HEART OF A BEAST

by Joflower

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SYNOPSIS

Crystal was an omega born of beta blood. A werewolf without a wolf. A burden on the pack and unworthy of love.

Tiberius was a rogue on a rampage. A lycan trapped in his beast form. A curse bound to destroy him.

But the curse rendered Tiberius incapable of speaking and Crystal unable to feel the effects of the matebond. With time running out, they must turn to each other, overcome their inner demons, and free themselves of the curse before the next lunar eclipse.

But who could love a beast when his own mate did not love herself?

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EXCERPT

Crystal knew how he felt about her. He saw her eyes register it as her scent shifted.But she didn't see it the same way.

Not that he expected her to feel the same way about him yet. That wasn't what set him off.

It was the fact that she didn't even love herself.

Worthless.

That was what she called herself.

In her world—her mind—she'd never be good enough for anyone. She would always see herself as a burden.

It broke him. Shattered his heart as he slammed himself against a tree trunk and collapsed to the earth as pain shot through his entire body.

Closing his eyes, he groaned, welcoming the familiar ache over the breaking of his heart.

How could she see herself as worthless when he needed her more than anything else in this world? She was his air and he would die without her.

How could she ever love him if she didn't even love herself? If she couldn't see the value of her existence?

Dragging himself into the shadows as his cracked ribs slowly healed, he cried for her. The amount of loneliness she suffered seeped into his bones like an infection. Sick with grief.

Not only that, but he saw himself in her from months ago. Drowning under the ice. Hopeless. Powerless. Unable to pull himself free and breathe.

But this time, she had him. She wasn't alone like he had been.

He shook his head and reminded himself that he hadn't been entirely alone. The Goddess was with him, watching over him, enduring his struggle with him.

In the story of Narcissus, the boy hadn't seen his beauty until he gazed into the lake and saw his reflection.

Crystal couldn't see her own beauty, her own worth. He had to be the lake to help her see it.

And through her, he would be able to forgive himself for doing this to her.

He wouldn't let her drown.

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