Maeve’s POV
I took my time getting dressed, selecting an outfit that was designed to captivate. It was a reminder to myself of the allure that still coursed through my veins, and I wasn’t about to let it go to waste. The seductive attire clung to my form, leaving little to the imagination, a stark contrast to the restraint I had practiced in Erik’s presence.
Before heading to Leon’s quarters, I put on a robe to cover my scandalous appearance, but I couldn’t resist the urge to read the letter he had sent me. It was filled with his carefree spirit, laced with humor, and it was impossible not to be drawn in by his personality.
“My Dearest Masked warrior,
Your return has brought the much-needed spark back to our lives. Looking forward to tonight’s dinner and the mischief we’ll stir up. I promise we won’t have a certain white-haired loser in our midst today, so please will you show up today my darling?
With excitement,
Leon “
I laughed as I read the note. It was ridiculous how boyish his note was. He was obviously willing to say anything to make me come and the Erik reference was much needed. But the fact that since I met him he never mentioned that horrible day I was rejected made me like him even more.
Upon reaching Leon’s quarters, I was immediately struck by the architecture of the space. It was unlike anything I had seen in Hexon, but my attention was quickly drawn away from the surroundings as I took in Leon himself.
His unruly, jet-black hair framed a ruggedly handsome face that could make any heart skip a beat. His piercing, emerald-green eyes held a hint of mischief as he said,“ Wow, she actually showed up. If I had known, I’d have dressed just as magnificently as you did. Welcome, Maeve.”
I smiled, unable to resist his charm as he gave me his hand. I placed my hands in his and joined him in the dining room. The liar already had the table set for two – so much for not expecting me.
As if reading my mind, his lips curled into a smile, and he sat opposite me. Thankfully, the table was not big, so we weren’t far apart. I looked at the food and smiled, grateful that I was at least being fed something I actually liked – not those boring meals Erik’s chef prepared.
Leon didn’t bring up much of a discussion. He just ate in silence and watched me, but the way he looked at me made my body fire up. I watched him as he ate, his green eyes, often filled with humor, remained focused on his plate, yet his fingers moved with grace as he savored each bite. A playful smile would occasionally grace his lips when I caught him staring.
When he was done, he gulped his wine, and then he finally looked away from me, only to return his gaze with a playful smile.
“ For how long will you stare at me?” I asked, laughing at how silly he was behaving.
“ For as long as you would let me…and so far you have been very kind,” he said.
“ Well… It’s the least I could do after brutally killing your men.” I teased him and his eyes sparked with pleasure.
“ You have no idea how hot that was.”
“ So no hard feelings?”
“ Absolutely not! I don’t care who you kill…but maybe you didn’t really have to kill them,” he said, making me laugh at his contradictory words.
“ I was angry,” I responded. Now it was my turn to steer the conversation.
His smile slowly faded, and his eyes glowed red for a brief moment before he exhaled and calmed down. Now that was attractive. A Lycan trait I never thought I would see so up close.
“ It was that fool, you know? Erik. He caused this, all of it,” he said, and I folded my hands over my chest. I didn’t expect him to blame Erik for anything. They were supposed to be loyal to Erik, who was their superior. But he didn’t stutter when he called Erik a fool and something made me think he wouldn’t hesitate to say it if Erik were present.
“ Erik? Why is that?” I asked, unable to hide my curiosity.
“ If he wasn’t so obsessed with following the rules all the fucking time, he wouldn’t have banished you. You would never have wandered off to where Lohki must’ve found you.”
My eyes moistened at his honesty. He really meant it. He was on my side! Why then didn’t he stop me from going? Why did he let me run away?
“ I can’t imagine what Lohki must’ve done to you when he found you. He must’ve forced you to become the killing machine that you are now and for that I’m sorry.”
“ There’s nothing to be sorry about. I didn’t need to be forced. I wanted to do this. After all, being rejected by three men was enough to start my villain origin story. It didn’t help that not a single soul stood up for me…just as it has always been all my life,” I said bitterly.
“ I’m sorry Maeve. I wanted to find you, but I was outvoted by Caden and Erik. I’ve resented both of them ever since, but what was resentment going to do? I’m just glad you came back.”
“ I didn’t come back. Erik is keeping me hostage,” I said, trying not to let Leon’s words get through to me so easily.
“ Well, why didn’t you just go back?” He teased.
“ What?”
“ I heard Lohki uses magic, and I don’t believe that amulet around your neck is for fashion,” he said, and I clenched it.
“ Lohki gave me this amulet. It used to allow me to travel anywhere, but now… It won’t answer my calls. I know Lohki’s mad at me, but he didn’t have to leave me stuck here!”
“ And why do you want to go back?” Leon asked, sounding a little irritated.
“ Contrary to all those rumors, Lohki is very kind.”
“ I’m sure you’re the only one he’s kind to,” he scoffed.
When I said nothing, he nodded and smiled knowingly, but I didn’t care, Lohki still cared for me like a brother would. I just wished there was something I could do to get him to answer my calls and suddenly an idea clicked in my head.
With a smile, I cleared my throat and said,“ So, are we just going to act sappy all day or will we do anything else?”
He laughed and said,“ There’s just one last thing left.”
I rolled my eyes, knowing he was clearly stalling, but at the sight of the dessert that was brought before us, I frowned. “ I won’t be eating that,” I said and watched as Leon’s eyes darkened with anger. He glared at the man who had brought the dessert and through clenched teeth he said,“ I asked you to make sure she would like everything today.”
The man trembled and said, “But it’s Tres Leches who wouldn’t like it?”
“ You’re talking back at me?” Leon said in a low, threatening tone. His eyes flashed red for a brief moment and his hand moved instinctively to the knife on the table – no doubt to throw it at the man.
“ Oh my gosh, Leon. Leave him alone, why don’t you channel that anger somewhere else,” I said with a smirk. His eyes followed my movement as I lowered my robe, exposing a little bit of my cleavage for him to take in.
“ Get out,“ he said to the man, and within seconds he was in front of me. I loved how much power I held over Leon, how much he was willing to let me control him.
I got up from the seat, knocked the dessert from the table, and sat on it. Leon’s gaze and his breath were hot on my skin as I fully disrobed, left in just my lingerie. He was already planting hot kisses on my neck, making me shudder with pleasure.
I didn’t even realize I had shut my eyes until he said, “Look at me,” his voice, deep and commanding. I did as he asked, and I bit my lower lip, pleased with the sight of his body.
“ You’re stealthy. When did you take off your clothes?” I said, marveling at his perfectly toned body and running my fingers on his abs.
“ The real question should be when did I take off what’s left of yours?” He said, kissing my stomach while I gasped in both surprise and pleasure. He had taken off my lingerie completely, and I didn’t even know.
This must’ve been his Lycan trait – stealth, and I loved how he used to please me. “ Ahh,” I moaned when his lips reached my center, pleasuring me with no reservations. I sunk my fingers in his hair, throwing my head back in ecstasy.
“ Leon…kiss me,” I whispered faintly, and in one swift motion, he stood up and crashed his lips against mine. Kissing me hungrily. I moaned in his mouth, loving the feel of his hard crotch against my center.
Soon he entered me and I broke the kiss, throwing my head back in exhilaration as I arched back to take him fully. Oh, this was beyond anything I’ve ever had. He held my hips to steady me and started with slow, soft thrusts, yet I thought I would explode.
His motions got harder, rougher and when I met his gaze I almost melted. His eyes bore into mine with an intensity that was so overwhelming. It was as if he was baring his soul, letting me see the depths of his feelings that he had kept hidden for so long. At that moment, there was no room for pretense or masks; it was just Leon and me, sharing an unspoken connection that transcended words.
Our breaths mingled, creating a sensual symphony that echoed in the stillness of the room as we both were on edge. Our bodies spoke a language of desire and longing, and our eyes locked in a silent promise of shared passion and intimacy.
As Leon continued to gaze at me with those intense green eyes, his thrusts became faster, and I knew that I couldn’t last any longer. My whole body erupted as I climaxed, and he followed shortly, crashing into me and kissing me softly as he whispered the words,“ Mine,” in my ears.
My eyes welled with tears. This was all I wanted to hear from at least one of them two years ago, but it’s okay now. Leon said it…and he’s made me so happy.
Maeve’s POV“Get her something to eat. I’d like her to be served breakfast in bed,” I heard Leon say as I started to wake up. My night with him was beyond amazing. We had a great time together, but there was still this side of me that felt guilty about what I was doing.Lohki did not save me from the harsh rejection I faced that day just for me to betray him by sleeping with the enemy. Still, Leon was my mate. How was I to resist him? I wished I felt a little bit of regret about what I had done, but I really don’t.Leon had been kind to me, he and Caden didn’t want to reject me, but Erik…that man, his authority superseded theirs and there was nothing that could be done. Maybe me coming back here isn’t so bad after all. I can have fun with Caden and Leon while also finding a way to get right with Lohki.If I could somehow bring him Hexon, Lohki would understand why I had done this. I’m sure of it.As I was thinking about this, I felt Leon’s warm breath fanning my skin. I couldn’t bear
Erik's POVI was very furious when I learned what Leon had done. How could he be that selfish, sleeping with a woman we were all bonded to – just to spite me. I knew that was the only reason that he did what he did. If I hadn't been involved, he would’ve taken Caden into consideration, and they would have reached an agreement that would suit both them and Maeve.Due to my rejection of Maeve, I didn’t exactly feel the things Caden felt. That would’ve been torture for me, but just the way Caden described it made me feel just as annoyed over the matter.I had accompanied Caden to confront Leon about it and, like always, he was acting like an entitled idiot. His night with Maeve must’ve been superb, since he was acting more pompous than before. I was willing to just walk away from the argument for peace to reign but when I saw Maeve come out of Leon’s house, dressed in his clothes… I decided I would stay. There is no way that I would let Leon get away with this.My ability to keep my face
Maeve’s POVI was staring at the ‘gifts’ these people brought, wondering what pushed them to think it was an appropriate gift. I mean, after what they did to me, you’d think they would bring something more proper but instead, they dare bring this ridiculous thing to me.Anyway, I had already given them a proper answer and was expecting them to leave me so that I could keep searching for what I thought was a spy or messenger sent to me by Lohki.“I understand your reasons, Luna Maeve. We will also do better and present you with a more proper gift. Once again, we are truly sorry for the pain we caused you,” one of them said, but her voice seemed far too familiar, so I turned around and when I saw the woman who had spoken, all my defences were shattered.“Isn’t that Faye?” I said to myself, but when I saw her silver eyes beaming as they used to two years ago, I knew that she was my friend Faye!Without thinking twice, I hugged her and began to cry. I missed her so much. I knew that she w
Erik’s POV“Good evening, Lycan King Erik,” I heard one of my men greet as he entered my office. Quickly, I put my phone away and acknowledged the greeting of the man. His name was Luis. He was one of my most trusted betas, and he had come to report the things he had seen today after his patrol had ended.“Sit down, Luis, and tell me what new you have brought me,” I said, and watched as he sat down.“My King... I have brought news from the south side, there is still no sign of Lohki or his men there,” he said while I sighed.“King Erik, the only way we can find this man is through your mate. You already rejected her before. You owe her nothing if you decide to force the truth out of her and if she refuses, just kill her!” Alpha Jared said.I was not surprised by his suggestion. A lot of them who were currently seated in my office were probably thinking the same thing as Jared was. The only difference between them and him was that he was the only stupid enough to voice his thoughts. Th
Maeve's POVMy whole body ached as I lay on a bed I wasn’t familiar with. I managed to open my eyes, and I was met with a strong, pungent smell.A woman was sitting beside me, and she was mixing some strange herbs in a small bowl while I watched her, wondering for a moment who I was. Then…it clicked.I am Maeve. I was rejected by one of my mates and sent away from the pack. When I fled, I met Lohki, and he trained me for the most important moment of our lives – getting revenge on the three Lycan kings. But unfortunately, I ruined the plan, and I have yet to fix it.More of my memories came flooding in, and then I recalled how I was going to Erik’s quarters when someone slit my neck and left me for dead.“I see that you are awake,” the woman said, without turning to look at me.“Yes,” I said, as I sat up and watched her. She looked very familiar, but I couldn’t remember who she was for some reason.As I recalled what had happened, I reached for the back of my neck, but I felt nothing.
Maeve’s POVI managed to pull myself together as I opened the door for Faye, who rushed inside the room, hugging me and crying in my arms.“ It’s okay, it’s alright – just calm down and talk to me,” I said as I hugged her. She let go and sat on my bed, wiping tears from her eyes as she started to explain.“There is nothing much to explain…all I know was that she was doing well one minute but then the next minute, she slumped and…died.”“This makes no sense. This was exactly what happened in my dream,” was what I wanted to say, but I decided against it.“What about the child?” I asked.“The child is fine… I just don’t understand what could’ve happened to Lia,”We sat in silence for a long while before she finally broke the silence, “I will raise the child as mine,”“Can you do that? Wouldn’t it be too much stress?”She shook her head and smiled bitterly as she said, “It is our best friend’s child. It’s not stress, I would be honored…it’s just that it’s so painful that I thought we’d lo
Leon’s POVSince Maeve came to live with me, I’ve been happy. I thought it meant that she chose me over Erik, I mean, it was what she meant…kind of.That night, she was burning up but after taking this strange-looking medicine, she felt better. We had a lot of sex that night, but it was only when she slept that I noticed the mark on her neck.It was like a black flower, and I most certainly have seen that mark before. It was not a good mark and there was only one person who could give such marks – Lohki.That night, as she slept, I got out of bed and searched for the files where I kept Erik’s number. When I dialed it, I didn’t expect him to answer so quickly.“Who is this?” he asked, but it annoyed me that he didn’t have my number. I almost hung up, but I thought about Maeve. That mark on her neck got me worried, and I had just one question for Erik.“What is that mark on her neck?” I said instead. He remained quiet for a while before he said, “Leon,”“Answer me,” I persisted while he
13 Caden’s POVSince I saw the mark on Celine’s neck, I have not been at peace. I had never really seen the mark on her neck, but I had heard of a mask like that, but the only person who I knew had gotten such a mark was Erik’s mother, and she didn’t survive.There were a lot of rumors at the time when it happened. Erik was just ten, and I was not yet an acquaintance of his. I only saw him at the Lycan Academy and that was it.One of the most prominent rumors was that Erik’s mother was a witch and that she worked with Lohki until her contract expired. They said that she had saved Erik’s life with magic and that Erik was a demon child.Those days at school, I felt awful for Erik. I never knew who started the rumors, but I felt in my heart that it wasn’t true.No one would sit with him, look at him or even talk to him, so he numbed himself to the pain of no one caring about him, and he became the icy man that he is today.One day, I was in dire need of help and Erik happened to be ther