Se connecterLora's POV We carried Jasper back to his chambers. The instant we arrived at the entrance, I released Jasper so Beta Ronan could take him inside his quarters while the healers and mages continued attending to him. Beta Ronan noticed and glanced back at me. “What’s the matter, my lady?” he questioned. “I’m not part of the royal court. I’m not permitted inside his chambers,” I replied, repeating the exact words he told me yesterday when we first arrived here. He smiled slightly. “He already declared before the elders that he fully intends to crown you his queen. I believe that officially makes you a lady of the palace now,” he explained. I blinked and my breathe skipped a beat. Lady of the Palace?! Beta Ronan must have noticed the disbelief still lingering across my face because he stepped nearer and added, “He wants you beside him, my lady. There’s no uncertainty about that.” And that was enough for me. Drawing in a deep breath, I nodded, forcing aside my hesitation.
LORA'S POV They hauled me across the magnificent corridors of the palace. The icy marble underneath my soles only deepened the terror twisting inside me. I still failed to understand how this unfolded. How did they even conclude that I was connected to the assault? Was it because I was a stranger? Because I arrived with two youngsters whose abilities had awakened in a manner nobody could comprehend? The instant we arrived before the courtroom entrance, the soldiers shoved the doors apart, exposing a hall crowded with people. Council elders occupied their elevated, decorated seats, their expressions impossible to understand. Aristocrats and pack alphas filled the benches, whispering among themselves while shifting their attention toward me. Some appeared intrigued. Others appeared openly vicious. “Bring the defendant forward.” One of the council elders declared, his tone resonating throughout the hall. The guards thrust me ahead until I remained at the center of the chamb
LORA'S POV I failed to get any sleep throughout the night. Regardless of how strongly I urged my body to relax, fatigue never completely overtook me. The faint but constant pain spreading from the injury on my back made each movement unbearable, yet that wasn't the actual reason I remained awake.It was Jasper.The picture of him remained etched inside my thoughts. Whenever I closed my eyes, I saw him battling against all impossible odds, shielding us without a second thought. And now, I didn't know whether he was still holding on or if he had already given in.That realization sent a painful stab through my chest. I was frightened.Frightened that if I allowed myself even the briefest second of sleep, something horrific would occur. That the next instant I opened my eyes, someone would arrive carrying devastating news.I shifted my eyes, letting it rest on Syrah and Mira, huddled together while sleeping. Their chests moved up and down steadily, their calm expressions completely oppo
Lora's POV Syrah and Mira were positioned in the rear seat of the vehicle. Their unexpected burst of strength drained their weak bodies. I allowed them to rest inside the vehicle while I attended to Jasper. Even though I was injured too, I still succeeded in settling everyone in while waiting for assistance to arrive.I sat on the floor; Jasper’s head rested across my lap. I continuously checked his pulse to ensure he remained alive. Every second mattered, and with each passing minute, the possibility of Jasper surviving became smaller.“Stay with me, Jasper...” I whispered beside his ear as I held him carefully like an infant, refusing to release him. I feared he would slip away from me within a moment.“Help is arriving,” I muttered, my tone shaking. “You only need to endure slightly longer, alright? Just a little more...”But as time continued passing, his breathing weakened further, his body growing heavier against me.I had never felt so helpless like this in my life..Several m
LORA'S POV My embrace tightened around Mira, his tiny frame warm and calm against me, entirely unaware to the increasing threat surrounding us. Every instinct inside my body remained sharply alert as my eyes flickered around the poorly illuminated parking area, searching for any further trace of threat.“Jasper...” His name escaped my mouth before I even noticed it, my voice barely above a whisper. It wasn’t my own survival that terrified me—it was my children. I couldn’t allow anything to happen to them.Jasper positioned himself before me, his posture defensive, his arm still extended as a shield between us and the unfamiliar danger. “Just remain behind me,” he stated, his voice calm and unwavering. “I will safeguard every one of you, regardless of the sacrifice.”A chill traveled down my spine.Those statements resembled a pledge. An oath. Yet something about them disturbed me. As if he already understood that whatever was about to happen wouldn’t conclude peacefully.A heavy, d
Lora's POV The dazzling lights of the carnival shimmered against the night sky, casting a soft, golden glow over everything in view. The air carried the aroma of buttery popcorn, sugary cotton candy, and the distant crackle of frying dough. People were laughing and screaming happily on the rides, while music from the carousel played, creating an atmosphere of pure enchantment.We had entirely lost track of time.Syrah and Mira were racing ahead, their small hands gripping colorful balloons while their laughter echoed through the cool evening air. Their excitement was infectious, and before I realized it, I found myself letting go of my worries, even if only for a moment."I think you just broke a record for riding the Ferris wheel the most times in one night," I teased as Syrah pulled me toward another game booth."It’s my favorite!" she exclaimed, bouncing on her toes. "Everything looks so beautiful from up there!"Jasper chuckled beside me, shaking his head. "It’s a miracle you’re
JASPER'S POV I went straight to the main palace and sat on my throne. The weight of my duty settled on me as I waited for them to arrive. The hall was wide and grand, filled with paintings showing the kingdom’s past, lit by the golden light from the chandeliers which shone on the clean marble flo
JASPER'S POV I still don’t know how I managed to sit through that tense breakfast with Queen Amy and the other women.As I expected, Oliver said nothing about my absence last night. I was supposed to spend the night in her room, yet I ended up in someone else’s arms.Sleeping with these women has
JASPER'S POVI woke up with my head still feeling dizzy and weak. Memories of what happened last night came back to me in bits. It still felt strange and unreal, but the woman sleeping peacefully beside me was a proof that everything last night took place. I didn’t know why my body went into hea
LORA'S POV My heart began to beat fast as I pressed my back against the railings. I held my breath while I waited for time to pass so I could go back to my room without the King seeing me. After a few minutes of hiding, I heard a noise behind me. Before I could turn around, a deep familiar voice







