battle, so I suggest you pull yourself together and lead these people looking after you.¡±


    ¡°Wait a minute,¡± I remembered Nirvana mentioned a name. ¡°Andy Dufresne?¡±


    Zarah looked like she didn¡¯t have a clue either.


    ¡°Who the fuck is Andy Dufresne?¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± Dn asked me in disbelief when none of us seemed to know who the fuck was this guy? ¡°That¡¯s the guy from The Shawshank Redemption. I think she just gave us a clue.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the clue, Dn?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about oveing adversity-¡±


    ¡°Just get to the fucking clue, Dn.¡±


    He just rolled his eyes at me. ¡°We should all focus on our goal. No matter how insurmountable the situation may seem, we always find a way to ovee it.¡±


    I sighed in exasperation.


    Zarah shook her head in annoyance. ¡°Meaning, she has an escape n.¡±

 98

    NIRVANA


    My breathing held in my lungs as Liam threw the gas canister on the gate, ensuring no one was stupid enough to follow us.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to do that. You made your point. They won¡¯t follow us anymore.¡± I turned on my seat to watch the canister break, and greenish smoke spread all over the gate. Fabian and Azrel ran inside.


    ¡°Oh, yeah. And your pack is not stupid not to even try.¡± He looked over his shoulder and red at me.


    ¡°Knight gave his word not to follow, and he will keep it.¡± I tried harder to prove a point, though I knew this was useless because they all wanted to get paid.


    ¡°Do you think I believe you?¡± Ben snorted. ¡°I¡¯m sure they¡¯re nning at this moment. You are his mate. He will move mountains toe looking for you.¡±


    ¡°He could have fought harder for me, but werewolves sometimes get a second mate, right?¡±


    ¡°Just shut up.¡± Liam spat out. ¡°You don¡¯t have to talk. We don¡¯t give a shit about your opinion.¡±


    ¡°What does the council want from you?¡± Ben¡¯s side nced at me through the rearview. ¡°You¡¯re just a pathetic little human. In fact, I don¡¯t see anything special about you.¡±


    ¡°Good point. I was asking the same thing,¡± I muttered under my breath, trying to process the glorious reality they just captured me.


    ¡°And the fact that they want you alive, you must be of value to them.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Liam agreed. ¡°I mean, five hundred grand? That¡¯s a lot of money, and she¡¯s not even a royal to have that amount of bounty.¡±


    ¡°Just take the win, guys. You¡¯re lucky you¡¯re all getting paid, while me, not so much.¡± I rolled my eyes. One thing I was thankful for? They did not even cuff or tie my hands because they underestimated what a human like me could do.


    I knew I was stupid. I wasn¡¯t thinking rationally, but this was all happening because of me. I couldn¡¯t risk everyone more than I already had.


    If they were willing to risk their lives for me, then I should be willing to do everything for them. The best I could do was save them the trouble, no matter how stupid my n was.


    ¡°I can already feel the taste of money in my tongue,¡± said John beside me, grinning like a moron. He had already put his handgun behind his back. He was pretty confident I couldn¡¯t hurt a fly, what more a male werewolf.


    ¡°What made you think you will get your share?¡± I watched the road as I got far from the vineyards and lost our pack link.


    ¡°Shut up, bitch.¡± He had already raised his elbow, about to hit me, when Ben stopped him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even try. We get paid if we deliver her alive. She¡¯s worth five hundred grand, moron. Control your shit, or you won¡¯t get a penny.¡±


    ¡°You know, I¡¯ve seen this situation many times where a boss makes a n for a heist with a group and has a n B if things go south, and there¡¯s another n C that he only knows.¡±


    ¡°Can you just put duct tape on her mouth?¡± Liam grunted at John.


    ¡°Just let me knock her out.¡±


    Ben red at him, and they both shut up.


    ¡°Just saying, guys.¡± I shrugged.


    After Knight told me about Ben, or whatever his real name was, he could efficiently run away with his bounty money.


    ¡°For a weak human, you seem prettyfortable sitting next to us, considering you have a bounty on your head.¡± Liam snorted. ¡°Well, I mean, they need you alive, but you know what I mean.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m freaking terrified!¡± I screamed at him inside the car. That one was true. They could have just executed me in the desert for all they cared, but they also wanted to get their payment, so I could still execute my n if money mattered more to them.


    ¡°Stop screaming, or I will shove my socks into your mouth, bitch!¡± I just pissed off Ben. He almost showed off his fangs and ws.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m sure you can hear my heartbeat. I don¡¯t know what they want from me. As far as I know, it¡¯s not anymore a crime for a werewolf to be mated to a human because I can¡¯t think of anything I did wrong. They could have just gone to the vineyards and read my Miranda rights or whatever rights they read before arresting someone, then cuff me and take me to the council. I am confused as you all are. The fact that they are willing to spend that amount of money, I¡¯m perplexed, and it¡¯s beyond my understanding.¡±


    ¡°You know they lost a lot of their mercenaries over this virus? That¡¯s why they offer money to anyone who can bring you to them. As far as going to the vineyards, they know the risks. ckwell has many allies,¡± Ben exined.


    ¡°But apparently, he¡¯s also stupid. He just got yed.¡± Liamughed out loud, which made me angry.


    ¡°You can just let me go, guys. Please?¡± I shut my eyes close before Asina showed up and exposed what I was. Instead, I yed a weak main character in my own story. I sniffled and wiped my tears. I didn¡¯t cry for that reason because I knew why they wanted me. Alive? I wasn¡¯t sure. Maybe the council wanted to make sure they would be the ones to end my life so Cyrius would walk away and live happily ever after.


    ¡°You talk a lot.¡± Ben narrowed his eyes at me. ¡°But you¡¯re right on one thing, though.¡±


    Before I could blink and ask what I was right about, he just shot Liam in the head. Liam¡¯s brain sshed all over the window. Before John could pull his gun from his back, he was already shot in the forehead. His blood spattered into my face.


    My jaw trembled as I froze in my seat. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. My heart pounded wildly to the point it became ufortable. I¡¯d never felt so scared in my entire life until today when I knew I could die with a bullet through my head in just a mere second. With wide eyes and trembling chin, I met his mad, inhumane stare.


    ¡°Don¡¯t piss me off or you¡¯re next.¡± He got out of the car and opened the door on my side. ¡°Get out.¡±


    Still shaking, I managed to breathe and pull myself together. I was sure Asina would protect me, but what if she wouldn¡¯t?


    What if I died in Ben¡¯s hands? Silently, I followed him, walking away from the two dead bodies. I saw a car parked at the curb in just a few yards.


    ¡°Get in the car and stop talking.¡±


    With my muscles tensing, I nodded without a word and sat in the passenger seat. Throughout the ride, I couldn¡¯t help but rewind what happened back there.


    Ben killed those two guys without hesitation. I had a feeling that he might not take me to the council, and then it was over.


    We arrived at a pretty rich neighborhood, exclusively for millionaires and billionaires. The car stopped before the iron-wrought gate of a mansion. It opened simultaneously, remotely controlled, and then he drove through an expansive driveway and pulled over at the front.


    ¡°If you behave, you might live another day,¡± he said before he got out of the driver¡¯s seat.


    When the door to my side opened, I got out willingly, and he gripped me tightly around my arm. His sidearm was still tucked behind him. I could have just snatched it without him noticing, but I had a solid n if he brought me to someone I wanted to see.


    He knocked on the door and waited. Then, it was unlocked from the inside.


    I held my breath as soon as we stepped inside the house. The interior was like a ssic Beverly Hills residential, but my wandering was cut short when the man in his fifties in a dark blue suit walked downstairs. He was not Cyrius unless he had a new vessel.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think you could pull it off.¡± That voice seemed familiar, making the hair at the back of my neck stand.


    ¡°Her mate offered me three million dors. I¡¯m sure you can raise-¡± He hadn¡¯t finished his sentence when a single silenced shot echoed, making me jump, yet I was still standing, and Ben had just dropped to the white tiled floor.


    ¡°A greedy like you will never change.¡±


    I yelped at the voice behind me. I swiftly turned to see a man almost as age and height as Knight in a white shirt with a leather jacket still with a gun in his hand. He had no emotion in his voice or face, and his Persian eyes were so cold they could freeze me to death.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± I asked as I stepped back close to the older man who had juste downstairs. My voice trembled as I watched the blood keep flowing from Ben¡¯s head.


    ¡°You don¡¯t wanna know.¡± If his eyes were cold, he could freeze me- his voice was calm as the sea.


    ¡°What do you want from me?¡± I turned to ask the older man.


    He chuckled. ¡°The man you just threatened over the phone.¡±


    Of course. Now I recognized his voice. The man who shot Ben was one of the mercenaries. That was for sure.


    I swallowed hard, acting like I was terrified and sorry for myself. If I was being honest, I was actually terrified. I tried to reach out for him, holding his arm. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean what I said. I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    ¡°Toote for an apology. You made a mistake by threatening the head of the Werewolf Council, Miss Thorne. Now you¡¯re going to regret this,¡± said the man with a death re, his gun still in his grip, hand over the other.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, sir Victor.¡± I looked him in the eye as if convincing him to pardon me. ¡°I won¡¯t do it again. I promise.¡±


    ¡°Let him go,¡± the guy behind me gave me a low warning growl that sent terror racing down my spine.


    It was now or never. I gripped Victor harder, took a deep breath, and jumped.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.

 99

    KNIGHT


    I lost her again.


    Outraged, I cursed myself for being so weak. Though I could have done something, I trusted my mate¡¯s n. Still, it was extraordinarily difficult to think of anything other than Nirvana. My mind was with her all the time.


    They could have just killed her, and why refused my offer?


    ¡°Alpha, I know this is not the right time, but Zack just reported that they are seeing two men closing their post.¡±


    ¡°They can shoot them if they post a threat,¡± I said sourly.


    Luka nodded, reporting back to Zack.


    ¡°Any updates?¡± I asked Zander.


    ¡°None so far, Alpha. No one has breached the wall.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you know what you¡¯re doing?¡± I didn¡¯t know why I suddenly questioned everyone¡¯s capability when they could quickly throw their me on me.


    ¡°You¡¯re under a lot of stress-¡±


    ¡°Yes, Dn.¡± I was hurt, furious, sick, ashamed, outraged, and I named it. Stress was merely my problem. ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me that. I¡¯m losing my shit knowing every werewolf in this country ising to the vineyards to kill everyone who stands their way just to get to my absent mate. And Nirvana hasn¡¯t called ore back. You don¡¯t know what I feel right now. No one can.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Alpha. If you want me to help the others, I will. Just tell me what to do.¡±


    All I could do was throw him a re.


    ¡°Alpha, I know you don¡¯t wanna hear this, but we owe her our lives.¡±


    I looked at Kailin, and we were both miserable. ¡°You would do the same in a heartbeat.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I wish-¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna hear mes, what ifs, and the things you could or couldn¡¯t do. Let¡¯s just pray she knows what she¡¯s doing, and she will seed.¡± I checked the time on my watch for the umpteenth time, and it seemed like the time just stopped working,


    ¡°Shit. James, say that again?¡± Luka said to the chappy message he received.


    ¡°I have eyes on a young woman and a man in his fifties. How do we proceed?¡± James quickly replied. ¡°The man looks familiar. I¡¯m not sure who, though.¡±


    ¡°Can you ask what they want?¡±


    ¡°Do you really have to ask them that? Tell them to shoot.¡± Dn growled.


    ¡°Hold on.¡±


    We turned to Zarah and waited.


    Zarah aggravatedly asked, ¡°Don¡¯t they have binocrs? You guys have better visions and can¡¯t recognize threats over friendlies?¡±


    ¡°What are you saying, Zarah?¡± Kailin crossed her arms over her chest impatiently.


    ¡°I have a positive feeling about this. We should go.¡±


    We hadn¡¯t gotten what she meant when a portal was ready before us.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± I held Zarah¡¯s arm.


    ¡°That¡¯s Nirvana. She couldn¡¯t get in the vineyards.¡±


    ¡°How can you be so sure?¡± Kailin asked, half-excited and half-amazed.


    ¡°We can talk here all day and waste time or enter the portal.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going.¡± Dn just followed Luka into the portal.


    ¡°Me, too.¡±


    ¡°You, techy.¡± I pointed at Zander sitting before three monitors. ¡°Stay here and report to me ASAP if you notice a breach.¡±


    ¡°Got it, Alpha. Good luck.¡±


    After Kailin, Zarah and I followed, and she brought us to where James was assigned.


    ¡°Alpha, you get here so fast.¡± He gave me the binocrs even if I didn¡¯t need them. ¡°About five hundred yards now, but they¡¯re closing.¡±


    ¡°I hope you¡¯re right about this, Zarah.¡± The moment I recognized the jacket, I almost had a heart attack, in a good way. I squeezed my eyes shut briefly as my hope rose beyond the sky. I said hoarsely, ¡°That¡¯s Nirvana.¡±


    Zarah smiled. ¡°I will open a small door so you can go and bring them in.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going with him,¡± Kailin said.


    ¡°Me too,¡± Luka seconded.


    ¡°James, guys, watch our back. Shot anyone but us and whoever is with her. We¡¯re going. Zarah?¡± I gave her a go.


    Just a little wave of her hands, she gestured at me. ¡°Now.¡±


    We climbed up the wall and jumped down outside the territory. Once we were out, a lot of things could happen. There could be more waiting for us or already there, ready to grab Nirvana before we arrived.


    ¡°Careful with the traps,¡± Luka reminded Kailin.


    ¡°I know where they are nted, but we must hurry because Vana doesn¡¯t know there are traps outside the wall.¡± She followed us, running through the woods, ducking traps, and jumping through wild grass.


    A half-kilometer was nothing for me if I got to see my mate again.


    She finally came into view and was about my arm¡¯s length when a wolf suddenly appeared about to lunge at her.


    ¡°Nirvana!¡± My heart stopped beating, and time seemed to have stopped as I watched her jump and kick a wolf.


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± Luka just stood beside me as we watched the wolf thrown away like a rag, whining in pain.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°Another one behind you!¡± Kailin sprinted towards her. Just right, she was about to help. My mate just punched the man in his abdomen, and he flew away, hitting a tree.


    ¡°K!¡± She ran to Kailin.


    ¡°Oh, Vana. I¡¯m d you¡¯re okay.¡± Kailin pulled her into a bear hug.


    ¡°Yeah, you too.¡± She saw me, and her eyes lit up before she sprinted toward me and threw herself at me. ¡°I¡¯m so happy to see you. You have no idea.¡± She cupped my head and kissed me hard, as if it were the end of the world in a few seconds.


    I kissed her like I meant to, pouring my anger, frustration, and desperation into the kiss. I didn¡¯t give a shit who was watching. I just needed this moment to appreciate and be grateful that I had her in my arms again.


    ¡°Guys, as much as I love you both to continue this reunion, a lot more ising if we don¡¯t move faster.¡±


    I still wanted to ignore Kailin, but she was right. Once we were back inside the property, I could kiss Nirvana all I wanted.


    I was about to ask who was with her when I recognized the man standing before me with a tie gagged on his mouth and a belt around his wrists. Before realizing what I had done, my fistnded on his face.


    ¡°You deserve more than just a punch, asshole. You put my mate in danger. Now you will pay for it. I will make sure I will tie you into a pole and burn you alive, painfully and slowly.¡± I hissed, outrage filling my chest again.


    ¡°We have to go.¡± Luka sniffed the air. Yeah, they are getting closer.¡±


    ¡°I will carry this piece of shit so we can get back faster.¡± I lifted him and threw him over my shoulder. He was heavy, but it was no biggie as long as I had my mate back.


    We ran back to the property, and I could hear werewolves running fast on our heels. Nirvana ran faster beside me. Despite running out of time, she didn¡¯t slow down or give up.


    ¡°Shoot those assholes!¡± Luka just gave the order to James.


    We reached the wall. I threw Victor on the ground. He whined in pain, but right now, I couldn¡¯t care less.


    ¡°Luka, help him get inside.¡± I went to help fight five more werewolvesing our way.


    I was about to shift when Nirvana fisted both hands and punched the ground. The strong force from her fists shook the ground and sted those werewolves far away, disappearing through the dust. The trees shook, branches rippled, leaves fell, and grass clearing wiped away.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be damned,¡± said Victor in awe.


    Luka, Kailin, and I stared at Victor in annoyance. He was still staring at the aftermath. His gag was gone, but his hands were still tied, and he probably figured out if he lived or died after this.


    My heart was still in my throat, but we finally managed to get back without werewolves on our heels.


    ¡°I want you to take down my name from the bounty. Tell them you have me, and the bounty is imed.¡± Nirvana was hot as fuck as she talked to the head of the Werewolf Council like a boss and never looked intimidated.


    ¡°What is it for me?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Unbelievable.¡± She shook her head in irritation. ¡°You keep your head attached to your body. Isn¡¯t that good enough?¡±


    He hadn¡¯t said anything but a nod.


    ¡°Now, my five-hundred-grand question. Who put you up to this?¡±

 100

    NIRVANA     We took this stupid son of a bitch, Victor, to the house.


    Knight never took his eyes off him. If we didn¡¯t stop him, Victor could be dead by now.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t answered my question, Victor. Who put you up to this? Why me?¡±


    Knight¡¯s nose red when Victor still hesitated. ¡°You better give me a reason not to kill you because right now, I don¡¯t give a shit about the council anymore. I¡¯d rather go rogue after what you put my mate through. You put her and my entire pack in grave danger. I want an answer, Victor!¡±


    ¡°You want the answer?¡± He red at both of us. ¡°We¡¯ve been watching her for weeks now. The moment you found her, the same time this gue began.¡±


    I snorted. ¡°So now what? I¡¯m patient zero?¡±


    ¡°We both know what I¡¯m trying to say, Nirvana. We have resources all over the world. We know wherever you go, whatever you do?¡±


    ¡°Did I break anyw or something I didn¡¯t know about?¡±


    ¡°We should just put him inside the vault and let him get infected.¡± Kailin had been trying her best not to wring the head council¡¯s neck as she began pacing in the living room. ¡°I and fifteen of us almost died because you put her on the wanted list. There¡¯s nothing you can say to convince me not to kill you, council.¡±


    ¡°Kailin, back off. I need answers. Don¡¯t interrupt us.¡±


    Kailin was still mad, but she listened to Knight.


    ¡°You did not just break anyw, Nirvana. You broke the naturalw!¡± he hollered at her.


    A little over-chilled Knight and I looked at each other before I sat beside him. ¡°What did I do now?¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°You died. You can¡¯t lie to me. That¡¯s why we suspected the virus had something to do with you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a freaking lie. I¡¯m not infected. I did not spread the virus, and if I had known I was immune, I¡¯d already turned myself in so someone could create a cure, and nobody would have died.¡±


    ¡°You always have something to say, do you? We know you don¡¯t have the virus or immune. Let¡¯s cut to the chase, Nirvana. You¡¯re a descendant of Katzius.¡± He raised his hand. ¡°Before you interrupt me or deny, don¡¯t waste your time. We don¡¯t have a n to kill you.¡±


    ¡°But use her to defeat Cyrius when half your mercenaries are dead. Is that it?¡±


    Victor nced at Zarah but neither confirmed nor denied.


    ¡°When Alpha Knight requested a meeting, it verified your suspect over her,¡± Zarah added.


    ¡°Yes. And it became clearer when you started your quest to find a certain weapon. And what you did back at my house proved everything I suspected right. You should know that in your search for a weapon, you posed a threat to the entire underworld.¡±


    That¡¯s absurd.


    ¡°So you can¡¯t do it like a normal person by asking me to appeal at the council? Instead, you risked my pack, and now people are stilling after me.¡±


    ¡°Would youe to us willingly, knowing what you must sacrifice?¡± Good question.


    I grabbed Knight¡¯s phone and offered it to him. ¡°If you wanna live, call off the bounty, or I swear to God, I will tie you to a wall and offer you to the infected instead.¡±


    ¡°On one condition-¡±


    ¡°No.¡± I leaned closer and looked at him in the eye. ¡°You lost that right to appeal proposition when you put my name on that list like a criminal.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, let him talk.¡±


    I red at Zarah before I turned my attention to this son of a bitch. ¡°No. First, take off my name, or more people will die ande to take me to im their reward.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± He took the phone and dialed a number. He waited for a few seconds until someone answered from the other line. ¡°Call off the bounty on Nirvana Thorne. It¡¯s confirmed, she¡¯s the Guardian.¡±


    ¡°The what now?¡± I pretended to be shocked.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t. She refused. I¡¯ll call you soon.¡± He ended the call and gave the phone back to me.


    ¡°What¡¯s the Guardian?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re kidding? How did you not know about this?¡±


    ¡°How could I? Just weeks ago, I was a human who was oblivious to your world. Then I just found the only family I have left, kept a huge secret about my life, that I was cursed by a dickhead that¡¯s why I am not one of them. Then, my best friend for four years, I didn¡¯t know she could transform into a four-legged dog. You know what¡¯s shocking? That since birth, I was arranged to an asshole alpha who rejected me because I¡¯m a pathetic naive little human girl. Forgive me if I don¡¯t know about the history of your kind.¡±


    The entire house suddenly turned eerily silent.


    ¡°Finding out who you truly are must be hard for you.¡± Somehow, he sounded sincere. I almost believed him, but it didn¡¯t change the fact that I almost died because of what he did.


    ¡°Earlier today, I just witnessed the first person I saw shift died in that vault. He was helpless and exploded. And then I was kidnapped by a ruthless killer who executed a man in front of me and beside me. I still have John¡¯s blood on my shirt, my hair, and my face. So, I¡¯m done being anyone¡¯s puppet. If you want my help, then you have to earn that.¡± I walked away from him, from everyone, and made my way to the kitchen.


    I opened the refrigerator and took a bottle of water. My hands were still shaking, and every part of my body began to shake-the horror I¡¯d witnessed had just sunk into me.


    I dragged myself down because I couldn¡¯t stand straight anymore. I tried twisting the lid of the bottled water, and I couldn¡¯t even open it.


    ¡°Let me.¡± Knight came and sat beside me, helping me open the lid.


    I took the bottle he offered and drank it until it was almost empty, but my throat remained dry.


    In silence, I prayed he would not ask me to tell him in detail because I was not ready or would never be prepared to talk about my day.


    He just wrapped me in his arms and hugged me tight.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the what the fuck were you thinking, don¡¯t ever do that again, or I swear to Goddess speech?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s for another day.¡± He kissed the top of my head. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re okay. It was hard to breathe knowing you were out there on your own while with those greedy murderers.¡±


    ¡°I know my apology won¡¯t mean a thing because I might do it again when circumstances arise.¡±


    He chuckled sadly. ¡°That¡¯s the price I must pay for having a strong-willed and independent mate.¡± When he stared at me intensely, I wanted to melt. ¡°For fuck¡¯s sake, don¡¯t ever do something like that again.¡±


    ¡°I thought scolding me is for another day?¡±


    ¡°You can risk your life like that again.¡± He tried to wipe off the dried blood on my face, but it seemed like it wouldn¡¯t go.


    Snorting, I stared at him in disbelief. ¡°So you¡¯re the only one with the right to risk your life because you¡¯re an alpha? Thest time I checked, everyone¡¯s life was in danger because of me. They came after me. The least I could do for so much guilt inside me was to save them. I thought of all people you would understand me.¡± I quickly rose to my feet and left him.


    I ignored him even if he was still calling my name. I went back to the living room. Victor was still under everyone¡¯s scrutinizing re.


    ¡°I want to know more about the Guardian. I suppose you can free your schedule for today.¡±


    ¡°When you died and reborn, you possessed the most powerful weapon. It had never been chosen a man, but a woman with pure soul and intention.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. How did they know I have a pure intention?¡±


    ¡°Just listen, Nirvana.¡± Zarah shot me a re.


    ¡°There are many kinds of Guardians. Since you have a werewolf and witch blood, I suppose you possessed a warrior wolf spirit.¡±


    ¡°That sounds like it came from a fantasy game.¡±


    ¡°By what I saw earlier, Asina is your spirit warrior.¡±


    Shit.


    He knew everything.

 101

    KNIGHT


    ¡°I don¡¯t trust him. After what he did to Vana, he could be one of Cyrius¡¯s minions.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t trust him either,¡± Nirvana agreed with Kailin.


    ¡°He¡¯s telling the truth, and he¡¯s not mine-controlled. What do you wanna do with him, Knight?¡±


    I shrugged at Zarah. ¡°I wanted to rip his heart out, but he¡¯s still the head of the council, and thest thing I want is for all the werewolf council members toe after us. Cyrius is enough for an enemy. I think we should work with them.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me.¡± I understood why Kailin disagreed. I didn¡¯t know if I could trust him, but he could give us what we needed.


    ¡°You should work with him. He has the resources, and they need Nirvana on their sides.¡±


    ¡°I still want to kill him.¡±


    ¡°K, me too. I just watched two men shot before me, and I¡¯m still shaken up, and I¡¯m still standing here.¡± Nirvana sighed heavily. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can ever get through that trauma, but if he went through all that shit to get me, they are desperate, and I bet the entire werewolfmunity and the alphas are not giving them a room to breathe.¡±


    ¡°One thing we discussed from our meetingst week with New York and Californian packs was about the council, and from what I see, it looks like they can¡¯t handle this war on their own.¡±


    ¡°I still can¡¯t believe they went through that length to get me.¡± She crossed her arms over her chest. I still felt her anger and her anxiousness.


    ¡°To prove you are who they think you are, Nirvana,¡± Zarah said.


    ¡°Well, everyone is desperate. Dead bodies are piling up, and it¡¯s getting difficult to hide what¡¯s going on from humans. If this continues for another month, we¡¯re all on the verge of getting exposed. I think I¡¯m with Alpha. We should work with them.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you just said that, Mac. That man over there is dangerous. He knows too much.¡± Kailin pointed at the living room.


    ¡°What do you want us to do then, K? Execute a werewolf leader through a firing squad?¡±


    Kailin rolled her eyes to her twin before raising a brow at Luka and Dn. ¡°You guys are also with Alpha?¡±


    ¡°No questions asked. We are wherever he is, but it depends on Vana¡¯s decisions.¡±


    Nirvana scoffed at something Luka¡¯s said. ¡°As if he allows me to decide for myself.¡±


    ¡°Dn raised his hand. ¡°Guys, I¡¯m not exactly a member of this pack, but I support Alpha Knight. ¡°He¡¯s the alpha. No one should question his decisions, Nirvana.¡±


    I looked at her intensely without a word.


    She just shrugged at everyone. ¡°I told you so.¡±


    ¡°It was me being offended by how you perceive my decisions, Nirvana. Don¡¯t tell me I never let you decide on your own.¡±


    ¡°Because I didn¡¯t give you a choice to stop me, you might as well realize I have a point. It must be hard for an alpha mated to an annoying, stubborn, defiant human. Maybe you already choked me a million times in your head.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s your opinion, not mine.¡± I was displeased with how she talked to me before these people who respected me and saw me as their leader. Those wordsing from my Luna sent a different message to my pack. She had to be dealt with, but not today. She¡¯d witnessed what was not supposed to be seen by someone like her. At the same time, she was still here, standing firm, dealing with this unbelievable situation with faith.


    But she could not defy me too often, or my pack would lose respect for me. If I could not control my own mate, how else would I convince my people to follow my lead?


    ¡°For the love of-¡± Zarah pressed her lips together, her hands on her hips. ¡°You two should invest your time in couples counseling. Set aside your differences and work on what¡¯s imperative. Are you two like this in the bedroom?¡±


    Nirvana¡¯s reaction was cute, and it lit up my mood. Her cheeks flushed as she stole a nce at me. I suddenly wanted her. Our sexual tension crackled up the longer we stared at each other. ¡°Why does it matter?¡±


    ¡°It matters when we¡¯re wasting our time listening to your bullshit and continue defying your alpha¡¯s order. You may grow up as a human but don¡¯t get used to being independent too much. You are not the old Nirvana months ago. Here, you have the biggest duty to your pack and what¡¯s bestowed upon you. You don¡¯t have a choice but to take responsibility for every action you make. People are dying, and you have to remember that.¡±


    She went silent for a while while everyone was waiting for her reply until Zack came in.


    ¡°Should Ie backter?¡±


    ¡°No. Join us.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t stay longer since the situation seemed under control. We¡¯ve monitored movements, and those people have been retreating. The perimeters are clear.¡±Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving already?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m babysitting the princess.¡±


    Zarah chuckled. ¡°Don¡¯t ever let her hear you say that, Zack.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for being here.¡± I went to him to shake his hand, as did Tor and Lyon. ¡°I wish you could stay even for a day.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re also guarding thepound. Thanks for the invite and trust, Alpha,¡± Lyon said as he gripped my hand firmly.


    ¡°You can call us anytime you need an extra hand, Alpha Knight.¡± Tor was mated to a witch, Zarah¡¯s apprentice.


    They were trustworthy, and I had no doubt they would protect my mate when the time came. They were thest ones to leave. The guys from Alpha Grady and additional men from Alpha Ryden left after dinner.


    ¡°Maybe sooner than I thought. Zarah will send you back to thepound. Tell Califf I owe him one.¡±


    ¡°See you all soon, guys.¡±


    Nirvana came to fist-bump with these guys. ¡°Be careful out there.¡±


    When they left through the portal, I finalized my decisions. ¡°We¡¯re gonna work with the council, but with conditions.¡±


    ¡°Then you shouldy down your conditions to Victor,¡± Zarah said.


    ¡°That¡¯s the n.¡± I went to the living room, where Kaleb and my uncle sat with Victor.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to work with you, but my mate won¡¯t take orders from you. It will be team decisions.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not leaving the vineyards,¡± Nirvana told him truthfully, confusing him. Then she told him the shorter version, ¡°Cyrius is after this area. This is the center of the source of any witch or warlock power.¡±


    ¡°Fascinating. You have all the resources from the council, but I will have people to work with you. They could be-¡±


    ¡°Cold, distant, ruthless? I think I just met one. We can deal with someone like him.¡±


    ¡°Good, but you know what you are signing up for, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Do I have a choice?¡± she said dryly.


    ¡°What is he talking about?¡±


    ¡°Cyrius won¡¯t only after her, but after what¡¯s inside her. And if he gets closer to Nirvana, he can drain her power and be invincible.¡±


    ¡°I know that, but there¡¯s something you¡¯re not telling us,¡± I pressed, frowning.


    ¡°Yes. Nirvana might get killed.¡±


    My heart nearly stopped, and I couldn¡¯t take much of this shit. Nirvana just rolled her eyes at Victor, and I felt like someone ran me over with a road roller.


    ¡°Then I should kill him first,¡± she said sternly, though I was not entirely convinced. There is something more to it than what they let on.


    ¡°Nirvana?¡± I called her name, and it came out breathless.


    ¡°This is entirely expected and given when going to war, especially when your enemy is as powerful as Cyrius. Everyone might note back, but we hope we will. We just have to do our best and fight for the people we love.¡±


    ***


    She took me all into her mouth. My tip nudged her throat. Despite almost gagging, she rxed and breathed through her nose. It felt like a fucking wild dream, but I knew it was happening. She settled between my legs, and I watched her head bob up and down as she sucked me with a moan.


    If this was her of apologizing, how could I decline it?


    As the intense sensation blew my mind, I groaned as I gripped a handful of her hair. She didn¡¯t need guidance; she was perfectly fine and doing a pretty bang-up job. I thought she had done it many times if I hadn¡¯t known I was her first.


    When she moaned again into my dick, I threw my head back. My eyes widened, and she began cupping and massaging my balls with a perfect suction around my cock.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± I growled out a curse, stars shing behind my eyes. Between the deep sucking of her lips, the swirling of her tongue, and the vibration she made from her moan, I was near to my orgasm. I felt my dick swelled in her mouth, but she didn¡¯t stop despite tears forming in her eyes.


    Watching her alone giving me pleasure with her mouth stretching and her cheeks hollowing was the best feeling ever that she went beyond her limit to pleasure me, and it was priceless.


    She let go of my cock with a pop. ¡°You don¡¯t like it.¡±


    ¡°Only a stupid man would not feel honored with what you¡¯re doing, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°A simple yes or no would suffice, Alpha.¡± She made a long lick from the base to the tip. My cock jerked against her tongue.


    ¡°I fucking enjoy it.¡±


    ¡°Of course you do. I can feel it. Your thoughts are on cloud nine.¡±


    I stared down at her, stroking me with her palm. ¡°Since when did you be chatty?¡±


    She licked her lips and smirked. ¡°Frustrated much?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± My reply was an act of desperation. I wanted toe in her mouth, but she tortured me and dyed my orgasm. ¡°Please?¡±


    Her mouth returned to my dick, one hand cupping my balls, the other stroking me. It didn¡¯t take long, and I was pushing her head down, letting me take all of me to the base.


    With a hoarse growling, I convulsed to my orgasm as an intense pleasure rippled through me. I kept jerking and jerking while Nirvana licked me dry to itsst drop.


    I was still breathing hard when a link got through me, making me groan in frustration.


    It was Kaleb reaching out. ¡°Someone at the gate demanding talking to you.¡±

 102

    NIRVANA


    ¡°Who demanded to talk to you?¡± I watched Knight get up from bed despite me still wanting to spend a few minutes more with him, but right now, duty came first, and sometimes, it was annoying.


    ¡°No clue.¡± He went to the bathroom. ¡°Aren¡¯t youing with me?¡±


    ¡°You go first. Whoever is it, he wants to talk to the alpha.¡± I dragged myself out of bed and followed him to the bathroom. I grabbed my toothbrush and put in a good amount of toothpaste. Then I brushed my teeth.


    I was still waiting for him to get his anger out of his chest. What I did was reckless, but it was sessful. I still felt he wanted to say something to me, and the more I waited, the more I felt like he was banking emotions in his chest, and it was kind of scary.


    I wanted him to yell at me, but not like this cool alpha when he wasn¡¯t.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make it up to you.¡± He kissed my forehead.


    I blinked at his gesture, spat the toothpaste, and cleaned my mouth. ¡°It¡¯s not apetition. I wanted to make you happy. I¡¯m not good at many things like romantic gestures, and I did what I did to give you pleasure.¡±


    There was something in the way he looked at me that made me feel wanted and made me squirm.


    ¡°It was you expressing your apology, making it up to me because you thought a blowjob could rectify your actions.¡±


    I yfully hit him in the arm. ¡°It was nothing like that. I did it because I love you. I don¡¯t do that to make things right, asshole.¡± When a small smile curved up his lips, I red at him. ¡°Jerk.¡±


    ¡°I love what you did anyway.¡± He leaned in, whispering in my ears, goosebumps erupting on my skin. ¡°I¡¯ll eat youter.¡±


    Once he left, I freshened up and changed into new clothes. I slipped the dagger back into my boot and went downstairs. I hadn¡¯t seen Kailin, but I already heard her loud and angry voice.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I instantly saw the cold-blooded killer in the living room. He was the definition of a tall, handsome, but deadly in a fine suit. ¡°What is he doing here?¡±


    ¡°Ask him,¡± Kailin snarled, stomping out of the living room. Knight, on the other hand, was pissed off about something. His muscles were clenching as I held his arm.


    ¡°This is Dane Colin,¡± Victor introduced him to me. We decided to let him stay with us for a night. Considering we still woke up and were not lying bloody in bed, he seemed to have been true to his word about working with us.


    The man didn¡¯t even move a muscle, but a single word. ¡°Luna.¡±


    ¡°And?¡± I focused on Victor.


    ¡°He¡¯s here looking for me when he hadn¡¯t heard from me after the encounter.¡±


    ¡°And what shocking is, he and Kailin seem to be-¡± Knight hadn¡¯t finished his words. I was already giggling.


    ¡°No way!¡± I widened my eyes at him. My smile was ear-to-ear. Then I turned to Dane. Damn, even his name was beautiful. ¡°Dane, congrattions!¡± I grabbed his big hand, shaking it even if he hadn¡¯t offered it to me.


    His only reaction was his restraint and unapologetic confusion. He was really cold and distant. Emotionless.


    ¡°You can¡¯t continue keeping that up, dude.¡± I pointed at his face. ¡°Kailin is my best friend. And I know what you do for a living. Whatever your reason for why you do what you do, and no matter how good you are at what you do, you can¡¯t keep your emotions locked up in the Arctic, or I will rip your heart out of your chest and pump it up with my bare hand so you can feel something.¡±


    I raised a brow when he clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes at me. ¡°Good. Now, we¡¯re going somewhere.¡± I looked at my mate, who seemed tense. ¡°Entertain our guest, will you? I¡¯m going to check on my best friend.¡±


    I left Knight with the two most dangerous persons in the living room. When I couldn¡¯t find Kailin in the kitchen, I went outside. She was there plucking some flowers in the backyard.


    ¡°Not the Hydrangea.¡± I watched her back stiffen.


    When she turned around, her face was red in anger. ¡°What on earth was that?¡±


    ¡°I wish I had an answer, K. Tell me what happened?¡± I went to her and held her arms. I let her see right into my eyes, showing her I was there for her.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°No. This is not happening,¡± she said stubbornly, frantically shaking her head.


    ¡°Knight said he¡¯s your-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever say that to me. He. Is. Not. My. Mate.¡± She jabbed her finger at my face. ¡°It¡¯s my stupid wolf who¡¯s desperate to find her mate, but I won¡¯t ept him. Not him, Vana. I don¡¯t want someone like him. He¡¯s a goddamn murderer. A killer. And he almost killed you.¡±


    ¡°I could have killed her weeks ago if that was my order.¡±


    I turned around and heard his voice behind me. For a killer, he looked damn good in a suit. I mean, yeah, he could model at Tom Ford. His posture was strong and straight, with his hands stuffed in his pockets.


    ¡°We¡¯re not asking for your opinion, Jack the Ripper.¡± I¡¯d never seen Kailin so mad. I wished I knew what was going on.


    ¡°What did you do, Dane?¡±


    ¡°I did not do anything, Luna Nirvana. She doesn¡¯t like me, I don¡¯t like her. That¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°Well, I hate you, asshole! You¡¯re a bloody murderer! I don¡¯t want you to be my mate. I¡¯d rather die than be-¡±


    ¡°Shut up, Kailin!¡± Shit. I just yelled at my best friend. I didn¡¯t want her to do something drastic that could hurt them terribly. She might be in denial right now, but I didn¡¯t want her to regret her actions. ¡°Don¡¯t make any rush decisions while you¡¯re angry. You won¡¯t say such thing like that to your mate, and you can¡¯t change that fact that was already written.¡±


    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t want a mate. And I¡¯m leaving.¡±


    I grabbed her arm before she could walk away. ¡°Stay. That¡¯s an order, Kailin.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not my alpha. You can¡¯t order me around.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still the Luna of this pack. I outrank you. You should respect my position.¡±


    She challenged me with a look. If she thought I would tolerate her attitude, she was clearly mistaken.


    ¡°Don¡¯t test me, Kailin. You¡¯re maybe my best friend, but I¡¯m still your Luna. So stand down and stay.¡±


    She shook her head, disappointment and anger shing in her eyes, but she stayed.


    I went to Dane. For the first time, I saw the effect and pull of their mating bond. And for the first time, I¡¯d seen how it affected both of them. He looked devastated, even for a man who could block emotions and keep them somewhere deep in his chest. He was not looking at me, but his expression said otherwise.


    ¡°You can stay here as much as you want. Right now, it won¡¯t be easy for the both of you. She¡¯s mad, and I can feel you¡¯re fighting the bond yourself, but please, don¡¯t ever reject her, or you just got your number one enemy.¡±


    His head snapped at me. His eyes were deep, azure blue, prating me with intense re. ¡°That¡¯s not your decision.¡±


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s not mine, but given that you are here, and how you reacted when Kailin said you¡¯re an asshole and a bloody murderer, and the fact that you haven¡¯t rejected her, I can say you¡¯re considering giving it a chance.¡±


    He clenched his jaw hard, nose ring, and looked away.


    ¡°Get inside, Dane. I¡¯m not done talking to your mate.¡± When he turned on his heels and left us, I returned to Kailin.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing you can say that can change my mind.¡±


    ¡°I think I do. He must be good at what he does. Look, your kind- it¡¯s in your nature to be feral, distrustful, ruthless, and overprotective. He does what he does because that¡¯s his job. He¡¯s getting paid to do the job, and he¡¯s working at the council. I say it¡¯s more honorable than killing people for fun. I¡¯m sure he honors a code.¡±


    ¡°Why are you even defending him?¡± She hissed at me.


    ¡°Remember when you came to me and told me to give Knight a chance?¡±


    ¡°Because he¡¯s my cousin and has a decent job and an alpha.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t choose who will be your mate, K. You know that.¡± I let go of a deep sigh. ¡°It¡¯s already written in the stone, and you¡¯re destined for him, but I didn¡¯t give Knight a chance because he has a decent job, an alpha, or a freaking billionaire. I chose him because, you know, the first time I saw your cousin, I was attracted to him, and I wanted to know him more, and the fact that we¡¯re fated to be together, it¡¯s not something that I can control, and I can tell you, that was the best decision I ever made.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just lucky he treats you well.¡±


    ¡°You should give this a chance, and maybe you can convince him to quit and find a less dangerous job. Or you can decide on your own, and both will suffer the consequences. Knowing I found my soulmate, and he will always be faithful and protect me with his life, it¡¯s not something you can find someone like him in our lifetime.¡±

 103

    KNIGHTBelongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    I couldn¡¯t believe this was happening. When Kailin screamed no, I knew she had just figured out something she loathed. Then, Dane sniffed the air, and they stared at each other. I knew at that moment they were mates.


    I didn¡¯t know how McKaye would handle this. I would be immensely happy for Kailin that she finally found her mate, but it was unsettling considering what Dane did for a living.


    ¡°No fucking way.¡± McKaye roared at my face, His voice piercing my ears. ¡°That bloody fucking murderer?¡±


    ¡°Lower your tone and control yourself, Mac, or I will throw you out of my office.¡± I pointed at the door. ¡°If you keep yelling at me, I swear I will lock you down in the bunker.¡±


    ¡°How are you so cool about this?¡± He was still yelling, ring at me.


    ¡°Get the fuck out. I don¡¯t have time for this.¡± I red back, challenging him, who had the authority here.


    ¡°He¡¯s not good for her.¡± He finally calmed down a bit, but I could still feel him shaking. ¡°He will corrupt my sister.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t throw your anger at me. I¡¯m not the Moon Goddess, for fuck sake.¡± We both loved Kailin. She was like a sister I never had. As much as I wanted to keep her away from Dane, they were mates, and I knew how it could devastate them both.


    ¡°This is a mistake. Are you sure he¡¯s her mate?¡±


    I blew a breath as I rested my back on my chair and gave him my bored look face. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Did you ask your sister?¡±


    ¡°Yes. She¡¯s with Vana.¡± He scratched his head, and when he did that, he knew he was losing it. ¡°Apparently, her stupid wolf was the first to recognize that fucking murderer.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t use that word. He¡¯s also your sister¡¯s mate and a loyal werewolf. That character is something rare to find nowadays.¡±


    ¡°So you want me to bring him a fruit basket and wee him with open arms?¡±


    ¡°If I can¡¯t talk sense to you. You better leave this room. I¡¯m trying to contact our allies, and you are wasting my time. Go and find your sister and convince her to reject Dane. We¡¯ll see how your sister reacts to that until she finally gives up and kills herself.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± He swallowed hard. He must have remembered what happened to my parents. It was horrible- a nightmare. I couldn¡¯t say my mother was weak, but she could have fought for her life for my sake, but she chose the easy way out.


    ¡°Now. Are we done?¡±


    ¡°I just feel terrible for K.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be. I¡¯ll try finding out who he is. There must be a reason why he chose this job. You can¡¯t judge someone by what pays his bill. Besides, he works for the council. So if you are nning on murdering him, think twice.¡± It wasn¡¯t a threat. It was a warning because I knew what someone like Dane could do.


    The door swung open. Nirvana shifted her gaze from me to McKaye. ¡°Should wee backter?¡±


    ¡°No. If he can¡¯t stand being with Dane in the same room, then he can just walk out.¡±


    Nirvana came in first, holding McKaye¡¯s arm. ¡°Stay. I need you here.¡±


    He nodded, breathing through his nose, his re pinning straight right at Dane, who followed Victor inside. Dn, Luka, and Kaleb joined us with Uncle Lennox and Zarah. Kailin stomped inside and stood beside Nirvana.


    I rose from my seat as Victor and Uncle sat on the couch. Dane remained standing behind his boss.


    ¡°To those who haven¡¯t met Dane, he works at the Council, and he¡¯s also here for Kailin.¡±


    McKaye and Kailin could have been more impressed with my introduction.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Uncle Lennox asked, clearly interested.


    ¡°Dane, I¡¯d like to introduce you to one of the elders. Lennox ckwell, my uncle, and Kailin and McKaye¡¯s father.¡±


    He looked shocked but offered his hand at Lennox. ¡°Pleasure to meet you, sir.¡±


    My uncle was still confused but shook Dane¡¯s hand. ¡°Pleasure is mine, Dane.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s Kailin¡¯s mate.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s even better. I have a new son,¡± he said with augh.


    ¡°Not for long,¡± Kailin muttered under her breath, but everyone heard it anyway.


    ¡°Behave, or I will lock you both in the bunker,¡± I told her through our link.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather die and shoot myself with a silver bullet than be with that man,¡± she said before I blocked her.


    ¡°May I?¡± Victor raised his hand, catching our attention.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°I know all of you are probably nning to kill me and Dane. I just want you to know that Alpha Knight and I agreed to work together. The Council¡¯s resources will be at your disposal.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re doing this to clean your name and the council after failing your attempt to stop the virus from spreading. That¡¯s why you have no choice but to put a bounty on Nirvana¡¯s head.¡±


    ¡°McKaye, if you can¡¯t keep your mouth shut and show some respects to the head council and your father, I suggest you leave this office.¡±


    The room went silent.


    ¡°We all are desperate to end this gue, and that¡¯s not only our problem. Whether we like it or not, the entire world is on the brink of copsing. We need every help we can get. Cyrius is unbeatable for a reason. He¡¯s that powerful. If you can kill him yourself, go ahead. I¡¯m not stopping you. I want this gue to end as much as the council members out there. Either the werewolf council will benefit from this. I don¡¯t care as long as the killings and devastation end. If you are against my n, the door is open.¡± I motioned to the door before I crossed my arms over my chest.


    When none of them broke the silence, I looked at Victor. ¡°Please continue.¡±


    ¡°I want to address the elephant in the room. I know this is terrible timing, and Dane is not the mate you dream of, Kailin, but he¡¯s a good man. He took this job not because he enjoys killing, but you might not know this: one or two of you would have been killed if not for him. And you are not even aware he¡¯d been watching you all from the people who tried to eliminate you from existence.¡±


    I gave a slight nod of appreciation to Dane.


    ¡°His parents died in a pack attack when he was only a kid. I took him in and treated him as my own. Sometimes, my son got jealous of him. He became an enforcer. He also works in a government agency and a secret organization I¡¯m not at liberty to disclose. That¡¯s how he¡¯s good at what he does. He doesn¡¯t just kill people for fun. Despite how you despise him for his job, his morality is never tainted by a desire to get his parents¡¯ revenge and never overshadowed by his personal gain. He follows a certain code and never breaks it. He only eliminates people who leave nothing but devastation in their wake. And the world would be much better without those kinds of people. Judge me for my actions, but Dane is following my order.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a member of Obsidian, is he?¡±


    I caught Dane looking at me, surprised that I had known such a secret society that only operated in the shadows.


    ¡°What Obsidian?¡± Even my uncle didn¡¯t know about them. I only heard it from Califf when they thought they were fighting an organization of assassins, but only Aciano used that name for his personal agenda.


    ¡°That¡¯s not something someone should advertise. Whatever you hear inside this room can nevere out.¡±


    ¡°Fine. I can work with him, but that¡¯s all,¡± Kailin said forcibly.


    Dane¡¯s face lit up with hope.


    ¡°Since we all set aside our differences,¡± Victor started, ¡°did you find the weapon?¡±

 104

    NIRVANA


    ¡°How did you manage to convince her toe with you?¡±


    I smirked at Knight. ¡°I didn¡¯t give her much of a choice.¡±


    He smiled at me, tracing my cheek with the back of his finger. ¡°You never ceased to amaze me, sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re gonna be fine.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± He kissed me on my nose. ¡°Our visitors are going to be here soon. Come find meter.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯ll go find my best friend before she wrings her neck in the bathroom.¡±


    He shook his head in amusement before he left. We stayed at the pack house for a while while trying to build and strengthen the parameters of thepound. Dane¡¯s expertise in his job might be our advantage.


    I found Kailin in her room, on the balcony, looking over the expansive vineyards. ¡°How are you feeling? Still nning on murdering your mate?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not my mate,¡± she said dismissively.


    ¡°Not officially, but he¡¯s getting under your skin just right. In a good way.¡±


    ¡°I hate you right now.¡± She shoved a handful of chips into her mouth and chewed them messily.¡±


    ¡°Udy-like, but you can feel the pull, can¡¯t you?¡±


    She seemed taken aback by my words but quickly recovered herposure and continued eating.


    ¡°You¡¯re the only person who managed to convince me-¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s why you are here, for your payback.¡±


    ¡°No. I love you, and I don¡¯t wanna see you getting hurt. You said it yourself. Mates always work and looked at him.¡± Knight and Dane just walked to the ce where I first saw Knight on his bike. It was something I could never forget. He was the most handsome man I¡¯d ever seen at that time, even until now.


    Dane was not wearing his jacket anymore but still wore a body holster for his handguns. He must have left it downstairs, but man, he was handsome. He was almost as tall as Knight, a little beefy, and those biceps bulging in the sleeves of his crisp white shirt told us that he took care of himself.


    ¡°How about that area?¡± Knight pointed northwest while Dane was holding thend map.


    ¡°The assant usually hides in a pretty dark and less visible area, like that one.¡± Knight pointed at the opposite. ¡°Trees, logs, and a little darker. That¡¯s expected. But we will keep the main gate looking less protected. Of course, they will divide, and some may attack first the back and thene in from the front.¡±


    ¡°So we still protect the main gate?¡±


    ¡°Yes. We will double the traps in the area I told you about. How about the cliff about?¡±


    ¡°Yes. He has nted bombs in there, but it should be manually detonated.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not a problem. If you have aputer I can use, I can install my app, so while you are monitoring that area, you can see attackers and detonate the bomb.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s amazing,¡± Knight said impressively.


    ¡°You know who he reminds me of?¡± I elbowed Kailin. When she suddenly went silent, I didn¡¯t know she¡¯d been staring at him while Knight and Dane were engaged in a conversation.


    I grinned like a Cheshire cat because I knew that feeling- been there, done that. The more I fought my feelings, the more I pulled like a ma into Knight. She would experience the same thing if she kept fighting what was fated for her.


    I elbowed her again. ¡°He only reminds me of Hitman, but yummier and hotter with dark hair and blue eyes.¡±


    ¡°Shut up.¡±


    At that moment, Dane heard her, looked up in our direction, and then they stared at each other. I stepped back and disappeared into her room, giggling.


    ¡°Where¡¯s my sister?¡± McKaye met me upstairs.


    ¡°In her room. Don¡¯t worry. She¡¯s safe from Agent 47.¡± I smiled as I went downstairs, only to stop abruptly


    My chest constricted. My face heated, and I left like burning deep inside as I watched my mate, my fiance, hugging another woman, a very attractive and sexy as hell woman. She looked like she was one of those underwear models. And then the woman¡¯s hands remained on his arms as they smiled at one another.


    I swallowed hard, feeling extreme jealousy. I thought a male werewolf had only an eye for his mate. I was wrong.


    I dropped my gaze and nned for an exit, only to cut it short when I heard Knight calling my name.


    ¡°Nirvana.¡± He came to me.


    ¡°Yeah?¡± I replied in somewhat surprise.


    ¡°You okay.¡± He cupped my head, forcing me to look at him. ¡°You feel hot.¡±


    ¡°Not as hotter as yourdy friend.¡±


    He beamed at me before he kissed me on the lips with a loud smack. ¡°Jealousy is a useless emotion between us. You¡¯re the only woman I want. Anyway, I want you to meet Everlee Ross.¡±


    The woman waved and smiled at me. She was gorgeous, especially when she smiled.


    ¡°Hi. I¡¯ve been wanting to meet you.¡±


    ¡°Hello.¡± I forced out a smile.


    All of a sudden, she came to hug me tight. ¡°I¡¯ve heard so much about you. And you¡¯re more gorgeous than how I imagined.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± I patted her back awkwardly. I wished I could say the same thing, but I hadn¡¯t heard anything about her until right now.


    Then I saw her ring- her engagement ring. God, I was so stupid. My cheeks burned. ¡°How did you know me?¡±


    ¡°Oh, Shadow. I¡¯m Alpha Grady¡¯s Beta. I know Alpha Califf way back before he found his mate. We grew up together, and we have history.¡± She looked somewhat ashamed when telling me thosest words. ¡°But then I met my mate, and it¡¯s his half-brother.¡±


    ¡°What? Really?¡± Now it got more interesting. ¡°Wow.¡±


    ¡°Alpha Knight.¡± The man walking in the living room caught my attention as he and Knight hugged brotherly.


    ¡°Babe, this is Vana,¡± Everlee said.


    ¡°Oh. The infamous Luna Nirvana.¡± He smiled. The man was tall and handsome as well. He looked older than Califf, but now I saw the resemnce. They almost had the same eye color.


    ¡°I wish it true. I don¡¯t know what Shadow has told you about me, but it¡¯s nice to meet you both.¡± I shook his hand.


    ¡°Calder Haynes. You might have met my uncle Kain.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, in Inverness.¡±


    ¡°Well, you must have heard his story.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a shapeshifter. How about you?¡±


    ¡°Half-werewolf, half-human.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m neither.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    ¡°Don¡¯t sell yourself short because I¡¯m not buying it. I sensed something in you when we shook hands.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re kidding.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s probably not, sweetheart. He¡¯s a Pathfinder.¡±


    Calder chuckled at Knight. ¡°When you said it, you made it sound more interesting and a big deal.¡±


    ¡°What is a Pathfinder?¡±


    ¡°He can sense you when you¡¯re lying, which makes a pathfinder a good liar, a deceiver. He can also be a good navigator, an enhanced stealth, and a great person to give advice.¡±


    ¡°Awesome. How many of you around? I wanna have one in our pack.¡±


    ¡°Just like you, sweetheart. A rare gem.¡±


    ¡°I heard about your gift,¡± Everlee said. I wanted to deny it, but she backed it up quickly. ¡°You can trust us. Even Grady doesn¡¯t know what we know, and we promised Cal and Shadow not to tell any living soul.¡±


    ¡°Well, what I have is literally a family curse.¡±


    ¡°A cool family curse.¡± Calder smiled. ¡°And you have the power to save lives. Just believe in your purpose, Vana. You can make a huge difference in this world. Follow your heart to lead you in the right direction.¡±


    When none of us could find a word to say something, heughed. ¡°That was my gift.¡±


    ¡°That was beautiful, Calder.¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.

 105

    KNIGHT


    ¡°What is your n for Kailin? It¡¯s my business because she¡¯s not only my cousin but also part of this pack.¡±


    ¡°All my life, I¡¯d never thought I would meet my mate, let alone at times like this. I didn¡¯t stay in one ce for a week. I always traveled for jobs. I didn¡¯t likemitment because of the line of my work. The rtionship is not for me.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re just gonna abandon her?¡±


    ¡°She hates me. She hates who I am. She hates my work. I think it¡¯s best for both of us. I¡¯m not good for her. I will only drag her into myplicated and dangerous life. I¡¯m sorry, but I can¡¯t be with her.¡± The longer he said those words, the more his pain and struggle became visible-either from the pull of their mating bond or deep inside. He wanted to belong and be loved.


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s time for you to quit what you are doing and start settling in one ce. My cousin deserves someone better. She deserves to feel loved and respected and a mate who can provide for her needs. If you can follow orders in your job, that means you¡¯re not that cold-blooded monster. Considering you never revenged your parents-¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna talk about it. My situation is far more different than yours. Your life is not thatplicated. You run your own business, you¡¯re an alpha, and people follow you. I can¡¯t be with her. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s bullshit.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to corrupt her innocence. She¡¯s too good for me to be involved with my dangerous life. I¡¯m leaving as soon as this war ends, and she won¡¯t ever see me again.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re probably right,¡± I told him as he was about to leave. ¡°You¡¯re too dangerous to be in her life. I will talk to Victor. I want him to assign someone to rece you, and I want you gone before the sun rises in the morning.¡±


    I left before he could reply. I wanted to see if he could turn his back on Kailin. If he chose to stay, he wasn¡¯t that ruthless and could change for her sake. He could be just like everyone with a difficult childhood, but he wanted to feel loved and be loved.


    Something caught my senses just as I was about to get inside the pack house. I suddenly felt so much fear and severe anxiety. For what? I didn¡¯t know until it hit me. It came from Nirvana.


    I was about to link her, but she already did. ¡°Knight!¡±


    ¡°Knight, is something wrong?¡± Dane came to me. I could see the worry on his face.


    ¡°Yeah. Nirvana is scared,¡± I answered him before I talked to Nirvana. ¡°Sweetheart, where are you? What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Kailin has been shot.¡± She was panicking and sounded so terrified. ¡°Help us, please!¡±


    ¡°What do you mean she¡¯s been shot? Where are you?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re near the Tasting room. There¡¯s a lot of blood, Knight.¡± She continued crying in agony, and I was helpless that I wasn¡¯t there for her.


    ¡°Sweetheart, we¡¯reing over, or you can take her to the pack house.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s shot, Knight?¡± I felt the worry in Dane¡¯s voice and a firm grip on my shoulder.


    I turned to him. ¡°Kailin.¡±


    ¡°Kailin?¡± He stared at me in shock. ¡°Where is she?¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, take her to the pack house, and I¡¯m calling the pack doctor now.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, baby.¡± She had just finished talking andnded before us.


    ¡°Kailin!¡± Dane knelt before Kailin in Nirvana¡¯s arm. ¡°Let me take her to the hospital.¡±


    ¡°No. It¡¯s too dangerous. Take her to the infirmary. Follow me.¡± I sprinted inside the pack house. We renovated two rooms into a small infirmary in case of an emergency like this. We hadplete equipment, and Duncan was a doctor at the local hospital.


    I dialed Duncan as Dane ced Kailin on the bed. ¡°How bad is it? Keep putting pressure on the wound, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. There¡¯s so much blood.¡± Nirvana was shaking. Her hands and shirt are full of Kailin¡¯s blood.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    It felt like an eternity before Duncan answered his phone. ¡°Come over to the infirmary. Kailin is shot. It¡¯s bad. Hurry up.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we should call Zarah and Shadow. They can help,¡± Nirvana suggested.


    ¡°Shadow is not avable, but try Zarah.¡± Shadow had training and healing power but was at a royal engagement.


    ¡°Hey. Can you hear me?¡± Dane never left her side. ¡°She¡¯s not responding. Where¡¯s the help, Alpha?¡±


    I faced him when his voice rose. ¡°Calm down. Even if you scream before her, it¡¯s not gonna help. I already called our doctor. It¡¯s dangerous out there to take her to the hospital. She¡¯s shot, and it was not an ident.¡±


    ¡°I thought we¡¯re safe here,¡± still shaking, Nirvana asked. ¡°I thought there¡¯s a shield around the vineyard.¡±


    ¡°Yes, there is, but only a shield over the supernatural power.¡±


    ¡°So if someone drops a missile into thepound, we¡¯re all dead?¡± Her eyes zed with fury.


    ¡°Or maybe the bullet isced with a spell. I will ask Zarah about this.¡±


    ¡°Walk me through what happened.¡± Duncan just arrived.


    ¡°We were justing out of the tasting room and about to return here. Then, just like that, she just fell to the ground.¡± Nirvana wiped off the tears on her face with her bloody hand, and then she began to cry again. ¡°Is she gonna be okay?¡±


    ¡°Call Aspen and Haylo. I need someone who has training to assist me.¡± He began working on the site where Kailin was shot. ¡°She¡¯s lucky it¡¯s just below her subvian artery, but the bullet is still inside her. That¡¯s why she¡¯s not healing.


    ¡°Give me a minute.¡± I dialed Alpha King. He knew how to operate.


    ¡°Alpha Knight?¡±


    ¡°Kailin just shot. Our doctor needs help from an experienced like you.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re on the way.¡± The call hung up, and my gazended on Dane and Kailin.


    ¡°Come here, sweetheart.¡± I pulled Nirvana into my arms and kissed the top of her head. ¡°She¡¯s gonna be okay.¡±


    ¡°I was so scared.¡± She sobbed on my chest.


    The portal appeared, startling Duncan and Dane.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Sebastien was the first to ask and immediately took gloves and put them on.


    ¡°The bullet is still in her chest. I can¡¯t do it alone. I don¡¯t wanna graze the artery.¡± Duncan cleaned the wound while Sebastien prepared the instruments.


    ¡°Let¡¯s start then.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s he?¡± Zarah asked.


    ¡°Dane Colin. He works with the council.¡±


    ¡°I see, and he¡¯s Kailin¡¯s mate?¡±


    I looked at her. ¡°Yeah. He¡¯s also Obsidian.¡±


    ¡°Interesting.¡± She turned to Nirvana. ¡°How did you get shot when it happened inside the vineyards.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I want to ask you about, Zarah. I thought we were safe here.¡±


    ¡°I wanna see the bullet.¡±


    ¡°You can have it, darling,¡± said Sebastien. ¡°You want a souvenir?¡±


    ¡°No, Sebastien. The bullet might be special.¡±


    ¡°Cast with a spell, you mean?¡± Sebastien stared at Zarah.


    ¡°Possibly, but I have a feeling Nirvana is the target, and since she¡¯s protected, the bullet dodged and hit Kailin instead.¡±


    ¡°What the hell?¡± Nirvana stared at Zarah in shock.


    ¡°Who the fuck would wanna kill my mate?¡± I growled at Zarah.


    ¡°The right question is, who doesn¡¯t wanna kill her? Even if the bounty is over, people are still curious about what is so special about her. Everyone bes curious about who Nirvana is when her name is out there and why the council wanted her.¡±


    ¡°This is all because of Victor. I should have just killed him.¡±


    Dane didn¡¯t even react when Nirvana threatened his boss, but his words were as cold as could freeze the entire room. ¡°I¡¯ll find whoever did this. I¡¯ll make sure he dies slowly and painfully.¡±

 106

    NIRVANA


    I was so terrified I thought I was going to lose Kailin. If she was only human, she might not make it.


    I cried the entire time in the shower, washing off her blood on my skin. Watching her on the ground with blood all over her chest was the scariest thing I¡¯d ever felt.


    I walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around me. Knight was sitting on the edge of the bed, seemingly in deep thought.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to the sight where Kailin got shot.¡± He didn¡¯t even look at me. I didn¡¯t know if he was ming himself or if he thought that bullet was meant for me.


    ¡°I¡¯ming with you.¡±


    His head snapped in my direction, eyes narrowing at me. ¡°No way.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    He seemed surprised by my reply.


    ¡°What? After what happened to Kailin, I won¡¯t be reckless anymore. Going to the tasting room was not reckless, and I thought we were safe here in the vineyards.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± He took a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯ll take Dane with me. We might check out where the shooting happened.¡±


    ¡°I was thinking the same thing. But, please, be careful.¡± I knelt before him. ¡°I had enough fear in me. I don¡¯t think I can¡¯t take it if something happens to you. Do you understand me?¡±


    He leaned down to kiss my lips. ¡°You won¡¯t lose me. I promise.¡±


    I nodded, even if my chest was still heavy. He might heal fast, but things out there were dangerous enough when magic and the virus were involved. ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll be with Kailin shortly.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d he stayed.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I put my underwear on. I was opening the drawer to get my bra when I felt him behind me.


    He kissed my shoulder, and his hands snaked to my chest, cupping my breasts through the towel.


    ¡°I miss you,¡± he whispered as he moved his lips up to his mark on my neck, then flicked his tongue over my earlobe.


    I pressed my thighs together and stifled my moan as the towel fell down my knees and his fingers rolled my nipples.


    ¡°I still owe you.¡± His voice deepened, and he could probably smell my arousal.


    ¡°Maybeter.¡± I ached for him, and he knew that, but there were so many things to do, and sex could wait. He would understand my resistance.


    ¡°Fine, but I will fuck you three times tonight.¡± He groaned and breathed deeply, freeing my breasts from his hands.


    ¡°Gee.¡± I put on my bra, a shirt, and a pair of jeans. ¡°You should go.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll go down together. Dane is probably still with Kailin.¡±


    After the sessful operation, she began healing. Any magic or spell did notce the bullet taken from Kailin, but it was a rifle used by snipers.


    We headed down to the infirmary. The first person I saw was Dane, his hands on his hips, ring down at Kailin.


    ¡°Oh, my God. You¡¯re awake.¡± I ran towards her bed and hugged her tight until I realized she was in pain. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± She still looked pale, but I was d she was healing well.


    ¡°You scared me.¡± I kissed her forehead. ¡°I¡¯m so d you¡¯re okay.¡±


    ¡°Tell her to stay put because she¡¯s stubborn and wouldn¡¯t listen to me,¡± Dane said firmly.


    Kailin narrowed her eyes at her mate. ¡°Why would I listen to you? Why are you even still here?¡±


    ¡°Hey. Will you calm down? You may heal fast, but you lost a lot of blood. And he¡¯d been with you since I brought you here.¡±


    ¡°She woke up and cursed the fuck out of me. She¡¯s vtile like she¡¯s in heat,¡± Dane spat, took his jacket on the chair, and was ready to leave.


    ¡°How dare you?¡± She grabbed the ss of water. Before she could throw it to Dane, I held her wrist. She hissed in pain, letting the ss go.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± I started to get pissed with her attitude. Dane might have chosen a dangerous job, but that was his job. ¡°You can¡¯t just do something like that to Dane because he¡¯s not the man you dreamed of.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you just said that to me.¡± Now, she was throwing her anger at me.


    ¡°You pushed me and begged me to give Knight a second chance because you care for your cousin and can¡¯t watch him suffer from my rejection. I considered that because of you.¡± I huffed. It was still fresh to me how hard it was watching Knight suffer because of what I did and said. I was done convincing her. ¡°Make your own decision, Kailin. Now, if you hate Dane this much, I dare you to reject him in front of me and your alpha.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, what are you doing?¡± Knight sounded rmed.


    ¡°Nirvana, please, don¡¯t.¡± I heard the pain in Dane¡¯s voice, but I needed to dare Kailin so she could shut up and respect her mate instead.


    ¡°She hates him. I want to witness rejection for the first time. Do it, Kailin.¡±


    She looked taken aback at what I said. She red at Dane before she turned to her side, grimacing when she put pressure on her wound.


    ¡°I thought so. Here¡¯s what I want you to do. Show some respect to your mate and show how you respect everyone around here.¡±


    ¡°I hate you,¡± she said firmly.


    ¡°You can hate me all you want, but I¡¯m trying to save you both.¡± I faced Knight, who had a small smile on his lips, while Dane seemed relieved. ¡°So, you¡¯re gonna go check out the ce?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Knight nodded and looked at Dane. ¡°I might need a gun.¡±


    ¡°Make sure it¡¯s not registered to your name,¡± Dane said.


    ¡°Yeah, I got one.¡±


    ¡°Dane, please look after him.¡±


    ¡°With my life. And look after her while we¡¯re gone.¡± Dane stole a nce at Kailin.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± I patted Kailin¡¯s arm, smiling. ¡°She¡¯s in good hands.¡±


    ¡°We have to go.¡± Knight kissed me on the lips. ¡°Love you.¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Love you. Be careful out there, baby.¡±


    Knight had already walked to the door, while Dane seemed to have something to say to Kailin.


    I gave him a smile of encouragement as I rose to my feet and went to Knight. ¡°They¡¯re gonna be okay.¡±


    ¡°Good job, sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°Good job? I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    Dane cleared his throat. ¡°We¡¯re going to check out the-¡±


    ¡°I heard everything,¡± Kailin grunted. That was a good start. ¡°Just don¡¯t die out there.¡±


    I grinned at Knight. ¡°That¡¯s what I call a good job.¡±


    Once they left, I sat back in the chair, and I heard her sigh and say, ¡°You¡¯re such a bitch.¡±


    ¡°A powerful bitch.¡±


    She finally turned and faced me. Her smile felt like a grateful one. ¡°I thought I was going to die. His scent was too powerful when I woke up, and his presence gave me strength. It was wild. I couldn¡¯t hate and reject him. I¡¯d never felt something so powerful I couldn¡¯t resist. I¡¯m a strong woman, Vana. I always did what I thought was right and followed what I wanted in my life, but this? This mating bond hits me differently. It¡¯s driving me insane.¡±


    ¡°I felt that, too, K. Before I found out about who he was and about mates, every time I looked into his eyes, he was like a ma. I feltpelled that I couldn¡¯t resist. He was like a magical being, a celestial that I didn¡¯t want to let go of. Maybe if he kissed in the vineyards that night, I might let him take me behind the tree.¡±


    She barked out,ughing, holding her wound, and tears forming in her eyes.


    ¡°Wow.¡± I stared at her in disbelief. ¡°So my embarrassing story is the only thing that brings your mood back?¡±


    ¡°Shut up.¡± She rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Your mate is hot, by the way.¡±

 107

    KNIGHT


    Dane and I followed the trail where Nirvana and Kailin left the testing room. They must have headed towards the vineyards.


    I knew Nirvana. She liked nature and beautiful sights for her painting ideas.


    ¡°There¡¯s blood around here.¡± The blood dried on the ground, and droplets were on the grass.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Dane scanned the area. ¡°Did someonee here after the incident?¡±


    ¡°No. I told Tucker to keep this site untouched.¡± I looked around and saw nothing but vast fields of vines. How could someone target one of them?


    ¡°It¡¯s done by a pro,¡± he confirmed my suspicion. ¡°It did note from the pack house nor that area.¡± He pointed north.


    ¡°Exactly my thought. Nor from the woods.¡±


    ¡°There.¡± He pointed at the Pinot noir vineyards. ¡°nts are tall. He could have hidden himself there for hours. Or, if he has a military background, he could go that far on the hill. I bet thetter because that¡¯s what I would do. We have a good sense of smell. He wouldn¡¯t dare trespass if he¡¯s a werewolf.¡± Dane was right. One of them was targeted. It was not an ident. It was nned, organized, and done by a pro.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go see where he hid himself.¡±


    ¡°The scent could be gone, but we might find a smudge from the grass or footprints, but he may seed. He can¡¯t escape from me. I make sure of that.¡± His blue eyes shed in anger. ¡°He¡¯s dead.¡±


    ¡°I just want you to know that I appreciate you being here, if not for the job, for Kailin.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a piece of work,¡± he said as we followed the trail towards the west side of mynd.


    I chuckled. ¡°She is. I might be older than her, but we grew up with her and her twin. She likes bikes. That¡¯s maybe the reason why I bought a motorbike for myself. The more she fell, the more she wouldn¡¯t stop. She¡¯s relentless and strong. I found my mate through her. They¡¯ve been best friends for four years, and I never met Nirvana. When I did, I rejected her.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± He sounded surprised.


    ¡°First, I thought I wasn¡¯t ready, and she¡¯s human. Honestly, I was an asshole. I would have epted her if she was one of us. I dreamed of a strong mate because I was an alpha, and I let it get into my head, but that was the stupidest thing I¡¯d ever done, and I greatly suffered the consequences.¡±


    ¡°Kailin might not have rejected me, but I felt the longer she distanced herself from me, the greater my wolf suffered. I don¡¯t know what to do. I never had girlfriends. I never got into any rtionship. What I had with women was purely sex. That¡¯s all. I also never wanted a mate, but when I first saw her, something awakened inside me that I had never thought I could ever be ready to face.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not my right to say this, and so as what my mate said earlier, challenging Kailin, but give it a chance. I had never been in a serious rtionship before, but we made it work out. It was rocky at first, but look at where we are now. Take it from me, Dane: it¡¯s not easy for an alpha to deal with a defiant mate, but a rtionship is not a sprint. Work on your differences with Kailin.¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°That¡¯s the n.¡±


    My head snapped at him. ¡°And it¡¯s not a healthy rtionship if you want her to change for you or vice versa. She will change if she feels safe around you. I¡¯m sure she will do the same.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. That¡¯s kind of a relief that you don¡¯t see me as a cold-blooded monster.¡±


    ¡°We do all have monsters inside us. It just depends on how we use it- to fight the bad or be the bad guy.¡±


    Dane stopped and sniffed.


    ¡°Human.¡± I caught a human stench around from the sweat and alcohol. ¡°Fucking asshole.¡± Dane was right about one thing- the location. They trespassed on my property and waited until their target appeared.


    ¡°They¡¯re not a pro. They might as well get in by posing as customers.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. The threat level has been under control since yesterday; the winery and testing room are back on track. We have a CCTV. We¡¯ll check who came in.¡±


    We went back to the pack house. I heardughsing from Nirvana and Kailin.


    ¡°She¡¯s out of bed?¡± He instantly sounded pissed. I would feel the same, but I guessed we both mated to stubborn women.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stop her. She knows her body. I¡¯m sure she won¡¯t get up if she doesn¡¯t feel better.¡±


    ¡°Better be.¡±


    I followed their voices to the dining room.


    My mate instantly saw me. ¡°You¡¯re back.¡±


    ¡°Why are you not in bed?¡± Dane asked Kailin, but his voice was calmer, and if I heard it right, he was concerned.


    Nirvana and I shared a look.


    ¡°I¡¯m tired of lying in bed, and I¡¯m fine,¡± Kailin pointed out.


    ¡°You could have waited until we¡¯re back.¡±


    ¡°And what are you gonna do?¡±


    He looked down at the food on the table. ¡°I could bring food to your room.¡±


    ¡°Hey, hitman-¡± She mped her mouth shut as she looked like she didn¡¯t mean to say it out loud. She quickly recovered, pointing her finger at Dane. ¡°You are not allowed in my room. Got it?¡±


    ¡°Through the door, yes, but I just infiltrated a heavily guarded government facility just right. One room like yours is just another day at the office.¡±


    ¡°Wow.¡± Kailin tsked and shook her head in dismay. ¡°You just gave me reasons not to trust you.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t do it. I just merely gave you an example of what I can do.¡± He sat next to her.


    Nirvana took her te and put some grilled meat and sd on it before she stood up and came to me. ¡°Bon Appetit, Dane.¡±


    ¡°Vana!¡± Panicking, Kailin called her with a warning. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna eat my mate.¡± Sheughed loudly. ¡°I mean, I¡¯m gonna feed my mate.¡± She grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the dining.


    ¡°What was that all about?¡±


    She shook tough. ¡°Oh, my God. What¡¯s wrong with me?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re ying matchmaker too much, sweetheart.¡± I grabbed a piece of grilled meat and took a huge bite.


    ¡°What did you find out there?¡±


    ¡°A human scent. We need to check the CCTV.¡±


    I logged in to the desktop at my office and checked the monitor from the vineyard entrance. ¡°What time did you go to the tasting room?¡±


    ¡°Around two, I think.¡±


    I checked the timestamp on the screen a little earlier. I noticed a delivery van entering, heading towards the vineyard. I paused and zoomed the image until I saw the man in the passenger seat.


    ¡°Son of a bitch.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Nirvana came around to see the image on the screen. ¡°Do you know him?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. He was at Cadogan¡¯s office when I confronted that son of a bitch.¡±

 108

    NIRVANA


    ¡°So that asshole Travis told his father about what we did in his house?¡± I asked Knight in disbelief.


    ¡°Probably, and how he just came for payback.¡±


    Eyes filled with rage for revenge, McKaye growled out. ¡°I should have just killed them all and made it look like an animal attack.¡±


    I looked at McKaye. ¡°Yeah. Now, I regret letting them live. It¡¯s all my fault my best friend just got shot.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just because you didn¡¯t want blood in our hands, and we couldn¡¯t have known they would retaliate. We thought we scared them enough to stoping after us.¡±


    ¡°Look what happened yesterday, Luka.¡± I pointed my finger at Kailin sitting next to Dane.¡± She almost died because of me. This time, the blood in my hands is my best friend¡¯s.¡± I turned to Knight when he hadn¡¯t said a word. ¡°Go on. Just say it. Where¡¯s the I told you so speech?¡±


    ¡°This is not your fault, Luna,¡± West said. His words were supposed to make me a little better, but they made me guiltier. ¡°They¡¯ve been bullying us before you even came. I got beaten, and North got beaten by Travis¡¯s minions because we chose not to fight back.¡±


    ¡°How do we handle this, Alpha?¡± Kaleb asked.


    ¡°With what¡¯s going on right now, I don¡¯t wanna suggest anything. I leave it for you all to decide. Every time I made my own decisions, someone was getting hurt. I guess I¡¯m not good at it. I¡¯m just way over my head, thinking that giving them a chance would change them for the better.¡± I shrugged when I felt like I wanted to cry. ¡°I was wrong.¡±


    ¡°I say that¡¯s bullshit, Vana. You are just a good person, way better than any of us, and that doesn¡¯t mean your decisions are wrong. They are so bad to be given a second chance.¡±


    I looked at Kailin. I realized I hadn¡¯t apologized to her. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. If I could only switch ces with you, I already did.¡±


    ¡°Or maybe that bullet was intended for you, but you know, it bounced to Kailin.¡±


    ¡°No. I don¡¯t think so. McKaye was there and made sure not to cross us again. Travis probably got out of the mental hospital and talked about what happened. Either way, it¡¯s only a matter of time before he talked on national TV that a pack of wolves ravaged his house.¡±


    ¡°Nobody will believe him, Alpha. He¡¯s a lunatic,¡± Maddox said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so sure. With these deaths and virus, he might as well make his life¡¯s goal to hunt us.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of this situation.¡±


    All eyes were pinned on Dane, including Kailin. ¡°What are you nning to do?¡±


    ¡°You better not know it. It keeps you sleep at night,¡± he said to her, making McKaye groan.


    He still couldn¡¯t ept the fact that Dane was his sister¡¯s mate.


    ¡°Calm down,¡± I told him through our link.


    ¡°He¡¯s a-¡±


    ¡°A what? A monster? A murderer? So do we. Now shut up and behave.¡±


    He rolled his eyes at me, and Knight saw it, and he wasn¡¯t impressed.


    ¡°What was that, Mac?¡±


    ¡°Luna told me to shut up and behave.¡± He shrugged.


    ¡°No, I want you to tell me your n,¡± Kailin insisted.


    ¡°I will kill the man who shot you,¡± Dane said without a hint of emotion.


    ¡°And how do you suppose to n on killing him?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a resourceful man, Kailin, and I¡¯m good at doing it on my own.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not going there alone,¡± Knight stopped him.


    ¡°No offense, Alpha-¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what you wanted to say, and I¡¯ll be offended. I know you are her mate, and you want revenge, but they also came after my mate and me, and this issue has been going on for years. I just let it go, but this time, they call for blood, and I¡¯m giving them what they want.¡±


    ¡°How do you propose what we should do?¡±


    ¡°We?¡± I asked Dane. ¡°Just the two of you?¡±


    ¡°You just said it yourself. You don¡¯t wanna make any decisions.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not making any. How do you fight against fifteen men?¡±


    Dane looked at Knight. ¡°Can we talk alone?¡±


    ¡°No way,¡± Kailin and I said in unison.


    Dane breathed through his nose, his jaw clenching.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk in the office. You and you, stay.¡±


    I opened my mouth to say something when Knight raised his finger, warning me. I shut my mouth and shrunk into the couch.


    He and Dane went to the office, and I knew I couldn¡¯t hear it because Zarah put a spell around it so no one could listen to any conversation from the outside.


    ¡°What do you think are they gonna talk about?¡± West asked.


    ¡°The hell, I care. I don¡¯t trust that guy.¡± McKaye crossed his arms over his chest, ignoring the res from Kailin and me.


    ¡°Cool it, Mac. Maybe one day he¡¯s going to save your ass. You can¡¯t judge someone by his job, and he could have killed me, but he didn¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°He wasn¡¯t ordered to kill you.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, and you should learn to like Dane because you¡¯ll see him more often around here. And try to be less of an asshole.¡±


    ¡°Unbelievable,¡± he muttered under his breath.


    I rose to my feet when everyone looked at me. ¡°I¡¯m going to find out about their ns.¡±


    I made my way towards the alpha¡¯s office and knocked. A few secondster, the door opened, and Knight nced at me.


    ¡°Can Ie in?¡± He hadn¡¯t answered me, and I was already helping my way in. ¡°So what¡¯s the n?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t wait outside?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± I made myselffortable sitting on the chair while Dane was on his phone.


    He came behind me and nted a kiss on top of my head. ¡°I was expecting you would insist oning with me.¡±


    ¡°I respect you, alpha.¡± I reached out for his face and tilted my head to kiss him.


    Knight pressed his lips against mine for a quick kiss. I was not much of a PDA person. In fact, I didn¡¯t encourage myself.


    When the call ended, Dane cleared his throat.


    ¡°What did they say?¡±


    ¡°They are reviewing your request and will do the surveince if Cadoganmitted some crimes. Look, this is a unique situation, considering he is a human, but we¡¯ve known about your mate¡¯s role in the fight against a strong being and the fact that she was there. There¡¯s a huge chance they will take this job.¡±


    ¡°Hold on.¡± I raised my hand. ¡°You hired them to do the job?¡±


    ¡°If they ept it, yes.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± I stared at Knight.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    ¡°We know how to clean up the mess,¡± Dane replied.


    I swallowed hard. ¡°What kind of mess?¡±


    ¡°We can create a scenario that even authority can¡¯t figure out that someone did it. We can make it look like an ident or a gas leak at home or in his work.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay.¡± I gave up. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna hear it.¡± It seemed a good idea but a little unsettling. ¡°You work for them?¡±


    ¡°I work with them.¡±


    Knight¡¯s phone suddenly rang. When he picked it up, I saw his confusion. ¡°Why is Victor calling me?¡±

 109

    KNIGHT


    ¡°You should answer that,¡± Dane said.


    I had a feeling this call was something crucial. I answered the call. ¡°Victor.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have much time.¡± The moment I heard those words, I closed my eyes and prepared for the huge bomb he was going to drop. ¡°The council just cleaned house.¡±


    Fuck.


    ¡°What do you mean? Where are you?¡± There was no need to keep this call secret. One of the cons of being a werewolf was the enhanced hearing. Even a voice from the other line was like a loudspeaker.


    Dane and Nirvana heard everything Victor said. I put the phone down and put it on speaker.


    ¡°I just left the council. They betrayed me. They voted me out as the head of the council. That son of a bitch called for a meeting without me. When I reported to the council, Eloh had already my chair.¡±


    The moment Dane heard what Victor had just said, he cursed under his breath. I saw with my very own eyes that he cared for Victor and could love someone.


    ¡°Shit. Where are you, Victor? I¡¯ming to get you,¡± Dane said.


    ¡°No. Stay there, son. It¡¯s not safe anymore. They wille looking for you, too. Don¡¯te to my house.¡±


    ¡°I will contact Zarah, and maybe she can help.¡± She quickly typed a message to Zarah that our situation had worsened.


    ¡°How did this happen, Victor?¡± A lump formed in my throat as I found myself in a horrible situation with no way of getting out of it. First, this situation was with Cadogan, and now it was with the council. I didn¡¯t think I could handle it anymore. A lot was happening; I just wanted to vanish and wake up in some deserted ce.


    ¡°I told Eloh that Nirvana is the Guardian. I trusted that son of a bitch, and I was pretty confident he would betray me, so now they know the secret. They are nning to take her to the council.¡±


    ¡°Over my dead body, Victor,¡± I said through gritted teeth.


    ¡°That¡¯s all I know. What they¡¯re going to do if they have Nirvana in their hands, you won¡¯t going to like it. I¡¯m sorry, Knight. I know we have a deal and intend to do that, but now I can¡¯t protect her anymore. I have allies, but we can¡¯t see what¡¯sing without a man inside the council. She¡¯s in grave danger now. I suggest you hide her where no one can find her.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not hiding myself. Let theme and get me.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, I¡¯m so sorry. This is all my fault.¡±


    ¡°It ought to happen, Victor. I just texted Zarah. Maybe you should find a ce to lie low, like a motel, so she can find you and take you somewhere safe.¡±


    ¡°This call might be monitored. Don¡¯t say no more. Stay safe.¡± The call ended, and Nirvana was startled in her seat as Dane punched a wall.Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I will kill them with my bare hands.¡± The ring around his eyes glowed golden. He began growling, almost losing his control.¡¯


    I was vociferously pissed off, too. If they woulde to take my mate forcefully, they just dered war, and I would not let them take her without a fight.


    ¡°They know everything about our ns.¡± I looked at Nirvana, who seemed silent. ¡°You can¡¯t stay here with me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere. I am the only one who is capable of protecting this ce. No offense.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t be this stubborn, sweetheart. I will call Zarah.¡±


    I just said her name. Zarah just came out of the portal, and then Victor followed.


    He looked bedraggled as he hugged Dane tightly. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. I let you all down. This wouldn¡¯t have happened if I didn¡¯t put a bounty on her.¡±


    ¡°At least we know now who¡¯s on our side.¡± Calmer Nirvana put me on edge. I¡¯d better hear her yelling and screaming at me, but like this, she made me worry even more.


    ¡°Let me guess, you¡¯re staying,¡± Zarah told her.


    She lifted her gaze. ¡°Where do you want me to go? They¡¯reing after me and destroy this ce, kill everyone thates their way. I¡¯m tired of putting everyone¡¯s life as my shield. My best friend is still recovering because of my stupid decisions.¡±


    ¡°So you found out who did that to Kailin?¡± Zarah looked at me.


    ¡°Cadogan¡¯s men.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re surrendering yourself? Is that the idea you¡¯ve got in your pretty brain?¡±


    ¡°Tell me then, I¡¯m listening.¡± The way she said it, it concerned me. She was so rxed on the couch while I wanted to kill everyoneing after her.


    Zarah turned to Victor. ¡°By any chance, did theye in contact with Cyrius?¡±


    ¡°Maybe during my absence, Cyrius paid a visit to Eloh, or maybe he was infected or mind-controlled. I have no idea. They removed me from my seat, Zarah. I want to kill them all.¡±


    ¡°Because of me. It alles down to me.¡± Nirvana kept ming herself. Guilt was drowning her.


    ¡°Hey.¡± I went to her and held her knees. ¡°This is not on you. Months ago, you were just an ordinary girl wanting to manage a restaurant. This is why I didn¡¯t want you in this treacherous world. I brought you in. This is on me. If I could-¡±


    ¡°If you could, what? Reset? I swear to God, if you say that to me, I will break your face.¡± She wasn¡¯t kidding. She was so angry she could smash my face.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Nirvana. I love you, and I will die fighting to keep you safe.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°What do you have in mind? Tell me. It¡¯s unsettling you are too calm.¡±


    ¡°Let theme, and I don¡¯t want anyone to interfere.¡±


    I took a few moments to draw a slow breath, even if the heat was already working its way up my neck. ¡°Are you fucking kidding me right now?¡±


    She was gazing back at me with a hard, flinty look in her eyes. ¡°I can¡¯t stand anymore watching the people I care about getting hurt because some psychopaths areing after me, Knight. I want to stop these people from hurting and from dying.¡±


    After another beat of silence, I said that pissed her off, ¡°I can¡¯t let you do that.¡±


    ¡°How are you supposed to stop me, Alpha?¡±


    She knew what would happen when Zarah touched her shoulder, but the witch was also powerful. I watched her eyes flutter close, and I had a feeling she was going to curse the fuck out of me when she woke up.


    ¡°Victor, go with Zarah. She will take care of both of you.¡± As the portal appeared, I held him in the arm. ¡°If this is a part of your n to betray me, I will find you to the end of the earth and rip your heart out. Do you understand me?¡±


    ¡°I know. Be careful, Knight. We have a bigger war to fight.¡±


    I scooped a sleeping Nirvana and kissed her forehead before handing her to Victor. ¡°Forgive me, my love.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I will protect her with my life. You have my word.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± The moment they walked into the portal, I felt like someone had just ripped my heart out from my chest, but there was no way I could protect her if she were too willing to turn herself into the council that betrayed us.


    A loud bang mmed against the door, followed by a man¡¯s voice. ¡°Open the door, Alpha Knight.¡±


    Dane and I shared a look before I walked towards the door and opened it.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Who are you?¡± I stood before three men in suits, and I bet there were more out there waiting for us to make a stupid move.


    ¡°We¡¯re from the Werewolf Council. We have a written order to search this premises to arrest your mate, Nirvana Thorne, and take her into our custody as she threatened the head of the council and a threat to the werewolfmunity.¡± He pushed the paper into my chest.


    ¡°My mate?¡± I grabbed the paper and didn¡¯t bother reading it. ¡°Are you kidding me? What sort of threat can she possibly pose? She¡¯s a human.¡±


    ¡°Step aside and let us do our job, or we will arrest you for obstructing our search.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Go ahead.¡± I stepped out and let them find her if they could.


    ¡°Alpha, what¡¯s going on? Why are they taking Nirvana?¡± Kaleb came to us. I could feel the tension in the pack house and smell the fear in the air.


    ¡°They juste inside the gate like they owned this ce,¡± Luka grumbled.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Zarah took down the shield after they had searched this ce. ¡°How many are there outside?¡±


    ¡°Why are you so calm?¡± McKaye talked to me.


    ¡°It¡¯s gonna be okay, guys. Just let them do their job,¡± I announced to everyone so they would not do anything stupid.


    ¡°Where¡¯s your mate?¡± The guy who had just shoved the paper into me asked.


    ¡°The hell I know. You¡¯re the one searching for her. Go do your job.¡± I walked out of the pack house with a smile. ¡°Good luck finding her. I, myself, don¡¯t have any knowledge of where she is.¡±

 110

    NIRVANA     I woke up gasping. It seemed that I was having a dream, but I couldn¡¯t remember what it was, and I had no recollection of how I came to be in this unfamiliar room or this bed. I was not in our bed nor at the pack house.


    Then I remembered we were in the office talking about Cadogan, and Victor called until we argued about turning myself into the council.


    Zarah.


    ¡°Oh, my God.¡± I got up from bed and went to the door. Thankfully, it was unlocked, or it left it that way.


    As I looked around, the house interior appeared suburban, and then the strong scents of cinnamon, musk, and herbs hit my nostrils- I could be a home spray, reeds, or a diffuser.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    I stepped out, barefooted, tiptoeing to find the exit.


    ¡°Good. You¡¯re awake.¡±


    I jumped at the voice behind me. My hand ttened on my chest as I turned around, trying to calm my heartbeat.


    ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡± Zarah asked tly.


    ¡°What did you do to me? Why am I here in your house?¡±


    ¡°Follow me.¡± She gestured. She must havee from the kitchen where the smell of herbs came from.


    ¡°What am I doing here, Zarah? I need to go back to the vineyards.¡± I followed her despite my mind protesting. ¡°Let me guess, we¡¯re not in California anymore.¡±


    ¡°Yes. We¡¯re at the most secure ce for you. The Fort Knox for magic. I know you have a lot of questions, but we can talk while we¡¯re eating. Have a seat.¡±


    She seemed domesticated for a powerful witch. I couldn¡¯t imagine her cooking in her contemporary country kitchen. Despite being worried about the vineyards, I took a seat on her stool. Two tes of cinnamon pie slices were on the table.


    ¡°Why did you bring me here when they¡¯re all in danger without me?¡±


    ¡°After we left, the people from the council arrived. They have written order to capture you-¡±


    ¡°Like a warrant of arrest?¡± My eyes widened.


    ¡°Yes. It came from Eloh. He¡¯s now running the Werewolf Council. He¡¯s brutal, with no conscience. Imagine what he does to you if you turn yourself to them. You¡¯re good as dead, and our n of defeating Cyrius is over.¡± She sliced her pie and ate calmly.


    ¡°Then I am also useless hiding myself in your house.¡±


    ¡°Let the dust settle, and then you can return to the vineyards.¡±


    I desperately sighed as I took a bite of a small piece of the pie. It was good. ¡°I just left the vineyards unprotected for Cyrius to be taken over. My pack is good as dead, Zarah. Do you know what damages you just did?¡±


    She rested her elbows on the counter and smiled. ¡°You¡¯re really falling for your pack. You remind me of Shadow. She¡¯s selfless like you, but that makes you also vulnerable.¡±


    ¡°And that makes me human. I have emotions. I can feel pain, love, and everything. What¡¯s your point, Zarah? I just left my pack to get ughtered.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re going to be fine,¡± she said dismissively, seemingly enjoying her baking more.


    ¡°I can¡¯t even see you here being domesticated,¡± I said sarcastically, and maybe she would send me back when I became stubborn. ¡°You said it yourself. Cyrius is after that ce.¡±


    ¡°This is also a center of source of energy. That¡¯s why I couldn¡¯t sell or abandon this ce even if I mostly stay in Italy.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    ¡°The moment they couldn¡¯t find you in the vineyards, Knight and your pack were being questioned.¡±


    ¡°How did they get into the vineyards?¡±


    ¡°They were weed inside. At this moment, only unwanted visitors could not enter, and I took the shield down so they would not question me.¡±


    ¡°You mean saved your butt. But you can still send me back once this is over, right?¡±


    ¡°Why? You already missed your mate?¡± She stared at me with intensity.


    ¡°It¡¯s not like that.¡± I shrugged, but I also missed Knight. ¡°They are dealing with Cadogan¡¯s men. One of them who shot Kailin.¡±


    ¡°Kailin¡¯s mate will deal with it. It¡¯s not your problem anymore, Nirvana. You can¡¯t solve every problem around you. That¡¯s why there¡¯s an alpha, the beta, delta, enforcers, and elders. They have their own roles. Your duty is as luna of the pack.¡±


    ¡°So there¡¯s no way I can go back?¡± I still insisted, even if I already knew the answer.


    ¡°No. Right now, I can¡¯t portal you back. They monitor anyone who has contact with the vineyards. You can¡¯t call Knight or anyone, or you will put their lives in danger. Do you understand me? This a serious matter, Nirvana. You are wanted by the new council. And I don¡¯t think he will go easy on you. They just contacted Margaret, the high priestess of my coven. So, I¡¯m also under surveince, but I¡¯m risking my safety and my life for you.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t say anymore. All I did was eat her pie, and it was delicious, or I just had nothing to do than eat. ¡°For how long?¡±


    ¡°Maybe a day, a week, a month, I don¡¯t know. Until the council won¡¯t clears the vineyards, you can¡¯t go back. You can¡¯t see your mate.¡±


    ¡°So the council can¡¯t have me, but I am under house arrest.¡± I studied her for a moment. I saw nothing but her concern. ¡°Great.¡±


    ¡°This is better than them torturing you and taking away your power. This is the best ce for you.¡±


    Once we were done eating, I looked through the window. She had a lot of nts and flowers in the yard and a ssic iron-wrought gate like in a witch movie.


    ¡°The house is spell-protected,¡± she said behind me. Why was I not even surprised?


    ¡°Let me guess, there¡¯s a spell on that gate.¡±


    ¡°Yes. No one cane inside uninvited, and you can¡¯t go out without me.¡±


    ¡°Yes. You might as well put an ankle monitor on me.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I did, but magically.¡± Right, my ne.


    I faced her and rolled my eyes. ¡°You took my house arrest to a whole new level, and you¡¯re enjoying this a lot, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    I wandered around her house. She had colorful couches and throw pillows. This was not what I imagined about Zarah. Considering that she was dating a lycan alpha king, how she dressed, how she carried herself, and how powerful she was, it was reasonable.


    ¡°So you can¡¯t send a message via pigeon or something.¡±


    ¡°Stop. Watch some movies and read books, but noputer, inte, or phone call.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I get it, Zarah.¡± I stayed on the couch, but my mind was still with Knight. ¡°How do you know you can trust Victor? If I know, he nned all this so he has our sympathy, and then we tell him everything, then betray us after.¡±


    ¡°He was working with Eloh, finding a cure until he got a report that we were looking for a weapon. When he thought Eloh was still loyal to him, he told him what he learned from us. Eloh, on the other hand, is ambitious and arrogant and will do everything to get to the top of the game. Victor lost everything, Nirvana. He may still have allies, but he doesn¡¯t run the council anymore, so everybody might just cut their ties with him and turn their sides to Eloh. He¡¯s desperate, and any moment now, Eloh will call a meeting with all alphas and decide how he will handle you.¡±


    ¡°Son of a bitch.¡±


    ¡°You think Victor putting a bounty on you was ruthless? Try Eloh. He is a hundred times worse than Victor. So if you still want to see your mate alive again, you behave and wait until we can make a concrete n on how we can fight Cyrius and prove Eloh he¡¯s a loser.¡± She stood up. ¡°We have a visitor.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± I stood up as well as she went to open the door, but I had a feeling it was not Knight or anyone from my pack.


    Then Califf walked in wearing a perfect suit and tie. ¡°How¡¯s your prisoner?¡±


    ¡°Stubborn as always.¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°How are you doing, Nirvana?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll live as long as my pack is safe.¡±


    ¡°For now.¡± He smiled sympathetically. ¡°Just hang in there. Everything¡¯s going to be okay.¡±


    ¡°I hope so because honestly, with everything¡¯s happening around me, I¡¯m going to be crazy without hearing anything back home. Anyway, have you heard anything from Alexander? I just want to know if my grandfather is okay.¡±


    ¡°Oh, they¡¯re fine. They were in skast week, hunting. This weekend, they are nning to go to Moscow.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good to know he¡¯s fine.¡± I sighed in satisfaction.


    ¡°He told you not to work hard. He called you honey?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s sound like my grandpa.¡± I wiped my tears. I didn¡¯t know they were there. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    I breathed deeply as he slipped his hand into his jacket pocket. ¡°I have something for you.¡±


    I hesitated, taking the folded paper between his fingers. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°Open it, and you¡¯ll know.¡±


    I took it from him and smiled. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    My eyes widened as I opened the paper. It was a male penmanship, and it began with the word sweetheart.


    Sweetheart Nirvana,


    You¡¯re probably cursing me right now, but I hope you understand why I did what I did. I can¡¯t, for the love of Goddess, let them take you, and if I have to fight for something, it would be for our love and protect our people. Stay where you are, and remember that you are always in my mind, in my heart, and in every breath I take.


    I love you, Nirvana. I¡¯ll see you soon.


    K. B

 111

    KNIGHT


    ¡°Don¡¯t make this difficult for yourself, Alpha Knight. You know we can still get to her without your help. Now, where¡¯s your mate?¡±


    I was proved, had been questioned for almost an hour by the same man who went to the vineyards, and he hadn¡¯t given up. Eloh must have been pressuring them to get to my mate.


    ¡°How many times do I have to tell you I don¡¯t know where she is?¡± I was telling the truth because I didn¡¯t know where Zarah took her. ¡°You can ess and probe my brain. Go ahead. Like I told you a thousand times, I don¡¯t know where she is. We can do it all day, and you will get the same answer.¡±


    ¡°I know you are protecting your mate. That¡¯s what we do, but if you continue resisting us-¡±


    ¡°What? What are you going to do?¡± I didn¡¯t like it when people threatened me. ¡°Do you think I wanted this to happen? I was just happy when I found my mate, and then three days ago, she was wanted and treated by your people like a criminal, and now she¡¯s gone. Are you threatening me? I¡¯m cooperating, am I not? Don¡¯t ever threaten me because there is nothing you can do that makes me betray my mate.¡±


    Another man came inside the interrogation room. ¡°Just think where she might go.¡±


    ¡°I wish I had ideas, but you can check her grandfather¡¯s restaurant or apartment in New York.¡± I chuckled as they looked more frustrated than me. ¡°How much did Eloh offer you to turn your side against Victor? You¡¯re all desperate to get to the bottom of this, huh? Let me tell you this. She¡¯s human, and she doesn¡¯t think like us. Go on, brainstorm yourself. Where will you hide if you¡¯re a fugitive of thew? Cuba?¡±


    They shared a look as if they just figured something out.


    ¡°So, how long are we going to keep doing this?¡± Releasing an irritatingugh, I raised my hands, and they attached a polygraphced with magic. You should know by now if I¡¯m lying. What did she do anyway? How did she be wanted by the council when she¡¯s not even a werewolf?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s mated to you. That¡¯s why she has to abide by thew of our kind,¡± said the second man.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t answered my question.¡± I didn¡¯t read the written order by the head of the council. ¡°What possibly the kind of threat my mate has done? Or Eloh-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Head Council Eloh,¡± the first interrogator corrected me.


    ¡°Fine, Head Council. Has he felt threatened?¡±


    The first interrogator looked at the second man and said, ¡°Let him go.¡±


    ¡°Finally.¡± I took off the things attached to me and stood up. ¡°If you find her, make sure to inform me.¡±


    ¡°We will not stop looking for her. She will make a mistake, and I will make sure I will be there to arrest her.¡±


    I fixed and buttoned my suit. ¡°Do that, and good luck.¡±


    I walked out of the interrogation room until my gazended on the High Priestess Margaret. Dreadful certainly settled in my chest. I¡¯d never suspected she would join the new council member, considering she ran the coven in New York.


    She looked at me with no remorse or pity. So she¡¯d been listening to the whole interrogation all this time.


    I left the private LLC firm building their front for the Werewolf Council in the U. S.


    ¡°How did it go?¡± Kaleb met me halfway.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been telling them the truth. I don¡¯t know where Nirvana is, and they should have listened to me the first time I answered their question.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here, Alpha.¡± Luka opened the SUV door for me. ¡°Those sons of bitches.¡±


    ¡°Get us out of here.¡± I got inside. Kaleb took the driver¡¯s seat while Luka and Uncle Lennox stayed behind.


    McKaye and Kailin took the other vehicle and followed behind us.


    Before Kaleb could say anything, I raised a hand and told him through our link, ¡°Don¡¯t say a word until we get somewhere safe.¡±


    We arrived at my house, and I instantly missed Nirvana around here- herugh, her smile, her smell, and her voice. I didn¡¯t know how long I could stay sane without her by my side. My wolf needed her, but I needed her more.


    ¡°Are you okay, son?¡± Uncle Lennox gripped my shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s going to be okay. Wherever she is, I¡¯m sure she¡¯s safe and taking care of herself.¡±


    ¡°Guys, I came as soon as I heard what happened.¡±


    We all turned to see Dn with his duffel bag and somewhat radiation detector.


    ¡°What the hell is that thing?¡± McKaye asked.


    ¡°Zarah chanted a spell so I could detect if there¡¯s some listening device or camera hidden in this house.¡±


    ¡°Great idea. Start working.¡± I went to the kitchen and grabbed water from the ref.


    I was about to drink when Kailin came and hugged me tight.


    ¡°I can¡¯t even begin to fathom what you¡¯re feeling right now, cousin. I¡¯m so sorry you are going through this. You both don¡¯t deserve it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good as long as I know she¡¯s safe out there, K.¡± I breathed deeply and drank the water. ¡°How¡¯s your wound?¡±


    ¡°Healing.¡± I felt her hesitation to say something.


    ¡°You¡¯re worried about Dane?¡±


    She instantly put her walls up. ¡°Why would I?¡±


    I managed to put a smile on my face. Despite everything that was going on, I knew Nirvana would not give up on us, and that was something I should keep holding on to until she came back to me.


    ¡°He¡¯s your mate, K. It¡¯s normal, and you¡¯re supposed to feel that way, care for him, worried for him. You don¡¯t have to shut off your emotions. In just two days, I got to know him. He wasn¡¯t that monster you thought he was. He had a principle, a code he never broke, and that was hard to find these days. Dane is loyal to Victor- only a good man can do that. Now, what were you hesitating about earlier?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I¡¯m just worried about you.¡±


    Before she walked out of the kitchen, I called her name. ¡°He got a job to do. Once it¡¯s done, he¡¯ll be here.¡±


    ¡°Can we trust Victor?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not given me a reason not to. And if he betrays me, Dane has to choose between him and you. If you go with him, I¡¯m fine with that, but make sure he¡¯ll never mistreat you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere because if he wants to be my mate, then he stays here with me. This is my home. This is where I belong, and make sure you tell him that.¡±


    Dn appeared in the kitchen. ¡°It¡¯s clear. The house is clean.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°You doubt Zarah¡¯s magic?¡±


    ¡°No, but Margaret is working with the council.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Zarah knows that, and she wanted me to tell you that Margaret has to cooperate with them so they won¡¯t suspect Zarah is on our side.¡± He gave me a new burner phone. ¡°Don¡¯t use your phone, but you can talk to Nirvana through this.¡±


    A hope fluttered in my chest as I took the phone from Dn. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Her number is saved in there. I know that doesn¡¯t suffice-¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I hugged Dn tight. ¡°This is more than enough.¡±


    I quickly opened the door to our bedroom, turned on the phone, and dialed the only number saved inside.


    It rang for a while before it was answered, but I heard nothing.


    ¡°I supposed I¡¯m not talking to air?¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God,¡± she said breathlessly. ¡°You have no idea how happy I am to hear your voice.¡±


    ¡°Sweetheart, I have a pretty damn good idea,¡± I said in a low voice. ¡°Where are you? No, no, no, don¡¯t answer that. I miss you. Did you read my letter?¡±


    ¡°Why are you whispering?¡±


    Iughed out loud. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Damn. It¡¯s strange to hear myselfughing. I fucking miss you, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°I miss you, too, baby. Every damn second, I¡¯m away from you. And yes, I read your letter, and I keep a little hope in my heart that I will see you soon.¡±


    ¡°Just hang in there for a bit. Please don¡¯t give up on me, on us. Please?¡±


    ¡°Why? What do you expect from me? Go out, drink in a bar, and go home with a new-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever mention it.¡± I closed my eyes. I couldn¡¯t imagine her doing those things, but still, it drove me insane that I couldn¡¯t hold her in my arms, kiss her, and make love to her.


    ¡°So, how did the interrogation go?¡±


    ¡°They made a point that they won¡¯t stop until they have you in their custody.¡±

 112

    NIRVANA


    ¡°I¡¯m going to Italy, but I¡¯ll be back on Tuesday. You have everything you need, and please don¡¯t burn my house down. Call the second number on that phone if there¡¯s an emergency.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s number is this?¡±


    ¡°Just in case of emergency.¡±


    I shrugged. ¡°Three days, huh? You miss the Lycan King.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever attempt to get out of this house.¡± She retained her calm demeanor and looked at me as if she read my mind that I might try.


    ¡°How could I? You blocked every hole in this house with your mojo.¡± I rolled my eyes. ¡°Is there a trigger or something-¡±


    ¡°What did I just tell you?¡± She sounded more like a mother than a witch who saved my life many times than I could count. ¡°The study is open. I suggest you read books, but don¡¯t touch the Grimoire.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    Irritated with my inquiry, she shook her head.


    ¡°I know I¡¯m a pain in your ass, but my mother was a witch. Maybe something inside my brain can make a certain spell work.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t even try. I¡¯ll see you soon.¡± That was it. She had just walked into the portal, and now she was gone, leaving me alone in her house to die of boredom.


    ¡°Gosh, I missed Knight.¡±


    She had TV and Netflix, but I was bored for thest three days. I talked to Knight every night, but it was much different than being with him. We almost had phone sex until I remembered Zarah could probably hear me.


    I missed my mate, my freedom, my friends, Kailin, and everyone at the vineyards.


    I watched a series about a group of delinquent kids born in space and dropped to Earth to see if the air was already breathable. I finished Episode twelve, and when a particr character pissed me off, I turned it off and went to read something in the study.


    There were some fiction books, but primarily old books from Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, and Herman Melville. There were self-help and meditation books and a book about mystical creatures.


    I walked out of the study. If she allowed me to read a book about witchcraft, it might interest me, but that would be as dangerous as walking into the darkness without knowing what was in there.


    The problem with being in this house was that I was not even allowed to order pizza or Chinese food.


    Her shield was up, and my gift would never work around here. I went into my room andy in bed. I still have six hours to wait to talk to Knight again.


    I must have fallen asleep. I got up, put the red fluffy slippers on, grabbed the phone on the nightstand, and went to the kitchen to get something to drink before I could talk to Knight. Until I felt the whole house was shaking.


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± I looked up at the ceiling, and my heart pounded so hard as I held to something sturdy in the kitchen. ¡°An earthquake? Seriously?¡±


    ¡°Shit.¡± This happened when Zarah was not around. Great. The only person who could save, and she was not here.


    Things around me began shaking, and I watched the knife holder move from its ce. I was scared that it might fall on me. Ducking my head, I crawled down and hid under the table.


    The shaking didn¡¯t stop, and there was no hope, even if I could not scream for help. I was sure nobody could hear me.


    Whether this earthquake was a natural cmity or a magical one, it terrified the living shit out of me. I couldn¡¯t remember thest time I experienced an earthquake, probably never. And it hadn¡¯t stopped. Instead, it had gotten even stronger.


    The cupboard doors were mming, and sses fell and shattered. Things kept falling. I felt the deep vibration and the rumbling power against the floor like the ground underneath was about to tear in two, and the high-pitched ear-splitting sound pierced- the pressure rippled like an implosion, making my ear bleed.


    ¡°Zarah, help, please?¡± I started panting, tears sprung in my eyes.


    I waited a few moments until she came through the portal, but the result disappointed me-Zarah did not appear when I needed her the most, and I was left alone until the house crashed down on me.


    I withdrew a deep breath, closed my eyes, and blocked the sound and shaking around me until a shrilling, ear-shattering sound of tires startled me. As adrenaline rushed in my blood, I protected myself with my arms, curled into a bowl, and waited for the impact that didn¡¯t happen.


    There was a moment of surreal silence until murmurs and voices reached my ears.


    ¡°Hey, are you okay?¡± I heard a woman¡¯s voice and felt a hand on my shoulder that frightened me, pulse still ringing in my ears.


    With wide eyes, I sucked in a breath as I stared at her, my arms lifted, protecting myself. She was a few years older than me, with dark skin and curly hair, and her eyes looked shocked and confused.


    ¡°Are you trying to get yourself killed?¡±


    My gaze shifted to an angry ck man ring down at me. Scrambling, I got up on my feet despite my knees still being weak.


    One thing I noticed was that my mind still worked despite what I had just been through, and I was about to be run over by a car.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky I did not hit you, bitch.¡± The man spat out before he walked towards the car, just at least two steps before it crushed me.


    ¡°Hey. Give her a break,¡± said the woman who came to help. ¡°Come with me.¡±


    I had no choice but to walk with her out of the street. I looked around, and yes, I was in the busy street- just the nightmare I avoided. I had a premature jump, and it almost killed me.


    ¡°Where are we?¡± My voice shook, seemingly sounding foreign to me.


    She inspected me from head to toe and started throwing a bunch of questions, ¡°Are you okay? What happened to you? You¡¯re disoriented. You don¡¯t look like you¡¯re from around here. And how did you get in the middle of the street? Thank God you didn¡¯t get hurt.¡±


    I looked at her, swallowing, still shaken up. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Are you okay? Can I call you a cab or someone toe and pick you up? I can¡¯t stay here with you. I¡¯m sorry, but I have to go to work.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good, thanks.¡± I gave her a reassuring smile. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°No problem. If you feel disoriented again, call 911. And you¡¯re in the Bronx.¡±


    I stared at her in shock. ¡°Bronx?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I don¡¯t know your deal, but please, stay off the street.¡± She chuckled before she left.


    I picked up the phone from my pocket and dialed the number Zarah told me to call in an emergency.


    ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡± said the man from the other line.


    ¡°Who¡¯s this? I asked back in confusion.


    ¡°Hey. Don¡¯t call this line again.¡±


    An intense emotion stirred something inside me, and I wanted to cry. I dialed that number again, and it was answered immediately. Before he could speak, I talked first, ¡°Zarah told me to call if there¡¯s an emergency. And this is an emergency, jackass.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana?¡±


    I froze in shock and fear. ¡°Who the fuck is this?¡±


    ¡°Hey, calm down, honey. What¡¯s wrong? Where are you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m lost.¡± My chin began trembling. I was so terrified, and I didn¡¯t know what to do.


    ¡°What do you mean you¡¯re lost?¡±


    ¡°Who the hell are you?¡± I yelled over the phone. I was still pretty shaking from the earthquake and just ended up in the Bronx.


    This was getting insane, and I was losing my shit standing on the sidewalk, alone with my red slippers, no money, nothing. I was grateful I was wearing a shirt and jeans before that terrifying earthquake shook the entire house.


    ¡°It¡¯s Kain, honey. We¡¯ve met, and you can trust me. Tell me what happened?¡±


    ¡°Kain?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s me. We met in Inverness.¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°Yeah, I remember. First,e and pick me up at the Bronx.¡±


    ¡°What in the hell are you doing there?¡±


    ¡°Please, hurry up. I can¡¯t stay here and don¡¯t know where else to go.¡± I looked at the sign. ¡°I¡¯m at Fordham?¡±


    ¡°Find a restaurant or a diner. I¡¯m here in Washington Street. I¡¯ll be there in forty minutes.¡±


    Forty minutes was long. I couldn¡¯t enter a restaurant with my clothes, looking like a homeless in red slippers, and I didn¡¯t know where to find a diner, considering I only had a burner phone.


    I walked away as some scary-looking guys stood beside me. I could easily knock them down if they tried something stupid, but I had enough trouble. I couldn¡¯t get the council¡¯s attention.


    I constantly checked my phone for calls and the time. I felt like I¡¯d been walking around for eternity, but it was only fifteen minutes ago. I found an empty spot on the sidewalk and sat there, contemting how my life turned upside down.


    My life months ago was good. I couldn¡¯t call it perfect, but it was lessplicated. No one wanted me dead, no one came after me, no one put a bounty on my head, and I was good with traveling long flights or driving for hours to get to a destination.


    Having an ability was not all good benefits- it came with downsides.


    My life turned shitty the second I learned about my family¡¯s secrets, and I was starting to lose my mind.

 113

    NIRVANA


    I was quick on my feet when a car parked beside the road. My instinct told me to run, and I walked faster away from the vehicle. It was thirty minutes since Ist talked to Kain, and he hadn¡¯t called me back.


    ¡°Nirvana!¡±


    I sucked in a breath as I stopped. I became the person I didn¡¯t recognize anymore as paranoia and cynicism sank in my head. I felt terrified, in pain and sorrow these days. I couldn¡¯t remember feeling safe, even in a room with a locked door.


    ¡°Nirvana, it¡¯s Kain.¡± I heard him following me, and that voice was the same voice I heard in Inverness and over the phone.


    I turned around, and it was Kain, the very same man we found outside the pub. I ran and threw myself at him. I never felt so relieved that I cried in his arms, and he gave me a bear hug, patting my back.


    ¡°Hey. It¡¯s going to be okay. I drove here as fast as I could.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± All I could say was as I pulled away, wiping my tears.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get you in the car,¡± he said, opening the door to the passenger¡¯s seat. ¡°You¡¯re long away from home, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a long story,¡± I told him as soon as he pulled out to the busy street.


    ¡°I heard what happened. Victor is sometimes overbearing and aggressive, but he¡¯s way better than Eloh.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯ve met that asshole?¡±


    He snorted. ¡°Yeah. He¡¯s overly ambitious, pressured by his father, the previous head of the council, Astor Hartwick. Are you hungry?¡±


    ¡°I just wanna sit down and breathe.¡±


    ¡°All right, honey. I know a ce that no one woulde to find you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I gripped his arm. ¡°I thought I was losing my mind alone. I¡¯d never been so terrified. A sudden ten-magnitude earthquake shook and shattered Zarah¡¯s house, and a car almost ran over me. I thought I was going to die.¡±


    ¡°Breath, honey. You¡¯re alive. That¡¯s what¡¯s important.¡±


    I took a deep breath when I began to cry again. I pushed those tears back and rested my head as I wrapped my arms around me.


    My heart hadn¡¯t slowed. My hands were still shaking, but I was d I was still alive and in one piece.


    I might have been so exhausted that I just dozed off in the car. I woke up. Kain was still driving, but we seemed off the city. All I could see were tall trees and greenery, and greasy fast food hit my nostrils.


    ¡°Where are we?¡±


    ¡°I have an old cabin-the old Kain. It¡¯s his cabin. I told Calder I¡¯d be here for a while. Don¡¯t worry. Calder is a good guy.¡±


    ¡°I know. I met them days ago. He and Everlee went to see us at the vineyards.¡±


    ¡°Good. You¡¯ll be safe here.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God. I have to call Zarah.¡±


    ¡°She knows you¡¯re with me. I told her something might have happened, and you lost control of your gift.¡±


    ¡°You knew?¡± I stared at him in shock.


    ¡°Of course I do. Sebastien, Zarah, and I are doing our best to protect you, as is the agency I work with. I heard Kailin found her mate.¡±


    ¡°You know Dane, don¡¯t you?¡± For a moment, I felt like a human again.


    ¡°Yeah. If you trust me, you can trust Dane.¡±


    ¡°So you know about the request Knight made?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s in progress, but I am not assigned to the job.¡± He parked before a small old cabin.


    I got out of the car. One realization hit hard- I was never that ordinary girl anymore. Many people were looking for me, but some still believed in me. And I had to stay alive for them.


    Kain unlocked the door and went inside. ¡°Food, delis, and clean water are in the fridge. Some canned goods are in the cupboards. I have a clean nket and sheets. Just be careful using the gas generator. It¡¯s a little far to the gas station.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I managed to put a small smile on my lips.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll be on your own for the time being. I can¡¯t stay here.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving?¡± My smile was instantly gone.


    ¡°I have to go back. I was working when you called me.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡± I swallowed the lump in my throat.


    ¡°Hey. I called someone toe and see you. Ask for the code. If he says it right, don¡¯t open the door.¡±


    I instantly felt my heart racing. ¡°What¡¯s the code?¡±


    ¡°Orion.¡±


    ¡°Orion?¡± Like Knight Orion? It confused me even more.


    ¡°Don¡¯t use that phone.¡±


    ¡°But I wanna call Knight and tell him I¡¯m okay.¡±


    ¡°He knows what happened. Just do as I say until my contact arrives.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± I watched him walk out of the door. ¡°Be safe, Kain.¡±


    He nodded. ¡°You, too.¡±


    I double-locked the door when the car was gone, and here, I was alone again. I sat on the small couch, grabbed the fast food bag on the coffee table, and began eating.


    I was not a fan of fast food because Grandpa¡¯s menu was way better, but I was hungry. At this point in my life, I couldn¡¯t be choosy, and indulging myself in greasy food was somehowforting. Besides, I wasn¡¯t sure if I got to eat burgers and fries again. I sipped the soda and took a big bite of the burger.


    ¡°This is good.¡± I moaned and sighed as I ate alone.


    Maybe this was what it felt like to be a fugitive running from authority, always alert, cynical, and grateful to live another day.


    I put the remaining food in the ref. There were beer cans, pickles, cold cuts, bottled water, and some fresh veggies for sandwiches. The cupboards were filled with baked beans and fruits in syrup.


    I opened the door to the bathroom, washed my face, and cleaned the dried blood in my ears before I went to another room across the sitting area. It was a bedroom with a small bed and a two-door closet. I changed the bed sheet and pillowcase until I remembered something.


    I froze momentarily, like someone had just thrown a bucket of cold water into my face, and grabbed the ground under my feet. Apprehension just tickled down my spine.


    ¡°Fuck! Fuck fuck fuck! Shit.¡± I left the dagger in my boots. I screamed out and sobbed into a ball. Not only was I failing in my life, but I also lost the most important thing that could defeat Cyrius.


    Frustration wed at me as the unfortunate truth mmed into my chest. The underworld was going to end, and here I was, hiding in the middle of the woods, and I just lost the blood dagger.


    I picked up the phone, but I remembered what Kain told me. I put it down helplessly and felt my world crumbling down.


    A loud knock had me frozen, dead quiet. I stood up with no weapon but myself, and if Asina would not punish me for being stupid, she could be helpful.


    I tiptoed outside the room and went to the small sitting area when another loud knock followed. Whoever behind the door was impatient.


    I reached the door, sniffed the air, and caught a familiar signature scent in the air that made my heart skip a beat. No. This couldn¡¯t be. This is impossible.


    ¡°Code?¡±


    A few seconds had passed, and I didn¡¯t hear a response.


    ¡°Nirvana, it¡¯s me. What code?¡±


    I gasped for air and fumbled to unlock the double-bolt lock. When I opened the door- there he was, standing before me, so magnificent that it took my breath away.


    ¡°Rough day, huh?¡±


    Before I could throw myself at him, I was already crying. I hugged him tight and inhaled his scent into my lungs, making sure for myself that I wasn¡¯t dreaming.


    ¡°I was so scared. I thought I was going to die, and I wouldn¡¯t be seeing you again.¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    He engulfed me with a tight hug and whispered, ¡°It¡¯s going to be okay, sweetheart. I wish I were there with you. I¡¯m so sorry that I failed to protect you.¡±


    I pulled away and looked at him in the eye. He looked tired, wearing a simple t-shirt, leather jacket, and baseball cap. ¡°Is that really you?¡±


    ¡°Unless you¡¯re expecting someone else?¡± He smirked.


    My heart was in my throat when I remembered Cyrius could mour anyone he wanted. At the same time, I wished I was wrong or that my Knight was either captured or dead. ¡°Kain would have told me if Knight wasing. How do I know it¡¯s really you?¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, it¡¯s me.¡± He stared at me with forest green eyes narrowing.


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what someone moured as Knight would say.¡±

 114

    KNIGHT


    I was in the middle of the meeting at the firm when my assistant told me Uncle Lennox was on the phone, and it could not wait.


    I instantly knew something was wrong. I already felt the knot in my stomach before that, and what was worse, I knew Nirvana must be terrified over something.


    I picked up the office phone. ¡°Uncle?¡±


    ¡°Call Kain now. It can¡¯t wait.¡± He hung up, and I was still staring at the phone. At that moment, dread instantly filled my chest.


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± Jada asked.


    I looked at my boards. ¡°My apology, but something came up. There¡¯s an emergency at home. We¡¯ll continue this meeting next month. I have to go.¡±


    I didn¡¯t wait for them to say another word. I walked out of the conference room. I was grateful I was in New York and Kain was working somewhere in the area.


    I dialed his number, and he picked up as if waiting for my call. ¡°Knight, we have a problem. She just called me. I can¡¯t tell you the details. Where are you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still in mypany building in Manhattan. What happened?¡± I shut my eyes closed briefly. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me anymore.¡± I couldn¡¯t breathe. I pulled my tie loose and unbuttoned my shirt.


    ¡°Calm down. I¡¯ll call you as soon as I have news. Get ready and take some clothes with you for a few days. And Zarah might call you.¡±


    ¡°Right. I¡¯ll be out soon.¡±


    ¡°Can I help you, Mr. ckwell?¡±


    ¡°Jada, cancel all my meetings. Free my schedule for a week. I have to go.¡± I grabbed my bag and left my office.


    I found McKaye and Luka still waiting in the parking lot. ¡°Let¡¯s go. She¡¯s in trouble.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡± McKaye quickly asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Kain called me but couldn¡¯t tell me over the phone.¡±


    ¡°Someone is calling me,¡± he said as he picked up the call. ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Put Knight on the phone.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s for you.¡± He gave it to me. He didn¡¯t have to tell me who because I can hear her voice.


    ¡°What the fuck happened? I thought she was safe with you.¡±


    ¡°She was, but someone powerful enough wanted to get inside the house using powerful magic. It triggered the shield around the house and caused a massive earthquake.¡± Her terrible news tagged the broken strings of my heart.


    ¡°A massive earthquake? How massive are we talking about, Zarah?¡±


    ¡°As massive as could trigger a Tsunami.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck? Where is she now?¡±


    ¡°Kain is going to get her. Go to thepound and meet me there. I managed to go to the house and grabbed her things.¡±


    My heart clenched. ¡°I don¡¯t care what she has there. I want to know if she¡¯s okay.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s terrified, but she will be okay if she sees you, and Kain will take care of her. You have to go somewhere you haven¡¯t been before. Don¡¯t use the car you¡¯re using right now, and if you can disguise yourself, that would be better.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re on the way. So, she found her?¡±


    ¡°No, but they suspect she¡¯s with me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s your boss who told them. I¡¯m fucking sure of that.¡±


    ¡°No. Margaret has to ept the offer so no one would suspect what we¡¯ve been working on, but she has to do something to prove she¡¯s on their side. Anyway, I have to go. We¡¯ll meet soon.¡± She hung up the call.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± The phone almost broke in my grip.


    ¡°She must be so terrified alone,¡± Luka said.


    I let out a slow breath. ¡°I failed her in so many ways. I failed to protect her as her mate. I don¡¯t deserve her anymore.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s bullshit, Alpha. You sacrifice something that a mate could never do. You let her go with Zarah to protect her, even if you knew your wolf would suffer. No one could do that, and I admire you for being strong for her to keep our Luna safe.¡±


    ¡°I agree with Luka,¡± McKaye said. ¡°You two shouldn¡¯t be suffering like this. Who should pay for what you¡¯ve been through are those assholes who areing after her. I wouldn¡¯t mind killing them. They came to us first.¡±


    ¡°Save your strength, Mac. We have a bigger and more powerful enemy to deal with.¡±


    After an hour, we arrived at thepound.


    Califf met us in the parking lot. ¡°We¡¯ll have a long conversation over a whiskey, but not today. Here¡¯s the key. The car¡¯s full tank and the kitchen had prepared some food and packed some groceries that wouldst a few days. Some clothes and toiletries are there. I got a few bills for you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll pay you back.¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°Save it, Knight. Go and see your mate. They¡¯ll be arriving soon. Her things are in the backseat. Zarah told me it¡¯s very important. Be careful out there, and Calder wrote a direction in this paper.¡± I got why Calder wrote the directions. Old Kain owned the ce.


    I grabbed the paper from him. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of these guys. You can change clothes in the car. They¡¯re in the front seat. Don¡¯t waste time, Knight. She¡¯s alone out there.¡±


    ¡°See you soon, Alpha. Tell Luna we say hi.¡±


    I looked at McKaye and Luke before I got in the car and removed my clothes. I put on the T-shirt, the leather jacket, and the baseball cap, started the car, and left thepound.


    The two-hour drive to the woods seemed like an eternity. I wanted to see my mate, Goddess. I wanted to hold her, tell her that she was not alone anymore.


    When the small cabin finally appeared, my chest filled with hope. I parked the car beside the cabin. My knees somehow weakened, and my hand trembled with anticipation.


    I fucking missed her, and I couldn¡¯t wait to hold her in my arms again. And there she was standing before me, and she looked like she was crying, and her eyes were so distrustful.


    I stared at her in disbelief.


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what someone moured as Knight would say.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be fucking kidding me.¡± My anticipation of kissing her dried off. ¡°It¡¯s me, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Prove it then.¡± Her stubbornness made me proud of her.


    ¡°What do you want? How can I prove to you that I am who I am, huh?¡±


    ¡°You said in your letter that we should not meet.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t write something like that.¡± My breathing turned unsteady as anger instantly filled my chest.


    ¡°You also said that we should not talk over the phone.¡±


    I snorted. ¡°I¡¯m sure it did note from me, Nirvana. Zarah might have said that, but not me. And what do you call what we¡¯ve been doing for thest three days? We¡¯ve talked over the phone for hours, and we almost had phone sex.¡± I watched her cheeks flush red. ¡°Huh? How would I know that if I¡¯m not who I am? And one thing I don¡¯t know about you is your birthday.¡±


    ¡°Asshole.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, about that. Your ass is still a virgin.¡±


    When her eyes narrowed, Iughed. ¡°So, can Ie in now before someone sees us? And I have a few things in the car.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a dick.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll have my dickter. I¡¯ll make sure of that.¡± I went to take the things in the car as she opened the door wide.


    ¡°I¡¯m not gonna help.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Just get naked. I suppose there¡¯s a bed for us?¡±


    ¡°Just go and bring whatever you have.¡± She left and went inside.


    I took her things from the backseat, then some stic bags of groceries. Once I was done, I locked the door and removed my shoes and jacket.


    I found her standing at the door of what must be a small bedroom. ¡°Hey.¡±


    She cupped my face and looked at me in the eye. ¡°It¡¯s really you.¡±


    ¡°I fucking missed you, sweetheart.¡± I smashed my lips against hers and kissed her hard. It was filled with desperation and longing- the kind of kiss I felt right now, pouring my heart out to her.


    There was no hint of hesitation as she kissed me back, as if she badly and desperately needed this kiss, like it was her lifeline, like I was her air, and so she was to me.


    We only broke the kiss to take our clothes off, and then she went, working on my belt, unbuttoning my pants, and dragging them with boxers down to my knees.


    ¡°Get naked. I only tell you this once.¡±


    ¡°You said it already,¡± she said confidently, unhooking her bra.


    ¡°Stop talking. I want to be inside you in five seconds, or I might shift in this small room.¡± I went on my knees to get rid of her jeans. It was a good thing she was not wearing her shoes.


    ¡°Shit. Knight, I have something to tell you first.¡±

 115

    NIRVANA


    ¡°No matter how important it is, it can¡¯t wait.¡± His tone was irritated. He was hard, his cock almost straight between his thighs, veins protruding, precum glistening.


    ¡°But-¡±


    ¡°For fuck¡¯s sake, Nirvana. It can wait, and no buts even if the world ends in an hour. I need to be inside you.¡± He red at me with fury zing in his eyes. Pissed off, and the horny alpha looked good on him. He looked hot, and I was melting with the intensity of his gaze.


    ¡°Fine. I fucking badly want you too.¡± My admission made his eyes glitter dangerously.


    I lied in bed, opened my legs apart and ced my hand on my pussy, and started pleasuring myself.


    I sucked in a breath as my finger touched my sensitive tingling clit. My mouth went dry as I imagined I was licking the tip of his cock with a bead of precum in it.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± All he could do was stared down, grabbed his dick, and started stroking himself. His eyes darkened, his muscles flexing.


    When a moan slipped from my lips, he cursed under his breath once again. One moment, he was standing, watching me pleasure myself. The next second, my hand between my legs was gone. He pinned both hands above my head, held one knee up as he settled between my legs, and mmed his cock inside me.


    I screamed his name in careless abandon. I felt stretched, like I could split in half. We¡¯ve had sex many times, I could count, but every time we did it, it felt like it was the first time. He was hard and huge, and I loved every bit of the pain and pressure I felt inside me.


    I moaned like a porn star as he began thrusting, and I countered his thrust, rocking my hips back in forth.


    Knight kissed me hard before he let my hands go, wrapped his arms around me, and rolled us over.


    ¡°Ride me harder.¡± One ordering from my alpha was like a lust-booster to me.


    I rode his cock harder, my head falling back, my breasts bouncing before his face. When he cupped them, rolling his fingers around my nipples, I made a long sigh of satisfaction.


    It didn¡¯t take long. I felt my inner muscles mping around him.


    He made a long, animalistic growl as he pumped into me harder and faster, and my orgasm hit me hard and intense.


    With my pussy still contracting convulsively around his cock, he wrapped his arms around me again, kissing off my moan. Then he rolled us over again. This time, he took charge.


    My body was still shuddering. He drove in deeper and thrust his hips faster, and I thought I saw stars behind my eyes.


    And I cried out, shaking again, and pleasure spread in my entire body like wildfire as his pace never slowed down. I felt like he was going to wear me out tonight, but that was what we both wanted.


    ¡°God, it feels so good.¡±


    A ragged groan broke from his chest, proud of what he could do to me, to my body.


    ¡°Fuck me from behind.¡±


    He pulled out, and I scrambled to be in position so fast. Anticipation ran through my spine as I felt strong hands on my hips, gripping me hard, and then his thick shaft pushing into my opening. Then he pushed his erection inside me, pulling me against his body at the same time. His hands came to my breasts, cupping them, kneading them as he thrust inside me.


    Groaning with intense pleasure, he fucked me deep and hard and fast. Then he slid one hand between my legs and found my swollen clit, pinching between his fingers.


    ¡°God!¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°You feel so fucking good, Nirvana. I could fuck you all night, and this pussy and body are all mine to fuck, to pleasure as I wish.¡±


    I shuddered at his words, my head falling back, and he kissed and sucked my neck where his mark set with pride.


    ¡°Do you understand me?¡±


    I nodded in euphoria.


    ¡°I want to hear it from you.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I belong to you. I¡¯m yours. Only yours.¡±


    ¡°Yes. You¡¯re mine.¡± He rasped. His whole body strained.


    ¡°Yours.¡± Unable to hold myself together, I sagged against him.


    My body copsed, shuddering. Knight thrust up into my heat over and over again. When he sucked my breast, biting my nipple, I broke a cry of ecstasy as my climax crashed into me so fast and hard, and he released a guttural, feral groan from deep within his chest in satisfaction.


    My orgasm pulsed through me, and then he kissed me hard from desperate turned passionate, and his thrust slow and sweet.


    His breathing turned ragged and hard, and he released himself, jerking. One final moan, he steeled and buried inside me, still hard.


    ¡°I fucking miss you, sweetheart.¡± He moaned and continued kissing me. Our bodies bathed with sweat.


    ¡°I missed you, too.¡± My face flushed with pleasure. Closing my eyes, I felt his lips on my forehead, nose, and back to my lips, releasing a long sigh.


    When our breathing and heartbeats returned to normal, he pulled me closer, wrapped his arms around me, and asked, ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Zarah left for Italy. Then I was bored watching a TV series. Then I fell asleep. I woke up and went to the kitchen, and suddenly, the house shook. It was the strongest I¡¯ve ever experienced. I thought the entire house would copse down on me. How are you here so fast? I thought she was not going to use the portal for us.¡±


    ¡°She did not. I was in the firm, having a meeting when I received a call from Uncle, then Kain, and the Zarah.¡±


    ¡°Shit. I left my things in her house, and I-¡±


    ¡°Your things are with me.¡±


    With wide eyes, I turned to face him. ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Why?¡±


    I cupped his face and kissed him hard on the lips. ¡°I love you.¡±


    ¡°I love you, too.¡± He looked confused and amused. ¡°You say I love you only because I have your things?¡±


    ¡°Are my boots there?¡±


    ¡°I think so. Zarah told me not to lose them. They seemed important to you.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I said I love you because I meant it, and I¡¯m d you¡¯re here with me again.¡±


    ¡°Me too, Nirvana. I felt iplete without you.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± I wrinkled my nose.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be too cute, or I will fuck you again.¡±


    ¡°Maybeter.¡± I got up from bed.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°To get my things.¡±


    ¡°More important than me.¡±


    I smiled as I picked up my panties and shirt and put them on. Then I went to the sitting area. I found a luxury duffel bag, which surprised me. I zipped it open and found my boots inside.


    I pulled them into my chest, hugged them, and sighed in relief.


    ¡°You¡¯re weird.¡±


    I shook tough as I came to him. ¡°I was crying before you knocked. I thought I failed the entire underworld because I was wearing red fluffy slippers when I jumped out of the house. I thought it was shielded with her magic, but I escaped. I ended up on the busy street, though. I thought I was going to die.


    ¡°Shit, my love.¡± A mixture of pain and anger red in his eyes before he hugged me tight and kissed the top of my head. ¡°I wish I was there for you.¡±


    ¡°I waited for the impact, but it didn¡¯t happen. A woman helped me while the man, the car driver, cursed the hell out of me. At first, I was disoriented, and I just ended up in the Bronx.¡±


    ¡°How did you end up in the Bronx?¡±


    ¡°I was so terrified and couldn¡¯t think straight while I felt like the ground would split in half under me, so I shut off everything around me. That¡¯s how I ended up there.¡±


    ¡°Zarah told me someone wanted to get in her house using a powerful magic.¡±


    ¡°Shit. They knew where I was?¡±


    ¡°She wasn¡¯t sure.¡±


    ¡°Why do those boots mean so much to you? I could buy you a dozen pairs.¡±


    ¡°I read the spell in my head, and then I pulled out the dagger and showed it to him.¡±


    His eyes widened. ¡°How did you do that? And you shouldn¡¯t have shown me.¡±


    ¡°I can put it anywhere, and you wouldn¡¯t know. Do you wanna hold it?¡±


    He raised his hands as if scared of getting burned. ¡°No, sweetheart. It¡¯s yours.¡±

 116

    KNIGHT     Fuck.


    Her mouth tasted good, and so did her body and those nipples, but her pussy brought me to heaven.


    ¡°God, that feels good.¡± I loved how responsive my little mate was. She arched up her ass, clearly demanding more. Her face pressed against the pillow, fingers gripping the sheets.


    The bed was ufortable and too small for both of us, but we managed to make us fit in there without falling. It was good for us, though. We cuddled all night after I fucked her and made love after that.


    I bit the globe of her ass. She hissed and moaned as I licked the mark of my teeth on her porcin skin. The little breathless little moans she made drove me crazy.


    My cock was hard as steel. It ached. I dragged my tongue from her swollen clit up to her soaked pussy towards her forbidden hole. Then I sucked her clit into my mouth.


    ¡°Knight!¡± She cried out my name. ¡°Oh, God.¡±


    I slid my finger inside her, pumping in and out, and she made a breathy sound. I added another finger. A shudder wracked her. Her hips began to dance with my fingers as I stroked my tongue into her tiny hole.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stop!¡± She let go of a broken cry of ecstasy.


    Lucky for us, it was just the two of us in the woods. Her pussy contracted around my fingers. With the raw sound of pleasure in her voice and her body jerking as she came, calling my name, I desperately needed a release.


    I released my fingers and shoved them into my mouth, tasting the sweet taste of her cunt. I took my cock in my hand, pumping fast, and simultaneously thrust my tongue into her, voraciously ate her, and licked her clean. I moaned into her pussy as my orgasm crashed so hard and fast I grunted in pleasure.


    We cuddled. She cocooned into me, clinging to my arms.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°I am now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry you had to go through that alone.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna talk about it. What matters is you¡¯re here with me now.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t let you out of my sight again, Nirvana. We fight those assholes together.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want anyone to get hurt. They¡¯ve had so much trouble because of me.¡±


    I lifted her chin so that she could look at me. ¡°You are a part of the pack, their luna. You can¡¯t tell them not to stand behind you, and the council won¡¯t stop until you show them your capabilities. And you can¡¯t hide here for the rest of our lives until most creatures are infected with the virus.¡±


    ¡°Now you¡¯re telling me this.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t want you to surrender yourself to them. If they could betray Victor, they could betray you, too.¡±


    ¡°Where is he now?¡±


    ¡°I have no idea. Zarah must have taken him to the castle.¡±


    ¡°Eloh is an asshole. They probably killed me once I turned myself in.¡±


    My chest constricted at the thought of losing her. ¡°We¡¯re going back to the vineyards. I don¡¯t know if our allies will fight with us or against us. I¡¯m sure Califf is still on our side.¡±


    ¡°We need to talk to Zarah and Califf. I want to know about their n.¡±


    ¡°Yup.¡± I got up, grabbed the burner from my pants, and dialed Zarah.


    ¡°Why are you calling?¡±


    ¡°We need to talk.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me. Where¡¯s she?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m here, Zarah. I don¡¯t know that your magic can create an earthquake. I¡¯m still terrified.¡±


    ¡°It was Margaret trying to get in the house.¡±


    ¡°I thought she was on your side.¡±


    ¡°She is. She could sessfully take down the shield, but she didn¡¯t. The next time she uses her power, you might not be able to escape.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯sforting, but I can¡¯t stay hiding, Zarah. I have to face those people. I have a feeling Cyrius might have gotten to Eloh.¡±


    ¡°No. But they figure out somehow you are connected to this gue.¡±


    ¡°So if I died, they think, the gue will end?¡±


    ¡°Something like that.¡±


    ¡°And there¡¯s no way how to find the cure?¡±


    Zarah sighed heavily from the other line. ¡°They have scientists and witches working on that, but so far, they¡¯re not sessful. And the only way of ending this gue is facing Cyrius.¡±


    ¡°Then I will face Eloh.¡±


    I groaned beside her. ¡°This is worse than facing the council, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°I know that.¡± She red at me. ¡°Maybe I can talk to Eloh and meet him in a neutral ce.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea, Nirvana,¡± Zarah said, but I felt a buting.


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°He might betray you.¡±


    ¡°I know that. It¡¯s expecteding from a traitor like him. Maybe you can tell Margaret not to get involved in this meeting.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll try my best. Did you get the dagger?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Thanks for that. I need the Alpha King toe with me.¡±


    ¡°He can¡¯t be involved. He¡¯s a royal lycan, Nirvana.¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    She groaned. ¡°But Eloh has a witch. Will you be there for me instead?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t. While the council suspects I am involved, it¡¯s best not to confirm their suspicion. Dane can protect you. Alpha Califf can be there as an ally.¡± That was right, but only if Dane agreed to face the people who threw Victor out of his seat.


    ¡°I will be there with you, and I¡¯ll convince Dane,¡± I told her, even if I didn¡¯t have to say it out loud. I would never let her walk out there alone unprotected.


    ¡°Then it¡¯s settled. I¡¯ll send the word.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Zarah.¡±


    ¡°Now. Stop calling me, and enjoy your time together.¡±


    We ate our lunch. Apparently, Califf was not joking about the food.


    ¡°You guys are hoarders.¡±


    ¡°We need a lot of calories, and we¡¯re carnivores.¡± I chuckled as I watched her take a big slice of grilled meat into her mouth. It was not sexy with sauce around her lips, but she was adorable to watch, getting her mouth and hands dirty without a bit of shame in her bones.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you hungry?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m hungry for you.¡±


    A small smile curved her lips as she licked the sauce around her lips and shoved her finger into her mouth.


    I shook my head in amusement. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t waste the sauce. It¡¯s yummy.¡±


    ¡°Do that, and I will eat you again.¡±


    ¡°Give me a break, Knight.¡± She grabbed a slice of bread and wiped the sauce on the te before she chewed it pleasantly.


    Sighing, I ced my hand on her thigh. ¡°I love you, sweetheart.¡±


    She smiled, eyes twinkling. ¡°I love you. You¡¯re the best thing that has ever happened to me. Even my life turned upside down. It¡¯s worth the trouble. Meeting you made my life more meaningful. One thing I wish for was that I hope this problem will be over someday so we can spread a nket under that tree, sit together as we drink your favorite wine, and look at those grapes surrounding us.¡±


    I kissed her forehead. ¡°I will make ite true, my love. I promise.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± When she sighed, I felt the heaviness in her chest. ¡°I may not make it, but if I will, we do that together.¡±


    ¡°Hey.¡± I pulled her into my arms, ignoring the tightness in my chest. ¡°We¡¯ll do our best, and you won¡¯t give up on us. Promise me, Nirvana?¡±


    She met my gaze. For the first time, she showed me her pain, her fear, and her vulnerability. With my heart feeling like she just drove a knife right into it, she said, ¡°I promise. Whatever happens, I¡¯ll be with you.¡±


    I wiped the tears from her eyes before I cupped her face and kissed her like I meant to be. She kissed me back, her body pressed against mine, matching the intensity.


    When the kiss ended, I said the words I should have told her long ago. ¡°Let¡¯s get married, sweetheart.¡±

 117

    NIRVANA


    ¡°Let¡¯s get married, sweetheart.¡± It still echoed in my ears. It shocked me.


    Gaping, I waited until he took it back, but it didn¡¯t happen.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure Sebastien has connections to process our documents.¡±


    ¡°You want a civil wedding?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I want to do it right with proper documentation.¡±


    I held his hands. They were cold. ¡°Baby, are you nervous?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m afraid you might disagree.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re getting married in the States. Period. And yes, let¡¯s get married today or tomorrow. Whenever we can.¡±


    He kissed me again so badly his hands shook. I ced my hands on his, moved my lips, and instantly melted against him.


    ***


    I watched him take off his shirt. His majestic abs were on full disy, and I itched in anticipation of feeling those ripples of hard muscles against my fingertips.


    ¡°I have to go out for a run.¡±


    ¡°Do you know this territory? Shouldn¡¯t we be avoiding running into someone or another werewolf?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine.¡± He worked on pulling down the sweatpants, not caring to show me his firm ass and big cock.


    ¡°Baby?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be careful.¡± He pressed his lips on my forehead. ¡°My wolf needs it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯lle looking for you if you¡¯re not back in ten-¡± I wasn¡¯t done talking. Knight opened the door, shifted into his big badass gray wolf, and ran into the woods.


    I put on my shirt, jeans, boots, and slid the dagger. I tied my hair up and wore my jacket.


    A few minutester, I paced in the small space of the sitting area, and Knight hadn¡¯t returned.


    It was fifteen minutes before I decided to go out of the cabin. My heart pumped hard as I followed where he went to the woods. I could still catch his scent in the air.


    About half a mile from the cabin, I lost his scent. He must have made a turn from this point. I made my way to the small clearing and followed the small path leading to a small stream with no scent and no footprints to follow. Then, the sound of a growl made me stiffen.


    ¡°Shit.¡± My heart pounded in my chest as I followed where the growl came from.


    I suddenly felt rage in my veins, fury in my bones, and a sudden urge to feel blood in my mouth. Then it hit me-it was Knight who was feeling these emotions.


    It still astounded me how powerful our connections were.


    As I crossed the stream, I tried my best not to make any noise. I wasn¡¯t a scout and didn¡¯t know how to camouge myself in the woods. The growling continued, and it became more apparent as I got closer. Knight¡¯s scent became strong, invading my nostrils.


    Then I saw his robust wolf standing tall against another brown wolf, stalking, rounding, and snarling at each other, revealing their vicious fangs.


    The brown wolf growled and might have just sniffed another scent. Its head snapped in my direction, eyes bloody red, and drool dripped from his mouth.


    A rogue wolf. I¡¯d never seen a rogue werewolf before until now.


    Shit. Fuck.


    The brown wolf just made me a target, his meal. Then I just felt the intense dreading from Knight. All of a sudden, the wolf ran in my direction.


    Knight was quick. I felt the rage consuming him, pumping in his blood, ravenous for a kill. Considering he was an alpha, his wolf was way bigger and stronger. He blocked the wolf and swung his ws at the rogue, tearing off the skin.


    The rogue wolf was thrown away,nding on the ground, whining. Without wasting any seconds, Knight sunk his fangs into the neck of the wolf, tearing off the flesh and making me wince. The blood from its neck gushed out, bringing the rogue to its death.


    Then, another savage snarl came from behind me. Before I could turn around, Knight rushed to my defense.


    Time seemed to slow down as I felt my heart hammered in my chest. I bent down and took the dagger. Its power vibrated in my hand, and its de glinted in the sunlight as I wielded it in my palm.


    Asina summoned herself, serving as my armor. I instantly felt the rapid waves of power pulsed through me.


    Taken by my instinct to protect myself, I felt the urge to do so, like a muscle memory of some sort. I twisted the heel of my boot, my body rotated.


    It seemed that I was sure where the attacker was as I raised my hand, aimed the dagger, and it sunk into its flesh.


    I faced the wolf. My eyes widened in shock that it was infected- pitch ck eyes, ck-greenish fluid dripping its mouth. For a moment, it howled in pain before stumbling down before me.


    I sucked in a breath as I watched it decay and turn into ashes before my very eyes.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± I looked at the dagger in my hand without even a trace of blood on the de and back to the ashes on the ground.


    ¡°What the fuck were you thinking?¡± Knight was already in his human form. Bright green eyes cut right through me as he growled.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± I rolled my eyes, put the dagger back into my boot, and checked him for a scratch.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± He was still pissed off, his body shaking in anger.


    ¡°Did that thing scratch you?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    I sighed and hugged his naked body. ¡°It scared the hell out of me.¡±


    ¡°You scared the fuck out of me.¡± He pulled away and held my arms tight. ¡°Don¡¯t ever-¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever say don¡¯t ever, Knight, because I will do everything for you to save your ass, and I know you will not hesitate to risk your life for me. So suck it up.¡±


    Eyes still narrowing, he cupped my face and kissed me hard quickly, and it hurt. My lips might just bleed. ¡°I know, but don¡¯t.¡± He snorted, shaking his head. ¡°Never mind. You won¡¯t ever listen to me anyway.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here before another sick werewolf wille here.¡± I held his hand as I dragged him away from the dead rogue.


    ¡°Yeah. I found another scent. I caught a lot of scents in this area.¡±


    ¡°Maybe there¡¯s a pack around here, Kain forgot to mention.¡±


    ¡°Maybe, or maybe they were attacked and scattered around.¡±


    ¡°Shift. You can run fast in your doggy form.¡±


    His eyes narrowed, not taking mypliment well.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be a baby. You¡¯re a dog.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you.¡± It was amazing how easily he shifted, as easy as stretching himself. And then he bent his legs and sat before me.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    He tipped his head on his back.


    ¡°Are you silly? No. I¡¯m not riding on you. We only do that in bed.¡± Chuckling, I ran away from him, using my newfound speed and strength. Everything I had just came in handy, and I started to love this new me despite the danger of having this gift.


    We ran side by side as we headed back to the cabin. My heart pumped so hard and felt so good, letting the adrenaline rush run through me.


    ¡°You look ridiculous,¡± I told him as he looked like he was grinning at me, showing off his teeth. He still looked handsome, though.


    Once we returned to the cabin, he rubbed his fur against me. He was so tall and mighty.


    I scratched his cheeks and raised my finger when he stuck his tongue out. ¡°Don¡¯t lick me, Knight.¡±


    He groaned, pressing his snout into my neck instead, but he was an alpha and never took someone¡¯smand. He licked me in the neck instead.


    ¡°You¡¯re disgusting.¡± I ran my hands through his soft and smooth fur. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I let you do it.¡±


    It felt good, though. The more Knight licked his mark, the more I suddenly felt something. I was aroused.


    KNIGHT


    I instantly caught the smell of her arousal before she ran inside the cabin, avoiding me. I shifted and used the back door to get inside.


    ¡°Hey.¡±


    She just jumped. ¡°You scare me.¡±


    ¡°You okay?¡± I wrapped her in my arms, kissing her shoulder.


    ¡°Knight, get in the shower.¡± She loosened my arms around her, getting off me.


    ¡°Are youing with me?¡± I joked to lighten up the sudden tension between us.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Why are you like this? You suddenly pulled up walls between us and tried to distance yourself from me.¡±


    ¡°Of course not.¡± She shifted her gaze away, but I could hear her heartbeat racing.


    ¡°Did you just lie?¡± I cupped the back of her next so she could look at me. ¡°Nirvana, there¡¯s no shame in feeling turned on when your mate touches you.¡±Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    ¡°Oh, yeah? When you¡¯re in your wolf?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s normal. Sometimes, mates licked each other in their wolf forms. They roll around the bushes, ink their scent on their mates to ward off those unmated werewolves from their females. And I¡¯m ttered that I made you feel that way.¡±


    ¡°Just shut up and hit the shower. You smell like a dog that hasn¡¯t bathed for months.¡± She sniffed my armpit and wrinkled her nose. ¡°You stink, baby.¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re not up for a round in the bathroom?¡±


    ¡°In that space? No thanks.¡± She went to the sitting area and turned on the TV with a sigh.


    I showered quickly and put on a new set of clothes. When I came to her, she was watching a series.


    ¡°Have you heard from Dane?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re working on my request. I want to end this problem with Cadogan, or he could expose us.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true.¡±


    ¡°I have to text Dane.¡±


    She gave me my phone and the burner.


    I quickly texted Dane to call me as soon as possible and hit send. When there was a knock on the door, my lips did not reach Nirvana¡¯s neck. She and I looked at each other.


    ¡°Stay here.¡±


    ¡°Are you expecting a visitor?¡±


    ¡°In here? No.¡± I got up from the chair when another knock followed.


    Dread settled in my chest as Nirvana went behind the door, sniffing the air.


    I caught the scents, too, before I opened it. ¡°What are you both doing here?¡±


    ¡°You mean four of us?¡± McKaye grinned. ¡°Hey, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God.¡± Nirvana pushed me aside and dashed out to hug Kailin. ¡°I miss you so much.¡±


    ¡°I miss you too. How¡¯s your little getaway?¡±


    She grinned from ear to ear, and my senses were flooded with contentment. It definitely came from her. ¡°Not fun, but I¡¯m d Knight came to me yesterday.¡±


    ¡°Are we interrupting something?¡± McKaye asked.


    ¡°No,¡± she replied gratefully. ¡°I¡¯m d to see familiar faces. You have no idea.¡±


    ¡°Come inside,¡± I told everyone. McKaye and Luka went ahead. Then Kailin looked behind her shoulder. Dane just showed up carrying two bags.


    ¡°Dane.¡± Nirvana must be so bored living alone that she was even enthusiastic about seeing Dane. ¡°d you¡¯re here. We just sent you a message.¡±


    ¡°Just saw it on our way.¡± He came to me and dropped a bag to shake my hand. ¡°Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Get inside. We might not be alone in this area.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Kain told me to inform you that there was an attack a few miles from here. Rogues and infected caught a small pack off guard. He didn¡¯t tell me the casualties, but there are survivors.¡±


    I locked the door behind me, and all eyes were on me. ¡°I went for a run, and this stubborn woman just followed me.¡±


    She just shrugged while her arms crossed over her chest.


    ¡°I found a rogue, and then she just appeared out of nowhere. I killed the rogue, and she killed the infected.¡±


    ¡°How?¡± they asked her in unison.


    ¡°With the dagger.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    She raised a brow at their one-word reply. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°That means you¡¯re a badass but reckless.¡±


    She rolled her eyes at me as she joined the guys in the sitting area. ¡°So, why are you all here? To save our asses or to join the fun?¡±


    ¡°Probably both,¡± Luka replied.


    ¡°Alpha, may I have a word.¡± Dane stood up next to Kailin.


    ¡°What about me?¡± Nirvana raised her hand.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk outside.¡± I went out first. Of course, Nirvana wouldn¡¯t want to be left behind, joining me next before Dane.


    ¡°The job is done,¡± he began, but I felt like there was bad news attached to it.


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°We found photos of you and the vineyards.¡±


    ¡°Okay?¡± And that was not the bad news.


    ¡°As a wolf.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± I spat out. Anger pumped through my veins. ¡°Who knows about this?¡±


    ¡°Besides the agency, none. From Cadogan¡¯s side, I don¡¯t know how far he shared that info. Some might believe, some might call him crazy.¡±


    ¡°You found the photos in his house?¡± Nirvana asked.


    ¡°No. At the office in the nightclub. It was closed for operation, but it looked like they were ready to trade drugs underground. We took care of it. We burned the whole building and nted drugs, so if the cops would arrive, they have evidence.¡± He picked something from his jacket pocket. ¡°Here. A souvenir.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± It was the picture of me in my wolf. ¡°It¡¯s a week old.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Cadogan knew what you were when someone got inside and shot my mate.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure there was no more evidence, maybe a sh drive, a memory card, or something?¡±


    ¡°No. That was from the camera. I took it with me and printed that for you.¡±


    ¡°How many casualties?¡±


    ¡°From us? None. From them, Cadogan didn¡¯t want to die without a fight. Six of his men were there, and three from another group.¡±


    ¡°That would make a deal gone wrong.¡±


    I looked at Nirvana, who seemed pleased with the oue. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°I killed his son, Travis. He was alone at home.¡±


    ¡°You went to his house?¡± she asked in shock.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a sniper. How many yards?¡± I asked in amusement.


    ¡°900.¡±


    ¡°Impressive. Thank you. I¡¯ll make the payment today.¡±


    ¡°No. I didn¡¯t get mine. I gave it to the guys who came with me. I told them this was personal, and they all agreed. They wanted to meet you in person and tell you they have your back. All you have to do is give us a call.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Dane.¡± Nirvana hugged him. I held the growl in my chest when my wolf stirred inside me.


    ¡°Anytime.¡±


    When we returned to the cabin, the guys settled in and cooked something in the kitchen. Kailin was still in the same position.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Victor now?¡±


    ¡°Safe with Alexander. Your grandpa said hi to both of you.¡±


    ¡°So they have additional members hunting deer in the skan forest?¡±


    ¡°He won¡¯t stay longer.¡± Dane turned to me. ¡°About your message, what do you wanna talk about?¡±


    ¡°Zarah is trying to arrange a meeting between Eloh and Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Not a good idea. He¡¯s treacherous and dangerous. I don¡¯t trust him even if he wille alone. He has always had a devious n to get what he wants even if stepping on someone¡¯s toe.¡±


    ¡°I know this is dangerous. That¡¯s why you¡¯ll be a part of my team,¡± Nirvana told him as a form of invitation in the hope he would say yes.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be an honor, Luna, and I will protect you with my life, but I can¡¯t guarantee your safety in just a short time, and we haven¡¯t known the ce of meeting yet. It¡¯s our disadvantage.¡±


    ¡°This meeting has to take ce, Dane. I¡¯m tired of running. If we don¡¯t settle this agreement, our n to defeat Cyrius won¡¯t seed.¡±

 118

    KNIGHT


    I instantly caught the smell of her arousal before she ran inside the cabin, avoiding me. I shifted and used the back door to get inside.


    ¡°Hey.¡±


    She just jumped. ¡°You scare me.¡±


    ¡°You okay?¡± I wrapped her in my arms, kissing her shoulder.


    ¡°Knight, get in the shower.¡± She loosened my arms around her, getting off me.


    ¡°Are youing with me?¡± I joked to lighten up the sudden tension between us.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Why are you like this? You suddenly pulled up walls between us and tried to distance yourself from me.¡±


    ¡°Of course not.¡± She shifted her gaze away, but I could hear her heartbeat racing.


    ¡°Did you just lie?¡± I cupped the back of her next so she could look at me. ¡°Nirvana, there¡¯s no shame in feeling turned on when your mate touches you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah? When you¡¯re in your wolf?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s normal. Sometimes, mates licked each other in their wolf forms. They roll around the bushes, ink their scent on their mates to ward off those unmated werewolves from their females. And I¡¯m ttered that I made you feel that way.¡±


    ¡°Just shut up and hit the shower. You smell like a dog that hasn¡¯t bathed for months.¡± She sniffed my armpit and wrinkled her nose. ¡°You stink, baby.¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re not up for a round in the bathroom?¡±


    ¡°In that space? No thanks.¡± She went to the sitting area and turned on the TV with a sigh.


    I showered quickly and put on a new set of clothes. When I came to her, she was watching a series.


    ¡°Have you heard from Dane?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re working on my request. I want to end this problem with Cadogan, or he could expose us.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true.¡±


    ¡°I have to text Dane.¡±


    She gave me my phone and the burner.


    I quickly texted Dane to call me as soon as possible and hit send. When there was a knock on the door, my lips did not reach Nirvana¡¯s neck. She and I looked at each other.


    ¡°Stay here.¡±


    ¡°Are you expecting a visitor?¡±


    ¡°In here? No.¡± I got up from the chair when another knock followed.


    Dread settled in my chest as Nirvana went behind the door, sniffing the air.


    I caught the scents, too, before I opened it. ¡°What are you both doing here?¡±


    ¡°You mean four of us?¡± McKaye grinned. ¡°Hey, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God.¡± Nirvana pushed me aside and dashed out to hug Kailin. ¡°I miss you so much.¡±


    ¡°I miss you too. How¡¯s your little getaway?¡±


    She grinned from ear to ear, and my senses were flooded with contentment. It definitely came from her. ¡°Not fun, but I¡¯m d Knight came to me yesterday.¡±


    ¡°Are we interrupting something?¡± McKaye asked.


    ¡°No,¡± she replied gratefully. ¡°I¡¯m d to see familiar faces. You have no idea.¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°Come inside,¡± I told everyone. McKaye and Luka went ahead. Then Kailin looked behind her shoulder. Dane just showed up carrying two bags.


    ¡°Dane.¡± Nirvana must be so bored living alone that she was even enthusiastic about seeing Dane. ¡°d you¡¯re here. We just sent you a message.¡±


    ¡°Just saw it on our way.¡± He came to me and dropped a bag to shake my hand. ¡°Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Get inside. We might not be alone in this area.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Kain told me to inform you that there was an attack a few miles from here. Rogues and infected caught a small pack off guard. He didn¡¯t tell me the casualties, but there are survivors.¡±


    I locked the door behind me, and all eyes were on me. ¡°I went for a run, and this stubborn woman just followed me.¡±


    She just shrugged while her arms crossed over her chest.


    ¡°I found a rogue, and then she just appeared out of nowhere. I killed the rogue, and she killed the infected.¡±


    ¡°How?¡± they asked her in unison.


    ¡°With the dagger.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    She raised a brow at their one-word reply. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°That means you¡¯re a badass but reckless.¡±


    She rolled her eyes at me as she joined the guys in the sitting area. ¡°So, why are you all here? To save our asses or to join the fun?¡±


    ¡°Probably both,¡± Luka replied.


    ¡°Alpha, may I have a word.¡± Dane stood up next to Kailin.


    ¡°What about me?¡± Nirvana raised her hand.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk outside.¡± I went out first. Of course, Nirvana wouldn¡¯t want to be left behind, joining me next before Dane.


    ¡°The job is done,¡± he began, but I felt like there was bad news attached to it.


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°We found photos of you and the vineyards.¡±


    ¡°Okay?¡± And that was not the bad news.


    ¡°As a wolf.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± I spat out. Anger pumped through my veins. ¡°Who knows about this?¡±


    ¡°Besides the agency, none. From Cadogan¡¯s side, I don¡¯t know how far he shared that info. Some might believe, some might call him crazy.¡±


    ¡°You found the photos in his house?¡± Nirvana asked.


    ¡°No. At the office in the nightclub. It was closed for operation, but it looked like they were ready to trade drugs underground. We took care of it. We burned the whole building and nted drugs, so if the cops would arrive, they have evidence.¡± He picked something from his jacket pocket. ¡°Here. A souvenir.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck?¡± It was the picture of me in my wolf. ¡°It¡¯s a week old.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Cadogan knew what you were when someone got inside and shot my mate.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure there was no more evidence, maybe a sh drive, a memory card, or something?¡±


    ¡°No. That was from the camera. I took it with me and printed that for you.¡±


    ¡°How many casualties?¡±


    ¡°From us? None. From them, Cadogan didn¡¯t want to die without a fight. Six of his men were there, and three from another group.¡±


    ¡°That would make a deal gone wrong.¡±


    I looked at Nirvana, who seemed pleased with the oue. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°I killed his son, Travis. He was alone at home.¡±


    ¡°You went to his house?¡± she asked in shock.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a sniper. How many yards?¡± I asked in amusement.


    ¡°900.¡±


    ¡°Impressive. Thank you. I¡¯ll make the payment today.¡±


    ¡°No. I didn¡¯t get mine. I gave it to the guys who came with me. I told them this was personal, and they all agreed. They wanted to meet you in person and tell you they have your back. All you have to do is give us a call.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Dane.¡± Nirvana hugged him. I held the growl in my chest when my wolf stirred inside me.


    ¡°Anytime.¡±


    When we returned to the cabin, the guys settled in and cooked something in the kitchen. Kailin was still in the same position.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Victor now?¡±


    ¡°Safe with Alexander. Your grandpa said hi to both of you.¡±


    ¡°So they have additional members hunting deer in the skan forest?¡±


    ¡°He won¡¯t stay longer.¡± Dane turned to me. ¡°About your message, what do you wanna talk about?¡±


    ¡°Zarah is trying to arrange a meeting between Eloh and Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Not a good idea. He¡¯s treacherous and dangerous. I don¡¯t trust him even if he wille alone. He has always had a devious n to get what he wants even if stepping on someone¡¯s toe.¡±


    ¡°I know this is dangerous. That¡¯s why you¡¯ll be a part of my team,¡± Nirvana told him as a form of invitation in the hope he would say yes.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be an honor, Luna, and I will protect you with my life, but I can¡¯t guarantee your safety in just a short time, and we haven¡¯t known the ce of meeting yet. It¡¯s our disadvantage.¡±


    ¡°This meeting has to take ce, Dane. I¡¯m tired of running. If we don¡¯t settle this agreement, our n to defeat Cyrius won¡¯t seed.¡±

 119

    NIRVANA


    ¡°Why are you scared to punch me? You punch like a little girl, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Why is it everyone says I punch like a little girl?¡± I groaned, my eyes ring at Dane.


    ¡°Remember, this is not a practice or training. Make it real. Punch like a real woman, a luna.¡±


    ¡°Maybe I can only punch like a girl, Dane. And your abs are distracting.¡± Myment made Knight groan while Kailin rolled her eyes at me.


    ¡°So if you see an attractive guy about to pull the trigger at you, you won¡¯t shoot him because he¡¯s too cute to die?¡±


    I huffed a breath. I was sweating and sticky like a pig. He¡¯d been training me for hours when McKaye suggested that Dane teach me instead of him. When Knight gave us a go, I let my body beat up.


    I lost count of how many times I fell on the dirt and felt my strength was wearing off. I tried blocking his punches, but he was just so good. Considering he had long limbs and was taller than me, he could easily break my bones.


    ¡°Just punch him, Vana. I¡¯m bored to death here.¡± Kailin puffed air against her hair, her arms crossing over her chest.


    ¡°You can¡¯t hurt me, Nirvana, and don¡¯t worry, I healed faster.¡± Dane gestured with his hand, challenging me, but I still hesitated.


    ¡°My love, he knows what he¡¯s doing. He¡¯s better than McKaye. Trust me, you can¡¯t take him down. Just make this training more realistic. Don¡¯t hesitate. Just give what you got.¡±


    I turned to Knight, who looked annoyed. ¡°I¡¯m scared of losing control, okay? I don¡¯t wanna hurt him.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Knight raised his hands. ¡°You don¡¯t wanna learn from the expert? Let¡¯s wrap it up.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re such a baby.¡± I drew a deep breath, spread my legs apart, and made my stance. I first threw a punch at Dane, but he managed to avoid my fist, and my other fist blocked every jab and kick I threw until we just liked dancing together in harmony.


    ¡°Now we¡¯re talking.¡± Dane was so much enjoying watching me lose and fall on my butt.


    I realized I was the one ducking each attack he struck. I anticipated and memorized his move; he could tell me what was inside me or what I was learning.


    I was suddenly aware that he was about to use his left fist, which had the strongest strike. I blocked him with my arm, and for the first time, I hit him on his abdomen a little harder, knocking him into the dirt.


    Seeing his shock, Kailin gasped, and that was the first time I saw him smile. He looked younger and even more handsome when he smiled.


    ¡°Sorry.¡± I offered my hand, and then he took it. The moment our hands touched, I sucked in a breath as if a high voltage of electricity jolted my entire body.


    Shocked, my eyes widened, and my head fell back as I stared straight at the sky. Then, something like a memory in a fast-forward clip of events that my brain could barely keep up. It all shed before my eyes all at once before ckness took me over.


    ***


    Gasping, I jolted up. Still catching my breath, I looked around. I was lying in bed in the small cabin room while Kailin rested her head on the bed.


    ¡°K?¡± I called her name. It was my instinct not to touch. I was scared that something might happen again.


    She raised her head, eyes widening. ¡°Vana?¡±


    I jerked back, raising my hands. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me. What happened?¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Guys?¡± she called to everyone. The room suddenly became terribly small and filled with testosterone.


    ¡°Sweetheart.¡± Knight came to the foot of the bed, about to touch my knee.


    I pulled my knees against my body. ¡°Don¡¯te close.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Knight frowned, eyes filling with pain.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± I looked at Dane. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. You just copsed. I¡¯m so sorry I pushed you hard.¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m feeling okay.¡± I looked at everyone, and they seemed concerned. ¡°What happened?¡±


    They looked at Knight instead of giving me answers.


    ¡°When Dane fell, you offered help, then gripped him hard. Your eyes were glowing, and you froze and stared up for a few moments, then copsed.¡±


    I looked at my clothes; I wasn¡¯t wearing the same dirty clothes anymore.


    ¡°I have to clean you up. How are you really feeling, Nirvana? You scared me. You scared us.¡±


    I stared at Dane, trying to focus on his heartbeat. ¡°Who are you?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± He looked taken aback by my question.


    Kailin turned to look at her mate. ¡°Why? What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Do you have a gift?¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°No. I don¡¯t. Why?¡±


    ¡°Sweetheart, please tell us what happened?¡± Knight stared at me, sounding concerned.


    ¡°I saw shes of events. I did not see myself there and can¡¯t remember those events and ces. I¡¯m not sure if it was mine or someone else, or-¡±


    ¡°It hasn¡¯t happened yet,¡± Knight finished my words.


    I nodded.


    ¡°I called Zarah. She told me to let you rest and no more training.¡±


    ¡°What happened in those shes?¡± McKaye asked.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell us if it¡¯s something very traumatic.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not. It¡¯s just so fast my brain hurts. But I remember it was beautiful, nice weather, and there¡¯s a clearing where kids y, chase, and then-¡± I closed my eyes as I tried to remember what happened next. ¡°Shit.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Take your time.¡± Knight reached out to me.


    ¡°Baby, no.¡± I ced my hand under the nket. ¡°I can¡¯t. I don¡¯t like that feeling.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t hurt me.¡±


    ¡°I know, but I don¡¯t wanna see something like that again, and I can¡¯t remember. It¡¯s awful.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you got the gift from your mother. You¡¯re still your mother¡¯s daughter. She was a seer, right?¡±


    ¡°No, Luka. I¡¯m not a seer, but maybe him.¡± I looked at Dane. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to ask you this, but do you remember anything about your parents?¡±


    ¡°I was young to remember, and it was painful I chose not to talk about it. What is clear to me is there was an attack on our pack. We managed to escape, but a werewolf awaited us on the road. It just came out of nowhere, and my father was driving fast. They died in a crash. They were werewolves, and I don¡¯t remember them having gifts. I survived when I was thrown off the windshield. When it happened, my mother was trying to secure my seat belt, and they didn¡¯t make it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Dane.¡± I wiped my tears. Kailin looked away to hide her emotions from her mate.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°Does anyone have a pen and a paper?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Luka left the room. A few momentster, he came back and gave me what I asked for.


    I closed my eyes, trying to jab my memory while scribbling that ce. It was messy, but I sketched it fast so I would not miss any detail before those shes of that memory were gone.


    Once I finished it, I showed it to Knight, who gave it to the boys.


    ¡°You¡¯re good, and you sketched it while eyes closed.¡± McKaye chuckled. ¡°Impressive.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while.¡± I smiled sadly at Knight. His sympathetic look made my heart melt.


    ¡°I don¡¯t recognize this ce,¡± Kailin said.


    ¡°Let me send it to Shadow.¡± Knight took a snap on his phone.


    ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± Dane got all our attention.


    ¡°Why?¡± Kailin asked.


    ¡°It was thest happiest memory I have of my parents.¡±


    I looked at Kailin, who looked at me as a single tear rolled down her face.


    ¡°I chose this kind of job because I wanted to eliminate the kind of people who took good people away from their children. Call me a cold-blooded killer, but this is me.¡±


    We were all too speechless, including Knight, to say a word. Then, all of a sudden, Dane left the room.

 120

    KNIGHT


    ¡°So I can¡¯t even touch you now? When, then?¡±


    What happened outside while she and Dane were training must have terrified her. I wondered if she got her seer gift from her mother but was scared to embrace it.


    The way she looked at me right now with so many unanswered questions in her eyes made me anxious, and I just wanted to protect her and take her somewhere where no one could find us.


    ¡°Sweetheart, it¡¯s fine. You can¡¯t hurt me.¡± My chest clenched to the way she hid her hands behind her back.


    ¡°Knight, I mean it. Stay back.¡±


    I still sat on the bed. The guys and Kailin were outside the room. ¡°I know you are terrified, but you can never hurt me. You have to knock me down if you won¡¯t let me touch you. Give me your hand, Nirvana.¡± It was not a request.


    ¡°No.¡± She shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna see your greatest fear or your pain. It hurts, and it feels like I¡¯m invading someone¡¯s privacy. I feel sorry for Dane, but I didn¡¯t mean it.¡±


    ¡°It was just an ident. You said it yourself. You didn¡¯t mean it. And it¡¯s in the past. Come on, sweetheart, you¡¯re stronger than that.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever try to trick me, or I will punch you.¡±


    I smirked. ¡°Maybe you should punch me then.¡±


    While she was rolling her eyes, I quickly cupped her face and kissed her. I¡¯d been meaning to kiss her and hug her tight the moment I saw the torment in her eyes.


    She groaned against my lips, resisting at first, but gave in anyway. When we broke our kiss, she red at me but never touched me. I also saw anticipation and longing. I kissed her again. This time, it is soft and tender.


    ¡°You can touch me, Nirvana. I have so many fun memories in my life. Maybe what you¡¯ll see is when we first met. Don¡¯t you want to see that? I wish I could watch myself and see how I was so starstruck by you. At the same time, I was also stupid and dumb.¡± I took her arm so I could hold her hand.


    She resisted at first, hand fisting.


    ¡°Do you trust me?¡±


    ¡°What kind of stupid question is that?¡± She red at me.


    I knew she trusted me. I could see it in her eyes. Maybe she was terrified of discovering what I didn¡¯t want her to see about my life.


    ¡°I have nothing to hide from you. I¡¯m an open book.¡± I slowly touched the back of her hand until she rxed. ¡°Come on, Nirvana. I know you¡¯re stubborn and strong-willed. Be that person who always defied my order.¡± I opened my palm for her.


    ¡°I defied your order because sometimes you¡¯re a dick.¡± She raised a hand, pointing a finger into my palm as if testing the water. Our skin slightly touched, but she didn¡¯t get the same reaction as what happened with her and Dane.


    While she was too focused on our touching me, I took the leap, sping our hands together until she sucked a breath. ¡°Nirvana?¡±


    She stared at me without a horrific look. And then she blinked before she threw herself at me.


    ¡°Did you see something?¡± I hugged her tight and kissed her shoulder and neck. ¡°I told you to trust me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, God.¡± She sagged in my arms and sighed. ¡°It feels so damn good that it¡¯s gone. I don¡¯t wanna be in that position again.¡± She kissed me and said, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t apologize. Maybe it was just a test or something.¡±


    A knock pulled us apart.


    ¡°What is it, K?¡±


    ¡°Are you both done? It¡¯s time to go to thepound.¡±


    ***


    The Night Stalker Pack was one of the biggest in the country, and it still amazed me how Califf was one of the most influential and feared alphas in the world, and most of his single and unmated members lived in the pack house.


    ¡°Alpha Knight, good to see you again.¡± Beta Duke and I did a brotherly hug.


    ¡°Beta.¡±


    Duke went to Nirvana, offering his hand for a handshake. ¡°Wee to Night Stalker Pack, Luna Nirvana. I¡¯m Beta Duke.¡±


    ¡°Hi. Thank you for amodating us on such short notice.¡± She shook his hand, and Duke noticed the hesitation in her action. ¡°Forgive me. I just had an unprecedented incident yesterday.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all right, Luna. Alpha Califf is waiting for all of you in his office.¡±


    After introducing my party to him, he led us inside the pack house.


    Califf¡¯s office was almost simr to mine, with fewer decorations, not even a picture hanging on the wall.


    ¡°Knight, guys, wee and have a seat.¡± Califf turned to Nirvana. ¡°You made it. How have you been?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good. Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Zarah will be here. And the meeting is happening. Are you sure you wanna do this?¡± He looked at both of us.


    ¡°Yes. It has to happen. I can¡¯t fight two enemies at once, Alpha Califf. And I wanna know what Cyrius has a hold on him,¡± Nirvana replied.


    ¡°This is dangerous, and you¡¯d be in uncharted territory. He could bring his entire army and mercenaries to the meeting without you even knowing it.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± I stole a nce at Dane.


    I turned to Dane. ¡°How do the council enforcers work?¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t one of the enforcers. I only work for Victor, Alpha Knight, but sometimes, I epted jobs from the council that were too dangerous for their people to do.¡±


    Califf nodded. ¡°You work with Kain.¡±


    Dane neither confirmed nor denied.


    ¡°I know all about Kain. He¡¯s my brother¡¯s uncle. And you can trust me. Your secrets are safe with me.¡±


    ¡°We need your help,¡± I told him honestly.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°I know Eloh might use a witch to protect himself or intercept our link,¡± Nirvana started. ¡°If he may confiscate my phone, I need to purchase a listening and recording device that he less suspects and a list of alphas you have.¡±


    ¡°You have aputer expert, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± He nodded at me. ¡°Santi is good. What else do you need?¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    Nirvana looked at me. ¡°Can I borrow Lyon, Tor, and Zack?¡±


    ¡°Consider it done. You don¡¯t have to buy what you need. I know someone who can help.¡±


    ¡°Wade. Is he around?¡±


    Califf smiled. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I have in mind.¡± He took his phone and texted Carter Wade, a sheriff from California. ¡°He¡¯d be happy to see you.¡±


    Zarah could finally join the part of the meeting, and she only listened. Thirty minutester, we were done discussing the n, and I wasn¡¯t entirely on board.


    ¡°That¡¯s too risky.¡± I agreed with Califf.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Kailin and McKaye said in unison.


    ¡°It is. And we don¡¯t know what¡¯s in his head. I¡¯m sure he has something dubious up his sleeves. Considering he has the High Priestess at his beck and call, he could snap his fingers, and you¡¯re gone.¡±


    ¡°Of course, this is risky.¡± Nirvana was getting frustrated. ¡°I didn¡¯t think this would be a walk in the park. That¡¯s why I need an extra hand.¡±


    ¡°You need more than just an extra hand, Nirvana.¡±


    She huffed, gazing at silent Dane, maybe asking for help. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m the only one who sees this n would work.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a canny son of a bitch, Nirvana.¡± I tried convincing her to change her mind ande up with a better n, but so far, I was failing it.


    ¡°He can never be trusted. He is remorseless-the kind of person you will not cross. He will eliminate everyone in his path to get what he wants.¡±


    ¡°Do you think I don¡¯t know that?¡± She red at Dane. ¡°He betrayed Victor, and that¡¯s not something I can let go of. You should do the same.¡±


    ¡°This is insane.¡± I shook my head in frustration.


    ¡°That¡¯s only a part of my n.¡±


    ¡°Oh, then what are the parts two and three?¡± Zarah asked sarcastically.


    ¡°It will involve Victor and your men.¡± She pointed at Dane.


    ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±

 121

    NIRVANA


    He can never be trusted, Dane told me, and those words kept repeating in my head.


    I¡¯d been in the bathroom for fifteen minutes, and my nerves started to get in the way.


    ¡°Sweetheart, we can still walk away from this. It¡¯s not toote to back out.¡± Knight said behind the door.


    ¡°Just give me a minute.¡± I breathed deeply and did the tricks I had practiced overnight. I only had one time to do this, or I would fail everyone.


    I took a moment to gather myself before I opened the door. ¡°Let¡¯s go before I change my mind.


    That son of bitch chose an open public restaurant to his advantage.


    ¡°Shit.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what he looks like.¡±


    ¡°Fuck.¡±


    ¡°If you see a smug curly hair son of a bitch in his forties, then that¡¯s him,¡± Dane said to our line. ¡°He has a wife named ine and a daughter named Savanna.¡±


    ¡°Is your team ready?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Got a table for two,¡± said the sheriff, Carter Wade. That was his cue. He yed a vital role in the n, as Eloh would never suspect him of being part of the team, considering he was a human.


    I checked the time on my phone. This was it. No turning back.


    ¡°Either I die today, or my n seeds,¡± I told everyone through ourm. Thanks to Wade, he got us a military-grade audio and video surveince system.


    I took a seat at the table seven. That was the spot where I feltfortable and safe.


    Knight took a seat three tables away from me. That was how that son of a bitch Eloh Hartwick requested, or the meeting is off the table.


    My heart pumped so hard. My pulse drummed in my ears. I took a moment to calm my nerves until someone upied the seat across my mind.


    When I lifted my gaze, Dane was right. He was smug in his thousand-dor suit. His brown eyes told me one thing. He was a snake, venomous, and a traitor.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d show up.¡± He looked over his shoulder, making me aware that he saw Knight.


    ¡°Well, I only get a granted meeting with the head council once in a lifetime. Given that I¡¯m human, I¡¯m honored.¡±


    ¡°We both know you¡¯re more than human.¡± He gestured his head. ¡°Stand up.¡±


    I sensed there was a man behind me. ¡°Of course.¡± I did as he asked.


    The man checked me for weapons thoroughly, from head to toe.


    ¡°I did what you asked. No guns or any weapons, even a toothpick.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s clean.¡±


    ¡°I told you. I sat back.¡± I kept my hand on myp because, honestly, I was scared. If I knew, someone was out there ready to take me down.


    ¡°Hands on the table.¡±


    ¡°Gee.¡± I rolled my eyes at his security as I put my hands on the table. ¡°Pitchy.¡±


    Once he was gone, I focused my attention on Eloh. ¡°What do you want from me?¡±


    ¡°Straight to the point, I like that.¡±


    ¡°Well, you must be a very busy person, considering you¡¯re cleaning the house, tying up loose ends. Let¡¯s cut the chase. What does Cyrius have on you?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t meet that man, but I¡¯m the head of the council, and I aim to end these killings. Just like you, I want order, not chaos, and I want world peace.¡±


    I scoffed. ¡°Wow. Coming from a man who stabbed his boss in his back. That¡¯s rich.¡±


    ¡°Easy, Nirvana. Don¡¯t provoke him,¡± Dane said to them.


    ¡°He¡¯s a chatan.¡±


    ¡°Well, you are overly ambitious and got what you wanted, but you still did not answer my question, Eloh. Or shall I call you Head Council?¡±


    ¡°I want you to turn yourself in with the dagger.¡±


    ¡°What is my crime exactly?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a danger to the underworld.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t killed anyone. I haven¡¯t broken any written werewolfws.¡± That was a lie. I killed an infected werewolf. It was self-defense, anyway. ¡°One question. You ordered those men who followed us from Pornd, did you?¡±


    ¡°You broke the natural order, Nirvana.¡± He neither confirmed nor denied. Son of a bitch. He¡¯d been trying to kill us all this time.


    ¡°As far as I know, that was not my fault. I¡¯m innocent. I was dead, and how would I know someone was capable of bringing the dead back to life? And it wasn¡¯t my choice to wake up from the dead. Unless you have writtenws about it, I¡¯m still innocent.¡±


    ¡°Turn yourself in so this problem won¡¯t escte, or I will be forced to order a shoot to kill on you.¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Fantastic.¡±


    ¡°Do you think this a joke?¡± His eyes zed.


    ¡°No.¡± I looked at him straight in the eye. ¡°I¡¯ve been chased by your people. I almost died running away from you. Do you think I wanted this? But as I look into your eyes, you are more desperate than me, Council Hartwick. I recognize haunted when I see one. I guess he has something you hold dear. Who is it? ine or Savanna?¡±


    His eyes glowed in anger, and his face reddened in rage as he fisted his hands on the table and said, ¡°You don¡¯t have the right to drag their names into this conversation.¡±


    I just poked the big bad bear. I meant a werewolf. ¡°Then you can¡¯t use me to get what you want. I lost someone dear to me, too. If you will give me to Cyrius.¡± I just mentioned his name. I saw the horrified image in his eyes. ¡°You did not just kill your family. You also end the entire underworld. And you will put billions of lives in your hands, Council Hartwick. Now let me ask you this. Who is desperate? Who is selfish now?¡±


    ¡°You smug little bitch. Do you think you can get out of here alive without getting what I want? The moment you walk away from me, your friends, Kailin, McKaye, and your friends from Night Stalker, and that murderer Dane, including your mate behind me, are going to be dead before you.¡±


    I showed him my vulnerability as I rested my back. ¡°You want the dagger? Fine. You can have it. Me, not so much. I¡¯d rather die than go with you alive. Go ahead, tell your people to shoot me or whoever you are assigned to kill me or the people I care about. I¡¯d rather be dead than watch the entire world under the control of an evil warlock.¡±


    ¡°This wouldn¡¯t have happened if it¡¯s not for your bloodline.¡±


    ¡°Well, dude. I hate to break it to you, but as much as I¡¯m involved, I¡¯m also a victim here. I was happy being human because months ago, I didn¡¯t know who I was. I didn¡¯t drag myself into your mysterious, dangerous world. I¡¯m sorry about your family, but I can¡¯t help you with your selfish endeavor. If you think so narrowly, I think of a bigger picture, saving thousands of lives. What did he promise you? He won¡¯t keep up the end of the bargain. He¡¯s an evil you don¡¯t want to make a deal with. If you can stab Victor behind his back, see what Cyrius can do to you.¡±


    ¡°I will kill you if you won¡¯t give me what I want.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± I grabbed the dagger from my left boot and put it on the table. ¡°Here¡¯s the dagger everyone is dying to get their hands on.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck are you doing?¡± Knight asked through gritted teeth to them. ¡°This is not the n, Nirvana. You can¡¯t ever give the dagger to him.¡±


    ¡°Take it. Do you know why he wants this?¡± I picked it up and showed it to him. His men on our sides were rmed. ¡°This is the only thing that can kill him. And if you give this to him, the fate of the world is now in your hands, council. Unless you¡¯re his bloodline, then that thing can kill you, too.¡± I put it back on the table. ¡°Pick it up.¡± If he could pick it up, though.


    ¡°You areing with me.¡± The anger zed in his eyes, but we both knew he was losing it.


    ¡°Oh, yeah?¡± I arched a brow at him. ¡°Where? To the Werewolf Council headquarter? Because Victor and the cavalry had just taken over the headquarters. You and your men maybe can kill us here, but right now, all the alphas are watching and listening to our conversation. They know what kind of people you are, Hartwick.¡± I stole a nce at his men sitting on the other tables. ¡°Do you think you¡¯re so clever? And if you believe in the Guardian, whatever it is, I hope not the Guardian of the constetion, then you should let me go.¡± I stood up.


    Before I could step away from the chair, he picked up the dagger, or what looked like the dagger, thanks to Dn¡¯s grandmother¡¯s spell. He aimed at me and was more shocked to see it was a disposable stic table knife.


    I grinned at him. ¡°Gotcha. You don¡¯t take defeat well, do you? It¡¯s too bad because today is your downfall, Eloh Hartwick.¡±

 122

    KNIGHT


    ¡°So, what exactly is she?¡± Carter asked me, tipping his head at my mate.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m just human like you,¡± she replied as she heard Carter.


    ¡°She¡¯s joking, sheriff. She¡¯s more powerful than any of us,¡± Kailin said. ¡°She¡¯s not a werewolf, but looks can be deceiving.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s like Zarah?¡± he asked.


    ¡°She¡¯s not a witch, but she has a witch and werewolf blood in her. To make the story short, she¡¯s cursed by a warlock.¡± I smiled at Carter¡¯s enthusiasm for learning about us.


    Despite being a human, he fought against Aciano alongside Califf, Sebastien, and Kain.


    ¡°I have a spirit inside me,¡± Nirvana told him, making him gasp. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s not what you see in Insidious. I¡¯m in control of the wolf spirit, and she¡¯s on our side.¡±


    He let go a shuddering breath. ¡°That¡¯s good to know.¡± He then looked at me. ¡°I saw a man transformed into a wolf, then Shadow is a hybrid. I walked into a portal created by a witch, and now I just met a woman with a wolf spirit inside her. I think my life is getting crazier.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re doing good so far, sheriff.¡± Kailin patted his back. ¡°Wait until you meet a thousand-year-old crazy warlock who infected werewolves with a ck virus.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I think I¡¯m good with knowing you guys exist, but if you need an extra hand, count me in.¡±


    ***


    Eloh Hartwick and his men were apprehended, escorted, and locked up in the Werewolf Council facility.


    Victor was back in his seat as the head of the council. We may find new allies, but the threat was still out there, and Eloh¡¯s friends and loyalists would remain threats to us. But I called it a win today.


    ¡°So what now?¡± Nirvana asked, spinning on the chair. ¡°This is what I¡¯d never imagined a conference room to be.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re gonna get dizzy.¡±


    The conference room was something like you would see in the royal pce. With donations and profits worldwide, the werewolf council could afford these amenities.


    ¡°Let her,¡± Kailin said. ¡°She carried most of the weight anyway.¡±


    Zarah and Dane were with Victor sorting things out.


    ¡°You all were there because of me, the fugitive,¡± my mate said.


    ¡°And you went way overboard. You did not follow the scripts.¡±


    ¡°Do we have scripts?¡± she asked in amusement.


    ¡°We¡¯re in the council. You should behave like a luna of a pack.¡± I went to her and kissed the top of her head.


    Before Eloh was apprehended, I was fucking terrified that she might get hurt, and when she handed him what I thought was the dagger, I almost lost my shit. Of course, Nirvana had some tricks I didn¡¯t know about.


    She just made everyone proud of how she handled herself back there. At the same time, we just killed the hope of Eloh¡¯s family.


    ¡°I still feel bad. I wish I could do something for his wife and an innocent child.¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding me, Vana? You could be dead by now if they captured you. He would care what we feel about losing you.¡± Luka shook his head in horror. ¡°He brought it to himself.¡±


    ¡°He was not given much of a choice, Luka. I know what he did was wrong, and he should have talked with Victor instead of betraying him, but the kid is still innocent,¡± she insisted.


    ¡°If his family is not with Cyrius or under Cyrius¡¯smand, the council will take care of them,¡± I assured her.


    ¡°His loyalist will avenge him. We all should be very careful. This is not over. I wanted to celebrate this little victory, but-¡±


    ¡°We are popping Champagne bottles, Mac because Knight and I are getting married.¡±


    ¡°Really? When?¡± Kailin¡¯s eyes widened. The words getting married made my heart skip a beat.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want a big celebration. I want an intimate wedding for us to say our I dos, right Alpha?¡± She squeezed my hand.


    ¡°Whatever you want, sweetheart.¡± I leaned down to kiss her lips, causing Kailin to giggle.


    ¡°Would you be my maid of honor?¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Kailin seemed more excited than anyone.


    ¡°Yes. You¡¯re my best friend. And without you, I wouldn¡¯t have met my annoying, controlling, extremely possessive, but thoughtful mate.¡±


    ¡°Wow. Did you hear that, Alpha?¡± Lukaughed.


    Our little fun moment was cut short when the double door swung open. Victor, Dane, and Zarah entered.


    We all rose to our feet and waited for the verdict.


    ¡°Nirvana Thorne, Luna of White Moon Pack has been acquitted on all charges.¡± Victor put the paper on the table and scribbled his signature. ¡°Alpha Knight ckwell of White Moon Pack, you are appointed the head of the council advisor. Don¡¯t say no. I won¡¯t take no for an answer.¡±


    ¡°Priestess Zarah, It would be my honor to hire you as our witch advisor on all witchcraft, arts, and enchantment.¡± He turned to Dane. ¡°As for you, you are free of any debt or obligation to the head council or any obligations in the Werewolf Council. As of now, young man, you are a free agent. If you wish to join White Moon Pack or continue working at the agency or any organizations that fit your expertise, your file remains buried in the council.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, sir. I let my mate decide,¡± said Dane, making Kailin smile. ¡°I will give you the final decision very soon.¡±


    ¡°To all of you guys, without your untiring support, risking your lives, this werewolf council would not be here, and it would remain in the hands of someone like Eloh Hartwick. I¡¯m sending a thank you letter to Alpha Califf¡¯s enforcers. And I owe you a debt of gratitude.¡±


    ¡°What happened to Eloh¡¯s family?¡±


    ¡°His wife was infected, but their child is safe.¡±


    ***


    Nirvana threw herself in bed as soon as we returned home to the vineyards. I could feel the contentment in her thoughts.


    Joining her in bed, I cupped her head and kissed her hard. She kissed me back just the way I did, full of passion, desperation, and contentment.


    As my tongue sought entrance, she opened her mouth for me, and the moment I tasted her sweet mouth, she moaned softly, and my dick became so hard it could break the zipper of my jeans.


    I slipped my hand inside her shirt and felt her soft, smooth skin against my fingertips. Then I cupped her tit through her bra, pinching her nipple, making her arch her back, pushing her chest against mine.


    I broke the kiss, moved my lips down her neck, sucking the sensitive skin of my mark.


    Her fingers ran through my hair, nails digging against my scalp and the skin on my back.


    As I freed her breast from the cup of her bra, I captured it with my mouth. I ran my tongue against her peak hard bud before I sucked it and nipped it between my teeth.


    ¡°Knight, I want you.¡± Shuddering, she pushed my head down. I loved that she was not ashamed to show me what she wanted and was vocal about what she desired.


    I settled between her legs and worked on her jeans. I dragged them down her feet and tossed them on the floor, leaving her but her ckcy panties. Her chest rose and fell in anticipation, and she was biting her bottom lip.


    Her arousal made me dizzy, intoxicating my brain. I could barely hold my shit together, and I wanted to eat her, make a feast of her, and take her however I wanted until I was satisfied and shey worn out in bed with a dreamy-sated smile on her face.


    Nirvana was soaking. I could see the wetness through her panties. I kissed her pussy through the thin material that was stopping me from eating her and mming my cock inside her. I spread her thighs wide and dipped my nose to the center of where she ached the most, inhaling her scent, her smell so sulent sweet, and I was drooling to taste her again.


    ¡°Please, Knight. I want you?¡± When she begged like that, my cock just jerked in my pants.


    ¡°Yes, sweetheart. I will give you what you want.¡± As I pulled her panties aside, her pink swollen clit and wet pussy lips were calling me.


    My desires shot beyond the moon. I was hungry for her, and I didn¡¯t waste any moment. I captured her pussy with my mouth.


    She sucked a breath. Her hips bucked, and her thighs shut closed.


    ¡°Behave, Nirvana, or I won¡¯t make youe. Open your thighs for me. Let me have my pussy.¡±


    She obeyed me, rxing her thighs. The moment my mouth was back on her sulent cunt, I moaned loudly as her taste flooded my tongue, and her wetness dripped down my jaw.


    I ate her the way I wanted, sucking the folds, tugging her clit into my mouth, grazing it with my teeth until she writhed in bed, her body twitching and crying out my name.


    I fucked her with my tongue and reced it with my fingers, thrusting in and out until her pussy clenched around me, her body convulsed as her orgasm hit her hard.

 123

    NIRVANA


    ¡°Let¡¯s get married today.¡±


    Shock should be forting, despite the fact we talked about getting married soon. Still, the towel almost fell into my grasp. ¡°What? Why?¡±


    ¡°I wanna marry you today,¡± he said with determination, as if getting married were just a walk in the park and then buying Boba tea.


    I barked out,ughing. The shock was wearing off. ¡°It¡¯s not possible. We have to register and get our marriage certificate.¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll do it online.¡±


    ¡°Wow.¡± I was even more surprised that he wanted us to get married today and that we only had to register online.


    I tightened the towel around my chest and strode towards him. ¡°What¡¯s the rush, baby?¡±


    He cupped my head and kissed my lips. ¡°I want to marry you. I mean, why wait, but I promise I will give you the grand wedding you deserve. I wanna be your husband and call you my wife.¡±


    ¡°Why, being your mate isn¡¯t enough?¡± Teasing, I squinted my eyes.


    ¡°I want a government legal document proving you we are married. I want to wear a wedding band. I want to introduce you to the people that this amazing woman beside me is my wife.¡± He paused, appalled. ¡°Wait. Are you having cold feet right now?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± I stared at him in disbelief. ¡°The only cold I feel right now is my hands.¡± I cupped his face. ¡°Feel it? I need to get dressed.¡±


    ¡°Why do you have all the abilities of a werewolf but the resistance to the cold weather?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not even the point, Knight.¡±


    ¡°I know, or I will make love to you first before you be officially my wife.¡±


    ¡°No. Your dick can wait.¡±


    Heughed, eyes shining. ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°Now go register ourselves online. My ID is in my wallet in the drawer. And big guy, I hope you¡¯ll remember my birthday this time.¡±


    ¡°Noted, sweetheart.¡±


    I put my clothes on and brushed my hair.


    ¡°Nirvana,¡± he called from the room. ¡°We haven¡¯t opened the book Alpha Frye gave us.¡±


    My stomach took a nosedive. ¡°Later, baby. Focus on the registration. Once you¡¯re done, we have to call my grandfather and our friends.¡±


    Thirty minutester, Kailin banged on the door, calling out my name. ¡°Open this door, missy.¡±


    ¡°You called her?¡± I	 asked him.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Knight went to the door to open.


    ¡°Why are you rushing your wedding? I mean, today? No. It can¡¯t be done today.¡± She widened her eyes at me. ¡°Do you even have a dress? How about the reception and flower arrangements? Are you both nuts?¡± Kailin turned to me. ¡°Are you pregnant?¡±


    My eyes widened in shock. It felt like she just threw a cold bucket of water on my face. I had an irregr period, and since Knight and I started sleeping together, I hadn¡¯t had my period, and that was almost three months. ¡°No. I¡¯m not.¡±


    ¡°Then, that can wait until tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°But we want to get married today,¡± Knight insisted.


    ¡°No. Vana, take his card. We¡¯re going shopping,¡± she said dismissively, ignoring her alpha.


    ¡°Um.¡± My cheeks burned. ¡°I have savings.¡±


    ¡°No. He¡¯s richer than you, and besides, he¡¯s too eager to tie the knot and keep you on a short leash. Come on, let¡¯s max his card.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me? I want to marry my mate. That¡¯s all.¡± Knight was more amused than offended, offering his credit card, but I refused to take it.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Kailin snatched it from him. ¡°Hurry up. We don¡¯t have much time. We will get a spa treatment, buy you a dress and shoes, and I¡¯ll book someone to do your hair and makeup.¡±


    Before we reached the door, she called Knight again. ¡°And you, mister, you better call an event decorator and tell them it¡¯s urgent and find a fine tux, cousin, or I will burn your entire wardrobe.¡±


    Iughed as I walked out of the house with her.


    ¡°What¡¯s the urgent?¡± Dane just got out of the car, confused.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t told him?¡±


    ¡°About what?¡± Dane asked.


    ¡°Imagine an alpha and luna getting married today without anything prepared.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re getting married today?¡± He was even more surprised as he looked at me.


    ¡°Apparently, not today.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re driving us downtown,¡± said Kailin to him.


    ¡°Of course.¡± He opened the passenger¡¯s door.


    ¡°No. I¡¯m sitting next to the bride in the backseat.¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m fine. You sit next to him.¡±


    Thankfully, she didn¡¯t resist. Dane drove away from the house when Knight called me on the phone.


    ¡°Hey. Getting cold feet already?¡±


    ¡°No fucking way. We¡¯re getting married tomorrow.¡± So, no cold feet and no backing out. I was really going to get married to the man I loved.


    ¡°Then what¡¯s this call all about?¡±


    ¡°Use the card, buy anything you want. Do you want me to call any friends of yours?¡±


    ¡°Kailin and the guys are my family and friends. Just call Grandpa and Dn for me. Shadow and Zarah should be at my wedding. And who¡¯s your best man?¡±


    ¡°Mac.¡±


    ¡°Good. Now let me go shopping, and don¡¯t call me every five minutes if it¡¯s not an emergency.¡±


    ¡°I love you, Nirvana. And I can¡¯t wait to be your husband.¡±


    ¡°I love you, too.¡±


    Two hourster, I felt terrible for Dane. He waited patiently for us while we were having aplete spa package.


    We grabbed lunch, and then we checked out some bridal gowns.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m doing this. I always dreamed of a beautiful wedding, but not at twenty-one. I mean,e on. I only met Knight three months ago. I don¡¯t even know his birthday. How old is he anyway?¡±


    Kailin held herugh. Her face was beet red. ¡°Seriously? You don¡¯t know how old is he? He¡¯s twenty-five, and he will be twenty-six in two months.¡±


    ¡°Okay. And it¡¯s fair because he doesn¡¯t know my birthday before today.¡± I stole a nce at Dane. ¡°So you two look like you just hit the hay?¡±


    When she widened her eyes at me and mouthed to shut up, I got the feeling that maybe they got to the second base.


    ¡°Is he good?¡±


    ¡°Shut up. I¡¯m not talking to you about my sex life,¡± she whispered thest word, but werewolves had enhanced hearing, and I just saw a small smile curved up on Dane¡¯s lips.


    ¡°Since when? We don¡¯t keep secrets, but I get it. Things changed, and he¡¯s yours forever. I¡¯m just happy for both of you and for giving him a chance. He¡¯s a good guy, K. Even Kain can vouch for him. And he¡¯s hot.¡± I meant to say thest words louder.


    ¡°Shut up. Just pick a dress already. We still have a lot of things to do.¡±


    I texted Knight.


    NIRVANA: Who will shop for the ring?


    KNIGHT: I¡¯ll take care of it. Have fun. I love you.


    ¡°Knight will take care of the ring.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s loaded and can pay his people to bring everything he wants.¡± She showed me a prettycy off-shoulder gown.


    ¡°I want something simple but elegant. No raffles andces, please?¡± I shook my head. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what I¡¯m worried about, and we forgot to talk about a prenup.¡±


    She snorted. ¡°No prenup in our world. It¡¯s forever. If something happens to the mate, all his assets will be given to the family members and children. So you better pop out babies soon.¡±


    ¡°Hey. Can I ask you something?¡± I gripped her wrist. ¡°I¡¯m human, and he¡¯s, you know, what would our babies be?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s an alpha. His genes are more dominant than yours. I¡¯m sure your kids will be like him, and considering your bloodline, one of them will get a gift, especially if it¡¯s a girl.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God.¡± I blew a breath and sat down as I felt suddenly overwhelmed. ¡°I haven¡¯t thought about any of this. So my kids will grow ws, fur, and fangs? And they will go through that bone-shattering transformation? And the more I have every freaking reason to end this family curse. It has to be done. I don¡¯t want my daughter to carry that burden.¡±


    ¡°Precisely.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God.¡± I started to get hyperventted.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°Hey. Breathe.¡± Kailin held my arms. ¡°Look at me. It¡¯s going to be okay.¡±


    ¡°And I even wanted at least three children. Oh, no.¡± I stared at her. ¡°Am I gonna be like a cat with multiple babies?¡±


    She barked out,ughing, looking over her shoulder. ¡°Dane, did you hear what she said?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°I thought you read my books.¡±


    ¡°Not all of them. And stopughing at my naivety.¡±


    ¡°My dear Vana. No. You won¡¯t pop out as many as kittens in one pregnancy. People like us are just like you. We can have a baby, twins like me and Mac, North and West, triplets, or maybe quadruplets, but it¡¯s rare. So you¡¯re good.¡±


    ¡°Oh, thank God.¡± I let go of a shuddering breath.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Knight will take care of you, and the entire pack will take care of you and your pups.¡±


    ¡°Stop saying pups. And he better be, or I will spay myself and castrate his balls.¡±


    Her body shook as sheughed silently. ¡°Did you hear that, Dane? I will do the same for you if you sway your dick to other women.¡±


    Dane chuckled. ¡°My dick is for you only, Kailin Dahlia.¡±


    ¡°Aw. He knows your middle name. That¡¯s sweet.¡±

 124

    NIRVANA


    ¡°Wow. You look like an angel, honey.¡± He strolled his gaze at me from head to toe. He almost had a teary eye.


    ¡°Thank you, Grandpa.¡± I hugged him lightly so I would not mess up his suit. ¡°I hope I didn¡¯t disappoint you for getting married at a young age.¡±


    ¡°You are an adult, and you¡¯re marrying a responsible, handsome, and well-established man. And I have no doubt he will take care of you and treat you like a queen.¡±


    ¡°It means a lot you feel that way for him.¡±


    ¡°Honey, your mom and dad will be proud of you. You¡¯ve grown up into such an amazing young woman.¡±


    I looked up when my eyes started to water. I blew a breath as I fanned my face with my hand.


    ¡°No, no, no. Don¡¯t ruin your makeup.¡± Kailin rushed towards me to inspect the m team¡¯s final work. ¡°You can cryter after the ceremony.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Thanks.¡± I breathed to control my emotions before I sat on the chair.


    ¡°Vana, can Ie in?¡± It was Lennox.


    ¡°Of course, pleasee in.¡± Kailin and Grandpa left the room as Lennox got in.


    ¡°You look stunning, honey.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    He gave me a velvet box. ¡°This is owned by his mother. It¡¯s a family tradition to be passed on to the eldest son¡¯s wife and a luna. Now it¡¯s yours. I know it¡¯s nothing much, but you deserve to have this family heirloom.¡±


    I took the box and flipped it open. ¡°Wow. It¡¯s beautiful.¡± It was a ssic design of a diamond and ruby stones lily flower tennis bracelet. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    He helped me put it on my wrist. ¡°Promise me you will take care of Knight.¡±


    I smiled as I looked at him. ¡°I promise.¡±


    ¡°When his parents were gone, he invested his time at school, fight club, and the pack. When he graduated, he worked hard day and night running the business. I thought I wouldn¡¯t see him this optimistic again, living and doing what makes him happy. You led him towards the light. I thank you for that, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°He makes me happy, too. My life may have beplicated, but I learned to know what and who I am. Despite what¡¯s happening around us, he never forgets to show me there¡¯s always hope.¡±


    ¡°Congrattions to both of you.¡±


    It was nerve-wracking and heart-pounding as the cello began to y. Grandpa might have sensed my nervousness. He patted my hand around his arm. I mean, what I was nervous about? This was my special day. I should be excited that I would marry the love of my life.


    We walked down the aisle full of pink and white flower petals. I didn¡¯t know Knight would make my dream wedding possible in a day. He filled half of the vineyards with flowers, which made it look like a magical, fantasy, fairy tale theme wedding.


    The guests stood up, and all those golden chairs were adorned with vines and flowers.


    I was relieved when Victor agreed to be our officiant. He was the right person to wed us since he got the license to marry and was the head of the Werewolf council.


    Knight wore a well-tailored blue tuxedo, perfect hairstyle, trimmed five o¡¯clock shadow, green eyes shining, and a billion-dor smile. Man, he was exceptionally miserably gorgeous. His best man, Mac, and his groomsmen looked handsome, too.


    As he took my hand from Grandpa, he pressed it against his lips before linking our hands. I then gave Kailin my bouquet of roses, lilies, and wild orchids.


    ¡°Dear families, elders, pack members and friends, we¡¯ve gathered here today to witness Nirvana and Knight as they exchange their vows in marriage,¡± he continued, emphasizing the values and importance of marriage and loyalty.


    After we exchanged dos and rings, Victor asked, do you have vows, Knight?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± He held my hands. ¡°I¡¯d never wanted to find my mate because that¡¯s ridiculous. I mean, how am I going to give my time to someone when I barely have time for myself? The moment I saw you on the balcony, I thought, shit- this is not happening. She¡¯s not the one, but it was the first time I felt my heart beat so hard I could hardly breathe, and I know for sure without you in my life, I am nothing, and it¡¯s not living. And as I stand here today before our pack, our families, and friends, I vow to be the man to serve you, worship you, and love you till myst breath.¡±


    Our guests just gushed, and I thought I heard Shadow and Aira giggle.


    ¡°That was beautiful.¡± I forced back the tears that threatened to fall. I¡¯d never felt so ridiculously happy until I met this man standing before me. ¡°When I first saw you, I thought you were the most ridiculously handsome hot biker I¡¯ve ever met, and I never knew what mates meant until I saw your eyes glow. You showed me the mysterious life you lived in. We maye from two different worlds, but you show me that the impossible has be possible and that two worlds can collide, and the effect would be devastatingly beautiful. I promise to be your faithful wife and Luna, your number-one champion and the heroine in your story. I love you with all my heart and soul.¡±


    ¡°By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.¡±


    I felt like I was on cloud nine right now, with the sun brightly shining on the horizon, a halo reflecting around him like the aura of an angel. He smiled at me and took my breath away.


    Silentughter shook his chest as he cupped my face and kissed my lips. Inhaling deeply, I inhaled his scent and kissed him back. We had just shared our first kiss as husband and wife.


    Knight turned the testing room into the reception area, full ofughter and chatter from our friends and pack. It was filled with lights, flowers, a chandelier hanging from the ceiling, and many wines.


    We shared our first dance, and I couldn¡¯t help but drool over him. I mean, he was mine, my husband, but I couldn¡¯t get enough of him, and I still wanted to pinch myself once in a while that I was capable of loving this man more than anyone I¡¯d ever loved, and he loved me in all of my ws.


    ¡°You look breathtaking, Mrs. ckwell.¡±


    I smiled. My face was burning.


    ¡°Why are you blushing?¡±


    ¡°Oh, is it obvious?¡± I bit my lip.


    ¡°You¡¯re acting weird.¡± He chuckled.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I was daydreaming of meeting a handsome guy at the bar or bumping into him while I was picking up an erotic book at the bookstore, and then I met you.¡±


    ¡°I get it, Nirvana. I¡¯m that fictional character in that book with a huge dick and six packs abs with a talented tongue.¡±


    I covered his mouth with my hand as I shook tough. ¡°Shut up. That¡¯s embarrassing and ridiculous.¡±


    ¡°Is it, though?¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Gee. Your ego is bigger than this vineyards.¡±Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    ¡°But you¡¯re mine now, wife.¡± His eyes suddenly darkened, and he looked at me with such naked longing and devotion.


    I blinked away the tears from my eyes. Then we smiled at each other. Damn, how lucky I was to have this man.

 125

    KNIGHT


    ¡°Nirvana, unless you wanna bete for our flight, you need to hurry up, sweetheart.¡±


    She¡¯d been in the bathroom for thest ten minutes. I had to go with her ns since she wanted to experience a regr flight without a portal.


    I picked up the book Alpha Frye gave us and tore off the wrapper. I might as well read a book while waiting.


    Nirvana didn¡¯t usually take time in the bathroom, but this was my life now. A little patience for my wife wouldn¡¯t do any damage.


    ¡°Just a minute!¡± my wife said. It sounded surreal. I was still wrapping my head around that I was married to the most amazing person I¡¯d ever met.


    The wedding band around my finger and my father¡¯s ring caught my eye. My father¡¯s ring was an heirloom with a head of a wolf engraved on it, and I felt proud that I got the chance to wear it.


    I opened the book. Evelyn was not joking. It still looked old, though, and it had been tranted into English. I found the page that said something about the Guardian. It had a short description of the spirit, the power, and the weakness.


    ¡°The strength of a thousand wolves. Amazing.¡± I hadn¡¯t seen what she could do, but after what happened with Travis¡¯ car and how she punched the ground and sent the werewolves flying, I knew what devastation she could do if she used that strength. ¡°The power came from within- from the bnce of the light and the dark of its heart. What the fuck does that even mean?¡±


    I flipped to the next page. There was an old drawing of the dagger. So, what Dn said was true.


    ¡°The weapon of the light. The Blood Dagger of Katzius. The only weapon that carries a certain power wielded by a powerful warlock, and only one bloodline could wield it with the use of the blood of the creatures.¡± So, Katzius created the dagger and not Cyrius.


    Everything that we were fighting for became clear to me.


    I closed the book and drew a deep breath. What responsibility she had given was more significant than any of us where all the fates of the supernatural beingsy in her hand.


    ¡°Wait a minute,¡± I said to myself. Sophie saw Cyrius¡¯s fate. Does that mean Nirvana can kill Cyrius and win the war?¡±


    Looking at Nirvana, I thought she was too young to handle and carry such a burden. I didn¡¯t know how she dealt with all of this, but she seemed to be keeping it all together and waking up with a beautiful smile every day. Since Cyrius was unpredictable and had a diabolical goal, he could attack us whenever we least expected.


    I opened the book again and went to the next page. It was better that I knew something we could do against that evil. It said in a book that when he began creating his underling, which they called servant, it was the time he gained certain power. He must be dealt with before he creates a cocoon in the ley line of the energy source.


    ¡°It was when he would transform into the most powerful evil anyone ever faced. Wow.¡±


    As I read on, goosebumps erupted all over my skin. ¡°The only way to stop this malevolent is the Guardian. She must act and stab the dagger into his chest. Okay. The effect would be cataclysmic, and none could ever survive. The Guardian will be reborn to the next mortal vessel- What?¡± With wide eyes, I reread the same line over and over again. ¡°No, no, no. This is bullshit.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s bullshit?¡±


    I sucked in a breath and was startled by Nirvana¡¯s voice. She looked devastatingly beautiful, making my heart race and beat a thousand more.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You look pale.¡± She cupped my face, and my chest clenched when the realization hit me. So I was going to lose her to fight this evil?


    Crestfallen, I stared at her in disbelief. ¡°No fucking way.¡±


    ¡°Baby, what¡¯s going on?¡± Those eyes. Damn, those blue eyes. When she called me baby, it should give me a flutter in my stomach, but not this time- it pierced through my heart. The searing agony felt like she just tore my heart off my chest. My wolf howled inside me.


    ¡°So you¡¯re gonna leave me devastated with a broken heart?¡± My words tagged broken strings of my heart.


    She blinked off in shock. ¡°What the hell are you talking about?¡±


    I swallowed hard as I showed her the book.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Her voice shook, but she seemed not even surprised, and when I saw the pain in her eyes, it hit me. She already knew it.


    ¡°Fuck, Nirvana! When are you going to tell me?¡±


    She jumped at my voice echoing the room. Then it fell quiet. ¡°Knight, calm down.¡± Her hands hung in the air as she tried to touch me.


    ¡°No!¡± I felt my eyes glow. My skin burned, and my fangs tickled in my gums. ¡°You can¡¯t die!¡±


    Her eyes widened in both shock and terror as she seemed rooted to the ground, unable to move, but her body began to tremble.


    With my wolf taking over me, I heard the sickening sound of my bone crunching. Scuffling, my skin sprouted hair, and my face began to deform and form a snout.


    With my ws extending and clothes tearing and shredding on the floor, thuds and grunts followed. A feral growl erupted from my chest, and I was already in my four-legged form.


    My eyes narrowed at her, and I snarled my fangs out. The intense, inexplicable emotions stirred something deep within me. I howled and let the echoes of agony rack my entire body, only adding to my rage.


    One moment, I stood before her, and the next thing I knew, I bolted out of the house and ran through the woods.


    Fueled by rage and a broken heart, I felt the adrenaline rush in my blood. The pumping of my heart caused more pain than strength- the kind was a soul-crushing kind of pain, knowing that I could lose her at any moment.


    My paws thudded against the earth, and I felt the wind rustling against my fur. I passed by trees in a blur. My muscles worked, and I scented nothing but forest and sorrow and let the tears run down my face.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    Why her?


    Why me?


    Why us?


    What did we do to feel such loss and pain? She didn¡¯t deserve all of this. I didn¡¯t deserve this. I med the Goddess, her bloodline, and that son of a bitch Cyrius.


    I med her.


    I med myself.


    Anger, hate, rage, and a thousand more emotions crashed into me like a tidal wave, each drowning me until I realized I was falling.


    My eyes went wide as I sucked in a sharp breath. My throat was too tight to swallow. My body felt weightless.


    I scrambled to w my way up, defying gravity, but it was toote. I watched the edge in slow motion, getting far from my sight.


    I would die with so much pain in my chest, and it was toote. I closed my eyes and let myst breath for my wife and let my heart beat onest time for my mate.

 126

    NIRVANA


    ¡°Vana!¡± I was startled at Kailin calling my name.


    I wiped the tears on my face before walking out of the room, feeling my world crashing down on me.


    Kailin was standing in the living room, confused. When she saw my face, she had a thousand questions brewing in her eyes. ¡°We just heard the alpha¡¯s howl, and I saw Knight almost bumping into me in his wolf. What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Everything is wrong.¡± I shook my head, throwing my arms around her shoulder, and started sobbing. ¡°He read the book and figured it out.¡±


    ¡°What book? What did he figure out, Vana? Knight looked so lost. I can even feel his pain.¡± She rubbed my back while throwing a hundred more questions my brain could not process, and I had no strength to answer them all.


    I pulled away from her and went back to the room to change into a T-shirt and jeans.


    ¡°What the hell is going on, Vana? You better give me some answers.¡± She looked down at Knight¡¯s shredded clothes. ¡°Oh, my Goddess. He just shifted in the room. This is not good.¡±


    I put my boots on and grabbed my jacket. ¡°Cancel our trip. We¡¯re not going anywhere.¡±


    ¡°Vana!¡±


    ¡°Not now, Kailin. I need to find Knight before hees across the infected.¡± I walked out of the room and knew she was following me outside the house.


    ¡°How are you supposed to find an enraged alpha?¡± She was angry at me. I understood that, but I was pissed at myself and ignored the most vital parts of marriage- trust, transparency, and honesty, and I just broke all of them.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but if you are not here to help, stay out of my way.¡±


    She grabbed my arm, using her strength, and red at me. ¡°I just want to understand what¡¯s going on, Vana, so I know how to help. You are supposed to be on your way to your honeymoon, and Knight is not only my cousin, but he¡¯s the alpha. His problem is the entire pack¡¯s problem, and when an alpha shifted and ran off like that, we were in trouble. I mean, big trouble. Now tell me, what¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the book.¡± Dane came to us with the book in his hand. ¡°He figured out that killing Cyrius might kill you. You won¡¯t survive the aftershock.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± She widened her eyes at me, then at her mate. ¡°You knew, didn¡¯t you? And you missed to mention that to him and us? What the fuck, Nirvana? Are you really going to get yourself killed to save us? Are you this selfish or just stupid?¡±


    ¡°I was going to tell him?¡± I knew I screwed this up, and there was no way of unscrewing it. It was toote. I should have not neglected what Zarah, Dn, and Evelyn had been trying to make me do. Now, it was toote. It was over. My n was over. My marriage, which barely started, was over.


    ¡°When?¡± She was furious, her nose ring. We¡¯d been best friends for over four years, and I¡¯d never seen her like this. ¡°When, Vana? Today, tomorrow, or when you¡¯re about to sacrifice yourself for us? Have you forgotten the part that you¡¯re our luna? That means something, for fuck¡¯s sake!¡±


    ¡°Calm down, Kailin.¡± Dane held her arm, but she jerked it off.


    ¡°My best friend thinks she¡¯s a hero.¡± She turned to him, her body tensing.


    ¡°There¡¯s no way to defeat-¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°Not you, too, Dane! Don¡¯t tell me there¡¯s no way. There¡¯s always another way! That¡¯s why we¡¯re in a pack.¡±


    ¡°You can be pissed at meter, but I need to find Knight before he hurts himself.¡±


    ¡°Good luck with that!¡± She just turned and walked away.


    ¡°Hey, hey, hey.¡± Dane caught her in the arm and pulled him into his arms. ¡°I know you¡¯re pissed right now, but she needs us more than ever.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± She spat out. ¡°She doesn¡¯t need me. She doesn¡¯t even need a pack. She¡¯s powerful enough and nning to save the entire world alone. So be it!¡±


    I looked away when she sobbed in his chest. It hurt so much knowing I hurt the people I loved. It felt like my ribs were imploding, stabbing into my heart.


    ¡°She¡¯s a selfish bitch. I hate her. I thought we were best friends, but she¡¯s a liar and makes us believe she cares for us.¡±


    ¡°Of course, she does. She¡¯s being selfish for us, for everyone, and not only the pack but all creatures in this world.¡±


    ¡°I hate you, too.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ever say that, darling. You don¡¯t mean that. You¡¯re just upset.¡±


    While they were in each other¡¯s arms, I walked away with my heart bleeding, dread settling in my chest, but still holding on to something that maybe one day, everyone would learn to forgive me for my lies and betrayal of their trust.


    With a heavy sigh, I followed his scent through the woods.


    I thought I was handling this situation well, but now the pack might have figured it out, and they would hate, despise, loathe, and cast me out.


    I made my way through the fallen tree until I caught different scents. After months of living in a pack, I learned to separate the smell of a threat from a friendly one. I also caught fear and anxious scents in the air.


    ¡°I can smell you, guys. You cane out now, but if you¡¯re here to curse me and piss me off. Save it. I have to find Knight.¡± I continued walking. ¡°And your stinky scents are all over. It¡¯s distracting.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re here to help.¡± Luka came out. ¡°What can we do?¡±


    ¡°Tell the scouts to shift and sniff the alpha¡¯s scent.¡±


    ¡°Tell them yourself.¡± He looked behind me.


    At least ten shirtless guys in their sweatpants. Kailin and Dane were also here.


    I breathed deeply. ¡°I¡¯m giving the speechter, but right now-¡± The sudden pain hit my chest, catching me off guard. I clutched my shirt. ¡°Shit.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Kailin rushed into me, catching me before I fell.


    The pain became so intense I could hardly breathe. ¡°Find Knight before it¡¯s toote, but be careful out there. I think he¡¯s- fuck!¡± I fell on the ground, writhing in agony, my body twitching as my bone felt breaking and muscles rolling inside me. ¡°God, make it stop!¡±


    ¡°Hey, Vana. Look at me. Breath, please?¡± She caught me and ced my head on herp.


    Gasping in pain, I clutched her arm, holding onto my dear life as the excruciating torturous pain erupted throughout my body- it was like I¡¯d never felt before. It was a burning, crashing, gripping, racking, and never-ending kind of pain.


    ¡°Stop!¡± I thought it was me in an ear-splitting screaming. Birds went flying, wings fluffing away as my voice echoed in the forest. All of a sudden, it felt like my surroundings stopped.


    My senses worked, heightening. I could feel the leaves dancing in slow motion, the insects crawling, the wind touching my face, and their voices seemednguorously slow. My eyes cracked open wide, glowing, and bright light shing.


    Then, I saw what looked like my life.


    My future.

 127

    KNIGHT


    I knew I was freefalling.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I dropped, crashing every bone in my body in a devastating impact, rattling my inside, cracking my skull, snapping my spine, and blood began flowing in my nose, from my mouth, from my ears. I felt all the pain in every cell in my body- it was indescribable, unfathomable.


    The impact was like an earthquake- it shook everything around me, and the shockwave had the dust flying. At that moment, I knew I would not make it. Today, I was going to die. And I was going to die without saying goodbye.


    One thing in life I learned was that death is inevitable.


    But I was not ready. I would not ept my fate.


    Struggling to move a finger, I silently howled in pain, but I was still grateful to be alive. My healing process seemed not to work anymore, or I was already dying, and no one could stop it.


    They said you could not see your reflection in boiling water. Simrly, you could not see the truth in a state of anger. Now I saw the truth. The rity came. I let my anger control me. No matter what the truth or the reason why my wife hid it from me, I might not have the chance to hear it from her.


    I closed my eyes to open a link but knew it was broken. I was too injured.


    The bright side was my senses worked. I felt my body was moving in a rush, or I was carried up. I could even hear murmurs. I listened to my heart beating, weak but beating. I was breathing shallowly, but nheless, it was a good sign.


    I didn¡¯t even have the scant strength to crack my eyes or open my mouth to say a word. But something felt different.


    I couldn¡¯t feel the intense pain anymore. What I felt was numbness, like I just received the most potent anesthetic. My entire body was numb.


    A howl ripped through my throat.


    ¡°Easy, alpha. Hang in there. We¡¯re almost home.¡± Those were thest words I heard before I cked out.


    ***


    ¡°What the hell is going on?¡± My hearing seemed to heal well, or it was thest sense to lose before someone died. I could hear pissed-off Zarah shouting in the room. ¡°I thought they had already left for their honeymoon.¡±


    I felt water in my eyes. I didn¡¯t realize I was crying, but I wasn¡¯t in pain. At least physically.


    I tried to reach out to Nirvana through my thoughts but couldn¡¯t. It seemed like our connections were broken, but I could still feel her presence-the tingling on my skin, the beating of my heart-but it felt like she just blocked me.


    ¡°-Vana.¡± My mouth was parched. I could barely move my tongue. It felt like I¡¯d been left to die in the desert.


    ¡°They fought. He ran off and fell,¡± Kailin exined.


    ¡°Fight? They just got married, and they¡¯re already fighting. What made them fight that they ended up acting like rabid wolves?¡±


    ¡°The book.¡±


    I heard Zarah breathe deeply. ¡°Of course. I told her to tell Knight. And I guessed she did not, and he read the book. These two are the death of me.¡±


    For a few moments, I felt a warm hand on my forehead. And then it was gone.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with her?¡± Zarah asked.


    ¡°She¡¯s in so much pain.¡± Shadow was here, too. They must have called them for help.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± So many people were in the room, and they asked in unison.


    ¡°She did not fall,¡± Luka said. We were following her, and she ordered us to find Alpha. All of a sudden, she clutched her chest and screamed to stop something. That¡¯s it. She¡¯s been like that for about fifteen minutes. Her eyes were lucid, and she never moved since then.¡±


    ¡°Heal her if you can,¡± Zarah said. ¡°I¡¯ll try to get into this stubborn alpha¡¯s head.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana.¡± I managed to form a word.


    ¡°What?¡± Zarah asked me. I could feel her close.


    ¡°Nirvana.¡± I felt her hand on my forehead, and I could hear Zarah in my thoughts.


    ¡°Talk to me, Knight. Can you hear me?¡± Zarah said calmly.


    I somehow rxed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯m fine. Please, help Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Do you feel any pain?¡±


    ¡°No. Not anymore. All I feel is numbness.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll do what we can. And we need to talk.¡± Zarah was gone in my thoughts.


    ¡°Nirvana took all his pain.¡±


    ¡°What? How is it even possible?¡± Dane was also in the room.


    I wanted to open my eyes and go to Nirvana or talk to her to give the pain back to me. I could take the physical pain but not emotionally.


    ¡°Their connection, their bond, is stronger than anything I¡¯ve ever felt. It¡¯s what¡¯s inside her that holds them together. Knight is okay.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± Shadow said. ¡°Something is blocking me.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t heal her? Try Knight. Maybe it works on him,¡± Uncle Lennox suggested.


    ¡°You all should learn this lesson with your mates. Talking to your mates andmunication always works. I know sometimes it hurts when you find out some secrets, but you know it¡¯s not betrayal. Mates could never betray one another.¡±


    ¡°She couldn¡¯t tell him because she knew it would hurt Alpha, but that was something that should be done. Maybe we can do something to stop her from getting killed. I don¡¯t wanna lose my cousin, too.¡±


    ¡°How are you going to do that, Dn? Change your gender?¡± McKaye asked sarcastically.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Mac. I would have done it already if I could. She has a mate, and she¡¯s happy with her life. She deserves to be with Alpha Knight. She has a life ahead of her. Not sacrificing herself for us.¡±


    ¡°We should call Case. He needs to be here by her side.¡±


    ¡°No. Case can¡¯t know, or you just put a knife into the old man¡¯s chest,¡± Luke told McKaye.


    I felt hands on my chest, and then it got warmer and warmer, and it flooded all over me like someone had put a heating pad on me, tickling my skin. I felt it everywhere. All of a sudden, calmness spread through me, and it felt like I was wrapped in a warm nket in winter.


    ¡°What was that?¡± That was the longest word I said, and I sensed everyone¡¯s relief and anxiousness.


    ¡°Alpha?¡±


    I cracked my eyes open to see brown eyes staring down at me. ¡°You¡¯re too close, Mac.¡±


    He smiled, moving away. ¡°How are you feeling?¡±


    I looked around until I saw the familiar room. I was in the infirmary. I tried to move my body, but I was still weak. I turned my head to my left and saw Nirvana lying straight in bed. ¡°I need to be with her.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re still weak,¡± Zarah said.


    ¡°I know, but I want to be with her. Please, help me.¡± I felt helpless, and the waiting was painstakingly slow. Nothing happened. Nobody moved or did anything. ¡°If none of you will help me, I swear to Goddess, I will cast you all out.¡±


    ¡°Calm down, Alpha Knight. We¡¯re moving your bed to hers.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Dane.¡±


    They scrambled to move things that got in the way. Then they pushed my bed towards Nirvana¡¯s until our beds were next to each other¡¯s.


    I tried moving my hand, slowly lifting. Kailin went to the other side, took Nirvana¡¯s hand, and put it on mine. I closed my eyes and tried to reach out to her through our link, but it was disappointing.


    ¡°I can¡¯t connect to her.¡±


    ¡°Her power is blocking us. I can¡¯t reach her thoughts, and Shadow can¡¯t heal her, either, but I¡¯m sure it¡¯s helping her. Just have a little patience, okay? And no more running out to the woods like a feral animal.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all my fault. I acted out of rage. Why did you not tell me, Zarah?¡±


    ¡°I told her to tell you, and she said she would, and it¡¯s not my secret to tell, Knight. I¡¯m so sorry, but you should know it¡¯s been difficult for her to keep it from you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want her to die, Zarah. I can¡¯t. And I won¡¯t let it happen.¡±

 128

    NIRVANA


    Asina was a badass.


    I would never have thought it was possible, and she did it without my permission-the gift I had inside me, sometimes a curse.


    The pain I had felt was indescribable. It felt like an agony exploded in my entire body, but that is what I traded for- for Knight to survive.


    The moment my chest constricted, I knew something terrible had happened to him.


    ¡°Alpha, we have a problem.¡± I heard Kalebe in with urgency in his voice.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    My eyes were closed, and my body seemed awake but dormant, like I was hibernating to regain my strength. I heard them talk, their heartbeats, and the anxiousness in their voices. I smelled their fear, too, but feeling the warmth in Knight¡¯s hand against my own was soothing.


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡± Knight¡¯s hand was gone, and his heartbeat was racing.


    ¡°A group of werewolves are attacking us northeast of the vineyards, wing the barrier and trying to get inside the walls.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible. I put a shield around us,¡± Zarah said. She sounded worried.


    ¡°Exactly, and they know there¡¯s a shield, but how long would it hold?¡± Kaleb replied.


    ¡°Who are in there? I need to help them.¡± The bed shook. Knight must have tried to get up.


    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± Zarah grunted. I could feel the irritation in her voice. ¡°You just came out from a terrible fall because you let your rage rule you. And you almost died, Knight. Stay put, and let them do the job.¡±


    ¡°Zarah, you know I can¡¯t do that. I need to be there to help my people.¡± Of course, his pack was his priority.


    ¡°Oh, boy. You¡¯re just like Califf. Stubborn and hard-headed.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I can shift. I¡¯m stronger in my wolf form.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not going anywhere, Alpha,¡± Luka said.


    ¡°Oh, yeah? Who¡¯s going to stop me? I¡¯m the alpha and will do what¡¯s necessary to help my pack not get killed.¡±


    ¡°Our enforcers and Dane are already on their way. I¡¯m going too,¡± Luka said.


    ¡°No. You and Zarah will stay here to watch Nirvana. Kaleb and I are going.¡±


    ¡°I can help, Alpha,¡± Luka insisted.


    ¡°You follow my order, Luka. Stay and protect Zarah and my mate.¡±


    ¡°If something happens to you, I will not help. I¡¯m done. You stubborn idiot,¡± Zarah grunted.


    The door mmed open, and an intense fear reached my nostrils. It came from Kailin. ¡°Guys, it¡¯s bad. There are at least twenty werewolves against eight of our enforcers. I¡¯m going to help them.¡±


    Rather than terror, a wave of calmness swept over me. My eyes fluttered open. I sat on the bed. Hearing them gasp and felt their eyes on me, I slid my ass off the bed and searched for the dagger.


    ¡°Nirvana.¡± It was the first word I heard, and it came from Knight. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    I found my boots beside the bed, and the dagger was still there. ¡°Help our pack.¡±


    My heart raced. I closed my eyes and headed Northeast.


    Maybe I was too ahead of myself. Slightly disoriented, I ended upnding on my ass, and I felt the grass against my feet. ¡°Shit. I forgot my shoes.¡±


    Striding deliberately, I felt the waves of power running through me as I swung the dagger, aiming at the wolf pinning down a brown wolf- it was West. The bad wolf¡¯s neck opened, blood dripping down on West. He didn¡¯t take any chances and bit the wolf¡¯s neck to make sure it was dead.


    I was fully charged. Asina¡¯s power made my heart pump hard as the ws of the sandy she-wolf behind me extended.


    I whipped my head around, barely dodging. It was just a thread to my shoulder. I felt the air rustling and the hair standing behind my neck before I fisted my hand and charged a punch against the she-wolf¡¯s jaw.


    A big and tall brown-reddish wolf lunged against the sandy wolf, tearing off the leg before he wed it in the stomach.


    ¡°Who might you be?¡±


    Proud of what he did, he showed me his fangs. The blood of the sandy wolf tickled down his mouth. Then those stormy cold eyes as death looked familiar.


    ¡°Dane? Thanks.¡±


    He growled before he ran towards another wolf.


    I hurled the dagger at another wolf¡¯s neck. He fell to the ground and died instantly. Then I felt something and caught the most alluring scent.


    I nced behind me. His presence caught everyone¡¯s attention as he approached me in his robust, tall gray wolf. His stride was powerful.


    My heart skipped a beat. I felt pride in my chest for a second, as if this was my alpha and my mate. Oh, and my husband.


    His eyes narrowed at me, showing me how furious he was before he took his stance and ran at the iing ck wolf. The moment the ck wolf charged, I knew his target wasn¡¯t Knight. It aimed directly in my direction. Knight skidded to a stop and turned back to me.


    The ck wolf lunged at me. Shivers skated through my spine as the power pulsed through me. His ws hadn¡¯t reached my skin. I mmed my fist, aiming at his abdomen.


    Time hindered. He hung in the air, and I saw the surprise in the wolf¡¯s eyes before he flew away. His backnded against the tree, cracking, snapping, echoing, and flying debris shredded through him. The shockwave flipped through my hair.


    I was still looking at the aftermath when I heard a growl behind me. A sudden cry tore off my throat as the ws ripped across my back. The dagger fell off my hand.


    Pain exploded through my body, blood tickling on my shirt.


    A growl filled with rage erupted from Knight. As Asina¡¯s power made me feel more alive, I whipped around and flung myself forward. With one swift blow, I punched my fist against the wolf¡¯s head, hitting it on the ground before his body followed. His skull crashed, and he died on the spot.


    I picked the dagger on the ground as the musky scent of Knight filled my lungs. The howls of my pack filled my heart. Kaleb picked up thest wolf attacker.


    The attacker shifted back, still alive, but had a bite on his left leg.


    ¡°Let¡¯s bring him for questioning.¡± My order made Knight shoot a re at me. ¡°Burn the rest.¡±


    We entered through the back gate. The pack already shifted and put on their sweatpants.


    ¡°What the fuck, Nirvana?¡± He grabbed me by my arm, gripping me tight.


    I huffed and rolled my eyes before I faced him. ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re asking me when you have w marks on your back.¡± He looked more worried than angry, his eyes glowing. Though I could feel his rage, he was more concerned about my wound.


    ¡°It will heal.¡±


    ¡°You should let Zarah see it,¡± Kailin said calmly, wearing Dane¡¯s shirt.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I feel it¡¯s already healing.¡±


    ¡°Are you trying to ignore me? I¡¯m your alpha, Nirvana. Obey.¡± He used his alpha voice, his green eyes shing with anger. ¡°You can¡¯t just jump into the battle without a n and knowing the situation. And you just came from a deep sleep. You¡¯re incapable of fighting. See what happened when you just rushed into the center of the fight. It gets you killed.¡±


    ¡°My bad. I¡¯m just trying to help the pack, Alpha. It won¡¯t happen again.¡±


    ¡°Can you jump? Get back to the infirmary.¡±


    ¡°Sure. See youter.¡± I smiled before I disappeared in front of him. Inded just before my bed.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Zarah rushed to me and inspected my back. ¡°Take off your top. Let me see how bad it is.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m healing.¡± I looked over my shoulder.


    ¡°Yeah. You are. How did you get hurt?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the repercussions for saving Knight.¡± I took off the pajama top. I didn¡¯t realize what I wore until I was back in the infirmary.


    The door swung open. My pissed-off husband walked in. ¡°What repercussions?¡±


    ¡°Shit.¡±

 129

    KNIGHT


    ¡°What repercussions?¡± I repeated when Nirvana hadn¡¯t given me an answer.


    ¡°It¡¯s done. You can¡¯t do anything about it anymore.¡± She took the clean shirt Kailin gave her while Zarah was cleaning her healing wound. I was a bit surprised she healed faster than any of us, but she still got hurt.


    ¡°What you did earlier was reckless. You¡¯re putting everyone in danger because you are too eager to save people¡¯s lives.¡±


    ¡°West could have been dead by now if I was two secondste.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Luna,¡± West said.


    ¡°Shut up!¡± I pointed my finger at West, still focused on my mate. ¡°You may have power, but you can get killed, Nirvana. You were just lying an hour ago, and the first thing you did was jump to the battlefield. That was impulsive and stupid. And what repercussions were you talking about?¡±


    She put the shirt on, too calm to piss me off even more. ¡°You were dying. You were not healing.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°I traded-¡±


    ¡°You what?¡± My voice raised. The infirmary went silent. Everyone seemed to be holding their breaths.


    ¡°Enough!¡± She mmed her hand on the overbed table, and the thing crashed. ¡°You were dying. What do you expect me to do? Just live? Yes, I kept things from you, but I was going to tell you. I didn¡¯t know how. How do you want me to break it to you that I won¡¯t survive in the battle with Cyrius? That¡¯s how it should happen.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we could find something, Nirvana. That book is like a hundred years old.¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°It was tranted from a thousand-year-old b, Knight.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe that,¡± I still denied the fact, or maybe that was not true. ¡°And you shouldn¡¯t have saved me.¡±


    ¡°Now, who¡¯s selfish? I couldn¡¯t let you die. You were in that situation because of me. I know you could never forgive me for what I did, but your skull cracked, Knight, and your spine snapped, and you were not healing. I felt every pain you felt. And I know you wouldn¡¯t hesitate to trade your life for me if I were in your situation. So a thank you would suffice than getting pissed off.¡± Shey back in bed, wiping the tears with the back of her hand. ¡°Do whatever you want, but it¡¯s done.¡±


    ¡°So you lost your invisible shield?¡± Dn asked.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± she said calmly, and it was unsettling how she quickly epted her defenselessness.


    ¡°Then you should be very careful now that you don¡¯t have that kind of protection anymore.¡± Kailin sat on the bed beside her. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re awake. I was so worried about you.¡±


    ¡°How long have I been sleeping?¡±


    ¡°Almost two days.¡± Zarah went to her. ¡°What about the ne?¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t work. Anything spell or magic involved. I¡¯m now immune to anything, medically speaking, making me vulnerable.¡±


    ¡°Damn it, Nirvana,¡± I cursed under my breath.


    ¡°We can¡¯t lose you, Knight. Just suck it up. I chose to save you because you deserve to be here right now.¡± She snorted. ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡±


    ¡°This is not funny. It¡¯s your life at risk here.¡±


    ¡°You know how it ends. Why not make some good things out of it?¡±


    ¡°Fuck, Nirvana!¡± I yelled as pain crashed through my chest. ¡°I won¡¯t ept that.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s give them some privacy. Come on, guys,¡± Zarah called everyone out.


    Kailin rose from the bed, kissing Nirvana¡¯s cheek. Once everyone was gone, I went to her bed and sat beside her.


    ¡°Just let it out. It doesn¡¯t matter if you forgive me or not. What¡¯s done is done.¡±


    I blinked off when the tears fell down my cheeks and pulled her in my arms. ¡°I can¡¯t lose you, Nirvana. It fucking hurts knowing that our time together is limited.¡±


    I felt her sob in my arms. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for being a pain in your ass.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care if you are being a pain in my fucking ass as long as I know we live longer and grow old together. Don¡¯t do this to me, sweetheart, please? You¡¯re killing me.¡± I kissed the top of her head and hugged her tightly. ¡°Don¡¯t be too calm, epting your fate. We can figure something out.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing we can do, Knight. The day ising-sooner rather thanter, you know that.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t ept it. I will find a way, and you will not, for the love of-¡± She cut me off, pressed her finger against my lips, and looked me in the eyes. She was as devastated as I was.


    ¡°I¡¯d never thought I would fall madly in love with someone that I only ever wanted was to see that smile on his face. You made me that woman, Knight. Every time I saw you smile, you took my breath away. I will die happy knowing the love of my life loves me back.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯d rather leave me?¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the only way to save you and the people I care about, yes, baby. Please ept this. And don¡¯t make it harder than it already is.¡± She raised her hand and cupped my face, caressing my cheek.


    ¡°No, sweetheart. I just have you. I can¡¯t let you do this, please?¡± My tears fell on her cheek. It was painful, and I was helpless and terrified that I could not do anything.¡±


    ¡°This is my second life, and I¡¯m d I spent it with you, and I will spend the rest I have with you. I love you, Knight, till myst breath.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, please?¡± I leaned down and pressed my forehead against hers. ¡°Don¡¯t do this to me.¡±


    She pressed her lips against mine, kissing me. Something deep inside me rejoiced, making me gasp. We just fit perfectly, like it was meant to happen at this point in time, yet it already felt like a goodbye.


    I wanted to scream out my frustration, but I chose not to. I kissed her back the way my heart told me to, showing her how much it fucking hurt me, how much it crashed my soul, but at the same time, I loved her more than anything in this world, even life itself.


    But one thing for sure was that I would not give up on finding something to stop this from happening, even if I had to sacrifice myself for her as long as she would live. Deep inside me, I screamed in pain, in agony, because I didn¡¯t know where to start.


    The kiss was passionate at first, filled with so many emotions, but when she dipped her tongue into my mouth, I felt our hunger grow. Every sensation felt right, and it was overwhelming, and my heart almost could not take it.


    Breaking the kiss, I looked down at her lips. I peppered her with kisses on her forehead, on her nose, her cheeks, and back to her lips. ¡°I won¡¯t lose you, sweetheart.¡±


    She only smiled. Her eyes said otherwise.


    ¡°Forgive me for running away like that. It just, it fucking hurt. We were supposed to be on our honeymoon, but look where we are.¡±


    ¡°Everything happens for a reason, Knight. A lot of our people would have gotten hurt or, worse, killed if we left for our honeymoon.¡±


    ¡°But I promise, we will have our honeymoon.¡± I kissed her forehead. ¡°And I love you, Nirvana.¡±


    She smiled as she took my hand and kissed it. ¡°I just saved your life. You owe me, husband.¡±


    ¡°Anything for my wife.¡±


    ¡°I want a one-pounder burger, big fries, and arge soda.¡±


    ¡°Is that all?¡± I smirked.


    ¡°For now.¡±


    ¡°Can I ask you something?¡±


    For a moment, I saw the hesitation in her eyes. ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°With whom you trade my life to?¡±

 130

    NIRVANA


    ¡°It¡¯s done, Knight. I will do it all over again, whatever the price is.¡±


    ¡°Fuck, Nirvana. You can¡¯t break the natural order.¡± He grunted, his muscles tensing.


    ¡°Fuck the natural order. You wouldn¡¯t be here right now if I hadn¡¯t done it. You know it¡¯s not a question. I will do anything for you.¡±


    ¡°Then save your life for me, us, and the pack.¡±


    ¡°I wanna question that man.¡±


    ¡°No. McKaye is capable of questioning a prisoner. We go home, and you will rest.¡±


    I wanted to resist, but he looked at me like he wanted to swallow me whole. I agreed instead, ¡°Okay, but I¡¯d like to have a word with Zarah.¡±


    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll talk to McKaye and Kaleb. Meet me at the parking area.¡±


    I nodded. Knight kissed my lips before he left the infirmary.


    Zarah came in before I could call her. ¡°How are you feeling?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll live.¡± My answer did not impress her. ¡°Just say it. I was stupid and reckless.¡±


    ¡°I want you to be extra careful, Nirvana. You changed, and I can feel it. Do you still have control over Asina?¡±


    ¡°Yes. When I woke up, it was just my instinct to help them.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    I stared at her. ¡°Yeah. You don¡¯t trust me?¡±


    ¡°I trust you, but how did you do what you did? What exactly did you do?¡±


    ¡°Do you believe me if I tell you I saw my future?¡± A small smile curved up my lips.


    ¡°Oh, Goddess. You¡¯re still your mother¡¯s daughter.¡± She rubbed her arms. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me any more, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°I asked Asina to help me, and I couldn¡¯t let Knight die, and that was all. I don¡¯t have protection from danger anymore. That¡¯s the price I paid, and I would do it again for him.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you do.¡± She reached out for my hand and squeezed it. ¡°Spend your time with him. I can feel he¡¯s struggling and in so much emotional pain.¡±


    ¡°I know. We share a connection. Thank you for being here for us.¡±


    ¡°Go on. He¡¯s waiting.¡±


    I got up from bed and hugged Zarah. ¡°Promise me you will look after him when I¡¯m gone.¡±


    ¡°No, honey. I¡¯m sure you will do everything to live for him. You have so many loved ones and friends to live for.¡±


    I smiled and looked at her. ¡°Thanks.¡±


    I walked out. My chest lightened up, knowing some people would do everything to be with us. Knowing Knight would have this kind of support system if I did not make it, he would be in good hands.


    ¡°Hey.¡± Even the way he smiled, I could feel the heaviness in his chest and the sadness in his eyes, and it was killing me.


    I threw my arms around his shoulders, and he caught me and lifted me. ¡°Let¡¯s go home.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡±


    We barely made it inside the bedroom, and we kissed like it was the end of the world.


    ¡°Get naked.¡± I breathed harder.


    ¡°Did you just order me to get naked?¡± His green eyes darkened and glittered dangerously.


    ¡°Do we have a problem?¡±


    A low growl rumbled through his chest. When his gaze dropped to my lips, there was a long, breathless moment during which he struggled to think of what to do first, but I sensed his self-control snapping.


    ¡°Fucking no.¡± He pulled his shirt off his head.


    ¡°Good.¡± I did the same.


    The clothes started piling on the floor. The anticipation was banking and banking, making my skin tingle. I removed my boots, leaving just a bra and panties.


    ¡°I want those gone, too. Now, Nirvana. That¡¯s an order.¡±


    ¡°I thought I was in charge here, Alpha.¡±


    Without a word, he closed our distance and held my jaw in his hand and the other unhooking my bra. I took it off without breaking eye contact and let it drop on the floor.


    Then I slipped my finger on the band of my panties, pulling them down my legs, letting them drop on my feet, and kicking them off.


    ¡°Done.¡±


    The moment our mouths crashed together, I moaned. Knight tasted like a fine wine and heaven.


    He moaned, too- low and soft,ing from deep in his throat as he drank me greedily like he was parched and hungry for me.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Then he ran his hand on my chest, cupping my breast and simultaneously sliding his tongue against mine.


    I snaked my hands to the back of his neck as I pressed my body against him. I already felt him hard poking my lower abdomen, and I was sure as hell as I was also wet for him.


    He broke the kiss, staring at me intensely. ¡°Get in bed, spread your legs, and be ready for me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I am,¡± I said confidently as I crawled into bed, showing him my ass and how wet I was.


    ¡°Fuck.¡±


    I looked over my shoulder. Knight was gripping his cock, stroking it gently.


    My mouth watered, wanting to devour every inch of his length, lick the precum, and let him fuck my mouth until he came in my throat.


    Then, Iy down in bed, just as he ordered me to. Breathing hard, he crawled into bed, kneed my legs wide apart, and hovered over me.


    He slipped his hand behind my head and grabbed me by the hair before he kissed me brutally with a growl. It almost hurt.


    I moaned in distress, but he didn¡¯t give me much chance to protest.


    He grunted in pleasure as he thrust deeper inside me, and it took me by surprise I sucked in a breath. I was wet and aching, but I felt so full and stretched to almost ufortable.


    When he pulled out, he quickly thrust it in again. I crossed my legs behind him, and he started pistoning, and I began grinding my hips against his.


    With his big and thick cock inside me, I let go of a long moan of pleasure, and he groaned in a mix of satisfaction and pride as I rocked my hips back in forth, nails digging into the flesh of his back.


    Knight fucked my mouth with his tongue and fucked my pussy with his cock. It was wild, brutal, and hard. He then wrapped his arms around me and rolled us over so I could be on the top.


    Breaking the kiss, we breathed hard, trying to catch our breaths. Then he said, ¡°Ride me hard, Nirvana.¡±


    He didn¡¯t have to say it out loud. I would make sure he never forgot this night.


    I pressed my palms on his chest and began riding him, rocking my hips against his. With each rock, the base of his cock created friction against my clit, and intense pleasure skyrocketed all the way to the neb.


    ¡°You¡¯re so fucking gorgeous, my wife.¡± He took both my breasts with his hands, squeezing them, rolling my nipples with his fingers with enough pressure to hurt.


    ¡°Fuck. I¡¯m gonnae.¡± I threw my head back. Sweat glistening my body. My hips flexed faster.


    ¡°Hold it a little longer.¡± He gripped my hips enough his finger would imprint on my skin. Then held me steady and pummeled his cock into me.


    ¡°I can¡¯t!¡± I cried out. My breasts bounced, and my entire body shook. ¡°Fuck!¡±


    ¡°Fuck yeah.¡± He fucked me like he¡¯d never fucked me before. It was hard, fast, and broke the record of fucking.


    I cried out, my throat hoarse as my orgasm was fast and violent. I thought my heart just exploded.


    ¡°We¡¯re not done yet, sweetheart.¡± He rolled us over again.


    I hadn¡¯t caught a breath and recovered, and he kissed me deeply with so much passion- a long kiss and a soulful kind of kiss. It felt like he was showing me how much we both needed it.


    My chest grew tight. Suddenly, I wanted to cry. And I felt his thoughts, too. He deliberately thrust his hips into me, taking his time, and soon we were both moaning.


    ¡°Faster, baby,¡± I begged, breaking the kiss to catch my breath.


    He gave it to me. He thrust faster and deeper and everything he¡¯d got. And I was delirious again as he pushed me over the edge.


    ¡°Yes, Knight! Don¡¯t stop!¡± A broken cry of ecstasy tore off my throat as another orgasm crashed into me so fast and hard I saw stars behind my eyes as my inner muscles continuously clenched around his cock, convulsing in pleasure.


    ¡°Yes. Fuck yes.¡± He grunted, his muscles tensing.


    My eyes grew wide, staring at my gorgeous husband while my orgasm was still pulsing.


    ¡°Damn, sweetheart. You¡¯re killing me.¡± Releasing a guttural groan deep within his chest, he threw his head back, squeezing his eyes shut as he gave in to the enthralling pleasure, losing control.


    ¡°Nirvana. Fuck.¡± Knight growled, his abs clenching, veins in his arms popping as he shuddered into his release, emptying inside me.

 131

    KNIGHT


    ¡°You have to let me go, Knight.¡±


    I groaned, hugging her tighter, ignoring her sigh.


    ¡°Baby, I need to pee unless you want this bed to smell pee. Then go ahead. I can do it here.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a shit.¡± I kissed her shoulder and inhaled her scent into my lungs. ¡°You can pee here.¡±


    ¡°Knight, don¡¯t be such a baby. I¡¯ll be right back, or you cane with me and watch me while peeing.¡± Her body shook as sheughed silently. ¡°I liked it when you were clingy, but this time, you¡¯re worse than a skin disease.¡±


    ¡°A skin disease with a big dick and a fat bank ount.¡±


    ¡°Gee.¡± I could feel her rolling her eyes. ¡°Egotistic and possessive alpha? That¡¯s not something women would want.¡±


    ¡°Go. Pee ande back to me.¡± I loosened my arms around her.


    When she left for the bathroom, I checked the time. It was five a. m. If there weren¡¯t threats out there, it was a good time to go for a run.


    I got up and put on my sweatpants. I wanted to make breakfast for Nirvana and spend more time with her. Last night, after she fell asleep, I emailed my assistant about a long overdue vacation.


    With our honeymoon canceled, I didn¡¯t give a shit, even if we spent it at home, as long as I woke up next to her.


    I went downstairs to make breakfast. She probably went back to sleep. I scrambled in the kitchen alone. I could make some egg omelet, toast some sliced bread, and squeeze some oranges. I left it to the kitchen for otherplicated meals or called a chef.


    Thirty minutester, I was done ting. I pulled a white rose from the vase and took the tray upstairs. As expected, Nirvana was back in bed asleep. Her naked back was exposed almost down her ass.


    I put the tray on the nightstand and joined her in bed. She stirred.


    ¡°Where did you go?¡±


    ¡°Downstairs.¡± I kissed her on the cheek. ¡°I made breakfast for you.¡±


    I watched her face light up into a smile, and she opened her eyes.


    ¡°Really?¡±Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get too excited. It¡¯s just egg and toast.¡±


    ¡°Aw.¡± She got up, cupped my face, and kissed my lips. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do that, but thanks.¡±


    I picked up the tray and put it on the bed. She was still smiling as she picked up the ss of orange juice. I didn¡¯t realize I hadn¡¯t done this to her or taken her on an actual date.


    ¡°What?¡± She grabbed the fork, stabbed the sliced strawberry, and offered it to me.


    I opened my mouth and chewed it. ¡°We just got engaged, got married, and I haven¡¯t taken you on a proper date.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s overrated. I wouldn¡¯t want to change a thing between us. I love every moment I spend with you.¡±


    I grabbed a slice of toast and took a big bite of it. ¡°I still wanna do it, sweetheart. I know we¡¯re running out of time, but we have Zarah. We can go on a date in Italy or eatpain au choctandmacaronin Paris.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s do it then.¡±


    Surprised by her sudden spontaneity, I asked, ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± She shoved a forkful of omelets into her mouth. ¡°When?¡±


    ¡°This afternoon. Let me talk to Zarah and make some arrangements, and then we¡¯ll be good to go.¡±


    ¡°So, is this just a date or a honeymoon?¡±


    ¡°Both.¡± I leaned down to kiss her lips. ¡°I love you, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Je vous aime.¡±


    ¡°Je t¡¯aime, mon amour.¡±


    She rolled her eyes, amused. ¡°Of course, you speak French and othernguages.¡±


    I smiled as I picked up my phone to check my messages. ¡°I took a long vacation from work. Uncle will handle important meetings at thepany and my firm.¡±


    ¡°How rich are you exactly?¡±


    ¡°How rich are we?¡± I looked at her.


    She scoffed. ¡°Can I run away with your money?¡±


    ¡°Can we run away together instead?¡±


    ¡°Thanks for the breakfast,¡± she said, raising her hand to touch my face. ¡°I love you no matter what, Knight. You will always be the one for me.¡±


    I closed my eyes to feel her touch on my cheek, and I felt suddenly overwhelmed with the emotions inside my chest. ¡°I will not love anyone else but you, Nirvana. You are my mate, my wife, my best friend, my whole world, and my eternal love.¡±


    She looked away, blinking off the tears in her eyes. At that moment, I felt what a broken heart meant.


    ***


    Apparently, Sebastien had an apartment in Paris, where Zarah sent us. We made a quick change before strolling around. Our trip wasn¡¯t well-nned, but we didn¡¯t have time since our honeymoon to Seychelles was canceled.


    ¡°You look beautiful.¡± I fixed the scarf around her neck before I held her hand. ¡°So you¡¯ve been to Paris?¡±


    ¡°Nah. I hadn¡¯t been out of the country. My first trip outside was through the portal to Italy.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± I was surprised to hear it.


    ¡°Yeah. I told you I loved what I experienced with you and wouldn¡¯t change it for anything.¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t told me how you made the deal.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re gonna talk about it?¡±


    We took a taxi to the Eiffel Tower because that was where she wanted to go. She said it would be romantic.


    I couldn¡¯t remember if I had ever been romantic or given flowers to a girl before I met Nirvana. If seeing the iconic tower would put a smile on her face or add to her experience and memories, then who was I to stop her? I would give her the moon if I could.


    We arrived at Rue de l¡¯Universit¨¦ to take a picture with the tower in the background.


    ¡°Smile, sweetheart.¡± I took my phone, wrapped my arms around her, and shot a selfie.


    ¡°In my phone, too.¡±


    I chuckled as I took her phone from her. ¡°Of course, my love. Then we¡¯re going to Cit¨¦ de l¡¯architecture et du patrimoine next.¡± I took another selfie and gave it to her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what that is, but it sounds fun.¡± She excitedly hooked her hand around my arm.


    ¡°It¡¯s a museum, but let¡¯s experience a French kiss before we go.¡±


    She giggled as I cupped her head, captured her lips in a French kiss, shoving my tongue inside her mouth. She gripped my front coat and tiptoed to kiss me back. Our kiss instantly went deep, a lingering one.


    She looked dazed, breathing hard as we pulled apart.


    Then I kissed her nose, releasing a long breath and a chuckle. ¡°I was not a romantic person until I met you.¡±


    ¡°Let me guess, you don¡¯t kiss someone on the street.¡± She looked at me as she hugged my arm.


    ¡°Yup. I never kissed someone like my life depended on it. I¡¯d never been crazy over a woman, breaking naturalw, cheating space and time.¡±


    ¡°Should I say thank you to the Moon Goddess?¡±


    I kissed the top of her head as we went to our next destination. ¡°No, sweetheart. I thank you for giving me this chance to experience what love and being loved feels like.¡±


    ¡°Ditto, Alpha. And thank you for making me experience Paris. I guess you can call me a romantic person. I kind of dream about something like this with the person I love. I didn¡¯t imagine having a boyfriend as handsome as you. You took all the women¡¯s attention on the street, and it¡¯s annoying.¡±


    ¡°Husband, Nirvana.¡± Iughed as I fixed the cor of my coat and my scarf so I could hide my face. ¡°You don¡¯t know how beautiful you are. Do you? You¡¯re so clueless when ites to your physical appearance.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re kidding me.¡± She stopped and faced me. ¡°You are tall, handsome, with Instagramable physique. I mean, look at your chest, abs, and those biceps. You have the most beautiful green eyes I¡¯ve ever seen. You dress like worth a billion-dor guy.¡± She paused. ¡°Are you a billionaire?¡±


    I shook my head in amusement. ¡°And so?¡±


    ¡°God, I don¡¯t even know why you like me besides the Moon Goddess who yed a matchmaker.¡±


    ¡°My love, what I feel about you has nothing to do with the Moon Goddess anymore. I love your quirkiness, stubbornness, and disobedience, and I love that you don¡¯t care how rich I am.¡±


    ¡°I should have thought everything first before marrying you.¡±


    ¡°Shut up, Nirvana.¡± I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and pressed my lips on the top of her head as we walked in the streets of Paris at night. ¡°You¡¯re mine now. No taking it back.¡±

 132

    NIRVANA


    Our first day of honeymoon was incredible, and it involved a lot of sex. Last night he fucked me hard, and I came three times.


    I admired his strength and voracious sexual appetite, and sex was beyond good, but I was hoping to stroll around the city today and try some Foie gras.


    Before we got up from bed, he made love to me and called the room service for a full French breakfast by the balcony.


    As I got up, I still had a satisfactory smile on my face. Still wearing the hotel robe, I opened the window to the balcony, and the view of spectacr Renaissance architecture took my breath away. It was an excellent idea for an oil painting.


    ¡°What¡¯s our n for today?¡± I grabbed the Viennoiserie and tore it in half before I took a bite.


    ¡°No n. We go wherever our day takes us.¡± Knight sat so rxed on the chair, crossed his legs with a cup of coffee in his hand.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s our honeymoon. We can do whatever we want. Maybe we¡¯ll have lunch in a restaurant and then go shopping. There are a lot of ces to visit and food to eat, and then we¡¯ll have dinner at Bateaux Parisiens Seine River.¡±


    ¡°Looks like we have a n, after all.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but smile. The Knight sitting before me was so different from the Knight, the alpha back home who was always uptight, focused, and fearless. This man before me was so spontaneous and free-spirited, but the man I fell in love with was that Knight, the controlling, overprotective, and possessive alpha.


    ¡°What?¡± He sipped his coffee before grabbing a piece of pastries and spreading a jam over it.


    ¡°You can be you, baby. I want you to be you, the man I love. Knight ckwell, the ruthless alpha who always barks orders.¡±


    ¡°This is also me. I don¡¯t have to be that person when I am with you unless it¡¯s necessary, which involves your safety or punching someone¡¯s face for staring at my wife¡¯s tits.¡±


    I instantly looked down at my chest. The hotel robe was bigger, exposing my left breast. ¡°Oops. I should have put my underwear on.¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Leave it. I still want to eat you after breakfast, then we can go shopping.¡±


    ¡°No way.¡± I fixed my robe tightly. ¡°You¡¯ve had enough of mest night and this morning, but I want to max your card.¡±


    He grinned evilly. ¡°Good luck with that.¡±


    ¡°Really? You¡¯ll let me?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s mine is yours. And it¡¯s just money.¡± He just shrugged it off coolly.


    ¡°Why are you like this? You¡¯re different. Is this the effect of what I did to save you?¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, I feel the same and don¡¯t wanna talk about it. This is our honeymoon. Let¡¯s have fun, okay?¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± I drank the juice before I stood up from the breakfast table. I went to the bedroom, took off the robe, andy naked in bed. ¡°Don¡¯t make me wait, Knight.¡±


    A few momentster, he walked in and halted with eyes wide. ¡°I thought-¡±


    ¡°Two seconds, you¡¯re not in bed. The offer is over.¡±


    ¡°Fuck.¡± He threw the robe on the floor carelessly before he crawled into bed, only to grab my feet and drag me to the edge.


    I sucked in a breath as he spread my legs wide. I was too exposed. I squirmed from his searing gaze.


    ¡°Oh, my love. You¡¯re always wet and ready for me. Look at this pussy, my pussy and clit, so pink and ready for my mouth.¡± He licked his lips before he dragged his tongue in my opening.


    As predictable as I was, I instantly moaned, pulling his hair and pushing his face down as I began grinding against his face.


    He groaned in approval and satisfaction, and I shuddered, throwing my head back.


    ¡°God. You¡¯re talented,¡± I said through breathless little moans. His tongue was amazing, and it drove me crazy.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± I jerked, crying out as he sucked my sensitive nub, scraping it with his teeth. And then he fucked me with his tongue, pressing his thumb on my swollen clit, rubbing it in circles.


    It didn¡¯t take long- I was crying out hoarsely at the raw sound of his name as the pleasure shocked through me. My pussy contracted around his tongue, my thighs shook violently, and my hips jerked into his face.


    Knight licked me clean with a moan as if I was the best breakfast he¡¯d ever had.


    ***


    ¡°Grandpa, I love you so much. Forgive me for not telling you.¡± I wanted to punch Dn for telling my grandfather. Thest thing I wanted was for him to worry about me.


    ¡°Kiddo, I love you, too, honey, but what you¡¯re about to do is insane-the same reason your grandmother did not tell me about her family curse, and I know how Knight is feeling right now.¡±


    ¡°Grandpa, it¡¯s an old book. At that time, there was no technology like EMP or missiles. Science and magic are rted, and humans haven¡¯t made a connection yet. Maybe there¡¯s another way. Knight and I are still working on it.¡± Shit. I just lied to him.


    ¡°I thought you were in Paris for your honeymoon.¡±


    ¡°Yes, we are, but we talk about something more advanced.¡±


    ¡°Honey, I¡¯d rather die than let you sacrifice yourself.¡±


    ¡°We have a n, Grandpa. Just trust me, okay?¡±


    He drew a deep breath. ¡°Fine. Maybe you should talk to Victor. I¡¯m sure he knows something.¡±


    ¡°I will once we get back home.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay. Have fun, both of you.¡±


    Knight hadn¡¯t said a word as I ended the call. He seemed in deep thought.


    ¡°What do you have in mind, Knight?¡±


    He met my gaze. I saw so many emotions in his eyes, and it was killing me that I caused most of it. ¡°Maybe we should use high-powered weapons.¡±


    ¡°And ending up killing humans. The aftershock would still be catastrophic, Knight.¡±


    ¡°A lot more people will die if we let him win.¡± He had a point, but one question remained: could I do it? Knowing many centuries had tried, he still lived, wreaking havoc in the world.


    I sighed as I put my clothes on.


    ¡°I can¡¯t let you sacrifice yourself, Nirvana, if there¡¯s another way, and don¡¯t tell me there isn¡¯t. I don¡¯t ept that.¡± His eyes regarded me thoughtfully. ¡°I¡¯m not gonna lose the woman I love.¡±


    I leaned over and kissed his lips. ¡°Get up, and we have shopping to do.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Let me make a call, then I¡¯ll get ready.¡± Suddenly, he seemed to lose interest in going out to have fun.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait outside.¡± I left the room and waited in a sitting area. Before we were supposed to be going on our honeymoon, I checked if I was pregnant. I did it twice, and thankfully, both results were negative.


    I heard footsteps approaching, so I got up and grabbed my bag on the chair, only to feel a sting in my neck. One moment, I was standing; the next second, I fell into his arms.


    ¡°Knight-¡± I hadn¡¯t finished my words; my eyes fluttered close, and thest face I saw was thest person I expected to see in Paris.

 133

    KNIGHT


    My stomach twisted a knot as I watched Nirvana asleep in the confinement at the Night Stalker Pack.


    I couldn¡¯t believe I had just done what I had done to save her. I knew she would probably not forgive me for what I¡¯d done, but I made the toughest decision, and she left me no choice.


    ¡°Shit. Is that-?¡± Califf stared at me in disbelief. ¡°What the fuck, Knight? What did you just do?¡±


    With my chest clenching, I looked at him. ¡°Saving my wife.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m confused. When you called me asking for my help, I did not expect you to do this.¡±


    ¡°Babe-¡± Shadow smiled widely. ¡°Who¡¯s in the confinement?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not gonna believe it. Come and see, baby.¡±


    ¡°Holy shit.¡± Her eyes widened as she stared down from the two-way mirror and stared at me. ¡°Nirvana? Did you lock up Nirvana? Why in the hell did you do that?¡±


    ¡°I have reasons.¡± I crossed my arms over my chest, determined to prove what I did was best for my mate.


    Nirvana hadn¡¯t woke up, and I knew she would be terrified thinking she was held in some secret government facility.


    ¡°Oh, Goddess. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m saying this, but I was in this very room twice. Califf locked me up.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t wanna submit, baby, and the second time, you gave me the cold shoulder for weeks.¡±


    ¡°You were an asshole.¡± She yfully elbowed him. ¡°Man, you¡¯re in deep, deep trouble. She¡¯s not going to forgive you, Knight. Good luck exining to her. And how long do you suppose to lock her up here when we have a demonic enemy to fight? Without her, we can¡¯t defeat him.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I want to do some research first, maybe some experimental military weapon we could buy and use to kill Cyrius. I just can¡¯t let her get herself killed, Shadow. This is my wife, my mate, and knowing she¡¯s going to die fighting that son of a bitch, I can¡¯t. For the love of Goddess, I¡¯d rather die.¡±


    ¡°Hold on. What am I missing here?¡± Califf looked at me and back to his mate.


    Zarah came in. She helped me portaled us from Paris to Califf¡¯s territory. ¡°Knight read an old book that the only way to kill Cyrius is through Nirvana with the use of the dagger, but Nirvana might not survive in the process.¡±


    ¡°An old book? What kind of old book?¡± Califf asked.


    ¡°An old book Alpha Frye gave us.¡±


    ¡°Do you think that¡¯s a kind of prophecy, and do you believe what¡¯s written in the book?¡±


    ¡°It seems fitting. I saw how the dagger killed an infected werewolf. It just turned to ashes.¡±


    ¡°When was this?¡± Zarah asked.


    ¡°While we were at Kain¡¯s old cabin. I was out for a run, and she followed me. I killed a rogue, and she killed an infected.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s prophesied, Knight. Nirvana is powerful. She can teleport and can knock down many werewolves at once. She even broke the shield. And the spirit warrior inside her was protecting her from any harm.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean was? And now?¡±


    Shadow looked at Califf. ¡°He got mad when he found out what was in the book. He shifted and ran like his ass on fire. In short, he lost control and fell off the cliff. If it was not for Nirvana taking all the pain and sacrificing something for him, Knight might be dead by now. See how powerful she was, but by saving him, she just became vulnerable. She got scratched by a werewolf but healed herself.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why Nirvana might not survived because of you.¡± Zarah pointed at me. ¡°But I know she¡¯d rather die than let you die like that. And now you just locked her up, and she might not take it well.¡±


    ¡°I know that feeling, man,¡± Califf said, patting my back. ¡°When I tried saving my mate over her wolf, she hated me for so long.¡±


    ¡°Gee. I did not hate you, alphasshole. I just hated what you did, and I tried to do something for myself. I trained and made sure I could still defend myself without my gift and my wolf, but it really hurt. And I know what she¡¯s going to feel once she wakes up.¡±


    ¡°So what¡¯s your n?¡± Califf turned to me. ¡°Are you sure she can¡¯t break the shield?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s only one way to find out,¡± Zarah said.


    All of a sudden, Nirvana stirred. She woke up and jolted to sit on the bed. Her eyes wandered around the confinement.


    The solitary had wolfsbane spray and a silver-ted bar behind the walls, and it had an automatic lock when the rm went off. It was impressive.


    Nirvana got up from bed. I took off the boots, and Zarah kept them away from her.


    ¡°You should let her know she¡¯s okay, or she goes crazy and tear this building apart,¡± Califf said.


    ¡°Hello? Is anybody there?¡± she talked wryly.


    ¡°Poor thing,¡± said Shadow. ¡°I can¡¯t watch this, Knight. I know you¡¯re trying to save her, but not like this. You just broke her trust and betrayed her.¡± The words trust and betray just stabbed me in the chest.


    ¡°Hey! Can anyone hear me?¡± She took a step away from the bed, wary, and then took three more steps.


    At the corner of my eye, Zarah shook her head. ¡°She¡¯s smart. She¡¯s gonna figure it out I¡¯m involved, and she¡¯s gonna hate me, Knight. I swear to Goddess, you and you.¡±


    She pointed at Califf and me. ¡°Are just so stupid when ites to their mates. Stupid alphas.¡± She walked away, shaking her head, went to the door, and punched the codes.


    rmed, I asked quickly, ¡°Zarah, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not doing this.¡± She red at me. ¡°I¡¯m going to tell her that this is your idea. I¡¯m saving my ass.¡± She pushed the door open.


    ¡°Oh, my God. Thank God you¡¯re here.¡± Nirvana ran towards Zarah only to be thrown back to the bed.


    I startled, clenching my jaw hard as I watched her groan in pain.


    She quickly got up, narrowing her eyes at her. ¡°What the hell, Zarah? Did you just lock me up?¡±


    ¡°This is not my idea.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Knight? I saw you before I passed out.¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°I know, Nirvana. I¡¯m sorry. He called me to portal both of you, and I had no idea he was gonna do this.¡±


    ¡°Where is he? Take down this invisible wall, Zarah, please. Why are you doing this to me? I trusted you.¡±


    I looked down as guilt twisted my stomach.


    ¡°I told you, man. This is not going to end well for the both of you.¡±


    I looked at Califf. ¡°At least I know she¡¯s gonna live.¡±


    ¡°Even if she hates you? What if she will reject you, Knight? You know what it does to us. It could kill us and our wolves.¡±


    ¡°Hey, asshole!¡± Nirvana just yelled. ¡°I know you¡¯re watching me.¡± She searched for the cameras in the room until she found the two-way mirror. ¡°Knight, asshole! You betrayed me. I thought we were in this together. I thought you loved me, but you took me to Paris to make me feel special? You drugged me, Knight. You don¡¯t do that to someone you love. You broke my trust, but I can forgive you if you let me out of here.¡±


    I walked inside the room.


    She looked at me with eyes filled with pain and fury. ¡°How could you do this to me? I¡¯m your mate, Knight. And we¡¯re married.¡± She showed me her rings. ¡°These don¡¯t mean anything to you?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t let you die, Nirvana. I¡¯m doing this to save you.¡±


    ¡°What about our people and others? How could you be so selfish? How could you watch them die? I can¡¯t. I saw how you all died. Either he manipted what he¡¯d shown me, I can¡¯t go through that again. And I am the only one who can end it. You know that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll find another way. I¡¯m so sorry, my love, but I¡¯d rather die trying than lose you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t do this, Knight, please? I¡¯m begging you.¡± Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she mmed her fists against the shield spell, only throwing her back again.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be safe here, sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    Shadow gasped beside me as we watched Nirvana¡¯s eyes glow and transform her into something else I¡¯d never seen before.


    ¡°Shit.¡± I hadn¡¯t seen Asina¡¯s true nature until today. Honestly, I¡¯d never been scared by any creatures, but what Nirvana had was not entirely a creature. Her entire body was glowing in blue mes, shaped like a wolf, eyes nting, ws longer than anything I¡¯d ever seen.


    ¡°Take this down, Knight, or I will do it myself.¡± She snarled at me, exposing her zing fangs.


    ¡°Shit! Is this shield going to hold, Zarah?¡± Califf asked as he stepped back, protecting his mate.


    ¡°I have no idea. It¡¯s never tested with this kind.¡±


    ¡°Vana, calm down,¡± Shadow said, trying to talk to her.


    She turned back to me, still pissed off. ¡°Don¡¯t make me do something I will regret, Knight, because if you don¡¯t let me go, I will reject you and file a divorce once I get the chance to get out of here.¡±

 134

    NIRVANA


    That bastard! He betrayed me, my own mate. My. Own. Fucking. Husband.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    I sighed and scratched my head in annoyance. I hadn¡¯t tried teleporting. Maybe it would work, but that was the only move I had left, and they could never know that.


    ¡°Sweetheart, stay put!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that.¡± Anger boiled under my skin, and my muscles contracted. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me what to do, asshole! I hate you. Right now, you¡¯re thest person I want to see. Get out! We have nothing to discuss if you don¡¯t let me out of here. I don¡¯t wanna see your face ever again. Do you understand? Fuck you!¡±


    I stepped closer towards them, only the shield spell that separated us and for me not to w those eyes out- they were beautiful and sad, but I couldn¡¯t care less.


    Staring at him in the eye, I let my anger simmer. ¡°You and I are over. I don¡¯t give a shit of defeating Cyrius. Good luck saving your people. I¡¯m not one of your kind anyway, so I¡¯m out. I¡¯m fucking out.¡±


    When he dropped his gaze as if guilt tore him, but I doubted an asshole werewolf could feel anything, I turned to Zarah. ¡°I thought I could trust you. I thought you were all my friends.¡± Califf and Shadow sighed, giving me a guilty look. ¡°Go ahead. Leave me to rot in here.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana-¡±


    I raised my hand at Zarah. ¡°Don¡¯t. Whatever you¡¯re about to say won¡¯t change the fact that you and he conspired against me.¡±


    As I slumped my ass back to bed, Iy down. I couldn¡¯t find my boots in every corner of the room. They took the only weapon that mattered to him, just as I thought. I shouldn¡¯t have trusted him, but I fell for his shit.


    Goddamn it! How could I be so stupid? Of course, he just wanted to use me. He could have known all this shit was happening before I did. He was an alpha, after all. He just yed me too well that I believed all his bullshit, and what was worst? I loved that asshole. I married him, for fuck¡¯s sake.


    My body shook in anger. Asina almost got in control of me. Of course, like every werewolf, their wolves were overprotective and easily triggered by threats, and right now, she was not impressed.


    ¡°Can I get you something to eat?¡± Shadow asked calmly.


    I raised my hand and showed her my middle finger without turning my head at her.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know this was going to happen, Vana. Trust me, I¡¯d been in this room twice. I guess alphas act alike, but I do believe their intentions are genuine. Knight wants to stop you from killing yourself in the end, and he loves you.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit, and you can¡¯t talk me out of it like no one could talk him out of what he did to me. And I¡¯m good, thanks. Just leave me alone to starve to death. Maybe if I can¡¯t die defeating Cyrius, a hunger strike is more martyr than killing my own husband because if I get the chance to get out of here, I will kill him myself. I hope he¡¯s listening!¡± I said louder in thest part.


    ¡°Let it cool. You¡¯re still mad at him, and your reaction is understandable. I was mad at Califf for saving myself and losing my wolf in the end, but at the end of the day, he still saved me. Knight truly loves you. He wouldn¡¯t have done this if he didn¡¯t. Losing a mate will kill the other half. I know you know that, Vana.¡±


    ¡°Enough with pep-talk, Shadow. I need to wallow in self-pity. I didn¡¯t just lose a husband today. I also lost friends.¡± I turned my back and closed my eyes because the sense of deep sadness and loss was overwhelming.


    Waking up alone and being treated like a subject for experimentation tore my heart apart. And a pang of sadness knotted my stomach that I lost everything I had- my hopes of saving the people I cared about. How had this be my life?


    Hourster, I lost track of time, or this was another new day. I got up from bed. There was a small door, probably a bathroom. I was sure Zarah had this small hole shielded, too.


    I entered the bathroom and locked the door behind me. Withdrawing all my strength, I focused on one thing- trying my luck for the thought that the spell had ws or something. Heart racing, I paused, and I jumped out of this ce.


    I was in the bathroom for one moment and outside the building for the next blink. I looked around and saw the pack house.


    ¡°Fuck. It worked.¡± It was either a w, or Zarah did it on purpose. I teleported back into the bathroom, grinning.


    I seized on my anger and celebration before my thoughts could go in another direction. I washed my face and looked at myself in the mirror, and the reminder of betrayal caught my eyes- his mark on my neck. I wished I could tear it off my skin.


    I returned to the room and found a roller tray of food, books, a stack of magazines, a bottle of wine, and disposable cups. With hopes rising, I sat Indian style and ate with a good appetite.


    The door swung open, but I did not smell Knight.


    ¡°Hey, stranger.¡±


    I lifted my gaze to Zack. ¡°Hey. Don¡¯t get closer. I¡¯m in quarantined. You don¡¯t wanna get infected.¡± I poured a wine into the disposable cup and raised at him. ¡°I¡¯d like to share this with you, but I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± He sat before the shield. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna ask how you feel, but I just wanna check out on you.¡±


    ¡°You mean, you¡¯re here to babyshit me?¡±


    Zackughed. ¡°Babyshit. That¡¯s funny.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be here. I can¡¯t go anywhere anyway. I tried it, but it didn¡¯t work. Zarah is hellbent on not letting me escape.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Vana, but all our allies will work together in defeating Cyrius. We just lost two members recently. I know what it feels like to be helpless.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not helpless, Zack. That¡¯s why I want to do everything to end this so that everyone will not die.¡±


    ¡°But you will die in the end.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s worth the price, Zack. Come on. Think of it. One life versus thousands or millions.¡± I took a bite of themb roast. It was good. It melted in my mouth. ¡°This is damn delicious. Who cooked this? I hope this is not thest supper.¡±


    ¡°Really? You¡¯re more interested in who¡¯s the cook.¡± I knew what he meant, but over my dead body, I was not going to ask where Knight was. That part of the conversation didn¡¯t exist anymore.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s useless. I can¡¯t cook here, but Grandpa has a restaurant. Maybe he can share his secret with me.¡±


    ¡°Alpha Knight and Alpha Califf went to see the council,¡± he informed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡± I ate noisily and burped loudly, making him chuckle. A part of me wanted to know what the meeting was about, but the other part of me was still hurt and bleeding from his betrayal. ¡°I¡¯m a prisoner, and that¡¯s what I should be.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t mean that. You¡¯re hurting because you care.¡±


    I red at him. ¡°I thought I was, but I was only wasting my time. If he wants me to live, then by all means. Tell Zarah, I¡¯m ready to make a deal.¡±

 135

    KNIGHT


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you arranged this meeting, Alpha Knight, Alpha Califf.¡± Victor entered the conference room at the Werewolf Council.


    ¡°I apologize for inserting it into your busy schedules, but this is important.¡±


    ¡°May I know what it¡¯s all about?¡±


    ¡°My mate can¡¯t fight against Cyrius anymore.¡±


    ¡°Why? What happened?¡± Concern and worry filled his eyes as he looked at Califf and me.


    ¡°She saved me from dying, and the price made her vulnerable.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°He fatally fell off the cliff and was not healing,¡± Califf answered. ¡°Nirvana traded her life or something to save him, but the price she had to pay was losing her physical protection from risk.¡±


    ¡°I hope we can keep this information just inside this room. We were just attacked by a pack loyal to Eloh. We might have eliminated them, but there¡¯s moreing. She got wounded. She might have healed herself, but she bes vulnerable.¡±


    ¡°Understood. Where is she now?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s staying at thepound.¡± I looked at Califf. ¡°Under his protection.¡± I discussed with Califf the need to use our words carefully because we might put Victor back in his position; he could easily change his mind about ending this virus for good.


    ¡°Do you need extra protection?¡±


    ¡°We got it covered,¡± Califf said.


    ¡°I suppose you have a n in mind?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re looking at a possible solution that doesn¡¯t involve Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°There is no other way unless we wait for the next generations of Katzius¡¯s bloodline. By that time, there might not be a world to save, and we might not exist anymore. The death toll is rising, Alpha Knight. It might not be noticeable in our country, but they¡¯re losing the battle in Asia and Africa, and we still haven¡¯t seeded in finding a cure.¡±


    ¡°We are thinking of using something more advanced to kill Cyrius. Maybe we can extract her DNA and use it to make a weapon. The budget is not a problem. Knight and I can work on that.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have much time, Califf. If you can make it possible in less than a month, I can give you that much time but don¡¯t hate me after that. Nirvana is the only solution to our problem.¡±


    I held my breath, forcing myself not to act or talk out of anger when my skin began to warm. ¡°We¡¯ll find a way. I will update you as soon as possible.¡±


    His assistant walked in, whispering in his ear.


    Victor rose from his seat. ¡°I have another meeting. Let me know if you made any progress.¡± Before he walked out of the door, he paused. ¡°And Knight, I know this is difficult for you and for us who care about Nirvana, but this is what she wants. I have a feeling you know what she must do to defeat him, and this is the only possible way.¡±


    Califf and I shared the same look when he left the door- disappointment and hopelessness.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± I breathed through my nose in anger. I didn¡¯t know what to do anymore. Knowing my wife hated me, it was even harder to focus.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get out and find a way.¡±


    The vehicles were waiting for us in the parking lot. I wanted to scream and punch Ambrose if he was still alive. He started all of this, and maybe if he were dead, Cyrius would stop this ancient battle.


    I entered the backseat of the car.


    Zarah was still there waiting. ¡°I have a feeling it didn¡¯t end well.¡±


    ¡°Fuck. I don¡¯t know what to do anymore, Zarah.¡±


    ¡°I know. I¡¯ve read books about witches, but I couldn¡¯t find any. It only led to one answer. The bloodline.¡±


    ¡°Can Nirvana jump to the future?¡± I asked them.


    Califf turned to us from the passenger¡¯s seat. ¡°And then what? You¡¯ll trap her there?¡±


    ¡°No. I wanna know what will happen in the future.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not a good idea. One thing you change in your timeline can jeopardize your future. Of all people, you should know that.¡± Zarah red at me.


    ¡°Yeah, and so as jumping from the future to the past. Terminator, Back to the Future, duh,¡± Lyon said from the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°But can she do that?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but she better not risk herself,¡± Zarah said.


    ¡°Maybe we can all just go to the past and kill him while Ambrose still imprisoned him.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea, Lyon. But how are we supposed to do that?¡± Zarah huffed a breath. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here.¡±


    ¡°If you can trap as powerful as Nirvana, maybe we can trap Cyrius, too, then we¡¯ll kill him.¡±


    ¡°Ambrose could have done that. As long as no one can wield the dagger other than Nirvana, and you¡¯re not willing to risk her life, then our n won¡¯t work. And it seemed that that was what Sophie saw of Cyrius¡¯s future before he cursed and killed them.¡±


    ¡°Is it possible to make a swordstaff and put the dagger at the tip so everyone can wield it?¡± I turned to Zarah.


    ¡°It is. I know a cksmith, but the problem is, will the dagger allow itself to be touched or attached to another weapon.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you can work it out, Zarah. If you can make it as strong as a shield and a portal, I believe you can make it work.¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°You put so much patience in me, but not on your mate.¡± Her words hit me hard in the chest like a knife.


    I looked outside the window. ¡°I know I¡¯m selfish, but will you sacrifice Sebastien or Shadow to save the underworld? How about you, Califf? Will you let your mate kill Cyrius but end up killing herself?¡±


    When they did not give me an answer, I shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡±


    The car went silent, but my silent reverie was interrupted when my phone vibrated in my pocket.


    Kaleb just called, and I had a bad feeling it was not to say hello.


    ¡°Kaleb.¡±


    ¡°Alpha.¡± I shut my eyes closed when his voice was shaking.


    ¡°Kaleb, is everything okay?¡±


    ¡°No, Alpha.¡± He sounded terrified and crying.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Zarah held my arm.


    ¡°We¡¯re under attack. It caught us by surprise while we were having lunch.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m on my way.¡± I hung up the call and stared at Zarah.


    ¡°We¡¯re near thepound, Alpha.¡± Lyon drove fast like a lunatic.


    ¡°This is all my fault. I left the pack alone and put my job on my beta, leaving them defenseless because I was not there.¡±


    ¡°This is not your fault. You did not see iting,¡± Califf said, but could not even make me feel better because I knew I was too full of myself and just put my pack in danger.


    I jumped out of the car as soon as we arrived back at thepound.


    ¡°I¡¯ll create a portal, but you can¡¯t go there alone,¡± Zarah said.


    ¡°He¡¯s not going there alone.¡± Califf gripped my shoulder. ¡°I will go with you, and so will Lyon, Zack, and Tor.¡±


    As soon as Zack and Tor joined us, I stepped into the portal, which took me back to the vineyards. I saw smoke in the distance. They had just burned down the tasting room.


    ¡°Goddess.¡± There was so much shock in Zarah¡¯s voice.


    I ran towards the pack house. I hadn¡¯t even been close enough, and I already smelled so much blood, fear, and anger in the air.


    ¡°This is all because of you!¡± Uncle Lennox came rushing, throwing punches at me. ¡°You left us undefended. You don¡¯t fit to be our alpha anymore, and I am challenging you. Right here, right now!¡±


    ¡°Dad! He can kill you.¡± Kailin came in between, and it looked like she¡¯d been crying. ¡°Forgive him, Alpha. He¡¯s just in so much pain.¡±


    Blocking his punches, I asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Mac?¡±


    When Kailin looked down and tears fell from her eyes, my heart was shredded into pieces.


    ¡°Kailin, answer me? Where is Mac?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t find him. We couldn¡¯t find him anywhere, and we tried everything.¡± She shook her head as she cried against her father¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Alpha!¡± Kaleb came in a rush. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. This is all my fault.¡±


    ¡°No. This is my fault. Whoever came to attack us will pay. I will kill them all, and I don¡¯t want to be challenged. I will step down as your alpha. I¡¯m not capable of protecting all of you anymore. I failed you all once again.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t act out of your anger, Knight. Let me help those wounded.¡± Zarah left for the pack house.


    ¡°I never doubted your capability as an alpha, son, buttely, you¡¯re too distracted, and that¡¯s what got us all killed. If you can¡¯t focus on handling the pack and your personal life, maybe someone should challenge you for that position.¡±


    ¡°I know, but right now, let¡¯s find McKaye.¡±

 136

    NIRVANA


    Despite being imprisoned in this solitary confinement, I still felt our mating bond. I could feel if Knight was pissed off or worried about something, and it just confirmed that something was wrong when Shadow came in a hurry and called Zack out of the room.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I felt suddenly helpless inside.


    They must be talking through their pack link, but when Zack left quickly, my desperation rocked me, and my chest heaved.


    ¡°Shadow, please?¡±


    She made a deep sigh before she faced me. How she looked at me, I knew something terribly went wrong back at the vineyards.


    ¡°There¡¯s been an attack at the vineyards. That¡¯s all I know. Knight left with Califf, Zarah, and the guys.¡±


    ¡°Then you should let me out, Shadow. I need to be there. I can help.¡± I stepped closer to her, but the invisible walls kicked me back when I went too close. ¡°Shit. God, I hate magic!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not up to me, and I don¡¯t know how to take it down.¡±


    Please?¡± I believed her. ¡°Then call someone. Aira. She¡¯s a witch, maybe she can help me. She¡¯s Zarah¡¯s student, right?¡±


    ¡°I thought you don¡¯t care.¡± She must be listening to what I said to Zack.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t, but as long as I am their Luna. I am responsible for them. I know you understand that. If you keep me here, then what happens to them? It¡¯s on you, Shadow.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Vana. I wish I could help.¡± She started stepping back.


    ¡°Shadow, please? Don¡¯t do this to me! I need to be there.¡±


    She stopped when she reached the door and turned around, her eyes glinting. ¡°Then promise me you won¡¯t reject Knight.¡±


    ¡°Why in the hell would you defend that asshole? I¡¯m sure he¡¯s ming himself right now for what happened while he was not there in the vineyards. Good for him, but I feel terrible for those who got hurt. Now, please?¡±


    ¡°Just give me your word.¡±


    ¡°No! But I know how to get out of here.¡± I went to the bathroom and jumped out of the confinement. I didn¡¯t have shoes other than thin slippers. I approached the door, and the two guys looked shocked to see me.


    ¡°How?¡± said the cocky college boy.


    ¡°Don¡¯t piss me off, or I will break your snout, boy.¡± I walked towards the door and got in.


    ¡°Vana!¡± Shadow was calling my name and thought I was still in the bathroom.


    I poked her on the shoulder, startling her. Her eyes were wide when she turned back. ¡°How?¡±


    I shrugged. ¡°I need to go. Where are my phone and boots?¡±


    ¡°Goddess, your husband is gonna wring my neck. How am I going to exin this to him? Come with me.¡±


    ¡°He won¡¯t harm you,¡± I assured her and followed her outside.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you haven¡¯t escaped if you found a way out.¡±


    ¡°I was gonna use it for something like this.¡± Guys were looking at us, particrly at me, as we walked into the vast living room of the pack house.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, guys. At ease.¡±


    ¡°Your things are in the office.¡± She unlocked the door, went behind the desk, and opened a drawer. ¡°Here¡¯s your phone.¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t really care about me. He did not take my phone.¡±


    ¡°Maybe this kind of emergency he¡¯s expected. That¡¯s why he kept it here.¡± She pulled a file cab drawer and pointed at my boots. ¡°Take them. Zarah told us not to touch it.¡±


    I grabbed my boots and saw the dagger was still there. ¡°Thanks. I owe you.¡±


    ¡°Then, don¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°Never mind. I don¡¯t owe you anything. You helped him keep me in the worse than a jail cell.¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯re still pissed at me.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Shadow. Thanks for the help, but I have to go.¡±


    ¡°How are you supposed to go there? Let me call Zarah to portal you.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡± I breathed deeply. I¡¯d never teleported that far, but it was now or never. I jumped.


    I went a little far into the woods, but this area looked familiar, where Ist found myself, whining in excruciating pain.


    I instantly caught a lot of scents of musty, mossy, and rich earth, but also some scents of werewolves, fear, and blood. And definitely not friendly.


    Ducking down, I went to the tree and hid myself there. I briefly closed my eyes to listen to the footsteps and voices. Then, I saw an intruder creeping slowly towards me. His movements were precise, but Asina was better at stealth than him.


    I pulled out the dagger. Before he could shift and lung at me, I swung my arm and stabbed the fucker on his neck. His body fell on the root, bleeding profusely to his death.


    If there was one thing that terrified me, it was that I was too calm, taking people¡¯s lives. I knew they were the bad guys, but it was still killing- one thing that changed me into someone or something I didn¡¯t recognize anymore. Considering I didn¡¯t even flinch or hesitate, it should bother me.


    And then he did note alone. He was merely the scout. At least six of them were walking out of the property. How did they get in the barrier? They must have a witch working for them, or they found a way to break it. Something caught my eye that sucked me in a breath.


    Shit.


    They got McKaye. He looked wounded, and his wrists were burning, shackled with silverced cuffs.


    Six of them? How would I fight them when I had no more shield? Fuck it. I needed to save McKaye, or they would torture him to get information and probably the reason why they kept him alive.


    ¡°Hey, fuckers!¡±


    They halted, and all six turned to me. Two shifted at the back. McKaye also turned around, his face busted, blood trickling down his face.


    ¡°Really? Six against one? That¡¯s barely an odd.¡±


    ¡°Well, now, two of you,¡± the fake blond-haired guy with a scar on his chin said. ¡°And you¡¯re exactly what we were looking for. Lucky for us, we didn¡¯t have to torture him. All we do is kill him.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± I shrugged, even if my heart was hammering. ¡°Uncuff him and let him go. I¡¯m willingly going with you.¡± I used the conceal spell to hide the dagger before I offered my wrist.


    ¡°Vana, don¡¯t,¡± McKaye protested, hissing. ¡°Go back, please?¡±


    ¡°Not your decision anymore, McKaye.¡± I stepped closer to these fuckers and eyed for two wolves, one silver and the other brown.


    ¡°That¡¯s Good, but you know we can¡¯t let him go, either,¡± said the Latino man, smirking.


    As the four werewolves snarled at me, and I was just a meter closer to them, McKaye twisted his wrist, growling at me. Asina was already pulsing through me, roaring and vibrating in my bones.


    Jumping, I aimed my punch at the fake blond guy. My fist broke his chest. Then I vanished in the sparkle of Asina¡¯s blue me and came back, breaking the wolf¡¯s back. He screamed in agony.


    As the time slowed, I could see them in a deliberately slothful movement. I twisted the dagger in my hand, and it thrummed against my grip. In a fluid movement, I yanked it, whipped it through the air, and jabbed it against the wolf¡¯s neck, slicing it open. His own blood was dripping against his brown coat.


    Thest two werewolves fought against McKaye in handcuffs. The Latino guy snarled and narrowed his eyes at me before he shifted into a gray wolf.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have done that.¡± I threw the dagger at him, hitting him in the eye. He fell on the ground, howling in pain. I ran to him and pressed the dagger with my boot.


    The two werewolves were about to bite McKaye. I jabbed my fist in the air, and the werewolf in a white shirt flew up the tree. His unconscious body hung loosely on the branch.


    McKaye managed to bite the werewolf on the shoulder, tearing off his artery. Growling, he spat out the blood from his mouth.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    I pulled out the dagger from the Latino¡¯s eye and wiped it on his shirt.


    ¡°You are reckless!¡± Furious, McKaye yelled at me.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± I went to him and looked at his wrists. ¡°Let me help you with that.¡±


    ¡°Just find the fucking key so we can get out of here.¡± He tipped his head at the fake blond guy. ¡°Check his pocket.¡±


    I fished for the key in the dead guy¡¯s pocket and pulled out the key and a piece of paper. I unfolded it and found my picture printed from the council¡¯s bounty.


    ¡°See? I¡¯m famous.¡± I showed it to McKaye, who struggled with the silverced cuffs.


    ¡°Son of bitches.¡±


    I got him off the cuffs. ¡°You can heal, right?¡±


    ¡°Not fast. It needs the silver to get off my skin.¡± Then he looked at me. Gratitude shone in his eyes.


    ¡°Save your breath. Who¡¯s injured?¡±


    ¡°A lot. Wait. Where did youe from?¡±


    ¡°Knight locked me up in the confinement at Califf¡¯spound.¡±


    ¡°What? That¡¯s impossible. He wouldn¡¯t do that to you.¡± He gripped my arms, eyes filled with shock.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know? Now, I¡¯m going to kill him.¡±

 137

    KNIGHT


    Aspen and Heartley were severely injured. They lost a lot of blood and scared the fuck out of me if they would not make it. The West and North twins were healing, but one of our eldest pack members had just died.


    ¡°Alpha, I got a lot of scents over here,¡± Tucker reported from the east.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go far and strike alone if you find the attackers. Wait for us,¡± I said through the pack link.


    ¡°Copy that.¡±


    ¡°Tucker just found some scents in the east.¡±


    ¡°Alpha!¡± Azrel came running. ¡°Miss Zarah said the girls will make it through.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I looked at his arm. He was bleeding. ¡°Go get that check-up before your arm falls off.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be a pain. You¡¯ve done your part. Watch the infirmary closely. Report back if there¡¯s any development.¡±


    ¡°I will, Alpha.¡± Azrel ran back towards the pack house.


    I pulled off my tie and slipped it in my pocket as we headed towards the woods. ¡°Uncle, you don¡¯t have toe with us. I swear to you I will bring McKaye back.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ming, son. He¡¯s my son, and I can¡¯t lose him.¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t. I will do everything to get him back, even if I have to switch ces with him. Just stay here and check for what they need.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± He respected my rank, even if it was hard for him.


    I took my jacket off and gave it to him. ¡°We have to go.¡±


    ¡°Be careful. We can¡¯t lose you, too.¡±


    I nodded as I followed Kaleb, Maddox, and Luka. Califf and his guys joined us, searching for McKaye.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen those sons of bitches before. Why in the hell the shield didn¡¯t work? How did they get in?¡±


    ¡°Good question. Maybe they have a witch in their pack, too.¡± Luka took off his shirt. ¡°I¡¯m shifting. I can scout faster in my wolf.¡±


    ¡°Be careful. I have enough- What the fuck.¡± I hated to stop. Luka paused, and all eyes were on McKayeughing his ass off, but that was not what shocked us to the core.


    ¡°I thought she¡¯s locked up,¡± Califf said silently.


    ¡°I left her still inside the confinement,¡± Zack said.


    ¡°What do you mean she¡¯s locked up?¡± Kailin was gripping my shirt.


    ¡°Nirvana?¡± I called her name.


    Her head snapped in our direction. The moment our gazes locked, I felt our connection got stronger- it had awakened wild desires, but there was something else-something more- rage and fury- so much rage pulsing through her, shing in her eyes, almost glowing.


    Growling, she raced in our direction. A sudden ear-splitting cry tore off from her, pouring out into her fist, and a torrent of rage exploded on my jaw. I heard a snap. An excruciating pain shot right into my faceter.


    With her strength and power, Inded on my ass a few yards away, and I had a feeling it wasn¡¯t her full strength, knowing I was still alive.


    A low growl rose from my throat as I tried getting up, spitting out the blood from my mouth.


    ¡°You, son of a bitch!¡± Nirvana wasn¡¯t nearly done. She wanted to kill me, and it came directly from her. She started throwing punches at me, and I tried to block her.


    Frustrated at not getting hit, the power inside her erupted, and she just threw her fist in the air. I flew away, rolling on the ground, dust flying, debris shuttering my skin.


    The sickening sound of my ribs breaking echoed as I tried to roll over. My mouth was bleeding, blood trickling on the ground. No matter how painful I felt, I couldn¡¯t hurt her more than I already did.


    I deserved all of these because I loved her, and I couldn¡¯t watch her getting herself killed. Call me selfish, but my duty as her husband and mate was to protect her even if I had to pay it with my life.


    ¡°What the hell is going on?¡± Kailin screamed out in frustration as no one came in between to stop us.


    ¡°I told you I will kill you, asshole!¡± She dashed towards me at her unnatural speed. Her knees were on my broken ribs as she punched me in the face.


    I saw stars behind my lids. My eyes busted, the sun blurring my sight, and my nose broke from her fist.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Enough!¡± When Zarah yelled, her fist hung in the air, just a thread on my other eye.


    ¡°Do it. I betrayed you. I deserved it.¡± I watched her eyes filled with anger and so much pain.


    She raised her fist again, but Zarah called her name, ¡°You made your point! If you kill him, you also kill yourself. I know he betrayed your trust, but he did what he thought was good for you. That¡¯s what a mate should do, protecting his other half.¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s what it takes for you to forgive me, just do what you must. Take the life you saved, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you!¡± She grabbed me by my hair and looked down at me with so much hate. ¡°I hate you! And if killing you is showing you mercy, then you don¡¯t deserve it!¡± She banged my head on the ground before she got up and ran away.


    ¡°How did she escape?¡± Zack asked.


    I closed my eyes when I felt like I was going to pass out.


    ¡°Take him to the infirmary. Let him heal there,¡± Zarah ordered them.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on between you and Luna, but she must be so hurt to do this to you, Alpha,¡± McKaye said. ¡°I know how much she loves you, but she must feel so betrayed by the person she trusted the most.¡±


    ¡°You, too, McKaye. Clean your wound so you can heal fast.¡±


    ¡°For once, listen to one of us, brother,¡± Kailin said gleefully. ¡°I thought I lost you.¡±


    I felt being lifted.


    ¡°If not for Vana, I might be tortured and skin alive like a blood eagle execution, and I know why they attacked us.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± I opened my eyes to look at McKaye.


    ¡°Get yourself checked up, Alpha, then we can talk.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Stop. Put me down.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so stubborn. We¡¯ll talk once your pack doctor clears you,¡± Zarah said.


    They still brought me to the infirmary and cleaned up my face. When Duncan checked my chest, he shook his head. ¡°You¡¯re badly roughed up, Alpha.¡± And he hadn¡¯t seen the rest.


    ¡°How are they?¡± I looked at Aspen and Heartley in their beds.


    ¡°Healing well. I gave them blood transfusions. They¡¯ll be fine in two days, but those scars are pretty nasty.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯m so sorry this happened to Heartley.¡± I looked at his daughter one more time.


    ¡°Heartley will be fine. And don¡¯t thank me. I wish I could be out there helping.¡±


    ¡°You are needed here, doc. It¡¯s more than enough than risking your lives out there, and that¡¯s our job.¡±


    ¡°Just take a rest first.¡± He put the stethoscope on my chest. ¡°How did this happen? I thought you were in the council when the attack happened.¡±


    ¡°Luna happened,¡± said Luka in dismay.


    ¡°Luna? Why?¡± Duncan looked taken aback.


    ¡°Long story.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Goddess.¡± Duncan opened the buttons of my shirt and looked at my exposed chest in horror. ¡°No wonder she got you pretty bad.¡±


    ¡°Check his brain, too. I think he got grade three concussions,¡± Califf chuckled.


    I raised my middle finger at him. ¡°Asshole, you let her escape.¡±


    ¡°He didn¡¯t. Nirvana is smart. She found a way to escape in the bathroom. I kept that part open so in case there¡¯s an emergency, she can¡¯t be trapped, and if she did not escape, you might lose McKaye today.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°Stop fighting already, Knight. She¡¯s maybe your wife and mate, but she¡¯s an adult living independently since she turned eighteen. That¡¯s who she is. You can¡¯t control her. If she decides to fight against Cyrius, all you can do is be her anchor, and she¡¯s not going there alone. You have us, and maybe things will change by then, and she¡¯ll survive.¡±


    ¡°Zarah is right,¡± Califf agreed. ¡°You can¡¯t leave your territory unprotected. You may have enforcers here, but they need an alpha tomand them. They are stronger when you are with them, leading. And you have to consider Nirvana¡¯s feelings. I¡¯m sure this is not easy for her, knowing she can get killed. So be there for her, and don¡¯t make her feel alone and abandoned in this battle.¡±


    ¡°We still have a problem.¡± McKaye caught our attention as he showed us the printed picture of Nirvana.

 138

    NIRVANA


    ¡°What the hell is going on between you and Knight?¡± Kailin just bombarded me in my room. Of course, no matter what, she was team Alpha Knight. The way she looked at me right now was filled with usations and me.


    Admittedly, I got too carried away with my anger. Instead of protecting his pack, he was away locking me up. Yeah, I med him for the attack. He should have been here with them. I should have been here for everyone.


    ¡°Vana!¡± She shook me when I ignored answering her question.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask him?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re my best friend.¡±


    ¡°And he¡¯s your cousin and your alpha.¡± I arched a brow at her.


    ¡°I just want to hear it from you.¡±


    I faced her. ¡°Where¡¯s Dane? Haven¡¯t you seen him today?¡±


    She shook her head in annoyance. ¡°Dane is working.¡±


    I smiled. ¡°So, you two have mated?¡±


    ¡°None of your business.¡± Her reply was defensive. At the same time, she blushed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see his mark on your neck.¡±


    ¡°Vana!¡±


    My smile faded. ¡°I¡¯m sure you know the answer. If I were here, I could have helped and minimized the damages, but your cousin locked me up in confinement like I was some subject for an experiment. He betrayed me. He hurt me, K. I thought he loved me, but after what he did, I can¡¯t trust him anymore.¡±


    ¡°Hey. Don¡¯t ever doubt his feelings for you.¡± She instantly came to his defense. I expected nothing from Kailin other than protecting her alpha. ¡°Whatever he did, it was to protect you.¡±


    ¡°Look what is going on here, Kailin? All of these people are getting hurt because of me. Those who just came to attack the pack were all after me. I don¡¯t know what to do anymore. Things are getting out of control, and the shield around this ce is getting less effective each day.¡±


    She sighed deeply, holding me in my hand. ¡°We can figure this out.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I know one solution. I¡¯m turning myself in.¡±


    She grunted, rolling her eyes. ¡°Not again.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Fine. Let¡¯s go and kill that son of a bitch Eloh. I¡¯m sure he ordered all these attacks.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s in jail.¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah?¡± I arched a brow. ¡°Does he get a visiting privilege? If he does, then he just gave order to his loyalists.¡±


    ¡°Goddess.¡±


    ¡°I told you. And I¡¯m tired of fighting werewolves. I want to kill that son of a bitch, Cyrius, not your kind. I want to find him.¡±


    ¡°How are you going to find him?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± I sat on the bed. ¡°Maybe a warlock can find a warlock.¡±


    ¡°Alpha won¡¯t let us.¡±


    This time, I rolled my eyes. ¡°Of course. Anyway, how¡¯s Mac?¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much. I would have lost him if it wasn¡¯t for you.¡± She kissed me on the cheek. ¡°I owe you one. You¡¯re kinda badass.¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    ¡°People are getting killed because I¡¯m a badass. This is a curse, K., not a gift.¡±


    ¡°Hey. You¡¯re also saving a lot of people.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want any more killing. I¡¯m tired of fighting bad guys. And your cousin? God, I hate him.¡±


    ¡°Hey. Stop it.¡± For a second, she was horrified.


    My eyes narrowed. ¡°He drugged me. It¡¯s not something I can forget. If he will do something stupid to me again, I swear I will divorce him-¡±


    ¡°Gee. You, people enjoy divorce a lot.¡±


    ¡°You, people?¡± My brows shot up. ¡°Wow. I didn¡¯t see thating.¡±


    ¡°Hey. Don¡¯t twist my words.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a dick.¡±


    ¡°I know. Sometimes he is. Get some rest.¡±


    I nodded. I thought of a new n to end this attack when she left.


    ***


    It had been three days since that attack. Everyone recovered but the elder who died. It was heartbreaking. The pack did a small service in his honor before we buried him. That was thest time I saw Knight.


    I guessed I pissed him off, or he helped me from getting the me for what happened while we were away and for what he did to me.


    I also avoided sitting with the pack, but everyone knew that I stayed in the pack house. I received visitors. They sent me some snacks and drinks, and McKaye continued our training.


    I started scribbling again, which I really missed a lot, but I avoided a topic about Knight.


    It still hurt, and I did not receive an apology, a letter, or even flowers from him. He just ignored me for three damn days, but the worse part was I knew he hade to the pack house, and our bond was still strong.


    After breakfast, I showered and changed into clean clothes. I remembered our n to go shopping before he drugged me. I was grateful for Kailin, though. She went to the house to get some of my clothes.


    Just as I sat on the bed and grabbed a sketchpad, I heard a knock on my door, and his scents flooded my nostrils. My heart suddenly beat faster.


    ¡°Nirvana, it¡¯s me.¡± The door opened.


    I ignored him getting in, but he smelled good, distracting me from sketching. ¡°What do you want? I¡¯m ready for my punishment for hitting an alpha.¡±


    ¡°The council sets up a meeting for alphas, and I want you toe with me.¡±


    I lifted my gaze from the sketchpad, and he almost caught me off guard. He dressed well, and he looked insanely handsome. ¡°I¡¯m not an alpha.¡±


    ¡°I know that.¡±


    ¡°I did not receive an invitation.¡±


    He blew a breath, scratching his nose. His other hand is in his pocket. ¡°It¡¯s been three days, Nirvana. I gave you enough time-¡±


    ¡°To what?¡± I grabbed the dagger from my boot. ¡°To reconsider? To move on? To get over it? To what, Knight? To forgive you? Not happening!¡± I threw the dagger on the wall. It stuck straight. ¡°You better get to the meeting before you miss it.¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯re still pissed at me.¡±


    ¡°Damn right, I am.¡± I threw it again and again to annoy him so he would leave me alone.


    ¡°How did you do that?¡±


    I stopped and red at him. ¡°Do what? Stay mad? It¡¯s easy. I¡¯m reying what you did to me in my head.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± He pointed at the wall. ¡°Get the dagger. Did you go there to pull it out?¡±


    Oh, yeah. I didn¡¯t realize it either. In fact, I was surprised myself.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s just that every time I hold the dagger, I feel it vibrate in my hand. Like a ma. Like a boomerang.¡±


    ¡°Huh.¡± I felt like I could see themp lighting up in his brain in his expression. ¡°Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°I heard you, Knight. My answer remains the same.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯m going. Stay put, and don¡¯t destroy the wall. I¡¯ll see youter.¡± That was it. He left, and my anger just shot up. I threw the dagger at the door instead.


    Thirty minutester, I got out of the door and almost bumped into Dane, who had a bouquet in his hand.


    I couldn¡¯t help but smile and get jealous at the same time. He was thoughtful, while my mate was an asshole. ¡°Look at you.¡±


    ¡°Luna.¡±


    ¡°Vana is fine, Dane.¡±


    ¡°You did not go with Alpha Knight?¡±


    ¡°No. What¡¯s the meeting all about anyway?¡±


    ¡°You.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± I stared at him in shock.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡±


    I shook my head in disbelief. ¡°Knight wanted me toe but didn¡¯t mention that the meeting is about me.¡±


    ¡°The meeting of alphas is to discuss whether you¡¯re a help or a threat.¡±


    My eyes widened. ¡°Dane, the council put all the alphas together in one ce?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Shit. Who¡¯s with him?¡±


    ¡°Kaleb and Luka.¡±


    I picked up my phone.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    I dialed Knight¡¯s number, but he did not pick it up. It was in silent mode, or something was already happening.


    ¡°Shit. He¡¯s not picking up. Damn it, Knight!¡± My heart jumped into my throat as I began typing a message.


    ¡°Luna Nirvana, is he in trouble?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a trap, Dane. It¡¯s a trap.¡±

 139

    KNIGHT


    She still hated me. She did not even try to pretend or hide her anger.


    It hurt a lot, like my chest was always clenching, even though my ribs were already healing. My wolf was the one suffering from what I did. I gave her enough time and space she needed, but it didn¡¯t change anything.


    ¡°Nirvana did note with you?¡± Califf asked as we both headed inside the council building.


    ¡°I did not tell her what the meeting is all about.¡±


    ¡°Let me guess, she¡¯s still pissed at you.¡±


    ¡°She hates me. It won¡¯t change the fact that I betrayed her trust.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re hurting, Knight.¡±


    ¡°Damn right, I am. The world is on the brink of ending, and so does my marriage.¡± I let go of a shuddering breath.


    ¡°Your bond is stronger than anything. Apologize properly, make her feel she¡¯s wanted, and show her how much you love her. I know alpha¡¯s pride, but sometimes, you have to swallow it for your mate¡¯s sake. I did that many times for Shadow.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± We underwent an extra security check before going to the second floor. It was understandable, considering what Eloh did to Victor, the virus, and the constant attack on packs.


    ¡°And her love for you won¡¯t just disappear. Trust me. She¡¯s just hurting like you.¡±


    ¡°I hope so, Cal because I¡¯m going crazy, and my wolf is always restless without her.¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°Let me guess. She slept in the pack house?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. For three days now.¡±


    ¡°And you let her? In that length?¡± He looked amused rather than showing me sympathy. ¡°Damn, your patience is admirable, but you¡¯re also stupid.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m giving her space.¡±


    ¡°Werewolves like us don¡¯t need space. She may not be one of us, but she wants you to woo her, and distancing from her makes your situation worse.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll woo her as soon as this meeting ends.¡± I followed him into the conference room.


    Most of the alphas from different states had already arrived. At least thirty alphas would be here today, which never happened in a long time.


    The meeting began shortly after. Victor talked about everyone¡¯s safety and the report of the death toll increasing worldwide. Half of the alphas mocked him when he started talking about the ancient warlock.


    Califf and I shook our heads in disappointment.


    ¡°May I speak, Head Council Fredrick.¡± The alpha from Vegas raised his hand. ¡°I don¡¯t think any of these are true. This is just a virus, but it affects our genes this time. It had nothing to do with ck magic. I don¡¯t believe it. It killed three of my pack members, but as long as you don¡¯t get bitten, you¡¯re safe.¡±


    ¡°So we will just wait until this virus kills all of us, or it just dies by itself. I don¡¯t think it works like that, alpha,¡± said the alpha from Hawaii. ¡°The virus killed half of our people.¡±


    ¡°Then maybe you should stay out of the jungle,¡± mocked the Vegas alpha.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± Victor stopped them when the murmurs erupted. ¡°We can¡¯t deny the fact there¡¯s an involvement of magic here. And if I¡¯m wrong, are you just going to stand there and watch everyone die? Even scientists could not figure out a cure. You killed ten infected werewolves, and another ten emerged. The only way to end this madness is for us to work together.¡±


    ¡°How are you proposing we do that?¡± the question came from Boston alpha.


    ¡°Cyrius-¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me.¡± Alpha Grayson reacted. ¡°This is bullshit.¡±


    Califf shook his head. ¡°I can¡¯t believe this man. After what happened to his pack, I thought he would change his perspective of what¡¯s happening around him.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s in denial because he¡¯s useless. I still don¡¯t know how he became alpha.¡±


    ¡°The virus almost killed half of your back, and you are still denying Cyrius did not cause it?¡±


    ¡°The ancient warlock?¡± one of the New Yorkers¡¯ alphas asked. ¡°I thought he was a myth.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not a myth. And the only way to kill him is if we work together with witches and other kinds,¡± Victor added.


    ¡°We can¡¯t kill him alone,¡± Alpha Frye said as he nced at me. ¡°He¡¯s a powerful warlock. The only way to defeat someone like him is by using Katzius¡¯s blood dagger, and the only person who could wield it is his bloodline.¡±


    ¡°So? How do we find his bloodline?¡± The Vegas alpha shrugged.


    ¡°He¡¯s an arrogant son of a bitch.¡±


    I chuckled at Califf. ¡°He should have note here.¡±


    ¡°Or maybe he will stop spreading this gue if we just turn over the dagger and Katzius¡¯s descendant to him.¡±


    ¡°Is that what you want, Grayson?¡± Califf grunted. He was still pissed for turning us down and breaking the alliances with us. ¡°Do you think this virus will end? I don¡¯t think so. He will rule our world, and no one will be safe and free. And you just signed your death warrant. He will control you, all of us.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. That could work as a damage control,¡± Vegas Alpha agreed. ¡°We will make a deal.¡±


    ¡°You want to make a deal with someone like Cyrius? Are you kidding me?¡± I finally spoke. ¡°Yeah, right? Because he will keep the end of the bargain.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we should set up a meeting with him then and ask him what he wants.¡±


    ¡°He wants to rule the underworld,¡± Victor said, ¡°and if you¡¯re willing to turn the underworld like hell, then we should make a deal. Do you want that?¡±


    ¡°This is ridiculous. I know who has the dagger and who is a descendant of Katzius,¡± Grayson said, instantly boiling my blood.


    Everyone caught his attention.


    ¡°You won¡¯t make such a stupid decision, Alpha Grayson.¡± I still called him alpha even if the position didn¡¯t fit him. ¡°Think about other people, the humans, and other creatures. Cyrius will end us all at once, eliminating threats like us if you give him what he wants. You¡¯d be useless to him, and you¡¯d be the first person to die. You know why he wants the dagger because that¡¯s the only thing he¡¯s vulnerable to, and the bloodline of Katzius, and when all those are gone, he can do whatever he wants, including infecting all living. It happened before, and millions of people died, humans and our kind. Is that what you want?¡±


    ¡°Who has the dagger?¡± the Vegas alpha asked.


    Before Grayson could reply, the double door swung open. My mate just walked into the ho¡¯s nest of alphas with a smile in her oversized coat, shirt, and jeans. Of course, her favorite boots. Dane was behind her.


    ¡°Shit. What is she doing here?¡±


    ¡°Who are you?¡± asked the Boston alpha.


    ¡°She knows how to make an entrance.¡± Califf chuckled.


    ¡°Nirvana, descendant to Katzius, and the wielder of the blood dagger. Crap, it sounds dramatic. Well, I heard Eloh¡¯s loyalists have been looking for me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re lying.¡± The Vegas alpha snorted.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care if you believe me or not. Your opinion doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Her gaze locked with mine, and she mind-linked me. ¡°This is a trap. Get out now.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± My heart pumped harder.


    ¡°This conference ispromised. There¡¯s someone here who is Eloh¡¯s minion.¡±


    Alpha Grayson¡¯s eyes just widened.


    ¡°You?¡± I stood up. ¡°You¡¯re the one who attacked my pack?¡±


    ¡°Not me, Alpha Knight, but I¡¯m the one who told them about your mate.¡± He growled. Before the conference went into chaos, he grabbed something from his pocket and threw it on the table. It is a small gas valve. The smoke quickly spread, and everyone started coughing.


    ¡°Get out now!¡± Nirvana yelled.


    As some alpha ran towards the door, someone locked it outside.


    Before Alpha Grayson could escape, the alphas were already ripping him apart.


    ¡°Shit. Nirvana, stay with me!¡± I searched for the other door. Dane was already in there but also locked from the outside.


    The alpha began panicking, and some shifted to w their way out.


    My heart pumped so hard as the mist spread all over. My eyes stung, and I began coughing.


    ¡°Dane,e over here!¡± Nirvana called him.


    Dane grabbed Victor. ¡°Come with me.¡±


    Alpha Frye went to us as he coughed so hard that his mouth began bleeding.


    ¡°Califf, everyone holds onto me,¡± said Nirvana.


    We did as she asked and brought us to the parking lot.


    ¡°Impressive,¡± said Alpha Frye.


    ¡°I have to get back.¡±


    ¡°No!¡± I was just holding and stopping her, but she was already gone. ¡°Nirvana!¡±


    ¡°We have to get back and open the door. Whoever did that was still there.¡±


    I agreed with Califf. ¡°Dane, go find the guys and let Victor stay with them.¡±


    Califf and I went back to the conference room at a blinding speed. Frye followed us, too, but the door had already been opened, and two guys had knocked on the floor.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Nirvana?¡±Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

 140

    NIRVANA


    After I knocked down two guys guarding the door, I opened it. ¡°Come on! Faster.¡±


    I got in and threw alphas outside, who had just been knocked out with the gas. It instantly made me cough.


    My nose and my eyes burned. Whatever was there was so potent that even as strong as an alpha could lose consciousness instantly.


    As the alpha rushed outside, I went to the other exit door, but Knight and Califf had already dragged a man with them.


    ¡°Looks like we all have the same idea, Nirvana,¡± Alpha Frye said.


    ¡°How about Grayson?¡± Knight asked, even if they already knew the answer.


    ¡°He¡¯s ready to be skewed.¡± I found Grayson lying on the floor in the pool of his blood.


    ¡°That son of a bitch.¡± Califf grunted before turning to me. ¡°How did you know we¡¯re in trouble?¡±


    ¡°In this chaos and threat, putting alphas in one room is always a bad idea. I wonder who came up with this meeting.¡±


    ¡°We should ask Victor,¡± Knight suggested as we headed back to the alphas.


    ¡°Hey, Alpha Knight.¡± The cocky alpha who mocked me earlier was now offering his hand to shake with Knight. Unbelievable. ¡°I apologize for what I said earlier. Alpha Michael of Vegas Moonlight Pack.¡±


    Knight shook his hand. ¡°Apologize to my mate.¡±


    ¡°We owe you our lives, Luna. And I apologize for my behavior. The entire pack is indebted to you. No matter what you¡¯ve decided with this matter, we have your back.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°So do we,¡± said the other alpha and the rest.


    ¡°What¡¯s the n? How do we fight this warlock?¡± Michael asked.


    I looked at Knight and let him make the decision. Whatever our falling out, he was still my alpha, and I swore my loyalty to him.


    ¡°We don¡¯t meet in a ce like this. If we set a meeting, either online or with our witch¡¯s allies, it will bring us together. In the meantime, be careful and stay vignt in your territory. If you need our help, just let us know. We¡¯ll be there. Califf and I wille up with solid ns with the head council, and we¡¯ll let you know.¡±


    ¡°So it¡¯s true then?¡± asked the alpha, who regained consciousness.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Alpha Frye helped him get up.


    ¡°Hold on a minute. Why did Grayson just knock you all out?¡±


    They all stared at me until I smelled a gas.


    ¡°Shit.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here.¡± Califf hadn¡¯t finished his words, and everyone jumped from the second floor.


    Califf, Frye, and Knight already knew what to do. We just jumped on time before the entire building exploded.


    I sucked in a breath, shielding my eyes as I watched the whole building copse.


    ¡°Is everyone okay? Did everyone get out?¡± Knight asked.


    ¡°Except for the two guards and Grayson,¡± the cocky alpha replied.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here,¡± Califf said to everyone.


    We ran back to our vehicles. Dane was with Victor, watching the building burn and crash into rubble.


    ¡°Victor, let Dane send you home.¡±


    ¡°I suggest we get you to a safe ce,¡± Dane told Victor.


    ¡°Good idea,¡± Califf agreed as he got into his car. ¡°You guys can¡¯t stay here longer before the cops arrive.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here.¡± I felt Knight¡¯s hand on my back.


    I did not resist anymore before I got in the backseat.


    ¡°What the hell happened in there?¡± Kaleb asked.


    ¡°Stupid Grayson. Eloh must have got into him.¡± Knight spat out in anger.


    ¡°How did you know where in trouble?¡±


    ¡°Not now, Luka. Get us out of here now.¡±


    We arrived back at the vineyards. They rebuilt the burned Tasting room in just three days while I was in my cocoon. They managed to update the security system and added more barricades and barbed wire around the perimeters.


    Knight had been working tirelessly for the past three days while I was being stubborn.


    ¡°You did all these in three days?¡±


    ¡°Not me alone. Our people and some guys from our allies.¡±


    Unable to say a word, I just nodded and left.


    ¡°Nirvana, wait.¡± He got to grab me on my wrist.


    ¡°I know what I did was dangerous and reckless-¡±


    ¡°We could have been killed, and every alpha in this country, but you acted bravely and risked your life for us. Thank you for being there.¡±


    ¡°I did not do it for them. I did it for you, Califf, and Alpha Frye. The others were just constion, but one thing I might regret doing is that I exposed myself.¡±


    ¡°They will find out anyway.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I nodded as I looked at his hand on my wrist.


    He loosened and let my wrist go. ¡°Are you still staying in your room in the pack house?¡±


    ¡°I may save you today, but we¡¯re not there yet.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± He smiled.


    ¡°Alpha,¡± I acknowledged him before I left.


    When I got back to the pack house, someone hugged me from behind, startling me.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°Kailin, don¡¯t do that again, or I might identally stab you.¡±


    She let go of me and rolled her eyes.


    ¡°What¡¯s the thank you for?¡±


    ¡°You saved Dane.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°You¡¯re in love with Agent 47. What are you waiting for? Just let him mark you.¡±


    ¡°Shut up.¡± She just spanked me in my ass, making me jump.


    ¡°Hey.¡± My eyes widened in surprise.


    ¡°You should forgive our alpha. I know you still love him. You wouldn¡¯t go there, saving him if you don¡¯t care.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still loyal to this pack, K. And saving my alpha is a heroic and honorable thing to do.¡±


    ¡°Whatever you say, girl.¡±


    ¡°And I will save everyone I care about without hesitation, including Agent 47.¡±


    ¡°Stop calling him that.¡±


    My smile widened. ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡±


    I entered my room and did another sketch. I just scribbled without ideas in my head, which was somehow rxing. I was able to do it again.


    What surprised me the most was the result of my work-it was Knight in his wolf form.


    ¡°Shit.¡± I closed the sketchpad and put it on the nightstand.


    Lying down, I closed my eyes and tried to get a nap.


    Without warning, he grabbed me by my ankles and dragged me to the edge of the bed.


    ¡°Take your panties off,¡± he ordered me as he unbuckled his belt and worked on his pants, letting them fall on his ankles. Then he grabbed his dick out of his boxers. He was already hard and began stroking it.


    When I was too shocked to move, he growled at me, his green eyes searing against mine. ¡°Panties. Off. Now, Nirvana.¡±


    I did as he said, scrambling to remove my shorts and underwear. My chest started heaving. My lips went dry as I watched him enjoy stroking himself.


    ¡°Open your mouth, suck me, and take me all in.¡± His order woke up something inside me. Lust fired up through my veins, and my clit ached for him.


    I opened my mouth, and he shoved his shaft inside.


    ¡°That¡¯s it, sweetheart. Good girl.¡± He caressed my cheek and tucked the loose strands behind my ear.


    I rxed my mouth, and my throat grabbed his length and let my tongue swirl around his girth before I pushed my head down, taking him to the root.


    I still gagged despite how rxed I was. He was so big, my cheek hallowed.


    ¡°Fuck. You feel so fucking good.¡± He shuddered, his jaw clenching. ¡°Touch yourself. I wanna hear how wet your cunt is.¡±


    I slid my hand between my thighs. The first gaze of the pad of my finger jolted me.


    ¡°That¡¯s it. Rub that little clit for me. Are you wet, sweetheart?¡±


    I nodded with a moan as I bobbed my head, stroked him faster, sucked him greedily, and he thrust in and out of my mouth.


    ¡°Your mouth is like heaven, Nirvana.¡± He grabbed a handful of my hair, held me under his control, and fucked my mouth.


    My eyes watered, but I never broke my gaze at him. He was enjoying it.


    ¡°Good girl.¡± His growl made me shiver. ¡°I can hear you¡¯re drenched, Nirvana. Do you want my mouth on you or my cock?¡±


    I shook my head, moaning as pleasure spread my entire body. I was writhing in euphoria as my orgasm was close, too close.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    Until I woke up, catching my breath.

 141

    KNIGHT


    She still despised me. I could feel it, but she did save us all alphas, and now everyone was indebted to her, and we just acquired allies because of her bravery.


    I wanted to hug her, kiss her, and make love with her for the job well done, but that could wait. I broke her trust and didn¡¯t know how to regain it.


    I just missed her. My wolf missed her. My wolf became restless without physical contact, so I sneaked into her room after dinner. I slept beside her, only to be woken up by a moan. She must be dreaming- a wild dream.


    ¡°Nirvana?¡± I slightly nudged her, and she jolted to wake up, her chest heaving.


    Seemingly disoriented, she turned to me, horrified for a second. ¡°Why are you in my bed?¡±


    ¡°I was too tired to go home, so I decided to sneak in,¡± I told her the half-truth.


    ¡°Really? You couldn¡¯t ask anyone to drive you home?¡±


    ¡°No, sweetheart. Unlike you, you can jump into ces in seconds.¡± I lied back, hoping she let it go.


    ¡°Unbelievable.¡±


    ¡°Believe it or not. We worked all day, and my wolf needs you.¡±


    She snorted. ¡°If he needs me, his buddy shouldn¡¯t have been so stupid.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not buddies. He¡¯s part of me.¡±


    ¡°I know that, asshole, but you can¡¯t sleep here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be gone in a few. Just let me catch some sleep.¡±


    ¡°No, Knight. You find an empty room, or I will find a hotel.¡± She turned her back on me angrily.


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯m leaving.¡± Sighing in disappointment, I got up from bed and grabbed my shirt and jeans on the chair. ¡°Were you dreaming or something?¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Her heart pounded hard at my question, making me smile. I didn¡¯t have to ask because I could smell her arousal. I bet she was wet, and she probably just dreamed about us having sex.


    ¡°Why the fuck do you care? I dreamed of blow-jobbing a man while touching myself, and I enjoyed it a lot.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t fucking say something like that again,¡± I growled, mostlying from my wolf. Jealousy in werewolves was expected, making us overly possessive and feral. It was in our nature we couldn¡¯t control or change that fact.


    ¡°Or what?¡± Her head snapped at me, and the anger in her gaze began to consume her. ¡°What are you going to do this time? Lock me in the vault?¡±


    Narrowing my eyes at her, I let the anger ball roll inside my stomach. ¡°Don¡¯t test me. I haven¡¯t punished you for what you¡¯ve done. Hitting and disrespecting an alpha is an offense and a serious crime in the werewolfw.¡±


    ¡°Bite me.¡± She went back to her side.


    I breathed deeply. ¡°You have two days to change your attitude.¡±


    ¡°And after that?¡±


    ¡°I will give you what you want.¡± I put my clothes on and bolted out of her room.


    It was only two in the morning, but I walked to the small cabin, stripped off my clothes, and went for a run.


    As I shifted, my heart was beating furiously like mad, my mind was in a chaotic whirlwind, and my skin was on fire. I let my wolf take control of me, running wherever it took me.


    I gave up.


    My breathing ragged.


    My heart throbbed.


    And this agony I felt was all because of my stupidity of saving the only woman I ever loved. I just couldn¡¯t ept it. I wouldn¡¯t. There was no fucking way I would let her die. Closing my eyes, I howled in pain and so much loss.


    I shifted back and spent the night on the cliff, under the moonlight, where I fell. I had been questioning my decisionstely.


    Maybe my uncle was right. I wasn¡¯t fit to be an alpha anymore. I was reckless and impulsive.


    ¡°That¡¯s a stupid idea.¡± My heart stopped dead in my chest to her voice behind me.


    Startling, I groaned. ¡°Don¡¯t sneak up like that.¡±


    ¡°If you jump, I can¡¯t save you anymore.¡± She joined me on the cliff, and the dark forest was covered with fog. It was beautiful and mysterious at the same time.


    ¡°How did you find me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you woke up everyone with that alpha howl.¡±


    I looked at her. ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to jump andmit suicide.¡±


    ¡°I know. You¡¯re a jackass but not suicidal, but you shouldn¡¯t be here alone.¡±


    ¡°So you followed me here?¡±


    She shook her head. ¡°Sometimes, some people revisit thest ce that gave them so much pain. I thought you came here.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit.¡±


    She chuckled and looked at me. It was the first time I had seen her eyes glittering with humor since our falling out.


    ¡°I felt your emotional turmoil and saw you run, so I followed you here.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful out here.¡±


    ¡°And dangerous.¡± She let go a sigh before she spoke again. ¡°I can set aside my anger because we have important matters to do. I¡¯m willing to work with you, but you must let me do what¡¯s necessary. I can¡¯t do my job with a hand tied behind my back.¡±


    Letting the pain settle in my chest, I nodded. ¡°I can do that, but if there¡¯s a way to stop you from ending up killing yourself, I will do it.¡±


    ¡°I know. I don¡¯t wanna die either, Knight.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good because no matter how you hate me and whatever life awaits us after this, I will still choose you to be happy even if I won¡¯t be a part of your life anymore.¡±


    She swallowed hard and blocked me in her thoughts. She didn¡¯t have to. I felt her struggle. I knew she still cared about me even if she somehow hated me because she knew why I did what I did, and I would still do it over again if, by means, saving my mate.


    We ended up making breakfast in the kitchen. She took care of the waffles while I made some scrambled eggs.


    ¡°You missed your dinner.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re keeping tabs on me now?¡±


    ¡°Always.¡±


    She lifted her gaze from the waffle maker. ¡°I¡¯m fine. One missed meal won¡¯t hurt me.¡±


    ¡°It must be fun to be you.¡± I put some bacon strips into the skillet.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need time to wait to call Uber.¡± That cracked her up.


    ¡°It¡¯s scary, Knight. I can¡¯t control my exact position, and I¡¯m still scared to do it when it¡¯s not necessary. And I feel energy draining me, and I¡¯m a cheater.¡±


    ¡°People would die to have your gift, sweetheart.¡± I grabbed two tes, and she was done with the waffles when I noticed she suddenly went silent. ¡°Did I say something wrong?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a gift and a curse at the same time. I still wanna be a normal person and live a normal life.¡±


    ¡°I know. This life isn¡¯t ideal for you, and with what¡¯s going on, I wish I hadn¡¯te to you and showed you my world.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s here now. It¡¯s happening.¡± She poured coffee into two cups and took a seat beside me. ¡°I didn¡¯t regret meeting you.¡±


    I froze for a moment. The cup in my hand was an inch to my lips as I stared at her, both shocked and relieved.


    ¡°It¡¯s the highlights of my life. Maybe after all this chaos, I¡¯ll have a normal life again.¡±


    ¡°I want that for you, too.¡±


    She nodded as she sliced her waffle. ¡°When you said earlier you would give me what I want, may I know what that is?¡±


    It pained me to say it out loud, but she deserved the truth. ¡°A normal life, away from me.¡±

 142

    NIRVANA


    Once I finished writing the letter, I wiped the tears from my cheeks and folded the paper before I texted Zarah.


    My phone buzzed in my hand. Her name popped up on the screen.


    I picked up her call. ¡°Hi.¡±


    ¡°What is it this time?¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°I can¡¯t call just to say hello?¡±


    ¡°No. What do you want?¡±


    ¡°I have something I want you to give it to Knight if something happens to me.¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m not doing that, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Please, this is important to me.¡±


    There was a long pause before she replied, ¡°You better not die.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the least I want, Zarah, but just in case.¡±


    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll drop by sooner. Anyway, what you did at the council was brave. I¡¯m proud of you.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, but?¡±


    ¡°How are you and Knight?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re okay.¡± I didn¡¯t have to tell her the truth. She knew it anyway.


    ¡°Yeah? That sounds like it. You have to forgive your husband, Nirvana. It¡¯s not that he cheated on you, but what he did was to protect you. I would have done the same thing to the people I love. It may look like betrayal, but he loves you, and you¡¯re his mate.¡±


    ¡°He wants me to live a normal life.¡± I thought it broke my heart when he said those words to me. It sounded to me that he would give up what we had because he felt that would make me happy.


    ¡°Then what did you say?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. What else to say, Zarah?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re stupid, you know. It¡¯s his way of giving you what you want, even if it¡¯s breaking his heart. Do you want to break his heart, Nirvana?¡±


    ¡°I know. I told him I wanted a normal life, and whatever I have is a curse.¡±


    ¡°You both are idiots. You think hurting yourself will strengthen your rtionship. That¡¯s not the way to test how far your mate would go. It¡¯s stupidity. Forgive him and make up for the lost time. It¡¯s not toote. We¡¯re at war, Nirvana. And you two need to spend more time together before it¡¯s toote.¡±


    I breathed deeply.


    ¡°Don¡¯t hesitate. You¡¯re passed beyond that.¡±


    ¡°But what if-¡±


    ¡°Stop. And I¡¯m busy.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Thanks for listening to my bullshit.¡±


    ¡°See you soon.¡±


    I drew all my strength and my courage before I went downstairs. I still slept in the pack house. It may sound stupid, but I was waiting for him to take me or invite me to go home, but it didn¡¯t happen.


    I found Kaleb in the sitting area. ¡°Have you seen Knight?¡±


    ¡°He went to work. There¡¯s an emergency meeting in the office.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    Before I left, he called my name. ¡°Can I give you a bit of advice?¡±


    ¡°Can I say no?¡±


    He smiled. ¡°Whatever he did, I think it was romantic and heroic.¡±


    ¡°Really? You and I have different definitions of romance and kidnapping. It was dark, Kaleb.¡± I left, and he wasughing.


    I drove all the way from the vineyards to his office. I honestly had no idea what I was doing, but I went with my guts.


    His assistant, Jada, met me in the hallway. ¡°Can I help you, Ms. Thorne?¡±


    ¡°You know by now that I¡¯m Mrs. ckwell.¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Right. Mr. ckwell is still in the meeting. You can wait in his office if you want. Is he expecting you?¡±


    ¡°No. I want to take him for lunch.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s impossible. Mr. ckwell¡¯s schedule is full, and he is meeting an investor for lunch.¡±


    ¡°When is he free?¡±


    ¡°Like I said, his schedule is full.¡± God, I wanted to strangle her pretty neck until she turned blue. ¡°He¡¯d been on a long vacation. You should know that, but I can tell him you dropped by.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. I¡¯ll see him at home.¡± I left without waiting for her reply. God, how I wanted to stab her in her chest. What a bitch!


    I went downstairs, hoping I wouldn¡¯t bump into Knight, but it was toote. I felt his presence closer, making my skin tingle and my heart beat faster.


    ¡°Nirvana?¡±


    Shit.


    I breathed deeply before turning around. He wasn¡¯t alone. He was with at least four older men.


    ¡°Hi. I¡¯ll talk to youter.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly. Gentlemen, this is my wife, Nirvana.¡±


    I had no choice but to y politely. I shook their hands. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, gentlemen.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll be waiting in your office, Knight.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± When those gentlemen went to the elevator, he faced me and seemed surprised. ¡°How long have you been here? Why didn¡¯t you call me?¡±


    ¡°I just came from upstairs and met your assistant in the hallway, but you have a busy schedule. So, I¡¯ll just wait for you in the vineyards.¡±


    ¡°Join us over lunch.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re having lunch with those men?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Why?¡±


    ¡°She told me you¡¯ll be having lunch with a client.¡±


    ¡°Did she say a woman?¡± A glint shed in his eyes, his lips spreading into a wide smile.


    ¡°No, and I didn¡¯t ask. Anyway, you can¡¯t keep them waiting. I¡¯ll see youter.¡± I wanted to disappear before him. I felt embarrassed, my cheeks burning.


    ¡°I will fire her.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t. I know she likes you, and it¡¯s torture enough that she can¡¯t have you.¡±


    Knightughed out loud. ¡°If you say so, sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°I have to go.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Did you drive all the way here?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Then let me send you to the parking lot.¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m good.¡± I walked away from him when he called my name. ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll pick you upter.¡±


    Smiling, I ran back to him, cupped his face, and kissed him. He gasped into my mouth but kissed me back. I still saw the surprise in his eyes when I broke the kiss.


    ¡°Don¡¯t work too hard.¡± I kissed him quickly before letting him go. I walked out of the building, still wearing a smile.


    When I returned to the pack house, Zarah was already there with Dn in a new haircut.


    ¡°Hey, Vana.¡±


    ¡°Hey. Nice haircut.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. Where have you been?¡±


    ¡°I went to see Knight in his office.¡±


    ¡°Marking your territory?¡± asked Zarah in amusement.


    ¡°Kind of.¡± I picked up the paper from my pocket and gave it to her. ¡°So, any updates?¡±


    ¡°You should watch the news. It¡¯s bad,¡± Dn said.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Grayson¡¯s pack ispletely wiped out.¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God.¡± I stared at Dn in shock. ¡°How did it happen?¡±


    ¡°He did not fulfill his task.¡±


    ¡°Eloh escaped. So he and his men killed the entire pack, and he¡¯s here in California?¡± I asked in disbelief.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°And he¡¯sing to Ryden and Knight.¡± My stomach did a nosedive. ¡°Oh, no. I have to call Knight.¡±

 143

    KNIGHT


    ¡°Knight, get out of there now!¡± Nirvana sounded panicking over the phone.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on, Nirvana?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have time to exin. Just get out of there ande directly to the vineyards.¡±


    For a moment, I froze until she screamed, ¡°Please!¡±


    ¡°All right, sweetheart.¡± I just hung up the call when everyone in the building screamed.


    I quickly linked Luka, who was waiting in the parking lot. ¡°Ready the car. Something¡¯s going on.¡±


    ¡°Yes, alpha. The werewolves areing after you. I just hit a wolf but saw five more entering the building.¡±


    ¡°Shit. Return to the vineyards if I don¡¯t make it there in three minutes. They need you there.¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m not leaving you behind. Luna and the others can handle themselves. You¡¯re my alpha.¡±


    ¡°Damn it, Luka!¡± I dashed outside my office only to be halted on the spot. One of my staff was on the floor, lying in his own pool of blood. Everyone erupted into a frenzy, screaming and running in different directions to save their own lives. I smelled a lot of fear. It was overwhelming.


    At this moment, there was no point in hiding what I was. I may not be able to save everyone, but I needed to stay alive to fight our most terrifying enemy.


    Then a big ck wolf just strode in- he was an alpha. Then, a dark, feral expression glinted in his bloody eyes, screaming for a kill. He snarled his fangs out, a low growl reverberating from his throat as he slowly stalked towards me.


    My wolf stirred inside me as anger simmered out, sensing threats everywhere, unleashing his true nature. I had to resist the urge not to wolf out in public.


    It might mean nothing to these werewolves to break the werewolfw by showing their true nature to humans, but I wouldn¡¯t do it. I was better than them.


    We were both vicious and wanted a kill, but I stepped back towards my office and dashed inside.


    I hadn¡¯t shifted, but the alpha wolfunched inside, breaking into the wall, and ss shattered into the floor.


    With the urge to defend myself, my bones suddenly snapped, fur erupted over my skin, and my body contorted into a wolf. Clothes were shredded on the floor, and I lunged at the ck wolf.


    We flung across the office. Things ttered everywhere, papers flying in the air. He screamed as I bit into his shoulder.


    With his wolf almost the same size as mine, he spun me around, throwing me off bnce. I crashed down onto my desk. I hadn¡¯t gotten up; he quickly charged at me and sunk his ws deep into the skin on my chest.


    Growling in pain and rage, I caught him on his leg, tearing off the flesh. My eyes drifted to his neck, but his fangs came first, piercing my skin and sinking his teeth into my shoulder.


    Losing in this fight and dying alone was far worse than the pain I felt. And it was not an option. I had far more enemies to fight than this asshole.


    Exhaustion dragged my breathing, and my body screamed in agony, haunting me with unending pain, blood dripping on the floor. But I couldn¡¯t let him win, knowing my mate was waiting for me.


    Fury and rage tightened every muscle in my body. My heart hammered in my chest. As he snarled out, about to bite me on the neck, I spun around, immediately extended my ws out, tore their way into his abdomen, and blood bathed my body. Snarling, I brought my teeth into his neck and sunk in deep until he whimpered hisst breath.


    With pain searing my shoulder and my chest, my head snapped at the footsteps against the broken ss. A violent growl erupted from my throat.


    ¡°Alpha, it¡¯s me.¡± Luka rushed towards me, eyes widened in fear as he saw me lying in the pool of blood. ¡°Shit. You¡¯re hurt.¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I shifted back. My shoulder was severely wounded, and so was my chest. I could feel I was not healing. ¡°You, too.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± He had w scratches on his arm, but I was more injured than him. ¡°We have to get out of here.¡±


    ¡°How many wolves are still here inside?¡±


    ¡°I only killed one when I sneaked in.¡± He put my unaffected arm around his shoulder as he helped me up. ¡°Who¡¯s that fucker?¡±


    ¡°Eloh.¡±


    Shocked, he stared at me. ¡°Eloh Hartwick?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I hissed in pain as I staggered to take a step.


    ¡°Let me carry you, alpha.¡±


    ¡°No. I specifically told you to get the hell away from here. You just disobeyed mymand.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take my punishmentter once we get home safe.¡±


    Our heads snapped towards the hallway when we heard a surge of wind and whining, followed by a loud thud, ss breaking downstairs.


    Luka and I shared a look. Sure, hell, he saw the same fear in my eyes.


    ¡°Let me hide you in the bathroom.¡±


    I chuckled as I sucked a breath. ¡°You can¡¯t die alone, Luka. I¡¯m sorry I failed you.¡±


    ¡°Alpha, you¡¯re losing a lot of blood and getting paler. Why are you not healing?¡±


    ¡°Because I was injured before.¡±


    ¡°Any moment now, you will copse, and I¡¯d rather die saving you than-¡± His words were cut short when a feral growl erupted in the hallway.


    We waited.


    Holding my breath, I found the strength to stand but could no longer shift. My stamina was draining faster than I thought.


    Luka went into defense mode, shifting and shielding me, but I heard nothing since then but smashing and metal scraping against the wall.


    I let go of a ragged breath as I leaned against the wall, dragging myself down the floor. My eyes fluttered closed, but I was able to grip his leg. ¡°Leave me, Luka. Save yourself. That¡¯s an order.¡±


    He shifted back. ¡°The hell, alpha. We die together.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be stupid-¡± I shivered.


    ¡°No!¡± That was thest word I heard before I passed out.


    ***


    ¡°Is he healing?¡± Nirvana asked, her grip tightening around my hand.


    ¡°It¡¯s only been three hours, Luna, and he lost a lot of blood,¡± Duncan said.


    ¡°I know. I¡¯m sorry. I was just so terrified.¡± She pressed my hand onto her lips. ¡°You look like you could take a rest, too. No one needs immediate care anymore.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but if these monitors will rm, call me immediately.¡±


    ¡°I will, doc. Thank you.¡±


    I wanted to open my eyes, but I still felt weak, and my shoulder and chest still burned in pain.


    ¡°Hey, baby. If you can hear me, just grip my hand. I want to know if you¡¯re okay.¡±


    ¡°Just a kiss will heal me quickly,¡± I said, my voice cracking.


    ¡°Knight? Oh, my God.¡± Her heartbeat raced. Despite the dryness of my lips, I felt her lips pressed against mine. And she was still so closed, her breathing fanning my face. ¡°Hey. Good to hear your voice.¡±


    I tried cracking my eyes open. The first thing I saw was her eyes, which looked like she had been crying. ¡°Beautiful.¡±


    ¡°You made us all worry.¡±


    I tried to move, but she stopped me, raising the head of the bed a little.


    ¡°How bad is it?¡±


    ¡°Kaleb is wounded, but you¡¯re worse. Tucker and Roisin got scratches, but they are healing in their home. Luka is healing.¡± She tipped her chin to her right. ¡°He never wanted to leave you.¡±


    I slightly turned my head to Luka. He was curling into a ball on the bed with bandages around his arm. ¡°You risked your life again.¡±


    ¡°Well, shit. I can¡¯t let you die while I¡¯m waiting for you to pick me up from the pack house.¡±


    ¡°Not funny.¡± I chuckled.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a question of which life I would save, Knight. Our pack, and you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Her eyebrow shot up. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s new. No curses and yelling?¡±


    ¡°Shut up and kiss me.¡±


    She smiled, but I still saw the worry in her eyes before she kissed me.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Califf¡¯spound is under attack. Hence, Zarah had to leave, and Shadow couldn¡¯te and heal you.¡±


    ¡°Did you hear anything from them?¡±


    ¡°Not yet.¡±


    ¡°I killed Eloh. That son of a bitch.¡±


    ¡°I saw his body.¡± Tears rolled down her cheeks. ¡°When I didn¡¯t see you first behind Luka, but blood. I thought it was you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sweetheart.¡±


    She looked up as she wiped her tears. Emotions stirred in her chest and her thoughts. ¡°I waste as I was trying to help the pack, but my mind and heart were always with you all the time.¡±


    ¡°You did great. You did the right thing. At least we have onest enemy to fight against.¡±


    She kissed me on my forehead. ¡°Whatever happened between us these past few days, I forgive you. I hope you can forgive me, too.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to forgive, Nirvana. It¡¯s been hell without you, and knowing you hated me is worse than the pain I feel right now. I will always love you, no matter what happens between us.¡±


    ¡°For Goddess¡¯s sake. Just kiss already.¡±


    We turned to Luka, who was just stretched out in bed.


    ¡°Can¡¯t be more of a bad timing, can you?¡± A low chuckle rumbled in my chest.


    ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re awake, Alpha.¡±


    Nirvana got up and went to hug Luka. ¡°I owe you.¡±


    My wolf stirred. ¡°I also need a hug, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°We need more than that, Knight. I can feel himing.¡±

 144

    NIRVANA


    My patient was so stubborn. The moment we went back home, he had a lot ofints. When I told him to rest, he did the opposite, showing me how hard he was and had my mouth watering.


    My dream instantly shed in my mind. And Knight just read my thoughts, causing him to smirk. If I could shut him up by giving him an orgasm, so be it. We ended up naked, and I was riding his cock.


    ¡°This is a bad idea,¡± I said through gritted teeth.


    ¡°You said it yourself. We needed more than a hug.¡± He bit his bottom lip to control his movements, but his muscles were straining.


    ¡°You know that¡¯s not what I meant, Knight.¡± But I knew myself. I missed him and was too needy, greedy, and desperate.


    ¡°I know.¡±


    I opened my eyes to fire a retort, but I ended up moaning as his thumb went to my clit, stroking and teasing the sensitive bundle of nerves.


    My heart pumped so hard, and I rode him faster, bouncing above him. I pressed both hands on his sides as I leaned closer to kiss his lips.


    He kissed me back, letting go a sigh, drinking in my taste and exertion in my breathing. I tasted the coffee on his tongue as it dueled with his, and then he dragged it slowly in my mouth, so warm and soft, and I moaned as he bit softly on my lip.


    ¡°Fuck, sweetheart.¡± He groaned in pain and pleasure against my lips.


    ¡°Yes, yes!¡± Breaking the kiss, I bucked my hips faster and harder, grabbed my hair, and threw my head back as the pleasure intensified and his thumb moved in circles, adding more pressure.


    I moaned again, and it made him growl until my body shook.


    ¡°Come around me, Nirvana.¡± He growled out his words.


    I could feel his orgasm was just around the corner. His cock swelled inside me, and I grew wetter and hotter.


    It didn¡¯t take long, I panted, delirious.


    ¡°God!¡± I cried out, lost myself, and convulsed against him. My hips jerked as my orgasm rocked me over and over again.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± he said roughly. His hands on my hips tightened, and his muscles contracted. With a long growl in pain, his long and rock-hard cock jerked inside me, emptying his release.


    ***


    ¡°Can you not move for a minute? Just for once, listen to me, Knight. It won¡¯t hurt your freaking ego to listen to your wife.¡±


    He gave me a puppy look and a beautiful smile that melted my angry heart. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, okay?¡±


    Livid, I red at him. ¡°You may be healing, but you went through hell, and I thought I was going to lose you.¡±


    ¡°I already apologized. Don¡¯t be mad.¡± He reached for my hand, and I jerked it away.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I just say don¡¯t move?¡±


    He stayed still in the tub. ¡°You¡¯re the boss.¡±


    I went to grab his trimmer and checked if it was still working. ¡°You have to do it on your own. I never tried on a man before.¡±


    ¡°Good because it only pisses me off if you tell me you learned it from your ex.¡± He took the trimmer for me and began working on his stubble. ¡°But you keep my pussy clean. You wax it?¡±


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not gonna tell you how I keep my hygiene.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re still mad at me.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re stubborn as fuck.¡±


    ¡°Why are you like this? So moody. Didn¡¯t youe?¡±


    ¡°Oh, my God.¡± I left the bathroom, and he still called my name.


    A few minutester, I heard water running. Knight must be rinsing off the soap from his body. While waiting for him, I stayed on the chair and called Shadow¡¯s number.


    ¡°Hey. I heard what happened. How¡¯s Knight and everyone?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s healing okay but stubborn, and everyone is good. They¡¯re traumatized, but they live.¡±


    ¡°If you want me toe, I can call Zarah.¡±


    ¡°No, no. Stay there. They need you more than I do. Is everyone okay there?¡±


    ¡°I feel like a deja vu over and over again. We have severely wounded members, but they are healing.¡±


    ¡°Thank God. It¡¯s terrifying that we were attacked at the same time.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It was organized, and they knew exactly where Knight was at that time.¡±


    ¡°I know. And I can feel it in my bones. Cyrius ising, or maybe worse, he¡¯s already here.¡±


    ¡°How do you know?¡±


    ¡°My stomach is always knotted since that attack. Maybe there¡¯s already a sign I haven¡¯t known, and my power has been surging in me.¡±


    ¡°Just be careful, okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you too.¡± When the call hung up, my gazended on the drawer on the nightstand. When I opened it, the book was still there.


    I flipped the pages and looked for the signs of Cyrius.


    ¡°Why are you reading it?¡±


    ¡°How do we know if Cyrius ising? Aside from his minions of-¡± A sudden stabbing pain red on my lower shoulder. ¡°Ah!¡±


    ¡°Hey. What¡¯s wrong?¡± Knight quickly came to me, holding me on my shoulder. ¡°Nirvana?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± I touched the spot where I was stung. My heart pounded as I stared at Knight. ¡°I think that¡¯s the sign.¡±


    ¡°What sign?¡± Fear shed in his eyes.


    Then, a roll of thunder roared, shaking the ground.


    ¡°What the fuck was that?¡± He went to the window, drawing the curtain aside. ¡°What the fuck?¡±


    ¡°Baby, get dressed.¡± I stood beside him and watched the lightning strike, bolting the clear blue sky. ¡°We need to get to the pack house.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Stay away from the window, Nirvana.¡± He went to get his clothes while I remained where I was.


    My gaze followed the crackling lighting that leaped across the sky, and all of a sudden, the darkness covered the daylight.


    Horror filled my chest, and my stomach clenched as I slid the window open. The heavy wind roared inside, and the warm day turned as cold as winter.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    I wrapped my arms around me as I watched the dark cloud stretch out massively, shadows whirling, devouring the sunlight. Within seconds, a ck storm raged over the sky.


    In a minute, the thunder raged again, and the lighting red. The entire expansivend my sight could see turned into infinite darkness, and I heard nothing but howling wind and a massive pounding of my heartbeat.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to stay away from the window?¡± He shut the window closed. ¡°My guess is this is not an ordinary storm.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid not.¡±


    He grabbed my phone and the book and gave them to me. ¡°What else do you want?¡±


    ¡°Nothing.¡± I gripped him when my hands shook. ¡°I¡¯m scared.¡±


    ¡°Me too, sweetheart.¡± He pulled me closer against his chest and kissed the top of my head. ¡°I love you, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°I love you, too.¡± I teleported us to the pack house into my room.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on downstairs?¡±


    We went together out of the room, and the murmurs got louder. The pack had the same idea, bringing everyone into the pack house. The moment everyone sensed our presence, the house went dead silent.


    ¡°Is everyone okay?¡±


    ¡°Yes, son. What¡¯s going on?¡± Lennox asked. ¡°The weather is supposed to be sunny for the 5-day forecast, and suddenly, there¡¯s a thunderstorm in California? This is bizarre.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid this is not just a rare phenomenon. We all have to get ready for the worst. Families with children should leave this area and find some shelter because I don¡¯t think the bunker will hold.¡±


    ¡°Since after the attack, everyone with kids, mothers, and teenagers has left the vineyards. Aside from the guys watching the storm outside, these are the only people we have left.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good. I don¡¯t have to worry for their safety.¡± I looked at a few heads, grateful and terrified for them at the same time.


    Knight¡¯s phone rang in his hand. When he checked the caller ID, it came from Califf.


    When he answered it, I held my breath. ¡°Is it only happening in California or everywhere?¡±

 145

    KNIGHT


    ¡°I saw it in the news, and it¡¯s getting stronger ording to the weather report, and they called it a fucking phenomenon,¡± Califf grunted from the other line.


    ¡°Uncle Lennox said it should be sunny ording to the weather forecast on his phone, but it¡¯s so dark here, darker than the night, and the wind is getting stronger. It¡¯s scary as hell.¡±


    ¡°We should inform the alphas,¡± Califf suggested.


    ¡°You read my mind, Cal. If you can¡¯t contact meter, the service is off.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you soon.¡± The call hung up. My pack was waiting for my decision.


    I looked at them one by one, and I sensed their fear, which was also all over their faces.


    ¡°I know you are all scared, but so do I. This weather change is something we can¡¯t control. What we can do right now is stay put. If an ancient warlock, the same person who spread the virus, maniptes this, then we might be able to stop it.¡±


    ¡°How do we fight him with this weather, Alpha?¡± Duncan asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s dangerous to go out there, but if he is manipting it, he should be stopped at all costs before it could create more damage. Right now, we will wait for our friends and allies to arrive, then we can make decisions and ns. Stay put, and no one should go out in this weather.¡±


    The rain just poured heavy outside. The raindrops sounded like stones dropping on the roof.


    ¡°As of this moment, nothing¡¯s to be done, but if sick creatures areing our way, that¡¯s the time we should do something and keep this packed house safe and secure. If any of you want to get in the bunker, now is the time before the situation worsens,¡± Nirvana said.


    ¡°Good job, Luna.¡± I mind-linked her.


    A bang on the door caught our attention. Azrel opened the door wide. The first people to walk in were Califf, Zarah, Lyon, Tor, and Carter. Their coats were wet, except for Zarah. I didn¡¯t ask how.


    ¡°It looks like there¡¯s a lot of tension in the house,¡± Califf said, shaking my hand. ¡°The weather is terrible.¡±


    ¡°The alphas will be here shortly,¡± Zarah informed us before turning to Nirvana. ¡°Are you catching up on something?¡±


    ¡°Earlier, I felt something on my shoulder, like a sting, before the thunder. Other than my stomach has been in knots, nothing, but I know it has something to do with the weather changes.¡±


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Zarah looked worried.


    ¡°If you mean if he can mind-control me? No, I¡¯m fine.¡±


    ¡°The shield won¡¯t be able to keep it up any longer. Once it¡¯s gone, prepare for the worst. You may encounter different creatures rushing inside. Don¡¯t hesitate. When their eyes are pitch ck, they¡¯re not in control anymore, even if it¡¯s your friends or family,¡± Zarah added as everyone listened.


    Another alpha had arrived-Alpha Michael from Vegas and three of his men.


    ¡°Wee to the vineyards, Alpha Michael.¡± After our short pleasantries, Alpha Frye, Thomas, and the other three enforcers with him, Alpha Ryden and his men, and Grady and his beta Everlee and Calder followed. Kain and Dane also arrived.


    ¡°Grandpa, what are you doing here?¡± Nirvana went downstairs and hugged Case.


    ¡°If this is thest fight, then there¡¯s no ce I¡¯d rather be.¡±


    ¡°You should have stayed with Alexander.¡±


    ¡°No, honey. I want to be here for you.¡±


    ¡°Are wete?¡±


    Growled erupted the moment they smelled vampires.


    ¡°Easy, everyone. Keep your fangs and ws in. These are Archibald and Chance from the United Kingdom. They are our friends.¡±


    ¡°How could you trust them?¡± Michael roared, questioning the vampires¡¯ involvement.


    It was inconvenient, but so was what was outside. The longer we waited and discussed our arrangement, the more people were getting harmed.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Without them, the dagger is useless. So before we rip each other¡¯s throat, you have to swear you won¡¯t harm them,¡± Nirvana said calmly. ¡°If you trust us, I¡¯m asking you to treat them with kindness and set aside your hatred for their kind.¡±


    ¡°I mean no harm, fes. We¡¯re here to help while there¡¯s no sunshine.¡± Archibald, as charming as he was, waved his hand.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Nirvana said, but the tension was still thick in the air, and everyone was still alert.


    ¡°Apology for being fashionablyte.¡± The Alpha King just walked in, making everyone silent.


    ¡°He always knows how to make an entrance,¡± Nirvana whispered to Zarah.


    ¡°Ignore him.¡±


    ¡°So where¡¯s Shadow?¡±


    ¡°My mate is pregnant,¡± Califf said coolly to Nirvana.


    ¡°What?¡± Her eyes widened, happiness dancing in them. ¡°Oh, my God. Congrattions.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Then what are you doing here?¡± I asked Califf.


    ¡°This is where I should be. If we don¡¯t win this battle, then I can¡¯t give my daughter a good life.¡±


    ¡°Daughter? Oh, my God,¡± she gushed.


    I looked at Nirvana. ¡°Maybe someday, sweetheart.¡±


    She smiled at me, making my heart skip a beat. ¡°Yeah. Maybe someday.¡±


    ¡°Alphas, please follow me to the office so we can start with our n of attack.¡±


    The alphas with Zarah, the alpha king, the vampire regent, Kain, and my mate gathered in my office.


    ¡°The shield can¡¯t hold any longer,¡± Zarah informed us again, ¡°even if it will, maybe only for a few hours, but they will dig underground or hurt humans outside thisnd.¡±


    ¡°If we can all agree, we will go to the center of the storm while our people will stay behind us to fight against the infected beingsing in,¡± Sebastien suggested.


    ¡°How do we get into the center of the storm?¡± Michael asked. Only this time, he wasn¡¯t cocky but acted like a real alpha.


    ¡°I can portal you all there. The storm is only dangerous from the sky, but on the ground, it¡¯s his way of protecting himself or whatever he is doing down there. My guess is he was infecting more creatures.¡±


    ¡°Or gathering the source of his power,¡± Nirvana told Zarah.


    ¡°Obviously.¡± Sebastien pointed at the center of the storm on the map. ¡°Whatever in this spot must be very important to him.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a full moon tonight. Werewolves are more feral, and he is way more powerful, too,¡± Archibald said.


    ¡°Are you ready, Luna?¡± Kain asked her.


    ¡°Not really, Kain, but do I have a choice?¡± she chuckled.


    ¡°You can do it. All you have to do is believe in your destiny.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Alpha Frye.¡± She smiled timidly at everyone. ¡°Whatever you see there, don¡¯t get distracted. He might trick you, but those are what you want to see. I¡¯ve been there, done that, and he showed me how the people I care about died.¡±


    ¡°You need to get closer to him. The alphas and you, Archie, should fight together to give Nirvana a way to get to Cyrius. And you, Nirvana, you should resist and never fall for whatever he offers you. He knows your weakness.¡± Zarah looked at me briefly. ¡°He may offer your parents or your life with Knight, but trust your heart.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°We should go out to do a ritual of link-binding. In this way, we canmunicate through our mind link,¡± Zarah said.


    The storm was getting stronger. The doors and windows shook, and it was getting darker and darker outside. I couldn¡¯t almost see anything.


    Zarah conducted the binding link rituals, and everyone had ess to the mind link. ¡°Where are your weapons?¡±


    I took Zarah to the weaponry, and she chanted a spell on them.


    ¡°Those who wanted to stay back can use these guns. You and Nirvana should talk before we go to war with the most powerful warlock in history. Stay here and let me call her.¡±


    I grabbed a handgun and two mags and slipped them at the back of my jeans.


    Nirvana came, and her eyes wandered around. ¡°You didn¡¯t include this in the tour.¡±


    ¡°I guess you don¡¯t need one from this.¡± I cupped her face and looked at her directly in her eyes. She looked terrified but beautiful nheless. ¡°You bettere back to me.¡±


    ¡°Whatever happens there, I want you to know I will always love you. And I wille looking for you. That¡¯s a promise.¡± She took off her engagement ring and the diamond wedding band.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± rmed, I asked.


    ¡°Hey. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m going to get them back from you. These rings promise that I will find you whatever happens to me, and I want you to be patient with me, okay?¡± She swallowed hard, but tears fell from her eyes.


    ¡°Sweetheart, we will survive this.¡± I wiped the tears that rolled down her cheeks. ¡°And I love you, Nirvana.¡± I felt my heart breaking.


    My chest clenched so hard as I hugged her tight and took her scents into my lungs so I would always have a reason to fight, to survive.


    When I couldn¡¯t take it anymore, I kissed her like it was thest time I got the chance to kiss her, hold her, and see her.


    I poured everything into that kiss to show her how much I needed her in my life, like the air I breathed, and because I couldn¡¯t afford to lose her.


    My mate.

 146

    NIRVANA


    ¡°Hey. Be careful out there, okay?¡±


    I hugged Kailin tight. I always wanted a sibling, but I only got to experience that once I met Kailin. I felt the tightness in my chest as we pulled apart and thought that I might not see her again.


    ¡°Don¡¯t die.¡± Dn hugged me tight. At the corner of my eye, Grandpa forced out a smile and nodded.


    ¡°You, too, Dn. I¡¯m d I got the chance to meet you.¡±


    ¡°Me, too. It¡¯s been an honor.¡±


    Carter raised his gun. ¡°I may be a human, but I¡¯m d to be here and fight again with you guys.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t leave the vineyards unattended. Keep this safe ce at all costs.¡±


    ¡°We will,¡± said Kaleb, seconded by Lennox. ¡°Be careful out there.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ming with you, guys.¡± Luka came to us.¡± Mac and I decided to join you, Alpha, and Luna. It would be the greatest privilege of mine to fight alongside you.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Knight looked at me before he nodded. ¡°We should go.¡±


    Zarah created a portal while Archibald talking to Chase. ¡°The shield is almost broken. I suggest you go now.¡±


    Knight and Califf went first, and then I followed through. It brought us to the woods. It was dark at first, but it became strangely beautiful, with magically aligned tall trees.


    I looked up. I didn¡¯t see any dark clouds or storms above us.


    ¡°Are we still in California?¡± Archibald was the first to ask in a low voice.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± Given Knight was familiar with the ce, I believed what he said.


    ¡°Or we are still in California, but the question is when?¡±


    I turned to Sebastien. ¡°Is that even possible?¡±


    ¡°Honey, after what you¡¯ve experienced, you should not question if time travel exists, and from how the storm just appeared in the middle of the heat, it is possible.¡±


    Knight and I shared a look.


    I nced at him as he pulled a gun from his back. ¡°Are you going to use that and awaken every God knows what kind of creatures are in this forest?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think of bringing a silencer with me.¡± He shrugged, though I felt his fear.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be damned.¡± Michael shook his head.


    Alpha Frye came to me. ¡°Do you have the dagger with you?¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Yes, Alpha Frye.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t hesitate when you have the chance. You might only have a small window to strike.¡±


    I nodded at Sebastien. ¡°Or I might not have at all.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t lose courage. Our people are there waiting for us to seed,¡± Alpha Grady muttered.


    ¡°Not so much pressure at all.¡±


    ¡°They believe in us, and we believe in you,¡± Michael said.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    After a few minutes through the woods, I smelled decaying woods, wildflowers, and moss, and thendscape began changing, the green leaves dancing in the wind, overcasting the sky.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± Ryden slowed down. ¡°Did you see that?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re getting closer to whatever he¡¯s cooking there to wee us,¡± Alpha Grady motioned to slow down and be careful.


    ¡°Stay close to me, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I wanna go first, Knight.¡± I breathed in the rich scents of virgin forest and picked out other scents in the air, making me shiver. My senses heightened.


    ¡°We¡¯re not alone,¡± Califf said.


    ¡°I was about to say that, son.¡± Sebastien put his hand on Califf shoulder.


    Knight came to my front, looking over his shoulder. ¡°Stay behind us.¡±


    Luka and McKaye covered me.


    ¡°You can¡¯t get hurt. You are the one who can kill that asshole,¡± McKaye said.


    I just nodded. I didn¡¯t want to disappoint them, and there was no time of doubt when we were facing the monster who killed hundreds or even thousands of underworld creatures, including Gage.


    Out of nowhere, two wolves, one brown and one gray, appeared before us. They were not definitely friendly, and their pitch-ck eyes showed off their fangs.


    Michael and Grady shifted to their wolves and tried to scare the wolves at first. The gray one lunged at Michael, and the second followed, aiming at Grady.


    Before he got a bite, Grady came in, wed the brown one, and threw it away from him while Michael instantly killed the gray one.


    ¡°We can¡¯t keep getting distracted and wasting our energy. We have to go to the epicenter and find that asshole,¡± Califf said, which everyone agreed on.


    I inhaled deeply as the fog suddenly appeared and the temperature dropped. From the beautiful, magical forest, the fog swallowed it into the darkness filled with uncertainly and dark creatures. The hair at the back of my neck stood as I felt someone was watching us, ready to attack and tear us apart.


    We continued walking through the woods. Above us were fireflies.


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful out here if Cyrius isn¡¯t about to end our world.¡± Knight looked up.


    ¡°Fireflies. Some would say fireflies are a symbol of hope and guidance. It reminds us in our darkest moments, there is a light.¡± It was enlighteninging from Alpha Frye.


    ¡°I hope these are right.¡± Alpha Ryden said.


    I sucked in a breath when coldness red on my shoulder. A shudder of terror ran through my spine. I could feel him now. He was dangerously closer. He¡¯d been watching us.


    I looked around the dark path, but it looked clear, or I could not see through the naked eye.


    ¡°You feel something?¡±


    I gripped Knight¡¯s arm. ¡°We¡¯re not alone. I feel his presence.¡±


    From our distance, I could see the iridescent light resembling an Aurora borealis glinting through the woods. It was his shield.


    Suddenly, thunder roared, startling us, and the lightning struck, causing me to gasp as I saw something in the shadow of the woods.


    ¡°What did you see, Nirvana?¡± Sebastien asked.


    ¡°He¡¯s here.¡± The moment the words left my mouth, the trees crashed down around us like they were shocked down with a strong force.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± Califf threw a curse as we dodged down away from the falling trees.


    Before I could cover my eyes from the splintering woods, the forest shook as if it was hit by a high-magnitude earthquake rocking the woods.


    My heart hammered in my chest as agony and terror ripped through me.


    My breathing held as a heavy branch just fell before me. I rolled over and staggered to my feet. Then the trunk charged forward as if controlled by someone, which I knew, trapping us with the trunks of trees.


    ¡°Show yourself, asshole!¡± I yelled in the woods.


    ¡°Is everyone okay?¡± Knight asked.


    ¡°Aside from splinters, I¡¯ll live,¡± Alpha Ryden replied, pulling splinters off his skin.


    Before I could turn around, a massive wind whirled above us. The forest rumbled and howled in anger, causing the splinters, branches, and leaves to fly around, scratching my skin.


    Then wolves ran in our direction. I heard a cry in our link. It was Alpha Ryden.


    ¡°Ryden!¡± Knight called his name but left nothing but his blood.


    Whatever wolves in the woods, sick or controlled, were starting to hunt us one by one.


    ¡°We better shift. We could see better in our wolf form.¡± Knight looked at me before he shifted.


    With every move I made, my muscles tensed, and my jaw clenched. I picked up the dagger from my boot. It charged against my hand.


    Asina charged out, transforming me into the Guardian.


    The alphas jumped away from me.


    Asina showed off her true nature to the alpha. I raised my arm, glowing in blue me, and for the first time, so as the blood dagger.


    Growling low, the giant ck wolf with pitch-ck eyes stalked into us. Without hesitation, Sebastien¡¯s white lycan wolf lunged at the ck wolf. It didn¡¯t take ten seconds, and the ck wolf fell to the ground, lifeless.


    The feral snarl came from my right. A brown wolf lunged into me, his teeth exposed, about to sink on my shoulder. I raised my arm, swinging the dagger in the air. In a snap, the brown wolf whined in pain before taking hisst breath, turning him to ashes.


    ¡°I¡¯m tired of waiting.¡± I leapt forward.


    A wave of mes rippled through me, and a blinding sh struck me through the chest. The lightning exploded around me, throwing me back. My body rolled on the ground, and the dagger fell off my hand.


    ¡°Nirvana!¡± Knight screamed into the link.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Groaning, I gathered all my strength. I went on my knees and grabbed the dagger back.


    I stood up and searched for Cyrius, but he stayed hidden until I heard whooshes around me.


    He used his power and threw everyone with me into the darkness. Bone cracking, snapping, and thudding echoed in my ears, and I was left alone to deal with this monster.


    I realized that I didn¡¯t know how to defeat him with his endless power and without him showing off his face.


    ¡°Enough! Show yourself from hiding, Cyrius! You want me? Here I am.¡±

 147

    NIRVANA     I ignored the pain in my chest, so much pain making me heave. I called everyone through our link, but none responded, including Knight.


    My chin began to tremble both from fear and hopelessness. I was left alone with a broken heart, losing all my hopes.


    One thing I¡¯d hoped for, hoping they were still all alive.


    I stood tall, closed my eyes, and pulled every ounce of strength I could from Asina. I hadn¡¯t fought that monster, but something weakened me, or Cyrius¡¯s power was too strong around this forest.


    I put the dagger back into my boot and concealed it. As fear coiled in my chest, I leaped forward, ran, and jumped into the barrier, aiming to get through it. The force of energy shocked me, flinging me away, my back hitting the fallen tree.


    My back arched, and I whined in pain. Searing in agony, I got up, staggering forward. Never for a second did I hesitate. I could do it.


    I thought of everyone back at the vineyards who expected us to win in this battle.


    I thought of the people I loved who were waiting for me toe back. I thought of my parents and my mother, who wished me to triumph. I could not disappoint them, even if it meant giving away my life in the end.


    ¡°If you think I will give up, you¡¯re wrong.¡± I jumped again, making sure I would not hit the barrier he had created. Instead, Inded, stood before it, yanked my fists, and mmed them against the iridescent light. I saw it thin as I kept banging my fists.


    ¡°I will kill you!¡± The ripples of force spread over the surface of the barrier, and I watched it begin to disappear.


    ¡°Nirvana, are you there?¡±


    My heart skipped a beat as I finally heard Knight¡¯s voice. ¡°Baby, I¡¯m here. Are you okay?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind us. We will make sure we can clear up your way. Do what you must, but make sure to destroy the cocoon. That¡¯s where he was creating his minions. And sweetheart,e back to me. I love you.¡±


    ¡°I love you, Knight.¡± My eyes blurred with tears as I stepped inside the barrier, and our link was gone. And there was another wall, somewhat like a cocoon.


    Horror filled me as I saw what was before me, where the energy wasing from-the ground, but that was not all. All the alphas, Archibald, including my friends Sebastien, Luka, McKaye, and Califf, and my mate, were unconscious.


    How was that possible? I was just talking to Knight.


    Son of a bitch!


    ¡°No!¡± I ran towards Knight as he was wrapped in weaving tendrils. I screamed in terror as it coiled around their bodies until they were covered, and I couldn¡¯t see them anymore.


    ¡°Do you think you¡¯re so clever?¡±


    I jumped at the echoey voice, which was so cold it gave me a shiver. I spun around, and although I had been scared earlier, I was beyond terrified now that he was standing before me, almost like just a shadow in his long coat touching the ground.


    He scented my fear. I could even smell my own. Before I knew what I was doing, I charged a punch at him with a single motion.


    A wave of light burst through me, but it didn¡¯t make him flinch. It was like just air passing through him.


    ¡°You have no power here.¡±


    Good to know.


    When I realized he seemed right, goosebumps erupted on my skin. I couldn¡¯t feel the sensation of Asina¡¯s presence and the tingling of her power.


    ¡°What do you want from me?¡±


    ¡°Your life and the dagger.¡±


    I scoffed. ¡°You did all this madness for that? Why don¡¯t you take it from me and kill me already? If I didn¡¯t have power in here, then maybe outside.¡± With everything I got, I rammed him with my shoulder, sending him tumbling across the ground. I was on top of him in a second, and I punched him harder many times, but it didn¡¯t even hurt him.


    I aimed to reach the dagger in my boots, but he barely touched the space between us. I flung away, waited, and prepared myself for the pain of my fall, but it didn¡¯t happen. He kept me suspended in the air.


    I began gasping to breathe, and I could feel my shoulder and my neck breaking with just a gesture of his finger. The fight merely started, and I already felt helpless.


    When my eyes began to roll, he dropped me to the ground.


    I realized he intentionally made me suffer, and enough not to kill me. I found myself curling in a ball. He yanked me and threw me back into his cocoon.


    ¡°Give up now, and they will have a chance to live.¡± He hanged me from my wrists and tied me on my legs.


    ¡°Fuck you. So you could rule the underworld? A life with you in it is like living a life in hell. Hard pass, asshole.¡±


    ¡°Then I will just have to torture you.¡± He pulled the tendrils, roots, and vines around my wrist so my limbs were all stretched out to the point of almost splitting them from my body.


    I screamed in agony and fury, and I felt helpless as I looked down at the people who tried to help me, all gone.


    ¡°Join me, Nirvana, and I promise you-¡±


    ¡°Fuck you! Not gonna happen.¡± Tears poured down my face, and my limbs began shaking. ¡°Where¡¯s Ambrose?¡±This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    He was seemingly grinning, but it looked like he was wincing. He was really creepy. ¡°He¡¯s dead.¡±


    ¡°Yet you are still desperate and unsatisfied. Why is that?¡±


    He did it with his hand, and the tendrils and vines covered Knight¡¯s face.


    Feeling my heart breaking, I could still hear my mate gasping to breathe.


    ¡°Him or the dagger.¡±


    ¡°He wouldn¡¯t have let me give up the lives of millions for your insanity, Cyrius. You should know that by now. So nice try. Agh!¡± My fingers shivered. I could feel the skin peeling off my flesh and the vines ripping into my bones.


    When he woke up Knight, I couldn¡¯t look at him anymore. I squeezed my eyes shut and blocked everything around me, but with the source of his power surging from the ground, he quickly got into my head.


    ¡°Why are you fighting over it when you know you can¡¯t win?¡±


    ¡°Because I have the people who loved me and believed in me. I can¡¯t let them down. Unlike you, you¡¯re a monster who lived a long life but walked alone on this earth without anyone to love you, and who could love a monster like you? That¡¯s why I fight for them.¡±


    ¡°Very well, like this?¡± He struck Knight with his magic on the neck, and I saw the ck-purple poison spreading through his veins.


    I shut my mouth, but my eyes said differently as tears rolled down my cheeks. I sobbed helplessly and hopelessly.


    ¡°How selfish of you? You let them suffer because you wanted to save them? You let the man you love die with you for the sake of people who are already dead?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know that!¡±


    ¡°The moment you left them, you let them die, Nirvana. You have no one to go back to.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you.¡±


    He struck me with the lightning and showed me how everyone in the pack house died- Kailin, my grandfather, Dn, Lennox, the twins, those girls, Maddox, Kaleb, and Dane. They all died with the same fate, blood flooding the floor.


    ¡°Liar! I don¡¯t believe you. You can create illusion all you want, but you can never get what you want unless you kill me!¡±


    ¡°Zarah left to save herself, to tell the story of how she failed everyone. Save them ande with me.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you just kill me if you want my life and the dagger so bad?¡± My head turned to Knight as he howled in pain. The poison was spreading fast all over his body. ¡°Make it stop!¡± It hurt me to watch him suffer- the agony he felt, every howl he let go, tore my heart open.


    ¡°Thene with me.¡± He let go of the vines around my feet.


    Grinding my teeth, I narrowed my eyes at him. ¡°Let them go, Cyrius, then you will get what you want.¡±


    One thing I didn¡¯t understand was why he didn¡¯t just take my life or take the dagger so he could go on his merry way.


    Then I burst outughing, my voice echoing throughout the forest. One thing I regretted was not reading the whole book.


    I looked at him, stillughing. ¡°You need me alive, and I shoulde with you willingly, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    His ck eyes as abyss narrowed at me, and when he sped his hand, my chest clenched, and I could feel my ribs and lungs imploding.


    ¡°You can¡¯t take the dagger either because it should be given to you, Cyrius. You son of a bitch.¡± I began coughing out blood and breathing raggedly. ¡°Hence, you took everyone I cared about. You did all these troubles and chaos because of me, and then you lost.¡± So, he did not wield the dagger himself. It was indeed Katzius¡¯s blood dagger. ¡°My mother saw your death in her hands, did she? But you keep me alive to manipte me and change the course of your pathetic life?¡±


    ¡°Then I will just kill the love of your life.¡± He snapped Knight¡¯s neck. I heard it crack, and it was the most excruciating soul-crashing sound I¡¯d ever heard.


    For a moment, I froze. My body numbed as I stared at endless darkness. My heart broke a thousand pieces, and I still felt what it was like to lose someone you only loved.


    ¡°I will restore the bnce.¡±


    I looked him in the eye, gritting my teeth in so much fury. ¡°Then I should just kill myself so I could be with the people I loved.¡±


    ¡°You just got what you wished for.¡± Then he hurled me against the ground.


    A sudden memory red to life-my life with Knight from how we met until our first kiss, to the moment we got married, and to thest time we shared a kiss. And it all just faded away.


    ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°You can have all those back, Nirvana. Juste with me.¡±


    Despite losing that certain memory, I still knew how much I loved that person, and I still felt he was important to me- the ache in my chest and the bleeding of my heart, for that man tried to make me forget.


    Love was mysterious, profound, and defying exnation; only the heart could understand. Cyrius had no heart and could not win by taking all that mattered to me.


    So long as my heart beats for the people I love, I will never forget what love means.


    It was too bad for him. He only got into my brain.

 148

    NIRVANA     ¡°Asina? Wow. You are gorgeous.¡± I was surprised to see her standing before me. For the first time, she showed me herself- a beautiful and tall woman with straight long, dark hair, brown eyes, and a smile that could bring men to their knees. She was truly captivating, a real strong heroine in a white flowy dress. ¡°Am I dead?¡±


    ¡°About to if you won¡¯t wake up.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t. There¡¯s too much pain and loss. I can¡¯t do this, Asina. I¡¯m too weakpared to his power. He killed everyone I loved, and I want to die along with them. I give up. And you leave me alone there.¡±


    ¡°Nirvana, you take it all wrong. You don¡¯t need me to win the battle against Cyrius. All you need is your courage, your strength, and your heart.¡±


    Frustrated, I sobbed as I fell on my knees. ¡°He is powerful to stop, and you¡¯re telling me to use my heart and my strength? I don¡¯t have strength anymore. I can¡¯t even level a percent of his power.¡±


    ¡°Because you believe you can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding me right now?¡± I growled in agony. ¡°Just tell me what to do, Asina. I lost everything. I lost the man I loved, and here you are with your riddles and useless.¡±


    ¡°This.¡± She poked my chest where my hearty. ¡°This is what makes you win.¡±


    ¡°Sure it can.¡± I rolled my eyes, wiping the tears with the back of my hand. ¡°Why in the hell no one has ever defeated him if the only weapon would kill him is someone¡¯s heart?¡±


    ¡°They don¡¯t have me to guide them. You have the purest heart, an untainted soul with genuine intentions. All you have to do is believe that you can do it. The people you love are your strength, Nirvana. Now wake up.¡±


    ¡°What he wants from me?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll figure it out. If you finish this quest, you can be what you really are. Wake up!¡±


    I sucked in a breath, getting up, but I was tied and pinned down to somewhat an old grave, and I was still confused about what Asina said. How could I use my heart and my beliefs to win over a powerful and pure evil to work on earth?


    My body was giving up, and my strength was wearing off, yet she still believed that I could win this.


    Cyrius began casting incantations that I could not even understand. The dark clouds above us were back and getting thicker and stronger each second, and he put back the shield on.


    The blue-purple light was still surging and running from the ground as a source of his power.


    Lighting struck from the sky, and with each step, he waved his hands, his power crashing over me, pinning me against the thick b, trapping me into it.


    I screamed in pain.


    As I tried pulling off my arms against the binds, my skin tore off, blood trickling down the b of stone.


    ¡°So you did all this for Asina?¡±


    He stopped chanting and looked down at me. ¡°I admire your resilience, human.¡±


    ¡°And who¡¯s fault is that? What does this grand gesture have to do with me? Wait. You¡¯re trying to wake her up?¡± Tears rolled down at the corner of my eyes. Thest time I saw people I cared about being killed before me. ¡°You killed Katzius. You killed Ambrose and my parents, you sick son of a bitch. So why do you still want me alive?¡±


    ¡°We will rule the world, Nirvana. We will be powerful together.¡±


    ¡°You mean you and Asina. That¡¯s bullshit. I am nothing. I am nothing like her, the warrior.¡± But there was something he was not telling me, and I ought to know it. ¡°You are just sick, and you can¡¯t die, and you have to live alone for the rest of your miserable life. The love of your life left you. That must be hard. Wait a second. Did you see our future together, you sick psycho?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know how powerful we can be.¡± He kept saying that.


    ¡°You said that already. Is that why I am still alive because you believe in your twisted ideology that I would be your puppet and be a part of your grand n? Well, suck it up because I won¡¯t give you what you want now that you just killed everyone I loved. Wrong move, dude.¡±


    This time, he ignored me and continued chanting with his eyes closed because he was confident I could not escape his trap.


    With all myst strength, I closed my eyes and drew from deep within.


    The source of my strength came from my heart. So, Cyrius lied when he told me I didn¡¯t have power in his barrier. As long as my heart was beating, I had the power to defeat him.


    Considering this was still a part of the ley line and he was drawing energy from the source, he tricked me into believing I was powerless and didn¡¯t even try harder.


    I could feel it pumping hard.


    I could feel every beat of it.


    Fuck my life.


    Eyeing the source of his power, I jumped. And I did. Before he could notice me, I grabbed the dagger from the boot, and he stopped, interrupting his chanting.


    With one swift motion of his hand, he threw me against the wall and pinned me there, dark eyes filled with rage, and said through gritted teeth, ¡°You made the wrong move.¡±


    ¡°Did I?¡± I twisted my fingers and hurled the dagger at him while he used his other hand to stop it. His power was divided, but he couldn¡¯t wield the dagger. I teleported and used Asina¡¯s power to destroy the source.


    Instead of destroying the power source, it leaped back to me, striking my body.


    Panicked tightened my chest. It continued thrumming through my skin, sensations exploding, overwhelming my entire being, quaking through my bones.


    I felt the surge raced through me like a wildfire licking through my skin, unstoppable, and burned its way until I fell on my knees, my eyes glowing.


    The source was gone. The entire forest went into the abyss of darkness.


    While he was too caught up in his shock, I caught him off guard, concealing the dagger as I lunged into him, gripped him in his arms, and jumped us out of the forest.


    We fell rolling on the ground in the vineyards. Grapes and vines were crashing, and I could smell and taste them.


    Then, the dark cloud was gone. The weather was back to normal. I could feel the warm sunlight against my skin and the hot breath from my mouth.


    Leaping forward, I mmed my fists into his chest, and a wave of energy ripped through me. He flung away and crashed on the ground, and the impact dug a hole and a crater in his path.


    He rose to his feet, and I could see his power flowing through him. He raised his hand, trying to use his magic against me, but something happened I did not expect. His power only glittered around me. Asina¡¯s protection was back.


    Screaming at the top of my lungs, I jumped into him. I opened my palm to pull the dagger. Like a ma, its force drew it into my hand.


    I gripped the dagger with both hands and aimed at his heart. His eyes widened in shock as I put all my strength into shoving the de against his chest.


    Don¡¯t hesitate.


    As horror filled his eyes, not so powerful anymore, deaths, torments- thousands of deaths reflected in his pitch-ck eyes. It was terrifying.


    ¡°You will die with me.¡± He thundered, still fighting back.


    ¡°So be it.¡± I pushed it, sinking deeper, until the light from his chest blinded my eyes, detonating him like a nuclear bomb.


    ¡°Vana?¡±


    I gasped, and my eyes went wide. ¡°Mom, why am I here? I¡¯m dead, am I?


    ¡°You made us proud,¡± she said, pulling me into her arms. ¡°You restored the bnce that I failed to do.¡±


    ¡°I missed you, Mom.¡± Tears filled my eyes quickly.


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t cry. We¡¯ll see again.¡± She wiped the tears from my cheeks.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Cyrius is gone.¡±


    ¡°What about Ambrose? Is he really gone?¡±


    Mom smiled at me, but she didn¡¯t give me a direct answer.


    ¡°What does Cyrius want from me? Why he couldn¡¯t take the dagger from me?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need the answers anymore. Deep in your heart, you know why.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still confused.¡± Until it hit me- whatever Mom saw in Cyrius¡¯s fate may have something to do with me. She saw how I killed him.


    ¡°If you wanna be with the people you left behind, you have to make a choice.¡±


    ¡°But I missed you,¡± I said, holding her hand. ¡°I want to be here with you.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need me anymore. You finished your quest with flying colors.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about the quest anymore, please?¡±


    ¡°You are what you are without me. All you have to do is choose what your hearts desire.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m good being a human. Knight epted me the way I am.¡± ¡°I gripped her hand. ¡°Wait. Why do I still remember Knight? I still love him.¡±


    ¡°Go find your mate.¡± She kissed me on the cheek. ¡°I¡¯m so proud of you. Dad and I are proud of you.¡±This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Dad, mom?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s fine. Your mate is waiting for you, Nirvana.¡±

 149

    KNIGHT


    Gasping for air, I woke up on the ground. The blood¡¯s bitter, sweet, metallic taste dried on my mouth.


    A shudder of terror rocked through me as I got up. It felt like a new day, or nothing happenedst night.


    Trees stood tall, leaves dancing against the soft breeze. Sunlight streaked from the sky.


    I saw broken trees on the ground from a distance, a reminder that something had happened around herest night.


    ¡°Guys!¡± I went to Califf, shaking him. ¡°Cal, wake up.¡±


    He sucked in a breath, staring at me. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°I have no idea.¡±


    Luka and McKaye stirred and froze as they realized we were still in the forest.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± McKaye looked at his naked self.


    ¡°Did we win?¡± Sebastien dusted the dirt off his body.


    Alpha Frye came from behind us, confused, eyes roaming around. ¡°I think she did it.¡±


    ¡°Fuck. Nirvana. Where is she?¡± Terror filled my chest. ¡°I can¡¯t feel her.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll find her.¡± Michael, Grady, and Ryden went separate ways to find Nirvana.


    ¡°Nirvana!¡± I called her name as I headed north, but I couldn¡¯t catch her scent everywhere. I shifted and sniffed every inch of the forest. Nirvana seemed to vanish into thin air.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    Our link was gone, too, aside from the pack link.


    An hourter, I went back to the guys, and they had the same look on their faces.


    When they shook their heads, I denied what my thoughts suggested.


    ¡°No. She¡¯s not gone. We won. I¡¯m sure she¡¯s waiting for us somewhere over here.¡±


    ¡°Can you reach out to her through the link?¡±


    ¡°No, Cal.¡± My stomach twisted. ¡°I have to find her. I won¡¯t stop until I find my mate.¡± This time, I went south, calling her name.


    ¡°Alpha.¡± Luka followed me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± I stopped as I pointed a finger at Luka. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me she¡¯s gone!¡±


    ¡°I was not going to say something like that. Mac and I will shift. In that way, we can find her quickly.¡±


    ¡°Knight, I will not give up looking for her. We owe her that. I owe her that.¡± Pain crossed in McKaye¡¯s eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sure she just passed out like us.¡±


    ¡°All right. Report to me once you have updates.¡± I tried not to let my hopelessness show.


    Three hours had passed, and we scoured the area within a ten-mile radius, but there were still no signs of Nirvana, not even a small hint of her scent or her lost boot or torn jacket. We did not find blood either. It was like she had just disappeared without a trace or did not exist anymore.


    A breath loosened from my chest as I dropped my knees to the ground. My fear and my nightmare came true.


    This was not happening.


    ¡°Knight, I will call Zarah. Maybe she has a way of tracking her. She¡¯s wearing her ne, or maybe the dagger would help.¡±


    I nodded at Sebastien. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°We should go back to the pack house and let everyone help find her. Come on, man.¡± Ryden offered his hand.


    With the heaviness in my chest, I grabbed his hand and got up.


    ¡°We¡¯re not giving up on her. We just need a good n for locating her,¡± he added.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Archibald?¡± MacKaye asked.


    ¡°At this hour, he¡¯s probably hiding or just-¡±


    We all looked at Frye.


    ¡°Shit, Archie.¡± Sebastien felt terrible for his friend.


    ¡°Or he ran back to the pack house,¡± Grady said.


    ¡°We should go.¡±


    We barely made it to the vineyards. I could smell deaths everywhere, and the vineyard was destroyed. Everything was ruined and damaged as if a strong storm had hit it and nothing could be salvaged.


    ¡°Shit.¡± I shifted and ran towards the pack house. The guys followed me as I bolted into the door.


    Pairs of eyes pinned at me filled with shock and relief.


    ¡°Oh, thank Goddess, Knight!¡± Kailin ran in my direction and hugged me, patting my fur.


    ¡°Give him something to wear,¡± Zarah called out.


    ¡°Get in the room, Alpha. Your clothes are there.¡± Heartley came.


    I ran towards the door next to my office and shifted back. While wearing my clothes, I felt Zarah and Kailin.


    ¡°Knight, what happened?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember much,¡± I remembered everything, but they didn¡¯t have to know that. It was terrifying- the pain, the torture, the feeling of being on the brink of death, and I could not do anything to stop it.


    What was torturing was listening to my mate being tortured, screaming in pain, and I was like in an unconscious state or a nightmare. It crashed my soul.


    I turned around and faced them. I instantly saw the deep sadness in their eyes.


    ¡°Who did we lose?¡±


    Kailin shook her head, and I saw the mark on her neck.


    ¡°Congrats.¡± I smiled and hugged her tight. ¡°Wait. How long has it been?¡±


    ¡°Two days.¡±


    ¡°Two days we¡¯re in that forest?¡± I stared at Zarah and Kailin in shock.


    ¡°Yes. Time flies differently inside his barrier, in his cocoon.¡±


    Kailin hadn¡¯t said a word until a tear rolled down her cheek. ¡°Where¡¯s Vana? You came alone, Knight. Where is she?¡±


    ¡°We looked for her for three fucking hours, and it¡¯s just like she¡¯s gone. No traces of her anywhere.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Knight.¡± Zarah gave me a piece of white folded paper.


    My wolf stirred, whining.


    ¡°No, Zarah.¡± I pushed it back. Dread crept up my spine. I hadn¡¯t read anything in that paper. I knew what it already meant. ¡°No! I won¡¯t ept that.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t either, but-¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not dead, Zarah! She¡¯s not!¡± My fur erupted, spreading all over my skin. My fangs and ws came out. My eyes red at her as I denied that my mate was gone.


    One moment, I was standing, and the next thing I knew, my clothes shredded, and I bolted out of the pack house.


    As fury heated my neck, I ran back towards the woods.


    I couldn¡¯t imagine a life without my mate. She was my everything and promised toe back to me, and I still held onto that.


    Regret, pain, and guilt clenched my chest. I could feel every emotion piling up in my chest. As my legs started to feel exhausted and my lungs were about to explode, I stopped at the cliff, where she came to me to give our rtionship a second chance. It was still fresh in my head and in my heart.


    I howled in agony, echoing in the entire forest.


    Several wolves appeared from everywhere, showing me their sympathy, and each alpha began howling at my loss.


    When everybody left, I stayed till sundown and woke up at sunrise.


    ¡°Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Leave me alone.¡±


    ¡°I just want to tell you that Case and Dn are leaving for New York in the morning to-¡±


    ¡°To fucking what, Kaleb?¡±


    ¡°To mourn for their loss.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not dead. Nirvana is not dead!¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t ept that either. The rest of the alphas are going, but they will be here anytime you need them. The Alpha King found Archibald in the cave. And-¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna hear it.¡±


    ¡°I just want you to know that I will do everything to find Nirvana, Knight,¡± Zarah said this time.


    I looked over my shoulder to Zarah. ¡°She¡¯s alive, Zarah.¡±


    ¡°During the fight, Nirvana managed to jump with Cyrius and fought him on the west side of the vineyards. Nirvana killed him, but when she struck the dagger into his chest, the power from the dagger and the power Cyrius drew from the source and stole from Ambrose created a massive shockwave. You see the aftermath. We were in the pack house, and it shook, breaking all the sses and windows. No one could survive that impact, but she was once given a second chance. Maybe, by some miracle, she¡¯s just somewhere and waiting to be found.¡±

 150

    NIRVANA     ¡°Grandpa! Where the hell have you been?¡±


    ¡°Vana?¡± His eyes widened like he¡¯d never seen me in years. He ran in my direction and squeezed me into a tight hug. ¡°Oh, Goddess. Thank Goddess.¡±


    I chuckled as I hugged him back. ¡°It¡¯s only just been a week, Grandpa. You¡¯re overreacting.¡±


    He looked me in the eye from head to toe, cupped my head, and kissed me on the cheek, and he was about to get all teary-eyed.


    ¡°We don¡¯t do that, Grandpa. Where have you been, anyway? I was worried when you did not pick up my call.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± There was pain, confusion, and relief in his eyes.


    I slumped my ass to his couch. ¡°You¡¯re acting weird. What¡¯s going on with you? How¡¯s the pack anyway?¡±


    He came sniffing me, making me freeze. ¡°You¡¯re a-¡±


    ¡°A werewolf?¡± I scoffed. ¡°Yeah, since birth. Duh. You taught me how to shift. Don¡¯t tell me you suddenly forget about it.¡±


    There it was again, the staring, and then he smiled. ¡°I¡¯m proud of you, kiddo.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I just sold two pieces of my paintings in Italy, Grandpa. Did you hear that? My paintings are in one of the biggest galleries in Italy. Zarah says hi, by the way.¡±


    ¡°You met Zarah?¡±


    I blew a breath. ¡°Okay. What¡¯s going on with you? Let¡¯s escape the part where you ignored my calls. That¡¯s why I came over to your house-you did not show up at the restaurant.¡±


    ¡°I was with a friend.¡±


    ¡°A friend? May I know who that is?¡±


    ¡°Honey. I love you so much. And I¡¯m proud of you.¡±


    ¡°You said that already. And I love you, too.¡± I rose from the couch. ¡°Anyway, I have to get back to my apartment.¡±


    When he looked at my neck, I put my finger on it, and I suddenly felt a hollow in my chest, as if something was missing.


    I threw a joke. ¡°I didn¡¯t meet my mate if that¡¯s what the look is all about.¡±


    ¡°You should join a pack.¡±


    I rolled my eyes as I picked up my bag. ¡°We already talked about it. Thest time I joined, the alpha wanted to im me for his son.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t be a rogue longer, Vana.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    ¡°You should visit Kailin.¡±


    My eyes lit up. ¡°Yeah. I missed her. I haven¡¯t seen her since she left New York, and I¡¯m tired of Facetiming her. I wonder if she met her mate? But Kailin is someone who would resist a mating pull.¡±


    ¡°I will pay for your ticket. Go and see Kailin. I¡¯m sure she¡¯s thrilled to see you.¡±


    I kissed him on the cheek. ¡°I can take care of the fare, Grandpa. I¡¯ll let you know once I get there. I love you, and don¡¯t go wandering without telling me.¡±


    ***


    I was in Italy a week ago and just arrived at the vineyards. It was beautiful around here. I could smell the different varieties of ripe grapes.


    I looked around, still in awe of how wealthy Kailin¡¯s family was, especially her cousin, who owned thepany¡¯s majority share.


    ¡°What happened in there?¡± The vineyards in the west looked like a massive hurricane hit it.


    I dragged my suitcase to the tasting room, hoping to surprise Kailin. The smell of fine wine instantly flooded my nostrils.


    ¡°Hi.¡± I smiled at the prettydy with curly hair on the counter.


    She gasped when she saw me, and the ss she held just dropped on the floor.


    ¡°Hey. Are you okay?¡±


    She nodded like a bubblehead and swallowed. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Where can I find Kailin ckwell?¡±


    ¡°Um.¡± She hadn¡¯t blinked, but she fumbled to call a number on her phone.


    ¡°I actually have her number,¡± I chuckled. We were roommates in college, and I thought I woulde here and surprise her.¡±


    She smiled, and the call just answered.


    ¡°Why are you calling me, Roisin?¡± Kailin asked from the other line. The pros of being a werewolf with an enhanced hearing than normal humans. Roisin. Pretty name. I also noticed a mark on her neck.


    ¡°Pleasee to the tasting room immediately. As in now.¡± She hung up the call and smiled at me. ¡°She¡¯sing over. What can I get you? Let me guess, Merlot?¡±


    ¡°Thanks. That would be nice.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve never been here?¡±


    ¡°No. Kailin invited me, but I never had the chance to visit this ce. Feels like familiar, though.¡± I looked around. Lovely ce.


    Kailin just walked in through the door.


    I stood up and made it with a little exaggeration. ¡°Surprise!¡±


    ¡°Ohmigoddess!¡±


    My breathing stuck inside my lungs when she threw herself at me and squeezed into a tight hug.


    ¡°I missed you, too. It¡¯s been what? Four months?¡± I chuckled as I hugged her back.


    ¡°Oh, Goddess, Vana. I thought we lost you.¡±


    I stared at her as I pulled away, and she wiped her tears. ¡°Lost me? What do you mean lost me? I was just in Italyst week, and you and Grandpa are acting weird, like you haven¡¯t seen me in years.¡±


    There was a confused look in her eyes. ¡°Case?¡±


    ¡°Who else? Of course, Grandpa Case.¡±


    ¡°Wait. What-¡± She held my arms and sniffed the air.


    Iughed at her. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re also like Grandpa and forgot the fact that I¡¯m a werewolf. What¡¯s wrong with you, guys?¡±


    ¡°You-¡±


    ¡°Hey. Did you hit your head or something?¡±


    ¡°Vana.¡± There, the strange staring again. Then she hugged me again. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°Of course. Are you surprised?¡±


    She smiled, and some tears of joy rolled down her cheeks. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re okay.¡±


    ¡°Of course I am. Unless you had a bad dream about me that I drowned in your ss of Merlot.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not funny, but Ros¨¦ is fine. One of your favorites.¡±


    I smiled as I sniffed her. She proudly showed off the mark on her neck. ¡°Who¡¯s the lucky guy?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t remember?¡± There was a moment of silence, and if I could read it right, she wasmunicating with someone through the pack link.


    ¡°Remember what?¡±


    ¡°Never mind.¡±


    Another shadow appeared in the door, and then a tall man with cinnamon curly disheveled hair walked in, sucking all the attention to his presence. He looked like he hadn¡¯t been sleeping well, with dark circles under his eyes, but that was not what caught me off guard.


    I gasped.


    His presence stunned me and crashed into me like an avnche of force of sensations, making me hyperaware of him. Although he seemed to carry the burden of the entire world over his shoulder, he still looked stunning, magnificent, and had the most delicious scent.


    And the way he stood there, he was not just a werewolf- he was an alpha.


    His scent was nothing I¡¯d ever smelled before- it was an alluring aromatic of white musk, a dash of cedar and sandalwood with a note of citrus and herbs, like an expensive cologne that lingered in my brain.


    ¡°Mate.¡±


    Shit.


    My heart rammed against my chest as our gazes locked. His green forest eyes showed recognition, but there was something profound in those orbs that had suffered a terrible loss.


    His bodynguage said he was fighting hard an urge, his muscles tensing, and his jaw clenching. For whatever reason, he amazed me with his indestructible self-control.


    Then he stepped unbearably closed, his scents spread through right into my lung, my senses, and my soul, and it was stuck in there forever, and staring at him, and no amount of force seemed to break that pull and make me flee back to where I came from.


    ¡°You¡¯re a rogue.¡± His voice was deep and seemed down. It was unsettling how he looked at me like he knew me.


    ¡°Uh-huh.¡± I bit my bottom lip as I nodded.


    ¡°Um, Alpha. This is Nirvana, my best friend. She was my roommate and my ssmate in college.¡±


    ¡°Hi.¡± I swallowed the lump in my throat when he didn¡¯t say anything.


    ¡°Can she stay at the pack house, please, Knight?¡±


    ¡°Knight?¡±Knight, huh?This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    I turned to Kailin. ¡°I can¡¯t stay in the pack house, or they will w me to shed.¡±


    ¡°No one willy a hand on you,¡± he said under his breath. ¡°I¡¯ll see you soon.¡±


    That was it. He was gone, and my wolf was the only one who recognized him as my mate.

 151

    KNIGHT     When Kailin called urgently via our link, I thought someone was in trouble again in the tasting room, like the twins.


    I had struggled the past week without Nirvana, but I never gave up searching for my mate.


    Scratch that. I once considered jumping off the cliff, and there may be a minuscule chance she would appear ande to save me. But somehow, her promise kept my sanity intact.


    Everyone helped me check for the lost women or unimed bodies in every morgue in the region, but none of them was Nirvana, and I couldn¡¯t find a record of her death either. I felt so relieved and hung in a thinner thread as the days passed, and there were still no signs of her.


    The underworld was back to normal- no more viruses or killings, thanks to my mate, and my uncle was offered a job at the council while I barely hung in there and not dealing with my loss.


    I barely slept, or I found myself in the woods mourning. I lost some sense of self-love and belongingness. I couldn¡¯t work, and I hadn¡¯t been back to work or dealt with pack issues, but everyone understood what loss meant to me and them.


    Then she was there, standing smiling at Kailin, which took my breath away and made my heart beat all over again.


    But something was off. The way she looked at me seemed to suggest she didn¡¯t know me. She didn¡¯t recognize me- the feeling was like being buried under the snow.


    What the fuck?


    One thing that was unnerving was the way she looked at me as if there was a connection between us, and she was a fucking she-wolf. How the fuck did that happen? Who was this woman with my mate¡¯s body?


    Those eyes, though-the same warm sky blue as my mate¡¯s-seemed free-spirited, and she looked like she did not just save the entire worldst week.


    I got out of there before I burst into tears. I ran as fast as I could and wolfed out.


    My chest heaved, and my heart beat so hard. A part of me hoped that that woman was my Nirvana, but I couldn¡¯t let my hopes up if she were some nightmare mouring as my mate. I¡¯d have enough broken heart that a man could bear in his lifetime.This is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    After an hour of contemting whether to see her again, I went home and showered. For the first time since she was gone, I groomed myself.


    I made many mistakes my entire life, and rejecting her was one of the biggest mistakes I¡¯d made. So, I decided to put her to the test to see if she was really my mate who had just lost her memories. Completing her quest just broke the curse and gave her a chance to be a werewolf.


    I rode my bike, which I missed doing with Nirvana. I parked my bike in front of the pack house, and everyone seemed present. The door was opened, and I instantly caught her sweet scent, but she was a rogue.


    ¡°Why are you guys looking at me like that, like I just saved the freaking world from Armageddon?¡±


    The packughed. Of course, it was really Nirvana and her humor.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± McKaye came rushing inside and then halted as his gazended at Nirvana. He went to her and crashed her into a hug. ¡°Goddess!¡±


    ¡°Hey, Mac.¡± She patted her back, smiling. ¡°Thanks for the warm wee.¡±


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t remember anything,¡± I told McKaye through the link before he could blurt out something.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee. And you look great.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t tell me I¡¯m a werewolf or a rogue or I¡¯m proud of you. I¡¯ve heard those a lottely. And don¡¯t act weird, okay?¡± Her smile was like she¡¯d never been through hell, but I remembered everything Cyrius did to her.


    Either it was for the best, or she was not my mate.


    My Nirvana.


    I texted Zarah toe immediately.


    ZARAH: Meet me in your office.


    I walked into the pack house, and she saw me again. Our gazes locked for the second time, and I felt our pull. The world stopped spinning when I saw she was not wearing my mark on her neck.


    I entered my office. Before I could close the door, McKaye, Kaleb, and Luka were already behind me.


    ¡°What the fuck, Alpha?¡± Luka grabbed my arm. ¡°Why are you not excited to see her?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Kaleb agreed. ¡°You¡¯ve been so lost for the whole week, and now she came back, and you pretend she¡¯s not your mate.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s different. She¡¯s a fucking werewolf. A rogue and she can¡¯t remember us except Kailin and Mac. What if she¡¯s Cyrius using her body to get to me.¡±


    ¡°For fuck sake, Cyrius is gone. It¡¯s over. Pull yourself together and go, wee her with a warm smile.¡±


    The portal appeared at the same time Kailin came into the office.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Zarah looked at us one by one.


    ¡°Nirvana is there in the living room.¡± McKaye pointed his thumb over his shoulder.


    Zarah didn¡¯t look surprised but crestfallen when she looked at me. ¡°You haven¡¯t read her letter, have you?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the point?¡±


    ¡°Sometimes, I want to turn you into a rabbit so your pack can chase you to death.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not funny, Zarah.¡± I red at her. ¡°Who¡¯s that woman in the living room?¡±


    She shook her head, clearly annoyed. ¡°That¡¯s Nirvana. By saving the underworld, she may have been granted a wish forpleting the quest.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s bullshit. That could be Cyrius.¡±


    ¡°Cyrius is gone, exploded into thin air. If Nirvana can¡¯t remember what happened in thest months since you met her, you¡¯re the only one who can make her remember. Cyrius might have extracted her memory, or she was too traumatized to remember it.¡±


    ¡°I told you that¡¯s my best friend,¡± Kailin said. ¡°She mentioned her grandfather. She said Grandpa Case was acting weird.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m confused.¡± I sat down in the chair, unable to understand everything that was going on, and my knees weakened.


    Kaleb grabbed the canister of bourbon and poured me a ss. ¡°You need this, Alpha.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I sipped it while they were waiting for me to say something. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m calling her here.¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± Zarah red.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m terrified that my hopes will crash down on me when the truthes out and she¡¯s not my mate. I just need a minute.¡±


    ¡°Just read the damn letter, cuz.¡± Kailin crossed her arms over her chest, eyes rolling.


    I picked it up from my drawer. I felt sweating and my heart racing when I had it in my hands.


    I unfolded it, and it was indeed her penmanship. I hadn¡¯t read the letter, and my chin began trembling. Everyone looked away except Zarah.


    Hey, baby,


    By the time you¡¯re reading this, then things didn¡¯t go as I nned. I just want you to know that you¡¯re the best thing that ever happened to me. You taught me how to fight for the people I loved. You taught me the true meaning of love and having a soulmate. If there¡¯s one thing I learned in my life is that nothing in this world is permanent. Even if I¡¯m gone, maybe by some miracle, we¡¯ll meet again in the next life, or perhaps all I have to do is find you. I love you so much, Knight, with every light of my soul.


    Your wife, your mate,


    Nirvana


    I closed the letter and wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. Then, I ran my thumb over the rings I had put into the ne around my neck.


    ¡°Call her.¡±


    A few moments of waiting made me suddenly nervous. When she entered the office, she looked around with a single word, ¡°Zarah?¡±


    ¡°Hey, Nirvana.¡± They hugged each other.


    ¡°Wait. You know him- them?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. We¡¯ve known for quite a while now.¡±


    ¡°Why am I here?¡±

 152

    NIRVANA


    ¡°No freaking way! That¡¯s impossible.¡± My eyes grew wide as I stared at them one by one.


    ¡°Is it, though?¡± McKaye said. ¡°We trained for months.¡±


    ¡°To fight that freaking monster?¡±


    ¡°Your bloodline is some kind of link to an ancient warlock from Greece,¡± McKaye exined. ¡°And you were the only one who could kill that son of a bitch.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. My mother¡¯s side from my grandmother were witches.¡±


    ¡°And you don¡¯t have a gift?¡± Knight asked me hesitantly.


    ¡°No. Why? Should I?¡±


    He nced at Zarah.


    ¡°You¡¯re a witch, Zarah. Can¡¯t you jag my memory or something?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t work that way.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯m sorry to disappoint you, guys, but I don¡¯t remember fighting an evil warlock named Cyrius.¡±


    ¡°What about him?¡± Kaleb, the beta, tipped his chin at the alpha.


    Alpha Knight finally groomed himself, looking hotter and smelled so good.


    I couldn¡¯t help but smile, and every time I looked at him, my heart skipped a beat. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re lying.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± I arched a brow at him.


    ¡°I can hear your heartbeat racing, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, because my stupid wolf just-¡± She groaned angrily. ¡°I¡¯m going home. It¡¯s a mistakeing here, anyway.¡±


    I went to the door only to be stopped by the tall, big, angry alpha.


    I sucked in a breath, and my eyes widened in shock the moment our hands touched, and the memory shed to life behind my eyes. It was too much. There were so many memories- happy, sad, and painful- that all emotions rushed into me simultaneously.


    ¡°Hey. Hey, Nirvana?¡±


    I grasped and held onto his arm before I lost my bnce, and he was there to catch me before I fell to the floor.


    ¡°Too much.¡± I sobbed and curled into a ball as he put me on the couch.


    ¡°Hey. It¡¯s okay. Take it easy.¡±


    ¡°No. I can¡¯t.¡± There was so much love, loss, pain, and blood.


    ¡°Give us a room, please?¡±


    ¡°I think my job here is done,¡± Zarah said before disappearing.


    ¡°We¡¯re in the living room if you need us.¡± Kailin left with the guys, leaving me alone with my estranged wife, but I guessed, not so estranged anymore.


    ¡°Can I get you some water?¡±


    ¡°You hesitated. I felt it.¡± I kept crying. The memories that I lost I¡¯d never known I experienced all of those. I had so much pain and suffering, but I had so much fun and happiness and felt so much love I could explode right now.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    ¡°You can¡¯t remember who I am, and with what I experienced, monsters like Cyrius could easily take your body as his vessel.¡± I felt his hand holding mine. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Nirvana.¡±


    I chuckled as I wiped my tears. ¡°You used to call me sweetheart.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I still do, sweetheart.¡± He took my hand and pressed it against his lips. ¡°Do you remember what you said to me before we went to fight Cyrius?¡±


    ¡°Is this some kind of a test?¡± I sniffled as I got up on the couch. ¡°I didn¡¯t know your birthday until before we got married. You rejected me and came to my apartment in New York, and that¡¯s how I found out about my grandpa being a werewolf and you the alpha.¡±


    ¡°You saw Gage-¡±


    ¡°Shifted in the vineyards, and I was so drawn to you like a ma, and I couldn¡¯t understand why.¡±


    He came to join me on the couch and pulled me into his arms. ¡°Oh, sweetheart. I thought I lost you.¡± His body shook until I realized he was crying. ¡°I mourned and still denied that you were gone, and then suddenly you were standing there, but you didn¡¯t recognize me. It fucking hurt.¡±


    I nced at him. A tremor ran through my body at what I saw in his eyes. He was so broken when I saw him in the tasting room, and it was because of me. I could feel it like he was holding something.


    For the first time, he smiled at me, his eyes filled with anticipation and devotion.


    ¡°Knight,¡± I said his name breathlessly, and his searing gaze bore into mine.


    I took the courage to cup his face, and we stared at each other infortable silence like we¡¯d done this a thousand times.


    Knight crushed his mouth into mine, gripped my hips, and lifted me up so I could sit on hisp. His kiss was savage, demanding, longing as if he wanted to seek into my soul, imprinted me, and made me feel him.


    I let go a shuddering sigh as I kissed him back with the same intensity, fisting my hands into his hair as he kissed me deeper, taking me in.


    My pulse throbbed. My skin was on fire, and I let go of a low moan of pleasure.


    We only took a break to breathe, and the kiss went on and on like we needed it like we wanted it so badly we could die in vain if we didn¡¯t have each other.


    A low grunt rumbled from within his chest as he broke away suddenly. He then looked at me in the eye, speechless.


    ¡°Is that bad? Or our first kiss was better?¡±


    Breathing hard, his chest heaving before pressing his lips into mine again and peppering me with kisses all over my face and neck, and then he stopped, his spine tensing.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°My mark is gone.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m unmated-¡±


    ¡°Fuck you.¡±


    I red at him. ¡°Fuck you, too.¡±


    He broke into a smile. ¡°That¡¯s my girl.¡±


    ¡°Wait. How did I be a werewolf?¡±


    ¡°How did you end up in New York?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I was even in Italy for an art exhibit. I sold two paintings.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m proud of you.¡±


    ¡°I met Zarah there, and then I went home and visited Grandpa, who hadn¡¯t picked up my call. Then he acted weird and told me I should visit Kailin.¡±


    ¡°Did you sleep with anyone while in Italy? Or do you have a boyfriend named Axell?¡±


    ¡°Wow.¡± I arched a brow. ¡°You went there so quick, huh?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a shit, sweetheart.¡±


    I hugged him tightly and kissed his head. ¡°When I-¡± My eyes watered again.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me.¡±


    ¡°I know. I still feel what it was like watching you getting killed and dying, and I couldn¡¯t do anything. It was fucking awful, Knight.¡±


    ¡°I looked for you for hours and spent days and nights at the cliff, debating if I should just jump to end my suffering, but I held on to your promise, Nirvana.¡± He pulled something inside his shirt and showed it to me.


    ¡°My engagement ring and my wedding band.¡±


    He took the ne off around his neck and put the rings in his palm. I offered my finger, and he put on the ring and the band and kissed my hand.


    ¡°You wanna go home?¡±

 153

    KNIGHT


    I stopped at the edge of the bed and watched Nirvana strip off her clothes one by one. Nothing fancy, even her skin tone bra, but her body, though, the sexiest and hottest fucking thing I¡¯d ever seen, always would be and forever.


    She was on thest thing, her cotton panties, and there she was, the same body and curves I¡¯d felt many times against mine, and the same woman I fell in love with over and over again, smiling at me as she spread her legs wide apart, revealing her always smooth and waxed pussy.


    Her cheeks flushed as she slid her hands between her thighs, and a low groan rumbled from within my chest as she let go of a shuddering moan.


    I found myself gripping my erect cock, stroking it. Locking her searing gaze against mine, shey on her back, inviting me into bed. She didn¡¯t have to do that because I intended to join her and make her feel what I longed for over a week.


    I crawled into bed, joined her, and braced my forearms on either side of her shoulders. Then I held her head with my hands and smiled.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want pillow talk, Knight.¡± She swallowed nervously, her eyes darkened, and her pupils dted.


    ¡°No pillow talk. I just want to have you.¡± I lowered my head and kissed her. With a low moan vibrating through me, it felt the same as kissing her.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    She may have lost her memories for a while, and her life seemed reset back to the time before we met, but the woman beneath me was definitely the same woman I met months ago, who became my mate, fell in love with, and became my fianc¨¦e and my wife.


    Nirvana may be a werewolf, but being with her right now felt perfectly right. She let go of her hand and came to my back. I slid my hand between her thighs and found her pussy drenched.


    The first graze of the pad of my finger made her shudder. I pressed my finger on her swollen clit, tracing it in circles, then I slipped it between her wet folds, stroking gently while kissing her passionately.


    I took her bottom lip between my teeth, bit it, and pressed my rock-hard erection on her thigh, and she opened her mouth to me, gliding my tongue inside her.


    She moaned, sucking my tongue. It was fucking hot. I moved my lips down her jaw towards her neck, nipping and licking where my mark was supposed to be.


    ¡°You can mark me again.¡±


    I paused and looked at her.


    ¡°I trust you. I may have changed, but you¡¯re still my mate and husband. Do you want to-?¡±


    ¡°To mark you? Fucking yes.¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    It took me a moment to say something. ¡°I want to, but I feel like we need to take it slow. After what you¡¯ve been through-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. You don¡¯t have to exin. You just found out about me earlier, and you thought I died, I understand. I want you to know that I felt weird, not knowing how I ended up in New York, went to Italy, and now I¡¯m a werewolf. It¡¯s a lot to take in, and my memory just came back.¡±


    ¡°Should we talk about it-¡±


    ¡°Fuck no. I¡¯m horny.¡±


    I shook tough on top of her. ¡°Yeah. That can wait.¡±


    She cupped my head and kissed me, the same familiar kiss we shared many times. Then I positioned my cock in her entrance, and we both held our breaths before I slid it inside her. We both gasped and let the pleasure ripple through us in hot, delicious waves.


    I broke the kiss, closed my eyes, breathed in, and allowed myself to savor this moment. And then I opened my eyes again and locked my gaze with hers as we stunned into silence.


    My heart beat wild, thudding hard against my rib cage as I saw the same warmth, love, and devotion I¡¯d seen many times since she became my mate. No doubt this was the woman I thought I lost and found back in my arms.


    ¡°I fucking love you, Nirvana.¡± I flexed my hips, thrusting deep inside her.


    ¡°I love you, Knight.¡± Trembling all over, she arched her chest into me.


    I captured her gorgeous tit into my mouth, sucked it, and bit her nipple.


    She grew wetter, and she moaned louder.


    The pleasure became more intense and thrilling. I went to her other tit while rolling the other nipple with my fingers.


    Pushing her legs apart, I thrust harder and faster, and she panted, clinging her grips into my arms.


    I pulled out and then mmed back inside her. She cried out, her body jerking. My cock throbbed, growing harder as steel. My balls became heavy as the hot waves of pleasure spread throughout my body.


    ¡°Baby.¡± Hyperventting, she squeezed her eyes shut.


    ¡°You¡¯re closed. I know, sweetheart.¡± My pulse was flying. My entire body was tensing, sensations rippled through my spine, and I was just as close to my orgasm as she was.


    I kissed her- I kissed her as my entire life depended on it- I kissed her with all-devouring and consuming, and because I was grateful to Moon Goddess.


    After what we¡¯d sacrificed, I had her back, and there was no way I would let her out of my sight again.


    Then I fucked her hard and fast. The bed rattled, her tits bounced, and her entire body flushed. I flipped her over, spanked her ass.


    ¡°What the fuck was that for?¡± She hissed and growled, ring over her shoulder.


    ¡°Because I fucking love you and fucking missed you, you drive me insane. I should have gone with Case when they told me he was going home to mourn.¡±


    ¡°Okay. You can p my ass again.¡± She grinned and moaned as she felt my palm against her sweet ass, the spot turned pink and raw, and her juice leaking made me droll.


    Without warning, I shoved my cock into her.


    She cried out my name.


    ¡°That¡¯s it. Let the people hear I fucked you right.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you back.¡± I thrust into her hard and fast, gripping her hips tightly, and when I grounded my pelvis and pressed my thumb on her tiny asshole, rubbing the sensitive knot of muscles, her head fell against the pillow.


    She sobbed, clenching the sheets with her fists. She cried out my name again and again.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± Delirious and damped with sweat, I squeezed my eyes shut and thrust into her again and again until she clenched around me.


    I growled in delight as she convulsed, her whole body jerking and shuddering, our guttural moans filling the room.


    Jerking and pulsing, I came and spilled my hot release inside her, involuntarily shuddering as the pleasure spread through my body.


    ***


    ¡°Hey.¡± My voice was groggy as I felt her slip off the bed. ¡°Where are you going? It¡¯s still dark outside.¡±


    ¡°I wanna go for a run.¡±


    ¡°Run?¡±


    ¡°Yes, baby.¡± She leaned down to press a kiss on my lips.


    ¡°You know where to go?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± She picked up her clothes on the floor and put them on. ¡°I followed you to the cliff, remember? And where-¡±


    ¡°I fell and almost died.¡± I ignored the pain in my chest. It was over now, but she had risked everything for me.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back. Love you.¡± That was it. She left the room and left me wondering what her wolf was like.


    After a few minutes of contemting, I followed her scents to the woods. She should be careful. Being a lone wolf out there was dangerous. Not everyone in the pack knew she was back.


    Her scents got stronger as I got into the darkest part of the woods, and so did the guys. Then, I heard an unfamiliar feral growl.


    ¡°You¡¯re dead, rogue!¡± McKaye growled.


    When I got to them, I was stunned. The most beautiful white wolf I¡¯d ever seen with bright blue eyes, snarling back at McKaye, Luka, and Dn, exposing her long fangs.


    Dn was back?


    ¡°What are you going to do, rogue? w us to shred?¡± Lukaughed, a belly one.


    ¡°I think that¡¯s enough. She¡¯s seriously pissed.¡± Dn patted Luka¡¯s back.


    I was still too shocked to react. The white wolf ran in my direction, lunging into me. I fell on my ass. Then she sniffed me, snarled, and made a soft whining sound before licking my face and neck.


    I groaned and sighed as I let her do whatever pleased her.


    When she stopped, she waggled her tail and made a cute sound.


    I touched her jaw, scratched her neck, and pressed my forehead against hers. ¡°You¡¯re beautiful, luna.¡±

 154

    NIRVANA


    I shuddered at the loss of his thick dick inside me.


    ¡°On your knees, Nirvana.¡± He growled. His breathing was rougher.


    ¡°I don¡¯t bow nor kneel to anyone, but sure.¡± I was too eager to do as hemanded me to, so I moved to my knees and faced him.


    ¡°Open your mouth for me.¡± His eyes almost glowed. His jaw locked harder, every part of his body tensing.


    I opened my mouth as he gathered a fistful of my hair and gripped it, pulling me closer to his erection.


    ¡°Now suck me.¡± He flexed his hips as he shoved his cock past my lips.


    I took it too eagerly, one hand gripping the base, the other on my knees, bncing myself on the bed. I swirled my tongue around him, sucked, and stroked him.


    My mouth stretched around his girth. I struggled to breathe through my nose, my eyes watering as I tried to amodate him without gagging.


    ¡°Rx your throat. You can take all of me.¡± He pushed my head into his cock, and quickened his thrust until a guttural groan erupted from his throat.


    He threw his head back, chest heaving, cursing as he began losing control. As his searing gaze locked with mine, he wiped the tear at the corner of my eye, pulled out his cock, and kneeled before me.


    ¡°Fuck, sweetheart. You¡¯re driving me crazy.¡± He mmed his mouth into mine, kissing me hard, tasting himself in my mouth. I moaned in pleasure.


    Last night, he marked me, and our connections and bond had never been powerful. I could read his thoughts, and he opened up everything to me.


    We didn¡¯t keep secret anymore. That fighting a monster secret was over. It was passed behind us now. We wanted to start a new life and maybe soon a family.


    I opened more of my heart and soul to him, and he did the same.


    ¡°Sit on me.¡± He sat on the bed and pulled me so I could straddle him, and then we were back to kissing, and I sat and let his cock sink into me. I felt incredibly full and stretched, and it felt amazing.


    I moaned into our mouths as I rocked my hips against him. When he trapped me in his arms, the strong muscles of his body contracted.


    I wrapped a hand around his throat, the other hand gathering a fistful of his hair as I took control, and he let me kiss him hard, nibbled his bottom lip, ran my tongue down his throat, and sucked the other side of his neck where he could wear a mate¡¯s mark.


    ¡°Fuck, Nirvana.¡± He growled, working his length in and out of me, faster and rougher.


    ¡°Knight! Fuck!¡± I hollered a curse, catching a breath as my body started to quake.


    ¡°Mark me. Make me yours!¡± he said through gritted teeth, fucking me harder.


    He didn¡¯t have to say it twice. I knew he wanted it. When my eyes glowed, my fangs came out from my gums, and I exposed the side of his neck before I sunk my teeth deep into the flesh on his neck.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± He threw his back, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling. And then his body jerked, spilling his load inside me, moaning long and loud. I sucked the blood dripping from my mark and licked it clean.


    His intense emotions and the sensations he felt flooded my brain, awakening my senses and making me dizzy. I could feel his heart beating, pulse thumping, and the tender, sweet words in his thoughts.


    The hitch of his inexplicable emotions swarming through me, making my skin on fire, and his intoxicating scents pulled me in one direction, bringing me over the edge. I came so hard, sobbing his name.


    ***


    Two weeks after myeback, the pack had decided to throw a pack party. We walked downstairs to meet our guests. My mate cleaned up pretty well in his ck tux while I wore a white dress, representing the color of my wolf.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you a sight for sore eyes?¡± Dn kissed me on the cheek.


    ¡°You look dashing, D.¡±


    Califf and pregnant Shadow were behind him.


    ¡°Hey. It¡¯s so good to see you, Vana.¡± Shadow hugged me tight, and I suddenly became emotional.


    ¡°Me, too.¡±


    Califf was smiling. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be here without you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a lie. You wouldn¡¯t be in trouble if not because of me.¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re a badass either way.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m different now.¡±


    ¡°I can see that. You¡¯re still a badass.¡±


    ¡°Agree.¡± Knight shook his hand. ¡°Thank you for not giving up on us.¡±


    ¡°We may not be brothers by blood, but we are by pact.¡±


    We weed Alpha Ryden, Grady, Michael, and Alpha Frye, who were also here. Our pack house was filled with friends, family, allies, and everyone we cared about.


    ¡°So you¡¯re now like everyone around?¡±


    I smiled at Carter. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m a werewolf.¡±


    ¡°You look wonderful, Vana. If he¡¯s over you,e find me.¡±


    ¡°Cut the shit, Archie.¡± Knight chuckled as he hugged Archibald. ¡°d you could make it.¡±


    ¡°I would not miss for the entire world,¡± Chance was the one to reply.


    Kain and Dane were engrossed in their conversation at the corner.


    ¡°Hey.¡±


    Kain hugged me. ¡°I thought we lost you.¡±


    ¡°So do I.¡±


    ¡°We wouldn¡¯t be here without you.¡±


    ¡°You all keep saying that when it was more of a team effort.¡± I patted Dane on his arm. He remained at Kain¡¯s pack of assassins to protect Kailin and our allies. ¡°You take care of my best friend, or I will rip your throat out.¡±


    ¡°You can stop threatening him.¡± Kailin, in her beautiful blue gown, came and kissed me on the cheek. ¡°I will be the one to rip his throat out if he betrays me.¡±


    The tapping of a spoon on the ss caught my attention. The whole pack house went silent, and the music stopped. Our attention went to Victor, Lennox, and my grandfather, who now ran a new pack out of what was left of his old pack. Dn became his beta.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to take this opportunity to thank the people here tonight,¡± Victor said. ¡°For the untiring support and believing that we could all aplish something when we worked together.¡±


    I felt Zarah¡¯s and Alpha King Sebastien¡¯s presence beside me. For the first time, he did not make an entrance.


    Margaret was carrying a rectangr box as she joined Victor upstairs. ¡°I would like to present this small token of appreciation for her sacrifices, from the werewolf council to the luna of this pack, Nirvana Thorne ckwell.¡±


    ¡°You deserve it,¡± Knight whispered in my ear. ¡°I¡¯m proud to call you my mate, my wife, and the luna of this pack.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯m proud to call you mine, Alpha.¡± That cracked him up.


    Everyone apuded, including Kaleb, Luka, the twins, Maddox, and Zander, who went a little too far, whistling. I could see the pride in everyone¡¯s eyes as I took a breath before I walked forward. I went upstairs to take whatever they had for me.


    Margaret opened the box, which made me gasp.


    I stared at her. ¡°The blood dagger of Katzius.¡±Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    ¡°Yes. You deserved it.¡±


    I took the box and shook their hands. I hugged my grandfather before I looked down at the at least one hundred families and friends who hade to celebrate our victory.


    ¡°I had so many doubts when a huge responsibility was handed down to me, literally on force, but you never lost hope and never gave up even if it seemed impossible. This gift is for everyone who has been there throughout the toughest time and for those we have lost but never forgotten. Thank you.¡± I picked up the dagger and felt its power vibrating, drawing from it.


    Some guests had left at midnight, and I let myself escape from the pack business conversation. That job was for Knight.


    I found myself sitting on the bench under the tree while the vineyards were back to business.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    I turned my head to Zarah. ¡°I¡¯m scared. I don¡¯t want to ruin everything when everything seems perfect.¡±


    ¡°The battle is over. It¡¯s time for you to start a new life with Knight.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to start a new life with him. I want to continue what we started because I don¡¯t wanna forget what my life was like four months ago, beautiful, sad, or tragic. It made me who I am today.¡±


    She smiled. ¡°You¡¯ve grown up so much in such a short time. I¡¯m proud of you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. After what we¡¯ve been through.¡±


    ¡°Have you manifested something?¡±


    ¡°Like if I got my mother¡¯s gift?¡± I looked at her intensely. ¡°No. But the real question is, how did I end up in New York without memory?¡±


    ¡°That must be what you wish for?¡±


    ¡°No. I talked to my mother, who said my mate was waiting, but I never thought I would be given another chance. With Asina gone, I cheated death again.¡±


    She gripped my hand. ¡°You deserve everything that you have now. Just how many lives you save, you¡¯re a hero to this world. Your name will be written in the book, and everyone will tell the story of a brave girl who saved both worlds.¡±


    ¡°With the help of the witch, I hope.¡± I leaned my head on her shoulder. I may not have grown up without a mother, but Zarah had been there for me the whole time I needed one. ¡°Thank you for doing your promise.¡±


    ¡°Knight seems proud to show your mark on his neck.¡±


    I chuckled when my cheek burned. ¡°Shut up.¡±

 EPILOGUE

    NIRVANA     Three monthsterThis content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


    This man wrecked me in every way possible, in a good-to-be-true way.


    The private ind Lycan Alpha King Sebastien owned was more beautiful than he described, and we were here for the third day of our honeymoon.


    Yes, honeymoon. Knight asked me to marry him again, and I said yes before he could finish popping up the question.


    And here I was in bed, legs spread at his mercy. His searing gaze burned my skin. He stood at the foot of the bed, naked, and my hungry eyes devoured him.


    He was perfect from head to toe, and those muscles and his long thick erection in his hand with a small drop glistening in the slit of his crown.


    I licked my lips, squirming in bed. Knight knew precisely how to drive me crazy. My hands fisted above my head. No matter how I struggled, the ropeced with magic he used to tie didn¡¯t even budge-no thanks to the book of spells my mother¡¯s own.


    Dn sent me a box full of my mother¡¯s books and tools. Knight found out about it, and he used it to his advantage.


    ¡°Stop squirming.¡± He wore a smug on his face.


    ¡°You¡¯re not the one tied up here.¡± I red at him.


    ¡°Look at you, so gorgeous, I wanna eat you all day.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been eating me since we arrived here. It¡¯s my turn now, alpha.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the thing, my mate, my wife, my luna. I¡¯m the alpha, and I¡¯m in charge.¡±


    ¡°Fuck you.¡±


    He smirked, crawling in bed. ¡°Yeah? You quite enjoyed it thest time I checked.¡±


    Frustrated, I exhaled hard. ¡°Come on, baby. Just get it done.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah?¡± He trailed his fingers on my inner thighs. His touch left sparks in its wake.


    My breaths turned into broken pants. My chest heaved. My clit pulsed with need.


    When he grazed the pad of his finger against my clit, my hips jerked up, and I bit my bottom lip. It would draw blood.


    ¡°I barely touch you, and you¡¯re already wet, Nirvana. Were you thinking what I could do to you this time?¡±


    ¡°You can ess my thoughts. What do you think?¡±


    A low chuckle rumbled his chest, his muscles flexing as he spread me further wide. ¡°Fuck, my love. You¡¯re drenched.¡±


    ¡°Your ego must be about to pop. Isn¡¯t it, husband?¡± I licked my lips, squirming as I anticipated his finger sliding inside me.


    When he settled between my legs, I closed my eyes.


    ¡°Oh, no. You watch me eat you. Open your eyes, Nirvana.¡±


    I groaned in response but obeyed him. I looked down as he leaned in and inhaled the scent of my pussy.


    ¡°Hmm. You smell fantastic, and I know you taste like heaven like always.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. How could you forget? You ate me before breakfast, and it¡¯s just noon right now.¡± My nipples harden. Despite the air conditioning being turned on and the breezeing from an open door to the balcony, I still felt my skin hotter in excitement.


    He grinned. Pride and joy glinted in his green eyes. ¡°I¡¯m hungry again. What can I say? I have a voracious appetite over a sweet little pussy of mine.¡±


    ¡°You talk too much.¡± I tried to close my legs, but he was fast to pin me and keep them wide apart.


    ¡°As always, impatient.¡± He dipped his head, finally giving me what I wanted- heved my wetness from my butt hole to my entrance and my swollen clit before spreading my folds with his thumbs. And then he ate me, feasting on my pussy with his fantastic hot mouth.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± I cried out loud, my hips jolting up.


    He made a sound of approval as he scraped my clit with his teeth and fucked me with his tongue.


    ¡°It feels so good. Don¡¯t stop.¡±


    He stopped, reared back, and smiled at me with his handsome, smug face, which hurt.


    Groaning at the sudden disruption, I asked, ¡°Why did you stop?¡±


    ¡°Tell me you wannae in my mouth?¡±


    ¡°Knight!¡±


    ¡°Tell me, Nirvana.¡±


    ¡°Oh, God. Your ego.¡± I rolled my eyes and said, ¡°Yes, my love. I wannae in your mouth. Please, fuck me hard?¡±


    Heughed out loud. The bed shook, but it abruptly stopped as he went to his feasting again. This time, he slid his finger inside me, his mouth sucking on my clit, alternately flicking it with his tongue.


    ¡°Yes, yes.¡± Fisting my hands in frustration, he pushed his face down my pussy, and I rocked my hips shamelessly as I desperately chased my orgasm. ¡°Baby. God, your mouth-¡±


    He added another finger, thrusting in and out of my pussy, and the moment he hit my G-spot, my body quivered. I jerked and moaned loudly as my orgasm was almost instant.


    ¡°That¡¯s it, my little mate.¡± He pulled his fingers out and shoved them in his mouth, sucking them clean. ¡°You want to taste yourself, do you?¡±


    Still catching my breath, I nodded frantically, opening my mouth. Instead, Knight hovered over my body, his forearms braced on my sides, and kissed me hard, shoving his tongue in my mouth. My pussy ached again, my engorged clit pulsing with need.


    I wrapped my legs around his waist as I rubbed my pussy against his length. He groaned in approval before he thrust all at once inside me. I cried into his mouth.


    He worked with his rapid thrust, fucking me harder and rougher, it shook my entire body, and I moaned, letting him know I liked it. I rocked helplessly against his hips as waves and waves of pleasure rushed through my core.


    He untied the rope, freeing my hands, raised my legs over his shoulders and mmed his cock into me, and began fucking me with hard strokes, driving deeper.


    ¡°Fuck, Knight. Agh!¡± My breasts bounced, my head tipped back against the pillow. The headboard banged against the wall.


    ¡°We¡¯re gonna break this bed, sweetheart.¡± He grunted, grinding his teeth, his jaw clenching.


    ¡°I¡¯m closed!¡±


    ¡°I know. Your pussy is clenching around my dick.¡± He cupped my breast with his hand, squeezing it, pinching my nipple to the point it hurt.


    ¡°Yes!¡± We both moaned. His muscles tensed.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± He made a feral guttural sound from deep within his chest, and it almost sounded painful. His nose red, and his eyes just glowed. His fingers dug into my flesh, and his head fell back. ¡°Come!¡±


    One word was all it took. Our entire body jerked.


    My pussy contracted around his hard thick length, and I could hardly breathe- a recrudescence of euphoria flooded through me.


    Breathing hard, he copsed on top of me.


    ¡°Did you know when you fell and I took your pain, I saw my future?¡±


    He stared at me with wide eyes. ¡°What did you see?¡±


    I smiled, making him frown. ¡°Nirvana?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to know, but we¡¯re gonna have a great life together.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a relief, but did you see something that I¡¯m gonna spank your ass more often for being disobedient?¡±


    ***


    ¡°Baby, we haven¡¯t talked about starting a family?¡± I ran my fingers through his thick hair. He was resting his head on my thigh.


    He looked up at me, hand reaching for my cheek. ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, what?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s obvious. I don¡¯t use condoms, and I didn¡¯t see pills in the drawers or medicine cab, and I¡¯m loaded. Financially, it is not an issue. We get pregnant, then we get pregnant if that¡¯s what you want.¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s that what I want?¡± I met his gaze.


    ¡°Are you fucking kidding me right now?¡± His voice turned hard. For a moment, pain crossed his eyes. ¡°When two people are crazy over one another, they share the same heartbeat, are married, and can¡¯t live without one another. What do you think, Nirvana?¡±


    ¡°Gee.¡±


    He got up and stared at me. When I blocked him, he growled. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±


    I pretended to be hurt, staring back at him. I burst outughing when I couldn¡¯t hold my little charade anymore.


    ¡°Fuck you.¡±


    Cupping his face with my hands, I kissed him softly, and he sighed, kissing me back.


    ¡°I thought you didn¡¯t want kids.¡± He smiled, and even though he was too gorgeous for me, it sometimes hurt.


    ¡°Well, if I pop out pups as cute as you, why not? I want four.¡±


    ¡°Four?¡± He arched a brow, his smile widening.


    ¡°Four boys, two girls.¡±


    He froze for a moment before barking outughing again.


    I sighed in contentment as I watched him shake his head in amusement. Hearing himugh so loud and so freely, his eyes shining, was precisely what I wanted to fulfill as a wife, his mate, and the love of his life.


    ¡°I love you, kely Nirvana, with every beat of my heart.¡±


    Life is perfect, almost.


    I may not be a seer, but I was happy being a werewolf, a luna, mated to a hot biker alpha of Californian White Moon Pack.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!