. 💭 What do you think — was this all part of Calistra’s plan? Or is someone else pulling strings? 💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments — I’m watching closely. And if this chapter made your heart ache even a little, a gift lets me know Elara’s pain didn’t go unnoticed. Let’s keep going — her fight is just beginning. 🖤
~THORNE~My hands hover on her cheeks, unsure for a heartbeat. She looks so vulnerable and fragile.Rage burns through my veins. This all happened because I didn't pay close attention to her.But this is not the right time to scold myself. Not now. Not yet. Right now, my focus is Mia.I kneel beside her, brushing strands of hair from her face. Her skin is clammy, her lips parted as if she’s fighting for breath even in unconsciousness.She is mine, and I will not let her slip away. She'll get better.I go outside my chamber, turning to one of the guards. “Quick, tell Aria-” No, Aria is Dravon's most favoured servant. She's busy with the wedding preparations with Lady Elara. “Tell any servant to get a bowl of water and a clean cloth now!” I hastily reframe my words, my tone urgent.A guard scurries away while I wait by Mia's side, ensuring she's safe.At the sound of a knock, I dash out to the door, collecting the bowl and cloth, not bothering to even stare at the servant.I carefull
THORNE'S POVImmediately the meeting is over, I take the files leaving the court room, ignoring the fact that I'm meant to linger around in case anyone has extra opinions.Dravon is currently busy, preparing for the upcoming ceremony, leaving me with most of his duties. I should be on my way to see Micheal for another meeting but I have a more important task.I have to see Mia. Micheal can wait, but Mia can't.She's meant to be back in her room. I called Madam Florence to give Mia a week break, instructing that no one finds out that I'm behind the decision.Because if Mia knows about it, she'll throw a fit. She needs rest despite the fact she keeps denying it.I branch to my office, keeping the files before heading towards Mia's room.The corridors were oddly dim despite it being a sunny afternoon.I smile as I see Mia, she's obviously just coming back from work.My smile wanes as I see another figure in front of her. It's clearly a guy, but I can't make out his face with the dim ligh
~MIA~“You know what I want, Mia,” he says, voice low and venomous. “I want obedience. I want loyalty. And if you don’t give it…” He snaps his fingers, and I flinch at the unspoken threat. “…everyone will know your secrets.”My pulse spikes, my throat is dry. My hands tremble at my sides, clenching into fists, my vision temporarily blurry before I steady myself. “You’re insane,” I whisper, but even as I say it, I feel my courage slipping away like sand through my fingers.He leans closer, and I can see the cruel glint in his eyes. His fingers brush against my arm. It's a movement that's light, teasing and threatening all at once. “Insane? No, Mia. I’m perfectly sane. You… on the other hand, you’re dangerous when you try to hide from me. That little secret you have…” He pauses, leaving suspense, “feeding poison to Elara… that one?”My stomach drops, my legs go weak, and my mind screams at me to run, to hide, to disappear. But my feet are rooted, glued to the stone floor. I can
MIA'S POVI walk towards the storage house to get the fertilizer needed for today.I greet the worker in charge of the storage house. “Hi Lilian.”“Hi newbie.” She responds, calling me her usual nickname she assigned to me. “How're ya doing?”I force a smile. “I'm good, just here to collect the usual fertilizer.”She narrows her eyes at me. “You don't look fine honey, try taking a day off or something. This face of yours,” she says, gesturing to my face, “needs proper rest.”Lilian is a nice person, she's friendly and always tries to rope you into conversations. But the thing is that she's a big gossip like Lisa, I bet the news that I look pale will circulate within minutes I'm out of here.“I will take a leave soon, thanks for your concern.” I say, my voice sounding genuine.She shoves the book register towards me. “Write your name, time you collected the fertilizer, what type of fertilizer you took and sign. The whole normal procedure.”I fill out the requirements while she goes ins
~ELARA~As though she could see my confusion, Aria answers. “The royal sceptre will be blessed by the King and will be officially handed over to you when you're crowned Queen. It signals the passing over of authority and power to you.”There's a lot I need to learn.“Thank you. You may set them aside.” I say to the servant holding the tray containing the sceptre.With the servants still in my room, I turn to Aria, whispering. “Now what?”“I'll handle it.” She assures me before moving in front of all the servants. “You all may leave.”The servants trickle out of my room in an arranged order.This whole thing is new and overwhelming. Even as a Luna in Winterwood, I didn't have so many servants at my beck and call.Heck, me and Lucien didn't even have a wedding. We just found out we were mates and an honorary ceremony was held to declare me Luna of the Pack and that was it.It wasn't necessary for mates to wed, only those who are not mates and want to be together.Until the past few days
ELARA'S POVI groan as another knock reverberates through the room, covering my ears with my pillow.I relax as the knocks stop, trying to return back to sleep. Unfortunately, seconds later the knocks came in again.I sit up from the bed in frustration, my blanket flinging on the floor in the process.I frown as I stare at the door, already refraining myself from laying curses on whoever was knocking.I finally have a day off from training and I want to sleep the whole day.Sleepily I walk to the door, ready to question whoever is at the door.I open the door, standing outside are Aria and some servants.I frown even more wondering what they are doing at my door by this time.Before I can speak Aria beats me to it, her eyes widening. “My Lady, you're not prepared?!”“Prepared for what?” I groggily ask.“And your hair! You're just waking up my lady.”“Obviously, it's still morning.”“Exactly!” She all but shrieks. Aria turns to the servants. “Lady Elara is not prepared to receive guest