☾☾☾ SASKIA'S POV ☽☽☽ "Oh gods, no. No, you're wrong!" I protest, doubled over by the hit his words packed to my chest. "That's not what I think at all, Mikael. I don't think you're a monster. I couldn't because you aren't." I grasp his hand tightly, trying to comfort him. It's saddening to see what he believes of me. If Mikael's a monster, then that means every supernatural is because he's no different from them, aside from his dissociation problem. It's all my fault, complaining so much about something he can't control. How could I have been so selfish and insensitive? It honestly beats me. How can I expect him to be respectful and considerate about my feelings when I don't reciprocate the same notion? In a bid to make him feel better, I tug him into an embrace. With his head resting on my chest and my fingers buried in his hair, I mumble my apologies. "I'm sorry I made you believe I see you differently because you sometimes lose yourself. I'm sorry I didn't consider you enough

☽☽☽MIKAEL'S POV☾☾☾ She is hurt. Her eyes, which usually sparkle, are glum, dimmed with a dismal sadness. I have nothing to say to her to soften this blow the Crestengalt has delivered. Granted that it is my fault she had to learn of this in the first place, I yet have a ripping urge to tear into the fool who sent this issue spiralling into the ditch. Like the men who let Absalon traipse into the ball, Wade is as useless and thick as a dolt. His presence has meant more inconveniences and nuisances. I have an excellent mind to pelt down these steps after him to teach a lesson he'll not forget shortly. I might also discharge some of the anger bottled up at my failure to impound the sorcerer and his infuriating wife. Alas, I can't. "I'm waiting for a freaking answer, Mikael." "Asthore, you must listen; I did not—" She snickers in mock. "If you think I'm going to stand here and listen to lies from your lips, Mikael, you're sadly mistaken. Either you tell me the truth, or you don't s

☽☽☽MIKAEL'S POV☾☾☾ She sighs deeply before offering a response. "Because I wanted to help my pack. It's a simple reason, but it's not so mundane when you realise I was willing to sacrifice everything for those I loved. You could have been one of those old-fashioned Alphas, still grounded in ancient ideas of how women are to answer to them. Yet..." her breath shudders, and I suppress the urge to comfort her. "By choosing to marry you, I gave up my freedom, sovereignty, and desires to put my pack's welfare first. But it didn't matter because, in my view, I was doing the right thing. I could not hate anybody for it because I believed it was my choice. Mine alone." "Saskia..." I summon her into my arms as distress begins to round her shoulders and cause her stunning eyes to tear up. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, love." My kisses melt into her hair, and she holds onto me with a steel grip. I kiss her forehead, then both her cheeks. She stirs when my lips imprint on the creamy length of her t

☾☾☾ SASKIA'S POV ☽☽☽ A wide snout nudges my hand. "Hey," I murmur softly, scratching behind the wolf's stiff ears. He's beautiful in the dark, all sleek black fur that shines like silk and hugs the arms of shadows without shame. "You're a gorgeous, gorgeous wolf." I kiss the flat of his forehead, my troubles forgotten, and he enthusiastically bumps my jaw with his nose. That makes me smile, and my hands automatically enclose upon him. When I pull away, Rikal—as Mikael mentioned was his wolf's name—whines sadly. I frown at finding gloom splayed in those cold blues, which are still unmistakably the Alpha's. "Are you sad?" I ask, and a low hum of approval answers me. "That makes you and me, hun." I hug him again, tighter this time. While I enjoy his gentle, quiet company, I can't explain why I wish for more. I want someone I can talk to and who can return the sentiment, which is quite selfish of me. Thankfully, no one can read my mind because I immediately feel remorse for wishing M

☾☾☾ SASKIA'S POV ☽☽☽ He did make me leave. Not by force, though, which is bizarre to admit aloud since Mikael loves to bulldoze his way through a problem. I’m glad he allowed the chance for negotiations because while he has achieved what he wished for, I’ve also gotten what I wanted. The negotiations resulted in the following: I would have the freedom to leave the pack whenever I wanted. The Alpha similarly agreed that I would be authorised to work as a small interior designer right in Guttenbrieg and set up evening baking classes to earn my own money. Lastly, I’d be involved in all matters of the pack—diplomatic affairs as well. In return, I’d get in the damned car with Wade when asked to and not think of running away or returning to help fight against Absalon. A pretty fair deal, if I say so myself. So, here we are. Not in the car, by the way. We’re cutting across the villa to reach where Mikael claimed we’d find the driver and the vehicle. Wade is to take it from the wolf and