It’s unbearably hot here.

The heat is suffocating, pressing down on me like a heavy weight. Now that there’s a chance to escape, I don’t want to waste a single second. I can’t help but lean closer into Rishi’s chest, my fingers clutching the fabric of his shirt. The shadow in front of me shifts—his hair moving slightly. The cool strands brush against the back of my hand, sending a shiver through me, like tiny fingers teasing my heart. I lick my dry lips, craving relief.

It’s strange. Before Rishi arrived, the Lycan prison felt like a furnace, stifling and unbearable. But now, there’s a faint breeze, something I hadn’t noticed before. The closer I get to him, the cooler it feels, as if he’s somehow shielding me from the heat. It only makes me more desperate to leave this place.

I’m afraid Rishi might change his mind, so I start trying to ease his hesitation. “Rishi,” I say softly, “we’re both creatures of the Moon Goddess. Our bodies are just vessels. Sharing our strength is just another way to connect, to survive. It’s nothing more than that.”

He hesitates for a moment, then replies quietly, “Yes.”

“These chains binding you—they’re meant to hold you back, but they mean nothing to me. If I’m going to draw from your strength, this is the only way. Rishi, if it’s too much, I can take on Madelyn’s scent for you. I can—”

Before I can finish, something cool brushes against my lips. It’s fleeting at first, but then it deepens, and suddenly our scents mingle—his crisp, icy scent entwining with my wild, cinnamon-like essence. My wolf stirs within me, restless and eager, responding to the purity of his presence.

Rishi pulls back slightly, his breathing uneven. “You don’t need to become someone else. The past is gone. I want to move forward.”

He’s right. The past is over. His so-called mate, Madelyn, is now the Lycan Queen by Alexis’s side. He’s here, trapped in this prison, just like me. We’re both at the end of our ropes, and that’s why I’m not holding back anymore.

I tear off my red jacket, the fabric sliding to the ground, and I push Rishi’s chained hands above his head, pinning him to the floor. He doesn’t resist, letting me take control. My eyes are still useless in this darkness, so I rely on touch, my lips finding his skin, cool and smooth like polished stone. It soothes the burning ache inside me, and I press closer, craving more of his calming presence.

When it’s over, I collapse against him, exhausted, my body covered only by his shirt. It’s cool and comforting, a stark contrast to the oppressive heat of the prison. I fall into a deep sleep, too tired to notice how easily Rishi frees himself from the chains. The so-called unbreakable restraints meant to hold a former Alpha are nothing to him.

He pulls me into his arms, his gaze lingering on my face, his eyes glistening with something unspoken. He leans down and kisses my eyelids, still flushed from the heat.

“What we just did,” he murmurs, his voice low and steady, “that wasn’t truly sharing our strength. Tonight, I’ll teach you how it’s really done. Would you like that?”

That night, I had a dream.

I was lying on an endless hillside, the spring rain soaking my clothes as I tangled with a man whose scent carried the faint, wild aroma of pine and earth. The grass was soft beneath us, wildflowers blooming in vivid colors. As the rain fell on my face, my eyes—blind for so long—suddenly could see again.

The man had eyes full of tenderness, his brows dark like ink, his long lashes lowered. The depth of emotion in his gaze made my heart race. His kisses were lighter than the rain, trailing from my temple to my shoulder. He gently loosened the ties of my dress with his teeth, his movements unhurried, deliberate.

I pressed a hand against his chest, interrupting his tender assault. “Who are you?” I asked.

“Josephine, it’s me,” he murmured.

“Rishi? Why am I dreaming of you?”

“Is it so bad to dream of me?”

“Is this really what you look like?”

I closed my eyes, shook my head, and when I opened them again, his features seemed even clearer. The fine rain had dampened his dark hair, his skin pale, his lips a deep red. He looked like a painting, fresh and unfinished. I reached out to touch his face, and he nuzzled into my palm. “If I looked like this, would you like me?”

His face, his body—there wasn’t a flaw to be found. I answered honestly. “Yes. Any woman would.”

He took my hand, kissed my fingertips. “Between me and Alexis, who do you prefer?”

“The order in which people enter your life matters. If I’d met you first, I’d have chosen you. Your beloved Madelyn—she’s as blind as I was. She didn’t choose you either.”

“She was blind, yes, but I don’t blame her. When I first met her, I was wearing someone else’s face,” he said, his eyes locked on mine.

I barely heard his words, my attention caught by a droplet of rain that slid from his jawline into the open collar of his shirt. His clothes were loose, revealing the sharp lines of his collarbone and the firm muscles beneath. My vision returning at this moment—what perfect timing. The sight before me was enough to unravel anyone’s composure.

“Rishi, what next? Are we just going to stand here in the rain?”

He laughed, his alpha aura wrapping around me like a warm embrace. “If it were just the rain, what would be the point of this dream?”

“In that case, Alpha Rishi, forgive my boldness.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him, my aim true this time. Even as his breath grew ragged, he still managed to tease me. “Josephine, you’re doing it wrong. A mate bond isn’t just about the kiss. Try here…”

He guided my hand, showing me every vulnerable spot on his body, every place where he was mine to claim.

The rain grew heavier, the air around us thick with mist. My consciousness was like the droplets on the leaves—shattered by his touch, only to be pulled back together by the intensity of our connection. In the haze, I thought I saw a wolf in the distance, its silver-blue fur gleaming as it moved through the storm, stirring the clouds and bringing down more of the rain. The wolf’s presence was unmistakable, a reminder of the bond that tied us together, deeper than any dream.

The heavy rain poured for days and nights.

When I woke from my dreams, the power within me surged back to life.

I stretched my limbs, finding that aside from my aching waist, all my old wounds had healed.

Rishi's aura had nurtured me, even restoring my sight.

I wanted to thank him in person and take him with me to escape.

But aside from the marks he left on me, there was no trace of his scent anywhere.

Rishi had vanished without a word.

After my body absorbed Rishi's aura, this prison could no longer hold me.

The others sensed the anomaly early and came with their claws bared, trying to suppress me once more.

But the old Alphas who once stood against me were now few and far between.

Many new faces had appeared in their ranks.

What Rishi had said earlier was likely true—the Lycan territories had been severely weakened.

I flexed my claws, ready to settle old and new scores alike.

Without the powerful old Alphas to reinforce Alexis's defenses, the barriers around him quickly began to crack.

With one strike, my power shattered his protection into pieces.

He staggered back, blood spilling from his lips.

Alexis looked pale, his once imposing figure now thinner, frailer.

"A century has passed, and you remain as fierce as ever. Truly breathtaking, enough to haunt one's dreams," Madelyn said, stepping forward despite Alexis's attempts to stop her.

As I raised my claws to strike, she suddenly gestured, clearing a path. "The Lycan King is here. Take him with you."

What?

Did I hear her correctly?

I almost laughed. Madelyn was willingly handing over Alexis to me?

Alexis didn’t understand either, grabbing her arm. "Madelyn, do you realize what you're saying?"

Madelyn shattered her silver necklace on the ground. "Alexis, can’t you admit it? Ever since your exile, your heart hasn’t been with me."

"..." Alexis slowly released her, his hand clenched at his side.

"You imprisoned Josephine but never killed her. After our mark ceremony, you never shared my bed. Isn’t it because you couldn’t let go of her?" Madelyn’s face showed no sorrow, only a cold detachment. It was clear her feelings for Alexis had faded.

She turned to me with a polite smile. "If I hadn’t arrived earlier, you and Alexis would have already held your ceremony in the mountains. Sister Josephine, take your mate with you. Please spare the younger wolves here."

I hadn’t expected Madelyn to be more composed than Alexis.

I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of respect for her.

However, there was one thing she said that didn’t sit right with me.

I retorted, "Spare me the nonsense. Alexis is your mate!"

I threw the silver necklace Alexis had once given me onto the ground.

The two necklaces shattered together.

Madelyn paused, then quickly said, "No, he’s yours."

"Yours!"

"Sister, he’s yours."

"Your mate!"

"..." Alexis stood to the side, watching as Madelyn and I tossed him back and forth, his expression utterly defeated.

After a few rounds, both Madelyn and I were exhausted, sitting down on chairs.

We sipped tea, waving at each other in resignation.

"Fine. I do have some questions for Alexis. I’ll take him back to the mountains for now."

Madelyn nodded immediately. "Very well. Safe travels, sister."

I bound Alexis tightly and took him back to the mountains.

He didn’t say a word the entire journey, only struggling slightly when I pushed him onto the bed. "Josephine, what are you doing?"

I tugged at the rope around his chest. "Just ordinary rope, Alexis. Stop pretending."

He turned his face away, stubbornly insisting, "I was injured by your power in the Lycan territories. I… I don’t have the strength to break free."

"Oh, then stay bound."

With that, I turned and walked out of the room.