“Do it again.” “Be more specific, baby.” I heard a smile in his words. He was enjoying this and wanted me to beg. “Fuck you. You know what I mean.” I grunted in frustration. “I actually don’t.” He stopped again. His rough hand remained between my thighs. “Stop playing games, or I will stroke myself until I come.” I wiggled my ass, seeking a quick relief from the throbbing in my core. Breathing raggedly, he said, “No one is playing games here, baby. I just want to know what you want.” “You really make me do this, don’t you?” My voice was a combination of frustration and irritation. He was enjoying this too much, probably punishing me for giving him blue balls twice. “You were complaining earlier, so, yes. I don’t want another broken nose.” “Spank my ass, Califf. Then touch me and fuck me with your finger. I wanna come. Do you think you can do that?” *** All Shadow ever wanted is to live in peace with their pack, but as a royal Lycan and the daughter of a witch, it comes at a price. When a faceless enemy targeted her, she did not only lose her wolf but also her healing gift, leaving her powerless and vulnerable. Now that the bond is gone and her happy ending is not guaranteed, she has nothing left to offer. She doubts whether she’s still worthy of her mate and Luna of their pack. Alpha Califf becomes a formidable Alpha after defeating a sinister enemy. He should be invincible with allied packs everywhere and witches at his disposal, but Shadow becomes a liability. Despite what happened to his mate, he’s willing to leave the pack and live with her away from threats, but their enemy is two steps ahead of them, and Shadow becomes cold and distant, leaving him nothing but agony he’d never felt before. Will Shadow get her revenge and find a way to get her wolf and gift back? Will they uncover the ugly truth behind their enemy? Or their foe is just right under their noses all along.

Chapter 1 1

Hey guys, if you haven't read the first book, I suggest you read The Rogue Lycan Princess. But it's up to you. Thanks.

***

SHADOW

“Oh, my Goddess! Welcome back.” Kindra, one of my best friends, opened her arms, smiling widely.

Barely stepping out from the backseat of the car, I was already smiling back, hugging her. “Thanks.”

“Welcome back, Alpha. The pack was not the same without both of you.” Duke, the Beta, went to my husband beside me. It still felt funny calling Califf my husband when the pack preferred mates.

They hugged each other before Duke came to me. “We missed you, Luna.”

“I missed you all.” I returned the hug and noticed Zack, Lyon, and Kairo were already there, but one was missing. “Where’s Tor?”

“Really, Luna? He was the first thing you asked?” Zack pursed his lips playfully.

I rolled my eyes at him as I laughed softly. “Didn’t I just say I missed you all?”

“We’re happy you both are back, Alpha,” said Lyon.

“I know the pack would be in good hands while we were away.” Califf snaked his hand around my waist.

“No pack business today, guys. I’m sure they’re jetlagged. Let them rest.” Duke picked up the duffel from the ground, and the guys went to open the trunk to get our luggage.

“Of course,” Kindra agreed, holding my arm as we went inside the pack house. “I can’t wait for you to tell me about your honeymoon. Not the juicy part.”

“Well, I had fun. So much fun.”

Some of the pack members were there to welcome us, and seeing the excitement and joy in their eyes made me feel attacked by all the love around me. It was overwhelming.

To be honest, I still wanted one more week of rest, to lie down on the beach under the sun, and Maldives was such a great place. The ocean was so pristine and calm. The food was delicious.

I never had so much fun in a long time. Califf made our honeymoon so memorable and special. He was nothing but a generous, loving, and thoughtful mate that I dreamed of.

My skin was tan, obviously, and I still had a honeymoon hangover effect, but we had a responsibility to our pack, and Califf had jobs to do.

“Thank you. I’ll see you in the morning,” Califf told the guys as they brought the bags to our bedroom.

“Let us know if you need anything,” Duke said before he closed the door behind him.

I kicked off my shoes, pulled the socks, and threw myself in bed. I was not ready to go back to work. I still wanted to lie down for a while and not think of anything, but this was what I did now— a Luna, a mother to the pack, and a wife to Califf.

I sighed as I shut my eyes close. “Looks like the pack was in good hands while we were away.”

“We’ll talk about the pack once we get some rest.” He sounded tired. Despite having my father’s private jet, Califf was already working and didn’t get a nap from a long trip back home.

I heard him unbuckle his belt and zip his pants. Seconds later, the mattress dipped, and he joined me in bed.

“You have to take your clothes off—”

“And change to pajamas. I know.” I didn’t bother to open my eyes, but I was smiling.

“I wasn’t suggesting anything, my mate.” He placed his hand on my tummy, making me stiffen. I felt it right away. “Hey. No rush, okay?”

Nodding, I opened my eyes because I could feel his gaze on me. “I know. I just don’t want to disappoint you.”

“Never.” He pulled me close so he could wrap his arms around me. He was already shirtless, only in his boxers. His warm body made me feel safe and secure.

“I will give you everything if I can, Alpha. I want you to know that.”

“Baby, we have all the time in the world. Maybe there’s a reason, and when it’s the right time to have a baby, at least we’re ready.”

“I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

“We’re still in a honeymoon phase. Let’s enjoy each other before we suffer sleepless nights from her fuss, feeding, and changing diapers.”

I leaned in and kissed him on the lips. “I still can’t believe you’re mine now, mate.”

He chuckled, his eyes twinkling. “We both know I was yours the moment you saw me behind the revolving door.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah. I thought, damn. Who’s this guy? He’s fucking hot, mysterious, and deadly.”

“Hot, huh?” He sounded amused as he cocked a brow.

“Yeah. And you’re fucking mine, Alpha.”

“Well, then. Let’s fuck before we get some rest.” He tightened his arms around me, eyes not blinking, searing me with intense gaze.

“No, Alpha. You need to rest. You look tired, and what was that you were working on that couldn’t wait?”

“Business, baby, for our future.”

“Don’t work too hard. I need a strong husband, not an alpha and a boss.”

“Noted.”

I pulled away from him and got out of bed.

“Where are you going?”

“To change to pajamas. The ugliest pajamas I have.”

“Do you think it turns me off if you put on a burlap sack?” He laughed. His voice was rich. I could feel him in my thoughts. He was happy, and that made me happy, too.

I pulled out the drawer and grabbed a pair of blue pajamas. “I was hoping to turn you off so we can get some rest and have energy for tomorrow. I’m sure you have a lot of work to do, and so do I.”

“Just put the thing on and come back to bed.”

“Let me brush my teeth first.” It was my excuse to get to the bathroom. Once I got there, I checked the highlights on my hair. My hair grew an inch, but nothing had changed— a constant reminder that I had to train my gift.

“What’s wrong?” Of course, he followed me.

I couldn’t help but steal glances at his remarkably fit body, those bulging biceps, eight packs abs, and those damn strong thighs.

It never failed to amaze me how stunning he was, and he was mine. Even if I already tasted and touched every inch of his body, I still couldn’t get enough of him. Whether it was a bond thing or I just loved him, he was still the hottest and the most devastatingly handsome man I’d ever met.

And those incredibly piercing and penetrating silver-gray eyes— until the realization hit me— my cheeks flushed as he caught me staring at him because I was too preoccupied staring at my Adonis, who just confidently stood there with a smirk.

“Don’t look at me like that if you don’t wanna get fucked, mate,” he said affectionately, even if there was a word fuck involved.

I felt suddenly naked, and no one had ever looked at me the way he did with such raw and unwavering intensity of desire.

I forced myself not to roll my eyes. “Then put some clothes on, Califf.”

“Are you really that tired?”

I faced him. “No, Alpha. You, on the other hand, even if you have the stamina of a stallion, you need to rest.”

“Okay, but what’s bothering you?” His dark brows drew down.

I met him in the eye. “What do you mean?”

“You came here to check your highlights. Do I need to worry? Do you wanna talk to Zarah tomorrow?”

“No, and no. I didn’t use my gift.” I shrugged. “But, I don’t know. I thought, maybe since the High Priestess permitted me to use my gift once I’m done with my training, I was hoping these highlights would be gone too.”

He nodded in understanding. “You can ask Zarah if it goes or is permanent.”

I sighed. “I bet it’s the latter, but I’m okay with this. It doesn’t look so bad.”

***

I woke up to the kisses on the back of my neck and a hand cupping and kneading my breast. And my body was instantly on fire. I whimpered and instantly aroused.

Pressing his face against my head, he whispered, nibbling the soft shell of my ear, “Baby, I know you are wet. I really want you,” His voice was groggy, yet the sound shot through my veins like a drug. His cock was stiff, rocking slowly against my lower back.

My pulse went haywire.

“Take me.” I lifted my leg, giving him access. I skimmed my hand between my thighs and traced my finger on my clit. I gasped in response and shuddered as I rubbed my fingertip along my sensitive nub and wet slit.

“I feel you, baby.” His voice had turned husky. Califf felt it, too, rocking his hard erection against my ass with a gratifying groan.

Guiding it into my slit, I pushed my ass back, turning my head as an invitation to kiss me. I opened my mouth. He didn’t disappoint me, claiming me, kissing me greedily, and plundering me with his tongue.

With a single slide, he was in, making me mewl in satisfaction.

“Fuck.” Groaning, he pinched my nipple and began thrusting in and out at a slow rate until he slammed so hard that I wasn’t prepared for the force of it.