Chapter 26

“Morning, Colette,” Ylenia greeted, finally allowed into the room.

She’d been waiting outside for what felt like forever, listening to Sorin and the human girl inside. Her super hearing was a curse sometimes.

She’d heard the heavy emotions in their voices, the sounds of kissing, and shifting. She couldn’t deny it. She was envious of their relationship. She longed for Sorin to speak to her with such tenderness. She’d never heard him say “my love” before. Not to anyone.

Colette looked over at her. Her hair was a mess from Sorin’s passion and her lips were swollen. She blushed, as if she knew Ylenia had heard everything.

“Morning,” she replied softly.

“I brought you some clothes and a blanket for tonight,” Ylenia said, handing the pile of fabric through the bars.

Maybe she wanted to show Colette that there was a bond between she-wolves. Or maybe, she wanted to show Sorin how kind she could be, hoping that if he and Colette weren’t truly fated, he’d come back to her.

Sorin handed Colette her breakfast, not moving away from the cell bars. His body language was protective, possessive. Ylenia thought he’d make a wonderful father.

She’d imagined it before, the father of her children, but it never happened for her. Years of intimacy and no conception.

Ylenia watched the pair interact until she couldn’t bear it anymore. “Hey, I think I’m gonna head out,” she said, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly.

They barely glanced at her as they continued their conversation. Sorin had never really talked to Ylenia. They’d grown up together, learned together.

But when they reached breeding age, everything changed. Shemika had blossomed into a beautiful young woman and had her pick of the men, Selene had retreated into the temple to replace her mother, and Ylenia… She had mostly kept to herself.

That was…until she’d met Sorin. They’d both had needs, but she knew he wouldn’t cling to her or mark her against her will. She hadn’t wanted him at first.

But eventually, she started to develop feelings and wished he’d mark her. She’d wished so desperately for him to mark her.

Sure, she smelled like him since he’d claimed her body, but marking was deeper than that. A scent that took a much longer time to fade.

Ylenia left Sorin with his human and went back out into the early morning. Everyone was buzzing about, wondering who Dancescu had in his cell. She knew but felt obligated to keep quiet, out of loyalty to Sorin.

Ylenia made her way back to her home. It was on the far side of the compound, almost opposite the main gate. Similar to Sorin’s but further right, just a few minutes’ walk from his.

Alpha Dancescu had placed her there, hoping she wouldn’t do anything without him knowing. It was a pointless effort. He had Ylenia, his prized possession, the only werewolf-witch hybrid he’d ever found.

She’d created the protective barrier to alert anyone who passed through. Did he really think she didn’t know a way out other than the main gate?

Ylenia felt…bitter. She was Sorin’s first. Everyone said that when you found your mate, nothing else mattered, no matter the relationships you’d had or the love you’d shared.

But still. She’d thought maybe she’d still matter to him if he found his mate. That maybe he’d choose Ylenia over such a woman.

It had just been her and Sorin for so long. Sure, he hadn’t been her first. That had unfortunately been given to another member of the pack when Ylenia had gone into heat for the first time.

Now, she was experienced enough to resist a male’s presence. Sorin had always refused to take her during that time.

Ylenia passed Mihai’s home, a few houses before hers. He was sitting on the front steps, watching her with a lustful gaze. His dark hair was slicked back, his brows low over dark eyes. His nose was more Roman than others in the pack.

The corner of his mouth lifted as she got closer. He gave her a crooked smile, revealing a sharp canine. “Ylenia, what are you up to this ~fine~ morning?” he asked.

He tried. He always did, but she always turned him down.

This morning, Ylenia wasn’t so sure. She didn’t feel as…resolute as usual. Maybe because her lover’s spot was now vacant and probably would be forever. Maybe she was just being hopeful, but for what?

Ylenia felt a scowl forming on her face. She stopped in front of him, glaring down. “Mihai.”

He slowly lifted his gaze, taking her in. “Yes, Ylenia?”

“I’m going to my house. What skills do you have? That way I can invite you over to use your skill that I don’t have to justify you being there. Just to actually have sex with you.”

Mihai blinked, taken aback. “What?”

Ylenia sighed. “Follow me,” she commanded, storming off toward her house.

She knew he was following her and let him in. The moment the door slammed shut, he was all over her. His mouth and hands exploring a body he never thought he’d get to touch.

Mihai pressed her against the wall, tearing at her clothes. There was a brief moment where Ylenia second-guessed her decision. Sorin would be able to smell Mihai on her. But the thought was fleeting, and then he was inside her.

Ylenia gasped as he filled her. His hands were strong, one gripping her hips while the other pushed her against the wall.

She could feel his breath on her neck as he grunted in her ear, and for a moment, regret flashed through her mind. But the feeling was short-lived as he finished inside her, groaning loudly into her hair.

He pulled back and started dressing, pulling on his rumpled clothes. “Damn.” He sighed, grinning up at her ceiling. “You were holding out on me, Ylenia.”

Ylenia sank to the floor, her pants pooled around her ankles, and watched as Sorin walked out the same door he had entered. Instead of filling the void Sorin had left, she felt even more hollow.

She got up, her legs wobbly, feeling the remnants of Mihai’s release trickling down her thighs. Overwhelmed with guilt, she rushed to the bathroom, desperate to wash away any trace of Mihai. But deep down, she knew that any wolf would still be able to scent him on her skin.