My body surrendered completely, jolted by a gentle shock. As Castor’s hips moved, entering me, I welcomed him with a moan. His pace quickened, growing more assertive until I felt the warmth I had yearned for, for so long.
“I missed you so much, Alpha Castor,” I whispered.
“Did you now? Then why didn’t you return to me?”
“I was lost…”
“This is your punishment, Luna.”
Castor withdrew from me abruptly, leaving me sprawled on the bed with my legs spread wide. I exhaled heavily, watching him walk away and disappear into the bathroom. My heart sank, a pang of regret searing through me.
I tried to steady my turbulent emotions. Being left just before reaching my climax left me feeling hollow, my thoughts a chaotic jumble. Castor’s anger toward me was nothing compared to my own anger at his brother.
He wasn’t to blame for what happened five years ago, yet I had unfairly placed him in the same category as Pollux. I had treated him unjustly. Who wouldn’t be furious at such treatment? Even werewolves have a human side.
“I’m sorry, Alpha,” I muttered to myself.
I wasn’t sure if I could ever redeem myself in his eyes. The shame that consumed me felt trivial compared to Castor’s fury. How foolish I had been, letting my mind be clouded by assumptions and my heart swayed by another man.
Grabbing a casual outfit from my suitcase, I slipped on a sleeveless top and shorts. I organized the rest of my clothes into the wardrobe, all the while hearing the steady stream of water from the bathroom. Castor still hadn’t come out.
Perhaps the fresh air outside could dissipate the regret rooted in my heart. I walked out of the room, passing by the twins’ quarters, which were eerily quiet. Eventually, I came across Trisha carrying a tray with my herbal tea.
“Here’s the herbal tea you requested, Luna. I got it from a couple earlier,” she said.
“Leave it in my room, please. I need some fresh air,” I replied.
My steps carried me to the wide expanse of white sand on the shore. I continued walking until my eyes settled on large rocks being battered by the waves. Sitting on one of the larger stones surrounded by smaller ones, I let the ocean breeze tangle my hair.
“You’re here,” came a familiar voice, laced with rhetorical calm.
Turning around, I saw Declan smiling at me. He pulled one hand from the pocket of his shorts to steady himself as he approached.
“Yeah,” I replied. “I’ve been planning to come here since last year. The beach is beautiful, though I missed the sunset.”
“How are you feeling, Godiva?”
“I’d say today has been a whirlwind. I came here to clear my head after dealing with the twins and their father.”
“I’m sorry,” Declan said softly. “I didn’t realize the situation was so complicated. I had no idea they were twins.”
“It’s fine. Castor kept their identities hidden for a reason. Declan…” I hesitated, “there’s something I need to tell you.”
“I already know,” he interrupted. “There’s no place for me in your heart. I’ve seen how you look at them.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yeah. Once, I even heard you talking in your sleep when you were pregnant with the twins. You said Castor’s name-and the other one’s. I thought it was meaningless, but I was wrong.”
“I’m sorry, Declan. I never should have given you hope.”
“You didn’t,” he said, a faint smile on his lips. “I was the one who got ahead of myself.”
The air between us grew heavy, the silence broken only by the crash of waves against the rocks below. Beside me, Declan stared out at the darkening horizon.
We spoke casually about tomorrow’s plans, focused on making the day enjoyable for the children-perhaps building sandcastles or basking under the sun. I resolved to keep things neutral when the adults inevitably crossed paths before the dinner.
Just as I stepped down from a medium-sized rock to leave, an unfamiliar scent hit me-a mix of turpentine and citrus. It was strange and slightly nauseating. My nose wrinkled as I tried to block out the pungent aroma.
The mystery was solved when a man and a woman appeared, draped in long black cloaks. Their hoods concealed their faces, but something primal stirred within me, setting my defenses on high alert.
“Are they…” I began, but the man on the right interrupted me with a heavy voice.
“Greetings, Godiva, Luna of the Moonstone pack, mate of Alpha Castor and Alpha Pollux. We come in peace and request that you accompany us.”
“Who are you?” I demanded. “I won’t submit to strangers.”
In unison, they lowered their hoods, revealing crimson eyes that glinted dangerously, sending my wolf into a state of high vigilance. Yet, I didn’t retreat-I stepped forward boldly.
“We represent the Sanguine Shadows. Lord Virgil awaits you at his estate,” the black-haired man said, his gaze flickering toward Declan. “We hope to avoid any unnecessary conflict.”
“Enough pleasantries,” the auburn-haired woman snapped, licking her lips. “His blood is too fresh to waste. Type B-enough to sustain us for three days. I can’t wait to taste it.”
“Control yourself, Milla. Our mission is clear-ignore the human,” Stefan commanded.
“No promises if the dog gets in the way,” Milla sneered. “His blood is tempting me.”
“Who are you calling a dog?” Declan’s voice rose, his sharp gaze locking onto her. “Speak plainly!”
“How amusing,” she taunted. “Doesn’t he know he’s descended from the dogs that tormented our lord for 800 years?”
Declan turned to me, his eyes demanding answers. My focus wavered. I wouldn’t bow to bloodsuckers like them, but seeing Milla’s interest in Declan, I had to find a way to get him out of here.
Moon Goddess, what should I do?’
Quickly scanning my surroundings, I spotted an opening near a decrepit hut by the shore. I calculated my steps, planning to distract them long enough for Declan to escape.
“Listen to me, Declan. You need to leave now. I’ve just figured out who they are, and I can’t let anything happen to you. They’re dangerous. When I count to three, run in that direction,” I whispered, pointing subtly with my eyes.
“But Godiva…”
“Trust me. One…”
As I moved toward the shoreline, Stefan followed cautiously, his eyes never leaving me. Declan gave a reluctant nod. My gaze sharpened as I turned to face the vampires, channeling my wolf’s strength. My heart pounded in time with my determined steps.
I was wrong. They weren’t just strangers-they were vampires.
And blood always called to them.
Milla lunged toward Declan with inhuman speed, pinning him with a single, effortless move. Rage boiled within me. Fueled by instinct and fury, I shifted into my wolf form, just as Milla’s fangs pierced Declan’s neck.