~Cayden’s POV~
Tonight is a full moon, so I couldn’t dwell on the witches’ case for much longer. They weren’t agreeing with —Aurora was right, they never would. Not after I killed their leader. I had killed Dahlia. Right here, in the High House.
And even though Dahlia had been a monster, she was right about one thing—this city is their hotown. Every single one of them is still in New Orleans. Watching. Waiting. Either they’re hiding in plain sight, or they’re rejecting my offer to work under my pack. Either way, I’m not taking no for an answer.
Tonight is a full moon. We have a ritual to plan. The night when most of us tap into our more natural power. When we beco stronger. And if the witches won’t accept peace, maybe it’s ti to burn down their defiance. One by one. Maybe then they’ll understand that witches no longer belong in New Orleans.
I paused for a breath as I approached my room. Being an Alpha is far harder lately.
But as soon as I stepped inside my room, I knew I wouldn’t get it.
Soone was in my bed. Wrapped in my sheets.
My gaze scanned the silhouette, and the mont I caught sight of the golden blonde hair splayed on my pillow, I knew.
Natasha.
Of course, it was her.
Didn’t she have sothing else to do?
I paused, my mood already soured. I wasn’t really in the mood for her right now.
Then she stirred, slowly turning her head toward , a coy smile playing on her lips. The sheets slipped down her bare body.
She was naked.
Her hands reached up, cupping her breasts—tightening the hold, as if tempting into submission. My eyes flicked down instinctively before dragging back up. She knew what she was doing.
"Oh my god, Cayden," she purred as she rose, hips swaying as she approached. "I’ve been waiting for more than four hours. Where have you been?"
"I went out," I said flatly. "I was busy, Today is damn stressful."
"Fine," she whispered, brushing her fingers down my chest. "Then let help you get that stress away from you."
"Natasha," I muttered, already growing weak for her, "tonight is the full moon. We have a ritual to plan."
She brought her fingers to my lips. "You care too much," she whispered. "You know, sotis you don’t have to be serious. Co," she said, her voice laced with promise as her hand slid down, grazing her breast. "You know the real reason for your stress? Getting Hazel pregnant. The only solution would be getting pregnant too."
My jaw clenched.
She wasn’t entirely wrong. Everything that happened recently is all because of one thing — person. Hazel
I didn’t answer—I just reached for her. My fingers pinched her nipple, red and swollen under my touch. She gasped, her body jerking in reaction, and then she let out a breathy moan in my ear.
"Want to take off your clothes?" she whispered.
I nodded silently, and she tugged on my tie, slowly undoing it, dragging it down my chest before she started unbuttoning my shirt.
But the second my skin t the open air, Ragnar stirred.
My wolf, silent all night, began to growl.
Loud. Dark. Unyielding.
He hated her. Every inch of her.
And honestly, sotis I get it.
She had always been the plan. The clean, political match. The girl was chosen for long before I knew what love was. But every ti I look at her now....,
Still, she peeled the shirt from my body, her fingers tracing the ink on my skin.
"I’ll never get used to this beautiful body," she whispered, smiling with hunger. Her fingers trailing my abs, her cheeks flushed.
I didn’t return the smile.
I just pinned her to the bed, my body hovering above hers. My hand found her throat—not to choke, but to hold.
"You want sex, right?" I murmured, voice low. "You want to help get the stress away?"
Her eyes flickered with excitent. "Yes," she whispered.
"There’s only one way," I growled into her ear, brushing my lips along her skin.
I kissed her neck, gently at first, but then Ragnar lunged forward in my mind. I nearly bit her. A real bite. Not for hickey. Not for pleasure but..,
For blood.
I looked toward the window.
The moon was full.
Ragnar will soon take over, and I knew what was coming. Ragnar hates her. He wanted her dead. And if I stayed another second, he might pop out.
I stumbled back, ripping away from her.
"What’s going on?" she asked, chest heaving. "Did I do sothing?"
"No. You need to move. Now."
"Why?" she said, lips trembling. "The full moon just started. Let your wolf et . It must’ve missed , right?"
"No," I snapped. "It doesn’t."
Her eyes widened. Shocked. Hurt. Confused.
"Leave. Now. Please."
She blinked, her gaze scanning for an answer she wouldn’t find. She bent down, grabbing her clothes slowly, slipping into them as her eyes remained locked on mine. Then she walked out, wordless, her confusion hanging in the air.
But her scent lingered. Clung to every wall. It was thick, saccharine, and suffocating.
Ragnar clawed at my chest. My claws were already out. I needed air. Space. Anything.
There was only one scent that could soothe him. Only one that ever did.
Hazel.
I didn’t even hesitate. I left my room and stord toward her chamber, not far from mine. The mont I reached her door and opened it, the scent hit .
Warm. Earthy. Divine is pleasantly hitting my nose.
Ragnar purred.
My claws retracted.
She wasn’t here. But her sll was.
Why would he be so addicted to her scent?
I didn’t have ti to wonder. I scanned the room. She should be here. And if she wasn’t... she should be with Caspian. He’s always close. Always clinging towards her and it pisses off.
I went straight to his chamber.
The door creaked open.
No Hazel.
No Caspian.
But her scent was there too. Faint.
Still no sign of either. Sothing was wrong.
She was supposed to be here. She wasn’t allowed to wander freely especially not tonight. She was supposed to be with him.
I turned to the nearest guard. "Call for Leon."
Monts later, Leon approached, tense. "Alpha. All the elders are outside. They’re waiting for you and Caspian."
"Where is he?" I asked.
" We don’t know, Are you also looking for him?" He asked
"I am looking for Hazel. She’s not here."
"Then... they must be together."
"Find them. Now. If you can’t, bring Aurora. Use her tracking spells. I want them found imdiately."
I returned to my room and began dressing for the ritual.
Halfway through pulling on my shirt, Leon returned.
"Alpha," he said, breathless. "Caspian and Hazel... they’re not here. And we can’t find Aurora either."
My chest tightened. "What?"
Three of them. Gone.
Reviews
All reviews (0)