My shoulder throbbed with a dull ache, and the persistent pelt of cold water against my skin finally pulled me back to consciousness. I blinked, the black and gold tiles of my bathroom coming into focus. It took a heartbeat for the fog to clear, but then the memories hit me like a physical weight—the shower, the overwhelming surge of the bond, and the moment the world went black. Panic flared in my chest. I remembered twisting my body as I fell, desperate to make sure I took the brunt of the impact so Artemis wouldn't get hurt. I sat up abruptly, the movement sending a protest through my bruised hip, and looked down.
She was draped across me, her head resting against my chest as if I were her own personal recliner. Other than the water splashing over her face, she looked peaceful—utterly spent by the power of what we'd shared. I let out a jagged sigh of relief, the tension leaving my body. Reaching out, I wiped the droplets from her eyes and nose. Her eyebrows knit together in a tiny, adorable scowl of annoyance, but she didn't wake. With practiced care, I shifted my weight, bracing myself against the wall as I stood up with her cradled securely in my arms. I reached out and killed the water, the sudden silence of the room feeling heavy and expectant as I stepped out onto the bathmat.
I reached for the thick, plush gray towel on the rack, the fabric soft against my damp skin. With a tenderness I reserved only for her, I set Artemis on the marble counter of the sink just long enough to wrap the towel around her shoulders and tuck it securely. Lifting her again, I felt the slight weight of her head as it lolled against my shoulder, her silver hair damp and smelling of the soap we'd just shared.
*
My eyes snapped open, but the ceiling above me wasn't the one I recognized. I blinked against the morning light, my brain sluggish as if it were wrapped in cotton. I pushed myself up into a sitting position, the plush mattress shifting beneath me, and scanned the room. Kayden's room.
The memories of the shower came rushing back in a tidal wave—the heat, the pulsing water, the overwhelming, mind-shattering intensity of our connection that had finally pulled the rug out from under my consciousness. I remembered the darkness closing in, but that was it. I looked down at myself. I was wrapped snugly in a thick, gray towel, the fabric soft and dry against my skin. How had I gotten from the shower floor to the bed without waking up? I looked toward the bathroom door just as a faint sound of movement came from within.
I heard the rhythmic splash of water and looked toward the bathroom. The door was ajar, revealing Kayden standing at the sink. A towel was slung low on his hips, showing off the powerful muscles of his back as he finished brushing his teeth. I watched him lean over to rinse, his movements steady and calm. The moment my feet hit the carpeted floor, the slight sound must have alerted him. He spit out the water, killed the tap, and turned toward me. Surprise flickered in his dark eyes, instantly replaced by a deep, furrowed concern. He took a long stride toward me, closing the distance in a heartbeat.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice a low, soft rumble. A smile tugged at my lips. His concern was so palpable it made my chest ache with affection. "I'm fine," I reassured him, "though a few of my muscles are definitely feeling the aftermath." Kayden let out a long, heavy sigh of relief, his shoulders finally dropping from their defensive hunch. He'd clearly been carrying the guilt of our "fall" since he woke up. "I thought I cushioned the impact enough, but I was worried you'd hit your head."
I shook my head, my smile widening. "Nope. My head doesn't hurt in the least." A slow, amused smile spread across his lips. Before I could ask what was so funny, he chuckled. "You look incredibly cute with your hair all damp and clinging to your face like that." My hand flew to my head. He wasn't exaggerating—my hair was still heavy and dripping, and as I shifted, I noticed the damp patch on the pillows where I'd been lying. Now that he'd pointed it out, the feeling of the cold, wet strands plastered against my neck made my nose crinkle in disgust.
"Geez, I wonder why my hair is like this right now?" I shot back, my voice dripping with sarcasm as I glared at him. Kayden just smirked wickedly, one eyebrow arched. "Hmm... I wonder why?" I rolled my eyes and grabbed a corner of my towel to dab at the droplets running down my forehead. Kayden turned back toward the bathroom, disappearing into the walk-in closet for a moment. When he emerged, he was holding a fresh, dry towel. He gestured with a flick of his finger for me to turn around. I realized his intent immediately and scooted forward on the mattress, making room for him. He sat down behind me, his weight dipping the bed, and I felt the warmth of his presence at my back.
He propped himself against the pillows, and just as I started to turn, I felt his large hands gently gather a section of my silver hair. He began to pat it dry with the fresh towel, his touch so light and careful it was as if he were afraid I might break. The silence in the room was warm, filled only with the rhythmic sound of the towel against my damp strands. My heart swelled; it was the kind of soft, domestic care I hadn't expected from a fierce Alpha. But as the silence stretched, the image of Alisha standing in the hallway—claiming her space—flickered in my mind. The question slipped out before I could check it. "Did you really date Alisha?"
Behind me, I felt Kayden's entire body go rigid. His hands stilled, the towel frozen against the back of my head. He let out a heavy, tired sigh before his hands began to move again, more slowly this time. "I technically did," he admitted, his voice low. "But that was a long time ago." I shifted, looking over my shoulder to catch his gaze. My curiosity was a sharp itch I couldn't ignore. "How long ago?" Kayden let out a short, dry chuckle, a hint of amusement softening his features as he caught the spark of jealousy in my eyes. "It started around our freshman year of high school," he said, working on a new section of hair. "It lasted until the end of my junior year."
Artemis's eyebrows shot up. "Three years? That sounds like a much more serious relationship than you're making it out to be." I couldn't help but snort, a smirk tugging at my lips. "Maybe for humans. But for shifters? A few years is a flicker of time—a blink. We live far too long to count high school flings as 'life-defining.'" An expression of understanding crossed her face, though that glint of disapproval didn't quite fade. "Then why did it end? Did you break it off the moment you realized you weren't fated mates? Most couples do."
I shook my head, my hands slowing as I worked the towel over the ends of her hair. "Much to my mother's dismay... no. I didn't end it immediately after the transition." Her eyebrow twitched—a tiny, sharp movement that I found incredibly cute despite the heavy topic. I sighed, the memory of those years feeling more like a chore than a romance. "I had to learn the hard way why non-mated couples rarely survive the long haul." "So it was serious," she pressed, her eyes narrowing. I let out a dry, hollow chuckle. It lacked any real warmth. "It might have been from the outside. But in reality? It was a very one-sided relationship. I was playing a role, and she was auditioning for a title."
Artemis tilted her head, her deep blue eyes searching mine with a quiet, focused concern. "What do you mean, one-sided?" I ran a hand through my damp hair, the weight of the memory pressing down on me. "That's the reason it ended. Near the end of our junior year, just before summer break, I happened to overhear her talking to one of her friends. Normally, I would have walked away, but I heard my name and... curiosity got the better of me. I stayed. And that's when I learned the truth." Artemis didn't interrupt; she just watched me, her expression softening as she sensed the old sting of the betrayal.
"She was only with me for the power," I continued, my voice flat. "She wanted the title. She wanted the respect that comes with being an Alpha's Luna. Alisha was raised like a princess, given everything she ever asked for, and she grew up believing that the position of Luna was just another trophy she was entitled to. That day, I realized it wasn't me she wanted—it was what I could give her." I set the towel down across my knee, avoiding setting it on the bed and dampening it any further. "After that, I stopped. I stopped looking, stopped trying. I assumed every woman who approached me was just auditioning for the role. Until you."
The second my hands stopped moving, Artemis didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned back, letting her weight settle fully against my chest. I didn't hesitate; I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her flush against me until there wasn't a sliver of air between us. I dipped my head into the crook of her neck, inhaling that intoxicating scent of vanilla and honey, feeling the last of my tension melt away. "I'm sorry you had to go through that," she murmured, her voice vibrating against my skin.
I let out a low grunt of acknowledgement, content to just exist in this moment of peace. But then, she spoke again, her tone shifting. "Is that when the rumors about you being gay started?" I stiffened, my breath hitching in a moment of pure, dumbfounded silence. I blinked against her skin, my brain processing the words before a deep, rumbling chuckle erupted from my chest. The sound vibrated through both of us, a genuine laugh that finally broke the heavy atmosphere of the room.
I felt his chest rumble against my back, the vibration of his laughter a soothing balm. It felt good to be the one to lighten his load. "Yeah, I suppose that is when Mia started that particular rumor." His hand tightened affectionately around my waist. "I'm surprised you remembered that detail, with everything we've been through since you arrived." I traced a slow, soothing line up his forearm, turning my head just enough to catch his gaze. "I remember everything when it comes to you," I murmured. The look he gave me was pure, unadulterated affection—a soft, happy grin that transformed his usually stern face.
I snuggled closer, the warmth in my chest expanding. For the first time since I'd left my parents' home years ago, the word home didn't feel like a distant memory. It felt like the man holding me. "So, what about you?" Kayden asked, his chin coming to rest on my shoulder. I didn't move, though I felt my pulse skip. "Hmm? What about me?"
"Have you ever been in a relationship?" He was smirking, but his eyes were curious, searching. My hand stilled against his arm. The warmth in the room seemed to chill by a few degrees as my expression hardened. My voice came out steady, stripped of the tenderness from a moment ago. "No. Not one." I felt him shift, his eyebrows rising at the sudden change in my body language. "Though I'm sure the elders would have been overjoyed if I had," I added, my tone dripping with a cold, dry irony. "Heavens know how much they tried to push every male tiger in the vicinity into my path."
I felt a cold chill settle in my gut as I listened to the hollow tone of her voice. This was the second time she'd alluded to her people treating her like a piece of property. My arms tightened around her instinctively. "This is the second time you've mentioned something like this," I said, my voice low and serious. "What exactly do you mean by that, Artemis?" She let out a long, weary sigh, her head thumping back against my chest as she closed her eyes. The silence stretched between us, heavy with the weight of things left unsaid. I was almost ready to drop it, not wanting to push her into a dark place, when she finally spoke.
"The truth is," she began, her voice small but steady, "white tigers are rare. Dangerously so. Even if both parents are white, there's no guarantee the cub will be." She took a breath, and I felt the tension in her spine. "When a white tiger is born, the elders don't see a child. They see a legacy. They did everything in their power to force me into 'matches.' They didn't care about love or fated bonds. They just wanted more white tigers, and they were willing to turn me into a breeder to get them."
I frowned, my confusion deepening. To a wolf, a coat was just a coat—whether gray, black, or brown, the strength of the beast came from the soul and the rank. "I don't understand," I admitted. "Orange or white, you're still a tiger. You have the same claws, the same strength. Why does the color matter so much that they'd treat you like a prisoner?" I must have looked as baffled as I felt, because Artemis shifted against me, a bitter, knowing shadow crossing her face. "It's not just about the coats, Kayden," she said softly.
I noticed Kayden raise an eyebrow, his expression clouded with doubt; I knew immediately why my words seemed so unbelievable to him. I sighed. "To help you understand, I'll have to dive into our beliefs—and a bit of our history." His eyebrow twitched in surprise, his eyes beginning to twinkle with genuine interest. He nodded slowly, but when he sensed my hesitation, his arm tightened around my waist. He pressed a kiss to the crown of my head before resting his chin there. "You can tell me anything without fear," he murmured. "I'll always listen. I promise I won't react poorly anymore."
I felt her release another deep sigh, likely debating which truths to share and which to keep guarded. I waited patiently, the weight of my past mistakes heavy in my chest; I knew it was my fault she felt she had to filter herself at all. She intertwined her fingers with mine, seeking an anchor while my other arm remained firm around her waist. Once she felt secure, she finally spoke. "Okay. But you have to promise to keep an open mind, Kayden. This goes against everything you were taught growing up."
I released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. A slow, relieved smile touched my lips—she was choosing to trust me. "Of course," I promised, my voice low. "I'll stay calm. You can trust me with anything." She turned her head, her gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race. "I mean it, Kayden. If I tell you this and you react like that again—" I didn't let her finish. I leaned in, silencing her fears by claiming her lips with my own. She was frozen for a heartbeat, but as I deepened the kiss, her hesitation melted, and she began to respond.
I felt her body melt against mine as she eagerly returned the kiss, and my hunger for her flared back to life instantly. A deep groan rumbled in my chest, but I forced myself to pull back, leaning my forehead against hers. I knew if I didn't stop now, I would never learn the truth about my mate. Looking into her surprised, confused eyes, I forced a reassuring smile. "I'm listening," I promised. "I will listen to everything you have to say, and I will never react as I did before." She blinked, then sighed softly. "Okay." She shifted, leaning her back against my chest comfortably while staring at the wall ahead, lost in thought.
"You have to understand," she began, "that the way you believe in the Moon Goddess... It's not how we see her." She paused, tilting her head. "Well, we do, but not in the same way." My eyebrows furrowed. I was confused, but I kept my promise and stayed silent. "Your Moon Goddess is known to us as Artemis—the goddess from ancient Greek mythology. We believe in the same gods and goddesses the Greeks and Romans worshipped long ago." My eyes widened in surprise. I couldn't stop myself from speaking up. "Then wouldn't that mean you were named after Artemis herself? Is that not... blasphemy? Or at least rude to the goddess you believe in?"
A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth, warmed by the genuine concern and interest in his voice. "I guess to some it might be," I admitted, raking my fingers slowly through my hair. "But my mother did it with the utmost respect. She chose it as a thank you for the goddess blessing her child with a loving embrace on the night I was born."
"She believes your silver hair is a sign of her goodwill," Kayden murmured, the realization dawning on him. "A blessing from the Moon Goddess herself." I was thoroughly impressed by how quickly he understood; his intuition saved me from a much longer explanation. I nodded. "Exactly. She named me Artemis to honor and thank her. It's also why she usually calls me 'Ari'—a way to ensure that if the goddess did find the use of my name offensive, we weren't constantly tempting her anger."
"Ari..." He whispered the name softly, as if testing the weight of it on his tongue. A shiver of delight raced up my spine. He leaned closer, his lips hovering just beside my ear. "I like it," he growled.
My eyes fluttered closed as I felt the warmth of his breath against my skin. Suddenly, his tongue swept across my earlobe before he caught it between his teeth, nibbling gently. He began to blaze a trail of kisses from the base of my ear down the sensitive curve of my neck, each one punctuating a low whisper of my nickname against my skin. A soft moan escaped me. His touch left a tingling, fiery wake that reawakened every dormant desire I had. I gasped as his hand slid upward, his palm molding to my breast and squeezing firmly over the fabric of my towel.
A sudden warmth claimed my stomach, and a heavy, pooling sensation formed between my thighs at his touch. I arched my back instinctively, pushing my breasts into his palms to give him better access. As I moved, his hand slipped beneath the edge of the towel, causing the fabric to unravel and pool around my hips. His skin was finally against mine, his palm rough and warm as he grasped my breast. A gasp escaped me when his fingers grazed the hardening peak before pinching it rhythmically. I knew that if we carried on like this, we would become too lost in each other to finish the tale. I tried to call his name, to tell him to stop, but it broke into a breathless moan—an invitation that only seemed to fuel his hunger.
He pulled his hand away from our intertwined fingers, only to catch my chin, tilting my face toward his. He claimed my lips again, his kiss demanding and scorched with a passion that left no room for doubt. When his tongue joined the fray, it invaded my senses, shattering my resolve. I could feel the shift beginning—the hazy moment where our minds would start to merge, and I would be forced to feel his pleasure alongside my own. It was a sensory overload that made the very idea of stopping feel like a lost cause. My stomach muscles twitched as I felt his hand leave my breast, gliding down across my abdomen in a slow, agonizingly deliberate trail toward the heat between my legs.
My breath hitched in anticipation. I knew all my efforts would be in vain if I didn't stop him before his fingers found the center of my heat. I reached down, my hand closing over his to stall his progress, but my grip was weak and betrayed by my own body as his other hand continued to toy with my nipple. I moaned into Kayden's mouth, my resolve crumbling as I began to suck frantically on his tongue. His fingers slid past my folds, finding the sensitive bud of my excitement. I gasped as he pinched it lightly between his fingers before pressing deeper, following the path downward.
The moment he slipped inside me, a jolt of pure electricity coursed through my body. Our minds slammed together, the connection instantaneous and raw, magnifying the pleasure until it was nearly unbearable. My back arched, my lips tearing away from his as a ragged gasp broke from my throat. "Kayden..."
I could feel his length hardening against my back, a low, primal growl vibrating through his chest as he felt the same surge of pleasure through our bond. He withdrew his fingers only to bury them deep again, sending wave after wave of heat straight to my brain. He began to trail hungry kisses along my jaw, moving back toward my mouth. My thoughts were fraying, my mind becoming a haze of static and sensation. Just as his lips brushed the corner of mine, I managed to whisper, my voice breathless and thin, "The story..."
The moment those words left my lips, Kayden's body went still. He pulled back, his expression clouded with a flicker of confusion that was quickly replaced by recognition. As we locked eyes, I saw a battle raging within him; the silver in his irises faded and flared in a rhythmic, pulsing light. With a pained groan, he withdrew his fingers. "Go ahead," he rasped, his voice thick with restraint. "Finish."
My mouth parted to protest—or perhaps to thank him—but the thought vanished the moment I felt the heat of him pressing against my lower back. The sparks from our bond erupted everywhere our skin met, a constant, electric reminder of his presence. I turned my head instinctively, my eyes widening as I realized that at some point, his towel had been discarded. "When did you—" The question died in my throat as the silver flared back to life in his eyes, brighter than before.
His gaze dropped to my lips, then traveled lazily downward, tracing the curve of my throat before settling on my breasts. My body betrayed me instantly; my nipples hardened under the sheer weight of his stare. He looked at me with a hunger so raw I felt as though he might devour me whole. My thighs clamped together as that heavy, pooling sensation returned, a reaction he didn't miss as his gaze continued its slow, predatory path down my body. I watched as he swept his tongue across his lower lip. The simple gesture sent a jolt through me, my breathing hitching into short, shallow gasps as if he were actually touching me. When he finally looked up to meet my eyes, the lust there was undeniable—and I knew, with a sinking heart, that my own expression mirrored his perfectly.
Kayden suddenly squeezed his eyes shut and let out a tortured groan. "You'd better start that story now," he rasped, "before I'm tempted to pick up exactly where I left off." I nodded quickly, even though a treacherous part of me wanted to tell him to do just that. I sat up, pulling my body away from the heat of his chest as he leaned back to give me space. I took a deep, shaky breath, trying to steady my racing heart and quiet the humming in my blood. But just as I found my footing, I felt his warm breath ghost against the shell of my ear. "But know this," he whispered, his voice a low promise. "The second that story is over, I'm picking up right where we stopped."
My heart skipped a beat, my desire spiking at the raw certainty in his tone. I didn't dare look back at him; I knew if I saw the look in his eyes, I wouldn't have the strength to say another word. I cleared my throat, staring straight ahead. "Right. So... where was I?" I heard Kayden let out an amused snort behind me, but I ignored it, focusing on the history. "Ah, yes. Your kind believes that wolf shifters were brought into existence by Artemis, the Moon Goddess. But for my kind, it's different. It is believed that tiger shifters were created by Persephone, the Queen of the Underworld and the Goddess of Spring."
Hearing her words, I felt my eyebrows rise in surprise. Before I could stop myself, I spoke up. "If I remember my school lessons correctly, Persephone is the daughter of Demeter, the harvest goddess. She was also the one Hades kidnapped and forced to marry him, right?" Artemis nodded. "That's correct. But our legends go back further. It's believed that long before she was taken to the Underworld, Persephone stumbled upon a wounded tigress. Moved by the creature's suffering, she took it upon herself to nurse the tiger back to health." She paused, her gaze distant as if she could see the scene playing out. "At first, the tigress was wary—as any wounded predator would be. But eventually, she realized Persephone meant her no harm and allowed the goddess to tend to her wounds. Under Persephone's care and love, the tiger slowly began to recover."
"When the tiger was finally strong again," Artemis continued, "Persephone intended to release her back into the wild. But the tiger refused to leave. She had seen the goddess's true heart and opened her own in return. Touched by this devotion, Persephone chose to bless her, transforming her into the first-ever tiger shifter." A small smile touched Artemis's lips. "As a gesture of thanks, the shifter stayed by her side to protect her. They became the closest of friends—practically inseparable. Wherever Persephone walked, her guardian followed, a silent shadow guarding the goddess of life."
"They say the tiger was with her on that fateful day," Artemis continued, her voice dropping to a somber murmur. "She was injured trying to shield Persephone, but even a shifter was no match for the King of the Underworld. Hades caught them both by surprise and tore Persephone away. While Demeter pleaded with Zeus to force her daughter's release, she nursed the tiger back to health. But the moment the shifter was strong enough, she fled Olympus, desperate to find a way into the realm of the dead to rescue her friend."
Artemis took a breath, and I could almost feel the phantom chill of the story. "From the moment the tiger left, Demeter's grief began to bleed into the world, bringing the bitter bite of the first-ever winter. Crops shriveled in the frost, and as the months dragged on, the snow fell in never-ending, heavy sheets. The world was buried in white, reflecting the emptiness in the Mother Goddess's heart. A full year passed before the tiger returned," she said softly. "She collapsed at Demeter's feet, barely clinging to life. She was a map of scars—covered in wounds from her journey and half-frozen by the very winter Demeter's sorrow had created. Seeing the creature in such a pitiful state, the goddess was moved. She took the tiger back into her care, realizing this was the only piece of her daughter she had left."
The way she spoke made it feel more like a fairytale than history. I was used to textbooks—dry, factual accounts of dates and battles—and the longer she talked, the more my skepticism flared. I couldn't stop the words before they left my tongue. "And how do you know all this? It sounds more like a legend than something you'd find in a history book." I heard the sharp edge of irritation in my own voice, and I knew she did, too. Artemis snapped her head around, her eyes flashing with annoyance before they softened into a weary sigh.
"Not everything in a textbook is accurate, Kayden. As the saying goes, history is written by the victors. You should know that better than anyone. Human history says people like us—and your Moon Goddess—don't exist. To them, we're just fiction. But we're standing here, aren't we? That doesn't make your Goddess any less real to you." The truth of her words hit me like a physical blow to the gut. My jaw clenched; I felt like a complete ass.
"I'm not just quoting a single source," she added, her voice cooling. "I've gathered this from our own texts, the stories passed down to us, and the ancient mythology. It's a tapestry of what we know and what we believe. I don't expect you to believe every word, but if you can't be civil enough to listen, I'd rather stop now before this escalates." She started to pull away, her body tensing as if to stand. Before she could move, I tightened my arms around her waist, pulling her back against me and resting my chin on her head. "That's not what I meant," I murmured, my voice thick with regret. "I'm sorry. Please, continue. I want to learn—I want to see the world through your eyes."
We sat in a heavy, expectant silence, the only sound the soft rhythm of her breathing. I held my own breath, hoping—praying—she would decide to keep going. Finally, with a long sigh, she picked up the thread of the tale. "As the tiger's strength returned, Demeter knew deep down that the search was suicide. The world below was frozen, the temperatures too brutal for any living thing to endure. But neither of them was willing to give up on Persephone. On the day the tiger prepared to descend back into the frost, Demeter did something unfathomable."
Ari paused, likely for dramatic effect. I couldn't help the small, amused twitch of my lips at her antics. Normally, when people did that—especially Mia—it grated on my nerves. But with Ari, it was different. It was cute. I wondered if it was the mate bond or if I was simply falling so hard that every breath she took felt like a gift. "Before the tiger left Olympus," she continued, her voice dropping an octave, "Demeter bestowed a second blessing upon her. A portion of her own divine power. As the blessing took hold, the tiger's coat began to pale, shifting from gold to a brilliant, ghostly white. She became the first-ever White Tiger—a creature born of winter and divine grace. She was no longer just a predator; she was built to withstand the bitterest cold, her senses and abilities sharpened beyond anything the world had ever seen."
"The tiger used those new abilities to hunt for any path into the depths, but as the legends state, it wasn't the tiger who ultimately rescued her," Ari said, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "Zeus finally gave in to Demeter's tireless demands. He didn't do it out of kindness, but because the endless winter was starving the world. The people's cries were too loud to ignore. He decreed that if Persephone had eaten nothing in the Underworld, she could return home."
Ari sighed, leaning her head back against me. "But as the legend goes, she ate three pomegranate seeds. Because of that, she is bound to the Underworld for three months of every year. That is the origin of winter—the shadow of Demeter's grief whenever her daughter leaves. And that," she finished softly, "is the story of how both the orange and the white tiger shifters came to be." Silence stretched between us as I processed everything. I felt Ari tense in my arms, her body bracing for a reaction I didn't want to give. I caught her off guard when I simply asked, "You said white tigers are rare... but if the original shifter was turned into one, shouldn't every tiger shifter be white?"
The tension drained out of her body the moment she realized I wasn't going to lose my composure as I had before. A small, relieved smile tugged at her lips. "One would think so," she murmured, "but that assumption is proven wrong with every generation. Perhaps it has something to do with the nature of a goddess's blessing, but it isn't a guaranteed trait. Only one out of every thousand tigers is born white. They are a rarity—a callback to the original guardian."
Kayden hummed thoughtfully, processing the information. Then, he tilted his head. "So, besides these stories and textbooks... do you have anything else to support your claims?" I couldn't help the scoff that escaped me. I turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow so sharply it clearly caught him off guard. My voice dripped with sarcasm. "Oh, sure. Because every religion out there has mountains of physical proof to back up their claims, right? Or are you saying only your beliefs are correct because a book told you so? Or am I mistaken, and you've actually met your beloved Moon Goddess, and she confirmed everything personally?"
I paused, watching the silver flicker in his eyes as they darted away from mine. His mouth tightened into a thin, grim line, and I could see the guilt beginning to eat at his expression. I rolled my eyes and huffed. "That's what I thought. The only proof you have is what you were taught to believe by your parents and your pack—just like everyone else in this world. The closest thing you have to 'evidence' is the fact that all wolf-kind increases in strength tenfold under a full moon, right?" His gaze snapped back to mine, his expression a mask of utter shock and confusion. "How do you—"
I cut him off with a snort. "Oh, please. Half the world knows that, Kayden. It's not the big secret you think it is. Hell, thousands of books across the globe state the exact same thing, even if they're labeled as fiction. If your kind wanted to keep your nature a secret, you should've done a better job of hiding it. That moon-strength is the only reason you even believe in her in the first place." We stared at each other in silence, the air thick with the weight of my words. I watched his face closely, seeing the gears turn as he struggled to find a comeback that didn't make him look like a hypocrite.
As the silence stretched, I sighed. "Just like the moon for your kind, the closest thing we have to proof is our healing. It's... different." I raised my arm until it was at eye level. Kayden watched me, his expression clouded with confusion, but that look quickly sharpened into horror as I dragged my nails—sharpened into points—across my own skin.
As blood welled in a bright red line, he lunged forward, his movements a blur of panic. He caught my arm with one hand, while his other instinctively grabbed a corner of the towel around his waist to press it against the cut. In his haste, he pulled the fabric so hard it unhooked. The towel sagged, threatening to slide off completely; if he moved even an inch or tried to stand, it would fall to the floor, leaving him entirely exposed. I was distracted by the sight, but his voice snapped me back. "Why would you do that? Are you insane?"
A soft chuckle escaped me. My heart warmed at the raw concern vibrating in his voice. I reached out, gently covering his hands with mine. I pressed his palm firmly against the wound for a beat, then slowly guided his hands away, placing them in his lap. "Look," I whispered, peeling the blood-stained corner of the towel away from my skin. The bleeding had already stopped. The deep gash I had just made was already beginning to seal, the edges of the skin pulling together with a speed that defied nature.
Kayden stared at my arm, his eyes wide as his brain struggled to reconcile logic with what he was seeing. Before he could even try to justify it, the wound began to knit itself back together, the edges closing by a noticeable margin right before his eyes. He gasped, his gaze snapping up to mine. Before he could ask the obvious question, I spoke. "It will be fully closed in two hours at the most since I didn't go too deep," I explained calmly. "And yes, it's really happening. A wound like this might take a normal wolf a day to heal, and a standard tiger maybe half that. But for some reason, white tigers heal even faster."
"How?" he breathed, the word barely a whisper. "Why is that?" A small smile played on my lips. "I don't know for sure. Perhaps it's the combination of Persephone's and Demeter's blessings. The merging of their powers is what created us, after all." Kayden nodded slowly. It was evident from his dazed expression that he didn't fully grasp the mechanics, but he was trying. "Is there... anything else you can do?"
His tone was different now—no longer doubtful, but genuinely intrigued. There wasn't a trace of judgment left in him, only a raw, honest curiosity. I couldn't help but chuckle at his reaction; it was almost sweet how much he wanted to know. "You mean like how your wolves can move through the shadows, as you did during the battle?" I felt him stiffen against my back, a sharp intake of breath preceding a heavy sigh. "Yeah, about that..." He trailed off, likely caught between his instinct for pack secrecy and his desire to be open with me. I cut him off gently. "It's fine, Kayden. You don't need to explain. I understand that your secrets are yours to keep, just as mine were."
I breathed a silent sigh of relief. I had been worried she'd be angry that I'd kept our abilities hidden, even though pack law forbade me from sharing them with anyone who hadn't officially accepted the mate bond. Our entire existence was a carefully guarded secret, and the fact that she already knew so much was technically a problem—a liability. Yet, looking at her, I knew I couldn't lie to her. More than that, I knew she would never betray us.
I opened my mouth to explain, to try and find a middle ground, but she turned slightly and pressed a slender finger against my lips, silencing me. "Shh," she whispered. "You don't need to tell me right now—not if you don't want to, or if you aren't allowed. I'm curious, Kayden, but I won't put you in a corner." My heart swelled. I couldn't help but wonder how I had gotten so lucky, being paired with a woman who possessed such rare understanding. As I looked at her, my gaze lingering on the finger still pressed to my mouth, a wicked idea took hold. One corner of my mouth curled into a slow smirk before I suddenly opened my mouth and playfully nipped at her finger.
She yelped softly, jerking her hand back, her eyes wide with shock. My smirk broke into a full, triumphant grin. "Why did you—" she started, but the sentence died in her throat as I leaned in closer. Her eyes locked onto mine, tracking my every move, and I didn't look away for even a second. The air between us suddenly felt twice as thick, the silence of the room replaced by the thundering of my own heart.
The moment our faces were centimeters apart, I claimed her lips. She responded instantly, her mouth moving against mine with a fervor that brought my simmering passion roaring back to life. A second later, I was deepening the kiss, her scent and her touch invading my senses until I couldn't stop the deep, primal growl that rumbled against her lips. My self-control was teetering on a jagged edge. I knew that if I stayed like this for one more second, there would be no stopping—no more talking. With a massive effort of will, I reluctantly pulled back, pressing my forehead to hers. We both let out a low groan at the sudden loss of contact, our breaths coming in heavy, synchronized gasps.
"I want to tell you," I said, my voice husky and thick with emotion. At first, she looked at me with lingering heat and confusion. Then, her expression shifted into a mixture of understanding and hesitation. "Are you sure? Kayden, you don't have to." I let out a small, breathless chuckle. I didn't need to think about it. The moment I looked into her eyes, I knew my heart was safe with her. I pushed down the nagging voice in the back of my mind—the one that reminded me she was a tiger shifter and a natural rival—and I nodded. "Our pack comes from a prominent and ancient lineage," I began, my voice steadying. "We've existed for centuries, not just decades." I saw the question already forming on her lips, her eyes widening as she prepared to speak. I cut in gently before she could. "But despite our history and our strength, our entire existence is shrouded in secrecy."
I took a breath, the weight of the secret finally leaving my chest. "Our sole purpose in this life is to protect the royal family. We are their secret army, their ghosts. It's why we live in the shadows, why our pack location isn't on any map, and why very few beings even know we exist." Understanding dawned on her features as I added, "We are the royal family's one and only 'Shadow Knights.' Our main objective is to eliminate even the simplest threat and ensure their survival above all else."
She nodded slowly. "Hence the ability to manipulate the shadows as you did." I smiled, impressed by how quickly she connected the dots. "Yes. Nearly everyone born into this pack can utilize and manipulate the shadows to their will." I watched her process the information, her eyes distant as she searched her memory. "The shadows... they are likely the gift of Nyx," she murmured. My eyebrows scrunched together. "Nyx? I don't think I recognize—"
"Nyx is the Greek goddess and the personification of the night itself," she interrupted. "She is one of the primordial deities—one of the first to help create the world. Even the mighty Zeus is wary of her. He's arguably the strongest of the well-known gods, and yet, he fears her power." I felt my brow furrow as the implications sank in. "And you think it's thanks to this goddess that we have these abilities? An affinity for the dark?"
She nodded in response to my question. "I do. Nyx is the goddess of the night, and night is inseparable from darkness, which naturally leads into the realm of shadows. It's reasonable to deduce that she is the reason you have that nifty ability."
"But couldn't that also be associated with Artemis?" I asked, genuinely curious. "The Moon Goddess?" I braced myself, half-expecting her to get annoyed again, but she surprised me by laughing. "I can see why you'd think that, but I highly doubt it. Artemis is the goddess of the hunt and the moon, but she isn't the night itself. Her power is the light that pierces the dark, whereas Nyx is the dark. You can see the moon during the day when the sun is shining, but you can only have true shadows when the night takes over. It's a good thought process, though—they're almost always seen side-by-side."
I nodded slowly, the logic finally clicking into place. "I guess that makes sense." She smiled softly at me. "It's okay if you don't believe me, Kayden. We don't have to believe in the same things to be together. These are just my truths." Her words warmed me in a way I couldn't describe. I tightened my grip, tugging her flush against my chest as I began to nuzzle the sensitive skin of her neck. "I like learning what you think," I murmured against her skin. "Even if it challenges everything I was taught." She scoffed, though I could hear the smile in her voice. "Oh, yeah. Your previous reactions make that statement one hundred percent believable."
I groaned at her teasing, but without thinking twice, I caught her chin with my fingers and gently tilted her face toward mine. I looked deep into her mystic blue eyes, my expression turning sincere. "I can't promise that I'll never react poorly," I admitted, my voice dropping an octave. "But I will do my best to act less like a beast and truly listen to what you have to tell me. Regardless of how I act in the moment, I do enjoy learning about your thoughts and your world—even if it takes me a minute to show it." She raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "Hmm. I suppose I'll accept your apology... this time."
I snorted at her mock-haughtiness, and she broke into a lighthearted laugh that made my heart ache with how adorable she was. Using my hold on her chin, I pulled her the rest of the way toward me, intending to give her a small, tender kiss. Her eyes drifted shut the moment our lips met, a soft, pleased sigh escaping her as she melted against my chest. It was meant to be a brief gesture of affection—a simple seal on our peace treaty. But the second our skin touched, the spark of the mate bond turned into an inferno. The hunger and desire I had tried so hard to suppress roared back to life, more demanding than ever.
I pulled her flush against my chest, deepening the kiss until the world outside the room ceased to exist. My hand moved instinctively, squeezing her breast through the damp fabric of her towel. She moaned into my mouth—a low vibration that sent every drop of my blood rushing southward. My length pressed firmly against the small of her back, straining with a need that was becoming impossible to ignore. Within seconds, I found the tuck of her towel. With a flick of my wrist, the fabric unraveled and fell away, and I immediately replaced it with the heat of my bare palms.
Artemis arched her back, a soft cry of encouragement escaping her as she pushed her breasts into my hands. I kneaded the soft weight of her happily, my thumbs grazing her peaks until they were pebble-hard. I broke our kiss to trail a path of fire along her jaw, settling at the hollow of her ear. My tongue flicked out to taste her skin before I caught her earlobe between my teeth, tugging gently. The moment I pinched her nipple in tandem with the bite, she cried out, her head falling back against my shoulder. Through our bond, her pleasure hit me like a physical wave—dizzying, raw, and intoxicating. I groaned, my hand gliding down the silken skin of her stomach. As my fingers dipped between her thighs, her breathing broke into ragged, short puffs. Subconsciously, she widened her stance, opening herself up and inviting my hand to finally find the center of her excitement.
I slipped a finger into her welcoming heat, and another jolt of pleasure slammed into my mind. It hit me twice—first as her sensation, then doubled as it merged with my own. With every stroke, the feeling ricocheted between us, an intensifying loop that pushed us both closer to the edge. Artemis reached back, her fingers curling around my length, her palm sliding slowly up the shaft. I hissed, my head snapping back as the sensation threatened to shatter my resolve. I had been focused on the spot on her neck where my mark would eventually go—sucking and nipping at the skin—but the feeling of her hand changed everything.
I used my free hand to catch her chin, tilting her face back to claim her lips. Just before I could, she gasped my name. It was a plea, ragged and desperate, and through our connection, I felt exactly what she needed. She didn't have to say a word. Without a second thought, I withdrew my hand and gripped her hips. I knelt up on the bed, pulling her with me before guiding her forward until she was on her hands and knees. She braced herself against the mattress, glancing back at me over her shoulder. Her expression was raw with need. I leaned over her, claiming her mouth in a searing kiss as I positioned myself. Slowly, deliberately, I began to sink into her warmth, the contact sending a final, deafening roar of pleasure through our joined minds.
The moment I seated myself fully within her, we both let out a ragged groan. I tried to maintain some semblance of control, withdrawing slowly only to drive back in, attempting to elongate the torment of our pleasure. I wanted to savor every second of our connection, making every stroke meaningful and deep. But the resolve lasted only heartbeats. The desire was too primal, the feedback loop of our merged minds too loud to ignore.
My pace fractured, and I found myself pounding into her with a desperate, rhythmic urgency. Artemis met every thrust, her body arching back to meet mine in eager anticipation, her cries echoing the frantic beat of my own heart. We hit the precipice together. As our release shattered through us, a blinding flash of light and color erupted behind my eyelids—a supernova of shared sensation that burned through the bond. Then, as quickly as the light had come, it was swallowed by a heavy, absolute darkness. My senses failed, my muscles went slack, and the world simply ceased to exist.