☆~♡~☆
Bella's POV My heart races, anticipating seeing my brother again. Olivia promised I would finally see him that night. These past few days have been unbearable, making it impossible for me to sneak away and visit him. Olivia sees him daily and updates me about how he’s doing. He is just as eager to see me as I am to see him. He is aware of Dad's death and Braxten's disappearance. “To bed so early?” Zelia's mocking tone came from behind me. I stopped and turned to look at her with a haughty look. "You might be the future queen but have been treated like a prisoner." She snickered I have learned since I got here that Zelia wears many masks according to whom she’s giving a performance. "I don't let any title define me, Zelia. On the contrary, you seem to yearn for a title never meant to be yours," I remark with a smirk. Her eyes blaze with fury. "And why should the queen title go to you? A half-breed, an abomination!" She seethed. I slapped her across the face, and she threw
Chad's POV I have Abelina's invitation, but I would have a better chance of talking to Bella if I snuck into the place. Zoria is watching me, assessing my intentions. I would sneak inside that castle right now if it were possible to collect what's mine and leave this wretched place behind, finally free of Tori as well. "Of course, I have an invitation, but I like the thrill," I reply, moving my arm away from Tori. I swear I'll throw her in the dungeon. "Whatever, handsome, if the pay is good..." She shrugs, biting her pen coquettishly. "I'll talk to my cousin today." "I'm not painted here, you slut!" Tori growls. "Tori, we're discussing business here!" I hissed. She crosses her arms, pouting. Goddess, I will end up wringing this she-wolf's neck. ~~~~~ I walked into the room I had rented for the night. I will leave the bed for Tori and take the sofa, which is spacious enough. Tori was still sulking after I had lectured her. I don't give a fucking care. Zoria and her cousi
Chad's POV Dane enters the tavern with a scowl on his face. I know what he wants; he wants me back at the Palace running things. I can do the same thing from here. Back at the palace, everything reminds me of her. Cobalt wants blood, and only alcohol mixed with wolfsbane keeps him under control. I tightened my grip on the glass, and it shattered, cutting my hand. I watch with a sense of boredom, the blood dripping on the table. I envisioned a picture in my mind of the witch and Hudson's blood coating my fingers as I split their chests open, tearing off their beating hearts. Fucking beautiful! It almost made me smile. "Chad, you can't keep this up. You have been on a killing spree, hunting the remaining North Natbians in the city. The news is spreading like wildfire. People are saying you’re acting like a possessed beast." I slam my fist on the table with a snarl. "Well, they're not fucking wrong! That's what I am, a fucking beast, and I am ready to kill every single fucking o
Bella's POV I refuse to believe that Chad died. In my heart, I knew he couldn’t be gone; we are mates, and I’ve marked him. I can still feel our connection. I only wish I could have confirmation to dissipate this dread from curling inside my stomach. To top it all, I have to pretend to be oblivious in front of the culprits behind everything that is wrong with my life right now. I can’t trust anyone, especially not Camilla. Cousin Zelia doesn't seem to like me either. Well, the feeling is mutual. "We have not received confirmation, Princess. The wedding footage has been removed from all media platforms, and everything regarding Lycan is being kept strictly confidential." Camilla provides her fake explanation. I close my eyes, inhaling deeply before I end up succumbing to the urge to tear her apart. "I want to finish eating in my room," I said. Without waiting for a response, I got up and walked out. I could hear my grandmother barking orders behind me, and before I even closed
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 wit
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 y
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