Nerezza’s Point of View
His room was pristine. Beautiful, even. Everything was doused in white. From the curtains hanging on the right side of the room to his bedsheets. Priamos smiled at me when I entered, fluffed the pillow one last time before standing straight. He gave me a once over. Made sure that I wasn’t going to bolt. I had nowhere to go and as much as I hated relying on his kindness now, I wouldn’t just leave.It felt nice to be in a temperature-controlled home. To know that no one can just walk in and hurt me. It was nice not having to fend for myself for a second. But my statement held within my heart. We couldn’t be close to each other all the time. Our wolves would go insane from frustration. The mating bond would kick in eventually, driving us to mate before I was ready. Before we knew each other.
“I assume your favorite color is white.” I mused and leaned against the rails. Priamos looked around the room and blushed deeply.
“No. Mine is blue. Like the sky at midday or the ocean on a stormy one.” He confessed. I smiled and let my arms fall to my sides. The push and pull between us were undeniable. The feeling of love that came with looking at him, was overwhelming. I broke eye contact first.
Clearing my throat after a pregnant pause, I leveled my gaze on his bed. “Then where did all the white come from?” I asked and walked to the bed. Sitting down, I nearly sunk in completely.
“My mother loved the color. Thought it was pure. So, being in construction and surrounded by dirt all day, I wanted my home to reflect cleanliness as well.” He admitted.
“It must be a bitch to clean.” I joked. Priamos chuckled and sat down at the opposite end beside me. I lifted my eyes to his. Took in that warm brown of his. Lost myself in his essence. That calming effect he had on me lingered close. I smiled.
“It is, but my housekeeper manages. She comes in twice a week, so you never have to worry about dishes and such.” Priamos informed me. I lifted a brow but remained silent. “Well, I am going to leave you to it. The sun is almost behind the horizon and I can only assume you haven’t slept well in a long time. Take a nap. I’ll wake you when the food is ready.”
“Thank you,” I whispered and scooted to the top of the bed. Priamos smiled, his canines long and sharp. He was battling his wolf. As was I.
Awkwardly, he stood and nodded toward me. “Have a nice nap, then.” He murmured and trudged down the stairs.
I waited for a second longer before climbing beneath the sheets. They were soft against my exposed legs. Cool. Soothing. When had been the last time I felt like this? Almost like I could be at home. I wiggled deeper under the blanket and closed my eyes. Darkness found me soon enough. After being alone so long, I was exhausted from staying awake at night.
I don’t know how much time had passed. How long I had slept. There was a presence beside me. Warm and safe. Cuddling into it, I let my eyes open lazily. My body was well-rested. My soul was somehow lighter. I cuddled in deeper and heard a groan beside me. My eyes opened fully.
For a second, I had no idea where I was. Who was beside me. Everything slammed into me all at once when my wolf howled to take him. To mate with him. Become one in the most intimate ways. I yelped loudly and threw myself away from him. Nearly rolled off the other side of his bed when a hand shot out.
Priamos caught me. Rolled me back towards him. Those brown eyes of his glared at me fiercely and I bit back my scream. To yell at him. Berate him for getting into the bed beside me. I Ripped from his grasp, keeping the glare on my face. Priamos rolled his eyes and sat up.
“You were having a nightmare right after I finished dinner. I didn’t know what to do, so I climbed into the bed, hoping you would calm down. You did.” He smirked at the last part and I tugged the blanket to just beneath my chin. A hand reached towards me, pushing a strand of hair out of my face. I swatted the hand away. Priamos chuckled.
“You are a fickle one, aren’t you?” He mused. I rolled my eyes and tried to climb out of the bed.
“Let’s go eat then,” I grumbled. Just as my foot hit the tiles, Priamos grabbed my wrist. Pulled me back. I crashed into his hard chest. Let go of my small gasp. Sparks took me hostage. Danced up and down my spine as if they were at a party. Warmth wrapped around me.
Priamos lowered his mouth to my ear. “You aren’t going anywhere,” He whispered. His hot breath ignited a dangerous part inside my body. Goosebumps broke out across my skin. “I have waited too long for this. For you. I know you can feel it as well.” I arched my back into him, my body reacting on its own. The feeling of those calloused hands stroking up my arm was enough to bring me over the edge.
“I’m a virgin.” I rushed out. The hand on my arm stopped for a second. Priamos pulled back his lips and I felt the tension cord in the arm around me. He had let go of my wrist. I could bolt if I wanted to. But my wild side was overriding my logic. Clouding it.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to press.” He said and stirred behind me. I turned my head to look at him. Take in every inch of his face.
“You are my mate. I can’t believe I found you.” I whispered, butterflies swirling in my stomach. Priamos lifted a hand to my cheek. Stroked my skin softly. I leaned into his touch. Savored it.
Giving in to his this once wouldn’t hurt me. Having him this time would put the rest of my hormones in their place. “You are the most beautiful creature I had ever seen.” He whispered back. His thumb stopped at my lips. Swiped over it once. The goosebumps grew larger. More prominent.
“Once. I will allow this once. No mating. No marking. Have me as you please, this once. After that, we can build on this. Get to know the most intimate parts of each other.” I whispered. Something lit up in Priamos’ eyes. Dark and light at the same time.
He leaned in and kissed me gently. Our lips moved together. But the urge inside me grew. Blew me up until I was on top of him. Cradled him and drew him closer. With impatient fingers, I dragged his shirt over his head. Kissed him from ear to collarbone. Priamos groaned beneath me, tugging his shirt over my head as well.
For a moment, we parted. Looked at each other with what I could only describe as unrelenting desire. We closed the gap. And I knew my virginity would be fucked moments later. But it was him. My mate. The man I would love for the rest of my life.
What could go wrong?
Alvara's Point of ViewEveryone was waiting. Everything was ready. Perfect. The best day of my life. But I couldn't help the sudden surge of nerves. What if the cake fell off the table? What if Ciaran had forgotten the rings? So many things could go wrong so fast. It was an endless cycle of what would be worse.Someone showing up in white or the brides' maids tripping halfway down the aisle. "Can you stop fidgeting? Geez. You look perfect!" Teagan exclaimed. Downed the last bit of champagne in her glass. I frowned at her. Looked toward Adelia to back me up. She only shrugged. Smiled and stood.Her long blue dress swayed against the tiles. Heels clicked as she moved closer. Wrapping her arms around my shoulders, we stared into the large mirror together. "You do look perfect. And you are marrying the loves of your life. Nothing can ruin today. I promise." She tried to comfort me. It wasn't working. My large A-line dress did the best it could at hiding the fact that I was pregnant. Nea
Nerezza's Point of ViewFarren had changed the estate exponentially. Enhanced it to the point where I was uncertain if we had come to the right place. No longer were the walls a dull black fence. In their place stood a large hedge with flowers sprouting in every direction. Security posted at the white frosted gates. White gravel leading into the place. It was exactly the type of wonderland I had thought her capable of constructing. A mansion fit for a fairy queen.I could feel my jaw slipping open. Feel awe creep up on me. She had accomplished so much in just over two weeks' time. Knew where her strengths were and used them to the best of her abilities. It was astonishing. We stopped in front of the gates. Were greeted by guards I knew the faces of. Couldn't place them immediately until one spoke up. "Miss Nerezza! Farren wasn't expecting you to be back so soon!" The man exclaimed. Held open his arms for a hug. I looked back at my mates. Noticed their frowns. But the gesture finally
Nerezza's Point of ViewWe had gathered everyone in the open space in front of the house. Gave them all blankets. Scavenged some clothes in all the surrounding houses and dressed the youngest of the children. Not all of the garments fit properly but it was enough to stave off the cold. Protect their innocence. Especially seeing as they had been through so much already.Conan was still passed out in the blanket Priamos had taken him away in. Milla sat close to him. Hugged his legs to her. Whimpered whenever one of my mates would get too close or linger too long. Her clear distrust of anyone was to be expected but I had never imagined someone of her age would already possess such hatred for other people.Alastair had turned back into his wolf form. Scouted for any remaining men in the surrounding area. He made his second lap around the premises before I stopped him. Held my hand on the patch of white he had on his forehead. The dark brown wolf nuzzled my hand. Looked me in the eyes."Go
Nerezza's Point of ViewThe brute had no time to recover. Or dodge. Only time to twist before Zaven lunged at him. This gave me an opening. Enough time to slip past the brawling bodies. Snarls and yips echoed into the hall. Slithered down my spine.I pushed them all away. Focussed on finding my son again. The chaos coming from downstairs was enough to bring me to my knees. The fighting had spilled inside. Men peppered the house with bullets. But none came up. Saw me at the top and shot but never pursued. "Conan!" I called down. Felt fear ripping at my heart again. If he was down there, the odds of him making it out alive were slipping away by the second. "I am in here!" The boy called dutifully. His voice came from behind me. From the door I had seen the brute enter. Slipping inside, I closed it. Pushed the closest thing I could find in front of it. Which was a doll house. Large enough that a toddler could climb in and disappear. The roof of the house was a bit worn but brand new t
Nerezza's Point of ViewThe second floor of the house wasn't nearly as run down as the first floor. Held much more luxury. Paintings of people long since passed. Pieces of art. The floors were of high-quality stone. Made me feel almost guilty for walking all over them with my dirty feet. Children's toys were also scattered about. Littered the landing of the stairs. Along with the modern living room beyond. Off to the right, there was a kitchen. Neat. Clean. State of the art. Glass front cupboards lit up by lights on the inside. It almost rivaled my own."This way." The elderly lady whispered. Touched my arm briefly in passing. She lead us down a short hall. Past two other rooms with their doors tightly shut. A bathroom light was on at the far end, just beyond the third room. This was where the lady slowed down. Stopped in front of. The door had a name on it in colorful lettering. Conan.I felt my heart skip a beat. Until voices drifted into my ears. Amadeus hadn't followed us up. H
Nerezza's Point of ViewWe moved toward the light. Split up into our respective groups as we progressed. Our paws made less noise in the snow. Or maybe I couldn't hear them anymore above the pounding of my own heart. Either way, Amadeus and I remained behind the rest. Lagged a bit.From our current vantage point, I could make out two trucks closest to us. Neither looked to be filled with children, which was a slight relief. Until I realized where most of them were. In a hole, unable to ever return to their hopeful parents.Under Reginald's rule, several hundred children had vanished, seemingly, into thin air. I had a part to play in that monstrosity of negligence. Had always swept it under the rug so that he focussed on what I had wanted first. Now I came to regret it. Knew that those children had most likely been peers of Conan's later on. Priamos lead the way for Lysander's team. Curled his head left. The assassins and the heir padded off in that direction. Settled in somewhere out