Liora struggled between the two guards as they dragged her to the throne room. She was getting sick and tired of being handled like a ragdoll. They dropped her in the center of the room and walked away, locking her in with her crazy Alpha.Hers. It sounded so right.This wasn’t the time to be thinking of ownership. Ronin was on his throne bristling with anger. No doubt her performance in the fighting pit would be the headline news in every pack.In hindsight she realized that they probably thought that she controlled him- He spared Alastor’s life because she asked him to.She took one look at the length of black rope across his lap and gulped.“Are you frightened? Good.” Ronin said quietly, simmering in her sweet peony scent. Goddess, it was getting more intoxicating by the second. His gums pulsed as his fangs jutted out.“What did I tell you to do?”“To stay by the throne and don’t move.”“And what did you do instead?”“I… moved.”“You did more than that, Paionía,” He ran his hands a

Liora choked, her eyes brimming with tears as everything she saw, everything she felt–all came rushing back. How could one person carry so much torment? No wonder his wolf was messed up. She glanced at her clothes. They tended to her while she was asleep. Even the bruises on her wrists had healed. She couldn’t stop to think about that violation of privacy as she walked to the door and tugged it open.How dare he share so much, then pull rank on her? Coward. She knew the truth now and there was no going back. It was all an act and she was going to call him out on it whether he liked it or not. Alpha or no.Wait.Since when did she become so bold? Liora felt no resistance from her wolf. Surprisingly, little Miss Prissy agreed with what she wanted to do.It must be the mating bond. Even though it wasn’t technically sealed, the fact that Ronin opened his mind to her strengthened it even more. There was no going back now. More and more they would share thoughts and feelings through that l

Ronin felt an emotion he couldn’t describe blooming in his chest when Liora slid her hand into his. Her dress reminded him of rich flowing blood and it pleased his sadistic wolf very much. It was provocative but at the same time left something to his imagination.He wondered what she had on beneath the layers.“You look beautiful,” He kissed the top of her hand.“Thank you, Alpha. You’re looking quite regal yourself.” Liora tilted her head, “This is quite the event. Am I to accompany you as your mate, or as a party pup?”His lip twitched and he stared at her for a moment before tugging her closer to him, “You’re acting less and less like an omega these days.”Liora’s hand slid along his tie, shifting it until it was centered. “Thanks to our mating bond. I can’t be too submissive if I’m to be your Luna.”Ronin chuckled at that as they made their way down the stairs. “I cannot deny that our attraction is strong, but just because I wanna fuck you, it doesn’t means you’re fit to be my Luna

Ronin drummed his fingers on the smooth finish of the desk. His wolf whispered devious suggestions to him, and he could barely focus on what Nikolai was saying. He was jonesing for blood–but not just any. He wanted to sink his fangs into Liora’s petite little neck. It had been weeks since he had tasted her, and his wolf was getting restless--so much so that the furry fiend had proposed some light killing of his council members to pass the time. “Ronin?” Lucien cleared his throat. “You look like you want to kill us.” “Do I?” Ronin hummed. “Maybe you should take the hint and get the fuck out of my study, hmm?” Caius sighed, “You are the author of your own suffering. If you would just mate the omega for goodness sake–” “I will not,” Ronin cut him off, turning his attention to Nikolai, “What were you saying again?” “I was saying that the activity of the mindless beasts over the last couple of weeks appears organized. Too strategic.” He held up his iPad so Ronin could see the annotat

They left for the camping grounds one hour before dawn, taking the familiar path through the Beta den. They walked in a particular formation, with Caius and Dorian in front, and Thaddeus and Emory flanking each side. Nikolai and Kieran walked at the back, with Ronin in the center.A squad of warriors in their wolf form was scattered throughout the forest, going unseen as they moved through the shadows. They set a wide perimeter and would be the first line of defense if they were ambushed. Each step Ronin took in the direction of the camping grounds brought a fragmented memory of the day he lost his family. He had to give credit to his opponent–whoever it was, knew him to the extent that they could engage in psychological warfare.“So Ronin,” Thad’s voice chimed to his left, full of mischief. “Since you won’t be mating the omega, how about you let her go so someone else can claim her, eh?”Caius sucked his teeth, “That mouth of yours is going to get you killed one day.”‘Excuse you, I