DEVA LOREN/ LANA ALVAREZ."And what if I refuse?" I dared to ask."You would refuse to become the better woman?" Alpha Cain rose to his feet, facing me as if he wanted to ram his tightened fist into my face.He's hit the actual Deva a few times. More times than I can count throughout her diary.Of course, I wouldn't be against it as I am in my right mind. But if I were Deva, I would want to know what would happen if I said no.After all, it was only for his benefit, not for me."I-I don't want to hurt anyone." I acted scared.The only thing I felt for this man was repulsion. Scared? Absolutely not.He angered me if anything."You're not hurting anyone, Deva. You must understand that if you do not take that Sophie woman down, she will crush you beneath her palms no matter the cost."I need not be told twice. I know she desires my harm."I know, mother," I replied."Then do not act like a fool and do the right thing. You must have Alpha Aaron's child no matter what. I'll give you three
DEVA LOREN/ LANA ALVAREZ.We stepped into the garden through an archway draped in blooming roses, their petals brushing my shoulder like a breath. The vines twisted up the iron frame, stubborn and soft, opening into a timeless garden.The path beneath our feet shimmered with fine stone dust, curving through sculpted hedges shaped into wolves mid-howl and shields worn by age.The twelve statues ahead stood in a circle, each ruler frozen in stone with eyes carved to follow your movement. One held a blade across his chest. Another knelt with hands bound in prayer. Evil men described as glorious rulers. They left those they stole from in penury, the one I hated the most had his statue with his eyes and mouth smiling. Aaron looked so much like him. How could I have missed the strange resemblance?He had me completely fooled as Lana, but he will never win in the same game as Lana.Just past the statues stood tall iron cages woven with gold thread, spaced like art installations, beautiful an
DEVA LOREN/ LANA ALVAREZMy fingers subconsciously remained on my lips after leaving Aaron and Sophie alone. I kissed him.Why did I give in to it?It almost seemed that part of me never stopped being attracted to Aaron.The same man who left me to rot away like a dirty little secret. Would he have kissed me so passionately if he knew I was Lana? I doubted it.I walked with my servants until I reached the third wing of the royal home, the servants' quarters. To think I used to live there before I died."Deva!" I turned under my umbrella as I looked ahead into the sunny environment to find Aaron calling me.How do you always find me when it's convenient for you? I wanted to ask, but it would only confuse him. Shall I toy with his head a little?I kept my expression in a scowl. If he thinks what he did earlier will make up for my dignity, he's sorely mistaken."Alpha Aaron," I lowered my head a little in respect. If I were a worker or commoner, I would've lowered my upper half fully jus
AARON SHROVA.It was hard not to lose myself in the taste of Deva's lips. This is what I was afraid of. I did not love her; my heart was with someone else who was no more. It was my fault that she died.I told myself that I kissed her to preserve her dignity and to make up for not showing up last night. All I remember was Sophie asking for me, and I passed out from exhaustion. I had gotten a little fever before the wedding that only Sophie knew of. I hid it well, but it caught up with me. The doctors said it was from induced stress. I meant to be at her Chambers to fulfill my duties after seeing Sophie, who told me she had something important to tell me.Her actions had failed to make sense to me after Deva arrived. It was like her demeanor changed. She became cold and distant. I didn't fully trust anyone, and I still could not tell who was telling the truth. Was it the woman I had my lips on or the one I trusted to be c
DEVA LOREN/ LANA ALVAREZAlpha Cain and Jade were taken to the other wing of the royal house to rest for the night, putting their faith in me to make them proud by successfully sleeping with him.I sat in my room, dressed by my maids, looking dolled up and perfect. Middle-aged women came into my chambers to explain the procedure of sleeping with my current husband. My eyes tore away from every vivid description and scenario as they explained it all to me.A bride excited would be shy. I wasn't shy; I was scared for all the valid reasons.The nightgown I had on was not made for sleeping. It was made for him.It hugged my body like melted silk, soft, light, and weightless. The neckline dropped low, too low, showing the top of my breasts like they were meant to be seen. Black lace lined the edge, brushing my skin like a gentle caress. It didn’t hide anything. It only drew more
DEVA LOREN/ LANA ALVAREZ.The banquet for the celebration was not as huge as the one the Luna would have, but it was a large feast featuring the best musicians in town, the top nobles, people from Scarletmoon pack, amazing cuisines, and gossip from people who looked at me curiously from a distance, examining me as though I was a newly discovered rare species. They watched me all evening. All of them. Like I was something they were waiting to see crack. The rest came to congratulate me, and so did the witch Aaron married."Congratulations, Deva. I feel blessed to have you here with me. I hope we get along well enough for our children to be the best of friends."I glanced at Aaron, realizing I hadn't thought about having his children a lot. What if I do? Give birth to a man who does not love me. An uncanny feeling pricked up my spine. I wasn't sure I still believed in true love after what I had been through, but I do not b