Bewitching the Alpha

uge with had turned on her. Their fear of her unbound magic had curdled into a desperate, rabid hunt, their whispers of 'rogue' and 'danger' still echoing in her ears. Her lungs burned, a raw, r

ht that made the hairs on her arms prickle. She knew this feeling. It was the distinct hum of a territory saturated with power, but unlik

ewo

ce. Ancient enemies, bound by centuries of distrust and bloodshed. Her magic, usually her strongest shield, was a beacon to them, a scent on the wind that promised danger and called for blo

ating mix of damp earth, pine, and something else. Something musky and impossibly alluring, laced with an underlying current of ozone and raw power. Alpha. She recognized the signature scent

moonwort for minor illusions, some crushed nightshade for a blinding flash. Enough for a quick burst of disorientation, maybe a diversion. If she could just get to the oth

hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the silence that now felt like a living predator. She gri

r. She could feel their eyes on her, a hundred predatory gazes burning h

ly feel. Her magic, usually a vibrant, living thing inside her, felt sluggish, muted by her fatigue a

two others, their forms solidifying into lean, powerful warriors as they shifted mid-stride. Their movements were fluid, t

ngering around his features, teeth elongated, a sneer twisting his lip

eth, holding her ground, though every instinct screa

our path. It's ours. And your kind doesn't get to ask anymore." The air around th

Too many. They were too fast. Their sheer numbers were ov

l to some vestige of order. Perhaps she could appeal to their leader, invoke some an

that made the other wolves seem like pups. This wasn't just a werewolf. This was an apex predator, radiating raw, untamed power tha

raven-dark hair that fell to his shoulders and eyes... his eyes were the color of molten gold, burning with an intensity that promised both prot

antom memory from stolen, hushed conversations in distant covens. A

er throat, then her breasts, with an insolence that made her skin crawl even as it sparked an undeniable, traitorous heat deep within her.

mble, a predator's purr that made her core clen

exhaustion that threatened to buckle her knees. Sh

arp and dangerous, touched his lips. I

she shot back, her voice laced with acid, pus

using to cower. "I mean your pac

ing. "You trespass on Nightshade territory, reeking o

ing her personal space, his sheer size overwh

ss, even as her magic felt like static electricity against his overwhelming po

growl, but Waldemar silenced him with a mere

other step, closing the distance between them. "But... your scent. It's strange. Sweet. Like lightning and wi

f guard by the unexpected

her, a strange compl

s breath warm against her ear, sending goosebumps

st laughable. "That's not how it works." Her voice was sharp

head, his golden eyes burning

it is." His words were a physic

," she spat, her anger rising to meet

emor of fear and defiance. Then, almost lazily, he reached for her wrist. She moved, a blur of motion, to st

rs like steel bands. He caught her before the spell could fully leave her li

useless energy. His touch was electric, not entirely unpleasant, humming and vibrating aga

y through her, quickly followed by a terrifying realization. He wasn't just talki

th a fluid, inevitable grace, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat. She w

against her own ribs, mirroring her own frantic rhythm. The musky scent of him, once merely stron

f fear, primal awareness, and somet

red, his voice a deep thrum against her temple, as he brushed a thumb over

me out shakier than intended, a mere wh

led on his lips, a truly fera

adiating off him, the potent hum of his wolf, insistent and demanding. Her body, despite her min

ntrol. Pain lanced through her, blinding, burning, as if every nerve ending was being set

tled throat, but she didn't hear the rest. The sound was swallowed by

ld went

n b