Tome of Troubled Times - Chapter 772: Vermillion Bird’s First War Council

A literal ‘red flag’ in a world that sees her as a threat.Excerpt:“You shouldn’t be here,” Zenon growled, his voice low, eyes dark with conflict as he leaned away.Elira looked up at him, lips parted and swollen. “Then why did you kiss me?”“I couldn’t resist you.” His arms tightened around her waist instead of letting go.“Then don’t,” she said, without breaking the gaze.“Remember, you asked for it.” Zenon’s eyes darkened with desire as his lips found the perfect spot on her neck.---Elira Shaw was never meant to shine.Born an omega to a once-respected Beta bloodline, she’s lived as a ghost in her uncle's home, the acting Beta of the Ashfang Pack.After her parents' mysterious deaths when she was thirteen, Elira became little more than a servant to her aunt and cousin, Regina, the flawless Luna-to-be, groomed to marry one of the Alpha's sons.With no rank, no power, and no name worth remembering, Elira has long accepted her fate.But her fate transforms on her 18th birthday — the night of the grand mating ceremony.Not one, but the wolves of all three of Alpha Cyprus Ashford’s sons recognize her as their mate.The pack erupts into chaos. Regina's engagement plans crumble in fury. And Elira, the despised orphan, is suddenly the most important wolf alive.

The world was consumed by a vile corruption brought from beyond – the sun dimmed, and life as we know it was almost extinguished.And yet it was not the end but merely the beginning.Long after the disaster, a lone survivor awakens with a newfound power to wield the divine flames and many questions about the past. He embarks on a long journey to burn the rot away, discover what's left of the old world and maybe, just maybe, ascend to divinity.

[MATURE CONTENT]“Are you mating with someone?”Stunned, she took a step back, widening the space between them. “ Excuse me?”“Ah…” A sigh left his lips. “ Perhaps, I need to rephrase my question. Are you f*cking someone?”She sucked in a quick breath, not knowing what to say. Anger reared itself in her head, mixing with unexpected desire. Sadly, desire was winning.He lifted an eyebrow, and in the next instant, he was already standing in front of her body. Her instincts kicked in. She took a couple steps back until her back hit the wall.The smell of chocolates and almonds rolled between them. Entranced, she thought she smelled the sweetness of the wine but it disappeared as quickly as it came.“I don’t think that is any of your business, Mr. Graydon.” she made a sound of annoyance.“Is it not?” His breath fractured, his eyes darkened with desire.“No.” Her lips quivered at her obvious denial. She mustered all the courage she could, hoping he wouldn’t smell her arousal. She knew it was for naught.His fingers lightly brushed her cheeks, then they trailed down her neck, lingering on her collarbone, the contact sent shivers down her spine. It awakened the primal need she had been wanting to hide since they met.She wanted him.No.She needed him, inside her.Her face flushed at the thought of him taking her, preferably right against these walls.“You want me,” he stated. ““As much as I want you.”Shocked by her own raw and potent yearning, she turned her head away.“I don’t…”“Shhh…” he silenced her with a finger. Then he inched closer, so close his long lashes brushed against her cheek. Her heart pounded like a drum against her chest, fast and hot in anticipation.“Now tell me little one… do I need to get rid of someone before I make you beg me to let you come?”......Is love worth the chaos it brings?.....Tags: #lycans #witch #strongfemalelead #strongmalelead #norape #smut #mates #slowburn

Rhian Locke only wanted strength.To face the monster that slaughtered his parents while he watched, helpless.“I never asked to be your savior. So why should I care?”All he hoped for was to reach a decent rank, hunt that beast down, maybe become a monster hunter, and retire in peace.“I’m not a slave to the gods. I don’t exist to do their bidding.”But the world had made its decision long before he was born.“Patterns are meant to be broken.”------“Boy, I’ve bathed in the blood of your kind. I’ve crushed those stronger than you.”Lightning cracked across the sky. A hammer flew to the hand of a god.“I won’t let a deceiver’s spawn and a whore’s bastard son, stand before me and declare my end.”Rhian stepped forward, blood trailing from his mouth, eyes locked.“I’m not here to declare your end,” he said coldly. “I’m here to fulfill it.”....