(Katriona)“HELP!”I woke up, panting, screaming to be freed. And yet, when I felt a hand about to let me go, I held onto it as tightly as I could. I opened my eyes and found Alexander there. He was like a giant rock and finding him beside me on a rainy day like this as his big and warm hand protectively held mine made me feel… safe.The alpha was sitting on the bed, wearing a plain maroon shirt and pants. His back was leaning against the frame and his eyes were closed.Memories from last night crossed my mind. Alexander had seen me during my weakest moment again. But despite the embarrassment, my heart was beating like a drum as I stared at his face. The rain was no longer as severe as last night. He could have left.He didn’t need to bother with a woman like me. And yet, he stayed.My eyes flicked to our hands. I was holding onto him as if he was my lifeline. And last night until I woke up, he truly had been my lifeline. I had too many worries and fears already. A crown princess was

(Katriona)THE moment I stepped out of my room, I had already felt Alexander’s gaze on my body. Hunger crossed his eyes as he leaned on the doorway while waiting for me.I threw a quick glance at him. The six-foot two inches alpha looked ravishing in his navy-blue button-down shirt, jeans, and loafers. He undid the first two buttons revealing a glimpse of the tattoo on his muscular chest. He put his hair in a bun. He looked so confident and so ready to break hearts.“It’s rude to stare,” I commented when he kept quiet while looking at me as if he wanted me to be his dinner tonight.Alexander shrugged. “You already know I lack proper manners.” Again, he ran his eyes up and down my body before finally lifting his gaze to meet mine. “Go back to your room, princess. Change your dress.”I spun in front of him. “What? Why? What’s wrong with my dress?”I was wearing an off-shoulder little black dress and flat black sandals. Valerie approved of it. She braided my hair and even encouraged me t

SWEAT dripped down my forehead. “You’re wrong. I’m not in heat, Valerie. That’s impossible. I was just not in my best elements right now.”Valerie raised her brow; she was obviously not convinced. “Did you ever have your heat when you were with the crown prince?”It just occurred to me that I’d never experienced being in heat the whole time that I was with Bradley. My chest was pounding when I said, “I didn’t but that was only because Bradley was yet to claim me as his. Once we get married and form a bond, I’m sure I would-““No, Katriona,” Valerie answered while shaking her head. “It doesn’t work like that. The minute you meet your mate, the bond is already there, physically, mentally, and emotionally. The wedding will only formalize your bond and-““Will you please stop talking? Stop confusing me!” I didn’t mean to raise my voice at her but my head was muddled. And none of her words were helping. After a while, I turned to her and sighed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. I appreci

I FELT a strange twist in my heart as I watched how darkness clouded Alexander’s eyes. The moon goddess knows how much I didn’t want to do this. I didn’t want to disrespect the alpha during his birthday and in front of his pack members but I couldn’t just stay still.I don’t want to do anything that I would have to apologize to my future self about.“Mikael has a wife and two daughters waiting for him back in the city. He’s only acting out based on the command that was given to him.”Mikael was the first warrior who found me in the barn house. He had a huge permanent burn in his back from saving me that night but he didn’t mind. Mikael already had his first born at that time. His daughter had almost lost her father because of me. And I didn’t want the same thing to happen now because of me again. I could never forgive myself for that.Alexander’s blade grazed my palms until they bled. I knew this was a hard decision to make. If he caves in and listens to someone like me, his pack wou

ALEXANDER took his shirt off before he crossed the distance between us. He was doing it slowly as if he was giving me a chance to back out but I couldn’t. Instead, I stayed still and blinked twice when I saw that hard and muscular body of his which spoke of strength, sex, and endless pleasure.I swear I was not into tattoos until I saw his. I didn’t think they could look this sexy and this attractive until tonight that I wanted to uncover the mystery behind them. My hands craved to touch each and every line and curve.“You can touch it, princess,” Alexander said in a gruff voice when he caught me staring.I blushed. “This is wrong, Alexander.”“Indeed.”Despite saying that, Alexander put my hand on his chest before cupping my buttocks. He pressed his hardness against my abdomen. My nipples tightened painfully when he buried his face in my neck and started showering me with wet kisses.All I needed to do was step back and close the door. And then all this madness will be over in a minu