|| ALEXIS's POV ||The question was left unheard of as she collapsed in my arms. For the first time, I was scared after years in the Mafia World. She was drowned in blood. Her pale face scared the shit out of me.I picked her up in my arms. Matteo shot one last glare at Fiona before running after me. She didn't open her eyes. A part of me tried to convince me that she was a Royal. Healing her wound was just a matter of time. But I was anxious and eager to see her fine.I called her a few times as I laid her on the bed," Elinda!! Elinda!"She remained unconscious. Matteo tried to comfort me, patting my back," Alpha Don! She will be fine. Give her wolf time to heal."I clenched my jaw hard and turned around furiously," Check the CCTV FOOTAGES. I want to know how she got in there."Something wasn't feeling right about the whole incident. Black monsters were always kept locked. They didn't act wild unless they were triggered and met any new faces. Matteo understood the assignment, head
|| ELINDA's POV ||Fiona shifted her attention to me. When she saw me standing, her face grew red in anger. She shouted at me, her eyes filling with hatred," YOU!! YOU DID THIS TO ME! YOU!! You whore..how dare you!"I was awestruck by her audacity. She accused me even after she did wrong to me. I didn't have the heart to let go of her. I replied with a twisted smile," Yes, I did seduce her. What can you do to me, Fiona?"She growled at me angrily. Her wolf died and she had no power left in her body. She sneered at me, her jealousy maddening her," HE DOESN'T EVEN CARE FOR YOU! It's all for your brother..and your title...He isn't interested in a low-class woman like you."I couldn't endure her insult anymore. In my impulse, I turned around and put my lips on his lips, pulling him into a hard kiss. It took him off guard but Alexis didn't push me away. Instead, he tried to deepen the kiss when reality kicked me hard. My wolf was tempted to go further. I pulled it back, breaking our kis
|| ALEXIS's POV ||" The western pack has agreed with the meeting. They would like to meet in the Italian Bar."Matteo informed me, his eyes narrowing in confusion. I was also stunned to know that they had agreed to the meeting so easily. It had only one meaning they had certain demands.I put down the revolver and looked up at Matteo," Sure! Let them come and see what they want."Matteo nodded, typing the answer on the iPad," I am booking the venue. Are you going alone? I mean.. the princess..."I cut him off with a glare, not wanting to take any risk," She stays here! It's dangerous to bring her around them. Put as many guards as you need. Not a single harm shall come on her."Matteo understood the assignment and gave direction through the speaker. I turned back to find my laptop. I was distracted from the moment the kiss happened. My wolf shouldn't be tempted but I was craving to stay near her. Such certain feelings were questionable. Since we had no bond, I shouldn't have felt
|| ELINDA's POV ||" How dare you fucking kiss me in front of everyone!"I was furious, not over Alexis but over myself. Every time he touched me or kissed me, it awakened my old feelings. My wolf stirred with excitement. I had the urge to pull him down for a kiss.Alexis clenched his jaw, glaring down at me," You should have fucking remembered it before coming here. I was only trying to save you. That jerk wanted you."I could tell from the expression of Alpha Luca that he had ill intentions with me. But since Alexis was there, I didn't mind his eyes. I replied with a scoff, getting on his nerves," So what? You can keep whores. Why can't I?"Alexis's expression grew dark over my comment. He stomped on his feet, growling through his gritted teeth," ELINDA! MIND YOUR WORDS! You are a princess, not a cheap whore."The reminder of my identity hit me hard. I swallowed hard before muttering my reply," Yes! It was cheap. That's why you could throw it off in the past. Since I am the prin
|| ALEXIS's POV ||Alex...My love...In a moment, my entire past flashed in front of my eyes. I remembered those loving eyes that held love for me when I took her virginity. Elinda fell silent as if realization had knocked her over as well.Then all my self-control exploded in a second. I pushed it deep inside her core, a sweet painful moan coming out of her lips. My wolf released a satisfied growl. I had bedded women after rejecting our bond but nothing made me feel so good like her.Elinda collapsed in my arms after she had her release. The moon went behind the clouds and the effect of her heat had reduced already. She stayed limp in my arms. I carried her up in my arms. For the first time that I held her, I felt complete. As I walked past the corridor, Matteo's voice stopped me abruptly," Alpha Don! What have you done? Don't you that... it's a crime? How can you touch a princess during this time?"I swallowed the discomfort hard. I was aware of the consequences that it was going
|| ALEXIS's POV ||"You are playing with fire, Alber! You are putting everything in danger!"I couldn't understand how he played along with the girl in an open place. I didn't know whether it was for Elinda or Albert that I was worried about. Giving to his situation, I knew the depth of danger.Albert kept his face dark. He lived only a few miles away from our island. I had to sneak to hide the whole drama from Elinda. I hated it when she gave me the face of distrust. Albert muttered while sipping the wine in his hand." I.. I didn't know. I didn't know that we were being followed."I shook my head in disbelief, the consequences of these leakages terrifying me. I replied with a long sigh,"You are ruining everything. I can't keep you safe if you continue to cross the boundary."Albert seemed distracted by my words. He sipped from his wine again and again before telling,"I have a banquet with the politicians tomorrow. How can I join that? The media...they are looking for me crazily."
|| ELINDA's POV ||I snapped my head aside to see Alexis running to my side. He grabbed my hands and pleaded, his eyes swiping around in an alarming concern," Don't fall for their trap! A princess can't shift in front of the media."I almost forgot the rules that I was once told by my biological mother. Princesses weren't allowed to shift in the presence of court members. It could lead to the violation of law but my rage was out of this world. The Alpha dared to poison me in front of everyone.I growled at Alexis, casting murderous glares to the Alpha," But he tried to kill me. Because of him, my servant is gone. I want it to be investigated."The Alpha still denied with a strong voice," This is absolutely absurd. I did nothing to the princess. I wish to fight if you..."Alexis cut him off as he went in front of me like a shield," Before you come for the princess, you have to cross me."The Alpha laughed before sneering at Alexis's face," Do you think that you are any match for m
|| ALEXIS's POV ||" Why are you looking for him? I must remind you, Alpha Don, that killing the Alpha will cause problems for us."Matteo groaned, watching me going through the details of Alpha Austin. He was the one who gifted Elinda the wine. Alpha Austin was part of the ministry, the youngest to be on the team. Even though Albert had asked me to stay away from him, I was doing my research.Matteo saw through my mind. He questioned, watching me absorb my thoughts," Since the prince doesn't want it, why are you pushing yourself into this matter, Alpha Don?"I had no answer for that. My mind couldn't forget the image of Elinda when she saw death so close to her. Her expression was imprinted in my mind. I couldn't forget it nor did I know the silly concern behind my behavior. I lied, finding out significant details about Alpha Austin that amused me," Protecting her is my responsibility. I just want to be extra cautious."Lies! I wished to bury that scum!Matteo didn't question anymo
Chapter 87 || ALBERTO'S POV ||The moment I stepped into the hall, my wolf lifted her head. Not due to the politics or the constant chatter swirling around us, but because she was present.Clara.Even now, even after all of it, my wolf l recognized her. Her presence was a magnet that I couldn't shake from my head, no matter how faint the melody had become. I stood on the sidelines, glass in hand, pretending to listen to Alexis's negotiation with the North Alpha, but my eyes kept wandering to her.And every time I glanced, I saw something that made my blood boil.Mikhail.He loomed over her like a predator, cold and commanding, his voice sharp and snapping whenever he addressed her. I noticed the tension in Clara's posture when he spoke, the way her shoulders tensed, the glint of something in her eyes she tried to hide—fear or indifference, I couldn't tell. But I did.My wolf did too.Go to her, he snarled within me, pacing back and forth."I can't," I grumbled under my breath.Alexis
Chapter 86 || Clara's POV ||I was sitting at the window, pretending to read a book, but my hands trembled so violently.My thoughts were elsewhere, as they always were now—on Alberto, on the painful bond inside me that grew heavier with each passing moment I stayed here, held captive by fear.The door creaked behind me.I didn't need to turn to know who it was. His presence made the room suffocate, forcing me to barely breathe."We are going to a reception tonight," he stated in a neutral tone, showing no feeling whatsoever. "The top designer will be there. Prepare yourself."I kept my back to him, my fingers tightening around the book.A meeting. Meaning all the power players would attend. And if Alberto was indeed in Bravta's borders, he'd certainly be there.The mere idea of being within the same air space as him—to look upon him, feel the tie between us scream for attention— wracked my chest with pain. It would hurt. I would know it would."I am not going," I said, voice small bu
Chapter 85 || Clara's POV ||The sunlight pouring through my window in the morning fell gently on the floor of my bedroom. I had not slept. Not actually. Each time I shut my eyes, the power of the bond felt out and pulled at my soul, whispering a name I could not voice. Alberto. My mate.But I was married to another man.The door creaked open and I stiffened, my heart racing before I could even turn around. To my relief, it was the healer—the elderly woman with warm eyes and gentle fingers. She gave a polite nod before she approached, her bag slung over one shoulder."How do you feel, Lady Clara?" she said softly as she sat beside the bed."Fine," I replied too quickly.Her eyes furrowed together, obviously not believing it, but she did not press the issue. She had grown accustomed to living in this house by now and was smarter than to ask questions she wasn't supposed to ask. I remained numb as she laid cool fingers on my wrist, feeling my pulse. Then her hand moved to my forehead,
Chapter 84|| CLARA's POV ||I can still remember that night—the night that would change everything.I was barely fifteen when my stepfather learned the truth about me.I had a weak wolf. I would never be able to shift.When the doctor gave us the news, my stepfather's face blackened with rage. It was as if my very existence disgusted him. His lips curled into a snarl, and before the doctor could even finish speaking, my stepfather grabbed a glass from beside him and hurled it at the wall."Weak! She's nothing but a shame like her father!" he had roared, his voice echoing through the pack house.I simply stood there, frozen at my steps. My heart was beating so fiercely it hurt. I attempted to speak, to defend myself, but the words wouldn't come. My mother? She simply sat there, staring out the window, as if none of it concerned her.That's when I knew something cold and absolute: I was completely alone.He wanted to banish me—I heard him argue it that night, loudly enough that the whol
Chapter 833 YEARS AGO|| Alberto's POV ||I was never a fan of the chill that came with visiting the foreign packs, especially those set so deep within the Russian territories that even the moon did not wish to grace down here. The Bravta Pack was an old name, one rooted in both crime and fidelity, and today I had crossed oceans to request an alliance.But I would have known better. Their type of power didn't do favors.I stiffened myself in the lavish sitting room of the estate, my hands clasped behind me as the heavy doors swung open. In walked Mikhail, head of the Bravta. A tall, square-shouldered man with pointed, merciless eyes and a presence as heavy as a storm.He did not invite me to sit. He did not smile. He barely even nodded."Royal Prince," he drawled with a smirk that never quite made it to his mouth. "Why do you creep here like a low-born?"I swallowed the urge to argue back. I was not here to fight. I needed him — no matter how much my pride bled."I came to propose a
Chapter 82|| Elinda's POV ||I stood in front of the door to Alberto's study longer than was probably wise. My heart pounded, and my hands curled over the sides of my dress as I tried to gather the courage to knock. This was not a choice that I had come to in a rush—but it was a choice that I had made.I knocked finally, and his voice came almost immediately, "Come in."When I arrived, Alberto looked up from over a pile of papers and frowned. His tired eyes softened only slightly at seeing me. "Elin… Are you okay?""No," I admitted. "But that's not what I'm here for."I sat across from him, and for an instant, we just stared at one another—two brothers caught in the game of power, politics, and pain. I didn't want to tell him, but I had to."I want to go back to the palace."Alberto's eyes grew wide. "You what?""I want to take up my duties again. As a princess." I attempted to maintain as steady a voice as possible.He blinked. "Elinda, you can't just—" He stopped himself, exhaled
Chapter 81|| Elinda's Pov ||The camera flashes were blinking like crazy and the reporters' questions came rushing towards me like a wave that could destroy everything."Princess Elinda, what do you have to say regarding the allegations of the death of the late king?""Will you assume the throne?""Who is your new partner now, Princess?"They went on asking the same thing. I had made up my mind already—I would answer them properly this time.I stood still for a moment, trapped under the gaze of millions of questioning eyes. My heart pounded like a bird in a cage, ready to soar, but I was rooted—on the steps of the palace.To my side, I saw Alexis drawing closer—silently, like a guardian—his very body trying to shield me.Concern and something more, something unspoken, flickered in his eyes."You don't have to answer," he whispered, loud enough for me to hear. "You're shaking."Part of me wanted to step back—press my head on his chest and run from it all. Like before… when we were st
Chapter 80|| Elinda's Pov ||I'm not sure if I actually remember travelling. The murmurs of the l crowd, the tightening in my chest as I saw the royal crest on the palace gates—that's all heartbreaking. The only thing that's now completely crystal clear is when the palace guards opened those large doors and I saw his body.My father—King of the Royal Lycan Kingdom—was no more. He no longer existed.It was all like a dream. I didn't believe it, not for anything. There were courtiers on either side of the hall in black—for mourning, as they referred to it—but nothing mattered to me. I just kept looking at the white, dead form lying over the marble. My father.Alberto stood beside him, a shadow of himself. He was leaning forward, one hand on the marble slab, shaking."Alberto," I whispered and ran to him.He didn't lift his head, didn't say a word. I placed a hand on his shoulder, and only then did I hear the harsh sound of his crying."I'm here. I'm here, Brother," I said, placing my
Chapter 79|| Alexis's POV ||Pain.It stormed through every nerve in my body, a storm I couldn't ignore.My head pounded continuously, my chest burned with every shallow breath, and for an instant, I was caught again in that brutal fight. I hovered between blackness and the sharp edges of consciousness, the scent of blood thick in my nostrils.Somewhere in the fog of my mind, I heard voices. Far away, muffled."Alexis… please… don't leave me…"I attempted to open my eyes. A shadow loomed above me, a familiar form. Not the one I wanted. Not the one I needed to see.It was Lysa.Her hands trembled as she moistened my forehead with a wet cloth. Her face twisted into a fake concern, but even I, in my present state of weakness, could feel the fake worries of her tone."Thank the moon you're awake," she cooed softly, voice strained with emotion she didn't really feel.My throat was feeling dry.I barely managed to croak. Still, I somehow managed to rasp out, "Where. Elinda?"Her face tighte