Chapter 8: What Are They Thinking?

Caleb’s P.O.V

Now that I'm alone, I take the time to replay our conversation in my head. I want to know more about her, I want to know her past. But I'll have to be patient. And my instinct tells me that Soren isn't the only one responsible for her lack of trust in me. It's frustrating.

But I end up smiling. How could that idiot Soren let a woman like her slip away? Well, I can only congratulate myself, since now, she's mine. She is beautiful with her long black hair, fair skin, and incredible blue eyes that almost seem luminous. She has a perfect body with feminine curves that make my wolf, Handres, growl with pleasure.

She stood up to Soren and the Rogue Alpha King. Even better, she managed to escape the Rogue by taking important documents with her. She is perfect for me. And she would be even if she were human. I've been waiting to find my soulmate for so long that I'm not ready to reject her. I believe that even if she did, I would refuse.

And I intend to take good care of her. I can't wait to see Soren again. The urge to hit him is itching at me. I don't know how I'll react, honestly. I know Lya is worried that her presence by my side will create tensions between the Lycans and the werewolves. But I know that that damn Lycan isn't stupid enough to oppose me because of her.

And besides, we have the Rogue problem to deal with first. Thanks to the documents handed over by Lya, we've dealt a serious blow to his ambitions. But it's only a respite. It won't be long before he regroups. My phone vibrates. Probably a message from my Beta, Drake. He knows I'm back from my last meeting with Soren.

"What's the news?" he asks.

"We've put a serious halt to the Rogue's actions. But it's only a temporary truce. Now's not the time to relax," I reply.

"Relax? I didn't even know you knew that word!"

I smile as I read his response. It's true, I always demand more from Drake and all my warriors. It must be said that for our packs, the Rogue Alpha isn't the only threat!

"Oh, I'm thinking about something... I have some news to announce after all," I say.

"Ah, something juicy? About Soren? Did you catch him fooling around with his female?" he teases.

I blink. Fooling around? Since when does Drake have so much vocabulary? I laugh to myself before replying.

"No. I stay away from those two, and that suits me just fine. I met my soulmate today."

I expect a variety of reactions. But Drake ends up calling me.

"What do you have," he shouts like a maniac?!

I have to hold the phone away from my ear. I wait for him to calm down before speaking again.

"Thanks. I think I'm deaf in one ear now. You got it right. I finally met my soulmate. And she's just stunning. I'm bringing her back with me tomorrow."

"Praise the goddess! It's about time, man!"

"I won't argue with you on that."

"Well, I'll let your mother know and get ready for tomorrow! It's a big day!"

"Hey, wait! What are you..."

But Drake hung up on me without ceremony. I pinch my nose, sighing. I'm starting to have a bad feeling about tomorrow!

Soren’s P.O.V

I stare at the papers spread out on my desk without really seeing them. Lya didn't lie. Thanks to the documents she left me, and Caleb's cooperation, I managed to put a serious dent in the Rogue King's ambitions.

When the goddess put Lya on my path, I felt disgusted. She's beautiful, yes... No, she's even magnificent, but a weak human is not worthy of the great Lycan king. That's always what I thought. But she's not human. Damn it, what an idiot. I verbally and physically humiliated her, wanting to relegate her to the status of mistress so I could enjoy her presence and the strength that the soulmate bond could bring me.

I'm interrupted in my thoughts by a voice that has been irking me lately. Claire...

"Honey, for tonight's dinner, the red or the blue?" she asks.

I look up almost reluctantly. Claire holds two dresses outstretched. Honestly, either one, I don't care. I don't even choose my clothes on a daily basis.

"Claire, I'm busy! Pick whichever one you like best..."

"Then neither! You're coming with me for some shopping, my love?"

She approaches me after tossing the dresses to the floor. Her sway is very suggestive. Not long ago, I would have given in to my desire and taken her immediately. But now... Now everything has changed.

Everyone warned me about her. And today I discovered that everyone was right. But I let myself be led by the nose like a stupid puppy.

"Claire, I just told you I'm busy! What don't you understand?"

"Oh, you've been truly unbearable since the ball," she snaps. "You know where to find me when you're in a better mood!"

As soon as the door closes behind her, in a fit of temper, I sweep all the documents off my desk. Claire can say what she wants.

So can Lya. And even though she forbids me to approach her, I have no intention of giving up on her now. I hope I'll run into her again soon. I'll make amends. I'll conquer her and give her what she deserves. I owe her that much!

Ethan’s P.O.V

I drum my fingers on my desk while giving the four witches facing me a menacing look.

"How is it that you can't find her? You assured me it was possible because she's a supernatural creature!"

I struggle to contain the rage in my voice. I slam my fist on the desk, and the four women flinch.

"My King, if we can't find her, it's because she has sealed her powers to avoid being seen," one of them explains.

"She's cunning. Because of her, all my plans have miserably failed. My forces have been significantly reduced! I want her, at any cost. I want her in my bed, and I want her by my side to reign. Am I clear? Remember, failure is no longer acceptable. You pledged to succeed, so make sure she's in my hands soon!"

"Yes, my King!"

The four women quickly exit my office without a backward glance, relieved to have escaped alive. I let out a deep, weary sigh. This woman has been haunting me ever since she fled. Fled with my plans! And she'll pay for it by submitting it to me. I really want her now, her blue eyes haunt me. She's the first one to resist me. The only one. I've known other women before her. I've broken them all, and I've loved it. She won't be an exception. I already imagine what it will be like to make her scream with pleasure and pain.