I often found myself teasing her, a playful habit that never failed to bring a delightful blush to her cheeks, a tiny hue that seemed to brighten her entire face. Those moments were precious, her laughter would ring out like music, and every now and then, she’d shoot back a quip of her own, a clever retort that caught me off guard and made me grin like an idiot.
We goofed around in ways I never thought possible with her. At first, she was a bit shy, her awkwardness manifested in strange but endearing ways. Her curiosity was blunt, often leading her to ask unexpected questions that made me chuckle, while her dry wit sometimes leaned towards the sarcastic, making every interaction feel uniquely entertaining. But when she truly laughed, when the sound erupted from her in a way that left her breathless, it was like a jolt of pure joy that knocked the wind out of me, leaving me captivated by her spirit.
But anime… anime had become our little ritual.
Whenever the topic came up, her eyes sparkled with an unmistakable excitement, igniting a fire in her demeanor. Her voice would speed up, full of enthusiasm as she animatedly discussed her favorite shows and characters. Her hands would dance through the air, punctuating her words with excitement, and I could see her passion radiate like a warm glow.
And with each animated story she told, And damn me, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy bubbling up inside me, jealousy of those 2D men with their spiky hair and deadpan humor, who seemed to capture her fascination so effortlessly. While they were merely drawings on a screen, they had a way of drawing her attention that made me wonder if she might look at me with that same spark of joy.
“He’s such a cool character,” she’d whisper at the screen, completely absorbed, unaware that I was staring at her like she was the masterpiece.
She looked better too. Healthier. Her weight was coming back steadily, filling out all the places that had once looked so painfully thin. Her cheeks had softened, her hips had bloomed, her hair was longer and now silky and wild like it should be. She was glowing, radiant, and devastatingly stunning, just like I knew she would be once she stopped wilting and started blooming.
It wasn’t just lust. Though there was plenty of that too. But it was the way she walked into a room and didn’t shrink anymore. The way she spoke and didn’t immediately look for permission. The way she was becoming piece by piece the woman I always knew was buried beneath the pain.
I rubbed my thumb across my jaw as I climbed out of the elevator rolling the tension out of my shoulders with every step. The sun was beginning to fall behind the hills, dyeing the halls in a burnt orange hue. I paused at the corridor leading to our rooms.
The scent of Hasmik’s fruity perfume, and my mate wrapped around me before I even reached the hallway and their voices drifted from the sitting room. I slowed my steps. I caught Hasmik’s voice first, loud and exasperated as always.
“Ugh, I’m tired of seeing you in his clothes,” she groaned dramatically, tossing the book aside. “You’re getting thicker now…finally and your boobs are starting to fill out, thank the Goddess, but you’re still dressing like a malnourished librarian with those oversized clothes.”
“You need your own clothes, dresses, shoes, and undies,” she announced. “Sexy ones. And clothes that actually fit. Not these stretchy hand-me-downs that look like they’re begging to be retired.”
I cursed under my breath. Not the clothes. I didn’t want her to stop wearing my clothes.
I schooled my face and pushed open the door, striding in like I hadn’t heard a single incriminating word.
Hasmik whipped around and scowled.
“Good. You’re here.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What now?”
“Your mate is filling out genius. The curves are coming in, and it’s a crime she doesn’t have decent underwear or anything remotely flattering to wear. I’m taking her shopping.” she criticized.
I blinked. “You’re what?”,
“She needs a wardrobe overhaul,” Hasmik said sweetly, stalking over to me with her hand outstretched. “Your card. Now.”
I let my gaze travel to Narine who, if I may add, looked absolutely stunning in my clothes. I glanced back at Hasmik, looking smug with a hand on her hip.
I groaned because she was right, Narine couldn’t keep wearing my clothes for life, she would eventually need hers too.
“For the Goddess’s sake… fine.” With a dramatic sigh, I pulled out my wallet and handed her my black card.
Hasmik grinned mischievously and gave me a friendly kiss on the cheek. “Good boy.”
“The only person you’re allowed to splurge on is Narine. Not yourself?” I warned her, though I didn’t mean it.
She saluted him.
“Crystal clear, my King.”
And with that, she looped her arm with Narine and led her to the door.
“If she comes back with those hideous shades of yours, I’ll personally exile you, Hasmik!”
Hasmik just cackled.
I didn’t care how much they raked. The whole royal treasury could be drained for all I gave a damn, if it meant she’d smile a little wider, laugh a little louder, or feel even a fraction more like herself… then it was worth it. Every coin.
Let them paint the town red in silk and lace.
As long as she was happy.
I watched her as they both exited.
I hoped she had fun. Genuinely. Goddess knew she deserved a day of lightness, girl-talk, and reckless spending.
I trusted Hasmik to protect her.
She wasn’t just some courtly accessory with a sharp tongue and an eye for fashion. No. Hasmik was lethal. One of my strongest fighters, unassuming in pearls and lipstick, but trained to kill twice before breakfast if it came to it.
Narine was in the best hands possible.
Narine’s POV
“Okay, so first we hit Red Lace, they just launched a new spring collection, and the corsets are to die for. Then we go to Mira’s, because girl, you need real jeans that don’t hang off your waist. After that, we’re hitting Rouge because I swear by their dresses, and if you don’t walk out of there looking like an actual goddess, I’ll eat my own heels.”
Hasmik’s voice was a relentless stream of enthusiasm, words spilled out of her faster than I could catch them.
She spoke with the kind of confidence that made it impossible to argue.
I just nodded quietly as we descended the final steps of the palace and crossed the stone courtyard toward the garage.
She practically skipped toward the garage where Filipe stood beside the gleaming row of vehicles, polished to a mirror shine beneath the late morning sun. When he saw us approach, he straightened.
I trailed behind her. I hadn’t left the palace grounds in months. Not since I was taken.
“Filipe!” Hasmik chirped. “Toss me the keys to the brown Aston, please.”
Filipe arched a brow but handed her the keys with little resistance. “Try not to get pulled over again, my lady.”
The sun caught the silver crest etched into the key fob as she snatched it with glee.
“No promises,” she smirked and winked, then turned to me with wide eyes. “Get in, Sweets. We’re going shopping.”
I stood still for a second, watching her bounce toward the car.
“Are you sure I should be doing this?” I asked softly as she opened the passenger side for me. “Going out like this?”
Hasmik leaned across the roof, locking eyes with me over the gleaming hood. “Babe. I’m more than sure. And besides…” she slipped into the driver’s seat like it was second nature, tossing her curls behind her with a grin. “I’ve waited months to do this with you. Don’t rob me of my girl’s day fantasy.”
I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. Her happiness was infectious, even when my nerves clawed at my ribs like a second heartbeat. I climbed in slowly, clutching my hand to my chest.
The engine purred to life like thunder.
Hasmik squealed again as we pulled away from the stone courtyard. “Can you believe it? Our first outing together! “
I gave her a small smile, trying to match her energy, but my insides were knotted with anxiety.
The long, winding road stretched out before us, carved through towering sycamores and fields that had turned golden with early summer. The further we drove, the more the palace disappeared behind us, shrinking into the backdrop of trees and stone fences. It stretched for nearly thirty minutes.
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply