NORA’S POV
The great hall of Nightcrest Pack was bathed in morning light, but I felt none of its warmth as I sat at the table, with my hands clasped tightly on my laps, trying to focus on anything other than the pounding of my heart.
“Nora, I want you to meet Lord Christian,” Greta said, her voice sounding so bright and cheerful as she gestured towards a tall, dark- haired man with a kind smile.
“And this is Lord Harry.
They are two of our most respected Lords, and I thought it was time you got to know them properly.”
I forced a smile on my face, even though my stomach was churning.
“It is a pleasure to meet you both.”
Lord Christian inclined his head, his dark eyes studying me with interest.
“The pleasure is ours, Lady Nora.
Greta has told us so much about you.”
Lord Harry, who was slightly shorter with a warmer, more open face, laughed softly.
“She had not stopped talking about you since you arrived.
We were beginning to think you were a myth.”
I laughed nervously and glanced at Greta.
“I hope she only said good things.”
Lord Christian’s lips curved up to a small smile and said, “She mentioned you are a healer.
That’s admirable work.”
Lord Harry nodded his head and chimed in.
“Yes, She said you help a lot of people.”
I smiled in relief that they weren’t pressing further.
“I do what I can.”
Before anyone could say more, Greta rose from her seat and touched my shoulder lightly.
“Nora dear, may I have a word?
Privately?”
I nodded, relieved for the excuse to escape.
Lord Christian and Lord Harry both stood politely as Greta led me a few steps away, with her arm linked through mine.
“Greta, what is going on?” I whispered.
“Why did you introduce them both at the same time?
I thought you were going to introduce me to one at a time.”
Greta opened her eyes wide with mischief, and said, “that was the plan initially, but I later changed my mind.
This, my dear, it is a strategy.”
I blinked.
“Strategy?”
“Ofcourse,” She said, and lowered her voice conspiratorially.
“If I introduce you to one, he might feel comfortable taking his time.
But two?
Two eligible lords vying for your attention?
They will compete.
They will try to outdo each other to win your favour.
It’s human nature, even for werewolves.”
I stared at her, with my mouth slightly open and whispered in disbelief, “You are putting them against each other?”
“I am giving you options,” she corrected and squeezed my arm.
“You have been hurt, Nora.
You deserve to have men fight for you.
Let them work for your attention.
You have earned it.”
I shook my head, half amused, half horrified.
“Greta, I don’t think—”
“Think about it later,” she said, patting my hand.
“For now, just smile and be charming.
Let then wonder about you.
Let them want you.”
Before I could argue, she was steering back towards the table, with her smile firmly placed back on her face.
“Sorry about that,” She said cheerfully.
“Just a quick word between friends.”
Lord Harry smiled warmly and waved his hand dismissively, “No apologies needed.”
Lord Christian added, with a very thoughtful voice.
“If you would like, I would give you a tour of the gardens tomorrow.
They are quiet beautiful this time of the year.”
I could show you how our warriors train.
It is quite a sight, I can assure you.”
I blinked repeatedly, totally caught off guard by their sudden eagerness.
Greta caught my eye from across the table, and I saw her lips twitched with a satisfied smile.
It is working, her eyes seemed to say.
I felt a knot tighten in my stomach.
I did not want this.
I did not want either of them.
I wanted—
I did not finish the thought, because at that moment, the heavy doors of the great hall swung open.
And he walked in.
Lucian.
My breath caught in my throat and felt the room shifted under my feet, the air growing thick and heavy the moment his silver gray eyes swept across the table.
He was dressed in dark trousers and a fitted shirt, with his sleeves rolled up to reveal his forearms, and he moved with a kind of confidence that made everyone stop and look.
He stopped walking when he saw the scene before him — me, flanked by two eligible lords, and his mother sitting across from me with that proud, match making smile on her face.
Then his jaw clenched, just barely, but he recovered quickly.
“Mother,” he said smoothly, crossing the room to press a kiss on her cheek.
“I hope I am not interrupting.”
Greta laughed lightly and touched his arm.
“Ofcourse not, my dear, I was just introducing Nora to Lord Christian and Lord Harry.
I thought it was time she met some eligible men.”
Lucian’s smile was polite, but his eyes were cold as they flickered to the two lords.
“How thoughtful of you, Mother.”
Then he turned to the lords, his voice smooth but carrying an edge of authority.
“Lord Christian, Lord Harry, I actually need to speak with you both.
Urgently.
There is a matter regarding the border that requires your attention.”
Lord Christian frowned.
“Right now, Alpha?”
“Yes, right now,” Lucian said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
“It’s quiet urgent.”
The lords exchanged glances, then rose from their seats and bowed.
“Ofcourse, Alpha.”
Greta looked disappointed.
“Lucian, couldn’t it wait?
We were just—”
“I am afraid not, Mother,” he said, his smile never leaving his face.
“It is important.”
Then he glanced at me, just for a second, and in that brief moment, I saw the fire in his eyes.But he did not say a word.
He did not have to.
Then he turned and strode out of the hall, with the two lords following behind him like obedient soldiers.
I sat there, breathless, with my heart pounding so loudly I was certain everyone could hear it.
I did not remember leaving the great hall.
I didn’t remember walking through the winding hallways of the palace.
But somehow, I found myself in front of my chambers, with my hands pressed against the wooden door, trying to steady my racing thoughts.
Then I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
And before I could even blink, a hand shot out from behind the door, grabbing my wrist and pulling me into the room.
I tried to scream, but a familiar scent flooded my senses.
Sandalwood, rain, him.
Without thinking, I spun around and there he was.
Lucian.
His sliver gray eyes were dark, blazing with something raw and hungry.
“How did you—” I started, but his hand cupped my jaw, and tilted my face up.
“Did you think I would let them have you?” He whispered, his voice sounding low and rough.
“Did you really think I could stand there and watch my mother hand you over to some other man like you were nothing?”
“You can’t just—”
He kissed me.
It wasn’t gentle.
It wasn’t soft.
It was desperate and consuming, like he had been holding back for hours and could not anymore. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
His lips moved against mine with a hunger that stole my breath, and he slide his hands into my hair and angled my head to deepen the kiss.
I should have pushed him away.
I should have screamed.
But my body betrayed me, my hands fisted themselves in his shirt as his tongue swept against my lips.
He pulled back just enough to speak, and rested his forehead against mine.
“Tell me you don’t want this, Nora.
Tell me and I will walk away.”
I couldn’t speak.
I couldn’t lie.
Then he kissed me again, deeper this time, and backed me against the wall until my shoulders pressed against the cold stone.
His body was pressed against mine, with heat radiating from every inch of him, and I could feel the rapid thud of his heart against my chest.
“This is forbidden, Lucian,” I breathed against his lips.
“Your mother—”
“I don’t care about my mother,” he said, his hands sliding into my hair, with his thumb tracing my cheek.
“I don’t care about anyone else.
I only care about you.”
“She will kill me,” I whispered between kisses.
“She will kill me if she finds out.”
“Then don’t tell her yet,” he murmured lazily, as his lips trailed down my jaw.
“Don’t tell her, until you are ready.”
“You can’t just—” I tried again, but his lips found my neck, and I gasped, as my head rolled back against the wall.
“I have been thinking about you all morning,” he said, his voice a low growl against my skin.
“I could not focus on anything and I couldn’t stop wondering if you were thinking about me too.”
I gripped his shoulders tightly, trying to find the strength to push him away.
“This is wrong, Lucian.
You are the Alpha.
I am your mother’s friend.
What we did that night—”
“It was the best night of my life,” he cut me off, and pulled back just enough to look into my eyes.
“And don’t you dare tell me it meant nothing, because I know it didn’t.
I felt it.
You felt it too.”
I looked away, with my heart pounding violently in my chest.
“That doesn’t matter.
I doesn’t change anything.”
“It changes everything,” he said fiercely.
“It changes everything, Nora.
Don’t you see that?”
Before I could reply, he kissed me again, slower this time, gentler.
His hand cradled my face like I was something precious, and I felt myself melting into him, my hands sliding up his chest, with my fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt.
Then he pulled back, and breathed heavily.
“Tonight,” he said, his voice filled with longing.
“There is an abandoned tower at the east wing.
No one goes there.
Meet me.”
I shook my head hurriedly.
“No.
I can’t.”
“Tell me you won’t come,” he said, his thumb tracing my lower lip.
“Tell me you will stay away.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
He leaned in and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to my forehead, and whispered, “I will be waiting for you, Nora.
I will be waiting all night.”
Then he stepped back, smoothed down his shirt, and disappeared out of the door like a ghost, leaving me alone with my racing heart, my trembling knees, and the burning memory of his lips on mine.
I slid down the wall, because my legs were too weak to hold me.
I knew I should say no.
I knew I should run.
But as I touched my swollen lips, I realized something terrifying — I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go.
And I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay away.
Hang on….there are more shocking revelations ahead.
So relax and enjoy!