The chill in the air whispered through the trees, carrying a scent of danger. A few feet away, the man suddenly started to struggle. It’s dimly lit here, the rays of the moon were covered by the vines that had covered the surface of the plate glass roof.

I stepped forward. Somehow, I felt drawn to the man. I should have left him there, I have never bothered myself with other people’s problems.

He warned me to leave when it was apparent that he needed help.

He smelled different. A werewolf but perhaps of a different kind.

Nicklaus bones were shifting, he was fighting it and it made the process disturbing to watch. Yvette watched his veins pulse against his flesh, bulging painfully.

A restrained growl tore out of him as the beast within him broke free. Her lips parted in wonder. Before her eyes was the largest wolf she had ever seen.

Golden eyes burning like wildfire, fur dark as night itself. It snarled, baring its abnormal large teeth.

She didn’t move an inch but her eyes squinted. This was no werewolf. This was a monster.

She didn’t get to blink when it lunged at her, claws stretched to rip her apart. Eyes wild, mouth watering but as it got near, it collapsed to the ground by an invisible force with just a single motion of Yvette’s hand.

The fight was still in its amber eyes, although it appeared weak like it had been wrecked. It breathing ragged and heavy.

Something about this monstrous looking wolf caught Yvette’s attention.

I approached, crouching beside it. I didn’t know why but I wanted to touch him, comfort him.

His eyes were wild but I could read the pain behind it. The rise and fall of his body spelled exhaustion. A tear slipped down its right eye.

My breath hitched.

This beast, this man….whatever he is, he’s suffering.

Without thinking, my hand reached out and I placed it flat on the crown of his head.

A soft light pulsed from our point of contact. Within seconds, his bones shifted back. The man within groaned as his wolf receded, giving control to the man.

The man. Not that I got a close up view at his features although covered in the sheen of his own sweat. He was gorgeous, beautifully made.

Pouty lips. Golden curls, straight nose…then there were small dots of freckles under his eyes, scattered over the bridge of his nose.

Quickly, I got up and took few steps back.

He groaned loudly as he slowly got up. He was very, very tall and very much naked–painfully masculine and properly endowed.

I turned away, letting him gather himself. The leaves rustled as he moved. His breaths were fast and heavy.

“What did you do to me, witch?” His voice was rough, edged with rage.

I blinked. He was angry. Why? I just saved him, did I not?

“Answer me or I will tear your head off your neck!” He roared.

Ungrateful.

I ignored him, turning to walk deeper into the woods. But before I could take another step, a gust of wind swept past me. His bare, broad chest rose and fell as I slowly dragged my eyes upward to meet his furious gaze.

When did men began to look this ethereal. So pretty.

“What is a witch doing in the palace?” There was an accent, he sounded velvety but also filled with scorn.

My head tilted to the side as I studied him. Sculpted jawline, high cheekbones and silver green eyes that were ablaze with anger. Thick brows shadowed his piercing stare.

He moved closer, but I immediately pulled up a barrier between us. Thin, invisible yet unbreakable. I watched him lose his mind, veins bulging, eyes darkening with rage as he pushed against the barrier.

“You have no idea who you’re messing with,” he growled.

But I was focused on something else entirely. His body, well toned was marred with all sorts of scars that refused to fade.

That’s made two of us.

He must have noticed my invasive staring because his entire skin flushed red.

“I will find you,” he snarled before vanishing. That speed….

Night fell fast and it was time to perform. The stage was set, the seats were full, expectation from the audience was high.

I was adorned in a teal thin fabric that wrapped around me like a veil heavy with jewelries.

Even my arms were veiled. The wrapped silk stopped at my waist adorned with a gem dotted belt and from there, it flowed freely to my ankle.

The show began, music filled the hall.

The curtains lifted.

The choreography was fluid, sensual and graceful.

I had my violin ready on my shoulder as the music slowly enters my solo. Then, the center of the stage spilt. I rose from below, eyes closed and began thrumming the strings.

Soon, I began dancing. Flowing with the beat, moving with the rhythm. Even with my eyes closed, I could feel their gazes on me.

Suddenly, the air turned cold. My eyes flew open.

Sage and grapefruit evaded my senses. My heart lurched, tugged aggressively by someone in the crowd.

There were hundreds of people seated before me yet it didn’t take a second for my eyes to lock with a pair of silver green eyes.

They bore into me, piercing my soul. My feet were stuck to the ground, refusing to move. My heart pounded so loud, it drowned everything else.

The music ended.

The crowd erupted. It was a standing ovation, cheers, flowers and whistles but I couldn’t move, I couldn’t look away. Neither could he.

“Yvette!” Renee snapped at me, bringing me back. My eyes burned with sudden tears. I bolted off the stage, ignoring the calls of the girls.

In the changing room, I tore off my clothes and jewelries as angry tears dropped down my chin one after the other. Quickly, I changed into a short flowy dress.

After Marcus’s betrayal, after what I faced in that cage…..the moon goddess paired me with another facking mate!

“Are you okay?” Nyx asked worriedly as she stepped in. I searched for a box of tissue or wipes to clean my face but my vision was too blurry to find shit.

“Yvette?”

I didn’t answer her. I tied my hair in a rough ponytail and grabbed my bag. When I turned, our eyes met and hers hardened.

“You can leave,” she tossed me her pass. “Take my carriage.”

“Thank you,” I said through mindlink.

There was no way. There was no facking way. I had stopped angrily, only seething.

I ran down multiple stairs, pushed past guests and staff, desperate to leave here, to leave him. But outside the building, I bumped into him.

His scent overwhelmed me. I inhaled by instinct and regretted it immediately. My head spun.

“Forgive me,” he said gently.

I closed my eyes briefly as I took multiple steps back. When I opened my eyes, he was right in front of me, now dressed in a fancy attire. A high collared white shirt embroidered with gold patterns. Deep blue fabric that wrapped around him like a half cape. To his fitted trousers that matched the royal blue with intricate gold designs that climbed up one leg like vines.

He looked like a prince.

Shit. I was staring.

“My apologies,”

I waved him off and kept walking.

“We need to talk. Wait.”

I ignored him.

“I don’t want to be mated to the likes of you if that makes you feel any better,” he snapped.

There was a whirlwind of emotions turning inside of me. He wasn’t worth it so I continued walking.

“Can you at least, facking speak!”

That was it.

I turned and screamed into his mind. He howled, collapsing to his knees, clutching his ears. I didn’t stop, I poured my rage into it.

Blood trickled from his nose, his eyes were starting to roll. I stopped, startled by the effect.

“You seemed learned, but dense,” I hissed into his mind. He frowned, new to the intrusion in his mind. “I’m glad I’m mute. I won’t have to waste my saliva on someone like you. You’re not worth it.”

His expression shifted. Something flickered in his eyes but I couldn’t tell what. Pity, maybe.

He stood, dusting himself off. He exhaled deeply as he ran his hand through his curls.

“Forgive me, I didn’t thi-”

“You didn’t think. I understand.” My voice was calmed but I was was glaring glaciers at him. “Now move, I want nothing to do with a man like you.”

His jaw clenched but he didn’t stop me from leaving this time.

I quickened my pace, badly needing to just disappear.

I would never see him again.