FORBIDDEN TEMPTATION

Ambush

KAELEN POV

Being the second son of the Red Velvet Pack should have meant nothing extraordinary. But for me, it was different. I was born with power—that surpassed even my Alpha father’s. From the moment I took my first breath, the pack whispered about my potential, about the child who could shift before he could walk, who could read the thoughts of others as easily as one might read a book.

I was a Mycan, a rarity among wolves. My abilities weren’t limited to strength and speed; I could feel the very threads of others' minds, unraveling their secrets, their fears, their desires. It was a gift and a curse, one that set me apart, one that made me dangerous.

I remembered the incident that happened the day my father banished me from the pack. His voice was cold, his eyes hard as stone as he pronounced the words that would shatter my world.

“Leave and never return.”

His words still echoed in my mind. My own blood had cast me out, cursed me to wander the world as an outcast. The pain of that day never left me, a wound that will never heal.

I was lost in those thoughts, the memory as vivid as if it had happened yesterday, when Thorne’s voice broke through my reverie.

“Kaelen,” he said. “What are they doing here?”

I followed his gaze to the side of the road. My heart. I recognized them instantly. The Fenrir Elite.

Alpha Alaric’s personal guards. They were the best of the best, wolves trained to track, capture, and kill without hesitation. They don't normally be seen around; their presence here could mean only one thing: trouble.

“They’re scanning every car,” Thorne continued. “What could they want?”

My stomach tightened as the realization hit me. This wasn’t a random patrol. They were searching for someone.

As we approached their checkpoint, Thorne slowed the car. My senses sharpened suddenly, and I caught a flicker of thought from Eleanor. Her fear hit me like a wave.

Would they drag me back to the Abyssal Vaults? That scary prison filled with vengeful wraiths. Hell no. I don’t want to go back. I’m scared.

I could sense her fear, seeing the tension in her body, the way her hands trembled slightly in her lap.

Our car came to a stop. One of the guards stepped forward. His gaze swept over the car’s interior, lingering on each of us in turn.

“Lower the window,” he commanded us.

Thorne complied immediately. The window slid down, and the guard leaned in, he scanned every detail of the car’s interior with his eyes.

Another guard moved to Eleanor’s side. He rapped on the glass with the edge of his knuckle, the reaction gave a loud sound. Eleanor stiffened, a cold shiver running through her.

“Lower your window,” the guard ordered her.

I could feel the panic rising in her, her heart was racing, and her breath quickened. She was terrified.

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm, but her thoughts whispered again. Please, no. Don’t let them take me. I can’t go back to that place.

I took out my Red Velvet Pack card, I showed it to the Fenrir Elite soldiers to see. They saluted immediately when they recognized the card.

“She’s my mate,” I said, my voice calm and steady. “We’re coming from my father’s burial. She’s still in shock—that’s why she’s reacting this way.”

The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances. “Our apologies, Alpha Kaelen,” one of them said, bowing slightly. They stepped aside, clearing the road for us.

I gave them a curt nod, signaling Thorne to drive forward. Eleanor exhaled sharply beside me, the tension visibly draining from her body. I could still see the slight tremble in her hands, though.

When we arrived back at the house, Eleanor went into her room. I could sense her fear still lingering.

I hesitated outside her door before knocking softly. “Eleanor?” I called out, pushing the door open. She sat on the edge of the bed, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.

She raises her head up. “We need to talk,” I said, stepping inside and closing the door. I kept my tone calm but firm. “Is there something you’re hiding? Why is Lord Alaric searching for you? And why were you trapped in that prison?” I asked.

She shifted uncomfortably, her fingers twisting the hem of her shirt. I could see the fear in her eyes and something she was desperately trying to keep buried.

“Perhaps you’re a witch?” I asked. Everyone knew Alaric’s merciless stance on witches. If that was her secret, it would explain a lot.

She remains silent.

I sighed, turning toward the door. If she wasn’t ready to talk, I wouldn’t force her. But as I reached for the handle, her voice stopped me.

“Are you going to turn me in?” she asked with a trembling voice. When I turned back, I saw tears streaming down like a river.

I walked back to her, crouching slightly so our eyes were on the same level.

“If I intended to do that, I wouldn’t have saved you,” I said gently. “Remember what I told you—everyone deserves to be treated equally. Human, werecoyotes, banshees, healers, witches... we’re all one.”

She stared at me, her tears slowing as my words get into her. Finally, she spoke.

“I’m a cursed wolf,” she said suddenly. “My power is like a double-edged sword—so extreme and powerful, and wildly unpredictable. I can’t control when I shift. I lose control and... I end up hurting people around me. The memories haunt me every time I close my eyes.”

Her voice broke, and she looked away, her shoulders trembling as she was speaking.

“That’s why he locked you up?” I asked.

She nodded and I could see the pain in her face.

“Listen to me. Don’t you dare call yourself a monster. You’re not. You’re powerful, yes—but you’re not a monster. You just need to learn how to control it.”

She looked at me. “I know what it’s like to be born with a gift that feels like a curse,” I continued. “I was born with strength that surpassed even my Alpha father’s. My first shift... It was a disaster. I couldn’t control it, and the destruction It caused...” I trailed off, the memories were too scary to remember.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to continue. “That night, my father banished me. I’ve been carrying that pain ever since. But I’m still here. And so are you.”

Eleanor’s gaze softened. For the first time, I felt like we truly understood each other.

I placed my hands gently over hers, and I looked into her wary eyes. “But I learned to control my power,” I said, my voice steady yet soft. “And I can help you do the same. You’re not a monster, Eleanor but gifted."

I let my voice drop lower, more earnest. “I know what it’s like to be a prisoner of your own power,” I admitted. “But you don’t have to be a slave to it. I’ll help you. Together, we’ll harness it for good.”

She looked at me. I could feel the connection between us strengthening.

“Trust me, mate,” I said, my words deliberate and filled with meaning.

I could see her shock. This was the first time I’d called her my mate—not as a lie to the soldiers, but as a truth I could no longer deny.

I saw it in her eyes, the way her lips parted slightly in surprise. She’d known it all along, hadn’t she? She must have felt it too, that undeniable pull between us.

“You know how grateful I was,” I began, “when I realized the Moon Goddess had endowed me with such a beautiful and powerful mate? Do you know how hard it was to pretend I didn’t know?”

Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and she raised her hands to cup them, as if to hide the blush. But when her gaze met mine, I saw the same fire reflected in her eyes that burned within me.

As she took a step back, as if trying to escape the intensity of the moment, I reached for her waist, my hands firm yet gentle. She gasped as I lifted her effortlessly, her arms instinctively wrapping around my neck.

“Kaelen!” she squealed.

I chuckled, I carried her to the desk and sat her down. My body fit perfectly between her legs as I leaned closer, our faces were merely inches apart.

“I, Kaelen, accept Eleanor as my mate,” I declared suddenly.

Her eyes widened as she was surprised, her lips trembling as if searching for the right words. Then, she said, “I, Eleanor, accept Kaelen as my mate.”

The moment the words left her lips, I closed the distance between us, my mouth claiming hers in a hot kiss. Her lips were so soft and warm, molding perfectly

for my lips to fit in.

Her hands tangled in my hair. She pulled me closer as my kisses trailed from her lips to her jaw, then to the sensitive spot just below her ear. I felt her shiver beneath my touch, her breaths coming faster, her heartbeat echoing in my ears.

When I reached her neck, I paused, my lips brushing against her skin. “I’m going to mark you,” I said to her. “It’ll hurt, but I’m here.”

She nodded instantly.