Heather's life is turned upside down when she is forced into a marriage with Prince Keith of the powerful Devontae Kingdom, a man she has never met and a kingdom filled with whispered rumors. Determined to resist her fate, Heather braces herself for a life she never chose, only to discover her new reality is far more complicated than she imagined. Keith, the enigmatic third prince of Devontae, is as cold and unwelcoming as the rumors suggest. Bound to his mysterious past and deeply loyal to another woman, he makes it clear their union is nothing more than a political formality. Yet, behind his harsh words and piercing hazel eyes lies a truth Heather never expected, Keith is not the man the world believes him to be. But even with that, everything was pulling them closer because he was her fate and she is his fate.
Lihat lebih banyakVeeryl Pack
Heather's POV
I hastened my feet down the stairs heading towards the dining area. I knew I was very late and everyone would probably be waiting for me. Almost tripping on my gown, I took a deep breath, grabbed both edges, and continued with my walk. Anyone who saw me right now would think I was being chased by someone but all I wanted was to get to the dining area on time to avoid my step-sister and step-mother's wrath.
The only person I had always known and referred to as my mother was my stepmother. I never knew my biological mother. I heard she passed away shortly after birthing me. I had never seen any portrait of her and I knew nothing about her. It felt like inquiring about her was a sin of the highest order. No, it was forbidden. Probably because she was my father's mistress; if you could hold having a one-night stand with an unknown woman in such regard. And I was the result of that one-night stand no one expected. As soon as I got to the door, I took in a deep breath and fixed my hair before gently making my way inside.
They were all already sitting at the gigantic table. Father, on the highest chair in the middle, and my step-mother and step-sister sitting by the right two seats away from him.
"Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence," my stepmother said sarcastically.
"I'm sorry I'm late..," I started trying to take a seat next to them.
"Sit somewhere else. It's so hot in here. I need air," she cut me off without glancing at me. I slowly let go of the chair and moved to sit on the left side of the table.
"Do I need to tell you before you realize that you will be obstructing our view if you sit there? As if arriving late and starving us wasn't enough, why do you have to stress me out?" my step-sister asked irately. So much for not incurring their wrath.
"I apologize. I didn't mean to," I replied politely walking towards the right side of the table again and sitting about seven sits farther away from them. I glanced at my father but he didn't say a word.
"Good day Father," I greeted with a smile. He hummed and made a gesture with his hand in response. If it wasn't already obvious, my family wasn't exactly fond of me. My father has always been a bit cold towards me since I was a child. As the illegitimate child that I was, I knew it had to do with the fact that I was a stain on his reputation. A stain he could never get rid of.
As for my stepmother and stepsister, it wasn't their fault that we didn't get along. We had misunderstandings at times but it didn't mean that they hated me. Besides, the backlash I got today was partly my fault. I delayed them from having their meal because the time skipped my mind. The maids began to serve our meal when I settled in my seat.
"I have an announcement to make," Father said speaking for the first time that evening.
"What is it? Have the dresses I ordered arrived from the other pack already?" my stepsister asked excitedly. I grabbed a glass of water to quench my taste.
"Your marriage has been fixed, Debra. It will take place in three days," he said with a straight face staring right at my stepsister. Debra stared at him speechlessly.
"Marriage taking place so soon? To whom?" my stepmother asked coming to her rescue.
"To the son of the Alpha king, Prince Keith of Devontae," he replied calmly.
"What!" Debra screeched. I spat out the water from my mouth in utter shock. Debra glared daggers at me. I shook my head trying to explain that I didn't mean it but no coherent words could come out from my mouth.
"Prince Keith? Are you serious right now?" my stepmother asked in shock. I was just as shocked as they all were. Devontae was a prosperous and powerful kingdom led by the Alpha king who ruled over smaller packs like ours. Anyone would jump for joy if they were opportune to get married into such a family or even become acquainted with them but getting married to Prince Keith? That was a totally different thing.
Prince Keith was the last son of the Alpha and a cripple but despite being disabled, he was rumored to be cruel, useless, and disliked by the king. The Alpha king even had him outcasted to a part of the palace where no one frequented. Father was going to allow his favorite daughter r marry such a man? It was unbelievable.
"I will not marry Prince Keith, father. He's the worst out of all the Alpha King's sons," Debra said shaking her head vehemently.
"That's my final decision and you shall obey me," he declared. Debra turned towards her mother in panic.
"Mother, did you hear that? Father hates me. He's going to make me marry a disabled man," she cried out.
"Don't say that Debra. Father doesn't hate you," I muttered softly but she glared at me so hard that I thought her eyes would pop out of their sockets.
"You can't do this to our only daughter. You are ruining her life. I won't allow that s happen," stepmother retorted.
"The marriage has been arranged to take place in three days. Start getting prepared," Father ordered firmly. I was surprised to see him acting so coldly towards Debra. This had never happened before. Debra stood up angrily pushing her chair aside. It fell onto the floor with a loud crash.
"I'm never getting married to Prince Keith. Never!" she yelled and stormed out of the room.
"You have to reconsider this," my stepmum said to my father as she hurriedly followed after Debra. The room fell into total silence. I gently stood up, my chair screeching against the floor.
"I will check up on them," I said before leaving. He stared at me without responding. I quickly walked towards Debra's room. The door was open so I just stepped in.
"Don't worry my darling. I won't let him do that to you," I heard my stepmum assuring her.
"Debra," I called out softly. They both looked up at me.
"Are you okay?" I asked walking towards her.
"Don't you dare take another step forward!" she growled, her eyes flicking between green and a golden hue. Her wolf threatened to come out.
"I was only trying to check if you were alright," I said startled by her attitude.
"You pathetic liar! You came here to mock me didn't you?" she asked pointing her finger at me accusingly.
I shook my head taken aback by the accusation. "Of course not. I would never do such a thing. If this is about my reaction at the dining table then I'm sorry. It wasn't on purpose."
"I bet you are rejoicing deep down. You are happy this is happening to me!" she screamed.
"Sister, how can you say this? I truly came here to console you..."
"I'm not your sister! I forbid you to ever call me that!" she yelled.
"Calm down sister. I understand how you must be feeling right now. You are angry and upset. You don't mean what you are saying," I said calmly. She must still be in shock to speak in this manner.
"I told you I'm not your sister and I can never be! Your mother was a whore and you are nothing but an illegitimate child. We are not related," she spat viciously. Her words stung but I still tried to compose myself. Anyone who heard this kind of news would react in the same way if not worse. I tried to move towards them again but my stepmother stopped me.
"Do not come closer to my daughter. Remain where you are," she warned. I nodded and remained rooted in my spot.
"I won't take a step further if that would make you feel better. I'm sure Mother will do everything in her power to make everything alright," I replied.
"How am I your mother? Your wretch and home breaker of a mother is dead and in hell where she belongs," she deadpanned.
"How can you say such a thing to me?" I asked in disbelief. Were they really that upset that they would both take it out on me in this way?
"That's right. I will make sure you join her soon but before that, I'm going to make your life miserable. Every second you live, every breath you take will be filled with pain and misery," she swore. I stared at her speechless and in shock.
"Did you hear that? I'm going to put an end to your miserable life! Get your pathetic self out of my room!" she growled furiously. I glanced at my stepmother and she stared at me with disdain. I turned around, making my way out of her room slowly. I couldn't fathom what she meant by making my life miserable. Was something going on that I didn't know of?
Prince Keith I finished having my bath and got dressed up, After that, I sat down in my wheelchair and made my way to Heather's room. I reached her door and gave a gentle knock. The door opened and Heather welcomed me with her smile. "Ready?" she asked, her voice soft.I managed a small smile in return. "As I will ever be, I suppose. Though you still haven't told me where this mysterious outing is meant to take us."She chuckled, "Patience, Prince Keith. All in good time."She stepped out, closing the door quietly behind her. She moved around the chair, her hand resting lightly on the handle. "May I?""Please," I said and she began to push the chair forward, I noticed we were heading towards the older part of the palace, Several thoughts ran through my head and I wondered where she was taking me. I was so lost in my thoughts that by the time I looked up, we were in front of the Royal Mausoleum. My breath hitched immediately it but I said nothing. Heather pushed the doors wider an
Prince KeithI couldn’t help but fist my hands in rage, the king knew what he was doing, he was intentionally provoking me to see what I am going to do, I am not going to give him the satisfaction he wants though, I have something far bigger, far better than getting angry about my parents remembrance. I sat in my room trying to work but each time I held a file, my mind went back to everything he had said and I couldn’t bring myself to work. A sudden knock on the door jolted me from my reverie and I tilted my head towards the door, “Come in,” I muttered and the door was pushed open, One of my guards stepped inside. "My apologies for the interruption, Your Majesty," Raugh said, then turned slightly towards me. "Prince Keith, the garden decorations are complete. They are exactly as you specified for... for the celebration."I had found out that the date of the anniversary of my parents' deaths was also Heather's birthday. I didn’t want anything that is going to stop Heather from celebr
HeatherI leaned my head against the wall of the window frame in my room, watching the moonlight and stars in the sky. A small, inward smile touched my lips. Everything was as it should be, precisely as I had worked to ensure it was. The commemorations for the late King and Queen will also take place, regardless of crowds or not. Prince Keith didn't need anyone else to pretend they understood or cared before he mourned his parents. His grief was a sacred and also of personal space, which is what mattered most. I was drifting in that pleasant half-asleep state in the soft armchair when a gentle knock sounded on my door. Before I could fully rouse myself, the door creaked open, and Lucinda's cheerful, slightly off-key voice began singing."Happy birthday to you..."My eyes fluttered open, and I blinked against the sudden brightness of her smile. She stood there, holding a small plate with a generous slice of cake atop it, a single candle flickering merrily."Lucinda!" I laughed, a genu
HeatherI sat down unable to do anything as the thought of the discussion I had with the grand Luna kept on swirling in my head and not just that I couldn’t stop thinking about the letter my father had sent to me also. The conversation I had with the grand Luna consumed me no matter how I try to forget it. The irony of it all was cruel. A day meant for celebration, for life, was the day designated for mourning another people. I stared out the window of my room.I decided not to think about it that much because my birthday was never really celebrated, it really made no difference but Prince Keith's parents... His parents. This day was important to him. It was a connection to the people he had loved and lost, the people who had shaped him into the man he is now. The thought of him confronting that day alone, or without it being properly honored, twisted the knot in my gut that I couldn’t help but felt concerned. My birthday doesn’t matter and what mattered was April 16th being a day
HeatherMy eyes scanned the letter that was sent from home. It wasn't a letter of pleasantries but it was a grim report of what is happening at home. Things are not going well and they need me, my power as the Princess to help them, It was a must that I use it to help them because I was family. The letter slowly fell from my hand when I was done reading. Not a single line asking if I was well, if I was adjusting to palace life, if I was happy. Only what they want matters, I wondered most time if it was going to be the same if it was Debra married to Prince Keith, of course, they would have done anything to see that she was okay and there is no time they would have let her suffer. I suddenly felt a wave of nausea wash over me and I slowly sat down letting out a deep breath. I took the letter back from the floor and I folded it carefully, the impulse was strong to just tear it into a thousand pieces, to throw it into the fireplace and pretend I had never received it. But I couldn't.
HeatherI was outside, slapped by the cool night air but I couldn’t bring myself to go back inside. I stood utterly still, the taste of him still on my lips. The thought felt foreign, so surreal. One moment, I was pulled into a dizzying, breathless kiss that stripped away every layer of caution I possessed, and the next, I was standing alone with silence ringing in my ears.He had kissed me. Not a polite brush of lips, not a formal peck, but a deep, consuming kiss that had stolen my breath and scrambled my thoughts. Logic flew out the window, replaced by a confusing surge of something warm and terrifyingly sweet. My affections, the ones I had desperately tried to deny, had flared into existence, blinding me to everything but the moment.And then, he pulled away. Abruptly. As if remembering some grave error. The sudden chill was worse than the kiss itself. He was breathing hard, his eyes wide, filled with a confusing mixture of regret and... panic?"Heather," he had said, his voice low
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