That’s the thought running through my head as I ride through these creepy-ass woods toward what’s definitely a cursed castle. Because normal castles don’t have forests that feel like they’rewatchingyou, or gates that open by themselves, or an aura of “abandon all hope” radiating from every stone.
But no, Dad had tosteala rose when all I was trying to do was be a good daughter. And now here I am, riding toward my doom because someone in this family needs to have some common sense.
The gates are getting closer…massive iron bars covered in frost that shouldn’t exist in early autumn. They swing open as I approach, groaning like they’re offended by my presence.
“Well, that’s not ominous at all,” I mutter to myself, urging my horse forward.
But the moment I pass through them, everything changes. The air gets thicker, heavier, charged with something I can’t really name. My skin prickles. My heart starts racing.
Then there’s ascent… Fuck. It hits me like a punch. Strong, manly, wild. Something that makes my mouth water, my thighs clench and my brain short-circuit.
What the hell?! I’ve never… I don’t…
My body has never reacted toanythinglike this. Not to the handsome village alphas who try to court me. Or the rugged, rutting soldiers who pass through town. I thought maybe I was broken, different, or just not interested in any of it.
But apparently, I was wrong. Because right now, following this scent deeper into the castle grounds, my body is doing things I didn’t know it could. I’m flushed. My nipples are hard against my dress. And between my legs… Oh God, I’mwet.
Not just a little damp. I’m talking soaked-through-my-undergarments, dripping-down-my-thighs wet. From asmell.
“It’s fine,” I say out loud, because talking to myself is better than acknowledging the panic rising in my chest. “Totally normal. Just going to negotiate with a monster while my body has a complete meltdown. Completely fine.”
I dismount at the main steps, my legs shaking, and tie my horse to a post. The massive doors open.
I square my shoulders, ignoring the way my heart is trying to hammer its way out of my chest, and walk inside. The entrance hall is… not what I expected. I was thinking dungeon vibes, maybe some cobwebs, definitely something doom and gloom. Instead, it’s gorgeous. Old and dusty but with soaring ceilings, marble floors, tapestries that probably cost more than my entire village.
Candles light themselves as I pass, which should be creepy but somehow just feels… welcoming.
“Hello?” My voice echoes through the vast open space. “I’m here about the rose? And my father… We can work something out, right?”
Silence. Then… a booming, “No!”
The voice comes from everywhere and nowhere at once. It’s deep, rough. It vibrates through my bones, and does absolutely unholy things to my body.
“No?” I repeat, spinning around. “What do you mean, no? You haven’t even heard my offer.”
“I don’t need to hear your offer,” the voice growls again. Oh my God…
A huge figure steps out of the shadows, and my brain stops functioning.
He’s massive. Easily seven feet tall, maybe more. Covered in thick fur that catches the candlelight. His shoulders are broad enough to block out the sun. He has sharp claws, huge fangs, and golden eyes that are currently locked on me with an intensity that should be terrifying.Should be. But instead, my traitorous body goes into overdrive. More wetness. More heat. My nipples actuallyachefromhis proximity. And the scent…oh God, it’s coming fromhim.
“You’re not here to negotiate,” he rumbles, approaching with a predatory grace that makes me want to either run or drop to my knees. “You’re here for me.”
“I’m here for my father,” I manage, but my voice comes out breathy.
He laughs. Actuallylaughs. It’s dark and beastly, and makes my pussy clench.
“Your father’s free of his debt now,” he rasps, still moving toward me. “I don’t want him.”
He’s getting closer. Too close. I should back up. I should definitely back up. But… I don’t.
“Then what do you want?” I ask, but I already know the answer.
The huge beast stops right in front of me. So close that I have to tilt my head back to meet his golden eyes. So close that his scent surrounds me, drowns me, making thinking impossible.
“You,” he states simply. “I want you.”
“That’s not…” I start, but he reaches out and cups my face with one massive furred, clawed hand.
