Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

Magnus's POV

"Ouch. Ouch," Nerissa's soft moans filled the room, her nails digging into my skin like her very survival depended on me. I thrust into her from behind, slow and deliberate, my hands gripping her hips with both tenderness and purpose. She was my world—the only woman who ever truly loved me and the one I really loved.

No one has ever believed in me the way she did. When the world turned it's back, Nerissa stood by me, unwavering. She supported my dreams, even the ones that made no sense to anyone else. With each movement, my vow echoed in my mind as clear as her cries that reverberated through the room.

Day and night, I will love you, my lady.

Day and night, I will care for you.

Day and night, I will protect you.

Every day, I will do everything to please you.

Her cries grew louder , more insistent, resonating in my head as I groaned, reaching my climax. The release was shattering, spilling over the edge of control, and leaving me weak as I collapsed beside her on the bed. Her lips curved into a smile that warmed the coldest corners of my soul, and my arms instinctively wrapped around her waist. I kissed her deeply, savoring the closeness.

"Nerissa," I murmured, my voice soft yet steady. "How about we get married?"

Her expression faltered for a moment. She gazed into my eyes, her hand brushing against my cheek with a touch so tender it almost broke me.

"Magnus," she began, her voice laced with quiet regret. "I've told you before that we can't get married now. No one is going to respect me anymore if I married you."

I stared at her, unable to speak, my chest tightening at the vulnerability in her words.

"My father would never give us his blessing," she continued, her voice steady but her eyes pleading. "You're a Rogue, Magnus and no man would let his daughter marry a Rogue. We need more— power, authority and respect. If you take your rightful place, as the Alpha, I'll be your Luna."

"But....we love eachother Nerissa," I argued softly, the weight of her rejection settling heavily in my gut.

"I know... Magnus. But love isn't enough." Her tone was resolute now. "Once we have all we need, then I will marry you."

She leaned in and kissed me, her lips soft yet commanding. Gently, she guided my hands to her breast, her breath catching as I fondle it. I kissed her again, my mouth trailing down to her breast. When I bit her nipple gently, her moan filled the room.

A sharp knock broke through the intimacy.

"Magnus," Viktor's came through the door, edged with urgency. "There's something to discuss," he said.

Nerissa hissed under her breath, clearly annoyed, but I stood, pulling on my clothes. I gave her a playful slap on the ass, earning a glare that melted into a smirk.

"You'll be the death of me Nerissa," I teased, leaning down to kiss her softly. "I'll be back."

As I entered the living room, Viktor was already seated, his face alight with excitement.

"I've got news from the spy at Frostfang pack, my prince," he began eagerly. "Ashen left his pack to get his bride from the Nightshade pack."

"Hmmm," I gave a indifferent grunt, my expression unreadable.

Viktor's excitement dimmed slightly as he leaned forward. "We should strike now, Magnus. Those people destroyed—my family, your family."

"I know," I replied evenly, my gaze distant. "And I never said I wouldn't strike. But I was hoping I could speak to Ashen first. Don't forget he saved me that night and he must have suffered greatly for it."

Viktor's expression hardened. "He's still your enemy, Magnus and he's no different from his father—ruthless and manipulative. I don't understand why you feel any loyalty towards him."

"I agree with Viktor," Nerissa's voice interrupted. She appeared behind me, her robe loosely tied around her, her hair a wild cascade over her shoulders. She approached, slipping arms around me from behind, her touch sending sparks through me.

"This is the perfect time to strike," she urged softly, her breath warm against my neck. "The fact that he saved you once doesn't change a thing. Do you forget the number of times you've sent him a letter asking that you both meet? He's your enemy. And don't forget," she whispered, her tone seductive and persuasive, "this is the only way we'll ever be able to get married."

I nodded slowly. She was right. No matter how many letters I had sent, Ashen had never responded. I couldn't ignore the way his ruthless rule had crushed my people. But maybe… just maybe, he didn’t have a choice. Growing up in a toxic palace must have twisted him, turning the selfless boy I once knew into the cold leader he had become.

I exhaled sharply, pushing sentiment aside. "Prepare the men. We take his bride first."

"Yes, my prince," Viktor replied, a rare smile plastering on his face as he left to issue orders.

"And stop calling me that," I called after him. "I'm no prince."

We set out in the dead of night, the car racing through the dark, empty roads

The warriors trailed behind, quiet and focused. I sat in the back seat, staring out at the endless stretch of forest.

Sixteen years. It been sixteen years, since I lost my family, and my place in the world. Sixeen years of being a Rogue. Who would've thought I'd survived? Despite the bounty on my head, I had survived every attempt to bring me down.

My thoughts spiraled back to that night, it all began. As I approached the palace, I found it in ruins—my parents slaughtered, their blood pooling beneath them. Before I could process the horror, I was captured by the enemy responsible for the massacre.

Strapped to a chair before my surviving pack members, I watched helplessly as my loyal bodyguard, Kai, challenged our oppressor in a desperate bid to save ne. But the enemy was ruthless. Kai was defeated, his dying words urging me to survive and seek vengeance.

Left restrained and alone in the blood-soaked courtyard, I was on the verge of despair when a boy my age emerged from the shadows—Ashen, the son of the very Alpha who had orchestrated the slaughter. Despite his father’s cruelty, Ashen freed me, giving him food and water, and urging him to escape before it was too late.

I hesitated, knowing Ashen was risking everything to help me, but Ashen assured me that his father wouldn’t kill his own son. As I ran toward the forest, I turned back one last time—only to see a furious figure storming from the palace.

“ASHEN!” the man roared.

Ashen’s faint smile faltered, and before I disappeared into the night, my friend’s agonized screams echoed behind him.

"Magnus," Viktor's voice pulled me from the memories. He gestured towards a clearing ahead. "This is the spot. We'll lay an ambush here."

I nodded, still absentminded. The warriors took their places, surrounding the road. After what seemed like eternity, the headlights emerged in the distance. A black car screeched to a halt as one of our vehicles blocked it's path.

The driver stepped out, cursing as he scanned the area. Our warriors descended, surrounding the car. Viktor pulled a trembling young woman from the back seat, her knees buckling as she knelt on the ground.

I stepped forward, but as I approached, my wolf stirred, then roared.

Mate.

The word echoed in my mind, stunning memories. My legs felt weak as I stood frozen, my gaze locking into hers. Her emerald eyes met mine, wide with fear but impossibly captivating.

This couldn't be real, right. It shouldn't be.

Ashen's bride was my mate.