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Chad's POV The day I was going to tell Bella the truth, Cobalt became even more erratic. I drank some Wolfsbane, but still, it would be impossible for my closest people not to notice that something was wrong with me. I went to the palace's secret chambers, almost stumbling on my feet. I went through secret passages, opening secret doors. I went down deep below the ground. I managed to call Dr. Strauss, and he made his way inside the palace from our hidden entrance in the forest. "My King!!" Dr. Strauss hurried to my side. I sat on the iron chair as Dr. Strauss chained me with silver chains. A guttural growl tore from my throat. Cobalt was fighting for control, but Dr. Strauss injected me with more wolfsbane intravenously. "Where's Hendrick!!" I asked between pants. The pain caused by the silver chains combined with the wolfsbane was excrusiating. "He is on his way, my king. He has started to become more lucid a few days before the full moon, and he has been exploring the tow
Bella's POV I was waiting impatiently for Chad. Tonight was the full moon. I was hoping he could be my second chance mate if the Goddess grants me another one. Elise hands me a tea to calm my nerves, but she was as nervous as I was. "Here, Bella drink. You're so restless. It's not good for the baby." I took a sip of the tea trying to calm myself down. Just as I placed my cup on the small plate over the table, a deep growl startled me. "Mate!" What?! I turned around to see where it came from. "Mate!" Elise responds, and she throws herself into Dane's embrace. They were second chance mates! That's incredible! They were kissing frantically, and I almost ran out of the living room as they started tugging at their clothes. I didn't stop until I collided with a giant wall in front of me. "Chad!" I panted. He holds me by the elbows to prevent me from falling back. I looked at him for a second, but I didn't sense the bond. My eyes burned, trying to contain my tears, as I realized we w
Chad's POV I woke up with a loud gasp as I raised my head up. I was still chained on the chair. Dr. Straus sprinted towards me with a worried face. "My King, you've awaken!" He took the keys out of his white coat and started unlocking the silver locks with gloves on. Relief rushed through me as the chains started falling off. "Where's my brother?" I asked with a raspy voice. Dr. Strauss' head turned to the right where there was a person on a stretcher. "Prince Hendrick is already sedated, and we will be taking him back to the castle as soon as possible." Dr. Strauss said. I nodded. I walked towards my brother and stared at his sleeping form. I need to figure out how to break this curse. He has been the most affected, and I haven't been giving it the importance this matter deserves. I will go visit him as soon as I can. I need to talk to him. Now, I'll have to go see what he did during my absence. My heart beat faster on my chest as I thought of Bella. 'Find her!' Cobalt
Bella's POV When I saw the strange woman walk inside Chad's office, I had a bad feeling, but when I saw Dane coming out and leaving them alone, my heart plummeted. I had enough traumatic experiences with men cheating in their office. I took a breath, trying to relax. Chad isn't like Jasper. He would explain to me if I asked him. I turned to look at the closed door again. The woman was beautiful, and she looked free spirited. I shuddered, but I left. I trust Chad. "Hey Bella, are you ready?" Elise came out of nowhere. I just remembered I was supposed to meet my friends to get ready for the Lunas and Alphas' dinner. "Yes, I'm ready. Let's go." I said, still glancing towards the office. "Did you tell the king? Lately, he has been acting like a dog with a bone when it comes to you." I giggled because she was right, and the fact that he was alone with a woman inside his office shouldn't face me. He adores me, doesn't he? I'm sure if I ask him, he will tell me who that woman was.
Bella's POV Arona stood tall with a hand on her hip, ready for her showdown like ways. Chad held me closer to his side, but I pulled myself free, and I stood in front of him. Lava was running through my veins. She had no right to talk about my family. I looked at her fiercely, waiting for her reply. I saw Jasper with the corner of my eye, lifting his glass towards me in a toast. "Well, Alpha's of Keladia, how would you like to know that while you were risking your lives in the battlefield, the cowardly Lockwoods were hiding?!" Arona said, faking indignation. A collection of gasps from the Lunas echoed in the packed restaurant. Chad held me by the arm because he surely saw I was about to pounce on the lying snake. "That's right, my dear Lunas. While your men were dying for your country, protecting your freedom, the Lockwoods were doing nothing." She cackled. "No wonder they always came back victorious from war. They were never in battle!" Arona looked around the room with a smug
Chad's POV I saw the flicker of fear flashing in Arona's eyes, but she stood her ground to keep her charade going. I was so proud of my Bella. She was standing up for her family and being pretty good at it. Bella was fierceless and not afraid to put anyone in their rightful place. The fire in her eyes made my blood drawn to her. I wanted that fire all to myself. I then stared again at the Natbian princess as if she were a petulant child. "That's quite a big mouth you got there, Princess Arona."I spat. She flinched. "I will not allow you to talk like that to my sister, Lycan King!!" Alpha King Hudson protested. "But you fucking allowed her to run her mouth without proof. She insulted my woman and her family. This shit show it's going to hell. I will be giving you 2 hours to leave my country before I retaliate if you don't make her apologize to my Luna or to show proof of her accusations!" Hudson was throwing daggers at me. Arona visibly paled. "It is too late, Lycan King! Th
Bella's POV The Alpha King looks into my eyes as he speaks to me. I could feel Chad's anger building at the blatant audacity of the Natbian King. The Natbian King was extraordinarily attractive. I wondered why he didn't have a mate. "I have a propotition of my own if you want to hear it." Alpha King Hudson says. His gaze lingered on me even when Chad's aura was starting to intensify. "Look at me when you speak Hudson because I swear if you keep staring at my woman, you will lose your eyes." Chad Snarls, making Arona scoff. "You both act like she's something special. She's all but damaged goods, rumor has it she's divorced." Arona remarks mockingly. Chad slams his fist on his desk, making me jump. "You're not helping your case, Princess! You should be grateful I have the interests of my country at best and that you're also a woman, but if you had been a man, I would have tear your guts out already to see where do you keep them, because you sure have some big guts to be insul
Chad's The first thing I felt was guiltiness for still not telling her the truth about me and my brother. Then I looked into her eyes, and the uncertainty I saw in them floored me. She had been betrayed before, and she must be thinking I could do the same. But the bastard she was with before didn't deserve her. I would never do that to her. She fixed the strap of her dress, making me realize I was still staring at the perfect creamy mound with its pale and so inviting nipple. I kissed her temple and hugged her tight. "That was Abelina... a witch." She gasped. "She works for me as a spy." I added. "But, I thought we were not allied or friendly with the witches?" She grew concerned and curious. "This is a lone witch, and she has worked for my family for generations." Her eyes opened wide, and I chuckled. "Generations? Just how old can she possibly be?" She asked. I shrugged. "No one knows for certain." I replied. "She will make possible that my spies can leave the country to
The pain is agonizing. It burns in my chest, travels through my insides, and suffocates me until I can barely breathe. This feeling is brutal, gut-wrenching; it's torture—she's gone. My mate is gone, and I'm left behind, unable to do anything about it. I pace back and forth in the hospital's private suite. Dane looks at me with worry in his eyes. "Chad, you need to follow Grace's orders. You're alive by a miracle. If she hadn't been creating the cure for Killtrax, you would be a goner by now. You were basically her guinea pig." He has been trying to reason with me since I woke up. The news of what happened spread like wildfire. Thankfully, any video footage of the event has been erased. "I will not rest until she's back with me!" I snarl. "What if she doesn't want to come back? According to you, she believes you are responsible for the death of her pup." Dane asks with concern and exasperation. "No, that wasn't my Bella. She wouldn't..." I trail off as Dane hits the wall wi
Bella's POV After I showered an hour later, the maids, whom I now knew as Alyssa and Lana, helped me into a breathtaking Thalia dress. The metallic color added to its beauty, but Chad consumed my thoughts. I let them do my hair and makeup, feeling like a mannequin. They hardly spoke to me, only asking for my opinion on my preferred color palette or high heels. The walk-in closet was filled with luxurious items from all the haute couture brands, including mine. "Is this to your liking, Your Highness?" Alyssa asked. I nodded, not really paying attention to her. When I stood up, I gazed into the mirror. It was me, but somehow, I looked so different. My hair fell in delicate waves all the way to my waist, and a small tiara adorned my head. The high heels accentuated the shape of my calves, and my skin shimmered, making me glow even more. The sultry makeup gave me a vibrant and lively appearance, even though I felt dead inside. "Are you ready to go now, Princess Bella?" Lana asked.
Bella's POV Balzaree Everything is dark. I don’t know how long I’ve been unconscious. My body isn’t responding, but I can hear everything around me. What did Camilla do to me? And what did I do to Chad? My stomach plummeted as I remembered what I had done. Oh Goddess, Chad! Gut-wrenching pain consumes me. What have I done!? I want to run to him, but my body won’t obey. A cold hand brushes the hair off my face. No, stop it. Only Chad is allowed to do that. “She’s a Goldenthorn through and through. A spitting image of her mother,” a woman remarks with a chuckle. “Good job, Camilla,” the lady praises Camilla, sounding joyful. “At your humble service, Queen Aster,” Camilla replies, her voice dripping with pride for receiving the praise of her queen, my grandmother. Fuck! Am I in Balzaree? It hits me then. Camilla brought me here. That cunning bitch. Why did I trust her? Why did I fall for someone's lies again? I'm so stupid!! “Why hasn’t she woken up yet? Are you sure that what
An uneasiness creeps into my gut as I tug at my shirt's collar for the umpteenth time. Dane looks at me, and knowing me too well, he senses something is wrong with me. "Don't tell me you're nervous. This is just the legal union. She's been yours since the moment you saw her at that cavern." He pads my back with a smirk. His tux stretches against his burly frame, and I smirk back at him. "Elise managed to make you look decent for once," I remark, lightening the mood. Trent and Ace came in carrying their gurgling pups. I can definitely picture myself with 2 or three pups. All of them with Bella's eyes. "What!" Dane suddenly received a mind link. "Elise is being rushed to the hospital! So soon!" He panics. He lost his first mate to childbirth "She’s with Grace,” Fort burst in, followed by Tessa and Lira. Dane was already heading out the door. The women grabbed the babies from their dads and also started to leave. "I will return to Bella, and Lira will check on Elise," Tessa sa
Bella's POV I wake up from a long sleep, sitting up abruptly. “Chad!” I exclaim. He stirs beside me and wraps his arms around my waist. “Today is the wedding! I have so many things to do!” He simply tightens his hold. “Come back to bed, ma chérie,” he says in that husky voice that always makes me crave him. I push his hand away, and the blankets slip to my feet. “Not today. Everything needs to be perfect. I finally get to mark you.” That wakes him up; he quickly gets off the bed, but before I can move away, he grabs me by the waist, pulling me flush against him. “You’ll at least shower with me, won’t you?” His breath is hot against my ear, sending tingles through my body. My resolve melts instantly. “Okay, but we need to be quick,” I say breathlessly. “I’m ready!” he replies with a devilish smile, pointing at the appalling bulge in his boxers. "The shower, I meant," I reply. My breath hitched when he lifted me up. He tore my nightgown off and tossed it aside. In no time, I
Hudson's POV Arona flinches as I throw another crystal vase against the wall. Since my return, she has not been any help. I can see her struggling to hold back the urge to say, "I told you so," but she knows better than to provoke me when I'm in this fucking mood. Camilla glances at me and sighs. Ever since I arrived, I have been berating everyone nonstop. A warrior enters the living room, fear clearly visible on his face. “A... Alpha King. None of the men made it back to North Natbia.” I snarled and grabbed him by the collar, throwing him against the wall. He landed on top of the shattered glass. Arona snickered from behind. I turned around, pinning her with a menacing stare. The warrior scrambles to his feet and flees the scene. I was still seething. I had to flee Kaladia like a coward. My warriors stood no chance against Bella, and my useless mother was unwilling to confront her. Therefore, I had to leave Bella and everything else behind. “What kind of witches are you two?
Hendrick's POV I entered the room as soon as Chad left. The air still reeked of sex, and I felt a sharp sting of jealousy. Lycans have a much stronger sense of smell than wolves. I felt Bella's scent as I approached the bed—she smells exquisite. That natural aroma of hers calms both me and Chaos. I sat on the chair to gaze at her like a fucking stalker. She stirred in her sleep. Her wolf could sense me, but she did not feel threatened by me. She sleeps peacefully. I resisted the urge to brush the silky strands of hair away from her face. Her pillowy lips are slightly parted as she breathes softly. The palace is bustling with activity, all in preparation for her wedding to Chadwick. My jaw tightens. This infatuation has had to go. She's my brother's mate. The one and only, not a second chance mate, but the one the Goddess intended for him. Holloway signed his death sentence with what he did. I know my brother. He does not forgive easily, especially when it comes to her. Hence, m
**Bella's POV** After Dane shared the great news, I got up from Chad's lap and placed the plate of food on the table. I had been so hungry earlier. Although I usually don’t eat much meat, I felt like I could eat everything on the table. Chad had been feeding me tiny bites when Dane walked in, and I noticed the amused glint in his eyes at the sight of us. Everyone at the palace saw Chad as the big bad wolf, but he was so sweet to me. "So, he's gone!" I exclaimed with excitement. "It seems so," Chad replied, leaning back on the couch and crossing his legs in a figure-four position. "We won't let our guard down, though. Don't forget that he is working with a witch." He focused his gaze on me, and I felt my cheeks flush as I averted my eyes. I grabbed the glass of wine Rose had served earlier and welcomed the bittersweet taste. "I will reinforce the security around the palace. People from neighboring packs have started to arrive for your wedding," Dane said before excusing himself
Chad's POV I witnessed everything in those fleeting seconds from a distance. The chaos that unfolded was overwhelming. Her power was immeasurable; she tore through the magic barriers fiercely. My warriors stood helplessly. There was nothing else to do. She eliminated the threat singlehandedly. Now, I cradle her in my arms inside the car as she sleeps like an angel, not as the terrifying witch who just obliterated an army of warriors. The small lashes on her supple skin finally heal, and I clench my jaw at seeing them. The dried blood that smeared her skin had already begun to flake away. Hendrick speeds past on his motorcycle. He knows what Bella is capable of, so he had no doubts when he took her to that place. I can't help but feel jealous of their closeness. Why does she trust him with her secret and not me? Dane pulls through the castle gates, and I leave the car carrying Bella. As we pass by the common room, the women gasp and look in horror as they see Bella covered in bl