Rae"Did Von send you?" I frowned slightly, spilling out the thought in my mind.Jace shook his head. "No." My brows furrowed. "Then why are you here?" "Anna mentioned you hadn’t eaten," he said casually. "I figured I’d check on you. Bring you some food." My eyes softened slightly. Typical Anna. Always worrying about me. I exhaled, offering a small nod. "Thank you." I reached for the tray, but Jace made no move to hand it over. "Actually," he said, clearing his throat. "Is it fine if I stay for a while?" I blinked, caught off guard. "Why?" He gave a small shrug. "Anna told me to make sure you eat after I said I’d bring this to you." I found that weird. Why did Anna want him to watch over her?I wanted to ask more questions but I just decided to push it away.I stepped aside, opening the door wider. "Come in, then." Jace entered, his posture stiff as he carried the tray to the nearest table. Instead of sitting, he moved toward the corner of the room, standing with his arms cr
Rae The palace hallways stretched before me as I walked. I couldn’t wait to give Jace a piece of my mind after I found out why he lied. When I crossed the usual spot where he normally stood. I realized he wasn’t there.“Where’s Jace?” I asked one of the guards after I had walked around the palace and I still hadn’t seen him.“He’s at the training grounds, ma’am.” The guard replied and I nodded.As I made my way outside I came across a group of maids. They didn’t look pleased to see me, and I wasn’t surprised.I raised my head, as I walked acting like their stares did nothing to me, but deep down it made me feel small, and to make things worse they kept whispering loudly for me to hear.They were laying their usual accusations.“Look at her!” One of them said. “Roaming the halls like she’s the boss.”“If Queen Calister was alive…” another voice spoke up. “She wouldn’t dare do this.”“I wonder what she had done to entice the king!” I shook my head, ready to speak but I stopped myself
VonImmediately I finished my conversation with Jace, I found myself heading toward Rae’s chambers.I needed to speak to her, actually I wanted to take her out.I know I sound crazy but the only reason I wanted to do this was because I knew that if I wanted her to accept my request, I had to do things differently.I needed to make her see that I wasn’t going to hurt her.When I arrived at her door, I knocked once, but I got no reply. I tried again and it was still the same thing —silence.I frowned. Was she avoiding me? After another pause, I pushed the door open. The room was empty. I sighed, stepping inside, my gaze sweeping across the neatly arranged space. Rae was likely with Anna, which meant I had time to think about what I would say to her. I settled near the window, my fingers tapping against the wooden frame as I mulled over my words. “Hey, Rae!” I rehearsed. “Would like to go out with me?”I frowned at my words. I was sounding like a young lad. I needed to be more forma
RaeI wandered outside the palace. The evening sky was fading and the clouds were slowly becoming darker.I wasn’t sure where I was going, but one thing I was sure of was that I was tired of staying inside.As I stepped further away from the palace entrance, I spotted a familiar figure standing near the courtyard. When I moved closer I realized it was Jace. He was leaning against a stone bench, gazing up at the night sky. From the look on his face, I realized that he was deep in thought. “You’re wandering,” Jace noted as I approached him. So he wasn’t deep in thoughts, I guess I was wrong.“Is it wrong to wander?” I asked.“Not, at all.” He said sharply. “It helps to relive the mind.”“You’re smarter than you look.” I pointed out.He chuckled, gesturing to the bench beside him. “Come, sit.”I hesitated for only a moment before lowering myself onto the bench. The night sky stretched endlessly above us, and I spotted one or two stars slowly appearing. The sight was mesmerizing, and
Rae My eyes turned to Von who hadn’t answered my questions. “Von!” I called out and he stared at me with a meek look on his face. A clear sign he wasn’t going to say anything. I looked away from him. “The place is a mess!” I yelled, stepping inside. Von, standing in the middle of the chaos, arms crossed, gave me a dry look. “Now I regret calling you here.” I ignored his comment and surveyed the room on again. Clothes were scattered all over the bed, shoes lay in disarray on the floor, and an open trunk filled with more garments sat at the foot of the bed as if someone had dug through it desperately. “Are you going to tell me why you need my help?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “And why do you have clothes scattered everywhere?” “I’m going to an event,” he replied. “The Silver Mist Pack just lost their Alpha, and tomorrow, they’re crowning the Prince. I was invited.” “That sounds like fun.” “It is,” Von said, shaking his head. “The ceremony usually lasts for a week. There ar
Rae I had once given in to Von’s demands. And once again, I ignored the nagging voice in my head telling me I shouldn’t. Why do I keep doing this? Anna sat on the edge of my bed, watching me as I hesitated before my packed suitcase. “It might actually be a nice experience,” she said, her voice light, as if trying to make me feel better. I rolled my eyes. “You don’t have to point out the positives all the time.” Anna smirked, reaching for my suitcase and handing it to me. “It’s not going to be bad, Rae. Just try to survive.” I took the suitcase reluctantly, my fingers gripping the handle a little too tightly. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one being dragged into this.” She shrugged. “You’re the one who always manages to get yourself into these messes, so now you have to deal with it.” I let out a sigh, watching as she walked toward the door. “You’ll be fine,” she added before leaving. A few moments later, Von stepped in. “All set?” I nodded, still feeling u
VonI felt the warmth of her hand in mine and a soft yet electric sensation that sent a ripple through me. I wasn’t sure why I had grabbed Rae’s hand in the first place, but as we walked through the grand hall, the weight of it in my palm felt grounding, and I didn’t want to let go. Then, as I caught sight of Edgar, I quickly did. Rae’s expression changed, but she remained close, standing just slightly behind me as the ceremony began. The entire hall was alive with dancing, singing, and the clinking of goblets. The newly crowned Alpha of the Silver Mist Pack sat at the center of it all, and he had a bright smile on his face. He was different from his father—Gerald who never wore a smile, and I was sure the people of the pack were happy to finally have a leader like him.As I pulled my gaze away, I noticed one of the Alphas from a neighboring pack approaching me. I adjusted myself on the table awaiting his arrival.“Alpha von!” The alpha said in a stern voice. “Just the man I
Rae Von was wrong. This whole experience wasn’t enjoyable, and I certainly wasn’t learning anything about the Silver Mist Pack. If anything, I was growing more frustrated as the days pass. The next morning, I was left with the other maids. It wasn’t exactly a punishment, but it felt like one. While Von was off doing whatever royal wolves did during ceremonial visits, I was stuck in the servant quarters, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, listening to stories I had no interest in. Some of the maids were scrubbing linens, others sorting through silverware and decorations for the upcoming event. Most of them, however, were talking. I sat in the corner, half-listening as they gossiped about their Alphas and Lunas. “Alpha Cedric is the worst,” one of them sighed dramatically. “He barely even acknowledges us unless something’s out of place.” “At least your Alpha ignores you,” another muttered. “Mine remembers me. And not in a good way.” There was a soft chuckle, but I c
Von The sound of the crowd's cheers echoed through the gate, as I raised the artifact in my hand. “I have found a way to end the curse,” I repeated.“To save us all!” I continued. “This would wipe off the pain and suffering we have endured.”“Our lives shall once again be filled with joy.” They continued to cheer me on but their joyous voices faded behind me as I turned my back on them, my heart hammering in my chest. I needed to see Rae. Now.“The Luna has given birth,” Roy said as I stepped through the entrance. His voice was calm, but the weight of his words brought me to a halt. I looked at him in disbelief. “What?” “It’s a girl,” he added, smiling. I didn’t waste a second. My feet carried me up the stairs like the wind was at my back. When I opened the door, I saw Rae—cradling the child in her arms, her face bathed in soft light. My breath caught in my throat.She looked up at me with tired eyes, and then down again at the tiny baby bundled against her chest. I moved c
RaeI stood in front of the mirror, my hand hovering gently over my stomach. My skin was stretched, round, and tight.I rubbed my hands round my stomach and I smiled, but the smile didn’t last. It had been four months since Von had left. Four months since I had last seen him. I never got to say goodbye. The thought still ached deep inside me. I wished I had listened to Anna, wished I had stopped him or at least spoken to him before he left, but I didn’t. I let my emotions take over and eat my mind.Behind me, a voice broke the silence. “Are you okay?” Anna’s voice was soft. I turned to face her and nodded slowly. “I’m fine… I was just thinking. The baby’s almost here.” She stepped closer, worry written all over her face. “Are you scared?” I hesitated before answering. “I’m worried. Not for myself… for the baby.” Anna furrowed her brow. “Why? The baby will be born into a better world—once Von returns with the artifact.” “That’s what scares me,” I whispered. “What if they
Von The distance between Rae and me grew day by day. And I didn’t try to close it. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I understood why it was happening. This was too much for her to process—there was too much pain involved. She needed space, and I wasn’t going to force my presence into a storm she hadn’t calmed yet.So I kept to myself, locking the emotions away and burying my mind in strategy. Every hour was spent thinking, reading old texts, flipping through scrolls.I was searching for any solid thread that could lead to the artifact the seer spoke of. I wanted to be sure that it was real and just something that was made up, when I finally found an old book that documented old artifact I was happy. So it exited. As I closed that book, I made my decision. I was going to find it. And I wasn’t going alone.Landon was coming with me.The idea settled like steel in my bones. I dragged myself out of bed, the morning chilly air biting at my skin as I stood before the mirror and
Von I was torn between two options—go after Rae or deal with the information that the guard just delivered to me.My feet itched to chase her down the servants’ quarters, and to make her feel better… but duty pulled me in the other direction.Roy was already a few steps ahead, and I followed him down the corridor, my gaze still locked on the hallway Rae had disappeared into.“He told you he found a witch?” I asked, my voice sharp.Roy nodded without looking back. “Yes, Your Majesty. Said he found her near the valley.”“And you believe that nonsense?” I pressed, picking up my pace.“What do you mean?” Roy glanced back at me.“Do you really think he found a real witch? Or is this just some random old woman he picked up to fool us again?” My tone was filled with suspicion.Roy hesitated. “I… I don’t know. He seemed sure of her. That’s all I can say.”I didn’t push him further. I clenched my jaw and kept walking, letting silence carry the weight of my thoughts. Landon was a snake—one wh
Rae I stared at Anna in disbelief, my lips parted but no words coming out. I couldn’t believe what I just heard. I felt like I was in a nightmare. I managed to pull myself out of the haze staring back at Anna. “You’re saying… I have to die to save the kingdom?” My voice cracked as I spoke, and my legs felt unsteady beneath me.Anna gave a slow nod, her eyes filled with sadness.“I don’t understand,” I said, forcing myself to stand. “Why me? How am I the reason for the curse?”“I don’t know, Rae,” she replied gently. “But Von might. He’s been keeping everything to himself. I think he knows more than he’s saying.”I shook my head. “This can’t be real. I refuse to believe it.”My heart pounded in my chest. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. The walls were closing in. A thousand thoughts ran through my mind, crashing into each other. I didn’t want to cry, but tears burned behind my eyes anyway.Anna stepped closer. “Please calm down. Landon’s looking for a witch. He believes there might b
RaeThe dim light crept into view, it was blurry and soft at first, like a distant memory trying to settle into focus. My head felt heavy, and my body… foreign. I blinked a few times, trying to ground myself in the space around me. Everything was unfamiliar. I was disoriented. My arms ached, and when I looked down, I noticed wires—tubes—stripped across my body. I couldn’t tell if they were for healing or restraint.Then suddenly I heard soft sobs which broke through my haze.I turned my head, and my eyes landed on Anna. She was hunched over in a chair across the room, her shoulders trembling. Her voice cracked as she muttered to herself, “I think I’ve made a mistake… I shouldn’t have let him go…”What was she talking about? And why was she crying?“Anna…” My voice came out hoarse, it was low and if she wasn’t sitting close by. I was sure she wouldn’t have heard it.Anna’s head jerked up after those words left my lips. Her eyes widened like she’d seen a ghost. “Rae?” she gasped. T
VonThe moment, I saw Landon move I halted my steps, trying to figure out where he was heading. He directed his horse towards the side of the river while he rested on one of the stones. He was facing me now, but because of the trees I was well hidden and I couldn’t be easily detected. I kept watching, waiting for the opportunity when he would finally turn his back. Eventually, he did, and just as I was about to launch myself at him, my horse let out a sharp, loud snort.Landon jerked his head up and during that moment his eyes found mine. I wondered if he had seen me, but the moment I saw him reach for his horse I got the answer to my question.Landon pulled his horse out of the river in one fast move, climbed onto the saddle, and kicked hard. The animal responded instantly, racing through the shallow water, splashing and tearing through the trees.“Landon!” I growled, then yanked my reins.I mounted quickly and dug my heels in. My horse moved forward, its hooves digging into the t
VonI stared at Anna with a coldness that could freeze fire. My eyes locked onto hers, searching for answers, for some kind of remorse, but all I saw was silence. Her lips stayed pressed together, and it was clear she wasn’t planning on explaining anything anytime soon.My anger ignited. It roared up from my chest like a beast unchained. I hit her against the cage once again.“You dare remain silent?” I growled through clenched teeth. “You set him free and you stand here with your mouth shut like it means nothing?”Her gaze flicked to mine, and finally, she spoke in a soft tone. “Even if I explain things to you… you’ll never understand.”I scoffed, tightening my grip. “Did he promise you something? Huh? Is that it? Did Landon feed you some sweet little story?”“No,” she snapped back. “He didn’t promise me anything.”I let out a humorless laugh. “Then why? What in the hell made you think this was a good idea?”She yanked her arm out of my grasp. “Because he said he wants to help this c
Von The night had arrived.I sat in my chambers, wide awake. My sword rested beside me on the table, a sharp glint catching the flicker of torchlight from the wall. I hadn't slept, not even for a second. My instincts told me tonight would be the night they'd try it—the traitors among my guards. Anna’s warning had been clear, and my men were ready. My loyal guards were stationed throughout the palace, hiding in shadows, crouched in corners, armed to the teeth.I paced slowly across the room, boots echoing faintly against the stone floor. Then—just as I paused—came the sound. A low grunt. Then another. It started outside my door. The fight had begun.I moved quickly into the shadows, pressing my back against the cold wall. I could hear the scuffle grow louder. Then came footsteps rushing toward my chamber. Someone was coming for me.I didn’t move.I waited.The door creaked open. I saw the silhouette step in, sword drawn. He didn’t see me. He thought I’d be asleep.He took three step