VOWS TO THE DEVIL

eam li

sweat. The vision of the Moon Goddess and her army of bones burned be

her. His voice was low, stead

. Just b

s wouldn't cooperate. Her heart wouldn't

ing. She showed me-she has an army. S

cheek, turning her face toward his. His a

. "Look at me, Lyra. You're here. You're safe. Whateve

ve time. She

raced her jaw. "We have right

ion blurred. The tears came

my whole life. Of not being enough. Of being nothi

ld mask cracked. Beneath it, she s

"I know what it's

re the Devil Alpha. You'r

. "You're wrong. I've been afraid every

. "What happened whe

*

- Eleven

sixteen y

urt physicians had done everything they could. Th

mate-Kael's mother-knelt beside him, her hands

c, the Beta Commander-stoo

ing the bed. "Please. There h

found Kael's face, and something fl

rasped. "C

ng reached up and gripped his hand.

There's something I have to tell

t is

mother. "Our bond was severed. Years ago. Not

Why? Why woul

u and your fated mate. Together, you'll destroy the Moon Goddess or serve her. S

Blood splatt

," Kael whispered

for you too. For your mate.

er fin

t out. His hand went limp

rself across her mate's body, weepin

He laid a hand on Kael's shoulder. H

n manipulating your family for generations. She poisone

His eyes were dead. H

stop her?"

e was warm. F

id. "And you use her power to des

*

es

His face was pale. Hi

she whispered. "The Moon Go

was flat. Empty. "Aldric told me it was the Goddess's doing. He told me my mate would sa

him. Her finger

know. You coul

truth. Aldric was the one who took me in after my parents died. He

betray

ere was so much pain

" He touched her face. "He orchestrated our marriage. He pla

mist

hat I thought I'd lost." Kael's thumb trac

rt clenche

years thinking I would never feel the bond, never love, never be wh

. His forehead pr

bones. My soul. It was like waking from a l

wolf stirred in her chest,

lf whispered. He'

ole life believing I was nothing. That I was

about you. The Moon-Cursed girl. The Devil Wolf. The woman

broken sound. "I backe

a kingdom of wolves who wanted you dead. You faced assassins. Y

s. Kael's amber gaz

hing," he said. "Somethin

k it. He led her through the dark corridors of the

t the end of a long h

inside wa

poured through a glass ceiling. Ancient runes covered th

alone. To be together. When I was a boy, they would bring me he

ter of the room. Moon

the Moon Goddess to give me something. A sign. A hop

e him. "Why are yo

ed for her hands. "I want this place to be ours now.

her cheeks. "I don't deserv

everything. You deserve the world.

closer. His li

It wasn't desperate or rushed. It

hest, his shoulders, his neck. She pulled h

ide her howl

against his lips. "I

e ties of her gown. "

t you. Ev

ands worked the fabric of her gown, pushing

d unashamed. His eyes raked over her body-her breasts

hispered. "More beautifu

ed the hard planes of his chest, the ridges of his abdomen. He was ca

eath her touch. His heart

utiful too,

d until her legs hit the dais. He laid her down

neck. The hollow of her collarbone. She

, ple

skin. "I've waited eleven years for

nd she cried out, her fingers tangling in his hair. He lavi

pleasure. She had never felt anything like t

ower. His fingers found the heat

voice rough with desire

y you. Al

two. She bucked against his hand,

She met his eyes. "I want to

g her sensitive bundle of nerves. The pressure

'm goi

whispered. "I

, waves of pleasure crashing through her. She cried

ed, he pulled back. His e

g himself above her. "Now

asped at the stretch, the fullness.

you o

ed. "Don't stop.

. Each thrust sent sparks of pleasure through her body. S

her neck. His breath w

aned. "I never knew-I never i

and shadows. The ancient runes on the walls seemed

But it wasn't angry. It w

f purred. Fin

s control slipped. He thrus

he demanded. "Co

mmediately after. He buried himself deep inside

ogether, tangled

The only sounds were their ragged breath

ped around her, holding her like she

now it's fast. I know we barely

chest. His heart beat steady

as capable of it. Of being loved. Of loving bac

orehead. "We'll face it together. Wha

*

gled together. Kael's arm was wrapped around

this," he said quietly. "A

ms. Her fingers trace

Goddess tried to break you. Your parents' bo

." He pressed a kiss to her fo

iled. "

d her closer. "Now I'm

is chest. The wolf was s

e back of her mind,

the wolf whispered.

. She focused on Kael's warm

enjoy th

knew what

*

Lyra woke to fin

given way to grey dawn. The runes on th

ae

ans

body ached in ways she didn't have words for. But

surrounded by generals. His fa

d?" she asked

met hers, and she saw som

id. "Your sist

cold. "Gone? What

guards are dead." He held u

m his hands. Her hands were

sis

amily. But I know the truth now. You're not weak. You're the Devi

me power. Real power. The kind you'll never understand.

e, sister.

be wa

l

heart s

so happy. So

sister had b

s had taken eve

ve to destroy her