Chapter 1: Awakening the Wolf
The sound of flesh slapping against flesh filled the room. The scent of sweat, desire, and heated skin permeated every corner of Kael’s cabin. The she-wolf’s claws raked down his chest as she rode him with a frantic, desperate, breathless rhythm. The full moon filtered its light through the curtains, casting wild shadows over their naked bodies.
Kael had his head thrown back, mouth slightly open, almost baring his teeth, and his hands dug into the she-wolf’s hips. She was a strong woman, battle-hardened, with defined muscles and breasts that bounced with every thrust. Her hair was short and black; she was one of the women Kael turned to for a good session of wild sex.
—Harder —she growled, digging her nails into Kael’s chest.
He obeyed. He flipped her over with brutal force, pressing her back against the mattress, and thrust into her with a deep stroke that tore a guttural moan from her throat. There was no tenderness in that act—only lust and need.
Kael didn’t make love. Kael fucked like what he was: a free werewolf, with no ties, no chains, no promises. And there was nothing else he wanted.
His hips slammed against hers with an almost inhuman rhythm. The air was heavy, electric, humid. The she-wolf arched her back, surrendering, as Kael took her with feral intensity.
She began to arch her neck further, bringing her mouth to the base of his—right at the hollow of his collarbone. She inhaled deeply; her fangs barely grazed his skin. It was a tentative mark, a pressure of teeth that didn’t break the flesh, but was clear enough for him to notice.
Kael froze.
In a blink, his hand shot up to her jaw and gripped it tightly—not brutal, but firm enough for her to get the message. His gaze turned cold as steel.
—Are you insane? —he growled, eyes burning—. What do you think you’re doing? What makes you think I want you to mark me? Like we’re fated mates? That’s never going to happen. I don’t belong to you.
The she-wolf looked at him, surprised, lips parted, breathing fast.
—It was just a… caress —she murmured, without conviction.
—Bullshit. You know what a mark means. Don’t fuck with me.
He let go of her jaw and pulled back slightly—but didn’t pull out. He kept moving, slower now, as if trying to wash away the bad taste with another orgasm.
She didn’t try anything else. Kael made sure of that. He finished what he had started, and when they both came, he pulled away from her with complete indifference.
Kael collapsed to one side, not touching her again. He closed his eyes, feeling his inner wolf relax, satisfied for the moment.
—That was… intense —she said, still panting, her hand resting on his chest.
Kael didn’t respond. He got up, walked naked to the shower, and turned on the cold water. Always cold. It helped him manage his bad mood.
Being the future Beta of the pack meant many women showed even more interest than before. That opened the door for plenty of she-wolves to want his mark—the chosen mate bond, a lifelong seal, an exchange of essences. It went far beyond a simple bite. It meant belonging. Commitment. And Kael was the least interested in any of that.
If both marked each other, there was no going back. Even if the she-wolf bit him to attempt a bond, it wouldn’t work—not unless both parties participated. All she’d get was a faint scent of him on her, and his scent carrying a trace of hers. Other she-wolves might think he was committed. And even though Kael didn’t answer to anyone, he preferred to stay out of people’s mouths.
An hour later, Kael was dressed in a tight black t-shirt and dark jeans.
—Aren't you staying and sleeping a little longer?
—No —Kael said curtly.
—You’re always so cold.
—I think you’ve known that for a long time, Lyss.
He walked out of the cabin without looking back. The she-wolf stayed to sleep—she was exhausted. But she knew that when he came back, she shouldn’t be there. That was the rule he applied to all who passed through his bed.
The future Alpha was waiting for him in the car. His best friend since childhood, even if now he was next in line to lead the pack. Tall, imposing, with the aura of authority etched into every movement.
—Did you sleep well? —he asked with a sarcastic smile, eyeing the faint bite mark on Kael’s neck.
Kael got in with a grimace of annoyance.
—She tried. I almost broke her jaw.
—Another one trying to mark you?
—How many is that now? —Kael snorted—. They don’t get it. I want to fuck, not seal eternal pacts.
Ronan laughed, starting the engine.
—You’re a lost cause.
—What I am is free.
And he drove off.
The tattoo studio was in town, a few kilometers from pack territory. It was a new place that had opened recently—according to his best friend, the artist was really good. With a local studio nearby, there was no need to drive five hours to the city for a tattoo anymore.
Kael opened the car door and the moment he stepped out, his sense of smell kicked in. A sweet, piercing, addictive scent hit him like a punch. It was like cocoa with coconut, an electric touch that made every muscle in his body tighten.
—Do you smell that? —he asked, stopping in his tracks.
—What? —the Alpha replied—. Humans? Yeah, reeks of them.
Kael didn’t answer. It was the most delicious scent he had ever inhaled in his entire fucking life. It stirred something deep inside him. A silent growl. An ancient hunger.
The bell rang as they entered. The place smelled like ink, alcohol, smoke, and leather. The walls were covered in stunning designs: skulls, mandalas, wolves, moons, thorns. The kind of art that left a mark—literally.
And there she was.
A stunning woman.
Standing in front of a tattoo bed, a machine in her hand, and a “don’t fuck with me” aura that Kael found so fucking erotic his wolf tensed instantly. That never happened. Only in a good fight.
He caught a glimpse of her eyes—the most striking blue he had ever seen. Like ice. Like the northern sea. Like frozen arrows. Her hair was light brown with golden highlights, loosely braided. She wore tight jeans hugging perfect hips, a black crop top exposing a flat stomach and a belly piercing. Another ring adorned her nose. A leather jacket gave her that badass edge.
She had a slim waist, pale skin that looked like it was made to be marked. She was the most beautiful creature Kael had ever laid eyes on. She looked fierce. She challenged him. And if she ran, he’d chase her—just to fuck her after.
Kael couldn’t take his eyes off her. Not because she was beautiful—though she was, maddeningly so—but because there was something about her that smelled forbidden… and he had always been addicted to the forbidden.
Kael stood nearly six-foot-three, but in that moment, it wasn’t his height or presence that dominated the room. It was his wolf.
His wolf was on high alert, watchful, hypersensitive, hypnotized… enchanted.
“Mine,” kept echoing in his mind.
A low growl vibrated in his chest, and the Alpha noticed.
—What was that? —he murmured, glancing at him sideways.
Kael didn’t answer.
Because he didn’t know either.
