(Raya’s POV)Eldra Systr island—or even the surrounding ones that would be hosting human astronomers and enthusiasts of eclipses—has probably never seen such a traffic of private helicopters going to one tiny island before.Despite our fear that the sons of Fenrir will snub the event as planned and encourage others to do the same, it would seem meeting the elusive future king and his odd choice of a queen makes for a more alluring option.Kaan and I stand side by side on a make-shift pavilion which is adorned by thick creamy white curtains blowing in the wind. Should it start to get very cold, it could be used as a makeshift cover to shield us as well.These last few days, the ever-efficient Elijah has brought with him everything money can buy to give the event all the simple elegance and discreet pomp possible in such a small island. All the comforts that can be offered to the guests, anything they might ask for, Elijah tried to foresee and made sure that they will be provided.The e
(KAAN’S POV)My mate looks so lovely and graceful today and at the same time ready to do battle. Despite the practiced demure smile, she has that determined look in her eyes that makes her even more beautiful in my eyes.The encounter with the sons of Fenrir actually affected me more than it rattled her, probably because she is too worried about me to notice the subtle insults and condescension thrown her way. Or maybe she did but had simply ignored them for my sake.Her hands held mine and lent me the support I badly needed in events like this when I don’t really give a rat’s ass about being present, let alone being the one in charge. But all of a sudden she leans over and tells me she just needs to stretch her legs for a bit.Unfortunately, I am in the middle of a business conversation and it would be rude for me to leave but one look at her and I can only surmise that it is urgent—she probably needed the necessities but cannot say it directly—otherwise, she would never have left my
(Raya’s POV)I stop walking, carefully thinking of the words to say. Having met her already, I opted for honesty instead of flattery. “I was hopeful at first…but then you disappeared,” I respond cautiously. “Sylvana said you left. That perhaps you weren’t interested enough. I didn’t really know what to think anymore after that.” I take a deep breath, looking her straight in the eyes. “But when I saw you just now, I must admit to a little bit of hope again.”“Very diplomatic. I like it, just as I liked what I heard you tell the prince’s secretary. And I did tell Lady Sylvana to keep mum about my whereabouts. Who doesn’t enjoy a dramatic entrance…or in this case re-entry? You should have seen your face.” She chuckles and resumes the walk again. “If you must know, Your Highness, I went to the mainland to meet with someone. That email I told you about reached the right people, hence the numbers you see today. You are right to walk around a little, away from the prince’s side for a bit. I
(Kaan’s POV) A few minutes before the gong… I groan internally as I see the next guest standing before me, not because I don’t particularly like him but because I’m not really in the right mood—nor do I have enough focus right now—to tiptoe around someone of a rather delicate nature. Orthros, the only two-headed lycan in our history that actually survived to adulthood. He is in his human form now, which means…I need to guess who exactly I am talking to at the moment. As a human, he looks quite ordinary, head-wise. Physically, he only has one when he’s in this form. But it becomes a little bit more complicated when he opens his mouth because you never really know which one of his two personalities will be speaking to you. And it wouldn’t have been a problem, if not for the fact that his two personalities are polar opposites. Let’s just say that it’s a bit like playing Russian Roulette. One serves the King as a decorated and well-respected warrior, while the other… Well, with th
(Raya’s POV) An almost deafening silence has descended upon the whole island. The anticipation is palpable in the air as wisps of daylight linger, casting an ethereal glow over the landscape, as if nature itself is holding its breath as it bears witness to this spectacular cosmic show. I dare not blink lest I miss anything of this surreal experience. A thin veil of darkness nibbles at the brightness of the sun at first. As the moon’s silhouette softly approaches the solar canvas, things begin to change, the shadows becoming more defined and sharp. Slowly but surely, the gentle moon claims the mighty sun, descending upon its head like an invading celestial crown. I turn to look at Kaan and I see that just as everyone else, he is staring at the sky like a fanatic, utterly mesmerized and with bated breath. If I hadn’t looked down, I would have missed the moment when the guests started to take off their clothes, before shifting into their wolf or lycan form. My jaw drops as I realize
(Kaan’s POV)I stand alone near the helipad as the last guest’s helicopter flies away. Raya is feeling a little unwell so I told her to rest. She must be really exhausted or the stress must have finally caught up with her because she didn’t fight me on that one and went straight to our room.The moment the helicopter is out of sight, my cousin Sylvana appears right beside me, as if she’s been standing there all along. Perhaps she was.“Well?” I ask quietly. “What did you find out?”Sylvana scoffs. “The usual dirty laundry—literal and figurative—and whispered scandals brewing under the surface. I was almost bored out of my mind until…” her face darkens as she grits her teeth and hisses. “Those three old maggots. They mean trouble, and not the petty kind. They will never accept a human queen because—and I quote ‘It will sully the pure blood of the lycan kings and produce inferior half-breeds’. I wanted to throw up while I was in their tent. They feel entitled because their families have
(Raya’s POV)It has been two weeks since we have returned home to the States, after a week of being confined at The National Hospital of the Faroe Islands. We’re back in Kaan’s apartment and I’m bored out of my skull. He’s home with me most days, refusing to leave my side unless it’s something very important, but today there’s an important board meeting and he has to personally be there so now I’m here, reading a book on the couch, with Elijah typing away on his laptop on the breakfast table just a few yards away.Outside the apartment, two burly security guards stand. They’re probably shifters too, the way they growl at anyone daring to walk too close to our hallway.Kaan’s parents will be returning to their own home next week and have invited us to join them there, where there will be higher level of security given the threat the sons of Fenrir are posing but I asked Kaan if we can stay at our own place, where there will be less eyes who might report back to the old howlers, even in
(Raya’s POV)Orthros? Why is that name familiar?Wait, isn’t that…the two-headed lycan? I did meet him, very briefly, after the festival and he was courteous and kind, but I was not able to focus much during the conversation because of my pounding headache. He seems rather normal as a human and I had been too focused on Kaan during the festival to notice anyone else, really.I vaguely remember his human face. He looks to be just slightly older than Kaan. Slightly built, looks more like a dandy than a warrior, really, although Kaan told me Orthros is actually an important elite warrior under the King’s command. I tiptoe to see from behind Kaan’s shoulder and I see a tall, elegantly dressed man with dark brown hair and coffee-colored eyes. Kaan told me that as a child he was brought to King Wayan from a small island in Greece but I would have said he’s a perfect English gentleman from the way he dresses.Kaan and I stand up to greet him and he instinctively steps protectively in front