[Xavier’s POV]I sat on Layla’s bed in her bedroom, not saying anything. Forty-eight long hours had passed since I had opened my eyes, and all that had been on my mind was her. I missed everything about her so much, but what could I do when doubts wouldn’t stop lingering on in my mind?Roman walked in. Whether he knocked or not, I didn’t know. All I knew was that he stopped in front of me and began to shake his head, expressing his distaste.“Are you going to keep on acting this way? You’re not a child, you know. Your people are out there and you’ve not even addressed them since the war. Rather, you’re here looking all gloomy because of a good-for-nothing who betrayed you,” he said.I heaved a deep sigh, deciding against speaking to him. My guilt hadn’t erased since I had let my emotions control me and made me treat Layla unfairly because of her so-called betrayal, and I was afraid of making the same mistake again. What if she hadn’t run away and was on the brink of death? What if she
[Xavier’s POV]“The candles were made from hydrangea,” the Pack’s doctor said, pushing away the tray.“I don’t understand. Is that supposed to mean something?” I inquired, eyeing the tray.“Yes. Hydrangea is a deadly plant, and it gets worse when it has been powdered and is burning. It can cause dizziness, choking and an increase in the heart rate of a person,” he explained.“I was right, then,” I muttered to myself, shaking my head.“What did you say?” he asked.“Forget it. Tell me something, how long does it take for the effects to begin if it is formed into a candle of this sort?” I asked.“Well, I can’t say. Hydrangea is harmful even for those who just touch it. It’s the first time I’m seeing anyone make it into scented candles. The person must have a death wish or something,” he said.“What if the people who inhaled it didn’t die but just slept off?” I inquired.He thought about my question for a while. “Then, it means the fire was put out after they had slept off, don’t you thin
[Layla’s POV]I weaved my way through the silk fabric with a needle skilfully, making an embroidery design for Alpha Raven. Two days had already passed, and when I had told him I was good at knitting and embroidery, he had asked me to make an embroidery design of a tiger on a robe of his.I was already done, and was just affixing his initials at the end of the embroidery which stopped just at the top of the space meant for his belt.“You’re really gifted,” Samantha said, admiring my work.A small smile appeared on my face. “Thank you very much,” I said to her.Samantha had revealed to me that she was originally from the Shadow Pack, but had been captured when she had missed her way in the woods about two decades ago, and had been made a slave. She had nursed Alpha Raven since he was a child, and had lived as though the Dark Moon Pack was her home, but she never once forgot her roots. That’s exactly why she was being so sweet and helpful to me.“Dear, what is that?” she inquired, point
[Xavier’s POV]“Do you think it was wise for us to come alone?” Kyle asked, pulling the reins of his horse.“If we had come with more people, they’ll believe we came here to make trouble. I just wanted them to know that I am not here for any kind of trouble. All I want is just to take Layla and leave,” I said.He heaved a sigh. “I understand. I just have a bad feeling. No one has stopped us, and we were given the directions to the Palace without hesitation. I’ve heard that the members of the Dark Moon Pack aren’t hospitable towards strangers, and always look for a way to cause trouble,” Kyle said.“It does seem suspicious, but not everything we hear is always the truth,” I told him.It was quiet for a while as we continued on our journey to the Palace of the Dark Moon Pack. Our territories weren’t all that far off from each other, so even while riding our horses, we had gotten to the territory in less than a day after beginning our journey last evening.Everyone we had come across was
[Xavier’s POV]I blinked my eyes severally, wondering if what I was seeing was a figment of my imagination. It looked like something that came out of a novel, and I couldn’t imagine that Layla was actually there, standing with a smirk fixed firmly on her face. Had she truly betrayed me, or was I mistaken?“L... Layla,” I called, finally able to bring myself to say something.She left the Alpha’s side and sauntered towards me, arms crossed with a maid following her closely behind.She stopped once she had gotten to where I was... bound in chains and forced to kneel, and crouched before me.“Yes, Xavier, you called my name,” she said, with a voice that sent shivers down my spine.“You’re truly her,” I said, and a smile suddenly crept up to my face.She appeared taken aback. “Why are you smiling? Do I seem funny to you? Are you trying to make fun of me?” she snapped.I shook my head immediately. “Of course, not. I’m just so happy to see you, and I’m also glad that you look very good. I w
[Layla’s POV]I had barely eaten anything that night, and as I stared at the leftover dishes in front of me, a drop of tear fell from my eyes. I stood up, and began to pace around the room... thinking, worrying.Was Xavier okay? Had he eaten anything yet? How was he going to cope in the prison? He had known comfort all his life, so how was he ever going to survive in prison? I knew I shouldn’t be thinking or caring about whether he was okay or not, but I couldn’t stop myself and I hated myself for being so worried about him despite all he had put me through.I leaned against the door with my whole back, tears rolling down my cheeks slowly as the sound of the whip kept resounding in my ears. I hadn’t expected him to show up just because of me, and my feelings were already wavering. I didn’t think I had the strength to go on with the plan I had in mind concerning him, and my heart ached because of what he had to go through.Wiping my tears with the back of my hand, I decided to not let
[Xavier’s POV]My eyes opened to a new day, and for a while, I laid on the cold hard ground not moving or doing anything; just quietly observing my environment.I remembered everything that happened yesterday like the back of my hand, and the way my body ached all over served as a reminder for me to get back at Alpha Raven. I tried to sit up, but that task proved difficult as hell.“You’re awake,” I heard Kyle’s familiar voice say as he raced over from the other side of the prison cell to where I was.He helped me sit up, with my back resting against the wall. I became more conscious of the pain emanating from every joint, vein and muscle in my body.“How do you feel, your highness?” Kyle asked, looking truly concerned.“How do you think I feel?” I retorted.He sat beside me, without saying a word, then began to crack his knuckles as a pregnant silence fell upon us.My toes were pink and itchy which made me realise that rats must have gnawed on them while I was asleep. I hadn’t even f
[Layla’s POV]The doors were opened and I stepped into the throne room reluctantly with two guards and Samantha behind me. I had forcefully been dragged there, and I was afraid of what they were going to do to me.Alpha Raven was seated on the throne, and was fanned by a maid while he maintained a scowl on his face. It didn’t take me much thinking to understand that he was still pissed off from what happened last night. I should actually be the one who was angry, not him; after all, he wasn’t the one whose head had crashed into a wardrobe.“Greetings, Alpha Raven,” I said, bowing politely to him as I got rid of all the negative thoughts I had concerning him, and just focused my energy on keeping my forced smile on.“Sit,” he ordered, motioning towards the seat beside him.The maids around giggled and spoke about how lucky I was to be invited to sit beside the Alpha, but I sneered when I was sure no one was looking. The more attention he gave to me, the more angry I became. I just want